"Morning, Kyda," I said, my voice wavering slightly as I watched her stride forth from the cloud of steam. She stood there, the last traces of steam curling around her strong, wiry frame, her loose-fitting artisan's tunic and fitted trousers highlighting the paradox of her physicality. I remember thinking that she looked...well, human. But the second she spoke, that illusion shattered.

"Morning, Claire." Her voice was like a well-tuned instrument, never wavering, never stumbling. It was eerily precise, each word carrying a sense of finality to it. No hints of small talk, no fluctuations of mood. Just a steady stream of frankness. It was unnerving, to say the least, but I told myself I'd get used to it. I didn't have much of a choice.

Kyda's sharp, steel-grey eyes shifted onto me, her gaze disconcertingly piercing. "You woke in the same quarters, correct?" she asked, a statement more than a question. I simply nodded, unsure where she was leading with this. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "No washing area or blankets, yes?" Again, I nodded, my pulse quickening at the directness. There was an undeniable authority in her voice, the kind that made you believe she already had solutions before problems arose.

Kyda's voice broke through my reverie. "Come," she said simply, leading the way Kyda approached what looked to be a mere section of the workshop wall. In her hand, she held a small, intricately carved stone. She gently pressed the stone against the wall, her fingers gliding over the carved runes as if playing a well-practiced tune. The stone pulsed with an ephemeral glow that seemed to breathe life into the wall itself.

As she focused, her hand glowing faintly, the wall began to shift and change. It was not a violent or abrupt transformation, but a slow, organic process. The wall seemed to respond to her touch, to the essence of her being that she was subtly imposing upon it, altering its very nature in response to her will.

The solid stone facade rippled and morphed, revealing a compact yet well-equipped room behind it. A bath stood to one side, stacked high with an assortment of crisp blankets and pillows. It was as if someone had painstakingly chosen each item, down to the last detail, with a meticulous understanding of the requirements of a human dwelling. An entire family dwelling by the look of things actually.

I watched, utterly transfixed. This was my first true glimpse into Kyda's craft. Not just the mastery of metals and magics, but also her unique interaction with the world around her, her ability to seemingly impose her essence onto it, to manipulate it at a fundamental level. It was both awe-inspiring and a little disconcerting. Kyda, seeing my wide-eyed bewilderment, allowed a thin smile to cross her face. "You were expecting a straw bed and a bucket, perhaps?" she said, her voice echoing around the previously concealed room. It was a simple but effective space, with the occupying a corner and a small vanity under a luminous crystal sconce that shed a warm, inviting light.

"Standard accommodations as I have read are significantly below par for the hygiene standards I enforce in this building. Moreover, I believe proper maintenance breeds increased efficiency," she continued, her voice devoid of emotion. "So, I decided to provide you with a bit more comfort."

I blinked, trying to make sense of her words. "You... created this with your magic?" I asked incredulously. The room was no palace, but considering we were in the heart of a bustling workshop, it was incredible.

Kyda shook her head, looking not at all bothered by my surprise. "Creation from nothing is not a possibility. In addition, ‘magic’ in this context is not appropriate. I could never manipulate the materials to this extent in this timeframe outside of a unique structure such as this. However, he materials for your bedding and clothing were also more conventional - I do still have mundane contacts, after all."

The practical application of magic… or not in such a manner was something I had not considered before. It was clear Kyda had a deep understanding of her craft that extended far beyond the simple creation of weapons and armor.

I looked back at Kyda, finding her steady gaze still fixed on me. The sight of the washroom, in contrast to my own barren quarters, was a stark reminder of how out of my depth I was. Yet there was a comfort in knowing that she had gone to lengths to accommodate me. Even if it was in her own peculiar, somewhat alien way. Though it did feel as though she may be overcompensating to prove a point.

"I have rearranged the workshop to provide you with necessary amenities," Kyda explained, her tone of voice as flat as ever. "Your quarters now include running water, a comfortable sleeping area, and the basic requirements of privacy. You will not suffer in your time here, but nor will you be coddled. You will merely be efficiently maintained. Do you understand?"

"I...Yes, thank you, Kyda," I stammered, feeling a knot of gratitude in my throat despite the unease.

"Your gratitude is noted, but not necessary," she replied, her tone void of any emotional resonance. "Now that the formalities are over, let's discuss your role here."

"Okay...so what exactly am I doing here?" I asked, pushing down the nervous flutter in my stomach.

"You won't begin with the basics of cleaning or organizing," Kyda stated, her voice sharp and clear. "My craft doesn't require a maid. It requires understanding, appreciation, and respect for each creation. Only a person who truly comprehends the significance of the artistry involved in crafting each piece can effectively market them." Her eyes bore into mine, unyielding and cold. "Only an expert can convince others of their worth. You'll assist with the more complex tasks once you've proven you've developed this understanding. Not before." Her tone left no room for arguments or misunderstandings; this was not a negotiation.

Her words settled heavily in my stomach, as if they were stones dropped into a still pond. This was really happening. This wasn't some nightmare I could shake off. It was reality, and I was in it deep. But then again, I now had my own bed and a washroom. That was something, right? Small victories, I reminded myself.

"Alright, then," I said, bracing myself for the steep learning curve ahead. "Where do we start?"

"Follow me," Kyda commanded, turning on her heel and leading me back through the workshop. We traced the path we took last night, only this time, the previously empty display cases and stands weren’t bare. They were filled with an array of weapons and armors, a breathtaking assortment that almost made me stumble in my steps.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Kyda must have crafted these overnight. The thought of it was bewildering. Swords, daggers, spears, shields, armors, all meticulously designed and teeming with a latent aura of power. Each piece was a work of art, radiating an almost palpable energy. It was awe-inspiring, a testament to Kyda's mastery and expertise.

Once we'd reached the display cases, Kyda turned to me. Her expression was as impassive as ever, but her eyes...there was a hint of expectation in them. As if she was keenly anticipating my reaction.

"Claire," she began, her voice echoing in the expansive room. "Do you comprehend the subtleties of Forgewright steel? The precise mastery over the tempering process required to obtain the flexible strength it is revered for? Can you appreciate the delicate balance between carbon and iron, manipulated to a hundredth of a percent to achieve that unique resilience? Do you understand why I chose to fortify the hilt of this blade with oakwood, or why the pommel has a core of lead?" Her voice was cold, matter-of-fact. There was no room for confusion or hesitation in her words, only expectation.

I stared at her, my mouth going dry. Was she joking? I had no idea what she was talking about. My mind fumbled for a response, but all that came out was, "I... um..."

She continued unabated, her gaze still focused on the displays, as though I was an afterthought to her musings. "Can you appreciate the profound significance of incorporating the essence of formidable beings into these creations, Claire?" Her tone was frosty, devoid of any warmth, making me feel like I was being evaluated rather than instructed. "The blood of the voidlings, the feathers of a phoenix, or the heartstone of a living monolith—these aren't simply materials. They are life, captured in physical form, each adding unique properties, each adding not just a flavor of power to a creation, but the latent potential unique to the living. The ability to improve, to grow. Do you understand?"

The questions hung in the air between us, a test I had no hope of passing. How was I supposed to know any of this? I felt a flush of embarrassment coloring my cheeks. "Kyda, I don't... I mean, I can't..."

"Ah." The single word hung in the air between us, heavy with implication. For a moment, she looked at me, a flicker of something in her gaze. Not annoyance or disappointment, but rather... realization.

Without a word, Kyda walked to the wall, laying her hand on a seemingly random point. The air shimmered, and a small shelf slid out. She grabbed a thick, heavy tome from it and walked back, dropping it into my hands. "This will help. Study it. You'll need to understand these principles if you are to assist me."

I gaped at her for a moment before looking down at the book. "The Essential Craftsman: Metals, Magics and Mastery." I swallowed hard, looking back up at Kyda. "Right. I'll... get started on this, then."

Kyda nodded, turning her attention back to the displays. "Good. Begin at once. Your role here is not only to assist but to learn, Claire. Remember that."

My heart thumped hard in my chest as I stared down at the thick book. A feeling of overwhelming dread washed over me, and I began to fear that I was in over my head. But then Kyda's voice sliced through my anxious thoughts.

"Obviously, imply reading will not suffice, Claire. I doubt that would prove anything but a frustration for the both of us given your lack of the necessary refined education .You will learn, yes, but even if you were a scholar, understanding requires more than rote memorization. We will undertake this together. I will guide you, challenge you, push you to your limits. You will understand the concepts in practice, not just theory."

Her tone was harsh, stern, not unlike the commander of a militia. I looked up at her in surprise, finding her gaze fixed intently on me, a spark of something that might have been determination in her eyes. Though, detecting emotion in those blank slates was about as reliable as street palm-readers scamming the coins from the naive. Even if I was accurate, that didn’t mean her determination saw me as my own agent in all of this. I should banish all warm and fuzzy thoughts of student-mentor warmth blooming between us before they got a chance to take root.

With a deep breath, I steeled myself and nodded. I was in uncharted territory, but Kyda was right. I had a role to play here, and I was going to do everything in my power to fulfill it. Reading, learning, understanding - it was daunting, but it was also thrilling. I was about to embark on a journey like none other, under the stern guidance of a master craftsman.

Kyda’s icy gaze bore into mine as she confirmed her approach to my education. I blinked in surprise, my mind racing. My experience was largely forced of circumstance where I had to deal in trades, acquisitions, and haggling had required quick thinking, a smooth tongue, and plenty of cunning – and they were a far cry from the meticulous and methodical education I was about to undertake. That’s also without mentioning that any skills I had saw fit to land me in my last sorry excuse for a position: underfoot a man with the brain and self-control of a barn animal.

"Kyda," I started, my voice shaky. "I...I've always learned on the go, from my own mistakes and rare successes. I've never been in a situation like this...where I'm expected to absorb so much."

"That is inconsequential." Her blunt reply took me aback. "You are here now. You will adapt and you will learn. That is all that matters."

The words hung in the air, echoing in the cavernous workshop. The constant hum of arcane machinery and the hissing of god knows what artifices in the distance punctuated the silence. Taking a deep breath, I glanced down at the minimalist cover of the dense tome before me, apprehension and curiosity warring within. This wasn't going to be a typical apprenticeship, that much was clear. But then again, there was nothing 'typical' about Kyda. And with that thought, the lesson began.

"Very well," Kyda stated abruptly, her attention reverting to the tome in her hands. "We will commence with the elementary understanding. The core of every weapon, every armor, is inherently interwoven with the life essence of the components used. This is beyond just mere physical properties. It is deeper, almost primal."

With a flick of her wrist, she opened the heavy tome to a page riddled with complex sketches and extremely compact blocks of notes. "Every sentient being has an essence, an intangible, yet intrinsic quality. This essence can be extracted, manipulated and then infused into a crafted item, bestowing it with characteristics that surpass the mundane."

“This is most commonly done in practice with mundane components of living beings: blood, bones, occasionally scales or horns in a pinch.” Kyda traced her slender finger down a complex diagram, before pointing at an illustrated beast. "The chimera, for instance, its blood can be incorporated into an armor piece to enhance a user’s resistance to the elements and adaptability. Additionally, the item imbued will no longer be limited to the physical constraints of its component materials’ physical properties in terms of strength, flexibility, and mana capacity."

She paused, her stern gaze locking onto mine. "Do you comprehend this principle?"

Truthfully, her explanation felt like a foreign language. But I was determined not to appear as clueless as I felt, so I nodded, trying to convey a confidence I didn't truly possess.

"Excellent," she stated curtly, showing no signs of satisfaction, only an impassive acceptance. "The practice will be arduous and time-consuming. But, for now, grasping the theory is your initial challenge. Understanding the essence of the materials is as crucial as mastering the techniques of shaping and assembling them."

And with that, my unconventional education under the watchful eye of Kyda began. It was intimidating, filled with bewildering concepts and intricacies, but an odd sense of anticipation simmered within me. I was intrigued by this complex world of magical craftsmanship. I had to adapt, to learn, to endure. I really had no other option.