After giving Jean a brief but detailed tutorial on how to use the Pale Puppets, she sent all but one of them to "sleep," and guided him towards Mondstadt's commercial district where his new building awaited. There was a renewed vigor in her step as she walked, no doubt she was pleased about having free time now that one of the Puppets was handling her workload.
Arkade wasn't one to eavesdrop, but he heard Jean mutter something about finally being able to try a new "pizza" at the Cat's Tail. He had no idea what that was, but all the more power to her, he supposed.
It was a relatively short distance away, so it didn't take long for them to finally arrive at their destination. As expected, it was shorter than Mondstadt General Goods, but spanned a larger area. Jean fished a key out of her pocket and inserted it into the keyhole of the door. With a twist to the left, the door opened and Arkade took the first steps to his new life in Teyvat.
"Here we are," Jean said as they entered, closing the door behind them. They were greeted with a vast emptiness; a room entirely void of furnishings, walls, or decorations, save for a single wooden column that supported the ceiling. Dust coated everything, and they could even see it floating through the air due to the sunlight entering through the windows. The floors and walls were in decent condition though; lacquered, undamaged, and unpeeling.
In the far back, they could see a stairway leading into the basement.
"I apologize for the state of the building."
"No, this is fine," Arkade reassured her. "Cleaning and renovation on this scale is nothing to any mage with years of experience. I'd say I can fully get this building fully operational and presentable in about… 72 hours, give or take."
"As expected of a great mage," Jean muttered, no longer surprised at what Arkade can pull. She handed him the key she used earlier. "You'll be needing this, I suppose. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call on me or the Knights of Favonius for assistance. On a personal note, thank you for the Pale Puppets. I'll be sure to put them to good use."
"Don't mention it. After all, it was a fair trade for this building."
Jean wanted to argue that giving her 10 magical automaton servants for a rather rundown building was hardly fair, but judging Arkade's character, he probably wouldn't hear any of it.
That actually reminded her…
"Do you happen to have anywhere to sleep for the end of the day?" Jean asked. "If not, I can arrange accommodations for you back at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters or speak to Goth. He owns several lodges and hotels throughout Mondstadt, and I'm certain I can speak with him to make room for you somewhere."
"That's very kind of you, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass. As I said, I can get this building up and running in 72 hours, so I'll be using all 72 hours.
Jean blinked.
"You… plan to work for three days straight without sleeping?" She asked, shocked and concerned.
"That's right," Arkade nodded in confirmation. "This might be surprising to you, but a lot of people from Felven can actually go several days without eating or sleeping. I want to get started as soon as possible by setting up shop."
Several days without eating or sleeping.
Jean herself has often foregone eating and sleeping due to her workload, but never to that extent. She wondered what kind of people lived on Felven to produce someone like Arkade.
"That's… well, if you're certain," Jean said, unsure of what else to say. "I'd ask that you try not to make such a thing a recurring habit. I may not know much about your culture or biology, but you should take care of your health."
"Thank you for the concern, but I'll be fine. Now, I think this is a good place to part ways, I wouldn't want to keep you from your work." Arkade paused dramatically, before pretending to realize something. "Oh, that's right. You actually have an abundance of free time now, don't you?"
Jean laughed, amused and full of relief upon being reminded of that. After two grueling months of being the Acting Grandmaster, performing physical labor and sitting for hours at her desk filing away paperwork, she now had free time.
Her thoughts eventually turned to the new dish that the Cat's Tail unveiled a month ago; a pizza that was folded in half on itself and then pinched closed before being baked until golden brown. The toppings would become the stuffing, and the sealing meant that the air and moisture would become steam, cooking the dough from the inside and keeping all the flavors and juices within.
Diona and Margaret called it a calzone. And now Jean had the opportunity to walk over there right now and eat it. It was literally just across the plaza.
"That's right, I have free time now," Jean said, to Arkade and to herself, savoring the declaration. "And I'm going to use it. I'll see you later, Mister Arkade. I hope your ventures are successful."
"And yours as well."
With a nod and a wave, Jean walked outside the building and across the plaza. Arkade could see from the somewhat dirty windows her blurry figure making her way to what he thought was some kind of tavern or restaurant. There was a sign of a sleeping cat, hanging above.
Arkade eventually turned his gaze back to the empty room he found himself in. While many people would dread needing to clean up and refurbish, he was not one of them. Instead he saw the emptiness as boundless potential for what Teyvat had to offer him, and what he could offer Teyvat.
Arkade held out his right hand, and the dust began to move. Floor, walls, cracks, air, it didn't matter where, it all began to gather and coalesce above his gloved palm. In the end, he was left with a giant ball of dust that was nearly twice the size of his head.
Then, it began to shrink.
Slowly, the ball of dust reduced in size until it was about as big as his head. Then it was as big as his fist. Then it was about the length of his finger.
Finally, it reached the point where it was half the size of his fingernail.
He manifested a mystical spark within the small ball, causing it to catch on fire. After a single second, the ball of dust was gone. Not even ashes remained.
And now it was time for some redecoration.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A little less than 72 hours later…
One of the first things Bennett's many fathers told him when he decided to become an Adventurer was that he should always stock up before heading out on a commission. After all, an Adventurer is expected to brave the wilderness for long periods of time, and he would need to make sure that whatever he took would last the entire trip.
It was good, solid advice to follow. Unfortunately for all of them, Bennett's luck is just… abysmal.
Whatever supplies he packed, he would always end up losing. It wasn't uncommon for monsters to target his satchel rather than himself and damage the supplies beyond repair, nor was it uncommon for adverse weather conditions to somehow manifest on a clear and sunny day, leaving him soaked and his resources unusable.
It also wasn't uncommon for him to put down his satchel for a moment and to later find it just… missing.
Whenever that happened, all Bennett could do was sigh and prepare himself for another round of scavenging for supplies in the wilderness. He was, at the very least, good at that, thanks to the tutelage of his fathers.
For better or worse, he was used to this.
And so here he was in the marketplace yet again, an empty satchel latched on to his back, ready to supply himself with things that would most likely, inexplicably, end up becoming unusable fodder. Sunrise was the best time to start, since some shops opened early and most people were still sleeping. That meant less people could buy all the goods.
In the absence of activity, something caught his eye.
"Hm? What's that?"
Bennett was familiar with the marketplace, remembering both the shops and their owners. The constant buying, losing, and buying of supplies has made him an unfortunate regular that knew what could be bought where and who was selling it. The shopkeepers knew him too, as they would give him soft looks of pity and offer him a discount (which he greatly appreciated).
But that shop? That was a new addition to the place.
It was a one-storey building, designed with the like and make of every building in Mondstadt, and wasn't particularly flashy or extravagant. It was shorter than the General Goods store, but was slightly bigger in area, and had a bay window that let him see inside. He could see various items and trinkets resting on shelves and tables within, as well as a tall man behind a counter.
He was doing something, but Bennett couldn't make out what. It was too far away and too blurry for him to be accurate.
His eyes fell to the sign above the door.
Arkanum
For all your mystical needs
A… magic shop?
Bennett felt curiosity bloom in his chest. He may not be familiar with magic, but he knew what it was and acknowledged its existence. The Pyro Vision hanging off his hip was proof of supernatural power, and he'd seen the alchemist Timmaeus work the crafting bench before to make items and potions in a flash of light.
And before they left on the expedition, the 8th Division would often showcase some of their inventions and products to the people, usually during festivals and celebrations like Windblume.
But what could this store possibly contain?
Ad Astra Abyssosque.
Swallowing his nerves, Bennett walked to the front of Arkanum until he was standing in front of its wooden door. He gently pushed it open and walked inside, causing the small bell near the top to chime a soft, gentle sound.
And then… he felt it.
There was a strange kind of… weight in the air. A pressure that he could not name, but felt its presence throughout his body. His eyes, bright with curiosity and wonder, wandered throughout the interior of the room, taking in all that he could.
Various display tables and shelves contained a number of items, tools, and trinkets. He saw one section that was seemingly dedicated to vials and bottles that contained swirling, glowing liquids that he recognized right away as potions. Some of them were by themselves while others were tied together in a bundle. Nearby were cabinets and cases that had raw materials like metals, stones, herbs, flowers, and… fruit?
One shelf had books that displayed the front of them rather than their spines. Their covers had strange symbols and letterings that were vaguely Teyvatian, but were off in a way he couldn't quite place. He thinks one of the titles is "Advanced Applications of Runecraft."
Clothes hung on racks and within display cases, alongside jewelry like rings and necklaces that were lined up neatly and aesthetically. There were casual and formal designs, but some were also odd and eccentric, clearly foreign. They had this strange allure and pull that made Bennett want to try them on, but he managed to refrain himself.
Paintings decorated the walls. Some of them were still, but some of them were animated and moving. He could see a beach resembling Cider Coast that had crashing waves and birds circling the sky. Looking closer, the sun in the painting was actually radiating a soft light that provided some illumination.
There was all that, and so much more.
Bennett felt like he stepped into another world.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Arkade looked up from his book (A gift that Jean dropped off called Mondstadt's History: Abridged) and watched, with no small amount of amusement, as the young man's emerald eyes practically shined with amazement.
Actually, not even a young man. This was definitely a teenager, considering his height and youthful face. His white hair was short and messy with a pair of goggles resting on top, and his pale skin was covered with scars and bandages.
He was wearing what seemed to be a cream-colored vest with blue and gold details, and on his right arm was a yellow sash tied into a knot. His gloves were short and thick, and his navy shorts were fastened by several belts with a pouch on his left hip and a satchel on his back. The color of his boots matched his shorts, but were textured and designed like his gloves.
Arkade marked the page before closing it, diverting his full attention to this teen that wandered into his shop.
"Good morning and welcome, child," Arkade greeted. "I am Arkade, master and owner of this fine establishment. Who might you be?"
Bennett started, snapping back from his thoughts and wonder. "Oh! Uh, I'm Bennett. I saw the sign at the front and lights were on and… this is a magic shop, right?" He managed to stumble through.
"That's right. Arkanum creates and sells magical items for negotiable prices, and I am more than amenable to custom-made orders or enchanting items you bring yourself. I am also available for hire to fulfill requests."
"Requests?" Bennett asked, as it sounded similar to commissions issued by the Adventurer's Guild.
"Indeed. Customers and individuals can come to me with tasks or jobs that require a… mystical touch that ordinary labor can't match. I can easily use my magic to care for multiple fields of crops as easily as I can use it to exorcise ghosts and phantoms. Arkanum is more than a magic shop; you can think of it as a Mage's Guild, though I am the only member for now."
A Mage's Guild. Those words sent a wave of wonder and excitement through Bennett. He briefly fantasized about Adventurers and Mages working together to complete commissions and how cool it would be.
"But I digress," Arkade said, getting back on topic. "What can I do for you, child? Looking for items or are you putting in a request for a job?"
Bennett paused, considering what to say next. The idea of owning a magical item, maybe even a weapon, was greatly appealing to him. A powerful, mystical sword that could cut down any monster, what kind of hot-blooded Adventurer would pass that up?
No, no he was getting ahead of himself. A real Adventurer shouldn't rely solely on his weapon to solve his problems.
"You can enchant items that people bring in? Then, can you enchant my satchel?" Bennett pulled the satchel from behind him and laid it gently on the countertop. It seemed new and freshly made, Arkade could not only see that it had no wear and tear, but he could also smell the fresh scent.
"And what kind of enchantments would you like me to add to it? Or rather, what kind of use do you want out of it?"
Bennett rubbed the back of his neck, abashed. "I was wondering if you could make it more durable? I often need to get new satchels because I end up either losing it or it gets damaged, and the stuff inside is no longer usable."
Arkade hummed in thought, letting his hands feel and pass over the satchel. He already had in mind what kind of spells would be suitable for what Bennett was asking for. "I think I know exactly what would help you out. It can be done."
"And… How much Mora would it cost?" Bennett asked, dreading what he would hear next. He wondered if it would be out of his price range, and that he might have wasted everyone's time.
"As I mentioned earlier, I am willing to haggle and negotiate prices. But since you are my very first customer…" Arkade paused for dramatic effect. "...This one will be free."
Free.
Bennett blinked a few times. "Did… you just say free?" He repeated, wondering if he had just heard right. He was actually going to get something for free? Not discounted, not pay-over-time, but free right from the start?
"That's right." Arkade nodded, getting ready to work his craft. "Today is your lucky day."
Bennett started to laugh, as if he just heard the funniest joke ever told. Arkade wanted to ask what was so funny, but put it off and began the process.
Magic was change, and change required energy. After energy is acquired, one must have a "focus," a vivid image or idea of what they desire so that the energy gains purpose and intent. Then came the shaping, guiding the energy so that it matches the "shape" of the "focus."
This was the hardest part. It wasn't a literal shape but a metaphorical one, for how does an idea have form? It was a process that required intuition and "feeling" for the right shape instead of relying on conscious effort.
How fortunate that he's been doing this for several decades.
The satchel began to glow as Arkade started to engrave two spells onto it. Bennett could only watch in amazement as magic was happening before his eyes.
[Alter Space], to increase the inner dimensions of the satchel so that it could carry more than it appeared to.
[Durability II], to increase the satchels resistance to wear and tear, alongside rough weather conditions.
He layered them on top of each other, careful not to disturb the border between them lest they interfere with each other and collapse. The glow diminished as Arkade finished applying the enchantments.
Bennett couldn't help but wonder if this was supposed to be that quick, or was it just evidence of Arkade's skill that it finished so fast.
"There you go." Arkade handed the satchel back to Bennett, who was holding it like it was some kind of treasure. "Your newly made magic satchel."
Holding it within his hands, Bennett could feel a foreign power dwelling within it and throughout. His Pyro Vision was similar that way, and a quick activation of Elemental Sight confirmed the flow of energy that was like Pyro, but so obviously different.
So this was magic?
"As per your request, I've enchanted it with [Durability II]. While it may not be indestructible, it is certainly a far cry from ordinary leather and armor. I've also increased its carrying capacity using [Alter Space] to about three cubic meters."
Bennett opened the satchel and, oddly enough, could only see darkness. He experimentally put his hand inside and didn't feel the bottom, but instead it just went deeper and deeper until his entire arm was inside the small satchel, almost taking his shoulder as well.
It really was bigger on the inside.
The young Adventurer drew his arm back and stared at the satchel in astonishment.
"Do you, Bennett, accept this satchel as its rightful owner?" Arkade asked.
The young Adventurer was confused, but answered him. "Uh, yes?"
The moment the word passed his lips, he felt an odd warmth pass over his body. It started over his skin before reaching deep into his bones, but as quickly as it came it vanished.
"What… what was that just now?"
"That was "Binding." It's not really a spell, more than it is a clever application of energy control. The energies within the satchel and the energy of your own soul are now intertwined with each other. Meaning that you are the only one who can access it, and will now have a subconscious intuition on where it is at all times… also it will come to you."
"Come to me?"
"It's better to show you. Leave the satchel on the counter and take three steps back."
Bennett did as he was told until he was a fair distance away.
"Now extend your arm forward and focus on the satchel. Take in where it is and where you are, and imagine the distance between slowly shrinking and becoming closer."
Bennet followed the instructions and felt what he could only describe as a tugging sensation. The satchel on the counter seemed to twitch as if it were alive, before rolling over and falling off the counter. It then began to slowly "crawl" its way across the wooden floor until it touched Bennett's boots.
"It takes some focus, but you can actually call your satchel to you if you end up losing or dropping it."
The young teen slowly leaned down and gingerly picked up the satchel before placing it on the back of his waist, securing it in place.
"I… I don't know what to say," he managed to get out. "I honestly feel kind of bad not paying you."
"I assure you, I wouldn't make such a deal if I was not confident that I could easily make more Mora later. Magic is a very enticing force for the everyday person, after all," Arkade assured him. "But you still can give me Mora if you want to buy anything else. Is there anything you want to buy?"
"... Do you have anything that can help with bad luck?"