A day off. Sort of. It was still a normal business day for most. The shop was closed though, and Theo found himself in his workshop, cross-referencing his books of runes and his current formula. He had been since sunrise.

It just needed a few final touches and - he paused, rereading the description, a grin blooming on his face - perfect, exactly the rune he was looking for. Page 127, Fundamental Magic - Spatial Compression.

He fit a scrap of parchment into the center of the pages after scribbling a small note of the contents on it, in case he needed to reference it again. What sort of heathen would damage a book by bending the corners of the pages?

A yawn left him as he pored over the runic formula. The logic was… weak. He’d need to move around some of the beacon runes to accommodate for the increase in mana consumption or the flow wouldn’t be balanced.

An easy fix, he found. Swapping this branch with one of the less consumptive ones further down on the dagger would help balance it all out.

“Finally, this headache is complete,” Theo said, setting down his quill. He rubbed his tired eyes. “These Fundamental and Phrenic mana cost calculations will be the death of me.”

Tirr nudged at his arm, making a sad noise. “Nice day…” His vivid green tone conveyed the rest.

Theo chuckled, scratching the zilant on the head. “Okay, Tirr. I’ll feed you. Don’t know where you even fit it all…”

The dragon chirped happily, flashing between green and yellow as he scrambled out of the workshop into the kitchen.

A soft smile settled on Theo’s face as he watched the little food hog dash away. He shook his head, rolling his eyes. If Tirr had it his way, Theo’s larder would be perpetually empty.

Meat sizzled in a pan as Theo mixed in a few vegetables with a dash of oil to flavor. He hummed a happy tune as he cooked, laughing as Tirr mimicked him.

Theo’s stomach grumbled as he pulled the pan from the heat. Pouring off the excess oil, he dished out a portion for himself, and one for Tirr.

The dragon flapped near his face, covering in the air. His head extended forward, snapping at the plate.

“Hold on, Tirr,” Theo said, blocking the zilant’s gluttonous assault with a hand. “We eat at the table.”

To show him what he meant, Theo set the plates down, and grabbed Tirr out of the air. He planted the zilant in the chair across from him.

Tirr began to crawl up on the table the moment Theo sat down.

“Uh-uh, mister,” Theo said, waggling a finger. “We sit at the table.” He fixed the zilant with the best imposing stare he could.

Tirr shifted to an annoyed, pale red, but stayed in the chair, snapping up large chunks of food at once. He squinted at Theo over his plate, though.

Progress. The zilant was smart - too smart, at times. But it made training like this a breeze, even if food motivation was a necessity. Blocking Tirr’s food until he sat properly proved to be a great success..

At least the little guy never seemed to stay mad at him. He ate the food in the end, all else was forgiven.

Theo set down his utensils, finished. A quick Spinwash later, something he was proud to be able to do without water exploding everywhere, and he delved into his work.

This design needed all of his attention. It wasn’t going to be as automatic as his Washing Tokens - he hadn’t done them hundreds of times after all.

That attention was unfortunately… divided. He tossed a crumpled up piece of parchment, only to have Tirr return it moments later.

“I’m working, Tirr,” Theo said, frowning at the excitable dragon. “You can come with me when I visit Telsa later, okay?”

Tirr tilted his head, turning grey. He dropped the crumpled paper ball at Theo’s feet.

Theo sighed, tossing the ball, and dove into his work once more.

When Theo finished, he groaned, massaging his inscribing wrist. Working for this many hours non-stop did not do him any favors. His eyelids were threatening to drop on him at any moment. He glanced up through the roof slats. “Gods, the day is gone.”

The first hints of golden sunset shone through the lengths of wood, casting long shadows across the floor.

Standing up, Theo stretched, taking great relief in moving again.

“I should get to Telsa’s before it’s dark out,” Theo said, glancing at the sleepy dragon on his floor. “You wanna come, Tirr?”

“Nice day!” Tirr said, flapping into the air. He landed on Theo’s shoulder.

Theo giggled when the dragon’s tail wrapped around his neck. “Tirr! That tickles!”

The dragon huffed, shifting his tail so the feathers faced outward.

Shaking his head, Theo packed his bag with what he considered the essentials now. Maraz had assured him that he’d keep Relicor too busy to send any more goons but… better safe than sorry.

An assortment of enchanted items went into the bag. The Pursuing Zephyr wand that had saved him last time, a set of Dissonance orbs, and other non-lethal creations of his. He was a walking arsenal at this point. The legality of carrying so much was questionable, but he hoped that wouldn’t be an issue. It was a city of adventurers, after all.

And, the final piece. He hadn’t wanted to need this, but his Stun Bolt had been countered one too many times.

Walking out to his shop floor, he reached under his counter and pulled out a Spell Book. A few bound pieces of paper, really. The spell wasn’t that complex. But, he had a feeling it would be hard for most to counter. Only one person had so far. He set Tirr down on the counter. “Stay there for a second, ‘kay?”

Theo opened the ream of paper. Not parchment. Not for a Spell Book. Gleaming silver ink shone on the page, Infused with Phrenic mana. His mom’s own ink, in fact. She’d made him a fresh jar of the pricey stuff just before he left.

And now, he’d written down a spell he’d spent some time creating. It was strange, he couldn’t find his updated formula on it, but he did find the original scrap of parchment he’d written a rudimentary version on. Enough for him to remember the rest - and add some necessary modifications.

A small part of him had told him to wait to read it. Maybe he could sell it instead. But now, with how his life seemed to be going, he needed quick access to this spell. It was too complex to keep manual casting it all the time. It was time.

Now, Theo thought, opening his mind to the formula on the pages. Almost automatically, he began to turn the pages as the silver inscriptions seared themselves into his mind. In mere moments, he finished, a dull ache throbbing in his head.

The runes were there, at the forefront of his mind, he just had to call on them. Previously shimmering, the runes now sat dull grey on the pages, the magic in them spent.

Theo blinked once, rubbing his eyes. Tirr made an upset noise.

“It’s okay, Tirr,” Theo said, holding out his arm for the dragon to crawl back on. “I’m fine. Just doing… something necessary.”

Stepping to the center of the room, Theo turned back toward his counter. A simple stone lay atop it. Not even enchanted. He held out a hand. “Air Cage.”

Mana pulsed through him, stronger than he’d ever known just a few weeks ago. It was still hard to control, but he was getting better, especially with the tears healed. This spell had as many safeguards in it against harm as he could manage, at least.

Primordial mana mixed with Infusion, and air solidified around the stone. Theo lifted his hand, and the stone followed. He closed his thumb over his index finger, and felt as the spell encapsulated the rock entirely. While he hadn’t wanted to include this option… being able to seal off even the top of the Air Cage may be necessary at times.

For its size, the cost was… still a bit expensive, but a spell like this was harder to counter - except for someone as strong as Maraz, of course.

But that man was… a temporary ally, he supposed.

Theo glanced out the window. Only a few hours until night time. He had to hurry to Telsa’s if he wanted to have time to drop off Galeen’s Lifebreath wand.

Maybe… he’d make the trip to Galeen first. Telsa could walk him home, at least. He’d just have to apologize for making her wait so long.

Theo frowned, wishing he’d been able to finish the dagger faster. He took a swig of a stamina potion before he left. Sleep and him… weren’t on the best of terms right now. Not when he so desperately needed to check off things on his to-do list.

Four hours of sleep was fine, right?

Anxiety ate at Theo as he walked down the street. He… wasn’t sure if leaving Adam alone in his house was okay, but he had things to do. And he’d go stir-crazy if he never left.

At least he’d left a small note in case Adam woke up. A small part of him hoped that some karmic force would make this, the most unfortunate timing for Adam to wake up, be the trigger for exactly that to happen.

Theo scanned the street as he walked. He’d never felt so… unsafe, back in Renwurd. Several people gawked at him before he realized the reason.

Tirr fanned his feathers to the onlookers, shifting to a pleased yellow.

“Tirr, I’m trying to be unassuming,” Theo hissed. “You aren’t helping.”

“Helping!” Tirr called out, flapping his wings.

Theo sighed, and prepared himself for a long walk to Galeen’s clinic.

It turned out, having an interesting, yet friendly creature turned into an open invite for every person in the world to approach Theo and ask to pet Tirr.

Glancing up at the sky after the last interruption, Theo picked up his pace. It’d be nightfall soon.

Three knocks. Theo waited in front of the door to Galeen’s clinic, rifling through his bag.

A tall, obsidian fulvitre opened the door.

“Oh! Good evening, Faa- Elder Faastran,” Theo said, bowing slightly. “Is Galeen here?”

“You may call me Faastran,” he said, smiling, the fire motifs in his head rising with the motion. “You have done much good in the interest of others. Galeen is out. Is that a… dragon?” The fiery fulvitre leaned in closer. Tirr preened at the attention.

Theo felt his cheeks heating up at the praise. “I just- do what’s right. I’m much better than I have been. Galeen fixed me up. Oh and, yes, this is Tirr. He’s a zilant. He found me, more than I found him. But um, give me one moment.” He began to dig through his bag with more fervor.

Too many things in this darn bag… Is that a vest? Why is there a vest in here?, Theo thought, finding Galeen’s wand among the mess. He presented it to Faastran. “Could you give this to Galeen?”

A fiery hand plucked the wand from Theo’s hands. “I will make sure they receive it. I sense you are in a hurry.”

“That obvious, huh?” Theo asked, glancing up at the sun once more.

“It is,” Faastran said, holding up the wand. “Thank you, young Theo. This wand will save lives.”

“Oh, before I forget,” Theo said, turning back around on the stairs. “The command is ‘Lifebreath’”

Faastran nodded to him. “Fitting. Go now.”

Theo returned the nod, squinting at the distant street signs and running off to where he thought Telsa’s apartment was.

By the time he was close to his destination, Theo felt he was a step closer to mastering the word “no.”

That was, he’d actually used it for once in his life. In much politer terms. He didn’t say no, but he left the implication. Everyone was a potential customer, after all.

Checking the address Telsa had written down, Theo inclined his chin toward the building again. The same standard size and construction of most buildings in Romuen. A mix of mountainous stone and local pine wood.

He knocked on the door, waiting. And waited. Maybe she wasn’t home? But her roof slats were open.

“Boo.”

Theo jumped, and Tirr hissed, turning bright red.

Telsa stood behind him, laughing. “That’s for making me wait all day. Sorry, Tirr.” She gave the upset dragon a scratch under the chin. “You said it would be ready this morning!” She thumped Theo on the arm.

Rubbing his arm, Theo fixed a glare on her. “I… took some extra time to write out a Spell Book, so I had to finish your dagger today.”

“A Spell Book?” Telsa asked, inclining a brow. “What for?”

Theo fully whipped around, pointing his hand at Telsa. “Air Cage!”

The air around Telsa solidified, locking her in place. She frowned at Theo.

“That’s what,” Theo said, grinning. After he felt a force pressing against his mind, he released the spell.

Telsa tested the air around her, frowning. “Isn’t that the spell that Maraz broke?”

“Well, yes, but he’s a special case,” Theo said, glancing down the street. He didn’t want to jinx the man into existence. “He must be at least tier 5. I had his arms stuck to his sides and he could still leverage that level of force to break my spell.”

Telsa whistled. “Damn, that’s strong. I couldn’t even move my arms against it. I thought Primordial was your secondary.”

“It is,” Theo said, inclining his head proudly. “The spell is actually mainly Infusion magic. I just use air magic to shape the cage, then I solidify the air. It’s size-adjustable now, by the way.”

“Huh,” Telsa said, shrugging. “You got my dagger?”

“Oh, yes, of course,” Theo said, reaching into his bag. “I do need to show it to Neniramli, so be careful with it, please. And, you’ll need to wear this bracelet with it, it’s the tether piece. The dagger is the beacon.” He handed the dagger over to Telsa.

“Better than my old daggers, honestly,” Telsa said, clasping the bracelet on. She adjusted it so it fit smoothly and didn’t move. “Silver, I like it. My old daggers were each other’s beacons. It was annoying because I couldn’t throw the other until I picked one up.”

“Well, feel free to test this one a bit,” Theo said, gesturing toward the dagger. “The durability enchantments should make it harder to break.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Telsa said, grinning. With a swift, practiced motion, her arm slung out. The dagger stabbed point-first into a portion of her roof.

Leaping into the air, she blurred as space bent around her. “Wow, this works well. Faster, too.” She bent down, yanking the dagger out of the roof, then glanced at the roof itself. She rubbed her foot over the cut in the wood as if that would seal it back up. “...Little more expensive though? Recharging this thing is eating up more mana than it used to.”

Theo frowned. “A bit. I was hoping it wouldn’t be noticeably worse, but it’s hard to tell when I don’t have an old enchantment to reference.”

Telsa waved a hand. “It’s fine. Nothing I can’t handle. Just gives me a goal to reach tier four faster and up my capacity.”

Theo’s lips rose, reassured. “So, you like it?”

“Love it,” Telsa said, returning the gesture. She hopped down from the roof, spitting hair out of her mouth once she landed. “The Phrenic enchantments are nice too.”

“I was hoping you’d like them,” Theo said, glancing at the sun on the horizon. “Could you perhaps come with me to visit Neniramli? A demonstration would work well, I think. He might even let us get you another dagger.”

“Now?” Telsa asked, following Theo’s gaze.

“It’d probably be night by the time we get there, but… that’s fine, right?” Theo asked, hoping she’d say yes. “I’ve been cooped up in my shop for so long, it just feels better to finally get out.”

“You’re not worried about Relicor sending more thugs?” Telsa asked, squinting down the street.

Theo shook his head. He leaned in closer to Telsa and showed her the contents of his bag. “I may be somewhat of a walking arsenal right now, anyway. I was hoping to show Neniramli more examples of my enchantments.”

“Gods, Theo,” Telsa said, taking a step back. “You could arm an entire team of adventurers with that.”

“Well, I am a shopkeeper who specializes in products for adventurers,” Theo said, closing up the bag.

Telsa digested that for a moment. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “...Right. Let’s just get going then.”

“Oh, thank you, Telsa,” Theo said, spinning on his heel and heading in the direction of Neniramli’s forge. “I didn’t want to go alone and I’ve already made Neniramli wait so long. He probably thinks I stole his dagger.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t,” Telsa said, waving a hand dismissively. “Probably.”

Theo stared at Telsa, opening and closing his mouth. “That’s- that’s not very reassuring.”

Telsa shrugged, lacing her hands behind her head as she walked. “People pay me to kill monsters, not to be reassuring.” She winked at Theo.

Unable to come up with a retort, Theo grumbled about getting to the blacksmith’s house before it was too dark and picked up his pace.

By the time they arrived, the sun had left the sky. Theo shivered, wrapping his arms around his torso. “I should have worn a heavier vest.”

“You don’t have any kind of heating enchantment in there?” Telsa asked, pointing a thumb at his bag.

“I do, but Tirr got cold so he’s in the bag using it,” Theo said, opening the bag to show her.

A red claw grabbed the top of the bag and pulled it closed once more. Annoyed noises sounded out from within.

“Oh, sorry, Tirr!” Theo said, patting the bag. “Say, Telsa, where is Nils? Aren’t you two normally together?”

Telsa glanced over at Theo. “Hm? Oh. Nah, he lives with Deskan. It was just Adam that lived with me. He lives close by, though.”

“A shame,” Theo said, tsking. “I know he’d been looking for an axe for Adam a while ago. What happened to Adam’s axe after the fight with that serpent, anyway?”

“Oh, right,” Telsa said, cursing. “Never told you. The snake venom ended up corroding the metal. It’s probably salvageable, but the enchantments are ruined.”

“Oh dear, that’s no good,” Theo said, pursing his lips. “Maybe Neniramli can fix it.”

“Let’s see,” Telsa said, knocking on the door to the forge. And kept knocking.

The door opened moments later, the octopus man glaring at them. “I’m closed.” He slammed the door.

Theo frowned at the door. “Oh, darn it.”