The next morning sunlight poured through narrow windows and lit the workshop with warm gold. Logan awoke on a cot set up beside the worktable. He had fallen asleep while sketching designs for new weapon frames. His mind still pulsed with ideas. Mechanisms. Core channels. Reinforced grips. He rubbed his eyes and sat up.

Outside workers moved early carrying materials. Coalition guards rotated shifts. The facility never slept. Logan stepped into the main room and found Lira waiting with a tray of food bread dried meat fruit slices and a metal cup of spiced tea.

She bowed lightly. Good morning Logan Mercer. Officer Thalen requested that I bring your breakfast and update you on the morning reports.

Logan took the tray. Thank you. I guess I need to get used to this sort of treatment.

Lira smiled faint. Only until you tell us to stop.

Logan ate slowly while Lira reviewed a small tablet. There are three urgent matters. First Vorn delivered your prototypes last night. The buyer was impressed. Word is spreading faster than expected. Some factions are angry they missed the first deal.

Logan sighed. That sounds like trouble.

It is she said. But manageable.

What is the second matter Logan asked.

Lira hesitated. Scouts from the Silver Courts were seen near the northern routes. They are searching for you but have not yet discovered this compound.

Logan placed the cup down. Then we do not have much time.

Correct.

He rubbed his temples. And the third

Lira spoke carefully. Several merchants and independent fighters have gathered outside the compound requesting to see you. Some want work. Some want to buy. Some want to join your team.

Logan nearly choked. Join my team I have not even designed a stable process yet.

Lira nodded. People want to be part of something new. Your reputation is spreading and you have not even crafted your first official item.

Logan stared at the forge. This is spiraling too fast.

Lira answered. That is why the Coalition exists. To slow the chaos.

Logan finished eating then stood. All right. Bring me the candidates for assistants. One at a time. I need to choose carefully.

Lira blinked. Immediately

Logan nodded. Yes. If I am building weapons that shape the realm I need people I trust.

Lira bowed. I will prepare them.

When she left Logan took a deep breath and faced the central worktable. He unrolled a sheet of parchment showing his initial sketches. Unlike the prototypes the Coalition needed something scalable. Something consistent for distribution. A weapon simple enough to reproduce but advanced enough to surpass what the realm currently used.

He muttered. Start simple. A reinforced sidearm. Or a crossbow variant with easier assembly. Or modular blades.

He sat and began sketching. He drew frames channels and bone plates. He imagined how magic cores could power a stabilizer without overcharging. He thought of soldiers using these in outposts like Brinn. Stronger weapons meant fewer casualties. Better defense. More stability.

He lost track of time until Lira knocked on the door. The first candidate is ready.

Logan stood. Send them in.

A large man with calloused hands entered wearing a thick apron and scarred bracers. His beard was trimmed but uneven. He moved with the confidence of a long time blacksmith. He introduced himself with a deep voice. My name is Darrin Stone. I seek work in your forge.

Logan asked. What experience do you have with bone shaping

Darrin shook his head. None. I work metal. But I learn fast.

Logan tested him with a few questions about structural integrity and heat stability. Darrin answered with basic but honest knowledge. Logan appreciated his humility. But beastbone and cores required precision.

Logan said. I may call on you later for metalwork. For now I need someone with more versatility.

Darrin bowed respectfully. Understood.

Lira guided him out and returned with a second candidate. A woman with short hair and sharp eyes. She wore a belt lined with thin tools and moved like someone who preferred delicate tasks. She introduced herself with a steady voice. My name is Mira Keen. I specialize in fine mechanisms. Clockworks locks precision joints.

Logan felt immediate interest. Mechanisms were rare in this realm. He asked a few technical questions about tension calibration and weight distribution. Mira answered quickly and with detail. She understood balance and micro adjustments.

Logan nodded. I may have a place for you. Wait outside.

She bowed and left.

Lira brought in the third candidate. A young man with nervous energy. His hair messy. His robes stained with fading sparks. He introduced himself. I am Renn. I work with magic stabilizers.

Logan studied him. Do you know how cores behave under stress

Yes Renn said. I have spent six years in a core refinement facility. I know how they crack and how they overload. I know how to prevent explosions.

Logan raised his eyebrows. That was important. Very important.

Logan nodded. Wait outside with Mira.

When the interviews ended Logan stood with Lira at his side. He folded his arms. Mira and Renn. They seem promising.

Lira nodded. A mechanist and a core handler. A strong combination.

Logan looked at his forge. Good. I need them. This workshop is too big for one person.

Lira asked. Shall I bring them in

Logan took a deep breath. Yes.

She guided them inside. Logan addressed them firmly. If you join my team you follow my rules. This forge operates under strict safety and design control. We craft with beastbone and cores. Mistakes can kill. If you cannot handle that walk away now.

Neither of them moved.

Logan continued. You both understand that what we build here will change the realm. I will not tolerate corruption spies or divided loyalties. This forge is a neutral ground under Coalition protection. You answer to me. No one else.

Mira nodded calmly. I accept.

Renn swallowed but nodded. I accept too.

Logan finally relaxed. Then welcome to my forge.

Lira stepped forward. There is more news Logan. A messenger arrived from Outpost Brinn. Captain Rhea sends a warning. The Crimson Trace is regrouping. And the Silver Courts have issued a bounty.

Logan froze. A bounty On me

Lira nodded. Yes. Several kingdoms want your location. The realm moves faster than expected. You must work quickly.

Logan stared at the glowing forge. The heat pulsed like a heartbeat. His heartbeat.

He whispered. Then it begins.

He turned to his team.

Mira. Renn. Prepare the station.

Because Logan Mercer was no longer designing prototypes.

He was about to build his first official weapon
As the Coalition’s chief arms artisan
And the realm would soon witness what true innovation looked like.