Training as a Slime (41)

At last, Cori could finally rest. Tired and drained yet again, he took the soft cushion from the trolley and laid it beside Aspery. With a sigh of relief, he rolled his tired body onto the cushion for a well deserved rest.

Aspery on the other hand was exasperated. His heart racing to find the secrets of this delicate craft. The magic imbued in the bag was refined yet complexed. It was close to impossible to imitate this level of enchantment. Even if Kareem and him were to work together, they would not be able to reach this level of complexity. However, a glimmer of hope rested in Marvyn's assistance. Marvyn, with a knack for navigating the intricacies of complex formulas, always seemed to bring a stroke of luck to such endeavors.

Thanks to its enchantment, the backpack could house other interdimensional objects—a feat deemed impossible in conventional circumstances. Aspery attempted countless times to unlock the bag, yet the lock bore a built-in enchantment or mechanism that exclusively recognised its rightful owner. The bottom of the backpack exhibited a combination of flexibility, lightness, and solidity, akin to a light steelplate. On four corner of its bottom, was four mysterious gemstones which flashed with kaleidoscopic colors under the discreet light. These gemstones served not only as the bag's supports but also powered its entire enchantment. Aspery further uncovered that the monogram bore mysterious inscriptions, bestowing indestructibility upon the gems.

The bag featured distinctive design elements that set it apart from its competitors. Remarkably, the curved flap bore a charming resemblance to a dimpled smile. Another distinguishing feature manifested in its two and a half natural-looking leather folds adorning the sides of the bag. Within these folds, a strap extended, its iconic gold platinum ends gracefully resting on the distinctive dandelion seed motif latch of the curved flap. The self-adjusting shoulder straps, with their intricate mechanics cleverly hidden away underneath the tranquil sage green inner linings, became a testament to the bag's thoughtful design. In moments of repose, these straps gracefully enveloped the backrest's recess, providing a seamless blend of comfort and style. It was this cohesive design which made Aspery and many others fell in love with the bag. 

Aspery ran his hands through the lightly tanned leather, slightly trembling in awe. "Eh, tha' reckon this is fire-newt hide, does tha?" Aspery asked Cori. Cori drowsily used [Observation] and mumbled, "Nine headed hydra-salamander." and went returned to dreamland. The stout craftsman gave a satisfied nod. The curious became curiouser, the candle witnessed a shadowy hand reaching for its flame, as if borrowing its warmth to ignite the backpack in an attempt to set it ablaze. There was not a single smudge of soot nor a hint of burn. Content, he decidedly summoned a roaring ball of hot water, and attempted to engulf the backpack in it. Surprisingly, the enchanted backpack deflected the spell, sending it back towards its caster. The dwarf dodged it with ease, and returned to inspecting the bag, noting its anti magic abilities. He proceeded to draw his finest dagger and struck the backpack, yet not a single dent marred its surface. The dwarf, wearing an expression of utter astonishment, spoke, "By 'eck, not a scra'ch on it!" Attempting to sling the backpack over his shoulders, he found the shoulder straps utterly unyielding. "By the forge! Thieves shall meet their match, for this bag boasts its very own burglar-repelling enchantment!"

Delving further into his scrutiny of the craftsmanship, Aspery, the dwarf, discovered his admiration for the creator steadily intensifying. A tiny rumble echoed in his thoughts, "I've a stout yearning for this sack." Regrettably, he could not imitate its design nor craftsmanship. An inexplicable magic was preventing him from forming blueprints in his mind. It was this same magic that kepts the brand's competitors at bay and kept Aspery's frustrations in check. Nevertheless, this distinct bag that Cori possessed stirred a profound emotion within him, an emotion that he never experienced before- one that was green and dark.

The resilient dwarf concealed his sentiments, acknowledging them as shadows within. As sunlight gently streamed through the windows, the dwarf sensed the conclusion of his journey with the backpack. With a touch of reluctance, he carefully repositioned the backpack beside Cori before proceeding wearily to his next class with a heavy heart - if only he had not signed the contract.