The morning sun cast a golden glow over the village, and Alaric walked beside his father, Darion, toward the blacksmith's store. Darion carried himself with the practiced ease of a craftsman, his muscular frame and soot-streaked hands speaking to years of dedication at the forge.
“You sure about this, son?” Darion asked, glancing at Alaric. “Hundred rune stones aren’t cheap, and you’re already stretching yourself thin.”
Alaric nodded, his expression resolute. “This is an investment, Father. If I can make this work, it’ll change everything.”
Darion sighed, though a small smile tugged at his lips. “You’ve got your mother’s stubbornness, that’s for sure. Let’s hope it pays off.”
They entered the blacksmith’s store, a cozy yet cluttered space filled with racks of weapons, armor, and shelves lined with glowing rune stones. The air was thick with the scent of molten metal and the faint hum of enchantments lingering in the air.
The storekeeper, a burly man named Garrick, greeted them with a nod. “Darion! And this must be your boy. What brings you here?”
“We’re here for rune stones,” Darion replied, gesturing toward the shelf. “The boy’s got a project in mind.”
Garrick raised an eyebrow, studying Alaric. “Ambitious, are we? Well, let’s see what we’ve got.”
Alaric examined the rune stones, each one pulsing faintly with magical energy. They ranged in color and intensity, but he focused on the ones imbued with the property of Permanency. Garrick pulled out a crate filled with the requested 100 rune stones and began tallying the cost.
“This’ll run you 20 silver,” Garrick said.
Darion hesitated for a moment, but seeing the determination in his son’s eyes, he pulled out the pouch of coins and handed it over. “Make it count, Alaric.”
Alaric’s chest swelled with gratitude. “Thank you, Father. I won’t waste this opportunity.”
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Back at home, Alaric set up in his room. The crate of rune stones sat before him, their soft glow casting dancing shadows on the walls. He unsheathed his iron sword and placed it on the table beside a glass vial containing the Broodmother’s extracted essence—a swirling, dark-green mist with a faint glow.
“This is it,” Alaric muttered to himself. “No turning back now.”
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Activating Essence Extraction, he began working through the rune stones one by one. Each stone dissolved into shimmering particles as he drew out their essence, but none yielded anything new.
His focus never wavered, even as hours passed. The room grew darker, the only light coming from the essence particles swirling around him.
Finally, on the 56th stone, a notification appeared in his mind:
New Skill Acquired: Permanency (D Rank)
* Description: Grants the ability to imbue objects, skills, or effects with a permanent state.
* Attributes:
* Requires significant mana expenditure.
* Effects vary depending on the infused material or skill.
* Higher-ranked versions increase compatibility and efficiency.
Alaric’s heart raced as he read the details. His mind spun with possibilities. "Permanency... If this works, it’ll give me a real edge."
He turned his attention to the Broodmother’s essence, examining its properties. Among its traits, Exo-Skeleton caught his eye—a durable, regenerative quality that could enhance armor or weapons.
“This could work,” he thought, excitement bubbling in his chest.
He activated Essence Infusion, channeling the essence into his iron sword. The blade glowed faintly green, and he watched in awe as its surface began to shift. The mundane iron took on a more refined, almost organic appearance, with dark veins coursing through the blade like sinew.
The sword pulsed with energy, but Alaric knew the infusion was temporary. Drawing a deep breath, he activated Permanency, pouring his mana into the weapon.
The room was filled with a bright flash, and when the light faded, the transformation was complete.
The iron sword was no longer ordinary. Its blade shimmered with a faint green hue, and the surface had a sleek, chitinous texture, resembling the Broodmother’s exoskeleton.
The hilt was reinforced with a darker material, its grip more ergonomic and natural.
Sword of the Broodmother
* Type: One-handed sword
* Rank: D
* Attributes:
* Durability: Extremely high
* Sharpness: Moderate
* Special Effect: Regenerative coating – slowly repairs itself over time.
* Bonus Effect: Increased resistance to physical damage.
Alaric held the sword in his hands, his expression a mixture of disbelief and pride. “I did it,” he whispered.
Darion entered the room, his eyes widening at the sight of the transformed weapon. “Alaric… What in the gods’ name did you do?”
“I combined essence infusion with permanency,” Alaric explained, still marveling at the blade. “This sword... it’s a part of me now.”
Darion studied his son, his gaze softening. “You’ve got talent, boy. Real talent. But be careful. Power like this attracts attention.”
Alaric nodded, his resolve hardening. “I’ll use this power to protect what matters.”
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That night, as he lay in bed, the sword resting beside him, Alaric’s thoughts raced. He wasn’t just a weak Essence Sage anymore. He had proven that even a seemingly useless class had potential.
But this was only the beginning. The path ahead would be long and dangerous. The memory of his past life, the destruction of his nation, and the looming threat of the Demon Lord were never far from his mind.
With his newfound skill and determination, Alaric vowed to forge his destiny, one step at a time.