Zio left almost immediately, presumably to test the water ring—despite the late hour. The others wanted to keep experimenting, but Cane faked exhaustion and sent them all away.
Moments later, he was in the forge.
Blacksilver mask in place.
Jonas Ironfist returned to the flame.
THANKS.
Chimi's voice rang out as Cane shoveled coke into the furnace.
He grabbed a purified iron bar and activated its fire-attuned node. Placing it on the workbench, he tested a theory.
Ringmaking was fast—easy.
After six, he checked each. All of them were attuned to fire.
Satisfied, he dove back in.
Under the watchful gaze of his twin stars, Cane worked with fevered purpose. The first iron bar vanished. Then another. By the time the forge cooled, dozens of rings lay stacked in neat rows.
He returned to his room long after midnight, tossed the smoldering bedding on the floor, and collapsed.
It wasn't until Moxie scratched at the door the next morning that he stirred.
She sniffed everything, then curled up on the singed blankets.
"Door stays open," Cane muttered, ruffling her bristly coat. "Just don't chew anything."
Instead of heading to his usual Advanced Water Elemental class, he stopped by Sun Tower.
"Morning, Cane," Sophie greeted, kissing him on the cheek. "Where we going?"
"Need to see Uncle."
"Right…" she smiled. "Of course."
They reached admin just as Telamon exited his office with his senior staff.
"Nephew," Telamon said, eyes narrowing. "You look like someone with something to say."
The other staff exchanged curious glances.
Cane pulled one of the fire-attuned rings from his pouch.
"I think I've created something important."
Telamon took the ring and examined it—his senses peeling back layers most mages couldn't see.
"Strong elemental alignment," he noted. "Fire attuned."
"Try it," Cane said. "It amplifies the wearer's native element."
Telamon slipped it on.
His face remained still, but his voice confirmed the effect.
"Casting efficiency increased. Mana retention enhanced. Elemental affinity strengthened."
He handed the ring to Ignatius, who tried it and immediately smiled.
"How many of these did you make?"
"Hundreds," Cane replied.
"What kind of testing?" Brammel asked.
"They conflict with opposite elements. But with matching affinities—or even no affinities—they enhance output significantly."
"Give it here, lad."
Brammel tried one. Cane adjusted the size to fit his thick fingers.
The dwarf's hand erupted in fire.
He held it up, awestruck.
"Laddy…"
Telamon raised a hand, sealing the room with a privacy shield.
"How many know?"
"My team. Zio. And now you," Cane said.
Telamon tapped his cane.
Zio appeared instantly—tray of breakfast in hand.
She nearly dropped it. "Archmage!"
"Cadet Zio," Telamon said evenly. "You were given a ring by Cane. I don't want it back. I want to know—who else knows?"
Zio glanced between them, then shook her head.
"No one else. I tested it all night. Had breakfast, then… here I am."
"Very good," Telamon said. "This is now classified. You may use the ring, but do not reveal its source or function."
"Understood."
Cane touched the psi-rune behind his ear.
Cane: The rings are classified. Anyone else know?
Fergis: Nope.
Clara: Just woke up.
Dhalia: No, Cane.
"It's contained," Cane said aloud.
Brammel punched at the air with his flame-covered fists, grinning like a child. "Wish I had this in my brawling days…"
Telamon turned to Zio. "Which ring did Cane give you?"
"Water. Mixed with my lightning aspect—it made me a dual elemental," she said, launching into a rapid-fire list of her test results.
After several minutes, Telamon turned to Ignatius.
"Report to the Western staging grounds. Train a company of non-elemental soldiers in basic spellcasting. The time has come."
Everyone in the room stilled.
"The bulk of our forces use swords and bows," Telamon said. "That ends now."
Ignatius bowed. "Anything else?"
"Those with knowledge of this breakthrough have two choices—temporary sequester at Ironheart Estate… or join you on the front."
Cane and his team didn't hesitate.
They would go with Ignatius.
Sophie, and to everyone's surprise, Zio, chose the estate.
White tents stretched in endless, orderly rows beneath a pale sky. The Western Front—weeks from full engagement—buzzed with quiet anticipation.
The last two campaigns had seen the Zuni Empire seize wide swaths of Allied territory. Some of that ground had been returned following Cane's Folly, but momentum had remained with the Zuni—until recently.
That changed with the Defiant.
Blockades were broken. Supply lines restored. The withering limbs of the Allied war machine began to twitch with life once more.
In the civilized war between the Allied Realm and the Zuni Empire, surprise invasions were forbidden. That had been one of Telamon's edicts—civilians were always given time to evacuate with their belongings. Many chose to stay. That, the Archmage believed, was their decision—and not his to interfere with.
This front marked the Zuni Empire's first foray onto the mainland—into the heart of the continent, near the capital and the major noble houses.
The central hub of a very complicated machine.
It's worth noting: by agreement, a Southern front was scheduled to open soon—threatening the Zuni homeland directly.
A rift opened beside the command tent.
Five figures stepped through—Ignatius at the front, followed by Cane, Clara, Dhalia, and Fergis.
Each member of Cane's team wore their sleek black raid gear, heartguards in place. They followed Ignatius without hesitation, entering the command tent like a shadow at his heel.
Inside, the Field Commander was mid-discussion, sorting officers and resources, issuing territory assignments across a sprawling ledger. The tent buzzed with movement, and no one looked up.
Ignatius elbowed past two battalion commanders and calmly set a silver badge on the Field Commander's table.
"A moment of your time," he said.
Commander Terok Begile, leader of a full Legion, glanced down—and froze.
One look at the badge, and he immediately dropped his stylus.
"A representative from the Archmage?"
"Correct," Ignatius replied. "Please clear the tent."
There were scoffs. Chuckles. No one recognized him.
Then Terok spoke again, louder.
"Clear the tent."
The effect was instant.
Chairs scraped back. Commanders scattered. Within moments, the space was empty but for the five newcomers and the commander.
"Ignatius," he said, extending a hand. "The Archmage has asked me to take command of a company for special training. Preferably non-magic users. Melee-focused is ideal."
Terok didn't hesitate.
"I've got three hundred fresh recruits I was about to distribute across different battalions. Would that work?"
"Perfect. I'll also need four veteran platoon sergeants to anchor the company. Same requirements."
Terok nodded and scanned his roster. He quickly jotted down four names.
"You'll want a company commander, then?"
"No," Ignatius replied, turning slightly. "We have one."
He gestured to Cane.
"Cane Ironheart."