Reinventing Magic: An Inventor's Tale
Chapter 65: Shadowfangs

Chapter 65: Shadowfangs

The rhythmic clang of hammer against metal echoed through the forge as Kael worked meticulously on the twin daggers. The glow of molten steel reflected off his sweat-slicked skin, his focus unwavering as he inscribed runes onto the blades.

Each stroke of the engraving tool was deliberate, precise, as he carefully etched sequences of runes designed to enhance speed and agility. The Voidsteel blades, sleek and deadly, absorbed the magic seamlessly, their surfaces shimmering with an ethereal glow.

After completing the speed enchantments, Kael turned his attention to the stealth inscription. He methodically carved the sigils of Shadow Veil, the same ability Victor’s sword possessed—an enchantment that would allow the wielder to merge with darkness, rendering them nearly invisible under the cover of night or deep shadow. He had witnessed firsthand how useful this ability was when fighting Gregor, and he knew it would prove invaluable once more.

With a final touch, the runes pulsed with life, signifying the successful enchantment. He took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his brow before casting an analysis spell over the completed weapons.

Material: Voidsteel

Description: A sleek and elegant dagger forged from Voidsteel, a rare and nearly indestructible metal imbued with powerful enchantments. Its midnight-black blade bore faint, swirling patterns that shimmered under the light, giving it an almost ethereal appearance. The hilt, wrapped in dark leather, provided a firm grip, while the crossguard bore intricate runes that pulsed with a faint blue glow.

Abilities:

1. Enhanced Durability – Nearly indestructible, able to withstand extreme conditions and powerful blows.

2. Shadow Veil – Cloaks the wielder in an aura of darkness, enhancing stealth when in dim light or shadows.

3. Pierce the Void

– Allows the blade to partially bypass armor and magical defenses.

4. Shadow Surge – Boosts speed and agility by 60%, leaving a trail of darkness that disorients foes.

Satisfied with his creation, Kael stored the twin daggers inside his infinite storage and turned to Alice. "Alice, would you assist me in testing my new daggers?"

"As you command, Master," Alice responded without hesitation.

---

The training grounds bustled with activity as knights sparred, mages practiced spells, and soldiers honed their techniques. However, all training came to an abrupt halt when Kael and Alice stepped onto the field. Murmurs spread as warriors recognized them—veterans who also fought during the previous war. They had witnessed their new lord’s inhuman speed firsthand, had seen him match a monstrous warlord blow for blow.

A knight captain approached, offering a respectful salute. "My Lord, Lady Alice. May we be of assistance?"

Kael shook his head. "Alice and I will be conducting a light spar. Continue your training."

The captain nodded, though curiosity shone in his eyes as he stepped back, eager to observe.

Kael and Alice took their positions in the sparring area, locking eyes.

Kael inhaled sharply before activating the spell he had devised during the war—the one that had enabled him to match Gregor’s monstrous speed. The air around him shimmered as his speed increased by 500%. It was not the same as Titan’s Leap, Gregor’s devastating sixth-tier spell that boosted speed by 2500%, but when Kael had combined this spell with Victor and Pietro’s speed-enhancing swords, he had managed to keep up. Without those weapons now, he felt the difference. The spell’s effect would last for 30 minutes, pushing Kael to make every moment count.

The moment the spell activated, both he and Alice vanished.

A deafening boom echoed across the training ground as they clashed at inhuman speeds, their movements a blur to the watching soldiers. The force of their strikes sent shockwaves rippling through the field, shaking nearby weapons racks and unsettling the ground. The spectators could barely track their movements, only catching glimpses of sparks where metal met metal.

Then—

A sudden stop. Kael and Alice reappeared where they had stood moments before.

Kael frowned. Despite the speed boost, he felt slow. Compared to Gregor’s overwhelming Titan’s Leap, his spell was lacking. He clenched his fists. If he was going to face Gregor again or any other powerful foe in the future, he would need something stronger.

"Alice," he said, his voice steady despite his frustration, "transform."

Alice nodded. "Initiating transformation sequence."

A blinding light enveloped her form, illuminating her without revealing any part of her body as her clothes disintegrated. The runes on her back flared brightly before her exoskeleton formed, encasing her in a powerful hybrid form of flesh and metal golem construct. The moment the transformation completed, she radiated a pressure that sent a shiver down the spines of onlookers.

With a flick of his wrist, Kael summoned the twin daggers from his infinite storage. As soon as he activated their enchantments, he felt it—the world slowed, his senses heightened. The combined effects of Shadow Surge and his speed spell pushed his abilities further, enhancing his reaction time to an almost unnatural level.

For a moment, silence.

Then, in the blink of an eye, both fighters vanished once more.

Explosions of force erupted across the field as their battle resumed, their speed far surpassing what any ordinary soldier could comprehend. Each clash of blade against exoskeleton sent ripples of energy tearing through the training ground. Knights and mages shielded their eyes from the intensity of the battle, barely able to follow the movements of their new lord and Alice.

Kael twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding Alice’s downward strike. The ground beneath them cracked upon impact, sending a web of fissures rippling outward. He used the momentum to propel himself forward, daggers flashing in the dim light as he slashed at her with deadly precision.

Alice countered effortlessly. Her armored arms moved in a blur, parrying his attacks with inhuman precision. Sparks flew as Voidsteel clashed against her enchanted exoskeleton. Kael barely had a moment to adjust before she retaliated—her knee shot forward, aiming for his ribs. He twisted at the last second, feeling the air pressure shift from the sheer force of the attack.

He reappeared behind her, blades humming with Shadow Surge. With a flick of his wrist, he activated Pierce the Void. His daggers phased through the surface of Alice’s armor, bypassing the outer layer. Yet, before the attack could land, her instincts kicked in. She spun with unnatural speed, intercepting his strike with her palm. The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, forcing Kael to retreat several paces.

Alice’s gray eyes glowed with an eerie intensity. "Analyzing attack patterns... Adjusting countermeasures."

Kael smirked. "Good. Adapt to this."

With a surge of mana, he pushed his speed even further, breaking past his previous limits. The world became a blur of distorted colors as he vanished and reappeared at random angles, his daggers striking from impossible directions. Alice defended with mechanical precision, blocking, countering, and predicting his attacks in real-time.

Then he changed tactics.

Instead of another frontal assault, he feinted an attack before shifting into the shadows. The enchantment of Shadow Veil activated, cloaking him in darkness. He became a whisper in the wind, an unseen predator stalking his prey. Alice’s sensors flickered in confusion, unable to track his presence.

A fraction of a second later, he struck.

His dagger met her side, sinking partially through her armor. Alice’s system registered the breach, and she retaliated instantly. Her arm lashed out like a whip, catching Kael in the chest and sending him hurtling backward. He crashed into the ground, rolling to dissipate the force before landing on his feet.

He wiped a trickle of blood from his lips. "Damn... That’s new."

Alice straightened, her glowing eyes locked onto him. "Master, your attacks have increased in efficiency by twenty percent, but they remain insufficient to bypass my full combat capabilities."

Kael exhaled sharply. His heart pounded, his muscles burned, but a grin tugged at his lips. This was exactly what he needed—an opponent who could push him beyond his limits. He wasn’t just training. He was evolving.

He activated the twin daggers’ final ability—Shadow Surge. A pulse of void energy erupted from the weapons, encasing him in a dark aura. His speed surged to its peak, his perception of time stretching as his reflexes heightened beyond mortal capability.

Alice braced herself, sensing the shift.

And then, Kael disappeared.

This time, he was faster than ever before. He weaved through her defenses like a specter, each strike leaving behind echoes of darkness. Alice attempted to counter, but she was a step too slow. His daggers struck true, slicing through her defenses in quick succession.

Finally, Kael delivered a decisive strike—crossing both daggers against her before activating Shadow Surge’s full effect. A massive burst of void energy exploded outward, engulfing them both in darkness. When the energy dissipated, Alice stood frozen, her systems momentarily overloaded by the sheer force of the attack.

Then, she slowly lowered her arms. "Analysis complete. Master’s combat potential has increased significantly."

Kael exhaled, his body trembling from exertion. "Yeah... but it’s still not enough."

Alice’s gaze softened, determination flickering like a flame in her eyes as she took a resolute step forward. The weight of their mission bore down on her shoulders, yet she stood firm. "We must push further," she declared, her voice steady but tinged with a sense of urgency that echoed through the room.

Kael sheathed his daggers and let out a slow breath. He had taken a step forward, but he was far from ready. If he wanted to defeat Gregor—or any other foe of his caliber—he needed more than just speed. He needed mastery.

Just as Kael and Alice were about to return to the workshop, a guard sprinted onto the training grounds, his breath ragged and face tight with urgency.

"My lord!" he panted. "Urgent news from the spirit crystal mine—Lucien took ten guards for a survey, but they delved deeper into the caves and... they ran into something. A monster."

Kael’s expression hardened, his mind already racing through possibilities. "How bad is it?"

"We don’t know yet. The last report said they were holding their ground, but the creature is unlike anything they’ve seen."

Kael turned to Alice, his voice firm. "We’re going. Now."

Alice gave a single nod, her mana flaring in silent readiness. "Understood."

Without another word, they moved.