The process of engraving runes was proving troublesome, primarily because the lathe could not perform recessed engraving, and its precision remained relatively crude. Machines, after all, lacked the fluid adaptability of a human hand. At his current level of craftsmanship, Alan couldn't program the device to engrave onto curved surfaces.
However, this was a workable hurdle for a start. All standardized equipment could feature surface-level engraving, and the designated areas for the runes could simply be flattened. Those elegantly shaped amulets he usually crafted would have to be transformed into coin-like metal plates. They would be ugly, but functional.
What troubled him most, however, was the power source. Since it was an automated magical lathe, it required a constant stream of energy. To engrave runes, that energy had to be pure magic. According to Alan's calculations, the ambient magic siphoned and stored by the energy-absorption spells at his home wasn't nearly enough to support a lathe for any extended period.
"Do I have to personally feed the machine?" The thought gave Alan a headache.
The magic required to drive the mechanical components, plus the energy needed for the alchemical tools to etch the runes, combined with the inevitable loss during transmission, meant the system was inefficient. By his math, creating an ordinary Protective Amulet with the lathe would cost three times the magic he would consume by making one by hand.
Even if he, Kiki, and Hog all took turns acting as batteries, they would be drained dry in short order. Moreover, if they gave all their power to the machine, they would be left defenseless. The path was clearly unfeasible.
Hiring people to replenish the magic was an option—it was cheaper than hiring skilled enchanters—but he didn't want to expose the existence of the lathe. With this machine, he could maintain a price advantage that would make competition impossible. If his retail price was lower than a pirate's production cost, no one would bother trying to steal his designs.
As Alan fretted over the blueprints, the air in front of his workbench stirred. A house-elf appeared, carrying a tray and dressed in clean, sturdy clothes. It was Kiki, arriving via Apparition.
"Master, it's time for lunch. Would you like to rest for a moment?" Kiki asked softly, placing the tray on a clear spot on the workbench.
"Oh, thank you." Alan blinked, glancing at the grandfather clock. He realized he had been lost in thought all morning, blowing right past midday.
"Today, I followed the recipes you taught me. I made Mao Xuewang with Tebo Warthog blood, braised meatballs, dry-fried green beans, and rice," Kiki announced with a hint of a proud smile.
"You did well," Alan praised after a few bites. Kiki had grown remarkably confident, and her culinary skills had skyrocketed. Since moving to Diagon Alley, she had taken over the management of Alan's daily life. She wielded household charms with such mastery that Alan had become quite dependent on the comfort she provided.
"Where's Hog? Is he still wrestling with the sofa on the second floor?" Alan asked between bites, his tone teasing.
The Husky was a whirlwind of restless energy. Ever since moving into the house, he had been a menace. At first, he simply strutted around Diagon Alley like he owned the place, but then his curiosity turned destructive.
Initially, the neighbors liked the silly, handsome dog, but that changed after he bit the leg off one of Madam Primpernelle's tables, knocked over two rows of shelves at Ollivanders, nipped at a Gringotts Goblin, and made a habit of urinating in front of Flourish and Blotts. He also had a disturbing tendency to stare at the owls in Eeylops with a hungry, drooling intensity.
He was now effectively blacklisted from every shop in the alley. Even Tom at the Leaky Cauldron would cry "Merlin's beard!" and bar the door when he saw the wolf approaching. Alan had spent the first week doing nothing but offering apologies, feeling like a parent whose child had started a playground brawl.
Now, Hog was restricted to the house, which only meant he channeled his boredom into the furniture. For the past two days, he had declared war on the second-floor sofa. Alan could fix the damage with a flick of his wand, but he strictly forbid the wolf from entering the basement for fear he'd wreck a half-finished artifact or a sensitive runic circle.
"He's changed his target today," Kiki reported. "He isn't biting the sofa anymore. He's scratching at that thing you brought back—the desk lamp."
"That's absurd! I bought that for research! He'd better not break it!" Alan stood up abruptly.
Alan frequently purchased Muggle electronics to study their internal circuitry and motherboards, hoping to find inspiration for his lathe and runic arrays. Since Diagon Alley had no electricity, the devices didn't work, but their architecture was fascinating.
Alan grabbed Kiki and Apparated to the second floor. They materialized just in time to see Hog in the middle of a tactical maneuver.
The wolf had his rear arched and his haunches tensed, facing the tall desk lamp from several meters away. He had activated the floating cannons on his tactical vest and was wiggling his backside, micro-adjusting his aim. As Alan appeared, the cannons began to hum, flickering with silver-blue sparks.
"Stop!" Alan shouted, a string of expletives flashing through his mind.
Hog jumped at the sound of Alan's voice, his heart sinking as he realized he'd been caught. He tried to kill the power, but it was too late. The cannons discharged, and a thin beam of electrical current struck the desk lamp dead center.
<><><><><><><><><><>
POWERSTONES are greatly appreciated. It helps me push this story
For Advanced chapters.(+40)
[patreon .com /daydreamer7] (no blank space)
If you are not capable no worries-you'll get the chapters soon enough. Appreciate you being here!