Lurona city [southern shores of Fuminao Legacy Kingdom], local time [1793.12.12]

Seeing Ghrughah’s confusion made him sigh. Of course, even that isn’t normal, he thought tiredly.

“Sorry, Jiji. We need a contract before you can hear more,” he declared with confidence, leaning back on his chair. “We are starting to touch more delicate topics.”

The old man nodded with approval and used another black slate, set into the table, to call Uliala. Ten minutes later, they were done with the NDA. Funnily enough, it was called practically the same as on Earth.

Zeph still didn’t know how much weight those mundane contracts possessed in this society but setting the Temple of Leilucia as the executing force brought him some peace of mind. Aisha was mentioned as the mediator, after all. He knew, at least, that breaking the contract would make the offender eligible for an official duel. Even if the bureaucratic process wouldn’t be able to help him much after the information leaked, his soon-to-be partner would basically be risking his life by doing so.

Uliala brought more snacks and left, the enchantments’ effects reforming behind her. They sat in silence for a moment longer, before Zeph started to explain.

“Phleya is not a native organism. The System left it dependent on our Soul-link.”

The blacksmith nodded in understanding and waited for him to continue. It was clear he had questions, though.

“The little bugger can survive quite long because of the Mana-resistant properties of the armor. But after around half a day it starts to deteriorate.”

“I am surprised you have bought such a high-risk organism… a shame,” the man grunted. “I wanted to play with it a little on my own. Hmmm, never mind that,” he waved his hand as if dispersing his own negative thoughts. “I can observe, that is enough. But it’s a problem for you, too.” His oversized finger was pointing straight at Zeph’s chest. “The cost of upgrading it to a Soul-bond, assuming it’s possible in the first place, would be astronomical. We can’t use this method to change your Soul contamination. That road is, sadly, closed for us now,” he finished in a solemn tone.

I am not so sure about that, old man, Zeph smirked internally, remembering how fast he was gathering UP. On the other hand... “Jiji, I am not sure it would even work. I already have an implant and a Soul-bond supplying my contamination of this alloy type…”

“Ugh, you had to complicate things even further, didn’t you?” Ghrughah grunted, giving him the stink eye. “Why do I have a feeling it’s just the prelude?”

Zeph laughed awkwardly, scratching his cheek. “Well… It’s not that bad, surely… Anyway, you need to explain this whole process in more detail. It’s the first time I am hearing about fusing or transforming Soul contamination. Not to mention, I never considered methods other than implants and hunting for getting new ones.”

He sighed heavily and closed his eyes for a moment. After gathering his thoughts, he looked back at Zeph critically. “I really shouldn’t be the one to explain those things. Especially because you evidently are friends with the Temple.” He paused, shaking his head slightly. “I am not sure how you lived your life until now but this level of ignorance is astounding.”

Zeph frowned. Are you fishing for information, old man?

“Maybe someday I will feel comfortable enough to share my life story with you, Ghrughah,” he said with a straight face, miraculously managing to pronounce his name correctly. “As for Aisha, she doesn’t have much time or willingness to explain things in detail. Even if she is a quite good teacher, overall.”

“Aisha, eh?” A sly grin split his rough face. “So that’s how it is?”

Zeph shrugged, not caring about the conclusion the giant man came to.

The blacksmith huffed and crossed his arms but started explaining, at last. “Let’s start from the beginning, for the clarity’s sake. Every Magicule Soul Contamination has three… No, pardon me – technically speaking it would be four sources, the natural phenomena: the Soul fragments directly added to your Soul, the physical structure of your body, Magicules circulating through both, and the contamination of your Soul-bonds. The first doesn’t really count as it is taken care of by the System and inaccessible to us. The middle two are connected to each other as Mana is naturally forming into Magicules after interacting with the matter of your body, but your body structure is also influencing information in the Soul directly. The last one, the bond’s contamination, isn’t accessible in our case. This leaves us with only two options – modifying your body or flooding you with Magicules and teaching you how to circulate them through your Soul to increase the efficiency of the process.”

Finally, someone competent! So that’s how ‘absorption’ works? By circulating Magicules? a quick, exhilarating thought flew through Zeph’s mind.

“Modifying your existing contamination can be done by using those three phenomena available to us. I will explain the most primitive way of understanding how it works. The compatibility between Magicules is a much more complicated topic, so don’t get conceited!” he warned, which reminded Zeph about P’pfel’s comment about an academy. He could understand they were just touching the surface of the problem.

After chewing unhurriedly on a meaty snack, the man continued.

“Fusing two or more contaminations is self-explanatory. It creates an Advanced version from them, most often. The basic ones have to be compatible with the same physical materials and, together, create the same effect as the resulting, combined type. Again, it’s more complicated, but we don’t have time for this,” he waved his callused hand.

“Transforming a contamination means you are shifting the properties of contamination to a similar Magicule type. The new one has to have at least 60% compatibility when it comes to infusing physical material of the old type and has to be of the same symmetry group. It’s problematic to implement with only Soul-bond phenomenon, though.”

He paused to consider something while stroking his beard.

“Those are the two most basic processes,” he summarized.

Zeph tilted his head. What he suggested at the beginning insinuated at least one more process. “What with modifying my armor to get another contamination for future fusion?”

The old-timer nodded in approval. “Good! You are listening!” he boomed with satisfaction. “Modulation is the last possible process. At least on this stratum. It is the most difficult, too, and very specific as the material compatibility has to be below 33% but above 29% and the Magicules have to be in the same symmetry subgroup. Among other requirements.”

Yes, definitely something for academic study, he thought ruefully.

“As a result,” the blacksmith continued, “it’s applicable mostly to alloys, compounds, and the like. Also, at least two phenomena are required to direct the process. But the effects are quite worth it. You would gain a new contamination that would take over a part of the compatible one, speeding up its own growth. Because of the outstanding compatibility, the two can almost always be fused into an Advanced Magicule type with the help of a third contamination. If you already have two contamination types”—the old man glanced at him pointedly—“it can be the fastest way to gain Advanced Magicule contamination.”

Zeph felt uncomfortable under his gaze. It wasn’t difficult to notice that the man could see much more than he gave away. Shaking off the negative feelings, he started to think about the possibilities. An Advanced ‘element’ sounded nice and all, but did he really need one? It sounded suspiciously like a specialization, and he was a Generalist. Was there an ‘element’ that could bolster that Class?

Maybe let’s see what can be done first. I don’t need to decide right now. Besides, from what he said, my contamination would change after finding the Makrun for Gru and Source Net and… Oh… Oh, shit! The realization hit him. Because of his implant, he would need to keep his contamination, for now, to keep the alloy stable. Which means…

“We can only use the modulation process, can’t we?” he stated depressingly.

The Blacksmith grinned. “That we do. And with body modification and Magicule absorption as the only two methods of implementing it. Seems to me, you never had a choice, ha!” he laughed heartily. “I’m glad you noticed. I hate to work with incompetent people!”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Zeph could relate.

He sighed in resignation and got back on topic. “Anyway, there is something I forgot to mention. I have already bought information about the locations of Mana-resistant metal for upgrading my implant. It’s supposedly rare, the name is Makrun. Do you know about its properties? I only know it’s perfect for directing Mana, inside my body.”

After thinking deeply for a moment, Ghrughah shook his head. “Can’t say I do. Eh, fortunately, it doesn’t restrict us anymore,” he said, scratching his bald scalp. “So, you have two choices, my boy. Are we going with modulation, or do you want entirely new armor? I have quite a choice of quality materials here!” he boomed with pride.

Zeph thought about it for a moment. It was a deceptively hard decision. “Modulation would guarantee I can fuse the contaminations in the future… But is that necessary? Ugh,” he grumbled, massaging his temples. “Wouldn’t using the Exchange be the best option for new armor then? I could even upgrade Phleya to work better with the new metal…”

The optimal solution would be nice.

The giant barked with laughter. “Ha! If such knowledge wasn’t restricted, I would be jobless! You could, of course, choose a new material from your limited options at the Exchange, but I can guarantee subpar results. You don’t look like a material-knowledgeable fella!” he laughed again.

Which was true. During his initiation, in the ‘mind space’, the System showed him a very vast selection of goods but no details on the unfamiliar materials. The modifications they have made to the selected options were all within the scope of Zeph’s knowledge. Also, that choice would strip Ghrughah from his main job – repairing his armor.

Not to mention, it would be a waste of UP… At least it’s decided now.

Nodding to himself, he looked into the blacksmith’s amber eyes. “What do you suggest we do, then? I am not even sure I need or want an Advanced type of contamination… Modulation sounds more problematic than helpful at the moment – I know too little to plan my contamination route.”

The old man silently reached for his tea, then sipped slowly from the oversized cup. He considered Zeph again, slowly coming to a decision. His searching eyes were drilling into him with intensity the man never showed before.

It took him a good minute before he spoke again. “If you are ready to start a more serious… long-term partnership, we could work something better, I think. I can check the cross-compatibility of your two remaining contaminations for the fusion in the future… But I also need to know what you are aiming for. I can make sure you unlock every possible derivate of our work at the Exchange.”

Zeph was taken aback. The guy was probably ancient in terms of human lifespan. A ‘serious long-term partnership’ he was speaking of brought much more weight than a simple invitation for a partnership, the likes he has with Kwan. The man was, in his eyes, suggesting they bond their fates for decades to come. Especially because of what he suggested after that one sentence.

He needs my information… No. One way or another, he would learn of all my contaminations and Class details… I can understand him somewhat. If I am the first person in decades who can push him in the right direction with my exotic knowledge and Class ‘build’ then it’s natural he wants to keep me close… He even agreed to teach me the details of his work…

It was Zeph’s turn to study the blacksmith. Ghrughah was stoically sipping his tea, waiting for his decision, seemingly not paying attention to his intense gaze. The man’s overwhelming form neutral.

He was sly, that was sure, but also reasonable. He spoke somewhat openly, always balancing the scales of information exchange that was happening between them. The question was – was he also trustworthy? It was clear he would rather not work with incompetent people, but would he stop himself from using them for his own interests instead?

But… If he works with us, I can have a perfect cover for my inventions and a blacksmith that we all badly need. He already established himself in the city and is almost over-competent from what I can tell. If he would work with P’pfel… How good could our gear become? More importantly, he wasn’t killed by the Gibbons during his stay here, so besides his own ambitions, he shouldn’t have harmful motivations… Well, it would be a better argument if I knew why my old crewmates killed all those people… he caught himself before making an empty argument. Shrugging off the affection for his old ‘Apes in arms’, he concentrated on himself.

And after analyzing his thoughts deeper, he found another reason, a different truth. The city is… suffocating. I have to always be on guard. Every important talk has to take place in a secured room. I am too weak to defend myself from single humans, not even mentioning the organizations… But if we, our group, become more independent… A high-level generalized blacksmith would widen our horizons, our options… Our own aerostat or maybe a small base for my own, away from the civilization. Should be possible with his resources and skills… If only I could trust him… he looked at the man again.

Finally, he came to a realization. I… can’t make this decision by myself, can I?

“Ghrughah.” The blacksmith opened his eyes to look at him. “Let’s sign the contract for the armor”—he could see the disappointment in the giant’s eyes—“for now. If we are going to forge a partnership you spoke of, you need to get through my companions first,” he finished with a half-joke, observing as a big grin split on the man’s face.

“How thoughtful of you,” he teased before getting more serious. “You plan to start something bigger?”

Zeph smiled hesitantly. “Maybe… No, let’s say I have something like that in mind…”

The man huffed good-naturedly, crossing his arms. “So, what is your decision about that piece of scrap?” he said, nodding at the armor still laying on the table between them.

“Dismantle it to get materials. There is no reason to keep it in one piece if I am to explain the blueprint to you anyway. And you need those samples of the alloy. I am not sure what to do with Phleya, though…”

The man nodded with approval. “Don’t worry about that. My Skills indicate it will enter a hibernation state if we remove it from the metal environment. You just need to keep it close afterwards,” he said, calling Uliala through the black plate.

Did I hear that correctly? Zeph wondered. An endospore? Ugh, I feel like I should buy myself a General Skill for Phleya… I don’t know enough about them!

In a few minutes, they quickly signed a basic contract for repairing the armor. Ghrughah showed his goodwill by taking the lowest pay. In exchange for the armor’s blueprint, as well as permission to analyze the alloy and observe the Phleya, he agreed to supply all materials necessary for the repairs. Even if Zeph would choose to make a new armor from different materials altogether.

After the documents were sorted, they moved to the higher floor of the basement. To the workshop.

And, my friends, it was a sight and a half!

No wonder that Zeph was fascinated by what he saw beyond the silver doors. It was more a hall than a room, and it was absolutely cluttered with strange devices. It would be an almost perfect picture of a steampunk laboratory, but Ghrughah was using the full assortment of different metals instead of just the bronze-like. As a result, it gave off more of an alien, slightly futuristic vibe. Furnaces, forges, and stokes lined the far wall. All were of different shapes and made from different materials. Some were just metallic tubes, resembling pressure tanks, others were the perfect example of a medieval furnace. Metal tables with strange gizmos attached to them filled the floor. Each was surrounded by shelves full of different tools and metal crates. Incomplete projects were haphazardly placed everywhere; from swords to almost mecha-like armors, the grand selection included them all. The lighting wasn’t the best, as the seemingly randomly placed furniture and objects blocked the light from sparsely placed lamps on the ceiling, but it was only enhancing the surrealistic atmosphere.

The only thing that was familiar were the omnipresent pipes, most probably pumping Mana into all of the mechanized tools.

Ghrughah didn’t even pause to boast or observe Zeph’s reaction. He was already fully concentrated on the armor in his hands.

Zeph hurried to catch up, following him deeper into the chaotic workshop. The table the man chose had multiple metal arms attached to it. Each held a precision tool at the tip, somewhat reminiscent of dental handpieces. The blacksmith delicately set the armor on the ‘operation table’, arranging the pieces precisely and securing them with thin straps. Then, he took out a rectangular glass container that could hold a few liters of fluid and placed it in the top right corner while instructing Zeph to sit by the table.

“Umm, about the blueprint?” he asked, sitting down. Just in time to be blinded by four strong desk lamps flaring to live.

“There is a pen and some paper on the shelf to your right. Just start drawing the mechanical parts and write short explanations. You have at least a few hours. I will fill up the rest later. Oh, and you still need to explain how it was supposed to function, so you can start with the overall framework,” the blacksmith instructed while rearranging the metal arms and changing the tools attached to them. He set a few magnifying glasses of different sizes by the front of the table, set two mirrors at the back, and finally grasped one of the ‘handpieces’ between his fingers, moving it closer to the armor’s armguard. It had a blueish, metallic tip sticking out vertically.

Zeph shrugged and did as he was told. But just as he was about to start drawing, using what space was left at the end of the table, his Veil moved, shocking him slightly. His head shoot up, and it took him a good few seconds to understand what was happening. Ghrughah was manipulating his own Veil to ‘suck up’ Zeph’s Mana and coat the armor and the glass container with it.

No way!... he thought, observing the true Advanced Mana manipulation happening right before his eyes… or rather, before his Veil. I think… he has better control than me?! he exclaimed internally, feeling as the Mana-O resulting from the clash between their Veils was being ‘sucked out’… somehow.

As the metallic tip touched the armguard, right between the ‘scales’, it melted and penetrated inside through the gaps, yet still staying connected to the tool. Zeph could feel that the metal never touched the surface of his armor and realized what the blacksmith was doing.

He was trying to minimize the decay of isotopes inside. Instead of directly manipulating the alloy of his armor, he was protecting it with Zeph’s Veil while doing… something with another metal, avoiding physical contact as much as possible.

A second later Zeph could hear a high-pitched sound, like a dentist drill, and one of the ‘scales’ of the armor flew off, making a small opening in the armguard.

Ghrughah clicked his tongue with displeasure, quickly moving the ‘scale’ to the side. “That won’t work…” he said, blindly reaching for a metallic arm holding something that resembled a pipette. He carefully inserted the tip into the opening and slowly moved the plunger up with his thumb.

Not a second later, a few milligrams of Phleya landed in the glass container.

It will be a long day, I see, Zeph thought gloomily.