Magium: The Chronicles of Varathia

Chapter 6: A Means To An End

I learnt much too late in my previous life that apparently there was this bug - or rather, a mechanism - that allowed the Stat device to be able to sense magic released much farther away than its regular range.

Dr. Reizdek was the first one to discover this. In his opinion, the original creators of the device had intended to expand its usual range, but had failed. They still kept it around hidden away for some reason, in hopes that future tinkerers would work to improve on it.

Since this only allows the device to 'sense' the magic present in a larger range than usual, it still can't generate points from it. It could however be used as a compass, steering one towards areas that would generate points in the Stat device from the traces of magic in the surroundings.

Having even a little more points to invest in my stats would make things much easier for me. Just like the magic attribute stats, this too was a 'hidden feature'. However, unlike them, it could be unlocked with ease by a good enough enchanter. And I had managed to get my hands on one of the best in the world.

I see Daren bring his tools, and the both of us sit down at a spot close to the vantage point. I explain exactly what I need him to do with the device, so as to prevent it from getting damaged. Needless to say, Daren obediently listens to my instructions, before voicing his concerns.

"Are you sure about this? If I mess this up, you might have to look for a professional. And I am not sure if you can even find a professional tinkerer that has worked with such a device anywhere on this island."

"Trust me, I know the risks." I say. "But I am confident you can do it. Plus, the instructions were pretty clear in the manual I had gotten earlier which I might have misplaced somewhere..."

"Fine, but I am not taking responsibility if anything goes wrong here."

Daren works on the device proficiently as I instruct him what he needs to do. I follow exactly what I had observed Dr. Reizdek do before, according to whom even an 'amateur' could do it if they got the gist. It took us about an hour working on it, but there are still a few small things left.

"Whew, the difficult parts are done. It took so long, I feel more tired than I've felt the entire day."

"You can head back to the cave for now. I'll deal with the rest and return your tools once I am finished."

"Wait." says Daren, looking me straight in the eye. "Are you telling me you know enchantment? You can't do magic, so how-"

"Well, I am no expert like you. Of course I cannot manipulate aura either." I interrupt him, "But I picked up the basics from a friend of mine, so I should be able to manage with the little that is left, as I suppose it won't require me to use any magic and rely solely on the tools themselves."

Daren stares at me, with the same baffled expression I had seen him make a couple of times before.
"You never fail to amaze me, Barry. First your incredible insight on magic, now your experience with enchanting. I don't know who that friend of yours is, but I'd really like to get to know them."

"Oh, I suppose you might already know a lot about them."

"Really?" says Daren with excitement.

"Yes, I am sure of it,"

That's because it's you, dummy.

"But that's for another time. You should go and wake up Kate for her second shift. I'll be here till I'm finished with this."

After I've convinced him that I won't tire myself out too much, I see Daren heading towards the cave. Kate walks out a few moments later, looking around for a while.