The next two days, Adam spent time with Churot, trying to teach him more about magic, as best as someone who had no idea how it worked could.

More importantly, he was trying to win over his little sister, who was still awkward around him. It hadn’t taken long until she was eager to sit on his lap, though only when he was holding a piece of bread, but once Adam allowed her to tug along his ears as she once had, the pair had mended their relationship.

“Don’t forget me again, Lanababy,” Adam complained, kissing her face all over.

Lanarot babbled in response, not promising anything to her older brother, though she was enjoying all the attention this weirdly familiar stranger was giving her. He looked different, but the voice sounded the same, and he acted the same as the one she always slept beside.

“How was it?” Jurot asked.

“I’m still teaching him, but I’m not sure if I’m any good,” Adam replied, simply.

“It takes many years for a Scribe Mage to learn magic.”

“I just don’t know how to teach it,” Adam replied.

“Just teach him the same way you were taught,” Jaygak said. Upon seeing the awkward face he was making, she gave him a look. Adam replied with his own look. ‘That’s impossible. How do you learn magic as a Scribe Mage without being taught?’ Jaygak thought, though she quickly realised there was a way.

You just had to be Adam.

“You’re so shameful,” Jaygak said. “How can you be so talented?”

“I’m not that talented. I’m just fortunately unfortunate, or unfortunately fortunate, one of the two.” Adam smiled towards Jurot, who understood what Adam meant.

After all, Adam did die twice already.

Omen: 1, 18

Adam yawned, stretching his body out. “Looks like I can finish the spear today.”

“You are working too hard,” Sonarot warned.

“It’ll be okay,” Adam assured her. “I shouldn’t need to enchant twice in one day again, not unless I’m lucky.”

Sonarot wondered why he would tempt Fate that way when he had already died twice.

Mana: 18 -> 16

Enchanting Check

D20 + 7 = 16 (9)

Omen: 1, 18 -> 1

18 + 7 = 25

Adam plucked a Thread of Fate.

They finally met.

An older man, adorned in light clothes of fine make. They looked similar to the clothing of the Iyrmen, and though his forehead was tattooed, it was a collection of four dots which formed a diamond.

However, the fellow the old man had met noted that the four dots were far more than they seemed to appear, for within the dots, were an intricate pattern, with gaps only a hair's width apart. Yet, only those with such acute senses could notice such things.

The old man was currently sitting, eating a kebab which was wrapped around a fluffy flat bread. Though it wasn’t quite what he was used to, it was delicious enough that he sat down to eat it slowly.

The tall figure wore a suit of white armour, and though he had been in a fight but a short while ago, it was pristine. At his side was a blade, a blade which marked death for those which broke the Order of this world. He had stopped but twenty steps away from the old man.

The temperature cooled for a moment, and the civilians around froze. Even the street cook, who had been sprinkling salt onto the kebab, stopped. The temperature grew warmer, too warm for a man in armour, but pleasantly warm for those who were used to the harsh heat of Aswadia.

‘How dare you come and ruin my meal,’ the old man thought, holding onto his wrap.

The temperature continue to grow warmer, and the Champion continue to sweat within his armour, though he did not take a step forward. If this had been someone he was meant to fight, he would have already drawn his sword, no matter who it would be.

“Young man, why don’t you continue walking?” It was more of a statement than a question, an offer of peace from the old man.

As much as he wished to beat the heavily armoured man for trying to ruin his meal, there were too many civilians who just wanted to go about their day, and there was no way he could possibly ruin their day.

There was no need to start trouble in the lower realms.

The Champion did not reply, instead continuing to walk, even as the heat bore down against his shoulders.

Thus Fate was forever changed.

“Yo,” Adam said, waving a hand to Elder Zijin. He was sitting and eating, with his sister in his lap eating the large bread bun out of his hand, tearing into it like she was a dinosaur.

“Good evening,” the Elder replied, his eyes scanning across the sword at Jaygak’s side. He wanted to play with it, but it was awkward to try and ask Jaygak, who would no doubt cause trouble. He had been too busy to ask Adam about the sword, and now it seemed he had missed his chance.

Adam remained silent, thinking deeply. “I’m pretty sure that I didn’t start any trouble.” He smiled, full of confidence that the Elder wasn’t here to kill him.

“I have come to hand the gold for your sword,” Zijin said, holding out a bag of gems.

“My sword?” Adam replied. “Did I sell a sword?”

“Yes,” Zijin replied. “The fire sword.”

“Hold on, that was payment for Aizaban’s help,” Adam replied, refusing the bag of gems.

“The other fire sword you made earlier in the month,” Zijin stated.

“I made another fire sword?” Adam replied. “Right, I vaguely remember making one when I made Vonda’s mace. I’ve been making a lot of…” Adam paused, unsure if he should continue. “I’ve been making an appropriate amount of enchanted weapons.” Adam could feel Sonarot’s gaze on his skin. “Isn’t that right, Lanababy?”

Lanarot bit into the bread, looking up at Elder Zijin as she ate. “Oofbaba.” She pointed up at the Elder and then looked up at Adam. She then ate some more of the bread.

“See?” Adam said, smiling innocently towards the Elder.

“Since you have finished enchanting the spear, may I see?” Elder Zijin asked.

“Sure,” Adam said, setting his sister down to get the spear he had finished enchanting. He handed it to Elder Zijin, who spun the spear around for a few moments, before thrusting through the air with it.

“A basic bonus, and more?”

“Yeah,” Adam said, with a smile. “A little more. I call it Lion’s Roar.”

“Thunderwave?” Zijin asked.

Adam nodded. “Three times a day, and it recharges a little every dawn.”

“Are you intending to sell it?”

“No,” Adam replied, smiling.

“Are you intending to use it?”

“Me?” Adam asked, raising his brows at the Elder Zijin. “Are you trying to kill me off?”

“No.”

“Sounds like you are.”

“I am not.”

“Don’t worry, it’ll be out of my hands soon enough,” Adam stated. Jurot had gotten him the scroll a while ago and he had learnt it. Adam had stepped on a few toes, since they hadn’t realised he was going to learn it. “I might be dumb, Elder Zijin, but I’m not stupid.”

Omen: 18, 18

Adam sighed.

“What is the matter?” Sonarot asked. “Are you feeling unlucky today?”

Adam looked to his Aunt. “No. I’m afraid I’m going to have to upset you, but at least Elder Zijin is going to be happy.”

“Why?”

“I am feeling lucky enough to begin enchanting one of his weapons though,” Adam said.

Elder Zijin was sitting at his desk by the time Adam had approached him.

“Yes?”

“I’ve come for the greatsword,” Adam said. “As well as the gems required to enchant that sword of yours.”

“Are you feeling that lucky today?”

“Yeah,” Adam said. “You never know, I might be able to finish the enchantment before a week.”

Zijin smiled. Adam was audacious, that was for certain, but Zijin was smart enough not to bet against him.

The greatsword which had been given to Adam to enchant was huge. The pommel was designed in the head of an eagle, the leather around the handle was dark, and there was a piece of cloth tied against the hilt and handle, pure white, like untouched snow. The blade itself was long and silver, with grey waves within the steel. It was slightly heavier than a typical greatsword, and slightly bigger too.

“Whose the lucky guy, or gal,” Adam added.

“It is for my uncle, Rajin,” Zijin said.

“He’s the Family Elder for the Jin family, right?” Adam asked. “Makes the really sour alcohol.”

“Yes.”

“Ah,” Adam said. “I didn’t realise I was enchanting his sword. Well, I’m not sure if he’ll like it, but I’ll do my best. What kind of enchantment would you like on it?”

“You once made an enchantment which allowed you to grow more powerful when you were wounded. That is the enchantment which we would ask for you to place on this blade.”

“Sure,” Adam replied. “I’ll try my best, but I’m not working with as much luck as with Phantom, so I’m not sure if it’ll be as good.”

“I trust in your abilities, Adam.”

“One day you’ll trust me too,” Adam said, winking at the Elder.

“One day.”