Chapter 55 - High Magus (Patreon)

Chapter 55

High Magus

Enzo looked up as Val brought Robert and Mary into the meeting room.

The morning sun cut through the guild hall’s windows, casting long beams of light across the table. Outside, the settlement was waking up with birdsong, a distant hammer, and the crowing of roosters.

Signe sat to Enzo’s right, closest to him. She’d arrived ready to go. Boots, jacket, a small pack leaning against her chair leg. The barrier ring on her finger caught the light.

Kenzo was to his left, arms folded, bald head also catching the sunlight. 

Sumi sat beside him, her notes already spread on the table in front of her. Val settled in next to Sumi, placing her own documents on the table, and the pair shared a look.

Robert pulled out a chair for Mary before dropping into the one next to her. His white hair stuck out at odd angles and his jaw was set in the particular way of a man who hadn’t been given time for coffee. Mary patted his arm.

Enzo looked around the table. There was a weight to the moment. He knew this sort of thing was going to become a natural part of their lives moving forward, but it was the first official meeting of the mages.

“Thanks for joining us,” he said. He offered a smile to Robert and Mary. “And sorry for the early wakeup.”

Mary smiled back. Robert grunted.

“What about me?” Val asked. “Where’s my apology?”

Enzo ignored her. “For those that don’t know, we had another awakening last night.”

Robert’s eyes widened. “Without the rain?”

“Yes. There’s been a few of them so far.” He glanced at Kenzo. “He was the first. We think it’s going to keep happening as atmospheric mana density increases.”

“That makes sense.”

“Did she make it?” Mary asked.

Enzo shook his head. “No.” He paused. “We took care of it already.”

Mary’s face fell. Robert gave him a knowing look, but didn’t say anything.

Silence fell over the room for a few moments.

“I know we haven’t given either of you a lot of time,” Enzo said. “But have you considered what you want to do?”

“Yes,” Robert said. “I’ve accepted Frank’s offer to join the Watch. We’re thinking I can be something of an on-call enforcer should it be needed. They’ve been noticing an increase in Eater cries coming from the city’s east and south. I’m guessing it’s got something to do with the biker gang.”

“Good,” Enzo said. “Having a mage on standby is a great idea. Speak with Sumi as well, you might be able to pick up Infusion to improve the Watch’s equipment.”

Robert nodded.

“If you’re open to the idea, I was thinking of setting up a little tailoring store,” Mary said. “I’m sure there are plenty of people who could use the service, and I was hoping to work with Gerald. Sumi mentioned you wanted us to see what we can do with Enchanting. I’d love to learn. Maybe I can help the Watch too.”

Enzo nodded. “Absolutely. That would be amazing. We need more people working on magical crafting.” He jabbed a thumb at Val. “If you need a place for a tailoring shop, she’ll get you set up.”

Mary shook her head. “Oh, no, that’s okay. The house we were given has plenty of extra rooms for a little home business. I’ll keep any magical tailoring here in the guild hall, just in case.”

With Robert and Mary stepping up, he’d have more time to focus on equipping the mages directly.

“While we’re on the topic, Enzo,” Val said, cutting in with a grin. “We need to formalize a couple other positions within the guild.”

Enzo raised an eyebrow. “I agree. I had a couple in mind, myself.”

Val’s eyes narrowed. “Oh? Well, by all means. You can go first.”

Enzo shook his head. “Oh, no. Ladies and little bratty sisters first.”

“I insist. Age before beauty.”

“I thought it was beauty before brains,” Enzo countered smugly.

The others around the table glanced back and forth between Val and Enzo.

Val clicked her tongue. “Fine. I am proposing two additional titles, and that we begin considering a proper name for the guild.” She lifted one of the pages in front of her. “First, in line with the Heads of Magical Combat and Magical Research, we need a Head of Magical Crafting.” She turned back to Enzo. “Which is you, obviously.”

Enzo nodded.

Val continued. “Second, the guild needs a leader. Someone the department heads report to, who has final say on anything magical. That’s already you, but it needs to be made official.”

She glanced around the table. “And I want to formalize voting for guild decisions. The heads of each department vote on issues, while Enzo retains absolute veto authority.” She looked at him. “If you overrule a vote, that’s your right, but you have to offer justification. Like you said, mages stand at the fore of magical issues. We’ll trust you to lead us, but you also need to trust us if we’re going to be held responsible for our own areas.”

There were nods and murmurs of agreement around the table.

Enzo studied Val for a moment. Then he smiled. “Alright. I agree. Which is why I am also adding two more titles. You’ll be taking up the position as Head of Magical Administration, alongside your duties to the community at large.”

Val’s grin slipped, but she nodded. “Of course.”

He turned to Signe. “And I’d like you to take up the role as Head of Magical Relations. You don’t have to if you have something else you’d rather do, but yesterday showed me that mages are going to need to work with people a lot. Not to mention you’re leaving to discuss a possible alliance with the 101s today.”

Signe smiled. “I’d love to. I was going to talk to you this morning about what I can offer the 101s during negotiations.”

Enzo frowned. It was a good question. From everything they knew, the 101s had greater numbers and their people were better equipped. One advantage they might have was a greater number of mages, but that was questionable. That left their crafting advancements and accumulated magical knowledge.

He pulled the almandine garnet from his pockets. Light flickered erratically from inside the gemstone, reflecting off the fine wire carrying the absorption and conversion enchantment. He placed it on the table in front of Signe.

“Tell them we’re open to trading spells and techniques, magical equipment, and enchanting schemas, but that other than our shield rings, showers, and magical batteries like this, you’re not permitted to share any more details until negotiations move forward.”

“That’s most of what we have,” Sumi said.

Kenzo laughed. “They don’t know that, though.”

Signe picked up the gemstone and rolled it between her fingers. “Can I give this to them as a gesture of goodwill?”

“Yes. I can make another one easily enough.” Enzo grinned. “Now that I know crystal mana can be used to reshape materials, I might even be able to make bigger ones.”

That drew a few looks, but Val cleared her throat before anyone could speak.

“Before we get sidetracked, I want to formally propose the title ‘High Magus’ for the Guildmaster’s position. All in favor?”

“What?” Enzo said. “No, that’s—”

Hands went up around the table. Only Kenzo’s remained down.

“Still not sure if we’re allowed to vote,” Robert said gruffly, hand in the air. Mary’s hand was also raised, beside him.

“Five-to-two. Motion passed.” Val smirked at Enzo. “Unless High Magus Locke, Guildmaster of the Valley Mages, wishes to veto our very first vote?”

Enzo glared at her. “You’re having too much fun with this. And ‘Valley Mages’ sounds lame.”

Val shrugged. “It’s a work-in-progress.” She glanced around the table. “I am accepting suggestions. Please submit them at the Administration Office.” She turned back to Enzo. “Which I’m keeping. Admin has way too much going on to move it all to the guild hall.”

Enzo sighed. “That’s fine.”

Signe raised a hand. “Next order of motion. Or whatever.” She raised an eyebrow at Enzo. “The department titles are also lame. I propose we all get way cooler names.”

Kenzo’s hand shot up. “Seconded. I wanna be the Commander of Magical Combat!”

Robert nodded. “That’s a strong name.”

“What’s wrong with being Head of Magical Combat?” Enzo asked.

“I don’t want to be called the Bald Head,” Kenzo said seriously. “Especially when I can be called Commander Yamamoto Kenzo.”

Kenzo stared off into the distance.

Sumi raised her hand. “Can I be called a Scholar?”

Val nodded. “Of course.”

“We should keep it consistent, not just make up whatever names we want,” Enzo said.

“It’s very consistent,” Val insisted. “I’m the Director.” She pointed at Kenzo. “He’s the Commander.” Pointed at Sumi. “She’s the Scholar.” Pointed at Enzo. “You’re the… uh… Master of Magical Crafting.”

Enzo’s eyes narrowed. “Uh-huh. So, you’re going to call me Master from now?”

Val thought about it for a moment. “Maybe. I think you’d hate it more than me, so that’s a win.”

Signe snickered.

Enzo turned to her. “You started this chaos. So, what’s your title then?”

Signe fluttered her eyelashes. “I’m obviously the Envoy. Or the Voice.” She paused. “Ooh. Maybe I could be the Herald of the Valley Mages. That sounds cool.”

“Herald sounds badass,” Kenzo said.

“I like Voice,” Sumi added.

Enzo rubbed his face. “Fine. Everyone can pick their own informal title, but the formal department titles remain ‘Head.’”

Signe and Kenzo cheered.

“Moving on,” Enzo said, “I’m going to start working on making some lights. Val, I need you to put the word out, because I’ll need a pair of glass cutters and light bulbs.”

Val wrote something down. “How many?”

“Get a list from Frank first. The Watch takes priority. Then… let people know I’m offering one bulb per household for starters to anyone willing to donate any materials I need. Jewelry. Gold and silver. Gemstones. I still have plenty of stock, since we raided the local stores, but I’m going to run out eventually.”

“People will probably feel that’s a bit unbalanced,” Signe said.

Kenzo nodded. “We need to organize a proper barter system. Maybe a trading service that tracks points or something?”

Val frowned. “That will take a lot of work to set up. I’m already managing too much.”

Everyone fell quiet for a moment.

Enzo leaned back. Money. Currency. The world they’d all grown up in had run on systems so complex that he assumed none of them had any proper insight into what was required. But they didn’t really need anything that big.

“What if Jack ran it?” he suggested. “We could find more people to help her out and expand the storage building. Turn it into a real trading space.”

Val nodded. “That might work. And if we’re going to keep recruiting, it’s probably best if we get it done now.” Her gaze drifted to the ceiling. “We already have a Mage Guild. Setting up a Trade Guild actually makes a lot of sense. We could get some whiteboards set up with prices. Maybe a bulletin board with trade and service requests.”

“Good,” Enzo said. “Do that. Just get me some glass cutters and some bulbs to start working on in the meantime.”

Val gave him a cool look. Then she grinned. “Of course, Master Enzo. I’ll get right on it.”

Enzo sighed. 

He’d walked right into that one.