The dragonfly remained resting on Abidemi’s chest, its tiny body carrying the familiar trace of the energy he had come to recognize. Although the creature was merely an insect to ordinary eyes, the connection between it and its caster allowed their conversation to continue without a single spoken word.

After exchanging their pleasantries, the Wanderer listened as his Shadow Pearl finally began to relay the findings of her investigation.

“The only difference I noticed between the item you sent me and the one forged here in the Kingdom was a slight carving on the steel,” she explained. “It was placed near the handle and only became visible when the item...