"Gerrits, do you think you could carve an enchantment rune to these weapons?"
I asked.
Weapon enchantment would be the solution to our quality issue.
By casting a magic spell through rune engraving, a weapon could be strengthened or even imbued with other powers.
A mage could directly cast the enchantment runes on the targeted weapon, or a mage crafter like Gerrits could manually carve magic runes instead.
A weapon enchantment casted directly by a mage often only lasted temporarily.
There were permanent enchantments, but it would take a long time to cast and for certain stronger enchantments, the weapon needed to be made from the proper materials.
On the other hand, rune carving made by a mage crafter provided permanent enchantment on a weapon.
As long as they knew the magic pattern necessary for the enchantment, a mage crafter could enchant any tool.
Provided they could find a mage to imbue mana on the rune to activate the spell.
"An enchantment, you say? Well…"
"I'll provide you with the rune design. I'll also imbue the mana and activate the spell. All I need is for you to carve it on the weapons."
I proposed.
I had experience on enchanting weapons so I could do all the process if I wanted to. However, for efficiency sake, this specific task was often entrusted to a mage crafter.
After all, a mage like me also had other responsibilities such as potion-making, which consumes a lot of time as well.
Upon my request, Gerrits walked around the storage and examined the weapons inside.
He formed a deep frown and shook his head as he looked through the equipment.
"These weapons are no good. Not even a basic enchantment would hold on them."
Gerrits said.
"I thought that would be the case."
I sighed.
It was already clear to me that those weapons would not be able to contain advanced enchantments. But I was wondering if they could just hold a basic one.
Gerrits's judgment gave me the confirmation I needed.
"These are junks. It'll be better if I make them from scratch and carve the runes then."
The craftsman said, tossing the tools around.
Right at that moment, the fairy appeared in front of us.
[Someone is being initiative.]
She said with a crooked smile.
"We need him to create better weapons for us. Does master not wish it?"
I asked.
[Of course master wanted it. In fact, master is ordering Gerrits to start making weapons right away!]
The fairy turned to the ores and wooden planks in the storage.
[Gerrits, work together with the other craftsmen in the equipment workshop and make weapons and armors using these materials. Disobey and you'll face my wrath!]
She said before vanishing, as usual.
Gerrits did not seem to mind being ordered like this, especially since he already knew fundamental information about this strange land.
"I'll start drawing the design for the enchantment. I'll give it to you later."
I said to him.
"Very well. I'll do my best to have few things ready soon."
He said while organizing the equipment materials.
Having settled with the arrangement, I stepped out of the storage.
Suddenly I sensed something between the storage and the mirrored room. Like a subtle connection in some form.
I glanced back and forth between the shabby building and the large stone gate.
"I wonder…"
I had an inkling as to what was it that I was sensing, but I needed to enter the trial to know for sure.
Since I needed to draw the enchantment design, I decided to put my curiosity aside and return to the lodging.
On the way there I spotted Jonah, Shanny, and Trudy sparring each other in the training ground.
They were just using wooden weapons, but they were battling as if they were in real combat.
It was very clear that all three of them had grasped the situation they were in.
There was no use thinking useless thoughts such as a way to escape this place.
All they thought about was how to survive the trials.
I made my way inside the lodging and found the clock pointed at noon.
"(Lunch time.)"
I thought.
I wasted no time and stepped into the dining hall.
There Pauline was ready with our dishes. I also noticed Gary and Wesley, the carpenter and the tanner, had taken their seats.
They tried to hide it, but I could see Pauline and the other two being very nervous.
How could they not after the sacrifice and the slaughter they had witnessed?
Five people died. Half of the crowd that came yesterday had perished.
"Serafina, did those people…"
Pauline tried to raise a question as I took my seat.
"They died. They faced the consequences of not accepting reality."
I answered bluntly.
All three of them gulped with anxiety at the sound of my words.
"W-what will happen to us?"
Wesley asked.
"I don't think any of you will be sent to fight. So just do what master tell you to do."
I looked over to them.
"Pauline will cook. Gary and Wesley will work at the equipment workshop. Do your job well and you will survive in this place."
"Really? Is that all we have to do?"
"Don't be so relieved. Someone better might get summoned and take over your job. Then you'll be expected to fight. So make sure to do your work well and improve if you don't want that happens to you."
They were silenced upon my words.
The three knew I was speaking the truth.
"Speaking of new people getting summoned, master just summoned a skilled craftsman named Gerrits. Gary and Wesley, you two need to work with him to make weapons and armors for us. There are materials now in the storage, so you best get to work right away."
The two craftsmen shared a nervous glance with each other.
They knew what I said to them was not a simple request.
It was an obligatory act that they had to do in order to survive.
"Of course!"
"We'll get on it!"
Gary and Wesley immediately stood up and left the dining hall. They did not even bother to finish their lunches.
Pauline also soon served me my dish and began hurrying out of the hall.
"I'll remind the others of their meal and then I will make snacks as well as preparing dinner!"
After hearing what I just said, it was normal for Pauline to put in extra effort to her work. Not that she was not working hard already.
I grabbed my plate of potato dish and moved to a table by the window.
From my seat I saw Jonah and the others working hard in the training ground, Gerrits and the craftsmen rushing in and out of the equipment workshop, and Pauline delivering them all meals and snacks from the kitchen.
All of us had accepted our reality and that reality would be to climb the tower.
We would need everyone's cooperation if we wanted to reach the top.
The biggest chapter of our lives had now begun.
And nothing could ever prepare us for everything that was coming.