Novels2Search
Science of Magic (LitRPG story)
Chapter 5 - Job Variation

Chapter 5 - Job Variation

He woke up several hours later, feeling perfectly fine. It seemed that consuming the giant centipedes was, surprisingly, safe. He quenched his thirst with a drink of water and proceeded to cook all of the remaining meat. As he tended to the cooking, he had some time to ponder. There were still a few things he needed to figure out, so he decided to conduct some experiments with different mental commands.

He was familiar with the command for spells and notifications, but he couldn't shake the feeling that the points he had been earning needed to be put to use somehow. Curiosity piqued, he tried commands like "points" and "character screen," but they yielded no result. However, when he attempted "status," a screen suddenly materialized before his eyes.

Name: Ethan Okamura

Ethan Okamura

Age:

26

Jobs:

Basic enchanting

Apprentice

Essence points (EP)

11

Specialization points (SP)

2

Achievements

First Creation

He studied the screen intently, his brows furrowing in confusion. The essence points displayed on the screen were not as high as he had anticipated. He had used a few points to create the two items, but by his calculations, he should have received a total of 17 points. Yet, the current count fell short.

As he contemplated this discrepancy, a realization struck him. Could it be that using the items themselves also consumed essence points? He recalled activating the taser twice, which would account for the missing 2 points. He let out a frustrated groan, realizing that he would have to be more strategic in his usage. It wasn't enough to simply employ the taser against a single centipede; he would have to take out multiple creatures at once to gain a significant reward. It stood to reason that stronger monsters would yield more points, but at the same time, more powerful enchantments might deplete a larger portion of his essence points. With no mana or similar resource to rely on, essence points, or EP, seemed to be the key to wielding magic.

His attention shifted to the other points displayed on the screen—specialization points, or SP. Although he had no clear understanding of their purpose at the moment, he decided to set that matter aside for later investigation. Perhaps one of the books strewn about the workshop held the answers, but for now, it was not a pressing concern.

Setting the freshly cooked giant insect in front of him, he began savoring the meal. Just as he started to take a bite, another screen unexpectedly materialized, capturing his attention.

Notice:

Available crafts

Reward:

You have learned basic cooking

None

3 Essence points (EP)

Basic Cooking

Ingredients required

Bonuses from eating

New recipe learned:

Crevice stalker Kebab

1 Chunk of Crevice stalker meat

1 thin pointy stick

An open fire

None

Ethan couldn't help but smile as he chewed, relishing the taste of the freshly cooked meat. It was fascinating to see how everything in this world operated like a skill system. The sense of measurable progress reminded him of a game, where slaying hordes of monsters or gathering crafting materials were necessary steps to level up. The feeling of accomplishment was undeniably addictive, and he found himself growing more excited by the possibilities.

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After minimizing the screens displaying his progress, Ethan turned his attention to the worktable. He had a few ideas in mind for the chitin and a desire to explore further.

As he surveyed the piles of monster parts, he tapped his chin thoughtfully. Recreating a rudimentary version of laminar armor seemed feasible using the chitin. It was a type of armor with overlapping plates—originally made of steel but, in this case, chitin—that had been employed by Roman legionnaires with great effectiveness.

Considering the design, Ethan realized he would need some form of inner padding. He glanced down at the leather apron he wore, realizing it could serve that purpose. All he had to do was find a way to attach the chitin plates to the apron, and he would have at least some level of protection. As he ran his fingers along the smooth surface of the chitin plates, he couldn't help but marvel at their texture, despite the occasional remnants of organic matter clinging to them.

Carefully arranging the disassembled parts on the spacious worktable, Ethan took a moment to gather his focus. The strong odor of the creatures lingered in the air, but he pushed past any discomfort, determined to accomplish his task.

With a firm grip on his carving knife, Ethan began the meticulous process of cleaning the chitin plates. Each plate received his undivided attention as he scraped away any remaining flesh or debris, ensuring they were free from gore.

As he worked, Ethan marveled at the diverse range of colors displayed by the chitin plates. From deep earthy hues to shimmering iridescence, they exhibited a natural beauty. The intricate ridges and segmented structure of the chitin fascinated him, a testament to the ingenuity of nature's own armor.

Pausing occasionally to wipe the sweat from his brow, Ethan continued his work with patience and precision. The task demanded his full concentration, and he was determined to make the most of this valuable resource. Each chitin plate was carefully cleaned, leaving behind a pristine surface.

Admiring the pile of meticulously prepared armor components, Ethan felt a sense of accomplishment. The cleaned chitin plates were now ready to be transformed into his envisioned laminar armor.

Examining the leather apron, Ethan realized it wouldn't provide sufficient material to craft all the armor pieces he had in mind. While it could serve as the inner padding or reinforce specific areas, he needed more material for the bracers and shin protectors. Determined to find a solution, he set out to search the workshop for additional leather or any other suitable materials that could be repurposed.

Rummaging through cabinets and shelves, Ethan's diligent exploration led him to a hidden stash of leather scraps. Although of varying sizes, they seemed adequate to supplement the apron and provide the necessary materials for his desired armor pieces. Happy with the discovery, Ethan carefully gathered the leather scraps and brought them to his workbench, ready to commence the crafting process.

Ethan devised a plan for crafting his armor. He decided to utilize the leather apron as the inner padding and foundation for the chest piece, as its durability and flexibility offered a promising combination of comfort and protection. The leather scraps he had discovered would serve as the base for the bracers and shin protectors.

As he laid out the leather scraps, Ethan carefully considered the placement of each piece, envisioning how they would fit together to create a cohesive whole. Taking into account the natural contours of his body, he ensured that the armor would provide optimal coverage without hindering his mobility. While he wasn't an expert in leatherworking, he felt reasonably confident in his ability to produce a decent result.

With his plan solidified, Ethan picked up the knife with its crystal blade. The exceptional sharpness of the blade would make working with the tough chitin plates easier. He meticulously marked the desired dimensions and shapes onto the leather scraps, ensuring they would complement the chitin pieces he was about to attach.

Shifting his focus to the meticulously cleaned chitin plates, Ethan began making precise cuts using the sharp crystal knife. The knife effortlessly sliced through the chitin, leaving behind smooth edges and accurate incisions.

Once the chitin plates were prepared, Ethan carefully positioned them onto the leather apron and other leather components, aligning the holes that needed to be sewn together. Utilizing the crystal knife, he created matching punctures in both the leather and chitin, ensuring a seamless connection when they were secured.

To his delight, Ethan discovered a collection of sturdy thread spools in one of the workbench compartments. It was a stroke of luck, as the thread would serve as the ideal lacing material for his armor. He threaded a strong needle and began skillfully stitching the chitin plates onto the leather components.

With each stitch, Ethan's armor gradually took shape. When he finally completed the sewing process, he stepped back to admire his handiwork. The laminar armor he had envisioned was now a tangible reality, albeit not without its imperfections. It might not be the most aesthetically pleasing creation, but it would serve its purpose.

Grinning with satisfaction, Ethan proceeded to don the bracers and shin protectors, securing them in place and adjusting the fit. The solid presence of the chitin plates against his skin assured him of their protective qualities. Moving on to the chest piece, he found it fit reasonably well. Although he had attempted to create strings for tightening it in the front, it still hung slightly loose on him.

Looking down at his homemade armor, Ethan couldn't help but feel a profound sense of accomplishment. His previous experience into armormaking for roleplayers had paid off, giving him some valuable experience to draw on. He acknowledged that rivets would have been a better choice instead of strings, and he could have improved the fit further, but the armor would fulfill its purpose nonetheless.

[https://i.imgur.com/PfC7FE2.jpg]

Notice:

Available crafts:

Reward:

You have learned basic leather working

None

3 Essence points (EP)

Basic leather working

Materials required

New recipe learned:

Rudimentary chitin armor

Chitin

Leather

Sturdy string

Ethan chuckled with delight as the screen appeared before him once again. He was genuinely starting to develop an affinity for this system. The fact that acquiring new knowledge and skills rewarded him with EP, enabling him to utilize his enchanted items, made the whole experience even more captivating. It encouraged a sense of curiosity, experimentation, and personal growth, which resonated with him on a deep level.

With an eager smile, Ethan retrieved the stick taser and his wand from their designated spots and made his way towards the workshop's door. It was time for another round of thrilling exploration.