TRETTHD 91

Chapter 91. The Bracelet of Protection

At Velia’s words, Habisa’s eyes widened, and she uncrossed her legs. Tilting her head, she studied Velia, now on high alert.

“…How do you know about that?”

Her voice was completely different from before—
heavy, sharp, and edged with suspicion.

The Bracelet of Protection was only in its prototype stage. How could an outsider know about it and even come demanding it?

Habisa’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m in a hurry,” Velia said calmly. “I don’t have the time to wait until it’s released to the world.”

Her original plan had been to approach once Habisa unveiled it publicly. But now, there wasn’t much time left before Khalid departed.

“Explain how you knew I created this.”

No one in the Mage Tower was aware of it. She hadn’t told a soul. That meant—had Velia somehow spied on her while she worked?

Habisa glanced around her room. She sensed no magical devices.

“I’ve heard of people who can wander in spirit form… is that how?” she asked doubtfully.

Velia laughed despite the serious mood. “No. That’s just something you see in novels sometimes.”

Habisa had no way of guessing the truth. Velia hadn’t heard it from anyone, nor spied on her. She knew simply because of memories from her past life.

“I haven’t even named it the Bracelet of Protection yet,” Habisa muttered.

True to her nature as a researcher, she immediately began analyzing the situation.

Then Velia spoke in a meaningful tone.

“Habisa, aren’t you curious how I came to know you?”

But Habisa, deep in thought, only gave her a puzzled look.

“Huh? Well… I am kind of famous, aren’t I? People come to see me all the time. Even more lately.”

…Famous?

Velia blinked in surprise. Was she really that well-known? She hadn’t thought so.

“What, you came here without even knowing my reputation?” Habisa snapped, catching the disbelief in Velia’s eyes. Instead of pressing about the bracelet, she bristled with pride.

“I’ll have you know, I’m one of the Tower’s rising stars! Everything I make sells like wildfire!”

After boasting of her brilliance, Habisa sighed and slumped back against the sofa.

“…So, you didn’t come here because of my reputation. Then how did you know?”

Her voice lost its force. She thought she’d grown quite famous, yet here was someone who didn’t seem to know her at all. It was deflating.

“I saw it in a dream,” Velia said. “You were creating the Bracelet of Protection.”

“Hah. Well, that’s new.”

Habisa studied Velia carefully. She had dismissed her as some random noble, but—her face looked familiar.

Then it struck her. She’d once seen other mages studying this woman’s portrait.

“…Princess?”

At last, Habisa realized who stood before her. Even someone as detached from worldly affairs as herself knew how famous Velia was within the Empire.

The thought of having spoken so rudely to a princess made Habisa wince and close her eyes.

“First of all, forgive my rudeness. I truly didn’t realize who you were.”

Scratching her cheek awkwardly, Habisa muttered. Velia only smiled.

“It’s fine. More importantly, is the Bracelet of Protection complete?”

“…Before I show you the bracelet,” Habisa said, fixing her with a steady gaze, “Your Highness—no, Your Grace—you must explain what you meant by seeing it in a dream.”

Velia nodded gravely.

“I’m telling you this only because I believe you are a true mage who seeks the truth of the world.”

“Of course! Who else could compare with me?” Habisa puffed out her chest proudly. The phrase “true mage” delighted her.

“In my dream, I saw you creating the Bracelet of Protection around this time. It works with magic stones, forming a protective shield whose strength depends on the stone’s power.”

Habisa’s jaw dropped at Velia’s calm explanation.

“I know it sounds unbelievable. But I don’t have time, and I need that bracelet now. Please—give it to me.”

“…But it hasn’t even been tested. It might not work.”

Velia knew otherwise. In her past life, Habisa herself had said it was a flawless success. She was a prodigy brimming with talent.

“It will work,” Velia said firmly. “Because in my dream, you succeeded.”

Habisa couldn’t help but feel pleased. Dream or not, it was recognition.

“Haha… well, even I don’t think it’ll fail. Hah.”

“Then give it to me.”

Velia quickly added, “I’ll compensate you fully. And support you as well.”

Habisa’s face grew serious. Velia sighed. At times like this, only honesty worked.

“…Khalid is in danger. I need a device to protect him right now. And only you can make it, Habisa.”

Her words carried heavy weight. Velia fell silent, waiting for Habisa’s decision.

The room stayed quiet for a long while, until Habisa finally exhaled deeply.

“…All right. But there’s a problem.”

“What problem?” Velia asked.

“I don’t have a magic stone to test it with. I haven’t been able to try it out at all.”

Magic stones were prohibitively expensive. Habisa gave an awkward smile.

“That’s why I couldn’t even show it to the clients who begged for my latest creations.”

If not for that, the bracelet might already have been sold. From Velia’s perspective, that was lucky.

“I have a magic stone.”

Velia pulled out a fist-sized gem she’d prepared beforehand.

“Use this.”

Habisa leaned forward in shock.

“T-This! Where did you get this?”

Such a large magic stone was a rare treasure. She could feel its immense mana instantly.

Velia smirked at her reaction. The stone had been obtained by Khalid during the subjugation of Alag. She had saved it for this very moment.

“It came from a monster subjugation. It isn’t registered anywhere.”

“…And you’re giving this to me? What if I fail?”

“You won’t. You’ll succeed,” Velia said with quiet conviction.

Her words carried faith and encouragement.

“See, this whole stone is filled with mana, but at its core is the nucleus,” Habisa explained excitedly.

“This nucleus is the source, the heart of all its magic power!”

The fist-sized stone dissolved in a special liquid, leaving behind a smooth, shining orb.

Velia, who had never seen such a process before, watched with wide-eyed fascination.

“Then we connect the nucleus to the bracelet!”

With a click, the core fit snugly into the bracelet.

“And then we coat the surface with the dissolved liquid and weave a spell into it!”

Velia’s eyes sparkled. She was witnessing real magic for the first time, so different from what she’d only read in books.

For a natural scholar like her, this was sheer delight. And for Habisa, who rarely had an audience that truly cared about her work, Velia’s keen interest was exhilarating.

“Can you enchant it now?” Velia asked eagerly.

“Of course!”

Overjoyed, Habisa brought the finished bracelet into her private lab—something she had never shown an outsider before. Yet somehow, it felt fine to let Velia in.

“Wow. I’ve never seen a mage’s laboratory before!” Velia exclaimed.

That was natural. Research rooms were private, secretive spaces, seldom shown even to fellow mages.

Habisa placed the bracelet on her desk.

“Here, I’ll enchant it now.”

She drew up her mana, muttering an incantation. Red light swirled in her hands, seeping into the bracelet.

“All done.”

Since the bracelet had already been inscribed with runes, inserting the core and casting the finishing spell took little time.

Habisa handed it to Velia.

“Here. I can’t guarantee perfection—it hasn’t been tested yet.”

The bracelet, set with a black gem at its center, looked elegant and exquisite.

“I’ve set a temporary activation word,” Habisa said, handing her a slip of paper.

“…I don’t know how wide the shield will be. But in an emergency, it should save at least a few people.”

She laughed heartily. “Of course, it’d be better if such a situation never comes.”

“Let’s hope it works,” she added.

Velia nodded, praying earnestly.

If only this can protect Khalid…

Her only hope now was a desperate prayer—that Khalid would return safely. Clutching the bracelet tightly, Velia held on to that wish.