Industrial Mage: Modernizing a Magical World

21 - Magic Stuff

Author's Note:

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The ornately carved doors of Ethan's private meeting room shut behind Derrick just as Roland bowed to Ethan and left. "Greetings, my lord," Derrick said. "It's time for our first class."

Derrick's salt-and-pepper beard spoke of years spent in the unforgiving elements.

"Apologies for the delay, my lord," Derrick said, inclining his head in a gesture of respect.

Ethan offered a curt nod. "No worries. Take a seat."

Derrick settled into the plush chair opposite him, a sigh escaping his lips as he placed a leather satchel on the table. The silence stretched for a moment, then Ethan inquired, "What took you so long?"

"There were unforeseen delays gathering some of the prerequisites—acquiring some of the necessary components proved more time-consuming than anticipated."

Ethan's brow quirked slightly. "Components? Prerequisites? Care to elaborate?"

"Ah, that, my lord, is something you'll have to wait and see. Part of the surprise."

"Very well," Ethan's lips twitched in amusement. "I'll trust your judgment."

Derrick bowed his head in acknowledgment. "Rest assured, I haven't taken it lightly." He reached into the satchel slung across his shoulder and withdrew a small, nondescript pouch. It bulged with something soft and uneven. Placing it carefully on the table, he untied the leather cord that held it shut.

A pungent aroma filled the room, a strange mixture of damp earth, something metallic, and a hint of citrus. Ethan wrinkled his nose slightly.

"Moonfern spores, crushed wolfsbane..." Derrick murmured, carefully scooping out a pinch of a powdery substance with his calloused fingers. "And a dash of Nightshade, courtesy of that old crone up east. Nasty woman, but her price was fair."

"Who?"

"Aye," Derrick waved his hand dismissively. "Don't mind my rambles. She's an old friend."

Ethan kept silent, watching with fascination as Derrick laid out the various ingredients on the table—a collection of roots twisted into different shapes, vials filled with shimmering liquids of an unnatural hue, and a smooth, obsidian pebble that pulsed faintly with an inner light.

"What is all this for?" Ethan asked.

"A ritual. And a potion. Patience, my lord, I will explain everything. It's taken me quite some time and money to get all the components and ingredients. A bit of legwork. Some favors, too. Ones I'm going to have to return someday. Why do you think I did that? It's because if I've taken a student, I'm going to do my best to teach him. Or her. So, some patience on your side would be appreciated."

Ethan shrugged. "Thank you for going through the trouble, I suppose."

"Aye, no need. No need." Derrick waved his hand with a chuckle. "Anyhow. I see you have the [Mage] Class, already. However, I do not know your level of knowledge, yet. Tell me, my lord, what do you know about [Mages]?"

"Oh..." Ethan took a moment to collect his thoughts, scratching his chin with his brows furrowed. Need to act dumb. I know some stuff but I'm definitely lacking a huge chunk of knowledge, I need Derrick to think I'm some naïve clueless noble kid that just got a Class somehow. "Well, they're, uh, magic users, obviously. They shoot fireballs and stuff, right?" He gestured vaguely with his hand, mimicking a throwing motion. Gosh, I must look dumb. But the thing was, Ethan was genuinely clueless.