Labyrinth Of Reflection[Crafting]

Job Name: A Labyrinth of Reflection
Job Rank: B
Job Location: Reim
Job Reward: 15k Huang |200xp [Confounding Gate 2nd Function Added]
Job Prerequisites: Magic Tool Researcher
Job Overview: The Confounding Gate's first magic circle was to protect Zion from his foes. He would design the second around trapping them and keeping them bogged down in one place. This time he would put his knowledge of clairvoyance to make an adaptive prison of magic with which to bind his aggressors.

The experiment for the Confounding Gate's first magic circle complete, Zion flew across the countryside and had returned to the bustling city of Remano. After several hours of traveling he had still not quite settled on an idea for how best to enhance the shield further. His long, flowing silver hair swayed gently in the wind as he landed outside the city gates and proceeded to walk through the crowded streets, his clear blue eyes scanning his surroundings for anything out of the ordinary. Passersby couldn't help but stare at the enigmatic magician, known for his incredible skills in the Coliseum and his mastery of various magical elements. Some whispered the name "Swordking" and pointed as he passed.

Despite the many curious glances directed his way, Zion remained focused on the task at hand. He had been thinking about how to design a new magic circle for the Confounding Gate, a powerful tool that he had
just developed to protect himself from his enemies. The first circle had been successful in keeping his foes at bay, but he his skills in magic tool crafting allotted him room to add a second circle and it would be a waste to not do so. But what to use? The Magic Smith's Hammer served a dual purpose and he felt that this was suitable for the hammer, but the shield was much more specialized in its uses. Though he wasn't sure on the exact specifics, he knew that he wanted the second circle to conform to the purpose of defense and protecting himself from those with ill intentions.

As he strolled through the city, Zion's thoughts turned to the potential designs for the second circle. He had several ideas in mind, each one more complex and challenging than the last. He considered creating a circle that could summon powerful beasts to block incoming attacks, or one that would produce a reflection of himself to rush out and face his foes. But as he pondered these possibilities, he realized that they were merely extensions of his first magic circle. The magician knew that he could do more than simply copy his own work. Eventually he settled on the thought of adding Clairvoyance magic into the mix.

During the time Zion had made a name for himself in the Coliseum and he had fought under the moniker of the Swordking, debut had been one based on trickery and deception. Perhaps it was the whispers of others speaking this alias which led his mind to wander back to those days. Perfect Illusion magic was ideal for such false ways of fighting, but clairvoyance was a magic of truth and accuracy. With this in mind, he slowly began to formulate an idea of how the two could be used together. Before he even arrived back at his workshop he had a rough idea on how to go about it and decided that the new circle should be designed to trap his enemies and keep them bogged down in one place. The thought of designing a magic circle that could immobilize his attackers filled Zion with excitement. He knew that the process would be difficult and time-consuming, but he relished the challenge.

As he continued his walk through the city, he couldn't help but notice the stares of the people around him. Many recognized him as Swordking, and they whispered excitedly among themselves about the battles he had fought and the victories he had won. Despite his reputation, Zion remained humble and focused on his task. He knew that the creation of the new magic circle would require all of his skill and concentration, and he was determined to see it through to the end. With a clear goal in mind and a renewed sense of purpose, Zion made his way towards the workshop where he would begin his work on the Confounding Gate's second magic circle.

The living doll took a deep breath as he stepped into his workshop, filled with determination and the drive to create a new and powerful magic circle. He knew that designing this magic circle would take some time as it would push the limits of his magical knowedge, but he was ready to devote all of his energy to the task at hand. Zion approached his desk setting up fresh blank sheets of paper, pulled out his quill and ink, and began to start drafting his ideas. The fusion of Perfect Illusion and Clairvoyance magics in his mind slowly took shape as he put his thoughts to paper.

Over the next several days, Zion poured himself into his work, drawing up dozens of magic circle drafts. He was searching for the perfect combination of formulae that would allow him to create a prison of magic, trapping his enemies in place. However, none of the drafts seemed to satisfy him, and he grew increasingly frustrated with his failures. Time and time again he would draft up small scale versions of the spell he had envisioned. Time and again he fell short of meeting his own standards. Perhaps the youth was being too idealistic in seeking perfection.

The young magic tool craftsman began to doubt himself, wondering if he was capable of creating such a complex magic circle. The various formulae he had been concocting were all starting to blur and overlap in his minds eye. The weary and mentally exhausted magician looked over his shoulder at the pile of crumpled up papers behind him. All failed designs. There must have been at least a hundred of them. He rubbed between his eyes and sighed. Perhaps, Zion decided, it was time to take a break and clear his mind, going for a walk outside to observe the beauty of the surrounding area. He flew north out into the mountinous wilderness and found himself a perch atop one particularly high peak. There, the youth marveled at the breathtaking view of the mountains and the lush greenery of the nearby forests.

Eventually, he returned to his workshop and slept for the first time in days. After a bit of self reflection atop the mountain he felt refreshed and ready to resume his work. Inspiration had struck while he was gazing upon nature and thinking about his own life. About his past, the burdens he carried, and about where he wanted to go in the future. The young Zion knew that he would need to find a way to combine his knowledge of clairvoyance with his mastery of multiple magics in order to achieve his goal, but now he had a clearer idea of how actualize those thoughts into a cohesive magic circle. Perfect Illusion magic would provide the cage, but it would also become a canvas and Clairvoyance would become the brush to paint a possible vision upon it. The artist would not be himself, but rather the target of this theoretical prison.

After many more days of tireless work and countless drafts, Zion finally created a magic circle that not only met his standards, but worked perfectly on the small scale. It was intricate and complex, with multiple layers of formulae that would ensure that any enemy trapped inside would not be able to escape easily. Not only that, but they would have to face their own trauma and darkness if they wished to leave the prison without resorting to force. Zion hoped that this magic circle would be powerful enough to hold even the strongest of his foes, but also that it might bring a change of heart upon them and reform them into someone he didn't need to fight in the first place.

Excited and relieved that he had finally found the perfect magic circle, Zion grabbed the Magic Smith's Hammer and approached the Confounding Gate. With a deep breath, he struck the Gate, molding the second circle into its form. He couldn't wait to see it in action and was already looking forward to testing it out against an actual opponent. But he couldn't just find a wild beast to use as a test subject again. This time he needed to find a person who meant him harm. For this, the Trickster Foxspirit decided to disguise himself as a helpless old man who was openly wearing gold chains and bejeweled rings as he wandered the streets of Remano at night.

The disguised Zion wore Reiman garb and was clutching the Confounding Gate in his arms like it was a long lost love. He stumbled about in an attempt to appear drunk and meandered like this until a thung looking to make a quick pay day stepped out of the shadows to mug him. A smile played across Zion's face as he activated the Confounding Gate and trapped the would-be-mugger inside a large Labyrinth. The simply thief lacked the strength to cut his way out of the magical walls and was assaulted by visions of his own greed and malace in the central room driving him to flee from them and start onto the path. Zion followed in secret as a guest within the prison and watched the thief's journey.

A tragic past was revealed, reflected from the deepest parts of the man's own heart and blood showing him things about his origins even he didn't know. The sad tale of how his mother and father hadn't wanted to abandon him, but rather had given their everything to ensure a young babe hardly out of his swaddles would survive an encounter with slavers. He hadn't been abandoned in a bush to die as the gang who found and raised him had said. He was hidden there. Many such truths about his past were revealed to him, including how the gang he was still a part of had convinced him that a life of crime was his only choice and juxtaposed it against the vision of his young self wrought with guilt after his first theft on their behalf. A guilt he had long since forgotten after becoming numb to the screams of his own conscience.

Eventually the man traversed the entire labyrinth and returned to the starting room, tears streaming down his face. This time there was no malice or greed there reflected on the walls to face him. Only the visage of his eight year old self there staring back at him expectantly. He knew what the child's look meant. The spell then dissolved on its own and the man was left standing there drying his tears. He looked up at the "old man" Zion appeared to be unsure if what had happened was just a dream or real. But regardless there was a new look of humility and compassion on his face. The man apologized and turned to leave. The leave the gang, to leave the city, and to go find a new life for himself that could live up to what his parents had hoped for and what that younger version of himself expected of him.

Zion smiled faintly as he stroked the face of the Confounding Gate. This was a greater success than he could have ever hoped for. Though Zion knew that not all opponents would be swayed by the magic, it was enough that one soul had been saved through its workings. The second circle had exceeded his expectations. As the magician undid his disguise and returned to the workshop he thought to himself that it was worth all the effort. This shield was sure to become a treasured companion alongside the Magic Smith's Hammer in his journey going forward.

---

Word Count: 1924/1500