Reinventing Magic: An Inventor's Tale-Chapter 68: A Merchant’s Ambition

Three days had passed since Alric Voss, a member of the Merchant’s Council, had sent a spy to investigate the owner of the mysterious spatial ring.

The sun had long since set, and most of the guild’s employees had already gone home, leaving only a few guards patrolling the premises.

Inside his dimly lit office, Alric sat at his ornate desk, swirling a glass of wine in his hand, his mind consumed by thoughts of the ring.

Such an artifact was beyond rare. If he could acquire it, the possibilities were endless—securing massive shipments, discreetly transporting goods, even hiding illicit transactions from prying eyes.

It would make him untouchable in the world of trade.

Alric leaned back, exhaling deeply. He had recognized the knight’s insignia—the mark of a newly appointed noble house.

Word of Valteiri’s victory had spread across the southern territories, along with the names of those elevated to nobility. A newly appointed baron, still inexperienced and vulnerable—what an easy target.

Or so he thought.

A sudden creak echoed through the room, followed by the extinguishing of his candle. Before Alric could react, darkness consumed him, and his world turned upside down.

A slow, throbbing pain dragged him back to consciousness. His head pounded, and his body ached. The air was damp, thick with the scent of aged wood and stone.

His senses returned in fragments—cold iron binding his wrists, the weight of chains holding him suspended, and the sensation of blood rushing to his head. He was hanging upside down.

His breath hitched. "What in the—"

A silhouette sat before him, shrouded in darkness. The only illumination came from a single torch flickering at the far end of the room, casting long, shifting shadows.

"Who are you!?" Alric demanded, struggling against his bindings.

The figure remained silent for a moment before shifting slightly. As his vision adjusted, Alric could make out more details—arms crossed, posture relaxed, one leg draped over the other. This was not a man acting out of desperation. This was someone in control.

"I should be the one asking questions," the figure finally spoke, his voice calm but laced with an undeniable authority. "Do you understand the weight of your actions, Alric Voss?"

Alric tensed. That voice... it was young, yet filled with the cold certainty of a seasoned leader. He swallowed his initial anger, forcing a smirk.

"I am a member of the Merchant’s Council. If you think abducting me will end well for you, you are sorely mistaken. Release me now, and I may consider overlooking this insult."

The figure leaned forward, stepping into the dim light. The moment Alric saw his face, a chill crawled down his spine.

Kael Valteiri.

Not a foolish, inexperienced noble—but the son of Count Valteiri. A man whose name was already whispered throughout the south, rumored to have taken down the powerful Count Gregor. And here he was, looking down at him with eyes colder than steel.

"You sent a spy into my domain," Kael said, his voice unwavering. "You had him follow my knights, hoping to steal something that belongs to me. Did you think there would be no consequences?"

Alric’s mouth went dry. "It was just business," he attempted to reason. "I merely wished to make an offer—"

"An offer?" Kael cut him off. "You don’t send spies when making offers, Alric. You sent him to gather information, and if the opportunity arose, you would have taken the ring by force."

Alric clenched his fists, his mind racing. He had leverage, didn’t he? He was an influential merchant, part of the council—surely Kael wouldn’t dare move against him.

"I am a man of standing," Alric pressed. "Harming me would bring unwanted trouble to your house. I suggest we reach an understanding."

Kael’s gaze didn’t waver. Instead, he stood up, approaching Alric with slow, deliberate steps.

"Let me explain your current situation," he said, his tone eerily calm. "Right now, no one knows where you are. My people intercepted your guards before they could even realize something was wrong. If I wished it, you could simply disappear, and the only thing they would find is a letter stating that you left on ’urgent business.’"

Alric’s heartbeat quickened. That cold certainty in Kael’s voice—he wasn’t bluffing.

Kael exhaled, his expression impassive. "But I am a man of opportunity," he said, stepping closer. "So I will make you an offer. The ring you covet—there are only two in existence. One belongs to the Duke, and the other to me. You could have negotiated like a proper merchant, but instead, you chose deceit. Because of that, the price will be steep."

Alric looked up, wary but intrigued.

"Two conditions," Kael continued. "First, if you want the ring, the cost is 500,000 big gold coins. Non-negotiable."

Alric paled. That was a fortune beyond measure, but the rarity of the artifact made it nearly priceless.

"Second, I propose a trade agreement. A joint venture—new business opportunities, exclusive trade routes, and mutual benefit. Consider it a means of compensation for the trouble you’ve caused."

Alric hesitated, the weight of the offer pressing on him. It was no longer about theft or deception—this was business at its highest level. And Kael held all the power.

Swallowing hard, Alric gave a slow nod. "I... accept your terms."

Kael studied him for a long moment before stepping back.

"Good." He turned to Alice. "Cut him down."

Alice moved swiftly, slicing through the ropes that bound Alric. He collapsed to the floor in a heap, coughing as he tried to regain his composure.

Kael’s voice was the last thing he heard before the room faded to darkness once more.

"You made the right choice, Alric. See that you don’t regret it." Kael handed him a parchment. "Sign it. A magical contract ensuring our agreement holds. Break it, and you will suffer the consequences."

Alric hesitated only for a moment before snatching the quill and signing his name, the ink glowing faintly as the contract bound itself to his very essence.

Kael smirked, rolling the parchment and tucking it away.

"I will be waiting for your payment in Bryndis. Once it is received, the ring will be yours."

Before Alric could respond, Kael and Alice vanished, leaving only the flickering torchlight and the weight of the deal he had just sealed.

A week had passed since Alric Voss had signed the contract binding him to Kael Bryndis’ terms. Though he could have easily sent an envoy to finalize the transaction, he chose to come himself.

Curiosity gnawed at him—this young baron was no ordinary noble, and the more he learned about him, the more intrigued he became.

As his carriage rolled into Bryndis, Alric found himself peering out of the window, taking in the sights of the growing domain.

Workers bustled near the river, their efforts focused on what appeared to be a bridge project. Others were busy paving roads, while several groups were engaged in construction, raising new buildings with remarkable speed and efficiency.

But what truly caught Alric’s eye was the road itself. A section of it was paved with an unfamiliar material—smooth, uniform, and unlike anything he had seen before.

He ordered his driver to halt and stepped out, curiosity overcoming him. Approaching one of the workers, he gestured toward the paved section.

"What is this material?" he asked, his merchant instincts immediately recognizing its potential.

One of the workers, wiping sweat from his brow, answered with a proud grin.

"That’s cement, sir. A material the lord himself created."

Alric’s brows shot up. Cement? He had never heard of such a thing. If this was truly something of Kael’s invention, then its applications were vast. Roads, buildings, even fortifications—this substance could change everything.

"The lord created it?" he repeated, as if needing confirmation.

The worker nodded. "Yes, sir. Just one of many things he’s introduced here."

Alric remained silent for a moment, absorbing this information. He had heard whispers of Kael’s magical prowess, but this—this was something entirely different.

A noble who not only wielded great magic but also possessed the mind of an innovator? This young baron was far more dangerous than he initially thought.

Resuming his journey, Alric’s thoughts swirled with possibilities. By the time his carriage stopped in front of Kael’s workshop, he had composed himself, yet his anticipation only grew.

The moment he stepped out, he was once again caught off guard. The workshop’s design was unlike anything he had ever seen.

Gone were the wooden beams and rustic stone that typically characterized noble structures. Instead, sleek lines, large glass windows, and a strange yet aesthetically pleasing symmetry greeted him. It was modern—far beyond its time.

The guide leading him didn’t pause, so Alric followed, his gaze darting around in wonder. As they approached the entrance, he was met with yet another surprise—the large glass doors slid open on their own. He stopped in his tracks, eyes widening.

"What sorcery is this?" he muttered under his breath.

His guide, unfazed, glanced back at him.

"Another of the lord’s inventions."

Alric exhaled sharply, his mind struggling to keep up. Every step into this domain uncovered something new, something unheard of.

As they walked further inside, he noticed the sudden drop in temperature. Cool air circulated throughout the building, making it a welcome respite from the heat outside. He turned to his guide once more, brows furrowing.

"Why is it so cool in here?" he asked.

The guide smiled. "It’s because of a device the lord created. It keeps the air cool regardless of the weather outside."

Alric nearly stopped in his tracks. Another invention? Just how many things had this man created? His mind raced with questions. Who exactly was this lord?

Finally, they arrived at a large wooden door. The guide knocked twice before pushing it open slightly.

"My lord, Merchant Alric has arrived."

A smooth but firm voice responded from within.

"Let him in."

Alric stepped inside, immediately met with the sight of Kael seated at his desk, his expression calm and composed. Despite all of the surprises he had encountered today, Alric forced himself to maintain his usual merchant’s demeanor.

Kael gestured to a chair across from him.

"Have a seat."

As Alric settled in, Kael leaned back slightly.

"Would you like something to drink?"

Alric nodded, offering a polite smile.

"Tea will do."

Kael turned to his steward, Harold. "Prepare some tea for our guest."

Harold bowed slightly before leaving the room. Once they were alone, Kael met Alric’s gaze.

"So, tell me. What do you think of my domain?"

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