Most metals contain fire ether and earth ether. Silver happens to contain them in nearly equal quantities. Something about the process of purifying silver causes the two types of ether to bond together. At this point, manipulating the ether fails, and ether outside of the bond diffuses when it comes into contact.
Your mentor’s theory was that the fire and earth were effectively casting defensive spells on each other. It was hard to prove anything definitively, though, since it wasn’t really possible to experiment using ether alone.
But water opposes fire, and wind opposes earth. With strong natural sources of both, you might be able to disrupt the bond. At least, if guided by magic.
And you know a strong wind is coming.
“Use an ice spell to freeze some strong wind, and some ocean water,” you mutter. “Move them together and then put your wrist between them. As the silver disrupts the ice spell, the wind and water will touch it, disrupting the fire and earth ether that combine to make it resistant. That should give you a chance to cast a spell to break it.”
“Hmm. Well, if I can find the wind, it might work,” they say, thinking about it. “Not impossible, but not guaranteed either.”
“I can assure you there will be wind tonight,” you reply with confidence.
“If you say so. I saw the ocean, so I suppose I can find a safe spot and wait. And the staff should at least let me defend myself if someone spots me. If you want to follow those barnacles, now’s the time. Just leave the spine so I can put it back, I need that particular one later.”
You aren’t sure why, but it doesn’t seem like an especially useful line of questioning. You thank the wizard and float out of the spine. You soon find the barnacles, and begin following them.
Before you even reach the end of their trail, something unusual happens.
You feel the fungal entity