Chapter 96: Was That the First Spell You Learned?

"Welcome to Duncan's Tailoring! What can I do for you? Oh... you. I remember you."

Jess had barely stepped inside. His eyes hadn't adjusted from the bright sunshine to the dim shop when the owner called out.

"You're the assistant who wanted to buy that robe last time, right? Well? Has your employer made up his mind?"

"My employer has ordered a robe from Dalaran," Jess said. "It should arrive before the Feast of Winter Veil next month. I'm sorry, Mr. Duncan."

"That's business, I suppose. That robe has been sitting in my shop for almost a year anyway. I don't mind keeping it a while longer." The owner sounded resigned. "So what brings you here today?"

"I'd like to show you something." Jess took a scale from his pocket and placed it on the counter. "Can you tell what this is, sir?"

The owner put on his glasses, studied it closely, and said, "A naga scale, young man. Found it somewhere?"

Jess didn't answer right away. He found it strange that Ursula hadn't immediately assumed he'd picked it up, yet the tailor knew at a glance. Did people who made clothes know more about these materials than alchemists?

"Yeah."

"These scales aren't worth much," the owner said. "We don't buy them. You could try asking in the Dwarven District. Armor makers like naga scales. They're pretty, so they can decorate important parts of a suit of armor. A smith could even call it 'naga scale armor' and fool somebody who doesn't know any better. But here in the Mage Quarter, things are what they are. Those mages sometimes see through materials better than we do. When it comes to scams, it's usually us poor little merchants who get cheated."

How odd. They were all naga scales. Why was Ursula's opinion so different from the tailor's?

"Why?" Jess asked. "I heard naga scales have magical properties. They can strengthen frost and water magic. Was that a lie?"

"It's true," the owner replied. "But people aren't talking about this kind of scale. These are pretty easy to find. People who spend a lot of time along the coast sometimes come across them even if they never see a naga in their lives. They're shiny and have a special shape, so they stand out on the shore. People find them mixed in with shells and take them home. Some armor makers even buy them at the docks."

"The scales with real magical power are the naga's chest and back scales—the few larger, special scales that cover the back, neck, and chest. They say those scales are replaced very slowly, so finding a loose one is incredibly rare. When we say 'naga scales,' those are usually the ones we mean."

"I've never seen a naga myself, so I don't know whether the scholars have it right. I only know that if you're making magical robes, you need those special scales. The others are basically useless except as decoration."

Jess was miserable. He knew almost nothing about this, and he'd mixed all the scales together. How was he supposed to sort them now?

At noon, he went to the library and looked for records about naga scales. Luckily, there were plenty of descriptions and pictures. He made rough notes about the scales from different parts of the body, their shapes, and other features. He copied the details onto a sheet of paper so he could separate the ordinary scales from the valuable back and belly scales at home.

A copied page is visible here, but NovelPhoenix is where the author publishes this chapter and receives support.

When he'd finished drawing, he realized he was nearly out of paper. Saeno had filled almost every sheet at home with writing, and Jess didn't have spare money for supplies.

But payday was only a few days away. His first wages since becoming an assistant—ten silver coins! That would be enough to buy a whole new supply of paper and ink.

As for the scales, he'd sell them if he could find a buyer. Otherwise, he'd wait. There was no need to hurry.

He took advantage of the free snacks at the Wizard's Sanctum for lunch, then waited for Marin in the garden outside. Whether the young king was willing to send men to deal with the gnoll alchemy laboratory or not, Jess had to report it to the Sanctum.

He hadn't waited long before Marin came out of The Blue Recluse and spotted him from a distance.

"Master Marin." Jess rose. "I have something important to tell you."

The old mage came over holding a long loaf of bread. "You're back from Westfall?"

"Yes. And I found a gnoll alchemy room. I have strong evidence they're making poison in there."

Marin frowned. "What evidence?"

"There was Deathweed among the herbs they'd gathered. Could they be planning to poison Moonbrook or Sentinel Hill?"

"It's possible," Marin said. "I'll write to the royal mages this afternoon. Though I expect the king will have to send someone to confirm it. If I hear anything more, I'll tell you."

"Master, could some other power be driving the gnolls toward Stormwind from behind the scenes?" Jess asked.

"We've been investigating the orcs lately, and we've certainly neglected the west," Marin said. "Now that you mention it, gnolls all across the kingdom do seem restless. There are reports of raids and attacks everywhere. But Jess, the Wizard's Sanctum isn't responsible for gnoll affairs. Even at Stonewatch Keep, our main job is to provide magical support for the defenders, not solve the gnoll problem."

"So it isn't my main responsibility either, and I can't give you an easy answer. But if we investigate and find a poison laboratory like the one you've described, we'll probably have to take responsibility. Still, concentrate on improving your magic, Jess. You've only just become an apprentice. Aren't you worrying about a little too much?"

Marin was right. Until Jess reached a certain level of skill and earned recognition, nobody would let him get involved in such matters even if he knew about them.

"Oh, right." Marin took a ring from inside his robe. "Give me your assistant's ring. Take this one instead. Remember to see Master Andromath within a week to choose your classes. He's on the top floor of the Wizard's Sanctum. Your classes probably won't begin until after Winter Veil, but choosing them now will give you time to prepare. You don't want to arrive knowing nothing."

An apprentice's ring.

Jess studied the runes and the capital initial of his name carved into it. Somehow, he no longer felt the same excitement he'd felt when he first became an apprentice.

"And another thing, Jess. Your Light spell..." Marin folded his arms. "Have you made any progress these past two days?"

Whatever else happened, Jess should improve his own skills first.

He took a step back, lifted a finger, and silently spoke the word: "Liyusa!"

He'd gained some experience in focusing his attention. The Light spell came together smoothly, and a bright ball of arcane light floated over his fingertip like a little lamp.

The light was bright enough to draw glances from several students in the garden. Marin, however, wasn't watching it. He kept his eyes fixed on Jess's face and lips.

A minute passed, but Marin didn't tell him to stop. Jess sensed the old mage had noticed the spell wasn't tiring him much and wanted to see just how long he could maintain it.

Two minutes passed. Then two and a half. Jess began to feel his mana draining.

Suddenly Marin snapped his fingers.

Snap!

Jess looked at the old mage. The light on his finger flickered, but it didn't go out.

"That's enough, Jess," Marin said. "You can let it fade."

Jess closed his fist, and the arcane light vanished. The fingers of his right hand felt almost stiff from how hard he'd concentrated.

He took a deep breath. "How was that, Master?"

Marin looked him in the eyes and answered with a question.

"Was the Light spell the first spell you learned?"