Reinventing Magic: An Inventor's Tale-Chapter 103: The March of War

Valtieri Domain – Count Edgar’s Study

The fire in the hearth crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the stacks of parchment cluttering Count Edgar Valtieri’s desk. The aging nobleman rubbed his temples, the weight of recent events pressing heavily upon him.

A firm knock echoed through the chamber.

"Enter," Edgar commanded, his voice rough with fatigue.

The door swung open, revealing Oswald, his loyal steward. The elderly man’s face was grave, his usual composed demeanor frayed at the edges.

"My lord," Oswald said, bowing slightly. "Scouts have returned with urgent news. The king has begun rallying his forces. He prepares to march on Bryndis."

Edgar’s quill snapped between his fingers.

A long silence stretched between them before Edgar exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair. His mind drifted back to that fateful day in the capital—when he and Kael had stood before the king, warning him of the rifts.

’If only I had prepared Kael better.’

The thought gnawed at him. He had known the king’s temperament, his ruthlessness. Yet he had assumed Kael’s logic and evidence would be enough.

A fatal mistake.

"If I hadn’t made that mistake, none of this would have happened," Edgar muttered, more to himself than to Oswald.

The steward remained silent, knowing better than to interrupt his lord’s brooding.

Finally, Edgar straightened, his expression hardening with resolve.

"Summon Albert," he ordered. "Tell him to ready the men. We march for Bryndis at dawn."

Oswald bowed deeply. "At once, my lord."

As the steward departed, Edgar rose and strode to the window, gazing out over his lands. The sun was setting, painting the horizon in hues of blood and gold.

War was coming.

And this time, he would not fail his son.

---

Bryndis – The Arcanum Forge

Kael stood before the half-completed Arcanum Forge, the Nyx’vorran core pulsing in his hands like a captive star. The sheer density of its mana sent vibrations through his bones, a hum of power that resonated with the Arc Nexus on his wrist.

He could absorb the core’s energy, then enchant it to continuously draw ambient mana, transforming it into a perpetual power source for the Forge.

Advancing to the next tier of magical prowess would grant him greater control and enhanced power—something he would undoubtedly need if the king’s forces marched on Bryndis.

But was it safe?

"Nexus," Kael murmured. "Analysis of the evolved Nyx’vorran core’s mana composition."

The Arc Nexus flared, its holographic interface materializing as it scanned the core.

"Energy signature unmatched in known records," Nexus reported. "Mana refinement exceeds all documented classifications. Unknown long-term effects of absorption. Caution advised."

Kael’s jaw tightened.

Uncertainty was a variable he disliked. But time was a luxury he didn’t have.

"Alice," he called. freewebnσvel.cѳm

She appeared at his side instantly, her gray eyes reflecting the core’s glow. "Master?"

"I’m going to attempt absorption. I’ll need your assistance to stabilize the mana flow."

Alice nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

Kael then turned to Astra, who stood motionless nearby, his silver-gray hair catching the dim light of the moon.

"Follow me to my private chamber and stand guard at the door," Kael instructed. "No interruptions."

Astra inclined his head. "Understood."

With that, the ancient guardian follow him and Alice and took his post outside, leaving Kael and Alice alone in the chamber.

Kael sat in a lotus position, the Nyx’vorran core floating before him. He took a steadying breath—then began.

The moment his mana touched the core, agony lanced through him.

Raw, refined energy surged into his body, scorching his pathways like molten metal. Alice immediately placed her hands on his shoulders, her own mana flowing into him, guiding the rampant energy.

But it wasn’t enough.

The Nyx’vorran’s mana clashed violently with his existing cores, threatening to tear him apart from within.

"Warning: Core instability critical," Nexus intoned. "Recommendation: Merge all cores into a singular entity."

Kael gritted his teeth. "How?"

"Guided synchronization required. Initiating protocol."

With Nexus directing him and Alice anchoring his mana, Kael began the excruciating process of unification. One by one, his five cores were forced together, their boundaries dissolving under the overwhelming pressure of the Nyx’vorran’s energy.

It felt like his very soul was being reforged.

Sweat poured down his face. His muscles locked. His vision blurred.

But he didn’t stop.

Couldn’t stop.

Then—

A final, thunderous pulse of energy erupted from him, shaking the chamber. The air itself seemed to vibrate, the very stones of the workshop humming in resonance.

When the light faded, Kael gasped, his body trembling from the ordeal.

But it was done.

Where five separate cores had once been, now only one remained—a singular, radiant nucleus of power.

The Aether Core.

Alice’s hands tightened on his shoulders. "Master... your mana..."

Kael flexed his fingers, feeling the difference immediately. His reserves were deeper, purer. His control—absolute.

He exhaled slowly, then rose to his feet.

The king’s armies were marching.

The Arcanum Forge was nearly complete.

And now, he was stronger than ever.

---

The Valtieri banners snapped in the wind as Count Edgar’s retinue crested the final hill overlooking Bryndis. The aging nobleman reined in his horse sharply, his battle-hardened eyes widening at the sight before him.

"By the gods..." he breathed, his calloused hands tightening on the reins.

A gleaming metropolis sprawled before him. Paved roads radiated outward like spiderwebs, connecting districts of stone buildings with sloping roofs of blue tile.

In the distance, a massive structure of stones and glass caught the afternoon sun - the mall Kael had mentioned in his messages. To the west, the angular silhouette of what could only be the casino rose beside a towering hotel.

Oswald brought his mount alongside, the steward’s aged face mirroring his lord’s astonishment. "The reports didn’t do it justice," he murmured.

A contingent of Bryndis guards approached, their polished armor bearing the barony’s new crest - a winged gauntlet clutching a lightning bolt. Their leader bowed deeply. "Count Valtieri! The Baron has been expecting you."

Edgar dismounted with the practiced ease of a lifelong soldier, his boots kicking up dust from the immaculate roadway. As they passed through the gates, the Count’s senses were assaulted by the vibrant life of the city.

The scent of baking bread and sizzling meat mingled with the crisp tang of ozone from distant enchantments. Citizens in colorful garb moved with purpose along the wide avenues, while above them, glowing orbs enchanted with anti-gravity floated at regular intervals - some manner of magical street lighting.

"Father."

Edgar turned to see Kael approaching, his son’s face bearing that familiar calm expression, though there was warmth in his eyes. The Count noted with surprise how much broader Kael’s shoulders had become since their last meeting, how the once-bookish young man now carried himself with the confidence of a seasoned leader.

"You’ve been busy," Edgar said gruffly, clasping forearms with his son.

Kael’s lips quirked. "Come. I’ll show you what we’ve been working on."

---

The Arcanum Forge loomed before them, its mythril framework humming with latent energy. Edgar craned his neck to take in the towering structure, his military mind immediately recognizing the strategic implications of such a massive workshop.

Inside, scholars and craftsmen clustered around a central dais where three massive cores pulsed with power - two glowing steadily, the third dark and dormant. Kael moved to the console, his fingers dancing across glowing runes as he explained:

"The Naga and Storm Wyrm cores are fully charged. The Nyx’vorran core will serve as our primary reserve."

Edgar watched as his son carefully etched the final runes into an ornate housing that connected all three power sources. The Count’s brow furrowed. "This building... what exactly is its purpose?"

Kael didn’t look up from his work. "Imagine a forge that needs no blacksmith’s hammer. It can produce weapons, armor, even the Skyward Sentinels - all without manual labor."

"That’s impossible," Edgar blurted, then immediately regretted his words as several nearby scholars shot him disapproving looks.

Kael merely smiled. "Think of it like... a magical printing press. Instead of ink on parchment, it layers enchanted materials to create three-dimensional objects." He finished the last rune with a flourish. "Lucien, if you would?"

The silver-haired engineer pulled a lever with dramatic flair. The Forge shuddered to life, gears turning with supernatural smoothness. A holographic display materialized in the air above them:

[System Initialization Complete]

[Arcanum Forge Online]

[All Systems Nominal]

The gathered crowd erupted in cheers. Edgar could only stare as the massive structure began humming with energy, its internal mechanisms moving with eerie precision.

"Now for the real test," Kael said, turning to Cedric. "Load the mythril for refinement. Let’s produce our first set of armor."

As workers scrambled to obey, Edgar moved closer to his son. "You’ve created something extraordinary here."

Kael met his father’s gaze. "I’ve heard that the king’s forces have begun their march. But when they arrive, Bryndis will be ready."

The Count studied his son’s face - the determined set of his jaw, the quiet confidence in his eyes. For the first time, Edgar saw not the bookish boy he’d worried would never survive this harsh world, but a leader who had reshaped reality itself to his vision.

As the Forge began its first production cycle, its mechanical symphony filling the air, Edgar Valtieri allowed himself a rare, proud smile.

The sourc𝗲 of this content is free(w)𝒆bnov(𝒆)l