The morning unfolded with a familiar rhythm, golden sunlight spilling through the windows and casting warm shadows across the wooden floors. The twins arrived with their usual playful energy, their bare feet padding softly on the cool tiles as they prepared for their morning bath. Steam rose from the warm water, filling the room with a misty embrace. Once they were clean and dressed, Kazu's rich, commanding voice echoed through the house, calling everyone to gather in the workshop.
After gathering in the workshop, Kazu carefully withdrew the rings he had created the previous day. The metallic surfaces caught the light, revealing subtle etchings and delicate curves. His voice resonated with focused determination as he addressed the gathered group, "Today, we'll delve into the art of enchanting. These rings will be our test subjects."
With razor-sharp focus, Kazu began the intricate process of infusing Anna's ring with a protective air shield. His fingers hovered mere millimeters above the gleaming metal, pale wisps of magical energy seeping into its core like liquid moonlight. His movements were hypnotic—deliberate and graceful, each subtle gesture carefully embedding magical essence into the ring.
Anna meticulously tested the enchantment, her bright green eyes sparkling with curiosity as each activation unveiled progressively complex layers of magical interaction. Through methodical experimentation, they unraveled the spell's intricate mechanics: when touching, both individuals were instantaneously enveloped within a shimmering, translucent protective bubble that seemed spun from silk and starlight. Kazu experienced this firsthand while guiding her through the activation. Those nearby but not directly touching were repelled—a fact Felix learned with a startled, high-pitched yelp that echoed through the workshop. The most dramatic revelation occurred when Kazu was moving towards her as she activated her ring, which caused him to be violently pushed away. A lesson Kazu learned when he was catapulted into a sturdy workbench, tools crashing around him in a thunderous metallic symphony.
Redirecting his intense concentration, Kazu turned his attention to Felina's ring, his eyebrows knitted in profound contemplation as he worked to imbue it with elemental fire magic. After several meticulous attempts, he successfully integrated the volatile magical essence. With a single, commanding spoken word—"augue"—the ring would conjure a blazing fireball, precisely aligned with the wearer's clenched fist. Eager to witness the enchantment's potential, the group relocated outside, the open terrain providing a strategic and safe testing ground.
Felina raises her arm, angling it precisely 60 degrees skyward, well clear of her companions and anything else combustible. With a sharp, commanding utterance of "augue", a blazing fireball erupts from her enchanted ring, cutting a brilliant arc through the air. The magical projectile soars in a pristine, unwavering trajectory, traveling 40 meters before dissolving into a shimmering wisp of heat and light.
Over the next hour, Kazu meticulously guides Anna and the others through the intricate art of object enchantment. Their collaborative efforts culminate in Anna infusing a pair of gloves with a potent, mana-activated fire magic for Felix. The spell, christened "flamethrower", possesses the remarkable ability to cling tenaciously to any surface upon activation with the incantation "graecus ignis". Alongside the gloves, Anna crafts sixteen basic steel sticks enchanted to ignite at the command of "percutiens", their tips bursting into vibrant candle-sized flame at the opposite end from the wielder's grip. With a second spoken word, "douse", the flames extinguish instantaneously. Each of these magical matchsticks harbors an extraordinary reservoir of magical energy, capable of 1,000 uses before requiring recharging.
Visibly drained, Anna's emerald eyes grow heavy with exhaustion. "I'm gonna pass out," she murmurs, "I'm going to lie down."
Kazu nods, his gaze soft with understanding. "Ok, I'll come check on you when we are done here. Felina, would you help her to bed?"
Felina offers a silent, supportive nod and gently guides Anna into the house. Kazu and Felix continue their meticulous work, the workshop humming with quiet concentration. As they finish assembling their latest creation, Rask enters, her weathered eyes scanning the workspace. "What are you two working on?" she asks, curiosity threading through her gruff voice.
"Hello Rask," Kazu responds with a warm smile, "we are making objects to be enchanted."
Confusion clouds Rask's features. "What? I have no idea what you are talking about."
Kazu's smile widens as he patiently explains the concept of enchanting, demonstrating with a captivating example that sparks wonder in Rask's experienced eyes.
"How do you know so much?" Rask probes, her 86 years of metalworking and crafting expertise seemingly challenged by this newfound magical knowledge. "I've never seen or heard of such a thing."
Kazu's explanation flows like a river of knowledge. "I have what's called an eidetic memory," he reveals. "Whatever I see and hear, I remember, essentially forever. By reading voraciously, I've learned more than most specialists in their respective fields. And I make it a point to learn something new every single day."
After accepting his explanation, he shows an example of an object that was enchanted. Rask, her weathered hands mapping decades of metalworking expertise, found Kazu's mystical ability to breathe arcane life into ordinary metal both bewildering and intoxicating. Her calloused fingers trembled with an uncharacteristic excitement, yearning to unravel the cryptic threads of this magical artistry that seemed to dance just beyond her comprehension. Nearby, Felix hunched over a set of gauntlets, his lean fingers moving with surgeon-like precision as he polished the metal to a burnished gleam, his intense gaze fixed on the intricate surface. Muscular lines of concentration etched across his forehead as he anticipated the fiery potential Anna had woven into the metalwork. Kazu, a silent observer, watched Rask's transformation—her typically gruff, unyielding demeanor melting into a canvas of wonder as she turned a newly enchanted matchstick over and over in her hands. The metal pulsed with a faint, inner light, a silent testament to Kazu's skillful manipulation of energies unseen. She then spoke, her voice a gravelly whisper, "This magic... it feels ancient."
Kazu nodded, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "It is, Rask. Many of these enchantments are drawn from forgotten lore."
"Forgotten lore? What sort of lore are we talking about?" Rask inquired, her voice laced with a newfound respect for the young man and the mystical arts he wielded.
"Lore of halflings, humans, elves, and dwarves battling for the fate of their world. Pitting themselves against dragons, orcs, the undead, and magical creatures that desire to dominate the hearts of men."
"But that is a story for another day, for now, my wonderful assistants, let us retire to the house, lunch should be ready soon," Kazu said with a smile.
The three of them returned to the house. They were greeted by Lina, her apron dusted with flour and her cheeks flushed from cooking. She announced with a warm smile that lunch would be ready in a few minutes. In the dining room, Anna and Felina were already seated, their conversation a low, gentle murmur against the background noise of Lina finishing in the kitchen.
Kazu explained their absence, and Anna clarified why she hadn't yet rested as she originally intended. Earlier, she had met Lina in the kitchen as she was cleaning and presented her with a matchstick and demonstrated its use. This interaction sparked Lina's shift into lunch preparation, and they continued conversing until moments before Kazu and the others arrived.
As Kazu and Anna concluded their conversation, Lina served lunch. Upon finishing his meal, Kazu turned to Rask. "Can you build a blacksmith shop?"
Rask's eyes lit up. "Absolutely, sir! I've longed to build one on the property, but the merchants never permitted it."
"Excellent," Kazu responded. "Ensure we have ample space for additional equipment like a smelter, fractal vise, and metal lathe. What does a current blacksmith shop contain?"
"Just a fire pit with bellows, an anvil, and a tool bench, and some have smelters, the other devices you mentioned I have never heard of before," Rask answered.
Kazu nodded. "Our shop will be far more comprehensive than your average shop. We actually might need to hire a specialized builder. I'm thinking of a 5-meter-wide, 15-meter-long, and 5-meter-tall building capable of supporting heavy metal objects from the rafters. Can you find someone for the job?"
"Yes, sir, though it won't come cheap," Rask cautioned.
Kazu waved dismissively. "Cost is no problem. Just need to ensure it's reasonably priced, as I may have future projects."
Anna interjected, proposing a trip to town to assess the matchsticks' market value and check for hunter quests. Kazu agreed, and they bid farewell to the household.
En route, they discussed pricing. Standard steel rods cost 1 copper from the blacksmith, but with their magical enhancement, Anna anticipated selling them for 10 copper each.
At the Hunter's Lodge, Kazu and Anna browse the available jobs, finding only mundane E-rank plant gathering quests. They collectively decide to leave those quests for lower-ranked hunters. Anna then turns her attention from the board to speak with Tara.
"We've created a magical item," Anna explains, "and we're wondering where we might sell it."
Tara's curiosity is piqued. "That depends on its purpose and function."
"It's designed to help those who can't use fire magic start a campfire," Anna elaborates. "Each matchstick offers 1,000 activations—our maid even uses it for cooking."
Confusion clouds Tara's face. "A fire-starting tool for non-magic users? How is that possible? And 1,000 uses without melting?"
To demonstrate, Anna hands Tara a matchstick. "Hold it carefully, pointed away from yourself. Say 'percutiens' to ignite, and 'douse' to extinguish."
Skeptical, Tara follows the instructions. When the tip bursts into flame, she nearly drops the stick in surprise, but quickly extinguishes it with a muttered "douse."
Her initial wariness replaced by excitement, Tara asks, "How much? This would save me from constantly using flint."
Kazu interjects, "What magic do you know?"
"Just earth magic," Tara shrugs. "I'm a brawler, after all."
Kazu's eyebrows rose. "So, this tool would be useful for you, then?"
Tara nodded enthusiastically, her eyes gleaming. "Incredibly useful! Think of the time and energy saved before a fight, no fumbling with flint and tinder. Camping out in the field would be much easier."
Kazu smiled at her, "Show me how to use earth magic, and the matchstick and its one thousand uses are yours."
Tara, her eyes lighting up, responded, "I'm off work tomorrow. Can I come by in the morning to demonstrate?"
Kazu nodded and handed her a new matchstick. "See you then."
After pointing them toward the general store, they soon met Chrispin, the store owner. Once he recovered from his initial amazement at Kazu's height, Anna demonstrated the matchsticks' functionality. Chrispin's eyes widened, and he promptly offered 2 bronze coins for the entire set—an offer Anna feigned hesitation in accepting.
"Is this your entire stock?" Chrispin pressed. "Can you produce more? This could revolutionize the market! The entire town, maybe even everyone in the Capital, will want these. You've created something extraordinary. Partner with me, and we'll be wealthier than royalty."
"We're temporarily out of iron," Anna replied smoothly, "but we can definitely make more, once we get more material."
Chrispin's entrepreneurial spirit surged. "Let me introduce myself properly—I'm Chrispin, the owner of this shop," he said, before darting to the back room. He returned moments later with a box full of metal scraps. "Would these help you manufacture more?"
Anna hands the box to Kazu, who then uses magic to manipulate the metal, and several heavy metal balls fall to the floor. Kazu then stretched the metal into an iron rod with a noticeable handle area and tapered to the ignition end. While holding the handle, he then runs his free hand over the rest of the matchstick, adding magic to it. The matchstick glows blue and then fades out. Kazu hands it to Chrispin and says, "I can use most metals. I use steel for its durability. I can also make ones like that, which the rich and nobles would find more aesthetically pleasing. Relatively cheap steel rods for everyday use, to a custom silver or gold alloy for nobles. Will that work for you?"
Chrispin replies, "Oh yeah… We will definitely be rich."
Kazu chuckles as he imagines money signs flashing in Chrispin's eyes.
They continued discussing the potential of their new product, their conversation flowing with excitement and strategic planning. Chrispin's eyes sparkled with a merchant's enthusiasm as they discussed the product line. The Firestick would be a practical, affordable option for Hunters and farmers, crafted from sturdy steel and priced at a reasonable rate. The Firewand would cater to merchants, minor nobility, and those seeking a touch of elegance, featuring intricate metalwork and a more refined design. For the wealthiest customers, Kazu would create individualized magical implements—each personalized with the purchaser's chosen name, constructed from precious metals like silver or gold alloys, and guaranteed for an impressive 10,000 uses. These magical matches would not just be a tool, but a statement of craftsmanship and innovation. Chrispin eagerly agreed to formalize their partnership by registering the new merchandise and business agreement with the Merchants Lodge. He recognizes the potential for a lucrative and groundbreaking venture.
"We'll need to build the bigger workshop and secure raw materials," Kazu stated, already planning the next steps. "Rask will most likely oversee construction, and we'll need to purchase a significant quantity of ore."
After completing their negotiations, Kazu and Anna left the store, the midday sun warming their faces as they discussed the future of their burgeoning business. They continued discussing the new venture as they made their way back home.
"We should also consider establishing a small farm to ensure a consistent supply of food for the household," Anna suggested, her gaze sweeping across the fertile fields bordering the town.
Kazu pondered her words. "An excellent idea, Anna. Self-sufficiency will be paramount as our family grows."
As they returned home, the aroma of Lina's freshly prepared dinner—steak, fried egg, and mashed potatoes—filled the air. As the meal concluded, Kazu pushed back from the table. "Lina," he said warmly, "your cooking is exceptional, but I'd love to share some culinary secrets from my travels. Shall we plan a shopping trip soon?"
Lina's cheeks flushed as she responded, "Of course, sir. I'd be honored to learn from you." She quickly retreated to the kitchen, her shy excitement palpable.
In the den, Felix broke the comfortable silence. "Kazu, we know so little about your past. Could you share a story from your hometown?"
A warm, nostalgic smile spread across Kazu's face as he settled into his storytelling stance. "I'll share a tale that's both enchanting and whimsical," he began, his voice taking on a rhythmic cadence that drew the listeners closer. He spun the legendary narrative of a young, unassuming squire boy destined for greatness, whose journey began with a seemingly impossible feat: extracting a mystical sword from an unyielding stone and anvil. His words painted vivid images of magical metamorphosis—the protagonist's extraordinary transformations from a humble human to a shimmering, scale-covered fish darting through crystal waters, then to a nimble squirrel scampering through sun-dappled forest branches. Each transformation was a metaphorical step toward his ultimate destiny, culminating in a triumphant ascension to kingship. Kazu had carefully selected the playful 1963 animated rendition, with its vibrant colors and whimsical animation, over the more somber 1981 adaptation, infusing the tale with a sense of wonder and light-hearted magic.
As the enchanting tale faded, the household quieted and prepared for bed. Anna, her green eyes softened by the weariness of the day's adventures, followed Kazu to his room—a now-familiar ritual that spoke of their deepening connection. They settled into their routine, Anna nestling close to Kazu with a subtle, mischievous glint in her eyes. Her fingers traced idle patterns on his chest, punctuated by the occasional whispered jest that made Kazu chuckle softly. The quiet intimacy of their evening was a stark contrast to the day's magical discoveries, a moment of peaceful reflection where their bond seemed to breathe and grow in the soft silence of the night.