Embers of Progress

By the third week, Evan had achieved significant progress with the Ember Engine. Around 70% of the subproducts had been integrated into the engine, but not all of them were perfect. Some subproducts, the nucleus managed to recreate with precision, emitting runes that matched his intended designs perfectly. Others, however, were approximations—close enough to function but lacking the exact alignment due to gaps in his understanding of certain runic concepts.

This inconsistency gnawed at Evan, but he pressed on, knowing that every refinement brought him closer to a complete engine. Yet, the process grew harder. Each new addition required rebalancing the engine, recalibrating proportions, and adjusting its intricate web of 3D runes. The more refined the engine became, the more complex the reconstruction process grew, demanding greater time and effort.

One afternoon, Evan accepted a mission to scout the northeastern boundary of the camp. The task was simple: check for signs of feral creatures near the wards and report back. The northeastern side was generally quiet, making it suitable for novice apprentices like him. Equipped with his notebook and rune-inscribed boots, Evan set out.

The path to the northeastern boundary was quiet, the woods calm except for the rustle of leaves and distant bird calls. Evan walked carefully, his senses attuned to any signs of movement. He activated simulate briefly, projecting his mental map of the area. The wards appeared stable, their runes neatly aligned, but as he moved deeper, a series of claw marks and trampled underbrush caught his eye.

Kneeling to examine the markings, Evan traced their edges with his finger. The cuts were fresh, deep, and unmistakably from a feral beast. A low growl confirmed his suspicions. He turned his head slowly, his heart pounding, as a sleek form emerged from the shadows.

It was a Clawed Stalker, a magical beast classified as a Lesser Feral. Its glowing claws shimmered faintly with arcane energy, and its piercing emerald eyes locked onto him. While one of the weaker beasts in the region, the Clawed Stalker was still dangerous. Normally, two novice apprentices would be needed to handle such a creature. Evan, however, was alone.

The beast lunged without hesitation, claws outstretched. Evan reacted instantly, his rune-inscribed boots flaring with faint light as they propelled him backward, out of reach. He extended his hand, summoning Flame Spark. The flame ignited easily, fueled by the Ember Engine's subproducts. Bright and controlled, it hovered above his palm as he prepared to fight.

The Clawed Stalker snarled, charging again. Evan sidestepped, releasing a burst of flame toward the creature. The fire struck its shoulder, causing it to stagger, but Evan noticed something unusual: faint embers trailed from his attack, falling weakly to the ground. The embers weren't powerful, but their presence surprised him.

"Brasas?" Evan murmured, his eyes narrowing. He didn't know how to use them, but seeing them materialize was proof of how far he'd come in replicating the [Ember Veil]. A flicker of pride bolstered his resolve.

The battle was a series of calculated movements. The Clawed Stalker attacked relentlessly, its glowing claws slashing at the air, while Evan countered with bursts of fire and precise footwork. His boots allowed him to outmaneuver the beast, and with each strike, the embers continued to fall. Though weak and scattered, they hinted at the complexity of his magic.

As the fight dragged on, Evan began to notice something. Each successive strike of his fire caused more damage than the last. At first, he thought it was the beast wearing down, but then he realized the truth: his magic was operating on a level beyond that of most novice mages. The combination of subproducts integrated into the Ember Engine made his fire more effective, its intensity and precision far greater than the crude flames of a typical beginner.

"All this effort… it's been worth it," Evan thought, a small smile forming on his lips.

The Clawed Stalker lunged, its speed blurring as it closed the distance. Evan dropped low, his boots surging with energy as he sidestepped the attack. With precision, he unleashed a concentrated burst of Flame Spark at the creature's exposed flank. The searing flames connected, drawing a pained yowl as the beast staggered from the impact.

Evan pressed the advantage, weaving around the creature's claws with practiced agility. He fired another blast, this time at its shoulder. The flames burned deeply, leaving scorched marks across its fur. To his surprise, he noticed the wounds weren't just surface burns—small, raw fissures appeared along the Clawed Stalker's body where the flames struck, as though his magic was cutting through its natural defenses.

The creature snarled and lunged again, but Evan sidestepped effortlessly, his boots granting him the speed to stay ahead of its attacks. He retaliated with another burst of fire, aiming for its legs. The flames struck true, and the beast faltered, its movements becoming slower and more erratic as the wounds accumulated.

As the fight continued, Evan realized something critical: his Flame Spark was doing more than he expected. It wasn't just burning the creature—it was systematically breaking it down. Each blast caused significant damage, opening deep wounds across its body. The complexity of his magic, powered by the Ember Engine, was far beyond what most novices could achieve. The subproducts, though imperfect, were amplifying the precision and intensity of his fire in ways he hadn't fully grasped until now.

"All this time spent refining... it's worth it," Evan thought, a sense of pride swelling within him as he dodged another swipe from the beast.

He fired again, this time at the beast's side. The flames hit with force, and another deep wound opened along its flank. The Clawed Stalker roared in desperation, its energy faltering as it staggered. Evan stepped back, assessing the situation. The creature was weakening, its movements sluggish, its snarls growing hoarse.

With a final burst of energy, the beast lunged one last time. Evan planted his feet, focusing all his magic into a concentrated strike. The flame shot forward, striking the Clawed Stalker square in the chest. The force sent it tumbling to the ground, where it lay motionless, the burns and wounds marking the end of the battle.

Evan stood over the creature, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. Small embers flickered faintly in the air around him, weak but persistent. They were harmless for now, but their presence filled him with a quiet satisfaction.

"I'm getting closer," he murmured, his eyes on the still form of the Clawed Stalker. The embers, though faint, were a sign of how far he'd come in replicating the [Ember Veil]. His magic had grown powerful enough to take down a beast that would normally require two novices to handle, and he hadn't sustained a single injury.

Evan deactivated simulate and took a moment to steady himself before marking the location of the fight in his notebook. After confirming the creature's death, he dragged its body back toward the camp. It was heavier than he'd anticipated, but the effort was worth it.

Back at the mission board, Evan reported the encounter and presented the body of the Clawed Stalker. The apprentice managing the board glanced between Evan and the beast, their eyes wide with surprise.

"You took this thing down alone?" they asked, clearly impressed. "That's… not common for a novice."

"It wasn't easy," Evan replied evenly, though pride flickered in his voice.

The apprentice handed him his reward—a pouch containing his base payment of fifteen contribution coins plus an additional ten for bringing back the body.

"Good work. You'll make a name for yourself if you keep this up," they added.

Evan nodded, pocketing the coins and making his way back to his tent. As he walked, his mind replayed the fight. The embers, the wounds, the power of his magic—it all pointed to how far he had come. But he knew there was still work to do. The inconsistencies in the Ember Engine had limited him, and until it was perfected, his magic wouldn't reach its full potential.

Sitting cross-legged in his tent, Evan activated simulate once more. The Ember Engine pulsed steadily, its layers shifting as it continued refining the next subproduct.

The embers were just the beginning.