Metalborn in Skyrim

Here is chapter 1 of 2 today! What do you think of everything so far? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

-------------------------

Kael arrived early for the next class, the anticipation in his chest an unfamiliar but welcome feeling. Today, they would be learning about Enchanting—the art of binding magicka into physical objects. Unlike spellcasting, which had proven to be an uphill battle for him, enchanting intrigued Kael. It was more tangible, structured, something he could manipulate with precision.

At the front of the class stood Professor Selene Veranor, a high elf with long, silver hair and sharp golden eyes. She carried herself with the poised authority of a seasoned scholar, her flowing robes shimmering faintly with enchantments of their own. Before her was an enchanting table, its arcane symbols softly glowing with residual power. On the table, several Soul Gems rested, ranging from the smallest Petty Soul Gem to a Grand Soul Gem, pulsing faintly with captured souls.

Selene addressed the class, her voice crisp and authoritative. "Enchanting is the process of imbuing objects with magicka, giving them properties beyond their mundane form. Unlike spellcasting, where magicka is expended instantly, an enchantment stores the energy within an item for prolonged use." She gestured to the Soul Gems. "The quality of an enchantment is dependent on three factors—the magicka channeled, the soul used to sustain it, and the object receiving the enchantment."

Kael listened intently. This was different from what he had learned about magic so far. Here, instead of fighting against his body's resistance to spellcasting, he might be able to work with his unique abilities in a way that others could not.

Selene continued, placing a simple silver ring on the enchanting table. "The process begins by selecting an item. Some materials take enchantments better than others. Ebony and Daedric metals, for instance, hold powerful magicks, while iron is far less effective."

She held up a Petty Soul Gem next. "The second component is the soul—a captured essence that fuels the enchantment's longevity. The stronger the soul, the longer the enchantment will last before needing to be recharged."

Kael watched as she placed her hand over the ring, channeling magicka into the enchanting table. A faint glow appeared, wrapping around the ring as she murmured an incantation. The moment the soul's energy merged with the metal, an ethereal shimmer pulsed from the table.

She lifted the ring. "This ring now holds a simple Fire Resistance enchantment. A minor effect, but it will slightly reduce the wearer's vulnerability to flames." She passed it to the students, allowing them to examine it. Kael turned it over in his fingers, feeling the faint hum of stored magic.

"Now," Selene said, "it's your turn. Each of you will enchant an item using a Petty Soul Gem. Keep in mind, the enchantment will be weak, but this is an exercise in control, not power."

Kael stepped forward, selecting a silver ring, similar to the one Selene had enchanted. He placed it on the table, gripping the Petty Soul Gem with hesitant fingers. As he reached for the magicka within himself, he expected the same resistance he encountered in spellcasting. But this time, something different happened.

It flowed.

His magicka moved naturally through him and into the table, drawn into the ring like a slow-moving current. The glyphs on the table glowed, the Soul Gem cracked, and the ring pulsed faintly. When the enchantment was complete, Kael lifted the ring and examined it.

Selene leaned over his shoulder, studying his work. "What did you choose?"

"Fire resistance," he answered.

She gave a small nod. "Test it."

Kael did as instructed, holding the ring near a conjured flame. He frowned. The heat felt just as intense as before. Selene studied his face, amused. "I take it the effect is... minor?"

Kael sighed. "It barely works. Maybe one percent resistance?"

Some of the other students snickered, but Selene only chuckled. "Most first enchantments are weak. But your control over the process was steady. That's a good sign."

Kael nodded, deep in thought. While the enchantment had worked, it wasn't useful. But what if he tried something different? What if he combined the enchanting process with his metal-burning ability?

A new idea formed. He set another silver ring on the table and took another Petty Soul Gem. Instead of choosing a standard enchantment, he simply channeled magicka into the item while burning pewter.

The process felt natural—more than it had before. The energy of the soul merged not with a standard spell, but with his own attribute magicka, the power of pewter infusing the metal itself. The ring pulsed, but there was no standard glow, no elemental signature. It looked... unenchanted.

Selene approached again, frowning slightly. "What did you enchant it with?"

Kael hesitated. He had no idea how to explain this. "Uh... I'm not sure."

She took the ring and inspected it closely. "There's no elemental attunement, no sign of restoration or destruction magic. Are you just wasting school resources, Kael?"

Kael clenched his jaw. "Try putting it on."

Selene narrowed her eyes but obliged. The moment she slipped the ring onto her finger, she stiffened. Her posture straightened, and she inhaled sharply. "What—?"

She flexed her hand, then clenched her fist experimentally. "This feels... strange. I feel—stronger."

Then, Kael handed her his second ring, the one he had just finished. "Try this one."

Selene arched an eyebrow but took the ring, slipping it onto another finger. Her breath caught as her vision sharpened, her senses heightened to a degree she had never experienced before. "This... this isn't possible. How does this ring enhance both strength and perception?"

Kael forced himself to appear confused. "I don't know. It just happened."

The professor's expression darkened with thought, her mind racing with possibilities. "Enchantments typically take a single attribute, and layering two effects—especially unrelated ones—is notoriously difficult, if not outright impossible, without specialized materials. Yet this ring holds both enhancements, and it wasn't made using standard enchanting principles."

She looked at Kael with new scrutiny. "If you manage to replicate this again, I want to see it firsthand. You may have discovered something... unprecedented."

—————————————————

Selene walked swiftly through the stone corridors of the College, her mind buzzing with theories and uncertainties. The cold wind howled outside the grand windows, but she barely noticed as she ascended the spiraling staircase that led to the Archmage's quarters. Something about Kael's enchantments disturbed her—not in the way of fear, but in the way of something unknown, something outside the boundaries of standard magical principles. And unknowns were dangerous in the wrong hands.

The wooden door, inscribed with arcane symbols of protection, swung open before she could even knock. Archmage Therion Valgus sat behind an imposing desk of ebony wood, stacks of ancient tomes and parchment neatly arranged in front of him. His robes, embroidered with celestial patterns, shimmered faintly under the candlelight, hinting at enchantments woven into the very fabric. Despite the weight of his title, his presence was calm, almost inviting.

"Selene," he greeted without looking up, his fingers tracing the edge of an old manuscript. "I sensed your urgency. What troubles you?"

Selene hesitated only a moment before stepping forward. "It's about a student. Kael. His enchantments defy convention. He crafted two rings today—one that enhances physical strength and another that simultaneously improves strength and perception. But when I examined them, there was no discernable enchantment, and it doesn't belong to any school of enchantment."

Therion finally looked up, his sharp eyes studying her carefully. "That is… quite the claim. Enchantments always leave traces of their magical origin. What you're describing sounds more akin to a form of adaptive magic, but even that should follow identifiable principles."

She nodded. "And yet, this does not. When I questioned him, he feigned ignorance, though I suspect he is more aware than he lets on."

Therion leaned back in his chair, fingertips pressing together in thought. "Tell me, Selene, have you sensed anything unusual about the boy? Beyond his enchantments?"

Selene exhaled, arms crossed. "He struggles with traditional spellcasting. Conjuration, destruction, alteration—all show signs of resistance, as if the magicka itself fights against him. And yet, when he works through an enchanting table, the resistance fades."

The Archmage tapped a finger against his desk, deep in contemplation. "You said the enhancements he placed were untraceable, yet they function as intended. That suggests one of two things: either he has discovered a completely new form of enchanting—which is highly unlikely—or... he is using a source of power outside conventional magicka."

Selene frowned. "Outside of magicka? You mean divine or Daedric intervention?"

"Perhaps," Therion admitted. "Or something older. Skyrim has its share of relics and forgotten arts. It is also possible that Kael himself is unique—not simply in talent, but in composition. There are cases in history of individuals who process magicka differently. Their very souls act as conduits in ways we don't fully understand."

Selene's lips pressed into a thin line. "Then what do you suggest? Should we limit his access to the arcane facilities? Should we observe him more closely?"

Therion shook his head. "Not yet. We need to understand what he is before we control it. If he truly has stumbled upon something new, then forcing restrictions upon him might drive him to secrecy—or worse, to someone outside the College who would exploit his abilities. No, Selene, for now, I ask only that you watch him. See if he repeats his results, see if he struggles or refines his technique."

Selene considered his words carefully. "And if he proves to be dangerous?"

Therion's expression hardened. "Then we will act accordingly. But knowledge must come first. If Kael is something new… then we must be the first to understand it."

Selene bowed her head. "Understood, Archmage. I will keep you informed."

As she left the chamber, her thoughts were a storm of curiosity and concern. If Kael truly was something new, then his presence at the College could change everything.