Flea approached the negotiating group, curiously inspecting Dink’s bloody chest on display. Axion was spotless in comparison, covered only in dust from climbing from the mine. Her eyes subtly widened after her gaze was drawn to the sonic rod resting on Dink’s shoulder.

“If that’s true and there is a wurm nest in the mines. Doesn’t the Redwing Mining Company have the claim on them?” the Magus asked.

“That’d be true if they didn’t abandon the town to the mercy of the wurm. All of the miners have left with three of the eggs. We’re the last ones left in Burrowton and we don’t work for them anymore, we quit,” Flea replied.

“We?” Dink asked.

“Me and Gorg. He stayed here and didn’t leave with the other miners. We can get a group together and guard the transport to Chiset. All you need to do is fix the buildings first and you have my word,” Flea said.

“In that case, it’s a deal. I’ll arrange for some wagons to move the eggs to Chiset with a friend of mine at the Arcane Academy. Give me a moment and I’ll get started right away. By the way, call me Albus,” Albus introduced himself, offering his hand.

“Flea,” Flea simply answered, accepting the hand to shake it. She turned to Dink as the Magus started to cast a spell in the background.

“You don’t have a shirt that fits me by any chance?” Dink asked, eliciting a snort of amusement from the Magus.

“I’ve got something that might do the trick. I don’t know how you did it, but you both saved Burrowton. It’s the least I can do. Wait here a moment,” Flea replied, disappearing inside.

She returned a short while later carrying a leather coat draped over her arm. She shook it out to reveal a magnificent burgundy colour, handing it over to him without ceremony. Dink put down the sonic rod and held up the coat to inspect it.

“Damn, that’s too nice a coat for a goat-fucker like you. Maybe you should give it to Riva or Tahlea instead,” Axion teased.

“At least wash the blood off your body before you put it on. That’s real basilisk leather,” Flea said, causing Dink’s head to whip around in shock.

“How did you get your hands on basilisk leather?” Dink incredulously asked.

“Not me. That’s my grandfather’s coat. He never had any boys, so it went to me as he says I was the closest to one. Haha, he’ll be turning in his grave knowing a Goblin’s got it now. He was a mean old bastard, it’ll serve you well,” Flea replied.

“This is almost as durable as steel chainmail. It's lightweight and it’ll look dashing on me too. My thanks, Flea. I’ll take good care of it,” Dink thanked her.

“Don’t mention it. I’ve never worn it,” Flea answered, waving away his thanks.

“Axion do you mind putting that sonic rod somewhere safe? I’m gonna go clean up and check on the girls,” Dink said, gesturing to the bone at his feet.

Axion stooped down to pick it up, he paused when he noticed the markings down Dink’s spine. He stood upright with the sonic rod under his arm, reaching out to grip Dink’s shoulder.

“Dink what are those? They look like mana tattoos, that can’t be right. I can see mana moving through them,” Axion blurted out. Albus turned in shock after hearing his words. He was mid-communication with someone in Chiset.

“They are. I still have to get familiar with them, but I’m no longer completely handicapped. I haven’t got to try them yet. Hold up the sonic rod,” Dink replied, grinning excitedly as Axion complied, cradling the bone in both arms.

He placed a finger over the sonic rod, closing his eyes and steadying his breathing. He probed his consciousness for the wild mana raging around inside him. Through the focus of the mana tattoos, he could now sense the tangled outline of his immense mana pool. Capturing a strand of mana, he carefully started to unravel the chaotic streams.

This is strange, completely unlike any mana I’ve encountered before. It feels as if it’ll slip from my control at any moment, like wrestling an eel with my bare hands. I was once a Legend realm Attuned, a Human capable of manipulating mana without a focus. I will not let this best me!

Dink bared his fangs in concentration. His eyes flew open, revealing his determination. Through sheer force of will, Dink wrested tentative control over the resistant mana strand. He directed it toward his finger hovering over the sonic rod. A blue blade formed of mana emerged from his fingertip.

Axion and Albus watched incredulously while he shaved away the edge of the sonic rod. Dink grinned victoriously as his hand expertly danced over the surface, chips flying in every direction. The bone gradually took shape into a large blade with an integrated handle. He leaned forward while concentrating to add the finishing details.

Blowing away the bone dust, he revealed symbols along the length of the barbaric weapon. They replicated the draconic symbols down Dink’s spine. Gripping the weapon, he lifted it from Axion’s grasp to inspect his handiwork. Axion’s eyes were wide open in horror.

“How did you form a mana blade that can cut the bone of a lesser dragon, let alone make it so effortless? A Grandmaster Attuned wouldn’t have the control over their mana pool required to do that,” Axion whispered, anxiously gulping while staring at Dink like he was looking at a monster.

“A Master Magus wouldn’t have been able to make it look that effortless, either. What the fuck kind of Goblin are you?” Albus added in awe, stepping away from him.

“It’s not really important who I am,” Dink whimsically said, his gaze distant.

An underdeveloped lesser dragon wouldn’t have been able to endure a single strike from me at my peak. This is just a fraction of what I was capable of. I need to practise my control over mana now that I’m no longer crippled. The amount of effort required for me to summon a basic mana blade was almost impossible to overcome.

Dink hefted his crudely fashioned great sword onto his shoulder, his basilisk coat under his arm as he walked toward the entrance of the inn.