Decision

Devotion pulled the letter from the envelope and read it. The writing was neat, a form of cursive that seemed to flow right off the page at times. Whoever had written this letter used very expensive materials. The letter read as follows:

"To the one called Devotion, and whomever else might be concerned,

You do not know me personally, but you may be aware of my organization, and what it stands for. My name, or rather title, is Duke Dudley of the Mechanism Sect. I am the current acting leader and head of the sect. Every operation within the sect goes through me.

I understand you are currently within the Summoner's Guild. While that is a guild that I highly respect, and I'm sure you will be able to rise within their confines, I entreat you to reconsider. If you would like to come meet me personally and see exactly what the Mechanism Sect has to offer you, I would be honored.

Your aptitude is exceptional, Devotion. Higher than any I've ever seen, even my own. While the Summoner's Guild will no-doubt teach you to summon creatures, I've heard you already have a summon of your own. While that alone is worth studying, it's not what I'm concerned with.

I am offering you a position as my own, personal apprentice. My entire inheritance will become yours when I pass, and I will treat you everything I know. Please consider this proposal. When you have an answer, or even if you're just curious, come to my sect. Show the wax seal on this letter to the automaton out front, and it will let you in.

Please consider. I look forward to hearing from you.

Duke Dudley of the Mechanism Sect."

Devotion sucked in a cold breath as he finished the letter. That was quite a tempting proposal. However, Devotion wasn't sure how many resources they had compared to the seemingly bottomless wealth of the Summoner's Guild. He decided to sleep on it, going to bed and resting to recover from his examination.

Devotion awoke the next day, still undecided on what to do. He wasn't sure if he wanted to just leave this sect for another. He decided he'd go pay a visit to the Mechanism Sect, see if they really had what he was looking for.

Devotion quickly got dressed, pocketing the letter and putting Ysmir on his shoulders. Thank god, that he didn't need that cloak anymore. It was getting suffocating for Ysmir after a while.

Devotion made his way out the Guild, back out into the city streets. He didn't have any lectures to attend for the day, so it was a perfect time to see what was there. '

Approaching the gates to the Mechanism Sect, Devotion was greeted by an immense pair of iron gates. Two strange metallic creatures were guarding the gate, seemingly human. They were adorned in a traditional knight's armor, but seemed unmoving. Devotion assumed that they were statues, but as he walked past them, one spoke in a booming voice.

"Halt, trespasser! State your purpose here!" The suit of armor shouted. Devotion stopped in his tracks.

"I am here to see the Duke. He invited me." Devotion replied.

"Have you any proof, trespasser?! Do you know how many claim that, only to wreak havoc and destruction within these blessed walls!? I am the sole protector of this place, you dare speak to me that way?" The suit of armor demanded, not giving Devotion an opportunity to speak.

"I have proof." Devotion said, pulling out the letter and showing the seal.

"Oh! How foolish of me! Of course, go right in, I will alert the Duke." The suit of armor's demeanor instantly changed, going to one of much more respect. The large gates slowly swung open, letting out a horrid creak as they did so. The suit of armor return to completely stationary, indistinct from a statue.

What was especially odd about those suits of armor is that they didn't have any aura. It was almost like they weren't alive.

Inside the walls of the sect, Devotion found himself in a sprawling metallic paradise. Everything was covered in cogs and gears, a metallic sheen covering the walls and floors of every building. Brass pipes wove throughout the campus, expelling steam every so often.

As Devotion was looking around, trying to figure out where to go, a strange, four wheeled cart seemed to move all on its own. Standing on top of it was a taller man of quite thin build. He had a long, pointed moustache, and long, flowing blonde hair. He wore a simple flat cap on top of that hair, and stepped majestically off the cart as it came to a stop.

"Ah, Devotion! I say, I assume you've read my letter, I've been looking forward to meeting you. Ah, where are my manners!" The man began to speak, offering his hand out for Devotion to shake. "my name is Duke Dudley, although most people just call me the Duke. I run things around here, and I'd love to give you a tour." He introduced himself.

Devotion shook his hand. "Yes, I would like a tour, and I'd like to hear exactly what you can offer me here." Devotion got to business. He got the sense that the Duke was not the type to stay on topic for very long. Might as well capitalize on the time that he was on topic.

The Duke beckoned for Devotion to step onto the strange cart, and once they both were standing atop it, it began to move all on its own.

"Now, Devotion, I understand your conjuration aptitude is nothing short of extraordinary, I say, extraordinary, and I fully understand why you went to the Summoner's Guild first. I was like you, in my younger days. I wanted to use my aptitude to summon creatures to fight for me, to rise without having to do an ounce of fighting myself, but I struggled. Even with all that aptitude, I struggled to summon the most basic of creatures. I assume you've faced the same struggles. However, I was determined, and I realized, what they teach there is a waste of the talents of people like us. I developed my own, new way to use conjuration magic. Combined with my own smarts, I defected and founded this Mechanism Sect. Rather than summon creatures to fight for you like most assume, you can use your aptitude to summon materials, complicated parts for intricate contraptions that are impossible to fabricate with out own technology. It's how I developed this cart, for instance. It runs on minimal energy, no animal taming or mount care required, yet it does the same, and more." As he explained, The Duke demonstrating by pressing a button. The cart suddenly picked up speed, almost knocking Devotion off of his feet.

The Duke continued.

"I can teach you how to use your gift in this way. Once you grasp it, you'll be able to develop your own inventions to fulfil any purpose. For example, I've developed this weapon to defend myself. I'll gift it to you to study, as I can make another quickly." Explaining this, The Duke took out a strange, L-shaped device. The shorter leg served as a handle with a trigger, while the longer end was almost a barrel shape. To you readers, this resembled a modern firearm, although the barrel had a glass bulb at the end.

"Allow me to demonstrate how my Sparkthrower works. You simply aim and squeeze this trigger here." As the cart moved past a building, The Duke aimed at a wall and fired. As he pressed the trigger, an arc of electricity shot out of the device and caused a soft explosion.

"See? No spiritual Qi expended." The Duke handed it to Devotion.

"Take it, and this volume." The Duke pulled out a thick book. "It has some of my concepts recorded within it. Take them, study it, see if you can invent something new, and return to me if this piques your interest. I'd be happy to take you under my wing if you so desire."