A crystal shined with radiance, it had a dark blue hue and seemed to give an eerie aura. The large crystal was resting within the strangers arms.
The stranger, was wearing what seemed to be a casual suit, one of a darker shade of blue, he also had a yellow tie, and light gray pants.
The stranger stared down at Archie, who was resting on the ground with a curious, and mostly confused expression.
The stranger talked in what seemed to be a rather casual voice and tone.
"Magic?"
Archie's eyes lit up, he had just been caught talking to himself! On the middle of a deserted island!
It wouldn't have been bad if he had been here for weeks or months, being trapped alone for long periods of time often leads to people going insane. The issue, was being separated from society for a mere day was enough for him to go virtually insane!
Well it wasn't that bad, Archie would commonly talk to himself while he was alone in the old world. Mostly because there wasn't really anyone he could talk to. If he said the wrong thing to one person then they would get angry or yell at him or get sad or a bunch of other random reactions.
The issue, is this casual fancy guy. Overheard him talking to himself!
'Wait nevermind.'
After being silent and thinking to himself for an extended period of time, Archie began to focus on the topic of critical importance. Who cares if this guy thinks he's insane? What is he going to say, "I'm not insane! Believe me please!" Yeah, that's exactly what an insane person would say.
The focus, was magic. Being able to use magic would be a boon in this fantasy world. Plus who knows? Maybe there was a spell to return to one's original world.
Well, mostly the thought of casting fireballs.
Archie cleared his voice, with what seemed to be a tone of embarrassment.
Staring at the stranger. With some newfound sense of confidence.
"Yes magic, you know it?"
The stranger stared at Archie with several questions on his mind.
"Yes I, know it?"
The stranger paused for a moment.
"Sorry, who are you, and how are you here?"
Archie pushed himself off the ground and did a slight waving motion with his right hand.
"I'm Archie Velvet, nice to meet you."
Archie intentionally didn't answer "how are you here?" Question, worrying that the presence of people who don't belong within this world may bring ill will.
By saying a simple greeting, his mind would probably go like this. "I need to respond in a similar casual manner." Forgetting about the importance of how he arrived or what not.
A more confounded expression resided on the stranger's face.
"Archie, of the Velvet clan? I apologize I've never heard of such a clan. I'm assuming it is that of a lesser?"
Archie nodded without understanding.
The stranger also nodded.
"Right, I am Kairo, a former member of Crest. Are you truly unable to use magic?"
Archie quickly shook his head. Awkwardly placing his hand on the back of his head.
"Oh you see, I just never learned magic"
Kario stared awkwardly.
"Despite the backing of a clan, you were never taught magic? How bizarre."
Archie began tapping his fingers together.
"Do you think? You could teach me?"
Kario looked around the lush green forest.
"Well, I would prefer company."
Archie's face lit up.
"However, I will not do it come free. I am currently building a shelter. I wish for your assistance."
Without a second of hesitation.
"Absoulty!"
Some manual labor? That was it? That was the cost of learning magical powers? Archie used to do this kind of stuff without payment, he had to build a whole tree house with his dad one time, harvest fields and do intense farm labor on the daily.
To think, he would actually receive something for his hard work! Well, he did receive food and housing from his parents but he was of a child!
He could do child labor, so he could do man labor!
Surprised by the lack of hesitation, Kairo shrugged and headed off to his incomplete shelter. While they walked they talked about random stuff, Archie asked what that crystal was. Kairo responded that it was a magic crystal.
Archie also asked specific questions, what type of tools he had on hand, how big was this shelter, and things needed. The answers, were rather surprising.
As Archie and Kairo continued through the woods, they eventually came across a partially built wooden shack, it was right alongside the beach, with the sand being only a few feet away. There were several wooden beams on the side of the house.
First thing was first, Kairo placed the magic stone along the ground and sat down beside it, he closed his eyes and seemed to meditate.
The glow of the stone began to dim, as the seconds passed, the stone glow all but disappeared, once Kairo opened his eyes the crystal completely shattered.
Archie watched with a curious expression.
"I'm ready now."
Kairo stood up, and extended his arm towards a pile of ore, sitting alongside the planks of wood. The ore began to glow and very, very slowly melted.
Once some droplets formed from the pile of ore, the droplets began to levitate in the air, shaping themselves into nails. Water droplets seemed to form beside Kairo and quickly cooled down the molten metal.
After the nails were formed, they began to drop to the ground. Then suddenly the water droplets and molten metal fell as well.
With hoarse breaths, and a pale face, Kairo spoke.
"That magic stone, I guess it didn't have much mana."
He lifted up his arm while leaning forward.
"This should be enough."
Archie and Kario got to work, grabbing the already ready planks and using the nails to hold them in place, it only took an hour to finish the house… the quality and durability, were questionable.
But shelter was shelter. It even had a roof, so that was nice.
To Archie, this seemed almost too easy. It was practically nothing.
Kairo spoke, looking at his completed shelter.
"Right, I'll follow through with my end of the deal."
He turned his head.
"Are you ready Archie, to learn magic?"