Modern Age Online

Luckily, with a help from Farrah, Kaleb remembered that when Daivor had taken up residence in his lab he had unlocked certain blueprints in his workbench’s interface. It also came with a reminder: He needed the Summoning Domain to raise the Gnome’s abilities. He didn’t know exactly what all that entailed, but Daivor was a Level 2 Builder Gnome. That meant he could raise in level and, supposedly receive greater bonuses.

Kaleb along with Roy and Daivor huddle around his interface. Kaleb briefly wondered what the NPC’s were seeing, but he quickly set that aside and looked through the interfaces tabs. He had one for buying machinery and lab equipment, another for basic tools, and now there was one that for blueprints. Kaleb didn’t recall seeing this tab early and once he clicked on it, he figured out why.

The tab only had 3 Blueprints listed. A Gnome Home (Builder), Fairy Den, and a Gremlin Nest. Although Kaleb couldn’t think of a reason for someone to invite Gremlins into their lab. Didn’t Gremlins break things? Kaleb guessed that this is where system rewarded blueprints went. He briefly wondered about saving his own blueprints in the interface, but he put that aside for now.

Kaleb clicked on the Gnome Home which, thankfully, didn’t cost him anything. Immediately his screen filled with the design blueprints for a Gnome Home. Which looked almost like what Daivor described. It was a squat house with a large tower attached to one side of the house. Kaleb tapped a button marked ‘mobile’ and the image shimmered before popping from the screen. Kaleb now had a paper blueprint he laid flat on the table. Once the blueprint was out Roy and Daivor finally reacted to what he was doing.

“See, now that is a House.” Daivor said excitedly.

Roy tilted his head as he studied the blueprint. “It’s made of metal. Why is that?”

Daivor smiled wide. “Don’t worry about that. A little magic and it will be a regular Sunday home.”

Once Kaleb had finished translating Daivor’s words he went to gather the components. It didn’t look like the home would take much to build. A few sheets of metal, a few bolts, maybe solder it in a few places, and they would be finished. However, once he had picked up the first piece of metal to cut down, Daivor spoke up.

“Not that one?”

Kaleb glanced down at the sheet metal. “Because?”

“It’s just not right.” Daivor said sounding unsure.

“Okay.” Kaleb said setting the sheet down and reaching for another.

“Not that one either.”

Kaleb stood up and stared hard at the gnome. “Are you dicking with me? Because it feels like you are dicking with me.”

Daivor shrugged his shoulders. “Not really, I have a sense about these things. Maybe it’s because it will be my home. I feel that it has to be made with the right parts.”

Kaleb sighed loudly. “Ok, so how about you choose the parts while Roy and I cut them down and build the house?”

Daivor slowly nodded as Kaleb walked over to let Roy know the plan. The Gnome inspected the various bits of metal and Roy would hand them off to Kaleb. Kaleb then cut them down to the correct size and set them aside. The metal sheeting was the easiest, the metal bolts, screws, and brackets took forever, though. Daivor dove through the tubs of various bits of junk and tech before he found the screws or bolts he liked. Then he would go through again.

As Roy and Kaleb waited for the next piece, they discussed the Gnome Home and its Magical properties. They both felt the Gnome Home itself was merely a framework a Gnome poured power into in order to make its home. Kaleb figured it worked like the pocket dimension the Williamson’s had mentioned. Roy, having a limited knowledge of Magic, just assumed that the Magic made the inside larger or something to that effect.

“So will you excited to graduate this Friday?” Kaleb asked, taking a bolt from Daivor and placing it on his table.

“Yeah, I guess. Honestly, I am more excited for next Wednesday.”

Kaleb nodded remembering that was Roy’s 18th birthday. The day he was probably registering to be a Super.

“What now sentimental feelings about leaving school and going into the great big world?” Kaleb joked as he screwed into place.

Roy casually tossed Daivor into another tub as he answered. “Hardly. I am the crazy kid who wants to be a Super.”

“Really, it’s not a popular vocation?” Kaleb asked legitimately surprised.

“Not really. People do die doing your line of work, you know. There are plenty of safer jobs out there. If you don’t have powers, others consider it pretty weird to want to be a Super.”

“Meh, better to be weird.” Kaleb said looking over what he had completed so far.

The Gnome Home so far resembled a slightly bigger, metal, gingerbread house. It had odd sharp corners, lumpy bolts sticking out at weird angles, and he was sure the tower was tilting slightly to the left. Whenever he or Roy brought this up though, Daivor would brush them off telling them to ‘trust the Magic.’ Eventually they both grew tired of mentioning the sloppy art project’s problems and they silently continued working.

The remaining work took several more hours, with Daivor hunting and picking the parts. Soon though Roy and Kaleb were haphazardly moving the cumbersome piece of modern art into the space Daivor wanted. Once it was down however the spent another few minutes tweaking it this way. It got so bad that Roy threatened to punt the Gnome into the next county if he didn’t stop nitpicking.

“I am not picking nits, This has to be done carefully, there’s a science to this.”

“A science… to Magic?” Kaleb asked after translating for Roy.

“Yep, now tilt the damn thing this way a little more.” Daivor ordered.

Kaleb sighed and moved the Gnome Home a back and forth according to the Gnome’s whims. After another thirty minutes of tweaking the Gnome was finally happy with his homes placement. Once it was down Roy and Kaleb gathered close as Daivor murmured under his breath. Kaleb assumed the guy was casting his Magic and tried to use his own to ‘feel’ what was going on. Sadly, he either didn’t know the correct method or was to weak magically to determine the magics being used.

Daivor finished his quiet mumbling as he raised his tiny hands up in the air. Nothing happened for a few seconds before a bright light exploded from beneath the metal home. Bright yellow and white light, nearly blinding Kaleb and Roy, enveloped the small house and tower. Kaleb averted his eyes, glancing up at the ceiling and oddly enough there was a corresponding bright circle on the roof of his garage.

Oh, that’s interest- Sonofabitch my eyes! Kaleb thought as the above circle got bright. He quickly shut his eyes and looked back down. He waited patiently until he felt the light tone down and opened his eyes. The lopsided and awkward Gnome Home was gone, and in its place was a tiny red-brick house and gray stone tower. The sharp corners had been rounded out, the bolts, screws and brackets had vanished.

Before he or Roy could ask any question though, Daivor disappeared inside his house. Kaleb thought he could make out furniture before the door closed completely. Roy glanced at him questioningly but Kaleb just shrugged his shoulders and went to clean up his workbench. They could hear clattering coming from inside as Daivor did whatever he was doing. When Kaleb reached the table, he received a pop-up window.

*Congratulations*

You have built a Gnome Home.

Daivor’s Affinity is increased to Friendly.

All Builder Gnomes abilities increased.

Any non-friendly magical creatures weaker than Daivor in the vicinity of his home will be severely weakened.

Kaleb smiled as he closed the window. As he did, he heard a door closing. Looking over his shoulder he saw Daivor closing the front door to his house. But the tiny gnome was wearing different clothes and drinking a tiny beer.

“Where in the hell? You know what: never mind, I don’t care. Are you happy with your home?” Kaleb asked.

Daivor took a long chug of his beer before answering. “Hell yeah! It came complete with all the necessities too.”

“Well, rest up. Tomorrow we will dig into all the Ifrit stuff.” Turning to Roy, Kaleb added. “Once you’re done with school, I am gonna need you to help. I have to patrol tomorrow and an extra set of hands will make the crafting work faster.”

“You got it, Doc. When’s your patrol?” Roy asked.

“No idea. Farrah?”

Farrah’s voice spoke from Kaleb’s communicator. Kaleb thought it was the AI Farrah this time. “I have you scheduled for an early morning patrol around both Big and Little Stacy Park. Claire will join you.”

“Where’s Two Gun?”

“He is handling other matters.” Farrah said.

Kaleb nodded. Definitely an AI. He thought as he put the last of his tools away. Soon Roy headed home to sleep, followed shortly by Daivor. Kaleb went into his house and cleared the boxes out of his way. Once he had a path to his room, Kaleb turned on his lamps and went to sleep hoping his patrol wasn’t too early in the morning.