Nick’s ‘post-hoc’ battle analysis indicated two areas that could have led to dire consequences.
The first mistake was that ‘Epsilon’ aka Nick took his eyes off the target. When he divided his attention to observe the convoy of carriages, mages, and warriors on the road and subdued the minotaur, he had left the Underbroom Cave unguarded.
It was clearly instructed to him to watch out for possible dangers by securing the Underbroom Cave’s entrance. Had they been unlucky, it was possible that Nick may still be distracted dealing with the minotaur, and the Underbroom Cave battle would have begun, leaving Rabial exposed as Nick would not have his back.
The second mistake, a repeat mistake for that matter, was to not expect the attacks from the enemy’s long-range magic casters. This was similar to his miss with the Undead Archer before he met the Werfurs and lost his arm subsequently. When he was on top of the tree, and the fireball was stopped by his ‘Passive Blood-Iron Magic Shield’, Nick was stunned motionless for a few seconds.
The reason for his shock was not expecting, and hence not being ready for, sneak attacks. This was a naivety that could only come from an amateur mage.
Nick washed his face and nodded to himself as he looked at the reflection in the mirror. At this time, there was a knock on his door and Rabial entered the room with some Werfur maids, bringing in food.
Nick got out of the bathroom and headed to the dining table. The maids laid down the food and drink, and Nick started eating immediately while Rabial occupied the second chair, updating him with the newest developments.
“We received a notification from the Unknown Coven, the organization that we had fought with. They took responsibility and apologized for the events, and as a show of faith, they are handing over the rights of Underbroom Cave to us…”
Nick sipped his drink and nodded.
“That is good. Did they have the rights to the Underbroom Cave?”
Rabial nodded and continued.
“From the outside, the Underbroom Cave looks like an ordinary cave but in old times, it was used as a hiding place for humans, Werfurs, and other races, against the magical creatures venturing in the night. About 400-500 years ago, only humans and other intelligent races were capable of entering a door in the Underbroom Cave called the Broom Door.”
No magical creature, capable of harming intelligent beings, was able to enter or harm this door. It is said that the door was enchanted by an ancient mage’s magic for the protection of weaker races so that they could have a chance at survival.”
Nick had finished his meal by the time Rabial detailed to him the history of the Underbroom Cave. He started thinking.
“The Underbroom Cave, Broom Door and protection magic against creatures.”
Nick whispered these words as he digested the information and asked.
“You said 400-500 years ago…. Then, according to your words, the magic on Broom Door is not working anymore?”
Rabial smiled as he nodded.
“The reason that the Underbroom Cave was bought by different mages and changed rights over time, was to inspect why the Broom Door was not working anymore and what kind of magical capability it had. What are your thoughts on this as a magic researcher?”
Nick was amused by the theory and also the question.
“Hey, I may appear dumb but what do you expect me to do? Give you my advice for free? You should understand already that there are not many things I could do for you guys for 50 Ether Stones per week!”
Rabial sighed and got up from the chair. Of course, he knew that a mage with the power and a genius-like mind like Epsilon could not be used and taken advantage of with this sum of money in exchange. Forcing him by using a spell or any kind of hostile behavior was also out of the question. One wrong move and if he escaped from their hands, no Werfur, from then on, could walk in the forest without a magical shield. And in the future, as he will get stronger, it was reasonable to expect that he will annihilate all Werfurs.
Before he could speak, however, Nick pulled out a book from his space ring and threw it at Rabial.
“This is ‘Active Iron Magic Shield’. It is an active shield spell that consumes 70% lesser magical energy compared to ordinary Basic Magical Energy Active Shield and gives 40% more physical and magical defense. I was not about to hand this over to the Werfur race yet, but I would like you to understand what I really mean about co-operating with you people.”
Rabial gulped and opened the book in his hands inspecting the information. After about a couple of minutes, Rabial smiled.
Epsilon’s words were true as always. The spell in his hands added elemental protection of ‘Iron’ to the magical energy shield and the protection of the shield was boosted by 40% in comparison to ordinary active shields. At the same time, it really did save on 70% of magical energy in equal terms. Epsilon had created a spell in one day that the Werfurs were struggling with, for more than six months.
Epsilon had indeed proved that he was the real deal and that they have to stand side-by-side with him. If not, it would be them inviting troubles, and missing out on an opportunity.
Rabial finally asked.
“What do you want, Epsilon?”
Nick smiled and started talking.
“Freedom. I will live here in the Werfur City base and I will use this place as my home, my office, and also as my research room. In return, I will help you in matters of research or spell creations that are of use to you. And I will take payments for doing this. I am talking about a mutual agreement between two equal partners; I will not be a server of the Werfurs.”
Rabial nodded and whispered something. In a second, a document manifested in the air and was burned without leaving any residue behind. This was the earlier signed magical contract between Nick and the Werfur race. As they both wanted to back off from this agreement, there was no magical judgment that an unfulfilled contract would lead to.
After this first contract was destroyed, there were no more similar actions. From now on, Nick, or Epsilon as they called him, was only an honored guest of the Werfur race who would help them, when his help was needed, by charging Ether Stones.
Nick also did not forget to ask about some books that informed him about the price range
