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A few days before Olivia and Elliot went to the church, the final round of judging for the women’s magic jewelry category of the Magic Item Design Awards was held in a large meeting room with a plush red carpet inside the Artificers Guild.
“Our seventh piece is a fatigue-reduction brooch crafted by Artificer Rylia of Burming’s Magic Items.”
Six people were sitting around the large mahogany table, which included the Guild Master, Assistant Guild Master, and two women and men each in dresses and suits that immediately marked them as members of the nobility.
The clerk set a box in front of the six people and explained, “This is the seventh piece.” She gently lifted the brooch out of the box using gloved hands. It was a large, diamond-shaped brooch with intricately cut edges.
As she placed it on a velvet cloth, one of the noblewomen smiled. “I know I said that pendant from earlier was nice, but this is incredible as well.”
“It really is,” commented the Assistant Guild Master. “There are many attractive designs this year.”
“The piece that took gold last year incorporated a style that had recently become popular. It seems many have learned from that,” continued one of the noblemen with a satisfied nod.
“It is important to work trends into your pieces. I feel that has greatly increased the average level this year.”
“I agree. However, while all the pieces are wonderful, the designs are all very similar. I feel as if they’re somewhat lacking in originality.”
“That is true. There are no standout pieces like there were last year. It will be difficult to select gold from these.”
The nobles nodded in agreement and murmured amongst themselves that they may not award gold at all this year.
The clerk turned on her heel to bring the next piece when there was a knock on the door. It opened, and a guild employee led in a tall young man wearing a stylish navy suit, his platinum-blond hair neatly combed back.
The nobles jumped to their feet.
“Oh, my,” exclaimed one. “I didn’t think we’d have the pleasure of seeing you here.”
The young man smiled politely. “Please, sit. I happened to be stopping by the Guild when I heard you were in the middle of judging. I was a little curious and hoped I might be able to watch for a short time. I won’t be long. Please, continue and pay me no mind.”
He leaned against the wall near the door and gestured for them not to worry about him. The nobles nodded in understanding, retook their seats, and continued discussing the entries. A similar conversation ran for the following two pieces.
“The final piece is an anti-poison ring by Artificer Olivia Lysley of Gordon’s Magic Appliances.”
When the six judges saw the piece, they let out gasps of astonishment.
“What a lovely design!” proclaimed one noblewoman. “It’s almost like a piece of jewelry a flower sprite might wear.”
“This incorporates a floral motif, which is a different sort of trend. This is very nice and very original,” gasped the other noblewoman.
While the two of them were singing the praises of the beautiful ring formed into flowers, the noblemen looked less convinced.
“It is the most beautiful of the pieces we’ve seen so far, and the most unique. It’s a breakthrough design. However, the size of those stones… It would have barely any effect at all, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes, that is a problem. The efficacy is decided by the stone’s size, is it not?”
The Guild Master cleared his throat. “Actually, this piece uses a new technique developed by Ms. Lysley. It has complete anti-poison protection, the same as the other pieces.”
“What?! Is that even possible?”
“It is. I’ve confirmed its efficacy.”
With this, the nobles burst into excited discussion at having finally found a submission of interest.
The young man with violet eyes watched with his arms crossed, a small smile on his lips.
“Well then, are we all in agreement that Ms. Lysley’s piece will be awarded the gold?” the Guild Master spoke in a raised voice.
“Yes, this is a gold-worthy piece.”
“Agreed. It’s incredible.”
“I hope she offers similar pieces for sale soon. I would absolutely buy one!”
The young man quietly left the room as he listened to them. He walked down the carpeted hallway, smiling as he whispered, “Congratulations,” with a look of satisfaction as he left the Guild.
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ONE evening, a few days after the new year and as the cold had begun to subside, Olivia was helping Harrison develop new magic products in his workroom.
“Mr. Harrison, what if we try putting a command line in here?”
“If we do that, we’d best imbue a different formula over here.”
“Ah. Well, then, if we add it in here…”
The two of them were staring at a magic circle drawn on a piece of paper on the desk, like they often did, going back and forth when the door burst open.
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Olivia and Harrison both jumped and turned toward the sound, where they saw Gordon, his shoulders heaving like he’d run a marathon. In his hand were crumpled pieces of white paper.
“Ah, Gordon?!” cried Olivia, her eyes wide at the sight of the man she owed so much to in a state she’d never seen before.
He grinned and shoved the papers toward her. “Olivia, you got gold!”
“What?!”
“I just got word from the Guild. You won gold!”
Olivia took the paper from Gordon, who was tearing up with joy, her own eyes still round. With shaking hands, she opened the paper.
“The submission, Anti-Poison Ring, by Artificer Olivia Lysley of Gordon’s Magic Appliances, has been selected for the gold prize. Signed, Baran Heath of the Artificers Guild.”
The second piece of paper explained she was awarded gold for its original, cutting-edge design, high efficacy, and development of a new technique along with its potential use.
“You did it, Olivia!” shouted Gordon.
“Incredible! Your hard work paid off!” proclaimed Harrison.
Gordon thumped her back as she stared at the paper in a daze, all sorts of thoughts running through her head, from the hard times to the fun moments.
She found herself pressing her fingers to her eyes to hold back the tears. Harrison looked at her warmly.
Gordon grinned and yelled, “All right! Today, we celebrate! I’m getting everyone together, and we’re going to the bar!”
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“IT’S freezing…”
That night, Olivia was climbing the fire escape on the side of the already closed shop to the fifth floor where the dorms were, guided by the light of the streetlamps.
Sigh. That was fun.
Gordon had thrown a celebration party for her. Everyone from the shop was there, as happy as if they’d won the award themselves, and it made for an enjoyable night.
I’m so blessed to have such good mentors.
She arrived at the fifth floor at the top and rummaged through her bag for the key to open the door. Once inside, she turned on the magic lamp hung on the wall and walked down the dim hall to her room.
Hm?
Once she got to her room, she saw a large bag hanging from the doorknob. Inside was a white box tied with a red ribbon and a note that stated, “This was delivered today.” Someone must have accepted the delivery and brought it up here for her.
Grateful, she took the bag inside and turned on the magic heater. She closed the curtains and took off her outer layer, then took the box out of the bag and set it on her table.
This is a fancy box, and the ribbon is thick. It must have been expensive.
A subtle, pleasant aroma wafted from the glossy paper box. She undid the ribbon and opened the box, her eyes growing large at the sight.
Oh my gosh!
Inside was a bouquet of adorable flowers, the sort of thing you could immediately put out as decoration, along with a letter. The primary flowers in the bouquet were blue irises, and there was a card explaining that they represented congratulations and hope.
The letter read, “Congratulations on winning gold. Let’s get special pancakes as a celebration. Your good friend, Elliot.”
Olivia giggled after reading the letter. He was quick to hear the news, as always. She placed the bouquet on the shelf beside the window, a smile playing at her lips as she whispered, “Thank you, Elliot. I can’t wait for some special pancakes.”
Outside her window were the beautiful stars sparkling like diamonds.