A few days before the assignment day.

When Ethan first learned about the crafting assignment, he found himself in a dilemma. In this world, mages often used weapons like swords, spears, shields, and wands for casting spells and close combat defense, though if they used weapons they usually lacked the skills to actually make use of them. He needed to pick an item that would show off his creativity and also be personally meaningful since he'd be using it for a long time. Different ideas floated through his mind:

"Maybe a sleek, deadly dagger. But that might be too predictable."

"A pendant with a magic gemstone, maybe. It could help with casting spells, but not so much for defense."

"A small buckler shield? Nah, it might not protect me enough."

"I'm being too greedy, wanting too many advantages at once."

"What can I make that helps with magic, defense, and close combat..."

As he considered his options, a memory from his past life gently resurfaced – rain-soaked streets, bustling crowds, and the comforting shelter of an umbrella.

"That's the one!"

He held onto that memory, and suddenly, everything fell into place. An umbrella – a simple yet meaningful item. It had been a constant companion in his previous life, protecting him from rain and sun. It symbolized safety, comfort, and strength.

A small smile formed on Ethan's lips as he realized he had found his solution. The umbrella met his criteria and held a piece of his personal history. It wasn't just any object; it connected his present with his past, uniting two different lives.

With this idea in mind, Ethan's focus shifted from brainstorming to planning.

And here we are on the present day, the day of the assignment. Ethan stood at his crafting bench, his materials neatly laid out before him. Three distinct items awaited his skilled hands. To his left was a small segment of the thorned deer's horn. Sven had only used one of the horns for his own creation, leaving Ethan with the remaining portion. While initially unsure of its purpose, Ethan had since devised a clever way to incorporate it into his project.

Beside the horn lay the glimmer ore, its shimmering surface captivating and mysterious. The student they had previously saved had managed to acquire a considerable amount of it during their outing. Originally intended for their fallen teammates, the materials had been passed to Seraphine, and she, in turn, had given them to Ethan, realizing that they could be put to good use.

Lastly, there was the primary material for Ethan's project – the Cleared Skinned Skipper hide. The material was a pale, elastic substance, reminiscent of the skin of a raw fish. Have you ever attempted to slice through raw fish skin? The task was nearly impossible without the appropriate tools. The knife would simply slide off the slippery surface, failing to penetrate the material. Its unique properties lent it remarkable endurance, making it a prime candidate for Ethan's creation.

With determination in his eyes, Ethan took a deep breath and announced, "Let's begin!"

His hands moved skillfully, each step purposeful and deliberate. He expertly incorporated each material, refining and shaping them as he progressed. As he worked, the nature of his creation began to take form, leaving his classmates and even Professor Stone intrigued, confused, and captivated by the evolution of his project.

The room gradually filled with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. As the other students completed their projects and gathered around Ethan's workstation, he remained focused, oblivious to the attention he was receiving. They exchanged puzzled glances and muffled whispers, their confusion evident.

Eventually, Ethan found himself surrounded by curious onlookers – his classmates and Professor Stone himself, who had been observing every student's progress. As Ethan continued his work, the atmosphere held a blend of fascination and amusement.

Professor Stone's usually composed demeanor held a hint of astonishment as he watched Ethan's creation unfold. In all his years of teaching and craftsmanship, he had never encountered such a unique project. His curiosity grew with each passing moment, leaving him eager to see the final result and understand the purpose behind Ethan's imaginative creation.

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After working diligently, Ethan stepped back to observe his creation. The umbrella he had crafted was far from ordinary. Its structure had been skillfully formed using sturdy Glimmer Ore, its solid shape providing a mix of strength and flexibility, like the core that held everything together. Ethan had cleverly integrated the Glimmer Ore's water affinity, using it as a framework to facilitate easier manifestation of water magic. This ore also acted as a catalyst, enhancing the magical potential.

At the apex of the umbrella rested a Thorned Deer horn, strategically positioned for a specific purpose. Its placement wasn't arbitrary; rather, it had been precisely positioned at the tip to serve as a sharp edge capable of close combat. The Thorned Deer's unique trait meant that a strike from this horn could paralyze the affected area temporarily. This choice showcased Ethan's strategic thinking in utilizing the materials at hand.

Yet, the most captivating feature was the canopy. Ethan had treated the Cleared Skinned Skipper hide using a special process to retain its natural elasticity while boosting its durability. This translucent material glistened subtly, akin to the shimmering scales of a fish. The hide had been interwoven to form a robust yet flexible shield-like structure. Ethan had capitalized on the Cleared Skinned Skipper's unique trait of having slippery and moist skin, making it effective in deflecting various attacks. While it might not be impervious to heavy penetrating blows, it could effectively mitigate fire and most water-based attacks, serving as an agile defense against a range of threats.

With a sense of accomplishment, Ethan stepped back from the crafting bench, his unique umbrella held proudly in his hand. The room fell silent, all eyes on him. Professor Stone approached, his expression a mixture of intrigue and anticipation.

"Ethan," Professor Stone began, "your creation is quite peculiar. Its appearance and composition are unlike anything I've encountered before. Would you care to explain its purpose and usage?"

Ethan's was faced by the expectant gaze of his teacher. He didn't really mind sharing his vision and his connection to the item he had crafted.

He took a deep breath, his confidence steadying. "Professor Stone, the purpose of this item goes beyond mere protection from the elements. Each material used has significance – "

Ethan's explanation flowed, his words painting a vivid picture of the umbrella's multifaceted role. He hoped that his enthusiasm and insight conveyed the depth of thought and care he had poured into his creation.

Professor Stone listened attentively, nodding as Ethan spoke. When the young mage finished explaining, the professor's gaze bore into him, his curiosity evident. "An intriguing concept, Ethan. Your product seems to blend various functionalities, making it suitable for both defense and offense. But can you demonstrate its practical application? How would you use it in combat scenarios?"

Ethan cleared his throat and adjusted his grip on the umbrella. "In combat, this creation would serve as a versatile tool. When confronting ranged attacks, the canopy can be angled strategically to deflect spells or projectiles, thanks to its naturally slippery surface. The attacks simply slide off, minimizing potential damage."

He illustrated his point by extending the umbrella, tilting it slightly to display the deflection angle. The class's expressions shifted from curiosity to amazement as they saw the umbrella's transformation from a compact form to a large, shield-like appearance. With a deft motion, he swiftly returned the canopy to its original state, demonstrating its adaptability as both a shield and a sword-like form.

"In addition, the Thorned Deer horn positioned at the apex can serve effectively in close combat. Its keen edge equips me to engage opponents at a short distance, while the paralyzing trait it carries temporarily immobilizes any struck target."

As Ethan continued, his enthusiasm grew, and his voice reflected his passion. "Yet the most distinct feature lies in the Glimmer Ore's water affinity. Through this, I can channel water magic with heightened efficiency, utilizing the umbrella as a conduit to cast spells. This unique interaction enables me to manipulate spells with superior precision, essentially extending my magical control."

His explanation flowed smoothly, his gestures enhancing his words. The umbrella's potential became vividly apparent as he described its adaptable nature and innovative magic integration. The class watched with a mix of fascination and awe.

He paused, his excitement palpable. "In essence, the item is a versatile tool of defense, offense, and magic manipulation. It's a culmination of creativity and function that I believe can adapt to a variety of situations."

Professor Stone's expression shifted from curiosity to a mix of astonishment and satisfaction. "Ethan, your creation surpassed my expectations. How do you call your product?"

The origin of the term "umbrella" can be traced back to the Latin word "umbra," which translates to "shade" or "shadow." The practice of employing a contrivance to offer protection against rain and sunlight has historical roots across diverse societies. However, the contemporary umbrella, as familiar to the one back on earth, has undergone a gradual transformation in this world of magic. And thanks to Ethan this led to the emergence of a novel kind of umbrella, one imbued with magical capabilities.

"This item is called an 'Enchanted Umbrella'!"

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https://i.imgur.com/nyYQBGV.png [https://i.imgur.com/nyYQBGV.png]