Holding up the newly minted golden bronze short sword all I could think was... That was surprisingly easy.
Everything went exactly the way I wanted it to, making it was exactly the same as forging the steel swords with Grungil except easier? The dwafari metal almost felt like it wanted to become whatever I asked it be, not allowing me to lose material during shaping when I know I hit it wrong in certain places. Too hard near the tip where it should have flattened out into an useable weapon. Instead it seemed to move my other hand to adjust to my mistakes for me, everything went smoothly until I went to enchant it. I don't know exactly why but instead of using a gem my gut told me imbue all of my mana into the metal at the handle instead and upon doing so the water itself caught on fire. Not as in the surface of the water, rather the water was flaming a greenish black smoke that was quickly devoured by the stone chimney in the shop. Pulling the sword out of the water fully I used the connection to the weapon and simply wanted the flames to go out, so they did. The only issue was when I used identify...
[Evolving Artifact: Hades Inferno]
Made of dwafari bronzed steel.
"That's it?! the FUCK?" holding the sword closely to my face I exclaimed waking a well drank Grungil.
Waking up with a grunt, he took the weapon from my hands and examined it, "Give her here lad, hmmmm well for one, fuck yaself. First solo forge and you made an artifact, let alone an evolving artifact. My first forge was a dagger that got chipped going through butter... And you still complain. This generation is entitled"
Grungil went into a lengthy thirty minute lecture about artifacts, the difference of evolving vs non evolving artifacts, and how occupations as a whole worked. As he finished he said it was about to be dinner time and looked towards the door trying ungracefully to be polite while telling me it was time to go. Walking back through the store I waved good bye to my new friend? mentor? Weird guy I met once and will always look back and wonder what happened to him? Doesn't matter the experience was worth it. Both in the sense of learning how to forge and the literal occupation xp.
[Occupation levels gained 5-> evolution choices available]
Checking my stats, I realized. Occupations were OP as fuck.
[Occupation level 5 {level gains locked until evolutionary path is decided}
[Dwafari forge smith]: Ascending past the standard beginner you have shown great promise and could continue this path to become a prolific dwafari smith enough to earn praise from the bronzed mother herself.}
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
[Elemental forger]: Using magics and intent focus on imbuing your designs with the power of magic itself to bend the laws of nature to your whims and create with yourself as the only limitation
[Grungil's apprentice]: Become the most renown smith that ever lived. Should you believe his drunken ramblings.]
Thinking it over. The big decider for me was simply a matter of diction between the different evolutions, while one was simply out of the question due to the overall flippant attitude made me feel as if the world itself was playing a prank on me. Sorry Grungil but you will not be what I am known for. However, the other two were not as simple. Dwafari forge smith was basically a straight line to being able to forge at a level far above the norm, and with limited information about the culture aside from being told they were legendary this seemed like a quick path to power. Limited was all that came to my mind when I put serious thought into the occupation path. Compared to [Elemental Forger] that basically defined complete freedom. Having only myself as the only restrictor made this a much clearer decision. With a lot of thought and little hesitation I choose [Elemental Forger]. Feeling an immediate change in my surroundings as if I was more... in tune with the flow of magic around me.
Opening the heavy wood doors to the tavern it was packed wall to wall with people aged from 16 to maybe 35. nearly 40 humans comprised mostly of men with 6 or so other species that were clearly ostracized by the crowd of people. Zee was at the center of the largest group of people with multiple men waiting on her hand and foot, with her making no notion of furthering their advances she still accepted the free food and drink. starting to Walk over to her and brushing past tens of people Typhis the man boy knight stepped in front of me and grabbed my arm,
"Look I know we didn't meet on great terms but PLEASE heed my advice on this. You look disgusting." Which was odd because he had genuine eyes but his words were quite harsh.
"Thanks pal but I don't really mind the dirt and PLEASE heed my advice. I don't care if you or anyone else here does" I said with venom
"LISTEN you Drukon fuck... Sorry, I just.." Sighing then leaning in closer to whisper he said, "This is the first phase of the course, not many people here know this but the instructors are in this room. To be an officer who graduates from Talyik means much more then being a good warrior and a great leader of warriors. One is expected to be able to politic and be a representative of their faction. If you are going to go and represent the Night Shade then just know. We. are on. the same team." Sincerity unfortunately stained me wanting to be a dick in response. "I already put a spare of my clothes in your room to help you seem more... let's say sophisticated. Wash up and come back down, I beg you"
Turning my head I noticed many people around us were watching our exchange, with a few looking approvingly toward Typhis, and resentfully towards myself. Releasing a low growl I ripped my arm free of him and walked towards the stairs to bathe.
After cleaning myself off and looking at the rancid color the bath turned... Maybe Typhis did have a point. A silk black collared shirt with pink frills was on the bed along with well tailored black riding pants, and polished to the point of shining black shoes. You can't be serious I thought. As I dressed a whirlwind of thoughts crossed my mind primarily.
What a difference a day makes.