After a late night relaxing at the Sweetwater residence—playing an oddly competitive board game and sipping wine—Cane had slept in. The swords and dresses he'd enhanced the day before were safely tucked in his storage ring.
The communal shower helped shake the fog from his mind, but mostly it just reminded him he was starving.
Cane:Want to grab umm… brunch?
Fergis:Yes… I slept in.
Clara:Food? Yes.
Sophie: I just ate—need to prep the afternoon announcement if I'm going to the capital.
Cane smiled to himself. He'd stayed late with Sophie and her parents, unwilling to leave the quiet joy of it. Everyone had been covering yawns by the time he finally made his exit.
When he arrived, Clara was already pacing outside the dining hall, her expression somewhere between amused and desperate.
"You guys get lost or something?" she groaned. "I'm wasting away."
Cane grinned. "Sorry, Clara. Let's head in."
The moment the three stepped into the dining hall, conversation dimmed. Heads turned. Whispers followed. They were no longer anonymous first-years.
"CANE!"
A wild-haired young woman waved from a half-empty bench. Zio, the storm mage, unmistakable in both appearance and energy.
Fergis snorted. "She's gonna spark us again. Can't she wear a grounding rod or something?"
Cane grabbed a tray and filled it with sliced meats and a large yellow fruit before sitting across from her. "Hey."
Zio wiggled her eyebrows. "Didn't think you'd join me."
"Isn't that why you yelled out?"
She nodded. "Sure, but most people get tired of…"
Zap.
Cane's hand brushed the metal table frame, sparking a sharp jolt.
"…that," Zio finished. "You've heard of icebreakers? My element's more of an ice melter."
Fergis and Clara joined them, boys on one side, girls on the other.
"Thanks for taking the shock," Fergis grinned, clearly having timed his arrival so Cane would sit first.
"It might work," Cane mused, remembering something Fergis had just said.
"Huh?" Fergis asked, mouth full of ham.
"Making a grounding rod for Zio." Cane glanced at her. "Ever try something like that?"
Zio shook her head. "I had a rune bracelet once—burned through three of them in one day. I'm not exactly made of platinum, y'know."
A sudden, familiar voice echoed across the dining hall.
Good afternoon, everyone.
This is Sophie Sweetwater coming to you live from Sun Tower with the afternoon announcements—albeit a few hours early.
On the war front, minor rebellions in the recently ceded territories of Vesh and Toradil have been quelled. Until a new governing body is chosen, the crown will maintain martial law. Rumors suggest a new Duke may soon be appointed to oversee both.
At sea, the infamous slaver Orion and his formidable crew were captured last night by none other than our very own cadets. Three teams of four snuck aboard the anchored vessel and subdued the crew with only minor injuries reported. The Twisted Snake is believed to have been responsible for the enslavement of thousands.
Sophie continued with local news, birthdays, and brief introductions of new staff before signing off:
This is Sophie Sweetwater reminding you: if you see someone today without a smile, give them yours. I'm going to the capital this afternoon but will see everyone back here tomorrow morning. Until then—have a sunny day.
Zio stood abruptly. "My team was there, along with Siya's and Cane's. How about some damn applause?"
Laughter and applause filled the dining hall as Zio gave an exaggerated bow, twirling her hands with theatrical flair. When she returned to her seat, all three tablemates jumped from another static shock.
Zio grinned. "Sorry. I heard repeated shocks are good for circulation."
Cane chuckled. "I don't think your information is accurate."
"Maybe not," Zio admitted. "It never used to be this bad… it's gotten worse the more I've advanced."
Cane pursed his lips, considering. "Do you have an infused lightning focal?"
Zio shook her head. "Don't need one. I'm a raging storm of overwhelming electricity."
He smirked. "Well, let's talk more when I'm back from the capital. Maybe we can craft something to absorb the overflow."
She blinked. "Really?"
Cane shrugged. "Only if you want to. You seem to have adapted just fine, even if you keep shocking the crap out of everyone you meet."
Zio glanced away, voice softer. "All my close friends are people I met as a first year. Nobody else sticks around." She hesitated. "If you could make something to harness my excess element… I'd pay whatever you asked."
Clara leaned in, clearly not about to miss the moment. "Don't forget—she's got at least a thousand platinum in her pouch now. No freebies. My boy made this!" She wiggled her hand, showing off her wood element focal like it was a crown jewel.
Zio frowned. "Hey! Is that a wood element focal? How much did he charge you?"
"Sister, please." Clara's freckled face glowed with humor. "I'm one of his best friends. You?" She paused, glancing at Fergis.
"A nameless face in the crowd," Fergis said with mock solemnity before raising his mug for a dramatic gulp. "Ahhh."
Cane laughed as Zio scowled at them both. "Don't let them get started," he said. "I said I'd try and help. That's what matters."
**
Cane donned his Salt Armor and matching Salt-Infused Glacial Cape. He didn't need anything else—nearly everything he owned was tucked safely inside his storage ring.
Dhalia: Didn't you say those copper storage rings cost about 100 platinum? Could I trouble someone to pick one up for me? Would be nice not to rely on Cane to carry my gear.
Fergis:I'll get you one for 250 plat.
Clara:200 plat.
Fergis:150 plat.
Cane:Stop. Yeah, we'll get you one.
Dhalia:Thanks.
Fergis:I'm getting one too.
Clara:Same.
Cane sat on his bed, lazily feeding Pudding strips of dried meat.
"Just hang out here... No guests. I don't want the room covered in pigeon shit."
HOOACH.
Cane scratched Pudding behind the head. "Fine. One small party. Don't break anything."
The admin office was already bustling when Cane arrived shortly before noon. Clara and Sophie were chatting near the window. Fergis was deep in conversation with Ignasius, the Chair of the Fire Element Department. Selene was nowhere in sight, but Brammel stood near the desk, arms folded.
"Let me see them," Brammel said.
Cane raised an eyebrow. "More specific?"
"The sung blades," Brammel replied. "The Archmage told me you had another breakthrough."
"I wouldn't call it a breakthrough." Cane swiped his ring and drew out one of the sabers he'd reforged. "Bronze and steel. I'm calling the alloy Breel. I purified and melded it using smithing and advanced metallurgy, then used a new technique for tempering."
Brammel flicked the blade with a thick finger, listening to the faint hum—or lack thereof. "This is a parry blade. Absorbs vibrations... Amazing."
"Is it?"
Brammel nodded, eyes gleaming. "Light and agile, made for counterstrikes. It has an absorption property that allows it to take the hit of a heavier blade and still respond with deadly force."
He stared lovingly at the pale blue metal. "What color was it before you added the glacial rune?"
"Light yellow," Cane said.
Brammel handed him a form. "Fill this out. Same as last time."
Cane nodded and summoned a charcoal pencil from his ring.
Property Sheet:
Category: Weapon / Sword
Base Materials: Steel / Bronze
Alloy: Breel
Rating: Above Epic
Contributors: Jonas Ironfist, Blacksmith; Cane Ironheart, Artificer
He glanced toward Sophie. She caught his eye and offered a small wave.
The dresses he'd enchanted for Lorna were supposed to go on consignment to a tailor named Meguli—who would take ten percent.
"Ridiculous. Hanging it in a window and he gets ten percent for our hard work?"
Cane grabbed another form and began filling it out.
Property Sheet:
Category: Clothing / Dress
Base Materials: Silk / Platinum
Composite: Interwoven Satinum
Rating: Above Epic
Contributors: Lorna Sweetwater, Tailor; Cane Ironheart, Artificer
He left the Alloy line blank but found a composite category that worked.
"Now we're ready," he said aloud.
At that moment, Telamon stepped out of his office.
"Is everyone ready?"
He tapped his cane once, and a rift opened in the air. Without waiting for a reply, the Archmage stepped through.
A porter was waiting when they stepped through the rift into the crowded Olivara Auction House. The sudden clash of noise, the perfumed swirl of courtly finery, and the pulsing anticipation shattered the quiet of the Academy's admin office.
"Greetings, Archmage. Do you or any of your party have items for auction?" asked a nondescript man—average in every way but for the rich, commanding timbre of his voice.
"I believe Cane does," Telamon replied, motioning him forward.
Since all his items were stored in his ring, Cane simply handed over the runic chit he'd been issued during his last visit.
"Cane Ironheart?" The porter smiled with immediate recognition. "Thank you for returning to the Olivara Auction House, Mr. Ironheart. What sort of items will you be auctioning today?"
Cane handed him the property sheet.
The porter's eyes widened. "These are the same Interwoven Platinum dresses worn by First Knight Rowe at the coronation of Duke Keaton?"
"I assume so," Cane replied. "I made one for her. I've been calling the fabric Santinum."
"Excellent, sir." The porter touched a rune behind his ear and whispered a few clipped words. "Your chit notes a personal attendant preference: Nina. Is that still correct?"
"Yes," Cane said.
Within minutes, a young girl arrived, briskly pushing a floating clothes rack. She stopped in front of the porter and bowed low.
Cane offered her a gentle smile. Pale blond hair framed her youthful face, and her dark eyes were tight with focus—treating her role as if it bore the weight of nations. "I'll handle the dresses, if you don't mind."
The girl nodded and stepped back behind the porter, watching with quiet reverence.
Cane revealed the first dress. Cool air rippled outward, drawn by the pulsing rune embedded in the cloth. Mana tingled through the air as heads began to turn.
He hung it carefully. Then the second. Then the third.
By the time the third dress was in place, the ghostly aspect of the Ice Gryphon hovered over the rack. A hush spread across the auction house, quiet falling like snow.
By the sixth dress, the room was cathedral-still.
Cane's name was whispered with reverence. He stood just meters from the mythic arrow known as Cane's Folly, displayed behind glass—the very weapon that had destroyed the Black Legion.
The Ice Gryphon aspect screeched suddenly, piercing the air before vanishing in a burst of dazzling ice motes.
The porter cleared his throat, visibly awed. "Six dresses, Mr. Ironheart?"
"Yes," Cane confirmed—just as a second floating platform arrived.
He began laying out ten forged sabers, each piece gleaming with subtle power. There were more in storage, but they were meant for auction—the rest were reserved for the Defiant's crew.
A young woman with coffee-colored skin and a crown of dark curls approached, dressed in crisp blue trousers and a buttoned vest. She waited until Cane noticed her.
"Nina!" he grinned, waving her over. "How long until we start?"
"About an hour, Sir," she replied with a professional smile.
Cane mock-frowned. "Didn't we agree you wouldn't call me sir anymore?"
Nina coughed delicately, hiding a smile. "Of course, Cane. The auction begins in one hour. Your chit will vibrate twenty minutes beforehand."
"How much is on my chit currently?"
Nina's eyes flicked over a floating rune. "Your account balance is 2,140 platinum. Would you like to add more?"
Cane handed over a pouch. "This is another thousand—my reward from the Twisted Snake mission. Also, I'd like to start an account for Sophie Sweetwater."
Nina nodded. Her gaze swept across the room, landing on two women beside Fergis. Her trained eye took in the bright, friendly one with freckles—not likely. Then her gaze fell on the other girl: curious, graceful, naturally lovely.
Definitely the one.
"Sophie!" Cane waved them over. "Come meet Nina—she's helping us today. Clara, this is Nina. Nina, Clara."
Clara grinned, gripping Nina's hand and shaking with enough force to bounce her curls. "Charmed."
Nina returned the smile, clearly charmed in return. Sophie extended a hand as well, warm and gracious.
"I'll start Sophie's account and return with a runic chit for identification," Nina said, already impressed.
"Oh..." Sophie smiled. "Thank you, Nina. Do I need to make a deposit?"
"No," Cane cut in. "Link her account to mine."
Sophie blushed. Thanks… I'll pay you back if I buy something.