Initiation into the Mysteries of Magia

The early morning air was cold and still as Lucien quietly slipped out of their house, his steps careful to avoid the creaky floorboards. He glanced back once to see Mar watching him from the doorway, her expression firm but tinged with worry. He knew she was about to head to her own trial, where Soleli would test her resolve and skill.

"Be careful," he said softly. "And don't push yourself too hard with whatever he puts you through."

Mar gave a slight nod, promising, "I won't." She hesitated, then stepped forward, surprising him with a quick kiss on his cheek. Her face turned pink, but she quickly composed herself and walked away without looking back.

Lucien touched his cheek, feeling a strange warmth linger even as he sighed. There was no room for distraction; they both had paths to walk today. Bracing himself, he turned and began navigating the familiar maze of corridors leading back to the bar where he was to meet Razor.

The bar was nearly deserted at this hour, with only a few figures hunched over their drinks. Razor sat alone on a stool, his face half-hidden behind his signature half-mask. Lucien approached, and Razor's sharp gaze flicked up, taking him in with a scrutinizing glance. With a nod, he motioned for Lucien to sit beside him.

"So, kid," Razor began, his voice low and unyielding, "how much do you know about Magia?"

Lucien took a moment, gathering his thoughts. "I know about the heartstone — how it's used to harness the ether within the body and unlock the potential of Magia relics. It allows us to connect to these relics in ways that amplify their power."

Razor nodded, showing the faintest glimmer of approval. "That's right. Heartstones are the foundation. But you're just scratching the surface."

He pulled out a small device from his pocket, a peculiar gadget of interconnected plates and gears that unfolded and expanded into a thin, shimmering panel. Razor placed it on the table between them and gestured for Lucien to put his hand on it.

"Place your hand here. This'll show us how much ether you've got stored up."

Lucien complied, pressing his palm to the cool surface. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, suddenly, the device began to hum and whir, displaying a set of fluctuating lights that pulsed in time with his heartbeat. The lights grew brighter and steadier, until they reached a steady, almost overwhelming glow. Razor's eyes narrowed as he watched the reading, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"Impressive," he muttered, almost to himself. "You've got an unnatural amount of ether within you. Makes sense you'd be interested in the Magus path." He glanced up, his expression unreadable behind the mask. "Take your hand off. We're moving on."

Lucien released the device, following Razor as he led him through a back exit and down a series of narrow, dimly lit corridors. They twisted and turned, leading deeper underground until they reached a set of metal doors. Razor rapped sharply on the door, and a small slit opened, revealing a pair of wary eyes that studied them both.

"What's the code?" the guard asked, his voice gruff.

Without missing a beat, Razor replied, his voice cryptic yet calm. "The storm that lies beneath the still water."

The slit closed, and with a clank, the door swung open, revealing a large depot. The space was filled with rough-looking individuals, their eyes cold and hard, sizing Lucien up as he passed. Razor led him down another hallway, steering clear of the main area, and finally brought him to a smaller, more secluded room.

Inside the room, Razor motioned for him to sit on a cold, metallic chair. Taking a deep breath, Lucien settled down, doing his best to conceal the excitement and nervous energy simmering beneath the surface. Razor pulled up a stool and leaned forward, his expression serious.

"So," Razor began, his tone even. "To use your heartstone, you'll need an aetherdrive implanted into your body. It's a risky procedure — not for the faint-hearted." He paused, watching Lucien's face carefully. "Can you handle surgery?"

Lucien's curiosity was piqued. He'd been prepared for some sort of implant, but he hadn't expected the process to be so intricate. "What does the surgery entail?" he asked, trying to mask the eagerness in his voice.

Razor sat back, his expression almost thoughtful. "First, we'll implant a core point in your chest, directly encasing your heartstone. This core will act as an ether extractor, drawing out the ether from your heartstone and passing it through incorporeal threads called chain links. These threads channel the ether, amplifying its potency as it travels."

Lucien listened intently, absorbing each detail. The technology was advanced, complex, unlike anything he'd encountered back home. "And these chain links… what are they made of?"

"They're not something you can see or touch," Razor explained. "Incorporeal threads, like I said. Think of them as invisible conduits within your body. Once the ether flows through these links, it reaches a docking point, a device implanted just below your collarbones."

"From there," he continued, "the ether levels spike, ready to be accessed through the aetherdrive — the main piece that'll be installed on your collar. With the aetherdrive, you'll be able to manipulate and amplify the relic's potential. It's what allows Magi to actually channel and control Maguscraft."

Lucien's mind raced with possibilities. The idea of being able to control and manipulate ether at such a level was exhilarating. He was almost overwhelmed with the urge to study this device, to break it down and understand its mechanics inside and out. But he reined in his curiosity, keeping his gaze steady.

"I'm ready," he said simply, nodding with conviction.

Razor studied him for a moment, as if assessing the depth of his resolve. Finally, he gave a curt nod. "Good. Then let's get started."

Razor stood up and motioned for Lucien to follow him into another room. This one was dimly lit and sparse, with an examination table and an assortment of strange devices lining the walls. Lucien felt a shiver of anticipation and a hint of unease as he took in his surroundings. Razor gestured for him to lie down, and Lucien obeyed, his heart hammering with both excitement and trepidation.

"Just relax," Razor said, reaching for a vial filled with a faintly glowing liquid. "This will take the edge off."

He injected the liquid into Lucien's arm, and almost immediately, Lucien felt a heavy, pleasant warmth spreading through his body, his senses dulling slightly. The nervous energy in his chest subsided, replaced by a sense of calm clarity. As his eyelids grew heavier, he watched Razor prepare the other equipment, his mind drifting as the sedative took hold.

The surgery began in silence, with Razor working with precision and care. Lucien felt only the faintest pressure as Razor made the incision near his chest, implanting the core point directly over his heartstone. Lucien was aware of a distant tugging sensation, and he felt the faint hum of ether pulsing within him as the chain links formed, creating a network of conduits inside his body.

Finally, Razor moved to Lucien's collarbone area, making a small incision where the docking point would be installed. He worked quickly, implanting the ether amplifier that would allow Lucien to channel the power of the aetherdrive. Razor installed the final piece, the docking point, with careful precision, securing it in place just beneath the skin.

Hours passed in a haze, and when Razor finally stepped back, Lucien felt the faintest thrum of energy pulsing within him, like a heartbeat echoing through his veins. He looked down, catching a glimpse of the faint scars where the implants had been placed. The pain was minimal, dulled by the sedative, but he could feel the power lying dormant within him, waiting to be unleashed.

Razor crossed his arms, observing Lucien with a satisfied expression. "Welcome to the world of Maguscraft," he said quietly. "You're officially on the path now. No turning back."

Lucien sat up slowly, feeling the weight of the implants settle into his body. He glanced at Razor, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of gratitude and determination.

"Thank you," he said, his voice steady.

Razor simply nodded. "Good. Because from here on out, you're one of us. You'll be expected to pull your weight, and we don't tolerate weakness. Remember that."

Lucien nodded, feeling the truth of Razor's words settle deep within him.