Another day, another dollar. Metaphorically, there were no more dollars. Well, there were dollars, they just weren’t used for trading anymore. I had started a program where I traded coins for the money people had. That really seemed to juice the economy. There were more people than ever in Schoolville.

I was sitting at my work table, surrounded by various materials and tools. My focus was on a small wooden figure I was carefully carving, its features slowly taking shape under my skilled hands. Thor and Loki were out hunting small mammals. I was on a Fernando expansion kick.

On one hand it was nice to expand Fernando’s capabilities and powers. On the other, I was worried I was making an eldritch undead abomination that could destroy the world. But Fernando was very cute so I felt that made up for any danger I was in.

As I worked, the soft rustle of leaves announced the arrival of Queen Seraphina. Her elegant form moved with grace, her ant-like features were subtly becoming more human everyday. She approached me, her antennae twitching in curiosity.

“Good morning, Gavrin,” Seraphina greeted, her voice a melodic hum. “What are you working on?”

I looked up from my carving, a smile spreading across my face. “Good Morning, Seraphina. I’m making toys for the children in the village. This one is a little horse.”

“Toys?” Seraphina repeated, tilting her head. “What purpose do they serve?”

I chuckled softly. “Toys are objects that children use for play. They help stimulate imagination, creativity, and even learning. It’s a way for them to have fun and develop skills. Check this out.” I called out as I pulled out another set of toys. It was a bear and a what looked like a wooden controller.

“I was playing around with my Verdant Dominion skill and realized I could control the toys with my own powers, but then I asked myself, what if the kids could use my skill to play with the toys too? How cool would that be?” I explained what I was doing. I channeled mana into the controller and the bear began to move around. It rose up on its little hind legs and gave a small squeaky roar.

I smiled. “Originally, the skill cost too much to enchant, but the more I restricted the ability the easier it got. Each controller is matched to the toy, there is a limited range and actions available.”

“What about mana?” Seraphina asked.

I shook my head from side to side. “Maybe, but I already that of that.” I pulled out a small twenty sided crystal. “I figured out how to store a magic charge inside crystals. Anyone with mana can charge these up. The kids can, their parents can; hell, I can set up another service where people bring in their discharged crystals and I recharge them for a small fee. It’ll be great.”

Seraphina’s eyes glowed with interest. “How intriguing. In our colony, we do not have such things as toys. Our young are born with their roles and duties ingrained within them. Play is not part of our development.”

I paused in my work, considering her words. “That’s quite different from how humans grow and learn. Play is an essential part of a child’s development. It helps them understand the world and their place in it.”

Seraphina nodded thoughtfully. “I see. But tell me, how do these toys work? What makes them enjoyable?"

I tapped my nose and laughed. "Magic makes it work." I handed her the controls to the little bear. “Here, mana goes here in the blue dot. Just think about making it move. It’s enjoyable because it’s something children can hold, move around, and imagine different scenarios with. It’s not just the object itself but what it represents and the stories children create with it.”

Seraphina examined the toy, her fingers tracing the carved details. “Fascinating. In our colony, we have various activities that could be considered play. For example, our younglings often engage in mock battles to hone their skills, and they build elaborate structures with leaves and twigs.”

My eyes lit up interest. “That sounds like play to me, Seraphina. Play can take many forms, and it sounds like your younglings are developing important skills through their activities.”

Seraphina smiled, her antennae twitching with amusement. “Perhaps you are right, Gavrin. We may not have toys, but we do value learning through action. May I assist you in making these toys? I would like to understand more about this human concept.”

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I nodded enthusiastically. “Of course, Seraphina. I’d be happy to have your help. Let’s start with something simple. How about a carved animal?”

Seraphina took a seat beside me, her movements graceful and precise. I handed her a piece of wood and a carving knife, guiding her hands as they began to shape the material.

As we worked, the grove buzzed with life. The ants carried out their tasks with military precision, the bees flitted about collecting nectar, and the birds sang in the trees above. Seraphina’s hands moved deftly, her innate precision evident in the way she carved the wood.

Once we finished a few more toys, I decided to switch gears. “Seraphina, let’s try making something different. I need to craft some simple weapons for the village. We can start with staves, knives and bows.”

“First, we’ll make some staves,” I said, reaching for a sturdy piece of wood. “We’ll use a combination of durable wood and some mana crystal for enchanting and extra power. I’ll be putting an air blast on these bad boys.”

Seraphina nodded, her antennae twitching with interest as she watched me work. I selected a straight, strong branch from the pile of gathered materials and began to strip the bark with my magic. The bark peeled away smoothly, revealing the smooth, pale wood beneath.

I carefully measured the length of the branch, ensuring it would be the right size for a staff. The wood felt solid and resilient in my hands, the right size for a staff. Once the wood was prepared, I reached for a wind crystal, its surface glinting with magical power. The crystal was a pale blue, almost translucent, with swirling patterns that seemed to dance within its depths.

“Watch closely, Seraphina,” I said, holding the crystal up for her to see. “This is where the real magic happens.”

Using my Verdant Mastery, I channeled my mana into the crystal, feeling the familiar surge of energy flow through me. The crystal began to glow, resonating with the energy I poured into it. I placed the crystal against the top of the staff, and with a focused thought, I began to bind it to the wood.

The process was delicate, requiring precision and control. The mana flowed from my hands into the crystal, and then into the wood, creating a seamless bond between the two materials. The crystal’s light spread through the staff, casting a soft, blue glow along its length. The wood seemed to absorb the energy, becoming more than just a piece of carved timber.

As I worked, I murmured an incantation, weaving the air blast enchantment into the staff. The words flowed naturally, a mix of ancient syllables and personal touches that flowed into my mind from somewhere.

Belum Sumisu, Utu, Ruhasa!

I channeled the essence of the skies, invoking the ancient gods to lend their power.

Aeria potentia, spirara

I called upon the power of the air to breathe its force into the staff, imbuing it with wind magic.

Cystallus Ventorum, iunge cum lignum.

The wind crystal is magically bound to the wood, forming a unified weapon of natural and magical forces.

Fiat lux venti, defensor meus et auxiliator.

The staff is completed, blessed to be a defender and aid to its wielder, ready to unleash a directed blast of air.

The staff vibrated slightly, the power of the enchantment settling into place. “There,” I said, stepping back to admire the finished product. “The staff is now imbued with the power of the wind crystal. It should be able to generate a powerful air blast when used correctly.”

“This is remarkable, Gavrin,” she said, her voice filled with admiration. “The craftsmanship is exquisite, and the enchantment is perfectly balanced. I can feel the power coursing through it.”

I smiled, pleased with her praise. “Thank you, Seraphina. It’s a technique I’ve refined over time. The combination of natural materials and magical crystals creates a synergy that’s both powerful and sustainable.”

Seraphina nodded thoughtfully. “I see now how these staves be valuable tools for your people. They are not only weapons but also extensions of your mastery over the elements.”

“Exactly,” I agreed. “And with the air blast enchantment, they’ll be able to push back enemies, block incoming projectiles, throw stuff. The versatility is one of the reasons I chose this particular enchantment.”

We spent the next few hours crafting several more staves, each one imbued with the same air blast enchantment. The grove echoed with the sound of our work, the rhythmic scraping of wood and the hum of mana creating a harmonious backdrop to our efforts.

When we were done, I surveyed the work. We had good results, a nice variety of staffs, between level five and ten. I was building up to having a nice inventory for the store to sell.

Staff of the Whispering Winds

Type: Two-Handed Staff

Level Requirement: 5-10

Damage: 12-18

Attributes:

- +8-12 to Intelligence

- +6-10 to Agility

Effects:

- Air Blast: Unleashes a powerful gust of wind, knocking back enemies and dealing 15-25 wind damage.

- Wind Whisper: Increases movement speed by 10% for 10 seconds after casting Air Blast.

Description:

Forged from resilient wood and bound with a wind crystal, this staff hums with the power of the air, ready to defend and aid its wielder.