Kalem sat in the dimly lit stable, the scent of hay and metal mingling in the air. He was inside an old supply cart, using it as his temporary workspace. Around him were neatly arranged tools, scraps of parchment, and several sheets of metal waiting to be etched with runes.
A lantern flickered above him, casting shadows over his work.
Kalem tapped his fingers against his knee, deep in thought.
"I need to reduce mana usage… and find a way to fight without weapons."
He already knew the issue—his Mana-Muscle Technique allowed him to execute predefined moves, but the chants required to activate his weapon techniques were still a drain on his reserves. He had power, but he wasn't efficient enough.
And then, there was the matter of fighting barehanded.
"I solve problems by building solutions."
That was how he had always approached things. If he didn't have a skill, he created something to compensate. If he lacked the ability, he found another way.
This would be no different.
Kalem reached into a small wooden crate, pulling out a stack of parchment covered in arcane symbols.
Each sheet contained various spells from multiple elements:
Fire,Earth,Wind,Water,Lightning,Luminescence, Tenebrous (Darkness),Psyche (Mind-Based Magic),Frost,Magma,Chloro (Plant Manipulation),Vitality (Life-Force Manipulation).
His plan? To convert these spells into runes and integrate them into his weapons for more efficient activation. Instead of chanting, the runes would activate through gesture-based triggers or mana pulses—a far more practical approach.
"If I can lessen my reliance on chanting, I can conserve mana."
This wouldn't be easy, though. He had to refine each rune, ensuring they functioned correctly without interfering with one another. Some elements naturally opposed each other—Fire and Water, Light and Dark—which meant he needed to be careful with placement.
"Layering multiple elements onto a single weapon will require precise sequencing."
For now, he set the parchments aside. That would be phase one of his improvements.
Kalem leaned back against the wooden panels of the cart.
"Fighting barehanded…"
It wasn't that he was incapable—he could throw a punch or a kick if needed—but his techniques were built around his weapons. His entire combat style relied on wielding a blade, spear, axe, or some other forged creation.
So how could he bridge that gap?
He closed his eyes and ran through his options.
Training his body further was an obvious choice, but that alone wouldn't make up for his reliance on weapons. He could use runes to enhance his strikes, but that defeated the purpose of learning proper hand-to-hand combat. What if… he built something?
Kalem's eyes snapped open.
"That's it."
His solution was not to abandon his craftsmanship—but to adapt it.
He reached into another small crate, pulling out several thin metal plates and leather straps. He quickly sketched a rough blueprint onto a spare parchment.
What if he created a set of gauntlets—not just armored ones, but something that channeled the Mana-Muscle Technique directly?
A system that:
Allowed him to enhance his strikes using his own body's mana flow. Didn't require chanting. Could act as an extension of his combat style, rather than a replacement.
Essentially, instead of relying on an external weapon, he would turn his own hands into weapons.
"Gauntlets that amplify my strikes… and integrate with my fighting style."
It was the perfect compromise.
Kalem immediately began sketching a more detailed design. The knuckles would be reinforced with a thin layer of alloy, durable but lightweight. Runic engravings could be added along the forearm to boost mana circulation, reducing the strain on his body.
With this, he could start training in close-quarters combat without fully abandoning his expertise as a weaponsmith.
He smiled to himself.
"This is how I'll solve the problem."
As the night stretched on, Kalem continued refining his plans. He laid out the necessary materials, ensuring everything would be ready for forging after the next battle.
His mind was already racing ahead to tomorrow.
Unlike today's simulated skirmish, the next deployment would be the real thing—a full-scale battle against the horrors of the abyss. He wasn't nervous, but he was cautious.
There was still a gap between him and the veterans. His performance today had shown that he could hold his own, but it wasn't enough.
He had to be better.
Kalem stood, rolling up the parchments and securing them in his pack.
Tomorrow, he would fight again.
And soon…
He would forge something new.