Julian put the hole-riddled cube back into the fire, heating it until it was close to melting. Then he pulled it out and began severing the metal at specific points with careful precision.
In the end, the single piece became two separate rings spiraled around one another like a loosely braided rope.
Flitwick looked openly impressed. It was the kind of work that demanded exact control, and Julian had executed it cleanly.
Julian didn't pay the reaction any attention. He focused on smoothing the severed points until the surface was seamless.
When the metalwork was finished, the part Flitwick actually wanted to see remained.
The enchanting.
...
"Contract," Julian said, serious.
Flitwick wasted no time pulling a parchment from his robe pocket.
Julian took it, then looked at him with a stern, unyielding expression. "Once I sign this, there's no going back. Are you one hundred percent sure about this?"
Flitwick nodded. "I'm too old to take up a craft, so I've resigned myself to secrecy so I may witness yours. Please sign the contract," he said, offering a reassuring smile.
Julian nodded and signed without delay.
The moment the ink settled, magical chains shot out of the parchment and wrapped around Flitwick's wrist before sinking into his skin, leaving behind a black chain tattoo.
Julian stored the contract in Greed, walked to the door, and locked it, then returned to the anvil where the unfinished ring waited.
...
Holding the hammer, he began to glow, white threaded with gold. The light rose off his body and then tightened, concentrating into his right hand and the hammer it held.
Flitwick let out an audible gasp, eyes widening so far they nearly bulged.
Julian ignored him.
He filled the channeled energy with his understanding of nature and animals, both mundane and magical. The energy shifted visibly, changing in color and texture, taking on a different feel entirely.
Then he lifted the hammer and struck the ring.
It began to glow and hum immediately.
"LAMAN!" he spoke, and struck again.
This time, the glow extended outward, forming a fuzzy luminous word in elvish script beside the metal.
He raised the hammer again.
"QUENTARO!" he said, and struck.
Now two words hovered near the ring.
...
Julian repeated the process for the next hour, hammering, speaking, and reinforcing the work until the air itself felt dense with the humming resonance.
Finally, on the last strike, he spoke a new word to name it.
"NOS!"
The instant it was done, Julian grabbed the anvil to steady himself as weakness washed over him.
"Are you alright?!" Flitwick exclaimed, hurrying closer.
"I'm fine," Julian said honestly. "The process just takes a lot out of me."
Flitwick stared at the finished piece, then exhaled. "I'll be honest, Mr. Ravenclaw. I have no idea what you just did. But even I can tell it was profound, and far more powerful than any of us imagined."
He paused, then sighed again, heavier.
"Part of me wants to report this immediately as a dangerous and valuable technique. But I know I can't. I understand now why you insisted on secrecy. If word of this got out, I shudder to think what people would do to acquire it."
Julian nodded, expression flat, then reached into Greed and pulled out a loaf of lembas bread. He tore off a whole corner and ate it immediately.
...
"What is that?" Flitwick asked, not recognizing the unassuming food.
"Lembas bread," Julian said. "A single bite is enough to feed an adult for three days."
Flitwick stared at the loaf in shock. "You just ate an entire corner. By my estimate, that's close to a week's worth of food."
Julian laughed. "No need to worry, Professor. My technique works every muscle in my body. I need a huge amount of energy after every forging."
Flitwick's eyes shifted, realization clicking. "That's why you tend to eat so much during meals."
Julian nodded.
...
He transfigured his robes into shorts, leaving his upper body exposed.
Flitwick stared, visibly awed by the balanced, well-defined musculature that had formed beneath all those layers of clothing.
After a few minutes, Julian released the transfiguration, returning his robes to normal.
"Thanks to the work," Julian said with a hint of pride, "I have a perfectly balanced physique right now. It'll only improve as time passes and I grow."
Flitwick gave a wry smile. "It would seem we were all wrong about your future."
Julian chuckled, but didn't add anything else.