As they reached the village, Thorian turned to address his two comrades. "Nox, I need you to meet Harald by my house. He'll introduce you to your new partner. After that, wait for my instructions. We can't afford to be hasty with this mission."

"Roger that," Nox replied, a chuckle softening his response. "You're always so serious, Thorian. It's just a reconnaissance mission."

"This is precisely when seriousness is paramount," Thorian retorted, his tone underscored with gravity. He then shifted his gaze to Tristan, "As for you, take this opportunity to familiarize yourself with the village. Enjoy your time with Brix and feel free to pursue whatever piques your interest."

"I understand," Tristan sighed, a tinge of resignation in his voice. "This isn't a battle for me to intervene in. The powers at play are beyond my grasp."

"It's reassuring to hear you understand the situation," Thorian said, his smile brief but genuine. "With any luck, we'll be celebrating tonight, having neutralized a threat to us both."

With these final words hanging in the air, Thorian departed from his companions, setting his course for the Magus Guild. As he treaded the familiar path, a relentless whirlpool of doubts churned within him.

For some inexplicable reason, I'm haunted by the sensation that a vital piece escapes my grasp. With Nox partnering upwith Harald's child, our lines of communication should be secured. Should turmoil arise, my swift feet will ensure I'm at the Strongheart manor within moments, a mere five minutes from the western gate.

Despite this reassurance, a gnawing unease tightened its grip around his heart, whispering of overlooked errors, of a path mistakenly chosen.

A consultation with Elder Oom is necessary. Perhaps there's an ability we've neglected. Only with this assurance can I dispatch Nox free from the shackles of worry.

With a determined push, Thorian relegated these swirling thoughts to the recesses of his mind, focusing on the path that lay before him. As he neared his destination, he seized the moment to experiment with combining spells he had mastered to their fullest extent, beginning with the Fire Pillar and Water Prison spells.

Skill Fusion Complete