Filling her canteen with the fountain’s water and drinking it, Artanis had solved the water issue, knowing that at least from thirst she wouldn't die, Artanis felt slightly relieved as she filled her canteen once again so she didn't have to return to the fountain the next time she felt thirsty.
‘What I will do about food? Even if I take Hilliard’s sword to the smith, I will only receive the payment after I take the sword back to him.’ Artanis thought after sitting on the bench to rest until her stamina fully recovered, trying to find a solution to her current problems.
Even if Artanis had the sword repaired and took it back to the watch-house to receive the quest’s reward, she would not be able to spend it, as the area near it did not appear to have any stores. But that was her only option, since the heavy sword would impede her from doing almost every errand she could think of. Artanis, in the end, would have to eat that sad excuse for bread sooner that she expected.
But before she risked receiving some sort of food poisoning status, Artanis decided to look for the map Hilliard had told her about and to do so, climbed atop the bench she was sat at. With a higher viewpoint, the task was easily accomplished as she saw a rather large group of people, standing in front of a colorful mural.
Leaving the bench and approaching the mural, Artanis carefully observed the image painted at the wall; whoever created that map paid attention to every detail, showing a deep love and pride for the city depicted in it.
You have witnessed Rockheim’s Pride
Rockheim's Pride
A mural painted by Lady Evelyn herself depicting an aerial view of her beloved city, simple yet well detailed, this map shows how much she cares for the city. Having walked around the entire city to capture every detail she could of her pride and joy.
This mural has stood here since before Evelyn's rise to power, after the death of her husband. Since then it has been updated many times by various artists.
This mural is considered one of the six wonders of Rockheim.
Movement speed increased by 25% inside the city, lasts for 12 hours.
A new attribute has been generated: Art
Art
A gift in comprehending and practicing beauty, art renders meals and products elegant in an aesthetic and practical sense, improves when you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch beautiful things, or creates artworks.
It took her just a few seconds to find the location of Wystan’s workshop at the map, which leaving the plaza was located just a couple of blocks away from it. Thanks to the buff given by the mural the trip there, although still difficult because of the heavy sword, went much faster than she expected.
Before her was a solid looking two-story house made mainly of stones, with a large chimney sprouting from the middle of its roof, using her body to push the reinforced wood door, the chime of a bell could be heard.
“Welcome!” Said a tall and muscular old man sitting behind the store’s counter. He had a chiseled angular face, scarce white hair and a long neatly trimmed beard, which gave him a somewhat dwarfish appearance despite his large stature.
Contrary to the large exterior of the store, the shop itself was much smaller than one would expect. The house was clearly divided by a wall; with the chimney nowhere in sight.
“Excuse me lass, are you perhaps lost?” The man, who was the single person besides Artanis currently inside the shop, asked after seeing her clothes.
Any merchant would have done the same as often a person in such clothes had little or no money with them. But his attitude towards her, soon changed, as she got close enough for him to see the short sword the poor looking elven maiden carried.
“So Hilliard is too busy to see his old friend, eh? Although I must say you don’t exactly look like one of his soldiers.” Wystan said smiling.
“Because I am not…” She said lifting the sword as much as she could, to place it on the counter. Seeing her struggle to do so, Wystan helped her taking the sword from her using a single hand.
“I see… Then who exactly are you?” He asked inspecting the sword.
Having been asked that question, Artanis proceeded to describe to him, the events that led her to come across Hilliard and how she ended receiving the task of bringing his sword to Wystan’s workshop; although she had the good sense of withholding some events, such as how she had stalked a group of strangers.
“I see… That’s quite a feat. Hil rarely trust strangers, let alone travelers such as you.” Wystan said after hearing her story.
“Are you going to repair the sword soon?” Artanis asked.
“Ah, yes. I suppose you have better things to do than talk to an old man.” Wystan said with a saddened expression on his face.
“No… That’s not what I meant. You see… I was hoping to see you working.” Artanis said, noticing the lonely expression at the elderly man face. Although she was in fact, curious about how crafting was done in the game.
Hearing her request, the old smith was shocked. There was many reasons behind it his surprise, but the biggest being her race; rarely an elf showed interest in his craft, as they preferred to work with wood and other organic materials instead.
“Lass, instead of just observing a simple repair; wouldn’t you prefer to learn my craft?” Wystan said after a short moment of reflection.
“Wait… you are offering to…” Mumbled Artanis, confused with the offer she had received. Since not even once, she had imagined herself becoming a blacksmith. Since in every game she had played so far with her friends, Amanda always played as an elf and that always left her as a ranger, rogue, or mage.
“Yes, I am asking you to become my apprentice.” Said Wystan, interrupting Artanis train of thought.
Wystan’s Apprenticeship Offer
Having shown interest in his craft, Wystan has offered you a job as his apprentice. In exchange for his tutelage, you are expected to tend his workshop and fulfill any errands given by him.
Quest Rank: E
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Requisites:
Wystan having no other apprentice working for him.
Having piqued Wystan’s curiosity.
Showing interest in Wystan’s work.
No blacksmithing skills.
Rewards:
Blacksmithing skills.
“Okay, I accept your offer.” She said smiling, since Artanis had just solved her food issue. As surely, her tutor would not let her, his beautiful apprentice die of hunger.
Quest accepted.
As Wystan’s apprentice, you have the following responsibilities and benefits:
Running errands, without any financial remuneration.
Tending the workshop and store.
An Increase of 10% in experience of skills taught by him.
Basic materials will be provided for practice.
A 1% commission on any sale you perform while tending the store.
“Good, I really needed a new apprentice. You see... My last apprentice left me, not long ago, to open his own workshop at another town.” He said while scratching his beard.
“Master, will you need my help while repairing the sword?” Artanis asked, making the old man laugh. Slightly embarrassed from being called in such way by someone as beautiful as her.
“Master eh? Just call me Wystan, it will be better for my heart. As for you question, no I do not need your help; rather I have something else for you to do.” He said, opening one of the drawers on the counter he was sat beside, and taking from it a small notebook¹, pen, and ink from within it.
Artanis, that is Amanda, observed the old man in amazement. That was the first time she had ever seen a book and pen; as everyone, she knew used tablets, e-readers, and computers.
"Take this to the general store and hand it over to the owner. Done so, feel free to explore the city as much as you like, by the time you return the sword will already be repaired." Said Wystan after he finished writing, ripped off the page, folded the paper and gave it to Artanis.
Receiving her first errand as his apprentice, she left his workshop hearing the door being locked after she did so. It was clear why he needed an apprentice, the wall that divided the first floor of the building, kept his workshop hidden from the eyes of his customers, but that also meant he also couldn't see them as he worked inside it.
That whoever could be easily solved with the presence of an apprentice, which would tend the store as he worked in the workshop. That, however, also meant he needed to trust whoever was tending the store and who better, then someone directly recommended by his oldest friend, Hilliard.
Since Artanis did not know the location of the said general store, she walked towards the city plaza. Now freed from the heavy burden of the sword, her slightly higher agility as an elf showed itself; with the increase of 25% speed given by the mural, she reached her destination quickly.
At the plaza, however, her increased speed did not matter as contrary to old games where characters could easily run through a mob of players as if they were ghosts. In Royal Road, colliding with solid objects, including creatures such as a mage slightly shorter than her, tended to hurt.
In fact, said collision had even lowered her health significantly. As the point of impact, rather than his body, was the wand, he was carrying.
You received a critical hit! Health lowered by 46 (24/ 70)
You’re now bleeding
Health lowered by 0.2 every second.
“Wow, that hurt. Hey lady, you should…” The long red-haired mage said as he rose from the floor, after being knocked down by a running elf. However, his speech soon stopped, noticing the expression on the elf face and more importantly his ivory wand, which were now stuck at her abdomen.
“Oh my god, you’re bleeding! Here, drink this.” The mage said as he materialized a small vial filled with a clear red liquid, from inside his pouch.
At first she refused, but soon changed his mind after he explained what it was. Taking just a sip from it was enough for her wound to close, expelling the wand lodged at her stomach. Meanwhile, this all happened, a few players had warned the guard about a possible PK² attempt inside the city.
The situation however was solved easily, when the mage explained the situation for the guard, which arrived soon after.
“I am sorry about this whole situation, is there anything I could do to make amends?” Asked the mage, who realized that his wand could have killed her if it had struck somewhere else.
“No need, it’s my fault anyway. I shouldn't have walked so fast.” Answered Artanis, he had after all already given her a small vial of healing potion; which according to one of the bystanders comments was an expensive product.
And that was how the situation ended, or at least would have if her stomach had not grumbled as she said so. Which led the man to invite her to an early dinner; normally being stabbed in the stomach by said person moments before, would led her to not so politely decline his offer.
But this had happened in another world, one that made possible for the wound to disappear without leaving even the smallest scar and she knew it was after all, an accident. But something else weighed heavily in her decision.
Having been locked outside her mentor’s workshop and not having a single copper coins with her; made the only other possible solution for her hunger, aside from begging for food; eating the sad excuse for bread she currently carried.
“Fine, but I don’t have any money.” Said Artanis, trying to hide her embarrassment when doing so. The man whoever smiled, saying he never intended to make her pay for the food.
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