Crests were another facet of magic that was of great interest to those who studied the field.
While one did not need a Crest to make use of ether and cast magic, in fact the majority of mages lacked one and excelled well enough, the possession of a Crest was considered a sign of someone holding a level of potential that was of the “unusual” variety.
Perhaps one has a Crest due to being descended from a long line of mages who constructed it over generations.
Or maybe the marking is due to possessing power from a magical entity of some kind, be it through means of blood or, in some cases, a contract with such a creature to lend the individual it’s power.
Whichever way it happened, possession of a Crest was something worth note, and many Crestbearers as they were titled sought out those who specialized in the research of them to learn of their origins and what it could be tied to if such a thing was unknown to them.
Yet, for Soren…
“As always, no matter how hard I try, tracing the origin of this Crest seems impossible…” Carys drew her fingers away from Soren’s arm with a sigh, her other hand lifting the catalyst glove.
“If that Crest really is what we’re assuming, then I’m not sure anyone alive can truly plumb into its depths.”
“Not exactly encouraging,” as Soren grumbled, Carys chuckled.
“But it’s also such an interesting mystery.
Do be sure not to let anyone else look at the thing, yes?
I consider it my pet project.”
“Among how many others?” Soren’s snarky remark got the Alf to snicker.
“A lady needs a hobby.
Now, let’s fix this up.”
Reaching into her desk, Carys withdrew a palm sized bit of metal, lifting the gauntlet up in her other hand.
With a simple motion of her fingers, both items began to hover in place, Carys beginning to move her hands around the objects, closing her eyes as threads of magical light began to ebb off her hands and around the metal and gauntlet.
Those threads began to wrap around the bit of metal, smoothly taking bits of it off as smoothly as one would cut into something far softer.
Those pieces of metal were moved to the gauntlet, being moved towards the nicks and cuts that damaged the runes laid into the metal, being shaped into the gauntlet as easily as if they were made of clay.
And once the damage was filled in, a swipe of Carys’ hand produced a trail of red light over the article, coloring the newly inlaid metal the same red as the gauntlet, and another move brought that light to begin repairing the carefully laid runes that had been damaged as well.
The whole process took only a few minutes, and yet Soren remained rapt in attention.
Weaving was a process that “elegant” was the only fitting word to describe it with.
Smooth, flowing, and almost effortless in appearance.
“There we go,” Carys caught the gauntlet as it drifted downwards, handing it back to Soren.
“Should also keep your Crest in check. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Why do you even keep it repressed anyway?
I know you’re trying to keep the fact you have one under wraps until you find out what it’s origin is – and need I remind we have plenty of evidence to what, but it’d still be a greater boon for you to actually make use of the power it has.”
“Considering what happened when I first found out I had this thing?” Soren shook his head as he fit the gauntlet back onto his arm, watching as the exposed portions of his Crest faded away under the undersleeve.
“Not exactly something I’m keen to have repeat itself.”
“Ah you never know,” Carys mused.
“The flow of events can oft lead one down unexpected paths.
Be it fate or simply the whims of the universe’s chaotic nature, one can never be too sure.”
“Well, guess we’ll have to see where that flow takes me next,” Soren withdrew a gold coin from his waist pouch, flicking it to Carys with a thumb.
“Thanks for the fix!
I’ll drop by next time I’m in the market for a new spell or two.”
“Do have fun… oh, and keep on that new friend of yours,” Soren stopped at the door as Carys turned the coin in her hands.
“Like you guessed, Syr has more to her than she’s letting people now.
Take it as… one Alf to another.
That girl’s well being is in my interest, same with a few others in this city.”
“Hah… how am I always getting mixed up in stuff people keep being vague with me about?”
“Perhaps it’s due to your own special nature in the world.
People like you and Syr have a tendency to be drawn to one another.”
“I guess so,” Soren waved as he pushed the door open and started down the hall.
To his amusement, Syr really had left rather than seemingly stuck around to try and listen in.
When he finally found her down in the shop, he wasn’t quite surprised to find Syr browsing the shelves of spell pages, seated atop a rolling stand more than a bit stacked with a few pages of choice she’d picked out during her wait.
“Hey there, Bookworm!” He called, Syr flinching a bit as he strolled up to the stand.
“Looking for some new additions to your own spellbook, or you one of those mages who doesn’t need one?”
“Well… I mean I don’t really need one… but, call it being stuck in some tradition,” Syr looked between the pages in her hand, nodding and then adding them to the stack below her, then grabbing the shelf and moving to the next section.
When she stopped, she reached to the leather pouch at her side, undoing the flap and producing a sizable book, bound in blue-dyed leather and decorated by golden filigree to paint the cover with images of leaves and flowers.
“Something about carrying around this thing, filled with all the spells I’ve learned, just feels… right, I suppose.
Even if memorizing them is easy enough.”
“Nowadays, some people would say spellbooks are outdated,” Soren drew his Deck, balancing the device on his palm as he leaned against the shelves.
“Mages out of Laguna and the like have taken to using their Decks as digital spellbooks.
Lighter, easier to input info to… and for the technomancers basically mandatory.”
“Well they can have their fancy digital spellbooks, I’ll keep to doing things the classic way.
Besides, penning a spell page yourself will always feel better than typing it in or scanning the paper.”
“Everyone has their preferences,” Soren chuckled.
“So, what’s in line for your first job as a proper Freelancer eh? Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
What with the head start you’re getting and all, you must’ve had the works for decent ones to pick out.”
“Well, I didn’t want to dive too head long into the deep end,” Syr placed her spellbook back into its holder, gathering up her chosen pages and hopping from the stand.
“But I think I did pick a decent enough one to get myself started.”
“Let me guess, diving into some Dark Ages ruins out in the wilds?”
“Hahaha, I’ll save that for another time,” Syr drew her Deck out and flicked it on, scrolling through it a bit until she brought up a window, turning the device around to show the job posting she’d loaded to it.
“Decided to keep things simple for now: Clearing out some trouble making Plains Raptors that are getting a bit too close to the city for the Guardians’ comfort.”
“That simple huh?
That’s usually something you move on from by the time you hit LR2.”
“Maybe, but, I don’t want people assuming anything because I got placed higher from my test,” the Alf giggled.
“I want everyone to know I’m just as capable as making my way up from the bottom as anyone else, even if I’m coming at this as someone from the College.”
“Well, can’t fault you for that idea,” Soren went quiet as a thought occurred.
‘Well, I don’t wanna go stealing any glory, but… maybe I should be a good senior and see how she does.’ With that thought, he cleared his throat as Syr turned to head to the counter.
“Hey, idea.
How about I tag along?
No doubts you can handle it… but call it my own curiosity to see more of what you’re able to do.
The two little displays I’ve seen got me interested in your skill set.”
“Well… I can’t say I’m against the idea,” Syr chuckled and stepped over to Soren, leaning forward a bit with a snide grin.
“Is it perhaps that the gallant Freelancer has found himself charmed by the oh so beautiful Alfish mage he chanced upon?”
“Funny,” Soren replied by stamping a hand to Syr’s forehead, the Alf chuckling even as she was shoved to arm’s length.
“Take it as a senior who’s wanting to make sure his new junior doesn’t get into too much trouble after showing what she’s capable of.
Things can be… unpredictable out in the field.”
“Awww, I’m flattered you’re so concerned for me!” Syr chuckled as she moved Soren’s hand aside.
And he did have to admit, she did look quite charming with that mischievous smirk.
“But I can promise a pack of Plains Raptors is hardly anything to be worried about for me.
Though… hmhm, I wouldn’t mind putting on a show.”
“Will admit, seeing how a College mage goes hunting is an interesting topic.
Shame Sellen and her crew already skipped town on their next job.
She’d love to drag them along to watch.”
“Hahahaha, maybe next time.
Now, time to actually make do with these spells!”
“I’ll meet you back at the guild then.”