Cane ran easily, realizing almost immediately that something had changed. He led the team along the same route they'd taken the day before, pacing himself at a steady clip—but it felt effortless, like he was gliding.
The psi-rune behind his ear buzzed.
Fergis:Why are you running so fast?
Cane:Am I?
He glanced back—and saw the others were quite a ways behind him.
Clara:You using star energy?
Dhalia:Comet dust?
Cane laughed and slowed down, waiting until he reached the hill they had trained on yesterday. He eyed a rock he had tried to lift before—too heavy then, not even close.
"Shit…" Cane muttered, picking it up easily.
The group caught up a few minutes later, all three of them immediately spotting the rock he was casually holding.
"Put it down," Fergis said, pointing to a bigger rock nearby. "You're stronger now, aren't you? Try that one."
Clara's eyes widened. "You are? Really? Give me some metal!"
Dhalia shook her head, amused. "I'm pretty sure it doesn't work like that. How strong are you?"
Cane dropped the first rock and went to the one Fergis had pointed out. It wasn't easy—but he lifted it.
Fergis whistled. "You were already strong from smithing. What's the difference?"
Cane set the stone down with a grunt. "Not crazy. I couldn't lift that yesterday, but I can today. A bit stronger, but not enough for anyone normal to notice."
Fergis picked up a stone and started trudging up the hill, muttering under his breath. "Why couldn't I get a bit stronger…"
Clara grabbed her own rock, groaning. "Right? That's like giving a handsome guy more muscles."
Dhalia followed, grinning. "Cane's our front line. Stronger and faster is good news for us."
HOOOACH.
High overhead, Cane spotted Pudding circling lazily. He touched the falconer's rune on his hand—his starlit eyes flashing amber.
The world zoomed into focus—caterpillars munching leaves, insects scuttling across twigs, a small bird nesting as a snake slithered by, tongue flickering. And there—Elohan, perched high in a tree, watching them.
The elf looked up and waved casually, clearly sensing Cane's gaze.
Cane dropped the connection and continued up the hill, hiding a smile. Even my bond abilities are stronger now.
Clara:Oh god… I'm dying. How many times up are we doing?
Dhalia: As many as you want.
Clara:Then zero. But I'm not gonna do less than anyone else.
Fergis:Ten sounds good.
By the time they finished training, Elohan had sauntered over. His smug grin was in full arrogance—despite the dust and mud splattered all over him.
"I found the beast terrorizing the village livestock," Elohan said, in that irritatingly cheerful tone that made all of them suspicious. "Do you have a guess?"
Cane nodded. "We're thinking manticore."
There was a brief flicker of surprise in Elohan's eyes—then it was gone, replaced by bland amusement. "Not bad. The clues were all there, but still—not bad. It's a manticore. Want a real intel report?"
"Of course," Cane said, wondering if Elohan would actually be useful.
"It's a fire-breather, so be careful. It's alone. Given your research, narrowing down its lair shouldn't be a problem."
They walked back together, already deep in conversation about tactics, equipment, and how exactly they were going to take down a manticore.
A while later Cane relaxed under the blast of hot water, grateful that class had been delayed by an hour. Brammel had tasked his students with producing more encased cartridges, while Selene was leading her class into the water. Cane had found a note taped to his door: Report an hour later than usual.
He smiled as a familiar voice echoed through the open window.
Good morning, everyone! This is Sophie Sweetwater, coming to you live from Sun Tower with today's announcements.
On the war front, the Defiant scored more victories, sinking three enemy ships sent specifically to hunt them down. As you may remember, the Defiant is equipped with a prototype cannon developed right here by students of the Academy.
In what's being called a pivotal battle, Gryphon Company was deployed to Uyan Pass, where they held the line against overwhelming odds—buying precious time for allied forces to flank and claim victory. Gryphon Company suffered no casualties, though several injuries were reported.
There will also be several VIPs visiting the Academy this week. The Archmage reminds everyone to treat our visitors respectfully and conduct yourselves normally.
This is Sophie Sweetwater reminding you—if you see someone today without a smile, give them yours. I'll be back this afternoon with more updates. Have a great day!
Cane grinned as he pulled on a pair of canvas trousers and a button-down shirt, still searching for his missing sock. After a futile few minutes, he finally found it tucked behind the dresser and finished lacing his boots.
Then he froze.
"Shit…"
He stepped onto the rune connecting his room to the smithy. Not even bothering with a sleeveless shirt, he pressed the blacksilver mask against his face, feeling the now-familiar rush as the runes adapted, reshaping his features.
"Moment of truth," Cane muttered.
He held up a small silver sheet to check his reflection—and sighed with relief. Jonas Ironfist's rugged, older face stared back at him, eyes clear and normal. Whatever rune Nos had worked into the mask overrode even the new star-fire shining in Cane's own gaze.
"That would've ended my alter ego real fast," Cane murmured, looking down at the small sheet of metal barely larger than his hand. "Just a piece of scrap metal..."
Cane glanced at the clock. Plenty of time. I should talk to Lorna before class.
He slipped the mask off, placing it carefully on the shelf before heading out the door, activating his psi-rune as he walked.
Cane: Everyone needs to visit Lorna at the tailor shop today for a fitting, if possible. We're upgrading our gear.
A short while later, Cane sat beside Lorna Sweetwater in her cozy shop, watching as she sketched designs for a new outfit—sturdy trousers and a hooded shirt.
Lorna smiled warmly at him. Over time, Cane had become almost like family. "Black, huh? What about the material?"
"Has to be tough. Comfortable enough for travel and battle," Cane said, standing so she could take his measurements.
"I'll put a rush on them. Will two days work?"
"Perfect."
Cane walked through town, ignoring the stares his glowing eyes drew.
"I'll make us all heartguards," he muttered to himself. "Just enough metal to protect vital areas. Light enough not to interfere with spellcasting. Plus, it'll give me a stable platform for drawing the stealth runes I pulled off the Avenger."
He waved at Brammel, who stood near a towering stack of Tungtanium.
The dwarf's face split into a wide grin when he spotted Cane. "Cane!"
Cane chuckled, bracing as Brammel clapped him on the back—hard enough that most people would've hit the ground.
"What do you know about blunderbusses?"
"Blunderbusses?" Brammel lifted his short arms as if aiming. "Love 'em! Not real accurate, but pack a wallop with a half-dozen big pellets."
"I want to fire a net out of one." Cane pulled a drawing from his storage ring. "Anchor the net to the pellets."
"A net?" Brammel grabbed the sketch, pulling it so close he practically went cross-eyed. "A NET?!"
Cane nodded. "I'll make it from braided high-carbon steel."
Brammel scratched his beard. "Lad… that might work. Range'll be iffy, but… I've got a few ideas. Mind if I take a crack at it?"
"That's why I came to you." Cane grinned and moved toward the dock, leaping easily down to the lower level of the ship.
He kicked off his shoes, pressed bare feet to the hull, and immediately became one with the metal. A brilliant orb of light formed overhead.
"Hoist the Tungtanium!" Cane called.
"You heard 'im, lads! Move it!" Brammel roared, muscling a sheet into place himself.
Dense mana swirled through the hidden harbor. Cane followed the veins he now saw clearly—strengthened by starlight—and shaped the ship with effortless precision. Walls rose. Ceilings formed.
Dhalia followed close behind, blueprint in hand, guiding Cane's work without missing a beat.
They didn't slow until only the deck remained.
"Starlight's dimmin', lad," Brammel warned. "Let's stop here."
Cane nodded, pulling himself free of the metal before exhaustion could set in.
Brammel climbed up, running a reverent hand over the hull. "It already looks like a ship should—sleek, elegant. Lines beyond perfection… and it's one piece. No seams, no joints, no welds."
Selene trailed her fingers across the surface. "You're still infusing glacial water into the metal. The surface… it's made for speed."
"Still have the keel, rudder, mast, and cabins to go," Cane said, smiling. He wasn't nearly as drained as he had been after his first starlight forging.
A rift shimmered open and Telamon stepped through, Ignasius right behind him. Both men studied the ship in silence, exchanging quiet nods.
The Archmage smiled faintly. "It's really shaping up. Why are the hatchways and hold doors rounded?"
"It'll be airtight," Cane said, hopping down from the hull. "We can seal everything up if we hit a storm. Ride it out without flooding."
Ignasius circled the ship, frowning slightly. "Metal decks can get slippery. And what about lightning strikes?"
"I'll roughen the deck surface—shouldn't be a problem." Cane said easily. "As for lightning—"
He grinned. "I've been developing a RED. Residual Electrical Discharger. Same principle I used to help Zio manage her lightning outbursts—only scaled up."
"The shock queen is no more?" Telamon asked, amused.
"Unless she wants to be," Cane said, smiling.
Telamon turned, surveying the hull again. "Finish everything but the keel here. I have a special mast for this ship. And I don't want the realm catching sight of what we're building too soon."
"What about the power supply?" Cane asked. "The defense and stealth runes will need something serious."
Telamon tapped his chin in thought. "Don't worry. I have that covered."