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Chapter 1 – Part 7Q
(Next Breakthrough Attempt)
The forge hall was silent again, though the faint hum of residual energy lingered like a heartbeat in the walls. Jofyn approached the workbench, the rare shard now secured in a crystal-lined pouch, carefully inspected for imperfections.
"Alright," he muttered, rolling his shoulders, "lesson one: control the pulse. Lesson two: don't let the shard dominate the energy flow."
The robe hovered above, voice sharp with amusement. "Lesson three: don't get fried. Simple enough, right?"
Jofyn smirked, placing the shard on the reinforced workbench. He began tracing new sigils with careful precision, weaving threads of Forge Core energy like fine silk. The shard pulsed faintly, responding slowly, as if testing him, measuring his intent.
"Patience," he whispered. "We build. We guide. We don't force."
Hours passed. Every thread he cast around the shard vibrated in harmony with his Core. Subtle flashes of light traced intricate patterns in the air—geometric glyphs, spirals, and interlocking circles that shimmered with potential.
A small surge of backlash appeared suddenly—a stray spark bouncing off the shard, fizzing dangerously close to his robes.
"Oi! Watch it!" the robe snapped, floating to intercept the energy. "Not the stitches! Not the stitches!"
Jofyn's hands reacted instinctively, guiding the errant spark into the floor via a temporary sigil. The shard pulsed in acknowledgment, this time calmer, almost pleased.
"Better," he muttered, sweat beading his forehead. "It's listening… more than last time."
As he continued, a faint warmth spread from the shard through his Core—a subtle awakening of his latent bloodline energy. The sensation was fleeting but unmistakable: a deep resonance within him, strengthening the connection between creator and creation.
Minutes stretched into hours. Small failures occurred: a spark too bright, a minor thread snap, a glyph collapsing midair. Each was countered, stabilized, and learned from. Jofyn's convergence skill sharpened with each adjustment.
The robe hovered close, voice softer but still teasing. "You're a stubborn genius, Vale. I swear, if you weren't mine to mock, I'd probably be impressed."
Finally, after what felt like eternity, the shard glowed steadily, its pulse synchronized with Jofyn's Core. Threads of light wove seamlessly into the shard, stabilizing it, and a soft hum filled the forge—low, harmonious, alive.
"Done," he whispered, leaning back. His chest rose and fell with exhaustion and quiet triumph. "First controlled creation. Alive, stable… and it listens."
The robe floated around the shard, inspecting it. "Hmph. Not bad. Not bad at all. You've got patience now, control… and maybe just a hint of genius. Let's see if it survives breakfast tomorrow without exploding."
Jofyn laughed softly, eyes still on the pulsing shard. Beyond the satisfaction of success, he felt it—the quiet promise of greater things. His Core had strengthened, his connection with the shard had deepened, and his latent bloodline had stirred, subtle yet undeniable.
He whispered almost reverently: "We've taken the first step… together."
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