I woke up groggily, a mild headache playing behind my eyes. Blinking away the morning light coming in through our open window I glanced to the side, where I heard snoring. Liana was sprawled out on her bed, Sky laying near her head. Luka was beside me, snuggled under my armpit. He let out a soft whine as I started moving, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.
Since I was already dressed, I quickly made my way down to the tavern proper for breakfast. I saw a couple of others up, likely getting ready to set up shop and find a space in the center of town before they were taken by the other dozen merchants from the caravan. During their journey, they hadn’t lost any of the merchants only a few guards. The loss of the guards still weighed heavy on my mind, even though I hadn’t even met them. I still wasn’t used to such frequent loss of life.
I sat at a table and quickly ordered from the barmaid, a pretty girl around my age. I suspected, as was common in this world, that her parents or another relative owned this inn and had given her the job. Possibly with the intent for her to take over in time. It didn’t take her long to bring me a large, filled plate. On it were scrambled eggs, a couple links of sausage, a large piece of buttered bread fresh from the baker, and some fried potatoes. A bowl appeared on the table as I was halfway through the meal filled with fruit. Grateful for the food, I finished and paid, leaving a tip of a few copper. The meal itself cost around five copper, it wasn’t overly expensive.
Curious about whether the rest of my friends were still sleeping, I looked around for a bit before I left for the smithy. As I approached it, I stopped at a fruit vendor to secure a jug of juice so I could stay hydrated throughout the day, not wanting to find a well to fill my waterskin, and deciding to enjoy the convenience of being in town. I waited near the entry to the forge as Prisma hammered away at some nails, it looked like. A small crate was next to her which she was tossing the nails in as she finished. She noticed me and held up a hand for me to wait as she finished the last couple, they took maybe a total of ten minutes.
“So, come back to see me or did ya decide to rent some forge time?” A towel had appeared in her hand as she came to the front of the forge. She wiped away some of the sweat and grease and slag from smithing.
“Could be both, but I would like to rent some time at the forge for the next three days at the minimum. And some tools until I can get my own set sorted out. I’ll also purchase three five pound ingots of svertim if you have them.” An ingot could range in size. Most smiths would carry smaller versions as they were significantly easier to work with than their twenty or fifty pound equivalents that were often used during transport or sale.
“Total, that’ll be ten silver for the lot. Including the forge time. I’ll get you some tools, just make sure ye don’t break em.” The woman winked at me playfully. I fished the coins out of my purse and stepped up to the anvil I would be using. It took less than two minutes for her to return with an apron, some gloves, and the appropriate tools for me to make some of my own.
“Thank you miss Prisma. Don’t worry I’ll take care of the tools.” After that she went on to work on her own orders, which mostly seemed to consist of horseshoes, nails, and other items for the common folk to use.
Before I began forging I took the first bar of svertim and activated my [Ephemeral Forge] skill, feeling the mana leave my body and surround the metal. The mana took on an orangish tint, akin to the coals of the forge. It wrapped around the dull, bronze colored metal and pulled it into a different plane. The metal became translucent, shimmering with the color of the ephemeral forge. Tentatively I placed the metal into the forge to heat and saw the mana changing color, from orange to a dark red. The red was slowly changing color as the metal heated but I wasn’t sure yet what the color could mean in terms of how hot the metal was. I hadn’t worked with svertim overmuch, Derren had preferred the use of mana steel in his arms and armors, but even still I knew enough to work with it.
As I waited for it to warm up, I attempted to place another ingot into my forge skill but it seemed like slightly too much. Intuiting the capacity, I instead pushed the hammer I would be using through and it was accepted. It felt the same in my hand as it had before being stored by my skill, but it took on the same orange translucence. The ingot in the forge was still slowly warming itself up so I turned to my journal to start writing out the enchantments I wanted on my hammer, the first tool I’d be making. My intent was to forge multiple tools from each bar of svertim, as five pounds was far too much for a single tool. A three and a half pound hammer and a set of tongs could easily come from a single ingot.
The enchantment that I was hoping to create was another durability one, as well as something that could emit heat whenever the hammer struck the metal to keep it workable for longer. I started to lay out the runes for this second one in my journal, and quickly came up with a working model. They were both simple enchantments, and in the future I’d need to make something more comprehensive but for my first real set of tools I’d be fine with this.
Soon the metal was ready for me to flatten, fold, etch runes into and repeat. I kept my notifications on so that as soon as I leveled [Ephemeral Forge] I could have another ingot enter it. It was strange to work with metal that was both there and not, and it took a minor amount of mana and concentration to keep the ingot corporeal. If I lost my focus it would simply sink back into the ephemeral realm and I wouldn’t be able to work it. I spent a majority of the morning [Runesmithing] and enchanting the metal. The process was simple, if not tedious. Id manipulate my mana to rest at the end of my hammer in the shape of the line I wished to etch into the metal. It didn’t physically etch the metal, but instead the runes, once made, would temporarily enchant the metal. When I folded the metal, the enchantment would break or weaken and I had to insert it again. I did this until the metal retained the enchantment without requiring a physical etching. I was sure that the dwarves had a much more elegant method, but I was forced to brute force the enchantments with repetition and focus. The way I understood it, each time I created the enchantment and each time it broke, a fragment of the magic and intent would be imparted on the metal itself. Once it was fully integrated, even splitting the ingot into multiple pieces wouldn't break the enchantment, though they would still need to be reinforced.
By the time I had finished with that, [Ephemeral Forge] had leveled four times and allowed me to store a second ingot. It seemed that the first level had allowed eight pounds to be storable, and each level after that increased it by two pounds. I was a long ways away from being able to travel with a full forge but that was okay.
As I worked on the metal I found that while heating, it started as a dark red and when it was ready to forge it would be a bright yellow. I wasn’t sure if this would be the case for all metals or only svertim, but I’d find out eventually through experimentation.
Around lunch time Liana stopped by to drop off my foxes, the group was going to investigate some of the jobs they had taken. At that time I decided to take a break, storing the two worked ingots, one was ready to be forged into a hammer and likely a set of tongs, the other needed a bit more love. The second only had the durability enchantment, there was no need for a heating enchantment on most of the tools and it was an experiment anyway.
After a quick lunch of bread, fruit, and a couple pieces of mystery meat on a stick, I made my way back to the forge. I started working on the hammer, cutting away a large portion of the billet and leaving the rest for the tongs. I spent the rest of the afternoon with my attention split between the hammer, a set of tongs, and finishing the enchantments on the last billet I was making for additional tools. I’d need a set of sledges, chisels and more before I had a full tool kit.
By the end of the afternoon, both the tongs and the hammer were nearly finished but not quite there. The entire time I worked I tried to focus my thoughts on the intended enchantments, hoping that [Maelstrom Modification] wouldn’t ruin all of this work. For all I knew, the modification could create ice on whatever I was working on, or shatter it. Honestly, my imagination was running wild with possibilities and it took a lot out of me just to tamp down those thoughts and focus on the task at hand.
After spending most of the day at the forge I returned to the tavern to see if my companions had come back. They weren't back just yet, and it was too early for dinner, so I took another bath. I felt I was spending coin rather frivolously but I couldn’t resist the lovely warm bath. This time I only stayed around for a half an hour before returning to the tavern once again and securing a booth to relax in while waiting for my friends.
With dim lighting I began to read and take notes from my second book on Frith runes. These runes weren’t necessarily more powerful than those in the first edition, but had different functions. Some of them added specificity that the first edition lacked, and I quickly took note of a few runes that I could use later. There were several that I could foresee using when I constructed buff spells, rather than the usual attack spells I had been using.
I pulled aside all those that could give me temporary buffs and made a few notes on them, filling several pages in my journal with ideas and thoughts. I was specifically trying to design a spell that would make me quicker and working through what would be necessary to make it happen. For instance, if I made myself faster but my muscles weren’t enhanced I could strain them, or if my perception wasn’t at the same level I could become clumsy. I wanted one single spell that could enhance my senses, my musculature, and my speed at one time.
I was still working on the spell, having skimmed the rest of the runes that were highlighted in the book, when Adrien grabbed my shoulder, startling me out of my focus. “Lios, are ye ready for Elric and I ta train ye?”
It was just the two of them standing forebodingly at the edge of the table. I nodded and stored my journal and book into my bag. “Sure, let me put away my bag then I’ll be ready. Blind fighting training or swordsmanship?”
“Swordsmanship at first, followed by blind fighting. Gotta get you those skills, aye?” Elric was grinning predatorily.
With goosebumps filling my arms I quickly stowed my items and returned to the back of the tavern. Liana and Amelia were waiting along with the two swordsmen.
“Okay, we’re going to just walk you through a number of techniques. Then you will practice them, we will get dinner and bring you something, then we will spar with you to see about consolidating the techniques you just learned. After that will be blind fighting, and attempting to get you some additional skills.” Elric went through the lesson plan and I internally groaned. From the sounds of it I’d have to block attacks from both of them while blindfolded.
“An’ no spells till we leave Kinnesville, even when yer on yer own missions.” Adrien clarified.
“Yes sir, no spells till we’re on the road.” I was close to asking why but I figured it out quickly. They wanted me to be a proficient swordsman before I came to rely too heavily on spells.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Quickly they drew out their swords, not using any broomsticks this time. Adrien had me follow along several techniques, showing me how to better parry and deflect strikes, how better to counter. Each technique fit the same longsword style he used, and were easy to slot into my shifting fighting style. After showing me a dozen or so individual techniques they left me alone to practice them. Even after they returned I continued to practice until Liana forced me to stop and take a break to eat.
After I ate Elric stepped up with his greatsword drawn. “Okay, now we will see if you can actually use them against a real opponent. I’ll do my best to set myself to your level but if I’m a bit overzealous, I apologize. I’m not used to doing things at less than my full strength.”
I gulped and nodded. He was exaggerating, I was sure, considering the blind fighting training had been... well I suppose he didn’t need to hold back much then... Even still I readied my blade, keeping it in the shape of a longsword. I could experiment with different blade shapes later, now was the time to become proficient with the techniques I was just taught.
He came at me quickly, his massive sword a whir. I barely saw it before it stopped just short of my neck. My eyes were wide and I took a step back. He pulled away and said “Try again,” in a calm, steady, voice.
“Yes sir...” My voice was not quite as sure as his. When sparring with Adrien, he always made sure to fight at my level. It seemed I’d get no quarter from Elric in that regard. As he readied his blade once more I focused on my breathing. I closed my eyes, if he was too quick for me to see, maybe I could feel him move with [Mana Sense].
I felt the strands of mana shift quickly, and raised my blade to deflect his. To my surprise I felt resistance and heard a raucous ‘clang’. My eyes opened and I saw that I had successfully blocked him but that didn’t mean the spar was over, he raised his sword again and cleaved downwards. I raised my sword quickly, but he shifted and was suddenly attacking my side. In panic I did a minor summersault over the incoming sword, rolling on my shoulder as I landed back on the ground. Quickly I made my way to my feet. Feeling the mana shift to my right I barely raised my sword in time to parry a crushing blow. I attempted to counter him but even with him supposedly holding back he was too quick for me to touch.
He assailed me for around an hour. I was able to successfully use each of the dozen techniques they taught me a few times, but still came away with scrapes and bruises from being pushed to the ground over and over. There was a small amount of blood on my tunic from my elbow scraping against gravel when the downward strike proved too heavy and knocked me down despite my attempt to block it.
Elric had said, “Part of being an adept warrior is knowing which strikes you can and cant block.”
It made sense, especially in a world where nearly everyone had the capacity to become super human. As it stood right now I felt I was stronger than most people on earth could ever hope to be, except maybe strongmen. While working at the smithy I had been able to move some of the anvils with little struggle even as a fourteen year old, anvils which could weigh a few hundred pounds at the high end - at least if they were made strictly of iron and steel. I, and I feel others, had gotten overconfident in my strength believing that I could muscle out anything, but everyone else in this world had similar strength.
I was able to parry, deflect, and counter a fair amount though. My blade clashed with his more often than he ‘killed’ me. At first I felt that Elric was holding back more and more but after a while I realized I had simply gotten used to his speed. At the end of the hour Liana handed me a waterskin, and she and Amelia went inside. My body was aching from the constant exertion.
It was a touch freeing, though, not having to think through my rune dancing while in combat. Focusing on advancing my swordsmanship and seeing a noticeable difference in mere hours. Next would be blind fighting training, in an attempt to develop another skill.
“A’right, Lios, ye ready ta get a new skill?” Adrien held up a broomstick and a blindfold. Why he and Elric had switched roles, I wasn't sure. Not that I minded, if they kept switching I could get more tutelage with more variance.
“Yes sir.” I stood and took the blindfold tiredly. As soon as my eyes were covered I lifted my blade to indicate readiness, keeping the edges dull with a force of will. Adrien attacked me in a similar way as Elric. I attempted, at first, to use my hearing again but quickly switched back to using [Mana Sense]. I was able to block a few of the strikes that came at me, catching up to the speed at which these monsters attacked me. I would grunt and yelp as the broomstick slapped against the same spots that I had scraped before. Or when it would strike a vulnerable or vital area, my kidneys, back, gut, thighs. I took Adriens abuse for far too long, focusing purely on my senses, both physical and magical.
At some point I heard a ding, then another as I parried a blow that had far too much weight behind it. I ignored them for the time being, focused only on training as the elder warrior continued to assail me. Growling I would attempt to lash out at him but the man was too fast to be struck by me when he didn’t want to be. During our spars he must have let me land a few blows, regardless of him lowering his stat and skill levels to my own. I must have fought blind for two or three hours by the time Adrien called out to me to stop.
As soon as he did I pulled the blind fold off my face and was grateful for the dim lighting in the small clearing we fought in. I was mildly surprised that there were no onlookers as I sheathed my blade, letting it become sharp once more. I wordlessly followed the man into the tavern and plopped down next to Liana, who was deep in her cups again. She scooted away a little bit as I was sticky with sweat.
“Sooo, did ya get any new skills?” Elric asked from across from me. Luka was in his lap, being spoiled with attention and the fat trimmed off of whatever meat Elric had eaten.
“Let me look.” I shrugged a little, glancing around for Sky who was curled up on the floor near Lianas feet.
I opened up my notifications, ignoring the several levels in [Pain Resistance], [Mana Sense], [Dodging], and [Intuition]. There were two other notifications that took precedence.
Congratulations! you have earned the general skill [Blind Fighting]
[Blind fighting]: With or without senses you are capable of holding your own against unseen foes. You can block, counter, combat and retaliate against those you cannot perceive based on instinct and your other senses alone.
Congratulations! you have gained the general skill [Portent of the Thaumaturge]
[Portent of the Thaumaturge]: You have seen the unseen, sensed the movement of the forces of this world and listened to their warnings. Through observation you have been able to intuit incoming attacks and respond accordingly. Mana, the vitality of Ravos, speaks to the open world and now knows to speak to you. Should you listen you will be granted access to the instincts of energy. Listen well and the world will guide you, their friend, towards survival.
I was silent for a few moments, ignoring the adventurer’s stares as I reread the second skill. I gulped then looked up at Adrien, Elric and Liana, unsure where Amelia was. “So uh... I got two skills, but I’m unsure if I need [Blind Fighting] anymore. It could still be useful but uhm. Can you take a look at this one and tell me what you think?”
I showed them the two notifications, my [Intuition] was telling me that [Portent of the Thaumaturge] was capable of all that [Blind Fighting] was and that it would be better, at least for the time being, to keep it as its own skill rather than merge them. Adrien seemed to agree, his mouth opened to say something but closed again as his brow furrowed. Elric glanced up at me then back at the invisible screen. Liana sobered quickly, perhaps due to elven vitality?
“Aye, thats a pretty strong skill Lios...” Adrien intoned thoughtfully. “Ye should def’nitly take ‘er.”
“No need for the other one with this, I agree. Were you using [Mana Sense] to detect Adrien and I? Thats a fairly advanced technique isn’t it Liana?” Elric itched at the stubble that was growing on his chin.
“It is. Typically its a technique gained through extreme circumstances. My guess here though, is that your second class as well as your first has brought you closer to mana than would otherwise be possible. As such, you were able to use [Mana Sense] to actually perceive the flow of the worlds mana. Impressive, young Lios.” Liana buzzed with excitement. I felt she was even more eager to explore my inner world and see my core than she was before. “Alternatively, perhaps our friend here is simply a prodigy. Either it is luck, or talent. Thats my impression. Many mages take this skill eventually, but from what I’ve heard they typically have to work very hard for it. For you to gain it in a few spars... Well, perhaps you have an uncanny relationship with mana. Your class descriptions also speak to it.”
“Yeah. I can see that. I think it helps that we are higher level and training him, but it looks like you’ll have two general skill slots available. Typically, you’d want both a perception skill and [Blind Fighting] but between this one and [Intuition] I think you’ll be fine. I haven’t heard of someone gaining this skill without a focus on wizardry... Though I guess you do have a focus on spells and their craft, eh?” Elric looked it over again as I took the skill and dismissed [Blind Fighting].
As I accepted the skill I began to hear small noises from immediately around me. Greetings from the mana itself. It was an immediate revelation, it wasn’t just energy but a living entity. Mana, each different kind, each mote, was a separate being. They were similar to plants, not sentient but alive and feeling. The world around me brightened a bit, and I could feel each strand of mana around my person. It extended to about a three foot circle around me from edge to edge. I assumed that it would only expand over time. It was a passive skill but it seemed to have a constant draw on my mana. It was just enough that I couldn’t regenerate enough mana to keep up with the drain. I reluctantly disabled the skill, giving myself a mental reminder that I should activate it before any combat. Hopefully over time I’d be able to keep it active always.
“Don’t go getting a big head just because you got a decent skill, if you cant keep up with it or come to rely on it you’ll find yourself faltering when it matters.” Elric reminded me.
“I know, I know. I’m a little surprised it wasn’t added to my class, maybe when it evolves?”
“Hmm. It sems sim’lar to otter skills in yer class, but Me thinks is cuz yer class ain’t strictleh a weezard class. Anywho, les get ye a drink. Ale? Mead? Which do ye prefer?”
“Mead please.” I smiled at the tattooed man, someday I’d have to ask about them but for the time being I was more concerned with growing. “I should only have the one though, gotta be up early.”
“Tomorrow you should take the kits, we’re off on a monster hunt early. Amelia’s scouting the den as we speak.” Elric waved towards the busy barmaid, the tavern was loud and raucous. The merchants and their guards were drinking up a storm. This week and the next would be a windfall of wealth on this small town, especially for the tavern and farmers as the merchants would be restocking for the next leg of their journey to Ironfell. We would be trailing behind them for a bit, though taking as many detours as were planned we would lag behind by quite a bit.
“What kind of monster?” My curiosity was piqued. I knew there was a hefty variety from the common types found in fantasy stories back home, such as goblins, wolves, bugbears, even wendigos. But then there were some that I had never heard of, the shrubgeist, brudwig - types of insectile monster that was similar to a giant poisonous centipede - and many others.
“Tis ‘parrently a weirgan, a type o’ water lizard that spews acid or water. ‘Twas seen in the Deepbloom near a smoll lake.” the fearless leader handed a few copper over to the barmaid in exchange for a few mugs of mead.
I gratefully took mine and raised it up in toast, clanking against Adriens and Elrics, Liana back to sipping on some white wine. “Thank you all for training me. To growth and our continued prosperity!” I called out before taking a long drink of the honeyed alcohol. It felt a little cheesy to toast like that, but whatever. I could cringe about my first drink at a later time.
I drank the mead quickly, and left before Adrien and Elric could get me drunk. I wanted to be up early after all. I carried the two foxes up the stairs, plopped onto my bedroll, and closed my eyes. Before sleeping I revisited the inner world that I explored two days prior. I attempted to will the chaotic orb above the water basin to condense, but began to have a rather troublesome headache so I stopped and went to sleep.