Lex sprinted toward me, barreling forward with such
enthusiasm that she nearly tackled me straight off my feet. Her momentum sent
me staggering back slightly, but I caught her just in time, wrapping my arms
securely around her waist.

“I am so proud of you!” she shouted exuberantly, squeezing
me with surprising strength. Her eyes shone brightly with excitement and pride,
her expression radiant as she looked up at me. “You absolutely blew through
those rounds faster than anyone! Your team is officially the first to complete
it—that’s absolutely insane!”

Carefully angling my cigarette away, I ensured the drifting
smoke wouldn’t catch her in the eyes. As I did, I glanced around at my
teammates, noticing confused and questioning expressions directed my way. Tao
subtly met my gaze, giving me a faint, almost imperceptible nod, then a slight
shake of his head, directing my attention toward the roaring, enthusiastic
crowd around us. Interpreting his silent message, I returned a brief, knowing
nod.

“Rounds?” I asked softly, my voice betraying genuine
confusion. My mind raced furiously, trying to piece together exactly what Lex
was referring to. Had there been some misunderstanding, or was there more going
on behind the scenes than we were aware of?

Lex laughed heartily, completely oblivious to my inner
turmoil. Her excitement remained unwavering as she continued energetically.
“Yeah! It was absolutely wild—I honestly thought you guys were goners for a
second. Did you watch the whole thing?”

“Of course!” she exclaimed, eyes brightening as she
recounted the events animatedly. “The turtle in the third round almost drowned
all of you! If it hadn’t been for—what was his name, Drek?—freezing it solid at
exactly the right moment, it would’ve been game over for sure. Perfect
counter!” She paused dramatically, just long enough to snatch my cigarette
smoothly from my hand and take a quick, confident puff. Exhaling playfully, she
flashed a teasing smirk. “But of course, I never doubted you for even a second.”

Before I could respond, Lex clasped my now-empty hand firmly
in hers, eagerly pulling me forward through the milling, jubilant crowd. Her
slender fingers intertwined warmly with mine, her grip firm yet tender, sending
pleasant warmth radiating through me. A mischievous smile danced across her
lips as she glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming with anticipation
and promise.

“I can’t bring outsiders into the school itself,” she said,
voice trailing off enticingly, her tone suddenly rich with meaning, “but…I can
definitely bring you to a tavern room…”

Her sentence hung in the air between us, charged with
implication. My heart suddenly leapt violently in my chest, pulse racing as I
processed exactly what she was suggesting.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I sat comfortably in the tavern, a steaming mug of dark
roast coffee—rich and welcoming with its generous splash of creamer—resting
warmly in front of me. The pleasant heat slowly spread through my chest, easing
my muscles and quieting the lingering tension from the night before. Taking a
deep, satisfying drag of my cigarette, I exhaled leisurely, still feeling the
lingering exhilaration from yesterday’s escapades. Honestly, it felt like
drifting blissfully on cloud nine—and who could blame a man for indulging in a
few personal hobbies?

My eyes wandered discreetly across the table, quietly
observing my companions. Tao and Kito were notably bad at hiding their shy,
stolen glances. Whenever Tao adjusted the loose folds of his robe, faint but
unmistakable scratch marks became briefly visible across his chest—confirming
suspicions and coaxing a quiet chuckle from me. Good lad. Happy for Kito, too.
They’d spent considerable time working closely together, rarely enjoying
privacy away from prying eyes or vigilant comrades. They deserved a little happiness.

Jax, completely absorbed, tinkered methodically with some
intricate device to my left, oblivious to the soft buzz of conversation that
filled the tavern. Drek and Bjor occupied the seats across from me, completely
immersed in their own world, laughing boisterously at some inside joke known
only to gods and old friends. Their laughter, hearty and genuine, felt like
comforting music in the cozy atmosphere of the tavern.

Just then, the tavern’s entrance swung open and Ito
appeared, practically dragged inside by a laughing gaggle of enthusiastic young
women. He gently extricated himself from their excited grasp, nodding politely
and offering them a warm smile before he approached our table. Sliding
gracefully into an empty chair, he flashed me a playful smirk.

“A wise man once told me you’ll go blind… lucky I’m not
called One-Eyed Jaeger,” I joked lightly as he settled in. Ito chuckled softly,
shaking his head.

Zak approached our table, a fresh pot of coffee in hand. He
placed a cup down in front of Ito, clapping him affectionately on the shoulder.
Noticing our expectant expressions, Zak smiled knowingly, setting the steaming
coffee pot onto the iron-edged table and departing with a friendly wave.

“Well, shit,” Ito finally remarked after taking a
contemplative sip. A ripple of quiet agreement passed gently among us, heads
nodding thoughtfully as we sipped our respective drinks. Without looking up
from his careful tinkering, Jax vaguely waved a hand in Tao’s direction,
prompting the scholar to clear his throat.

Tao straightened, speaking with measured clarity. “I plan on
relaxing for a bit, consolidating some of my existing skills, and experimenting
with a few techniques I haven’t fully explored yet. We should also take some
time to catch up on what’s currently happening within the city. I recommend the
same for all of you—rest, recover, and prepare. Afterward, we’ll regroup and
determine the best place or portal to tackle next.” Tao finished with a quiet
sigh, slumping slightly from the effort of the announcement.

We each absorbed Tao’s suggestion in silence, thoughtful
sips punctuating the brief moment of quiet contemplation. Ito lit up a
cigarette he’d procured from somewhere, inhaling deeply. Drek and Bjor followed
suit, lighting cigarettes of their own, thankfully sparing us the harsh scent
of diesel fumes. The smoky, mellow ambiance that surrounded us was exactly my
kind of environment.

Bjor broke the silence with a contemplative nod toward Drek.
“We’re still planning to return to the school to train ourselves in higher-tier
magic. We can manage a few powerful spells, but we’ve only really mastered two
so far. Drek especially wants to refine his Armorist skills in golem creation,
while I’d like to enhance my earthen magic. Right now, my only reliable
technique is the Slice Disk—and it takes too long to charge up.” Drek nodded
firmly, affirming Bjor’s thoughts, then motioned broadly around the table,
echoing Jax’s earlier gesture.

Tao and Ito exchanged brief, meaningful glances before
turning directly to me. Ito spoke first, calm and confident, “Jaeger, we’d like
you to accompany us when we move forward from here. We’ve heard about your
girlfriend—Alexandria, or Alexandra, was it?”

“I like to mix it up, just to fan the flames,” I replied
with a small grin. “But why me specifically?”

“To be honest, you fill several crucial gaps for us,” Ito
explained sincerely, taking a thoughtful puff from his cigarette. “With Drek
and Bjor staying behind, our group composition changes significantly, and we
need someone versatile. You’re skilled at ranged combat, scouting, and your
investigative skills have been invaluable, particularly in indirect situations.
Figuring out exactly what we’re facing is half the battle. We’ve often rushed
headlong into danger, confident in our raw power. You’ve respected that
approach since rejoining us after the Wish incident, but your cautious and
adaptive style complements us perfectly. It’s not about doubting our skills or
yours—just recognizing that we each have different strengths.”

I considered his reasoning carefully before responding.
“It’s a solid argument. Honestly, when I first stumbled into this fog-covered
mess years ago, I anticipated a straightforward investigation—not… all of this.
Lex will be safe here in Enigma’s sanctuary. Maybe it’s selfish to decide that
for her, but it’s a choice I’ve thought deeply about during my solitary trek
through the fountain portal. Time passed differently for her; she’s barely felt
my absence. I want Enigma’s domain to become my home, my safe haven.”

I paused briefly to exhale slowly, watching the smoke curl
gently into the air. “Additionally, after Frog was affected by that gluttony
curse, I realized how much I’ve neglected the core of what it means to be a
spirit vessel. Training in our world usually requires joining religious orders
or specialized spiritual sects—opportunities that are scarce. Here, they’re
plentiful. It’s a chance to finally explore that path properly. I also have a
conversation pending with Enigma, our god here, to clarify some lingering
uncertainties. Beyond that—I’ve never explicitly told you this—but Craft
himself is my teacher. I’ll need to speak with him as well and train further
with the tools he’s given me.”

We all turned our attention briefly to Kito, who blushed
faintly, nodding shyly toward Tao in quiet agreement. Fair enough.

Next, we collectively turned toward Jax, fixing him with
expectant gazes. Feeling our attention, Jax looked up sheepishly, offering a
faint, embarrassed smile. “Craft is my teacher, too. He might keep me here,
although he’s been known to send me on these ‘training in the forge’
assignments—like when he first placed me with this group. He might repeat
that... I hope not.”

That revelation caught us pleasantly by surprise.

I quickly drained the last of my coffee as Lex walked into
the tavern, her presence immediately lifting my spirits. Standing up, I
addressed the table, “Let’s reconvene tomorrow and make the most of today. I’m
definitely joining you—I’ll give you loyalty, and all I ask is yours in return.
Nobody gets left behind; I’ll fight tooth and nail to bring any one of you
back. Whatever’s happening in this city is claiming lives, and I’m committed to
slowing it down, understanding its source, and ultimately stopping it.”

Lex approached the table, smiling warmly in greeting before
gently guiding me toward the bar. “Hey babe,” she said softly to me before
addressing Zak behind the counter, “I’d like to exchange some Enigma Coins for
breakfast—oven pancakes?”

“You make those here?” I asked Zak, pleasantly surprised.

Zak grinned knowingly and nodded.

“I’ll take two,” I added enthusiastically, wrapping my arm
affectionately around Lex’s waist, pulling her closer, savoring the warmth and
comfort of the moment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Classes have been really great,” Lex began
enthusiastically, savoring another bite of her half-stack of crepes alongside a
fluffy, veggie-packed omelet. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she
described her experiences. “Our fire teacher for the first half of the day is
an elemental Enigma himself brought into the school, and the second half is
taught by a minor deity of flame—another of Enigma’s personal choices,
actually. He’s this incredibly ancient-looking old man, probably pushing eight
hundred years old, but he has the heart and boundless energy of a rambunctious
kid. Honestly, I feel like I’m genuinely learning a lot.”

I smiled warmly, feeling a deep sense of pride and happiness
for her progress. “I’m so proud of you, Lex. Have you heard any news about your
dad?” I asked between bites, momentarily forgetting her usual annoyance at me
speaking with a mouthful of food—one of my habits she’d always found
particularly irksome.

Lex’s expression brightened considerably. “Actually, yes! He
arrived just a few days before you did. Apparently, someone had been
specifically tasked by Enigma to ‘search for lost people’ out in the fog, and
my dad was the very first person they managed to bring back.”

“That’s interesting,” I murmured thoughtfully, turning my
gaze out the tavern window toward the massive dome marking Enigma’s residence.
A quiet gratitude settled over me. “I suppose I’ll have to thank fate—or
perhaps even Enigma himself—that your dad was found so quickly and unharmed.”

Lex gently placed her fork down, her smile wavering slightly
as emotion clouded her eyes. “I cried, honestly. I’m not even ashamed to admit
it—I spent days worried sick, wondering if I’d ever get to see him again.”

I allowed her words to linger quietly between us, giving her
the respectful pause she deserved. After a comforting moment of silence, I
shifted the conversation toward a lighter topic. “I’m planning to head out
again with Tao and Ito soon. Maybe this time we’ll venture into the city after
getting a better grasp of what’s going on around here and after checking with
the others to see if they've discovered anything new. I want to check in on
Solomon, Jack, Malcolm, and Ana—make sure they’re still alright.”

Lex nodded immediately, her expression turning to gentle
reassurance. “Actually, I ran into Ana and Solomon not too long ago. They
stayed here for a few days but then headed right back out into the city again.
That was almost a week ago now.”

I frowned slightly, processing her words carefully. If
entering a portal and spending days or even weeks inside resulted in almost no
time passing outside, what in the world had Ana and Solomon been doing out in
the city for such an extended stretch of time?

“Are you alright with me heading out again?” I asked softly,
setting my silverware down onto the now-empty plate before me.

Just then, Zak approached, noticing Lex waving her hand over
her leftover food. He nodded with understanding, promptly fetching her a glass
container to store the remaining portion. Lex quickly moved the food inside,
sealing it neatly. Zak cleared away our empty plates efficiently, leaving
behind only a small slip of paper on our table.

Curious, I glanced down at it, quickly reading his
handwritten message:

Careful out there—this one’s on the house.

Zak didn’t turn or even acknowledge me directly, busily
washing dishes behind the counter. Still, I gave him a grateful nod, hoping
he’d catch it from the corner of his eye. Rising from my seat, I reached out a
hand to Lex, helping her up as we prepared to leave the comforting atmosphere
of the tavern.

“I have a couple of gods to speak with,” I said with a
playful grin as we stepped outside. Casually, I lit up a cigarette, only to
have Lex pluck it from my fingers mere seconds after it ignited. She took a
quick, playful puff, flashing a mischievous smirk as she handed it back. I
sighed dramatically, feigning deep exasperation, and broke the cigarette
theatrically in half in mock protest.

Unfortunately, splitting it evenly proved impossible, and I
was forced to relight the shorter end, shaking my head as Lex burst into
laughter beside me, her joy infectious and brightening the atmosphere around
us.

           
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Wow, that's really nuts. I wish I’d had the time to watch
it myself,” Craft said with genuine enthusiasm, clapping me heartily on the
shoulder. He shook his head with a playful sigh. “Maybe I could've rigged
something up here, but it’s probably too late for that now.”

Through the open doorway of the workshop, I glimpsed Jax
inside, intensely focused on a detailed demonstration from another Craft—likely
explaining something intricate about their latest project. While I wasn't
entirely certain that designing or creating items was truly my calling, I had
to admit I was naturally curious and deeply drawn toward the creative arts.

I turned back fully to Craft, ready to move forward.

“So,” I began tentatively, “I’ve given you the rundown of
everything I’ve received so far, and what I currently have…”

“…and now you want my thoughts,” Craft finished knowingly,
his expression both amused and thoughtful. His eyes sparkled with insight.
“You’re incredibly lucky to have gotten rid of that Cloak of the Traveler—or
whatever dimensional monstrosity it was. That thing would've drained you dry.
Honestly, you're nowhere near strong enough to sustain continuous automatic
transmutations like that. One more absorbed trait, and you’d have been dead
meat. You're lucky as hell.”

Craft laughed robustly, slapping his thigh for emphasis.
“Now, what you have—the Cape of the Wanderer, was it?—that’s an excellent find,
especially suited to you. Funny thing, by the way—I actually made that Sentinel
Shield you have there.”

Surprised, I lifted the shield for closer inspection,
looking instinctively for a maker’s mark. It wasn’t out of doubt—just pure
curiosity. “Really?”

Craft chuckled, pride evident in his eyes. “You won’t find a
traditional maker’s mark on that—it’s embedded into how the metal absorbs
impacts. The whole thing itself is essentially my signature. Once you reach my
level, you’ll see exactly what I mean. So, tell me: what exactly are you
planning next?”

That was indeed the real question—what specific skill or
ability did I want to pursue next? Not merely where to go or when, but what I
personally wanted to master.

“Firstly,” I said carefully, “I want to learn some proper
enchantment techniques to better utilize this.” I lifted my left hand, showing
him the pumpkin ring.

Instantly, Craft’s expression shifted dramatically. His eyes
widened in shock, and before I even knew what was happening, his massive hand
enveloped mine. “This…is an original. Truly his.” His voice trembled slightly,
filled with genuine awe. I felt an intense pulse of energy around my hand, and
a faint, glowing circle with a dot in its center appeared briefly before
vanishing again.

Craft exhaled slowly, eyes distant, his voice lowered to
near reverence. “Definitely genuine. You’re one lucky bastard, Jaeger.” He
released my hand, leaning back thoughtfully, clearly shaken but also deeply
impressed. “Give me one of those cigarettes—I can’t believe it. He left behind
far more secrets than anyone ever realized. Gods, I’d have spent thousands of
years exploring that dimension, absorbing everything.”

He lit the cigarette casually from a flickering flame at his
fingertip, eyes growing sharp as he added in a quieter voice, “Remember
this—you never receive something from him unless it was meant specifically for
you.” The warning, though gentle, sent a subtle shiver down my spine.

“Alright,” Craft said abruptly, pivoting back to our
original topic. “Enchantments. You don’t strike me as the type who’ll learn
everything under the sun, so let’s narrow this down. What specifically are you
interested in?” He laughed deeply, smoke trailing gently from his lips.

I chuckled lightly in return, nodding at his accurate
assessment. “If I’m interested in something, I usually pick it up quickly;
otherwise, it’s a struggle. Right now, I’m thinking specifically about
explosive inscriptions and enchantments. I believe I can channel specific
energy types—especially fire and electricity—into the pumpkins. But honestly,
I’m doubtful about converting elements like earth or air effectively into
usable forms.”

Craft stared blankly at me, eyebrow raised skeptically.
“Have you actually tried it yet?”

I hesitated briefly, embarrassed. “Well…no.”

“Then what the hell are you standing around here for?” Craft
laughed loudly, throwing his arm around my shoulders. “Come on, Jaeger, let’s
test it out right now.” He motioned toward the workshop, catching sight of Jax
again. “Oh right, you two already met. Well, first we’ll test these ideas of
yours, and then we’ll discuss enchantments. By the way, how’s your Mending
skill progressing?”

“Gone, remember?” I reminded him, slightly sheepish.
“Material Augment as well.”

Craft sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes and quickly
touched my hand, effortlessly restoring the skill with a small magical pulse. I
heard a faint ding from my watch acknowledging its return.

“Alright, air first,” Craft instructed patiently, observing
me carefully.

I absorbed ambient air, briefly levitating before gently
settling again. “Right,” I muttered, releasing excess runes. I had Frog produce
metal, quickly forming five metallic pumpkins. Interestingly, the metal rune
remained—another useful detail.

“Good,” Craft urged gently. “Now channel air energy directly
into one of the pumpkins.”

Focusing intently, I directed air energy—but nothing
happened. Craft simply nodded in acknowledgment. “Alright, earth next.”

Releasing air, I pressed my palms to the stone floor,
absorbing until my skin turned matte grey, becoming heavier. Yet again,
channeling the earth energy resulted in failure.

Craft exhaled softly, shaking his head. “Fire.”

Reluctantly, I placed my hand against his flame-covered
palm, absorbing fire until three blazing runes appeared. Despite the intense
heat, it didn’t hurt me. Once more, channeling into the pumpkin failed.

Craft frowned in mild frustration. “Next—metal.”

Absorbing fresh metal, I successfully channeled it into a
pumpkin, forming a contained sphere of silvery energy. Craft’s expression
brightened considerably.

“Lastly, lightning.” Effortlessly channeling lightning into
the pumpkin, sparks danced energetically inside.

Craft explained carefully, “You're effectively converting
ambient magical energies using the metal as a medium. Be careful—direct
absorption without a proper medium could cause serious, irreversible harm.”

I listened intently, nodding carefully.

“Nature energy,” he continued thoughtfully, “could
theoretically allow simple golem enchantments on pumpkins, but you’re not ready
for that yet. As for your basic enchantments, I suggest three fundamental
types: energy detonation, directional energy blasts, and controlled
conversion.”

He traced simple rune patterns on the wall—a circle
containing intersecting lines, energy visibly building inside before releasing
in a focused blast. “These principles—containment, direction, manipulation—form
the core of enchantment. Simple yet highly effective.”

Excitement surged within me. “This makes perfect sense,” I
said eagerly.

Craft smiled approvingly. “You might have a natural talent.
Consider spellblade applications—you could enchant your skin as metal, channel
stored ambient energy, and essentially mimic magical abilities, effectively
faking magician skills perfectly.”

The idea thrilled me. “And the pumpkins?”

“One enchantment type stores energy until intentional
detonation. Another directs energy outward through a specific point—a circle
with a directional arrow. The third type involves conversion
enchantments—complex inscriptions built on basic principles to perform specific
actions like binding, projecting bolts, or energy cones.”

Craft nodded toward Jax again. “Jax excels with
machinery—his Modify Mechanism skill could significantly enhance your Arcane
cane and shield. Modifying existing constructs is far easier than building from
scratch. I already have numerous ideas for improvements. So sit down, smoke
that cigarette you practically breathe, and let’s get started.”

I eagerly settled beside him, igniting another cigarette as
anticipation buzzed through my veins, fully ready for whatever came next.