Trillia sat happily with her second bowl of stew. One of the guards was kind enough to invite her over to their cooking pot upon seeing her wander. The group of guards was chatting about the new-found bandit problem, as well as how they felt about training in a dungeon.

It was positive all around. Less risk, more reward, and they could afford to try things because they knew they wouldn't die. If it was something that worked, they could incorporate it; if not, there was no harm done.

The bandit issue was entirely different. The orcs felt as though banishment was too harsh a punishment for what was essentially raiding. Something that most orcs knew of and took part in at some point in their lives. The Minotaurs, on the other hand, felt it was something that held them back as a species and made them come across as savages. There was some arguing over the point but nothing more.

One of the orcs finished drinking the broth in his bowl, and as he reached forward to grab another scoop, he looked over at Trillia. "So, what are the problems facing you, lass? You normally eat in your tent with Amelia. What has you out and wandering?"

Trillia finished swallowing a spoon full before looking over at him. "Amelia has some errands to take care of. I was sort of just using food as an excuse to think."

The guard leaned back with her fresh bowl. A couple of the other guards motioned for her to continue. She paused and shrugged before briefly explaining her classes to them. She left out Lethe and the other deities but mentioned that the deity she was pact-bound to mentioned a possible combination class.

The guards all went silent as they thought about it. The orc who had started the conversation took a couple bites of stew before speaking. "I guess it depends. Your cleric friend has a point. If you aren't ready to be a front-line combatant. Something that keeps you at a range is ideal. Mo' over there uses a heavy crossbow since he's shite with every melee weapon we've handed him." The orc motioned to a minotaur, who only rolled his eyes in response. "Helps a lot. To know you have someone who is picking off enemy archers or shooting at vulnerable spots. If a megapede is rearing about and thrashing, a melee combatant might struggle to hit the eyes. Mo' won't struggle to do so. A blind enemy is a weak enemy."

One of the other orcs snorted at that. "Unless the fucker was born blind and has traits to go with it. In that case, run the other way. I've heard some tales about you, lass. Tons and tons of mana, right?" Seeing Trillia nod, he continued. "I'd go for stuff that burns up a mana bar. There are a few warrior-type classes that burn hundreds of mana a second with active buffs. Mages and healers obviously burn a lot. Alchemists can get very mana-heavy as well. I went on a scouting mission with the Grand Alchemist once. Bastard blew through fifteen mana potions in a single battle and gave himself mana sickness. Saved our asses, though."

Trillia tilted her head at that. "How does an alchemist burn through mana? I thought they spent a lot of time preparing their potions and flasks?"

A minotaur spoke up. "It's my secondary class. What you're talking about is its interaction with the General Skill. The class itself can turn water into acid if they front load enough mana into the water and flask. Now, obviously, Grand Alchemist Mort is a special case, but I've seen him take a handful of sand and transmute it into a glass bottle. The class is an excellent boon, but from what I've experienced so far. It doesn't mesh well without a large investment into Wisdom. I just don't have the mana to keep up with some of the more active skills."

Trillia nodded. After a moment of the others chatting, she spoke up. "I have a trait called Alchemical Blood. Does anyone know anything about how it interacts with the class?"

The alchemist pulled a book out of his pack and began flipping through it. Turning to a page, he handed it over. Trillia took it and read aloud for the others sitting at the fire. "The description for the trait itself is. Your blood is mana. You can utilize your blood in place of certain reagents. Doing so causes a health malus that can only be recovered with natural rest and recovery. The entry here goes on to say - Creatures with Alchemical blood can use their mana as normal to shortcut the typical brewing process. In addition, if they add drops of their blood using this trait into those creations, the creation in question has all of its effects boosted by one-hundred percent." Trillia read it a few more times. Taking a moment, she pulled her own journal out and copied the information over before returning the book.

"Another option. Thank you for the information, at least. It seems Alchemist is a more tempting prospect than I had originally given it credit for." Trillia put her book away before cradling the soup in her lap and resuming her dinner. The other guards chatted for a few more minutes about the book and its contents before the orc turned to her. "Why not just find a flat rock, mark one side, and flip it? Choose that way."

Trillia glanced over at him before offering a little shrug and nod. Maybe that's what she would wind up doing.

An hour or so later, she bid them all a good night before heading toward her tent. Amelia still hadn't returned, but at least Ialu was curled up and taking a nap. Trillia walked over and lay next to the wolf.

'You know. Alchemist has a short duration. I could take it, try it out, and see if I like it. Darn. I wish I had asked Uncle Mort if he could mentor me in alchemy.' Having yet another conversation with herself, Trillia finally gave a heavy sigh. She took [Slayer's Aura] as her mastery skill and locked in [Alchemist] at a short duration. Worst case scenario, she could void it. Best cast alchemy was something she liked and could take the class to its end.

The General Skill: [Alchemy - Hybrid]: Level 2 has been subsumed by your new class! [Alchemist]

Alchemist is treated as always having Alchemy as a passive skill. It will not show up in your skill list but is available as a Mastery Skill should you reach the maximum level of your class. In addition to this, all of your class skills will grant experience to the Alchemy passive skill.

Trillia read through it and nodded. Checking her status to see that the alchemy skill was no longer there but listed under her class instead. She turned on her mana-sight to look around at everything. The random alchemical blurbs of items were more defined and made more sense to her. Given a few levels, she'd be sure it'd be even easier to understand.

'I sure hope I get something good out of all this. I still have [Blood Alchemist] as well that I can evolve this into if I like it.' Grumbling to herself some more, she rolled over and closed her eyes. A good nap was always a good idea.

-=- The Next Day -=-

She met Layla by the dungeon, but no one else had shown up yet. The two wandered off to find Frederick at his father's forge. To their surprise, Amelia and Malor were there as well. Alfred waved at them as they approached. Quite a few others were gathered around, trying desperately to haggle with Margaritte.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

None of them were having any luck.

As Trillia approached, Frederick gave a little wave and went back to hammering away at a piece of hot metal. "Sorry, dear. But our prices are final. We make good quality armor that's worth what we're asking. I've already told you how you can get a reduction in cost. Just bring us the materials. Alternatively, our scrap pile is reasonably priced."

The orc in question gave a low growl as he stared down at the woman. Marg only offered him a bright smile and stared directly at him. "If there's nothing else. I'll have to ask you to put in an order or leave. You're holding up the line, dear."

As the orc went to open his mouth and speak, another orc nudged him aside. "Complain later, ya cheap fuck. I watched their armor take a hammer hit from Ralrouk, and it didn't crumple. Price be damned." The orc looked down at Marg. "Uhhh...hard metal, full body. Have rocks." With that, he produced a bunch of metal blocks from a storage item.

Alfred paused and walked over, inspecting the metal. "Uhhh..metal good." Alfred looked at Trillia to rescue him. She let out a little giggle and walked over with a nod. "The metal is fine, lad. You say you want full plate. Does that include protection for the arms, legs, and a helmet?"

As Trillia translated, the orc nodded. "I use this as a weapon." As he spoke, the orc pulled out a large, crude great sword. Trillia recognized the rough hammering and jagged edge as a rather fine weapon. The look on Alfred's face said she had a lot to learn about weapons. "Do you need more metal for a new blade? My class specializes in bleeding attacks, if that matters."

Alfred looked down at the metal, but it was Marg that spoke up. "Maybe a grand falchion? Same general shape. Give it a better edge on the top with some jags near the bottom to rip flesh. Could also pay to have it enchanted with bloodletting. Most creatures bleed like a stuck pig if bloodletting is on the blade." Alfred grunted in the affirmative as the two poked and prodded at the metal. Trillia kept translating their musing to the orc.

"I don't think I can afford to also get it enchanted. If the general design of the blade is the same shape, I trust you to get it done. I know weapons aren't your specialty, and armor is. If I have to go elsewhere for a weapon, I'll understand."

Alfred scoffed and shook his head, looking over at Malor. "Come 'ere lad." As he motioned and Trillia spun to translate that as well. The minotaur wandered over rather curiously. "Do you know the blood-letting enchantment? If not, can you learn it from a human book about enchantments?" Malor nodded after the translation. Alfred grinned and turned to the orc. "You'll get your armor and your weapon. Marg will go over the cost in other bits and bobs from the dungeon. The enchantment will be covered by our good friend Malor here in exchange for any leftover metal that Marg and I don't use. Sound fair, lad?"

The orc nodded happily and grabbed Alfred's hand, shaking it. "This is how humans agree, correct? That is wonderful news for me." Trillia stayed and helped with the negotiations about the rest of the payment. Which was mostly the orc just handing over a bunch of wolf pelts and thirty or so pounds of copper. Alfred handed him a small metal plate with an enchantment on it and told him to return in a week.

A few hours of this went by before Marg finally waved everyone off, telling them to return tomorrow and that the family had to get to work. Marg looked over at Trillia and gave her a hug. "We were already planning on making sure Freddie's party had good armor. You're rather helpful with how many languages you know. I'll make your armor personally." Trillia smiled and returned the hug before looking over at Frederick.

"I was wondering if everyone was ready for our first delve together. If anyone still needs a few more days, I completely understand." Alfred immediately set his hammer down.

"None of you are going into that dungeon for the next four days. We're already working on armor for all of you. Maybe the first or second level, but nothing deeper. I know Red River plays nice, but I want you all armored up before you head off to fight some twelve-headed cyclops that can breathe fire." Trillia froze and wondered not only what a cyclops was but if Red River had such a creature in its depth. After the abomination they faced on just the second level, she wasn't sure if it was a joke.

Amelia walked over and put an arm around Trillia's shoulders. "I came over to ask the same question this morning only to get the same answer. I figured I'd round everyone else up eventually, and we could at least watch and help where we could. Unless you're absolutely set on going into the dungeon today, that is."

Trillia offered a little grin. "I sort of have a new class I wanted to test out..." She translated the statement for the others to hear. Alfred paused at that and gave her a look. "I decided to try out Alchemist. I have a trait that helps it, and I have access to a specialized Alchemy class if the base class goes well."

Alfred and Marg both nodded. Marg's eyes lit up with what Trillia could only describe as a predatory glint. "You're learning to be an alchemist, you say? I can get you some easy levels, and you don't even have to delve into that dungeon."

Alfred grinned and shook his head. "Ya fucked up, lass. Good luck." The man's grin only spread, and he walked over to his forge and anvil, whistling. Trillia looked between him and Marg a few times.

"So, the process of breaking down certain types of metal is alchemical in nature. I've mastered the alchemist class five or six times to make sure that I always have the skills I need. I can show you that process." Marg smiled and leaned on the counter she had been bartering on.

Trillia jumped forward and extended her hand. "Great! Free training, and I get to learn more about armor. Is it ok if I ask you questions about alchemy as we work?"

Marg nodded and shook her hand. "That's what being a teacher is all about, lass. Actually!"

[Human - Master Armorsmith - 117] Water Mana Manipulation: Margartitte 'Ironjaw' has extended an offer to become her apprentice in the class [Alchemist]. She is offering the skill [Refine Purity]. Do you accept?

Trillia immediately accepted and saw the skill pop up for her. "I wish I could mentor you in something as payment!"

Marg paused and looked at her. "You can, dear. Having a trait or skill just allows you to mentor significantly more people. Normally you can only mentor one person at a time and be mentored by three people at a time. Some traits increase this exponentially."

Trillia looked over at Amelia as she translated. "Why didn't anyone tell me?"

Amelia shrugged. "I didn't know. Our people don't really do that sort of thing. Maybe that's something unique to humans?"

After an hour or so of trying to figure out each other's systems. They came to the realization that it was indeed an ability unique to humans. Rather, it was part of a racial passive about learning non-combat classes that allowed them to mentor another creature in any class that they themselves had mastered. Marg looked crestfallen at that. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

Trillia shrugged and followed the woman. "None of us did! I just feel bad that I can't pay you back."

Marg cackled at that and looked over at Trillia with the same predatory glint. "Oh, trust me, dearie. By the end of today, you'll deeply regret accepting that apprentice position. Let's get to making steel."

Trillia was ready for the challenge. Amelia found a couple of songs that bolstered stamina regeneration and played those. Malor began enchanting the 'scrap' gear that the family made that they considered low-quality and would sell for cheap. Most of it was finely made iron armor, as best as Trillia could tell. Layla was happy to just hang out and chit-chat. Trillia knew how she felt. It was good to be around people who made you happy and treated you like family. Ialu was all too happy to lay near a hot forge and soak in the heat.