Mythshaper

Chapter 71: Homebound

The fall announced its arrival with an unrelenting ashen storm that lasted for weeks. The institution had to be dismissed. Even the most common folks’ livelihoods were hampered. The biggest dilemma I faced, however, was the inability to use my levitation boots.

The ashen storm did fall back now and then, but those were merely intervals, not a true conclusion.

Honestly, I didn’t miss the institution all that much. But what I wouldn’t do if I could spend an hour outdoors swinging a sword.

My days were mostly spent enriching my knowledge base with books or working on the fabricator that the legionaries had commissioned. Weave-breaking duels with Mum were the most fun, and the less said about sand-picking, the better.

The tabard I was preparing for Father had long been completed. While no enchantment seemed to last on his aura, the tabard still held the basic enchantments, which would raise its utility. Well, as long as Father didn’t get into a fight wearing it.

There would be a day when I'll make something he wouldn't have to worry about ruining.

Mum’s painting needed far more intricate work, and I had to sneakily do it late at night. I had already tried and failed multiple times, even after making a thorough schema for it. It was a concern of skill over artistry, and as always, my skill failed to live up to my artistic ambitions.

Well, it might not be too difficult to carve hundreds upon hundreds of micro rune lines on a flat surface, but it was immensely challenging to align all those carvings to make a painting.

I promised myself I would finish it before the storm ceased. If I got everything right, it was merely a night’s work.

I hadn’t been counting time, but it was only after the fiftieth hour that I saw a path towards success. A few more days, and I succeeded in carving out all the light and illusion runes perfectly.

Now, on the canvas, depicted an animated scene of a woman on a swing under the open sky, a baby in her arms, her long bright red hair billowing. The illustration was comely enough, but staring into it for more than a second seemed to pull one into an illusion. Golden and crimson maple leaves danced in the amiable wind, as filtered sun rays flickered on our faces. I found myself in the days of my early years, all my worry and fear non-existent, basking in the warmth of her arms.