Chapter 4
Aeron followed Jinx down the winding hallways of the academy, his mind running over the events of the last few days. The intense training sessions, new faces, and the ever-present pressure from the royal mandate weighed on him. But walking beside Jinx was somehow grounding. Her excitement about magic and invention had a way of pulling him into the present moment, even if her relentless pace left him scrambling to keep up.a
"Ready to see your magic through a new lens?" Jinx asked, flashing him a grin as they approached a discreet door hidden behind a tapestry. She had her crystal goggles already strapped around her head, their curious, many-faceted lenses reflecting the dim hallway light.
Aeron raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "New lens?"
She pushed open the door, and they stepped into a private arena, a large circular space with high walls and faint, ancient runes carved into the stone. "This place has enchantments that keep our energy hidden from others. No one's going to see what we're up to in here," Jinx explained, adjusting her goggles. "And these," she pointed to the goggles, "are going to help me study every aspect of your earth blade."
Aeron chuckled, half in disbelief. "I didn't know you were so interested in it."
"You know," she said, squinting at him through the lenses, "the Bladecaster hilt is a brilliant piece of craftsmanship. You're wielding a piece of lost history. I'd be foolish not to study it up close."
Aeron shrugged, feeling a slight swell of pride. He untied his cloak and carefully laid it aside, revealing Ob, who stretched his legs from where he'd nestled against Aeron's back. Now about the size of a backpack, Ob crawled down to the floor, his many eyes taking in the spacious arena. Jinx's eyes sparkled as she took in the sight of the spider.
"Ob's gotten bigger since the last time I saw him!" she exclaimed, squatting down to give him an approving nod. "Good to have you here, too, little guy."
Ob responded with a quiet, almost cautious click of his mandibles. He stayed close to Aeron, his gaze shifting around the room like he was already calculating the best positions to defend and watch over his master.
"Alright," Jinx said, her voice focused. "Let's see that earth blade of yours."
Aeron inhaled, grounding himself, then extended his hand and let his energy flow through the hilt. Stone and metal twisted together in his grip, solidifying into the form of a sword. The earth blade's weight felt natural in his hand, a manifestation of his connection to the element.
Jinx adjusted the dials on her goggles, leaning in close enough to observe the intricate runes on the hilt as they pulsed faintly with each shift in his energy. "Fascinating," she murmured. "The way the runes are etched… they're stabilizing your magic as it moves through the blade."
"What do you see?" Aeron asked, genuinely curious.
"Right now, I'm seeing the intensity and balance of your magic. It's almost like your energy has a pattern — the runes help guide it into the shape of the blade. Without them, the blade would collapse, wouldn't it?"
He nodded, focusing his energy as he moved through a few stances. The blade felt stable, an extension of himself, responding to each turn and shift in his grip.
Ob watched quietly, eyes flickering with a strange understanding. Aeron could feel his connection with Ob strengthening, as if the spider was absorbing something from his earth magic, resonating with it.
After a few minutes, Aeron let the blade dissolve, releasing his focus. "So, how did it look?" he asked, glancing over at Jinx.
Jinx was furiously scribbling notes, her goggles pushed up onto her head, the lenses glinting with a faint green hue. "I think… I might be able to tweak your hilt a bit. Make it more efficient, more adaptive. The way your magic flows through it — I think there's room for some minor adjustments."
She flipped her goggles back down and glanced at Ob, who was idly tapping his legs on a few small stones scattered around. A glimmer of energy appeared beneath his legs, making the stones shift slightly. Jinx's eyes widened.
"Did you see that?" she gasped, grabbing Aeron's arm. "Ob's reacting to your magic."
Aeron looked down, watching as Ob continued to tap the stones, his eyes fixated on them with a quiet intensity. He could feel a faint, almost imperceptible pull in the earth beneath him, like the spider was trying to mimic his own abilities. Aeron felt a surge of pride for Ob, knowing his companion was beginning to tap into an elemental connection.
Jinx adjusted her goggles, watching the tiny vibrations of magic around Ob. "He's resonating with the earth energy, almost like he's drawing from your own connection. It's subtle now, but it's definitely there."
Encouraged, Aeron crouched down next to Ob and whispered, "Think you can help us with some training?"
Ob chittered softly, then shot a quick line of webbing toward a nearby target, pulling himself toward it in a swift, smooth motion. Aeron could see the potential for using Ob's agility in a fight, imagining how the spider's speed and web-shooting could give him an edge.
"Not bad," Aeron remarked, patting the spider's back. "We'll make a team out of you yet."
Jinx watched thoughtfully, flipping up her goggles. "You know, Aeron, if Ob keeps growing, his connection to the earth might strengthen. He could end up being more than just a lookout for you. Think about it: a mount, a shield…"
Aeron nodded, a flicker of excitement sparking in his eyes. "I'd like that. He's always been there for me, even if he's more… reserved than most."
Jinx chuckled, watching as Ob returned to Aeron's side, tapping his legs in a calm, rhythmic pattern. "I think he fits you perfectly."
They trained a while longer, with Aeron running through techniques while Jinx meticulously observed each detail with her goggles. Her attention to his hilt's runes and energy flow led to several small adjustments, each one making Aeron's connection with his earth blade just a bit smoother, a bit stronger.
As they prepared to leave, Aeron noticed the familiar form of his rival, Kelton, lingering near the door, a smirk on his face. His gaze flicked from Aeron's hilt to Jinx's goggles, lingering with a spark of intrigue.
"Nice setup you've got here," Kelton sneered, folding his arms. "Private training sessions, special gadgets. I bet that little spider of yours will make a great mascot."
Jinx bristled, stepping in before Aeron could respond. "I'd rather be in here learning something useful than wasting time showing off in the main arena."
Kelton's smirk widened. "We'll see if that helps him in the next tournament." He gave them both a mocking salute before turning and disappearing down the hall.
Jinx rolled her eyes, exhaling in frustration. "Ignore him. He's just threatened because you're actually doing something different."
Aeron shrugged, focusing back on Jinx and Ob. "He can say whatever he wants. As long as I keep improving, that's all that matters."
With the tension fading, Jinx led Aeron back toward her workshop, chatting excitedly about the data her goggles had collected. Her voice was filled with energy, already making plans for the adjustments she'd make to his hilt.
Ob followed quietly at Aeron's heels, his gaze lingering on the crystals and runes in Jinx's workshop. Aeron noticed and couldn't help but wonder if Ob understood more than he let on, his connection to the earth growing with every step.
As Jinx set down her goggles on the workbench and pulled out her sketches, Aeron felt a quiet sense of gratitude. He had a companion and a friend who believed in him, who saw his potential — both in the blade and beyond.
And with them at his side, he knew he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.