With the detailed schematics of the Ethernano-powered motorcycle safely stored in his inventory, Axel felt a renewed sense of purpose take hold. This wasn't just a conceptual design—it was the first concrete step toward transforming theory into applied magical engineering.
[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Magical Engineering Project (Basic)]Reward: 50 CP
The System's sudden ding startled him, nearly making him drop his pen.
"Fifty CP just for the conceptual design? Excellent," he muttered as he opened the menu. His total now stood at 750 CP.
That confirmation settled everything.
The System didn't reward combat alone—it acknowledged ingenuity, planning, and magical innovation. His course was now set in stone.
(Axel's thoughts): The motorcycle will require roughly 10,000 Jewels upfront—for the frame, suspension, and basic mechanical components. On top of that, around 300 CP will be needed to purchase a high-efficiency Movement Lacrima from the System Shop—or rare materials that simply don't exist on the open market.
The Jewels would go toward raw materials and skilled labor: blacksmiths for the chassis, treated wood reinforcements, and precision artisans for finishing work. Guild missions were the perfect source for that.
The CP, however, would be reserved for high-performance magical components—Lacrimas, pre-stabilized runic circuits, and, if necessary, temporary attribute enhancements to endure the construction process.
Within that context, the Green-Rank Healing Lacrima Recovery Mission was the ideal starting point.
Estimated Reward: 5,000 Jewels / 150 CP.
With an efficiency bonus, he could push that to roughly 180 CP, in addition to the Jewels. Two or three missions of that level would be enough to secure the motorcycle's initial capital.
Axel headed straight for the guild hall.
"Master, I'm heading out for the Healing Lacrima Recovery mission."
Makarov, seated behind the counter, took a long pull from his pipe before answering.
"Alright, kid. The Lacrima was stolen from a small temple in the Eastern Forest, near the border. Reports indicate a gang of common bandits with basic Fire Magic. You going alone?"
"Yes, Master. It's Green Rank—and I need practice with my Fire Magic."
Makarov raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"Black Fire, huh? Use it sparingly, Axel. I don't want the entire forest going up in flames. Good luck—and bring the Lacrima back intact. It's valuable."
"I'll handle the Lacrima with special care, Master."
Axel left the guild under the afternoon sun, warmth resting on his shoulders. He wore dark, lightweight clothing—ideal for mobility and camouflage.
"Remember, Partner," Ddraig's voice echoed in his mind. "This mission has two objectives. Recover the item—but also analyze the Healing Lacrima. Use your Artificer Magic to understand how it regulates Ethernano flow. That knowledge could be vital for your motorcycle's engine core."
"Understood. Full focus on efficient combat and Lacrima analysis."
Axel activated Shadow Step and burst down the road—not at full speed, but enough to warm his body. Along the way to the Eastern Forest, he practiced transitioning between instantaneous movement and Black Fire conjuration, preparing for his first real combat since acquiring Ddraig's power.
He wouldn't need the Boosted Gear against Green-Rank bandits. His agility combined with Black Fire would be more than sufficient.
The transportation revolution of Earthland was about to receive its first funding.
Axel reached the Eastern Forest as the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and violet. The woods were dense, with tall, twisted trees casting long shadows. The humid air carried the scent of damp soil and decaying leaves.
He activated the Emperor's Eyes.
"There's a faint Ethernano trail here, Partner," Ddraig warned. "But a stronger source lies ahead. The Healing Lacrima should be there… along with the bandits."
Axel advanced using Shadow Step, becoming a shadow among shadows. His enhanced agility allowed him to cover ground swiftly and silently. Before long, the Emperor's Eyes picked up faint residual Ethernano—basic fire magic, exactly as Makarov had described.
He followed the trail for nearly ten minutes before reaching a clearing.
At its center, a campfire crackled. Five figures laughed and drank around it. At the feet of one of them, inside a sack, a Lacrima emitted a soft blue glow—unmistakable.
Axel hid behind a thick tree, calmly assessing the situation.
Five bandits. Three low-level Fire Magic users. Two physical fighters.
"They're weak," Ddraig judged. "Your Black Fire is more than enough. Be efficient."
Axel took a deep breath. This would be his first true combat test with Black Fire.
He started with the two non-mages.
A compact sphere of Black Fire formed in his hand and launched silently, striking the first target's knee. The man collapsed with a muffled scream as black flames devoured flesh, smoke curling upward.
Before the others could react, Axel used Shadow Step, reappearing behind the second bandit. Another sphere slammed into his shoulder, incapacitating him instantly.
Chaos erupted in the clearing.
"Magic!" one of the bandits shouted, hurling a fireball that Axel dodged effortlessly.
He became a blur.
Reading Ethernano flow, Axel anticipated every spell before it fully formed. Precise Black Fire strikes crippled arms and legs, neutralizing his enemies without killing them.
"Excellent control," Ddraig observed. "Never underestimate the consuming nature of Black Fire."
Axel focused a stronger burst and aimed it at the bandit holding the sack. Black flames wrapped around the man's leg, forcing him to drop the Lacrima and collapse.
In less than five minutes, all five bandits lay on the ground, groaning in pain.
Axel retrieved the Healing Lacrima. The pale-blue crystal vibrated softly, its internal Ethernano perfectly regulated.
[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Black Fire Adept (Beginner)]Reward: 30 CPTotal CP: 780
While examining the bandits, Axel noticed an unusual tattoo on one man's wrist: a stylized eye with wings.
"That's not a common mark," Ddraig warned. "It belongs to a dark guild known as the Winged Eye."
Axel frowned. That didn't fit with simple thieves.
Searching the leader, he found a crude regional map, marked deep within the forest, alongside a note:
"Ethernano Crystal Delivery — Winged Eye."
"They were using the temple as a front," Ddraig concluded. "This is part of a larger operation."
Axel looked from the map… to the Lacrima in his hand.
The Green-Rank mission had just become something far bigger.
And perhaps exactly the kind of opportunity a visionary artificer needed.