The erald on the gun shattered together with the wood of the tree Reynard aid at. Several shards hit Reynard’s face and chest, and if not for his Spirit Armor, he might have lost an eye. Or both.
’The safety rules are written in blood...’ Reynard thought, shuddering at the ntal image.
He glanced at the target tree—his aim was true, and the shot hit it with expected results—then examined the reinforced gun.
The Spirit Reinforcent was gone together with the erald, but to Reynard’s relief, the barrel itself didn’t crack or bend. The spirit protection held just enough to protect the gun, even if it overloaded in the process.
’Either I need to reduce the caliber, or put more capacitors. Shit... This erald cost fifty gold pieces. If each shot takes a similarly-sized stone, I might as well throw grenades instead.’
Reynard turned the smoking revolver in his hands, imagining where he could physically put additional capacitors. The current surface of the barrel was already all covered in runes except for the gemstone socket.
’I can probably increase the surface, but it will also increase the working surface of the spell and make it require more energy. Maybe I should shorten the barrel instead? But then the precision will suffer. I guess I can make a compromise... The price worries more. In theory, I can try using my own mana to fuel the spell while I shoot, since I don’t need the Spirit Reinforcent to work all the ti. But then I won’t be able to shoot as easily while supporting several spells.’
Reynard had a sinking realization that with all his recent expenses, the money he got from Alia and from the Order of Winter was also dwindling.
There was still a lot, but his recent experints with gemstones were expensive.
Reynard clenched his teeth, feeling that he was close to a true breakthrough.
He had it in his mind already: if he could spend several more months discerning the secrets of the Lore of Fire, he might be able to replace Boom Powder with an explosion spell.
In his heart, Reynard felt that it was the best approach. Initially, he made guns to use physics to his advantage and overco the ti and mana restrictions of casting spells.
He reached a restriction of reloading, but broke that by making more guns and then making revolvers—plenty of them.
He reached a restriction in destructive power, but broke that by using more explosives in ammunition and in grenades (thrown bombs).
But now Reynard hit the resource restrictions of making ammunition. If he could break that restriction, and those that co after... would he eventually break all limits?
Reynard smiled at his fantasies.
’Yes, this is worth experinting for.’
***
It took several more weeks for Reynard to polish the design. He didn’t make more than a single enchanted revolver, due to how expensive shooting from it was, so it got a unique na from him—Hoard.
Its sowhat bulky surface had six sockets for gemstones. Based on their size (and larger gemstones were exponentially more expensive), Hoard could shoot once or twice per gemstone before its magic would give up, together with the stones.
Around that ti, Reynard decided to na his golden gun as well, just so it wouldn’t feel too lonely. Now it was the Golden Gun.
Or, in short, GG.
***
In sumr, Darland celebrated its Day of Freedom.
Many centuries ago, Darland was a part of a large Empire, where powerful magi ruled their provinces as lords. The chronicles of that ti were very sparse, as writing was barely used back then. Even the na of the Empire didn’t survive.
The more literacy spread, the more powerful various magi beca. One by one, they rebelled, tearing the empire apart into small independent pieces. Most of them were only the size of a single city.
Since then, these assorted city-states called themselves (their) Own Cities. Darland and Valkenburg were both such city-states.
Most of the Own Cities celebrated their own Days of Freedom or Days of Independence on various dates.
It was one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Even the Orders of Winter and Snow paused their hostilities for the day to celebrate a little. The rich people hosted large dinner parties, and both orders were going to hold parades that would carefully avoid the territories of their enemies.
Therefore, it was not surprising for Alia to appear at so ball or a dinner party—she was definitely a fancy woman. And still, when Reynard asked for a eting with her, he didn’t expect to get an invitation like that.
"A dance party at the mayor’s mansion, and you want AND my Julia to appear as your friend? I thought you wanted to stay hidden from the orders, Miss Alia!" Reynard spoke into the Repeating Bird.
From the other side ca a husky chuckle.
"Oh, please, don’t think that you are too low for this event, Mister Faust. You are a magus of high power and so reputation... Infamy, even. Just as ’your Julia’."
"That’s not what I have problems with! Well, that too. I don’t know how to dance..."
"It’s simple—dancing is almost the sa as fighting, and fighting is almost the sa as dancing... You will get it in no ti."
Reynard choked on air.
"No, it’s not! Miss—"
She laughed again. Alia sure seed to be in a good mood today.
"No, it’s not. You are absolutely right, dancing and fighting have absolutely nothing in common. And dancing rarely ends with soone’s death... Rarely, but not never." Alia lowered her voice. "Still—will you co? I would be... very... glad to see you two at the event. As strange as it sounds, it can be our best opportunity for a private eting soon."
Reynard stared into the ceiling of his room, willing heavens, God, gods, Loremasters, and whoever else to grant him so strength of spirit. And patience.
"Of course. I will trust your judgent, Miss Alia. Just tell , is there a dress code and should I bring a gift for the host?"
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