Similar items existed on the market, but making them myself was a fifth of the cost. And even then, it was still expensive. Fortunately, Elora and Derek provided the necessary funds for the crystals.
In total, I made four devices. I gave three of them to Derek, Elora, and Keras. I kept the last for myself.
My other project was testing the circlet I’d made in Vellum’s class from modifying the return bell.
I couldn’t go into the spire to test it properly in there, but the campus had test areas saturated with mana that were designed to mimic the effects of the spire. They were used for testing a number of items that normally only worked in the spires, including standard return bells.
My circlet didn’t work, plain and simple. Mostly because it was missing a proper anchor. The one from the original return bell didn’t work with it.
Much of my remaining time in the following weeks was just getting that device to function.
To do that, I had to add a new “Targeting Rune” to both the circlet and the anchor.
Targeting runes were used to store the target of an item that needed to be able to “aim” for a certain location when it was activated. In the case of a teleportation item, a targeting rune was used to set the destination of the teleportation spell. Without one, the results would simply be random.
By putting matching Targeting Runes on both the circlet and the anchor, I ensured that the circlet would always teleport to the anchor’s location, as long as the anchor was within range.
The rest of that time went into upgrading it to work like a jump bell, so it could be used outside of the spire.
I was only able to copy the runes for the most basic form of jump bell — I simply didn’t have the mana or the control for a higher level enchantment. That meant the teleportation effect on the circlet was limited to about half a mile in range. I wasn’t going to be using it to quickly jump across the city, or anything like that.
Still, any form of teleportation device was immensely useful, and I planned to make more of them just as soon as I had time.
I attended the closing ceremony for the school.
I got my final grades for the year.
Cadence, Corin (Enchanter)
First Year
Overall Class Ranking: 1544/8112
Phoenix Division Rank: 238/1564
Current Point Totaclass="underline" 760
Class Scores:
Magic Theory – 55 (Rank C)
Understanding Attunements – 65 (Rank B)
Mana Manipulation – 110 (Rank S)
Physical Combat – 61 (Rank B)
Introductory Runes – 75 (Rank B+)
Elective: Art of Artifice – 30 (Rank D)
Elective: Dueling – 70 (Rank B)
General Tests: 118
Final Examination: 176 (Rank C)
Overall Grade: Rank B
I’d apparently gotten a “C” score for my final, which was lower than the rest of my friends. They’d ended the test with a B- score. Presumably, my lower ranking was because I’d been pulled out early by Elora’s intervention.
That was a little frustrating, especially since I’d been almost finished with the exam when Elora arrived. Still, I was grateful to at least have a passing grade.
And I’d have an above average overall score going into the second year, too. That was a major relief.
And then, with all that finished, it was time for the last thing before the school closed for the year.
The winter ball.
After everything I’d been through, it sounded so mundane. I’d gone on a quest for a visage, earned a second attunement, and fought a child of the Tyrant himself.
Why was I still so nervous about a ball?
It couldn’t be that bad, could it?
Chapter XX – Ballroom Dancing
“Store: Selys-Lyann.”
“Store: Broken Transference Sword.”
“Store: Etching rod.”
“Store: Additional food supplies.”
“Store: Additional water.”
“Store: Fifty feet of rope.”
“Store: Ten foot pole.”
“Store: Flint and steel.”
“Store: Tent.”
“Store: Pillow.”
“Store: Universal Mana Crystal.”
“Store: Cloak of Temperature Shielding.”
“Store: Ring of Derek Controlling.”
I still didn’t have an official name for the ring, but did still find that one hilarious.
I probably would have just worn the ring if I’d figured out how to make it safe, but I hadn’t determined how to remove the anti-tampering runes yet. If I could do that, I could make it respond to my own voice alone, much like Orden had. That would make it an extremely useful too.
Maybe not a moral tool, but I’d worry about that later.
Sera watched me with an amused expression. “Are you sure you’ve got everything you need for the ball? You might want to put two or three more swords in there, just in case.”
I nodded seriously. “You’re right. Go get Ceris. I’ll go ask Patrick to get the Dawnbringer replica.”
She folded her arms. “You’re joking. This is a party, Corin. And, while I know those are more terrifying to you than the average monster, I don’t think an arsenal is going to solve that.”
“You might be surprised how much a few artifact-level weapons can solve.”
Sera sighed. “Fine. I’ll get Ceris. But only to make you feel better. I still think this is ludicrous. There are going to be hundreds of attuned there. Probably thousands. Even Saffron would think twice about attacking a group of that size.”
I sucked in a breath, my hand trembling slightly when I heard his name. “You didn’t see him, Sera. I respect that you don’t think anything is going to happen, but…just let me have this?”
“Fine, fine. But after that, you have to let me dress you up. You’re not going to a ball wearing that.”
I was wearing utilitarian boots, thick trousers, and a simple black doublet. It was a very similar outfit to what I’d first worn into the spire.
I felt vaguely offended. “I’m dressed practically.”
“You’re practically undressed.” She rolled her eyes. “Please tell me you have at least some formalwear?”
“Formal…wear?” I replied in a teasing tone.
“You’re impossible. Fine. I’m going to get my sword, and then I’m taking you shopping. We can bring Marissa. She’s almost as hopeless as you are.”
That gave me an idea. “Well, if we’re going shopping, and I’m going with Marissa and Patrick… Maybe we should all match?”
Sera folded her arms. “Clearly, having a theme would help, yes.”
I smirked. “I have an idea.”
A few hours later, I had successfully traded a newly-made mana watch to Elora Theas in exchange for four professionally-tailored dueling tunics.