Author's Note: The chapter titles will only get worse from here. You have been warned.
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Null leaves the warrior's guild satisfied. He even gained a point in stamina and 2 points in endurance for the repeated beat downs he got. Now he no longer has to constantly focus on mana control. He can now focus on his skills. He still manipulates the mana inside of him as much as he can while still doing everyday tasks for experience growth in Essence of Mana, but now he will focus on gaining proficiency in all his skills. He opens up the skill list window.
Librarian MasterySkill typePassiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 5Librarian skills become better the higher the level.
Book RepairSkill typeActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 1Can repair books or written documents.
Cost: 150 mana
Paper CreateSkill typePassive/ActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 5Create paper.
Universal IdentifySkill typeActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 4Can identify many things. Unlike other identifies like item identify or plant identify, the librarian class contains the only universal identify.
Cost: 500 Mana
Information FinderSkill typeActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 1Can identify many things. Unlike other identifies like item identify or plant identify, the librarian class contains the only universal identify.
Cost: 40 mana per second
Calligraphy MasterySkill typePassive/ActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 5Calligraphy skills become better the higher the level.
ProofreadSkill typeActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 3Can identify spelling and grammar mistakes.
Cost: 180 Mana
Ink HandSkill typeActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 1Can make calligraphy design just by having a thought and touching the paper.
Can move ink at a maximum of 0.1 meters per second.
Cost: 50 mana per second
Painting MasterySkill typePassive/ActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 5Learned to paint pictures. Pictures become more detailed the higher the level.
IllustrationSkill typePassive/ActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 5Learned to draw pictures. Pictures become more detailed the higher the level.
HandicraftSkill typePassiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 5Will enable your crafting skills to become more skilled the higher the level.
Art is FeelingSkill typeActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 1Draw opponents in any emotional state to make them feel that way.
The higher level the opponent is the longer it takes for it to take effect.
Cost: 500 mana
Alchemy MasterySkill typePassive/ActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 1Make better potions the higher the level.
GardeningSkill typePassiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 1Is now able to grow plants. Success of plant growth depends on plant and skill level.
Blacksmithing MasterySkill typePassive/ActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 1Includes foraging, upsetting, welding and finishing skills
SmeltingSkill typePassive/ActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 1Extract base minerals from ores. Higher level means higher quality metals.
Weapon/Armor RepairSkill typeActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 1Repair weapons and armor.
Cost: 200 Mana
CookingSkill typePassive/ActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 1Cook food without it spontaneously exploding in your face or rotting. Some of the time.
Hand to Hand CombatSkill typePassiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 1For repeatedly fighting close quarters while not using a weapon, you are granted this skill.
Agility increase: 2%. Strength Increase: 3%, Stamina increase: 2% when not holding a handheld weapon.
ArcherySkill typePassive/ActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 2Can shoot arrows. Arrow shoot 9% farther 2% more powerful 3% more accurate.
Essense of ManaSkill typePassive/ActiveSkill ProficiencyBeginner level 35% decrease in mana consumption for techniques.
Increased control of mana.
CampingSkill typePassiveSkill ProficiencyCannot level upCan now set up small tents to recover health 5% faster while inside it.
Can start small fires more easily by rubbing 2 dry sticks together.
Null thinks, 'I need to go to a blacksmith and alchemy guild to see how things are done. I hate having to rely on people, but this is a means to an end so I never have to do it again.'
He goes to the blacksmithing guild. He meets someone at the front desk.
“Hello sir. Can I help you?”
“I have the blacksmith skill, but I don't know anything about it.”
“...How the hell did you pull that off?”
“Beats me.”
The guy shakes his head. “Go to the big guy in the back. He's one of the teachers. His name is Jackson Smith. He's a little rough around the edges though, but if he sees that you're willing to put in the work, he'll warm up to ya.”
'Like I give a damn about that.' Null thinks to himself. “Thanks.” Null says to the man.
Null goes to the biggest man there.
“Excuse me sir. Are you Jackson Smith?”
“Who wants ta know?”
The man gives off an aura of someone you don't want to mess with, but Null looks like he couldn't care less.
“My name is Null. I'm here to learn blacksmithing.”
“Ya don't look like ya would last even a day in here. What's your class?”
“Librarian with a blacksmith subclass.”
“A librarian that wants ta learn blacksmithing? Now I've seen it all. Okay. I won't go easy on ya. This isn't like one of yer afternoon reads at the library.”
“That's fine.”
Jackson gives Null some instructions. “Ya see this big pot?”
“Yes.”
“Ya see that big container over there in that corner?”
“Yes.”
“I want ya ta go to the lake, and fill that pot with water. I then want ya ta come back and put it in the container. Don't stop til' the container is full.”
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Quest: Fetching WaterQuest Information:You're a pack mule, and as a pack mule, your job is to fetch water.
Go fetch.
Reward: Jackson will teach you smithing Quest Rank: Blacksmith class quest- F
Penalty if refused:Jackson will not teach you Blacksmithing.
Decreased affinity for Blacksmith guild.
Do you accept?
"Okay."
You have accepted the quest.
He takes the pot and goes towards the river.
Jackson thinks to himself, 'Huh? Not even an ounce of complaint? Good. I hate the whiny ones. I would've kicked him out on the spot.'
Null goes towards the river and fills up the pot halfway. Null thinks, 'I'm not that strong, and my mana strength increases are only good for short bursts. I need to conserve my energy.'
Null returns to pour the water and heads back out. Jackson is impressed. 'Not an ounce of complaint, and he doesn't look like he intends to quit.'
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Null repeatedly eats and drinks, to make sure his endurance stays up.
3 hours later, Null fills up the container.
Jackson says, “Good. Ya filled it up with no complaint. Ya passed my test!”
“Okay.”
Null looks the same as he always does. Expressionless.
“...Anyway, the first thing we need to do is set the fire. Grab those coals and put them into that forge.”
Null does what he's told. He fills the forge with coal until its full.
“Now before we forge, we need to learn how to take the base metals out of the iron ores.”
Null puts the ores in a bucket, and lights the coal on fire.
“Okay, now step on the bellows ta heat the forge.”, Jackson tells Null. He complies and keeps pressing on the bellow to heat the forge. The forge is now at the desired temperature.
“The first step is to roast the iron ores. We gotta get all the water and impurities out. Now put the ores into the pan.”
Unlike in real life, roasting in the game is done at a much faster pace. It only took around an 3 hours.
“Now, break up the iron ore with a hammer.”
Null does this.
“Now usually, yer would use a blast furnace to turn the iron ore into pig iron, then use a finery ta turn that pig iron into wrought iron, but fer new blacksmiths who want ta work independently and not depend on huge furnaces, you have ta use a bloomery ta turn the iron ore into wrought iron. It takes a lot longer fer this process.”
Null and Jackson go to the bloomery in the back.
“See, this is what's ya call a bloomery. When you finished roasting the iron ores, ya come here. Okay, load those charcoals in the bottom.”
Null does what's he's told.
“Now yer gonna keep stepping on that bellow over there. Make sure it doesn't get too hot or too cold.”
This took a while.
“Yer not steppin' on the bellows enough! What are ya doin!?”
A little later on, “Yer doin' too much! Stop steppin' on the bellows!”
This repeated for a while. Eventually Null got the hang of it, and knew when and when not to press it. Basically, he had to keep it hot enough for it to be malleable, but not hot enough to melt it.
While he was stepping on the bellows, Jackson put some charcoal in the opening. This went on for a while. The iron fell to the bottom of the tray and formed a bloom.
“This here is why they call this a bloomery, cause of the blooming effect of the iron. Now we're gonna reheat this bloom and hit it with a hammer. We're going to keep reheatin' and hammerin' it.”
It took a while, but they were finally finished.
“This is the final product known as wrought iron. This one is low quality. It's good for a lotta things, but not good for stuff like swords or things with sharp edges. To make a good sword, you need to learn to smelt iron ore into bar iron or steel which yer not ready for yet. This is just one way of smeltin' iron from iron ore. It ain't the only one. There's copper, silver, gold, and other minerals. They each have their own method of smeltin'. Now I'm gonna get some bar iron and I'll teach ya how to make a sword and other stuff.”
He teaches Null about forging, upsetting, and welding. Jackson taught Null how to shape different pieces of metals into different shapes, and how sometimes you put the heated metal in the water, then heat it up again. He taught him welding and looping. Null learned how to make different molds out of clay so you could fill it with molten iron.
“Now we're gonna make a basic sword. When yer get better, you can make a better sword. Melt the wrought iron that ya just made.”
Null puts the wrought iron in a crucible. He then heats it up to as high as it can go. When it is in liquid form, he pours the molten iron into the mold. Null waits for it to cool, then he picks it up and puts it in the water. He reheats it, then hammers at it more, then puts it in the water again. Null looks at the sword he just made.
“Identify.”
Terrible Quality SwordDurability: 4/4
A person wouldn't even use it as their door stop.
Jackson talks to him. “That's actually pretty good for yer first time. Lot'sa guys' swords don't even make it ta completion for their first time. Now I got nothin' else I can teach ya. Ya gotta learn everything else on yer own.”
It's been 2 weeks since Null started going to the blacksmith guild. He managed to impress Jackson with his hard work and tenacity.
“Well kid, ya know the basics. If ya need more iron ore, ya need to buy it from the minin' guild or from someone who mines. Now ya see how hard smeltin' and blacksmithin' can be. People usually focus on one or the other. There are many smeltin' and forgin' techniques that even I haven't heard of, so whatcha gonna focus on?”
“I will do both.”
“You'll do both? Ya realize that even people with blacksmith as a main class don't usually focus on both at the same time. And yer a librarian. Ya still intend to do focus on both?”
“Yes.”
“...Kid, I have to admit, I underestimated you for being a librarian, but these past coupla' weeks, you did as I asked without complaint. For that I'll do you a favor. Is there anything you need?”
“Yes. Could you tell me how do I learn the mining skill?”
“Well if yer main class had been blacksmith, you could've gotten mining as a subclass, but since yer main class is librarian, ya can only learn the skill. This means the skill will grow 10 times slower than yer librarian class. Are ya still fine with that? Ya could just buy from a miner.”
“No. I would rather do things by myself. I do not want to rely on anyone for anything.”
“That's a good attitude ta have, but still pretty foolish. Well since yer so insistent I'll tell ya.”
“Thank you.”
“Ya could go to the mining guild. They usually only teach ya the skill without teachin' people any of the tricks associated with mining.” Jackson writes something on a piece of paper.
“Take this. They'll teach ya all ya need to know. They're located here on yer map.”
“Thank you.”
Null leaves and heads towards the mining guild. When he goes there, the place is nearly empty except for someone sitting at the entrance.
“Yes, what can I do for you?”
“I'm here to learn the mining skill.”
“Most of the miners are at Greyhill mountain right now. If you want to wait here you can, or you could go over there, but since that area is property of the Count, you will need permission to go there.”
“Will this note work?”
Null shows him the note from Jackson.
“...How did you get Jackson of all people to write this note for you? I heard it was impossible! Yes! That would be more than enough!”
The guy marks the area where most of the miners are currently at. Null thanks the guy and heads to Greyhill mountain. It's a 4 hour walk to there. It's known as the best place in the area to mine, so the count seized the property and took it for himself.
He makes it to the entrance which is being guarded.
“Halt! State your business.”
“I'm here to learn the mining skill.” Null takes out his note. “I heard this is the place to do it.”
The guard reads the note.
“Yep, that's definitely his handwriting. There's a huge guy here named Strongarm. You won't miss him. He might be a bit eccentric, but he will teach you the mining skill. While you're here, know that anything on this mountain is the property of the kingdom. You will be arrested if you are caught stealing.”
“Thank you.” Null walks around the mine until he sees the huge man in question.
'Geez, that guard wasn't kidding.'
Null talks to him.
“Excuse me sir.”
“Hmmmm?”
“I heard you could teach me the mining skill.”
“Hmmmm...”
“So can I learn it?”
“Hmmm...”
“...”
He hands Null a pickax and goes towards a section of wall. He then points at Null, then points at himself.
Null thinks, 'He must want me to watch him so that I can learn his technique.' Null nods.
Strongarm then starts spinning and striking the wall very rapidly and forcefully. “UWAAAAAAAAH!!! DO YOU SEE THIS!? THIS MAGNIFICIENT TECHNIQUE!? THIS TECHNIQUE HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN THE STRONGARM LINE FOR GENERATIONS!!!!”
“...!?”
Rocks were being split apart, mayhem was caused. When he was done, copper, silver, gold, and even some rubies were scattered on the floor.
Strongarm then points to Null then another section of wall.
'He wants me to repeat that?'
Null smacks the cave wall as fast as he could, but of course it was weaker and less awesome than Strongarm's technique.
“Hmph.” Was all Strongarm had said.
After 10 minutes of Null striking the wall with his pickax, Strongarm stops him. He then points to Null, then points to himself. 'He must want me to watch his ridiculous technique again.'
Strongarm gets in the middle of the cave.
“Spin around! Stop! Double take three times! One! Two! Three! Now, Pelvic Thrust!”
WHAM! Strongarm rushed towards the wall and slammed his pickax into it. The whole section of wall shattered, and around 7 pieces of gold ores fell to the ground. Strongarm then points to Null and then the wall.
Null thinks to himself, 'Ain't no way in HELL I'm doing that!'
After 6 more days of hilarious encounters, Null finally learns the mining skill.
“Ttring” “You have learned Mining. Getting a higher level means you can mine rarer minerals. The higher the level, the higher the probabity of finding ores. Current probability of mining an ore: 3% ”
If Null didn't have the mining skill, the probably of finding something while mining would be 0.1%. He could have learned the mining skill by himself by repeatedly hitting the wall with his pickax, but Strongarm admittedly had showed him some good points and hints while mining.
Null was practicing his mining, and he found something amazing. “Identify.”
Mana StoneConsidered one of the most valuable ores in the world. It is made from mana condensed into a crystallized form. Value: 5000 gold. Can increase your mana capacity by 200%
“Wow.”
Even though the mining skill is mostly based on skill level and level to find rarer and rarer minerals, it still partially relies on luck. Even if Null digs for another 10 years, he probably won't find another mana stone.
'If I were to take this, I could sell it and never have to worry about money for a while, or I can keep it to myself and become powerful.'
Null looks around. There's no one else here. He smirks. What does he do with it? He drops it on the floor, buys a pickax, and leaves the cave.
'Of course I'm not going to steal that. I'm not stupid, I'm a squishy librarian, and my goal for staying in this world is solitude, which would be pretty hard if I'm being hunted down like a dangerous animal. This isn't some Chinese Wuxia novel where I steal an artifact and become OP. I'm glad I came to the mountain after my intelligence increased.'
Null while walking plans out to his next step. 'Okay. I've taken care of the blacksmithing. Now my next step is to learn the alchemy.'
Null heads back towards town and looks for the alchemy guild. After an hour of walking around, he finds it.
In contrast to the manly, powerful atmosphere the blacksmith guild gave off, the alchemy guild gave off a more serene, calmer atmosphere. Null goes to the front desk. A guy is there to meet with him.
“How can I help you?”
“I have the alchemy subclass, but I don't know anything about it.”
“...How did you pull that off?”
'This conversation feels familiar.' “Beats me.”
“Okay. See that lady in the back with the glasses?”
“Yes.”
“She's pretty nice, but do not anger her, and if you do, do not make any sudden movements, then she'll probably help you out. Her name is Rosemary. Just treat her with respect.”
“Okay.”
Null walks up to her. “Excuse me?”
“Yes young man, what can I do for you?”
“I'm trying to learn alchemy, and I don't know anything about it.”
“What's your class?”
“Librarian with an alchemy subclass.”
“Okay. Come with me.” She takes him to a room filled with books. She takes out one of the books.
“Before you can make potions and poisons, you must first learn how to find and gather alchemy ingredients. After all, how can you brew without any ingredients?”
She gives Null a list of pictures of different herbs. “I want you to gather the ingredients from this list. It shows a picture and what it's called. I want 100 glitter grasses, 50 dancing red vines, 25 imp figs, and 1 Winterbell Flower. If you do that, I will teach you how to do alchemy.”
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Quest: Gathering Herbs.Quest Information: The head alchemist of Rosemary's Potion Place asked you to gather herbs.
Reward: Rosemary will teach you alchemy Quest Rank: Alchemy class quest- F
Penalty if refused: The head alchemist will not teach you alchemy.
Decreased affinity with Rosemary's Potion Place.
Do you accept?
'Why do I have this sinking feeling that the Winterbell Flower will be a big pain in the ass?'
“Okay.”
You have accepted the quest.
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Author's Note: I had to resubmit it, because of problems.
3 chapters in 2 days, with 2 of them being 5000+ words. I think I'm gonna take a nap.
Did you guys know? Just in case you didn't, I'll tell you.
Tables.
Are a pain.
In the ass.