Gunmage-Chapter 270: Lords of innovation

"How much do you know about the magic you just used?"

The question threw him slightly off balance, though it wasn’t exactly unexpected. In truth, he might have been more concerned if they hadn’t asked it.

As for the magic itself, it was something Emrys had relied on frequently—closely aligned with his personal style. That much, at least, Lugh had gathered from the elf’s memories.

But if his past experiences were anything to go by, he couldn’t fully trust those memories. That had become a persistent problem. A quiet, festering thing in the back of his mind.

He now understood—clearly—that he had not, in fact, consumed the complete consciousness of his victims.

Despite what the Mawglass tried to make him believe, he hadn’t inherited the full weight of their knowledge, their wisdom, or their lives.

His mind kept insisting otherwise, lulling him into a false narrative.

The contradiction was beginning to tax him, and the implications were far worse than the strain itself.

It was Xhi who had brought this to light.

Prior to that revelation, the entity she worshipped had already made its presence known to Lugh—visiting him in the blurred haze of unconsciousness.

It had left behind a not-so-subtle reminder: "Use your abilities"

But after what the priestess had revealed—after she’d told him that even his own sense of judgment was fundamentally compromised—calling it "reluctance" to use the soul-devouring aspect of the Mawglass was laughably insufficient.

Which led him to a new question.

Why was Xhi, of all people, seemingly working against the goals of her patron? Why warn him at all?

If he didn’t know better, he would have suspected she was actively sabotaging the intentions of the being she served.

Temporarily sidelining that dangerous train of thought, he brought himself back to the present. Back to the elves in the room. They had asked something, hadn’t they?

Right.

How much did he know about the magic he used?

Lugh shrugged, answering with quiet honesty.

"I’m not sure what you mean."

Zhou frowned. Jahira mirrored the expression, though her eyes were a shade more skeptical. It was she who spoke next.

"Who taught you that technique?"

Selaphiel cut in at that point, sharp but measured.

"Alright, that part stays confidential. Not everyone here is a house member, after all."

Her eyes flicked toward Zhou, who scoffed in visible annoyance but said nothing—for now.

Selaphiel turned back to Lugh, tone softer.

"You really don’t know what you just did, do you?"

He gave her a cautious glance but didn’t respond. His silence said more than any words could.

Selaphiel exhaled long and slow.

"To explain this properly, we’d have to start from the beginning—"

"Actually,"

She added, suddenly turning toward Zhou,

"I think Zhou would be far better suited for this. It’s kind of her thing."

"No it’s not,"

Zhou cut in immediately, almost reflexively.

"Yes, it is,"

Selaphiel replied, breezy and unbothered.

"Lugh, pay attention. She gets prickly when people zone out."

Lugh gave a slow, obliging nod, just in time for Zhou to bristle.

"Hey, hey! Who said I agreed to explain anything to him? What’s in it for me?"

Selaphiel sighed, already weary of the argument.

"Zhou, don’t be difficult."

"Difficult? I’m being difficult?"

Zhou raised an incredulous eyebrow.

"Keep your voice down,"

Selaphiel murmured, glancing at the others in the room.

"It’s not like you’re about to reveal a forbidden ancient truth."

"And yet you want me to do it. So tell me—why would I?"

"This is a cooperation, Zhou."

"Cooperation?"

Zhou scoffed.

"With your treacherous self?"

The argument began to spiral from there.

"I’m just saying,"

Selaphiel insisted,

"Surely you don’t think you can manage Lyra’s potential alone."

"I do,"

Zhou said flatly.

"We both know that’s not going to end well."

"Do we?"

"Yes. We do. Just explain things to the boy so we can all move on without doing something regrettable."

The back-and-forth reminded Lugh of the original purpose of their discussion. Though he had a growing suspicion this entire squabble wasn’t just about him.

A clash of pride, even on the smallest of matters. Typical elves.

Eventually, Zhou relented with a heavy exhale.

"Fine. Listen up, kid."

Her tone was laced with a touch of false enthusiasm. frёewebnoѵēl.com

"Let’s start with the fundamentals,"

She said.

"We normally cast spells through a medium—specific methods or channels to invoke the arcane.

These mediums vary. Some people use incantations. Others rely on magic circles. Most use both. Especially for structured, stable casting."

Lugh kept quiet, unsure of where she was going with this, but he paid attention.

"Alright then,"

Zhou continued,

"Now we get to humans."

At this, Lugh’s interest sharpened.

"Your species has always been... fascinating.

You live short lives. But unlike the beastkin—whose lives are even shorter and whose priorities revolve around conquest, survival, and reproduction—humans seem driven by something else entirely.

Always striving to achieve something. Something lasting. In a way, humans are the lords of innovation."

Lugh raised an eyebrow.

The elf noticed and continued without missing a beat.

"Yes, I’ll admit it. Freely. It’s always been amusing—enjoyable even—to watch your species refine the comforts of life. I mean, look at modern plumbing. That’s arguably one of the greatest inventions of the past cent—"

Selaphiel cleared her throat. Loudly.

"You’re going off-topic."

Zhou glanced at her.

Selaphiel held the stare for a few seconds, then cracked.

"Okay, okay, they’re a delight. I’ve seen enchanted forests, floating cities, and underwater islands... yet nothing beats coming home to a clean toilet."

This time it was Jahira who cleared her throat.

"We’re straying again,"

She murmured, trying to steady the direction of the conversation.

But Lugh locked eyes with her, his gaze flat and intense, asking a silent question.

She faltered under the weight of it.

"What?"

She snapped, defensive.

"We’re mages, not animals. Waste systems exist. They’re just... less efficient. Expensive, and resource-heavy."

"I see,"

Lugh said, before turning his gaze back to Zhou.

"Continue."

The tall elf blinked, pulled out of her revelry.

"Oh. Right. Humans. Innovation. All that."

She cleared her throat.

"The thing is, innovation doesn’t stop at mundane things..."

"...it extends to the arcane"

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