Zeke stretched as he emerged from his workshop. His joints cracked at the movement. It had been over a day since he had pushed his body. Behind him, his guards were busy stacking up his finished Runes.
"How many did we make, Akasha?"
[Answer]
In the last 41 hours, we have created a total of 80 Enchantments. 40 Gust Enchantments and 40 Levitation Enchantments.
Zeke smiled broadly. This was even better than he had expected. Before, his personal record had been one Enchantment every two hours. Now, they had created two per hour, quadrupling his output.
He had been right: Akasha had a completely different system in mind. Her proposal had been to use [Telekinesis] to control the tools instead of using his hands. Zeke had considered the same idea before. The idea was to work off his perfect mental picture and then control the tools to create a copy.
However, it turned out to be very difficult to focus on his spell, the mental image, and his spacial perception at the same time. In the end, his results had been worse than doing it by hand. This was where Akasha came in. Instead of advising Zeke on how to improve, she simply took over the entire task.
The strain on his core was substantial, but the results were worth it. Zeke watched with open mouth wonder as two chisels and a hand carver worked in perfect synchronicity. He was spellbound for the entire hour it took to finish the plate.
But this wasn't the end of it. This Rune wasn't anything like his usual plates. No, this was an absolutely perfect copy of the one in his mind. Akasha had created a Top-Grade Enchantment on her first try!
By the time Zeke was done with the Powdering and testing of the Enchantment, she was almost halfway through the next one. Zeke watched the tools work for a while before a sudden idea came to him.
"Akasha, how long will I be able to endure this level of strain until my core starts to crack?"
[Answer]
We are still below baseline regeneration. This level of output is theoretically sustainable forever.
This was what he had expected. Maybe, just maybe, his idea could actually work. "Would you be able to work on two plates at the same time?"
[Answer]
Affirmative. I would be able to work on multiple plates at the same time. However, the strain on Host's core would increase proportionally. It would show the first signs of damage after roughly 40 hours and complete failure after 45.
Zeke smiled. "I want you to do it until we experience the first signs of damage. This will also allow us to create Gust and Levitation Enchantments at the same time."
There was no reply, but Zeke felt the strain on his core increase as Akasha complied. From that moment on, Zeke was constantly busy. While Akasha carved the runes, he finished off the Enchantments and tested them.
His biggest surprise awaited Zeke as he took a two-hour nap at the dawn of the second day. As he woke, he found multiple plates already waiting for him. Zeke had assumed Akasha would have to stop using his core while he was asleep. However, this had clearly been a misconception on his part. And with every hour that passed, Zeke was more in awe of how useful Akasha truly was.
After stretching out his stiff body, Zeke followed the stream of Enchantments that were transported to the main workshop. In the giant hall, two more Gondolas were already in the process of being created. Off to the side, Zeke saw Jettero, wordlessly watching over the process.
Despite the serious expression on his face, Zeke wasn't deceived. The twinkle in his eyes and the slight curve to his lips betrayed the old man's mood. He was clearly proud of his work and the workshop he had helped create. Rightly so, in Zeke's opinion. What the old man had done here was nothing short of phenomenal. Zeke walked over. He had come to speak to Jettero specifically.
The moment the engineer spotted him, his face lit up. However, the outbreak of happiness was suppressed an instant later and he opted for giving Zeke a casual nod instead. "Still alive, boy?"
"Barely," Zeke joked as he bypassed the old man's defenses to force him into a hug. Jettero growled reluctantly but still squeezed hard enough to drive the air from Zeke's lungs.
After they both stepped back, the old man gave him a look. "Don't you have your fancy schmancy event today? What are you doing here?"
Zeke nodded. "I do, but the event is not for a couple more hours, don't worry. For now, I have something to show you." Zeke waved at the guards who had been helping him carry the Enchantments. They neatly placed the stacks of plates in piles of 16. This was the exact amount each completed Gondola needed: Eight Gust Enchantments and eight Levitation Enchantments.
Jettero rubbed his hands in glee as he saw the number of finished plates. "And here I was starting to worry, boy. Why didn't you tell me you still had so many stashed away!"
Zeke shook his head. "That's not the surprise, Jett. Take a closer look."
The old man eyed him suspiciously but still walked over to do as he was bid. As he inspected one plate after the other, his face grew ever more serious. After the fourth, he couldn't keep it in anymore. "Tax-Man take me! Top-Grade? All of them?!"
Zeke nodded with a satisfied smile. This was the response he had wanted to see. The old man was just staring at him blankly. "How did you do that?"
"How else - I used my fancy schmancy Magic!"
Jettero's face distorted. It looked like he was trying to scowl, but had a hard time fighting off a smile at the same time. It was one of the ugliest expressions Zeke had ever seen.
"So, you just came here to show off to this old man?" Jettero asked as he got his facial muscles back under control.
Zeke shook his head, his own expression turning serious. "No, that's just a nice extra. I actually came here for something else. I want you to only use Top-Grade Enchantments from now on. Furthermore, I want you to replace the Runes you have already installed as well."
"Are you certain?" the old man asked with a frown. "Between the three finished ones outside and the two in here, we would use up your entire stash."
Zeke waved him off. "I'll make more, don't worry. I'll even have my mother send out letters to all previous customers and offer them an upgrade for free."
Jettero chuckled. "You are mad, lad. Why would you do something like that? They got what they paid for."
Zeke shook his head. "No, Jett, that's not what they paid for. The reason we are able to charge such a ridiculous amount is because we have the best, most luxurious, and unique product. But that is not going to last forever. How long do you think it will be until the other workshops copy our design and sell their own version of the Gondola?"
Jettero thought about that question. "They're probably already working on it."
"That's what I think as well. Furthermore, I am certain that they will sell their product for half our price at most. Now tell me, will there still be people willing to buy our product then?"
"Probably not," Jett admitted.
"Yes, they will," Zeke countered. "Because by the time the others managed to copy the Gondola, our product will have already evolved. Instead of competition, they will be nothing but a cheap knockoff. The trick is to always stay ahead of the curve, Jett."
The old engineer considered those words, before reluctantly agreeing. "That might work for a time. Those Top-Grade Enchantments are a good start. But you won't be able to keep them from catching up forever, lad."
"Sure I can," Zeke stated. "And it's quite easy if you know the trick."
"Is that so?" Jettero asked mockingly. "Then please enlighten this old fool to your wisdom, wise lord von Hohenheim."
Zeke nodded regally as if this was the only proper address for him. "Very well, my low-born student. I will impart to you the wisdom of my people…" The old man rolled his eyes as he watched Zeke put on a stern face. "It is very simple," Zeke said as he raised a single finger and pointed toward the sky. "…You just have to go where nobody else can follow."
Jettero's lips curled into a sneer at this statement. He was just about to respond when his mouth snapped shut. At first, the declaration had sounded like the flippant braggings of a brash teenager, but were they really? There was no sign on Zeke's face that indicated that this was anything but his genuine intention.
The old man took a closer look at Zeke's eyes and after a moment of contemplation, changed his response. "Fine, boy, you win. Take us there — to that mystical place where nobody else can follow."
Zeke smiled. He had hoped Jett would understand his ambitions. Even if he didn't fully believe his words yet, it was a start. If only the old man knew about the technical marvels Zeke kept hidden from the world. "Leave it to me, Jett. I'll take us to the very top, I promise."
Jettero chuckled. "Fine by me, lad. Can't wait to see what else you've got up your sleeves."
Zeke smiled mysteriously. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"I'll take your word for it," Jett said. "Anyway, I think it's time I get back to it. Otherwise, the boys will install the old Enchantments before I can break the news to them."
Zeke took the cue to leave. He waved the old man goodbye as he made his way to the exit. Now that the workshop was put to task, he would have to focus on his own mission. There were only a couple of hours left before the Advancement Ceremony, and Zeke still wanted to catch a bit of sleep beforehand.
Half a day passed in the blink of an eye and all too soon, Zeke found himself on deck of the Enigma once again. He was accompanied by his inner circle. Leo, David, and Margret stood to his left and the four guard captains to his right. Meanwhile, Kerim was piloting the ship, with Lena and Marissa watching from close by. The two Mind Mages hadn't been on a Gondola before. However, instead of the scenery, they seemed more interested in the mechanism that allowed the captain to control the ship.
Zeke smiled at the sight. This was something all Mind Mages seemed to have in common — the need to understand how the world worked. It had been that very same drive that had led to him studying the mysteries of mana as a child. And it was also what he enjoyed most about research. To him, it was incomprehensible how people could be content with not knowing stuff, never questioning the how and why.
All too soon, they arrived at the second layer. The event was taking place at the city hall. To Zeke, it felt like he had been here just yesterday. The day of the Spirit Summoning ritual was still fresh in his mind. It was hard to believe that it had been weeks since then.
This time, there was no crowd gathering in front of the hall. The annual event had long since worn out its novelty status. Zeke sighed in relief when he noticed the empty plaza. For one, this allowed them to actually have the space to land their vessel. Also, he wasn't keen on putting on another show for the people. Even though he enjoyed being the center of attention most of the time, it was tiring.
After docking their ship, the party alighted. Zeke saw that other groups were also arriving. They were right on time.
[Notice]
A group approaches: No hostile intentions detected. The chances of victory in a direct confrontation are 5.2%.
Zeke turned around and came face to face with Mordred Bloodsword. By his side were at least 20 other red-headed men and women of all ages.
"What a surprise to see you upright for a change, Ezekiel. Risen from the dead, have we?" Mordred greeted jokingly.
Zeke grinned at him. "Just a short nap, nothing more."
"Short nap my ass," Mordred scoffed. "I heard the rumors, you can be glad to be alive."
Zeke's brows furrowed. "And what rumors are those?"
"There is no use pretending. You've been seen," Mordred said.
"I have been seen? Doing what exactly?"
Mordred had a knowing smile on his face as he winked at Zeke. "Fine, let's just pretend you weren't spotted getting carried out of this very hall. I bet that event, which never happened, had nothing to do with how you made fun of the Thorsten family either. It also wasn't Lady Eternexus who beat you up, right?"
Zeke finally understood what was going on. Aurelia must have kept the ritual a secret. To any observer, it would have looked as if he had been severely injured by her. It made sense for them to assume that this was his punishment for speaking out against her family.
Zeke's first instinct was to correct this misunderstanding. But thinking about it, this might not be in his best interest. He would gain nothing from revealing that he had gained a Summon. People might not even believe him, considering the fact that he could not even materialize it.
[Notice]
My Apologies for being unable to take a physical form, Contractor.
"Don't misunderstand, Akasha. You are perfect the way you are," Zeke thought. He didn't want his Summon to develop an inferiority complex because of this. She was far more useful than any other summon he could have wished for.
Upon noticing Zeke's awkward expression, Mordred spoke up. "Don't worry about it. I am sure you'll be able to patch things up with the Thorsten family in the future. Are you interested in joining us for a bit? We are in the VIP section this year."
Zeke nodded meekly, acting as if he was embarrassed about getting caught. As one, their combined group made their way inside.