Chapter 2.3:

Paul went into the storage room and came back with a familiar looking club.

“Isn’t that what you were going to hit me with when we first met?” I asked in confusion. I looked over at the plain looking club. It didn’t seem like it had magical properties. It was almost like a thick driftwood that was just sanded around the edges. “It’s an artifact?”

Paul gave me a side glance and his voice had a hint of irritation. “Of course it’s an artifact. It was my grandfather’s.”

I realized that I must have insulted him. “Sorry! I don’t mean anything by it. I just realized that I don’t really know what artifacts are supposed to look like.”

Abram looked at Paul with reproach and the older boy let out a sigh. “Yeah, sorry. I’m just a little testy about it. I know it’s not all that impressive looking. Some of the other lads in the Roost used to tease me about it too.”

Abram gave Paul a gentle pat on the head.

“Anyway! Where were we?” Paul said abruptly as he swatted away Abram’s hand.

Abram had a slightly hurt expression but took it in stride as he turned to me. “Right. So, Adi. Do you recall the sensation when you tried to cast fire magic through the Valera’s knife?”

I recalled the feeling of something in me flowing out, almost like a deep breath, as the knife responded in kind, willing a part of itself to flow into me. I nodded at Abram.

“That flow of energy you experienced is mana channeling. When you’re bound to an artifact, it naturally allows you to wield it even though you yourself may not have good mana control. Scholars say that the will of the progenitor-artisan lives on in the artifact and guides you in its proper use.” Abram explained. “On the other hand, natural magic, like the Appraisal spell, the ball of fire that you witnessed from Lord Chase, or Lily’s healing, must come from the individual himself.”

“Hmm… so my affinity determines what kind of natural magic I can use?” I asked.

“It is ONE of the things that determine your natural magical capabilities.” Abram clarified. “See, while people may have a certain affinity for different branches of magic, it only represents potential. Like flour that can be turned either into a loaf of bread or a delicious pie, what matters is what you do with it. Natural magic must be learned. That is why people tend to undergo apprenticeship. You must learn from a Master of that magic to become capable in its use.”

“Ahh… so how do I know if I can cast Appraisal?” I said as I looked at my hands.

“It’s fairly simple. Introduction to a particular natural magic begins with imagery. There are certain imagery that has been tried and tested by Royal Scholars through centuries of study that are capable of evoking magic even among beginners. Most Masters would have some variation of that imagery; ways to make the magic more understandable or more nuanced. Repeated use can also hone and shape your magic either in potency or in its added effects.” Abram replied. “For our purposes, begin by concentrating on the club.”

I turned my total focus on the club which had been placed on the table. I closed my eyes.

“Okay, just as before. Take a few deep breaths and concentrate on the movement of energy inside of you. Try to channel it to your fingertips.” Abram said.

I imagined a wellspring of water inside of me slowly bubbling up. I extended my hand and imagined the water flowing to my fingertips.

“Do you feel it?” Abram asked.

“I think so.” I replied while trying to keep my concentration.

“Now, try to put a mental image of the club in your mind. Allow the image to dim until you can only see an outline of its shadow. As if all light and color had been erased from it.” Abram continued.

I tried to picture the club going dark.

“Now, imagine the first ray of sunshine from a cracked window shedding light on the club.” Abram instructed.

I cast the same scene in my mind and nodded to let Abram know I was ready for the next instruction. But Abram kept silent.

“What’s next, Abram?” I asked with my eyes still closed.

“That was it, son.” Abram replied.

I slowly opened my eyes. “But nothing happened.”

Abram shook his head. “Aye. Well, it seems we have our answer. At the very least, it seems your affinity isn’t suited for Appraisal magic.”

I lowered my outstretched hand and tried to force a smile. “That’s okay! Knowing is always better. Thank you for teaching me these things, Abram.”

“That’s exactly right Abram. It’s okay that you’re not the same as Paul and me. In fact, that’s even better. That just means that we can expand the kind of services we can offer in the future. Besides, I can still teach you how to be a good merchant.” Abram said reassuringly.

“Really?” I said with a note of disbelief.

Abram nodded in response.

“Really.” Paul added. “Dad’s right, Adi. You know what, this also worked out great for me cause that means I won’t have competition and I can still be the number one apprentice-appraiser in the family.” Paul said with a wink.

I laughed and I started to feel better at Paul’s joke.

“So, earlier you were explaining that you don’t just appraise artifacts?” I asked, recalling the original topic of conversation.

“Ah yes! Pardon my very long segue. But yes. At its core, appraisal magic just looks into the true nature of things. In fact, some variations of psyche magic can even be used to peer into the minds of others.” Abram answered. “We largely use our appraisal magic to assess the potentiality of magic ores and herbs.”

“Oh. So you were planning to import and assess uh… materials?” I said.

“Exactly! I doubt we’ll see much magical herbs being brought into North Haven, but the mountain ranges around us are rich in magical ore deposits.” Abram explained. “Both North Haven and the Roost have mines set up along the mountain ranges to excavate magical ore. Interestingly, control over the resources in these mountain ranges is what sparked the feud between the the Helm and Valera families in the first place. The outpost in the Jagged Pass also acts as the boundary for each city’s potential excavation sites.”

I nodded and tried to remember all the information Abram was throwing my way. I felt my brain whirring from trying to commit everything to memory.

“No two ores are 100% the same. But their general gradation depends on their magical potential, clarity, durability, and malleability. This determines their price to blacksmith-enchanters and engineers. An Appraiser is licensed by the State to certify on the quality of raw materials and both the merchants and customers should be able to rely on that certification when they transact with those goods.” Abram continued.

“It’s a very important job.” Paul chimed in. “In fact, suppliers and refiners always make sure to employ only a well-known or trustworthy Appraiser since they could be complicit to a crime if they also dealt with goods that have been misrepresented on their quality.”

“Why would they be complicit?” I asked curiously.

Paul then picked up a leftover chunk of bread from the table. “Pretend this is a magic ore. Now, I appraise it and certify that it’s a Class A ore even though it’s only Class C in reality. I then sell it to a blacksmith-enchanter who crafts a magical sword using the ore and represents to his customer that it was made with certified Class A ore because he trusted me. If the customer then later has the sword appraised separately and it’s revealed to be of a lower grade, who would be guilty of the fraud?”

I considered Paul’s scenario. “Shouldn’t you be the only one liable? The blacksmith didn’t really know.”

“Ah, but how would the customer know for sure that the blacksmith wasn’t part of the scam?” Paul countered.

“But… but that’s not right.” I said weakly.

“Yes, but right or wrong often take a back seat when gain is involved little bro.” Paul said coolly. “Some appraiser-merchants don’t care about getting people into trouble or have any kind of code of honor at all.” Paul added with a hint of disgust in his voice.

He called me little bro!

I was kind of horrified at the situation depicted but at the same time it made me giddy to hear him use such a familiar term

“Exactly right, son.” Abram interjected. “Of course the Royal Inquisitor would get to the bottom of it, and I have no doubt that the blacksmith’s innocence would be revealed in the end. But it is a long arduous process and the Inquisitor’s methods have been known to be… well, it's not exactly painless.”

“Hmm… okay… but isn’t there already an appraisal shop in this city?” I asked.

“Yes, of course. The Capital always ensures that each city has at least one Appraiser, Blacksmith-enchanter, Alchemist, and Engineer to provide basic services.” Abram replied. “But Appraisers can vary in skill as well.”

“Ah, like how Paul said before that his Appraisal magic skill wasn’t as clear as yours?” I said remembering the exchange we had a few days ago.

“Exactly. Even among Master Appraisers, our accuracy and depth of analysis can vary. And I’m very confident I can do a better job than the City Appraiser of North Haven.” Abram said with a winning smile.

I looked at him in awe.

Abram then sighed. “Of course, that presupposes we can actually get our permit to operate. Without a trade permit, we can’t get customers to bring in their goods for appraisal. We also can’t engage in the buying and selling of goods.”

I looked at Abram’s troubled expression. Then I thought of something.

“Does that mean we won’t have any money in the meantime?” I said while regretting having scarfed down the stew earlier.

Shoot. I could have made that last me three to four days.

Abram laughed. “No worries, Adi. Like I said earlier, this pushback was entirely expected. Lord Chase has agreed to provide us with a weekly stipend until we can get the shop going. That’s even separate from the stipend he’s providing for your benefit.”

I looked at his happy expression and felt my anxiety ebb away.

“So, one week?” I asked.

“One week.” Abram replied.