"M-Magic Kid? You mean me, right?" I sheepishly ask, still shocked at the new face that had suddenly appear behind us.

"Yes. [Kazu], an [Insignis] player who seems to have a particular talent for discovering hidden features and mechanics of the game, even with a [Hidden Quest] that no one even discovered until recently. Yet from what I’ve heard, you also have a knack for mischief and accidents as well. Who knows what happens if you dare using your talents in a [Guild Building]?”

What? Normally, I would have been only embarrassed at the mention of us in any news. However, it's a whole other story with this guy. Just hearing of those incidents makes me a bit angry and offended. Azel seems to know him and he doesn't seem like a bullying type of player like the ones Wind fought back in . Yet, it seems like he's ready to tear out everything I have with those words he spouted following his arrival.

"How would you know that? I've been training my [Magecrafting] from maintaining my staff, so I might improve on it." That might be enough to defend me, but he just scoffs at my claims.

"Repairing and crafting are two different skills. Even if you focus more on the former, you won't improve on the latter. That's the same with your [Mastery]."

My [Mastery]?! I normally would have felt a bit bad with this, but just hearing him spouting out those insults makes me kind of peeved. "E-Excuse me?! The game's barely been released for almost 3 months and not everything has been known yet when it comes to the game's features and lore!"

"Oh? Well, tell me this, Magic Kid. Did you discover anything new after your [Experienced Crafting] methods on [Magecrafting]? Other than your aforementioned [Hidden Quest] you took on."

With those words, I quickly choke. I want to snap back with my answer. But now that I think about it, I can't think up of one. Other than the ones he mentioned, I'm drawing a blank here.

"That should be enough as proof. I can see that from your lifeless eyes coming out from your [Death Penalty]."

And then, I glare at the strange man, ready to pull out my staff for a magic attack as payback. But then, Azel steps in between us and shouts, "That's enough, you two! Zale, Alton already told you not to make any trouble. That includes the guild members' friends from the outside!"

I sigh as I loosen up, knowing what will happen if they get caught in a crossfire figuratively and literally. It also won't be pretty if Wind finds out I snapped and let out a spell that could destroy half of the building.

"Sorry, I lost my cool for a moment. But I want to make sure your friend here won't make any more damages as the others warned me about. Not to mention he might disturb me from working on my experiment."

"Experiment?" I ask as I raise my eyebrow. "Are you going to craft something?"

"You can say that. But I can do more than just crafting. Rather, I'm improving a certain weapon you're familiar with."

A certain item? I want to ask him what, but he just passes by me and walked to a nearby station three blocks away from me. I know he has something more to show me after he tore down my skills as a crafter and magician, so Azel and I follow him as he brings out a somewhat familiar kit on his desk.

[Advanced Enchantment Kit]

[A toolkit that provides several stones, magical potions, and a magical circle board to any experienced magician.

Quality: 10]

Advanced?! Does that mean he's got more experience in [Magecrafting] more than I do? I wish I scoff it off. But then, he takes out several books that I have never seen before.

[Tome of Stabilization]

[A special enchantment tome specifically made for [Thunder]-related magical tools. As it was made only for [Magecrafting], it is not for combat use.

Creator:

Quality: 19]

[Tome of Combustion]

[A special enchantment tome specifically made for [Fire]-related magical tools. As it was made only for [Magecrafting], it is not for combat use.

Creator:

Quality: 22]

[Tome of Spirits]

[A special enchantment tome specifically made for [Arcana]-related magical tools. As it was made only for [Magecrafting], it is not for combat use.

Creator:

Quality: 19]

Tomes? Non-combat use? I can't believe what I'm reading! What's more crazy is that all of them are created by Zale himself and most of them are a higher [Quality] as my staff. But then, he brought out some familiar gemstones and a [Magical Staff Base].

"[Burning Gemstones] and [Sparking Gemstones]... Wait, are you planning to craft...?!"

Yeah. A [Plasma Staff]. The very same one that almost destroyed the [Crafting Hall] along with this one. Just what the heck is he planning?

"Just watch and learn, kids. You might pick up a trick or two if you do."

A trick, huh? I guess I have no choice but to do so. But what will happen to [Force Blade's] hall? Azel and I both made a big mess when we crafted our [Plasma Staves], so even with [Experienced Crafting], how will he be able to harmlessly create it?

Regardless, we stay silent as Zale starts on his craft with the usual preparations. Magical pentagrams that he managed to draw on a bit cleanly than we did, embedding the gemstones on the staff, and placing them on the circle. I'm expecting him to start chanting on his enchantment incantation. But then, I notice him grabbing the [Tome of Combustion] and flipped through a few pages before he takes a deep breath.

"From the blessings of , I call thee flames of the heart." Before I can react, the [Burning Gemstone] on the staff begins to glow as a ring of fire begins to burn around the circle and then around Zale as he picks up the [Tome of Spirits] next. "From the blessings of the high God himself, I call thee the spirits to guide me." Then, the [Mana Stone] glows as we see strange runes appearing around him, causing us to back away even further. Forget being shocked, we're completely speechless at what he has just conjured up from those tomes! Just as we start to recover, he picks up the [Tome of Stabilization] and continued reciting from it. "From the blessings of and , I call thee clouds to calm the storms from my creation."

Before we can act again, we then see a strange grey fog enveloping the older player as it creates some kind of dome around him. I want to try and touch it, but I'm scared that I might get electrocuted or something. But still, he already created three spells and he hasn't started the enchantment yet!

"What's the matter, Magic Kid? Can't keep up with the spells so far?" I quickly shake my head as soon I hear his voice directed to me. I thought I already know everything about the basics of enchantment, but this guy just breaks everything I learned so far. I want to ask him, but I'm just too speechless to do so. "Regardless, I suggest you don't stop watching just yet. I'm just about to start the main event."

Main event? Does that mean he's going to do that spell? I was about to pull out my staff to cast a [Mana Shield], but at this point, is it even worth it? Heck, how has this guy managed to surpass my skills as a magecrafter and magician of ?

"Embers of the sun, raindrops from the storm, I call upon the mana that descends and ascends from our world. Combine the flames and thunder into one and let their magic flow into mine!" As soon as I hear that familiar invocation, my eyes snap back to Zale as I watch some of the [Mana] around us started to absorb into the staff. "As I release my spells through this staff, show the might and speed of these elements as I call on nature's wrath!"

And there it is. I aim my staff at his station to counter any fireballs and electric bolts coming out from the staff. But then, nothing happens. Instead, the magic just absorbs the magical barrier he made earlier until the staff stops glowing. After that, the barrier disappears as I watch the [Elf] mage picks up the newly-made staff and approaches us with a smile. "Here. Let me know what you two think."

I want to say no, but I'm too curious to know why. So I take the staff and check its description. It seems to be the same, but...

[Prototype Plasma Staff]

[An unusual staff with a [Burning Gemstone] and [Sparking Gemstone] inserted alongside with a usual [Mana Stone]. Because of this, it can combine the powers of electricity and fire into a powerful plasma magic attack. This staff is experimental and may experience some problems. Some adjustments may be advised.

Creator:

Effects: +11 Magic ATK, Imbued Fire Element, Imbued Electric Element, Combination Bonus

Quality: 26]

"2-26?!" I read out, shocked that his prototype's [Quality] is a bit higher than mine. "N-No way... Mine barely got into the 20's. P-Plus, I thought that spell should have resulted in some kind of chaotic magic spewing out of the staff."

"Y-Yeah... The same thing happened when you first taught me how to make my own [Plasma Staff] and mine only has 17 quality," Azel says as they also see the description of his staff. "But I don't understand. Isn't that the same spell you said you made for yourself?" That's right. I thought it was a custom invocation I had come up with for inspiration by the spell that the enchantment guide provided.

"I see. So you made that spell by yourself, eh? I never expect that to be a feature of the game. To be honest, I got the invocation from a Twitch clip of your [Magecrafting] mishap. All I did is just refine the [Experienced Crafting] procedures while working around the mistakes you made from it. Of course, I did it in a safe location where no player or monster got hurt from the recoil. I have to admit, you've made a big discovery in the infant history of [Isekai], but if you had the time to refine it, you would truly be the one who is called the "Magecrafting Professor". Then again, you’ve had some other goals in mind, haven't you?"

I see. All this time, I thought using that method might hurt anyone and earn myself back and arrest back in the real world. But it turns out, I didn't have the time to perfect it. And just when I think I finally have the heart and creativity to craft a new weapon.

"If that's true, then that means you're going to take Kazu's role as a one who discovered the [Experienced Magecrafting] method?"

"No, Magic Kid still has that distinction. In gaming terms, I'm just the one who beta tests it before going in public. Just don't give up on it, though. You might have a chance to get to the big leagues if you keep it up."

He then takes the staff from my hands and leaves his station. To be honest, I don't have the energy to do anything right now after that. Even when the pop-up informs me that half of my [Masteries] are now back to normal, I don't know if I can craft anything right now. However, that doesn't mean I have to give up, not after what happened back in .

"Hang on! I just want to ask you something!" I shout to Zale just before he can go down the stairs. "How can I get better? I want to get stronger and on par with m- I mean, Wind. I don't want to stay on the sidelines any longer and I want to show him that I can fight my own battles without relying on him for so long."

It's not a lie. I felt useless after seeing Wind winning his first [Duel] against that rude player and I vowed not to be a burden not just in [Isekai], but also in real-life. From what I can recall, my life has been nothing but me hiding and fearing the big kids trying to harass me. And with my birthday coming up, I know I can't stay in the shadows of my brother any longer. It doesn't have to be game-related advice, anything to motivate me enough to be better.

"Well, if you're so keen to do this, then I suggest you should expand your skillset first. You have the [Scribe Mastery], right?"

[Scribe]? Oh yeah, I almost forgot about it. I nod yes and answer, "Yeah, but I rarely used it. The last time I used it is when I have to copy some notes from the [Grand Library]."

"Then there's your first step. Work through it and I assure you, you will be able to master [Magecrafting] and other magic [Masteries] at your disposal. Other than that, you should be ready for the expansion and more. Who knows? We might join forces to fight in a raid or a grand event of the game someday. Well, see you."

I thought that's all he can say. But then, he walks up to me and whispers in my ear. "In case you were wondering, this is not the last time we meet. I'll see you at the studio tour, Kazuki Palmer."

Wait, what? I quickly look up to try and ask how, but he quickly left just as I notice my older brother coming up the stairs.

"Oh, thank goodness you two haven't started crafting yet," Wind says as he runs up to us. "It looks like you talked with that Zale guy. I heard from Ellie that he's a new guy in the guild. Did he say anything weird to you?"

"Nothing much. It's just that he showed us something amazing! Isn't that right, Kazu?" I want to agree with Azel, but I'm too shocked at what I just heard from him until they shake my left shoulder. "Um... Kaz? Something wrong?"

"Yeah, you seem like you saw a ghost of some sort."

"U-Um... No, it's nothing." I want to tell him that Zale knows my name, but to be honest, I don't want to worry Wind and Azel. "Nothing at all."

As Zale leaves the guild crafting hall, he takes a deep breath and stares at the building.

"Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned his real name to him after all," he mutters. "Mr. White and his father might wring my necks on making the latter's older son worry like that. I just hope I can meet him a bit sooner before a misunderstanding might crop up."

He then walks away, whistling a certain tune as he stores his newly-made staff away in his inventory.

Wind's Masteries (Halved due to the Death Penalty)

[Archery] Level 19 (Currently 9)

[Woodcrafting] Level 9

[Swordsmanship] Level 18 (Currently 9)

[Cooking] Level 9

[Wind] Level 16 (Currently 8)

[Physical Enhancement] Level 17 (Currently 8)

[Hunting] Level 15 (Currently 7)

[Blacksmithing] Level 6

Kazu's Masteries (Halved due to the Death Penalty)

[Arcana] Level 20 (Currently 10)

[Thunder] Level 18 (Currently 9)

[Wind] Level 15 (Currently 7)

[Alchemy] Level 18

[Magecrafting] Level 11

[Magical Affinity] Level 19 (Currently 9)

[Scribe] Level 4