Liam sat on his bed hunched over with his arms resting on his knees. He had just finished retelling what had happened to Eri and was waiting for any input she had. He was staring at the floor.
Eri had remained silent while he told her everything. After he finished she told him how it looked to her.
So, you’re saying everything I went through happened in a blink of a moment? Liam asked, cementing how serious the situation was. How though? What kind of magic can do something like that?
“You said he mentioned a spell called Time Seal right? – Eri.”
Liam nodded his head in response.
“That spell is kind of hard to explain. It can work in two different ways depending on how the caster uses it. It can stop time around people and seal them in a space outside of this realm. It can also allow certain targets to move around freely. It is a spell that works great for assassins. It also falls under Time Magic. It’s a rare type of magic that only a select few can acquire. You have to meet certain requirements to even learn it. One of them being your personal level over fifty. – Eri.”
Liam’s eyes widened as he continued to stare down at the floor.
So…you’re saying that man was over level fifty? Liam asked.
“To be precise he was probably late fifties early sixties due to the spell he used. – Eri.”
Jesus Christ. No wonder the power he exuded was so strong. Liam commented.
Eri stared at her Champion. She noticed his arms shaking and the conflicted expression on his face. She believed he was scared. Of course he would feel scared. He was faced with a powerful person in an area where no one could have helped. Not even her.
She knew he had faced powerful monsters back in the Tutorial, but their power was toned down due to the magic placed, regardless of it being a Forbidden Path. She could argue that the creatures that were summoned and the Shadow of the Deity that appeared weren’t, but even when facing that power, he was able to fight back because he had a chance thanks to his Zodiac ability and the support around him.
This time though was different. Having that Stat Shatter Debuff active halved his power, essentially making him a brand new arrival all over again. And the fact no one around to back him up in a Time Seal probably didn’t help his nerves either. Regardless of that, this was the first time he got to see real power focused at him. Got to feel the power constrict and suffocate him. It would be enough to make people feel weak and fall into despair.
She knew eventually he would come across power like that. It was inevitable in this world. Many powerful individuals flaunt their power and try to make those weaker them know it. She knew he would come to know this one day, but she didn’t want him to come across it this way.
Eri didn’t realize it at first, but her hands were balled into a fist and shaking. At first she wasn’t sure what she was feeling and why, but after letting herself think more about it she realized what it was she was feeling. It was anger.
She was pissed about what had happened. It wasn’t the fact that it had happened, she had some inkling someone was going to come. They would always come for their clansmen or women. She was waiting for it.
No, what she was pissed about was this mysterious person had used Time Magic to seal her champion in a pocket of space where no one, not even she, was able to see what was going on. If that man had decided to go through with his elders’ orders then she could have lost her champion without even knowing what had happened. And she was not okay with that.
She knew what clan it was that he was from and knew they placed seals on their newly arrived or their young for certain reasons. She believed that since he had already had one on him they were only going to give him information as to what they expected of him. She didn’t realize how far off the mark she was.
That they weren’t the ones who placed the seal that was already on him and the fact that they were aware of this happening and wanting to kill him told her there was something more going on behind the scenes. What it was though, she didn’t know.
For now, she needed to get Liam to get past this and start getting stronger. It had been years since she had talked to anyone besides those currently around her and she didn’t know what to do. Should she be the kind of deity that was kind and speak softly? That wasn’t exactly her style, but if it helped then maybe she should…
Hey Eri… Liam started, bringing Eri out of her thoughts.
“Yes? – Eri.”
The clan that guy belongs to… You know what clan it is don’t you?
“Yes. – Eri.”
Using that man as an example, would you say that other members from that clan are much stronger than him?
“Yes. Very much so. - Eri.”
Eri was starting to grow curious but also confused on his line of thoughts with these questions.
Do you think those members would have been able to handle that Forbidden Path with ease if that dungeon wasn’t in the Tutorial Area?
“*Tilts head to the side and raises a brow* Yes. However… - Eri.”
Eri was about to point out the difference between him and other people in this world, but was cut off as Liam asked another question.
Which would you say is stronger? Those powerful clan members or…that shadow giant?
Eri was taken back from this question. She wasn’t sure what led him to ask this. She also noticed the more he asked his questions the more his body started to quiver.
“That shadow giant. – Eri.”
Liam suddenly gripped his hands tighter as he read her response. Eri was beginning to think the answers she was giving him was bringing his mood down, however she was surprised as she watched him throw his hands behind him on the bed, leaned back while letting out a burst of air, throw his head up and smile.
So what you’re saying is I have a chance to be stronger than those people in that clan right? Liam asked with a huge smile on his face.
Eri was now thoroughly confused on what was going on in his head.
“I’m sorry…Please explain how you got to this conclusion. I think I got lost somewhere from point a to point b. I thought you lost to the fear of facing the power of that guy? – Eri.”
Liam leaned back forward and rested his arms on his legs and knees before replying, You’re not wrong. I was sitting here scared like a weak pathetic person. Looking right at a person who could have killed me right there without any way to defend myself or for anyone to know what happened is pretty damn scary.
Not only that, but the way those shadowy tendrils felt reminded me of when I lost myself and was almost swallowed up. I still feel scared thinking about it. I am weak. There’s no arguing that.
“Then why… - Eri.”
However, after thinking about the way those shadowy tendrils felt reminded me of when I was almost swallowed up by my own power. The same power you granted me, mind you. I got to thinking about that giant. Even though it cost me to be plagued with this Stat Shatter Debuff, I was able to fight against that giant. With the power that I have sealed away within me I was able to help push back that creature. So if you’re telling me that those people in that clan are not stronger than something I was able to push back then that tells me that one day I can surpass those who are currently more powerful than me right now.
Eri stared through her watery connection right at her Champion’s face. She could see his body trembling. However, she could also see the expression on his face. It wasn’t one of fear, but one of excitement.
“I can’t tell if you’re scared or excited. – Eri.”
Both. Liam responded instantly as his right leg started to bounce a bit. That guy showing off his power was a real eye opener. There are a lot of powerful people out there. People powerful enough that they could kill me before I even knew what happened. However, that’s only because I am weak right now, especially with this Stat Shatter Debuff active. I’m not saying it would have been different if that Debuff wasn’t on me. I still would have died if that man decided to kill me. However…
“However? – Eri.”
This was an eye opener I needed. It showed me what it is I really need now more than ever now that I am here on this planet. Liam continued.
“What is it you believe you really need? – Eri.”
The more Liam talked the more Eri was growing curious on where he was going with this. It surprised her the attitude he was showing. She thought surely she was going to need to give him some form of encouragement.
A challenge. Liam replied.
Eri saw something flash in Liam’s eyes. It was too quick for her to see exactly what it was.
“A challenge? What do you mean? – Eri.”
I needed a challenge to present itself to help me get a starting point. Liam started to explain. A starting point and a comparison. I thought that shadowy giant would have been the starting point, but I still don’t know how exactly strong that thing is since you said it was only a small portion of its real strength. This guy showing up and flaunting his power was a great way to show me what a person around the personal level of fifty or sixty is like. I need, no…I want to surpass that.
“So, this guy scaring the shit out of you is now being turned into a challenge for you? – Eri.”
Liam nodded. You could look at it like that. However, the challenge doesn’t stop or end with him. I want to get stronger not only to surpass him, but to also send those elders of his who sent an order to kill me and the others from Earth a message.
“*Raises a brow with curiosity* Oh? And what message is that? – Eri.”
As soon as she asked the question she watched that same flash from earlier happen again, but this time it stayed. It was dim and not very prominent, but she was able to see it outlined over his slit irises and pupils. It was her symbol for Chaos.
That they fucked up. You don’t try to kill the Champion of Chaos and think you can get away with it. Liam finished.
Eri stared, dumbfounded by his proclamation. After all that had happened. After the near death experience, he had just faced. Never would she have expected to hear this weak, newly arrived person proclaim that he would make those more powerful than he realize they fucked up.
Nor would she deny how excited that made her feel. There is no better way to cause chaos than to bring about mayhem onto those who looked down on a weaker person. No better way to spread her nature than to make the strong feel weak.
Her excitement filled her as she started to imagine how it would go down. She was starting to lose herself in the illusion before she shook her head bringing her back to the present before her.
“As much as I would love to see this happen, the reality is you are nowhere near where you need to be to do that. So let’s start small before you start causing the mayhem that would bring. Since you still have a couple of days before the second layer of the Stat Shatter Debuff disappears I suggest you work on your crafting and maybe work on your spells and get them to higher levels. Study up on your Knowledge Theories and see if you can gain new abilities. – Eri.”
Liam suddenly snapped out of the trance he was slowly putting himself in when he realized something. Speaking of crafting and abilities. I totally forgot that Fia, Galin, and Nabal left me something. I need to check that out.
“Go ahead and see what they left you. Who knows. Maybe what they left you will help progress you farther into your crafts and training. – Eri.”
Liam opened his inventory and pulled out the three bags Nabal had brought him earlier that morning before he had to run out from the Tutorial Area. He looked them over trying to decide which one to open first, but decided he’ll just start from right to left.
He looked into the first bag and saw the contents within. Judging by the items it had in, he knew this was from Fia. He decided to start with the note placed within.
After pulling it out and reading the contents it said, “Dear Liam, I know I said I’d give ya something if yer ta reach level seventeen in Blacksmithin before leaving the Tutorial Area, but after all that ya went through I decided ta give ya this anyways.
“The first present is a book about Rune Crafting. I remember our little talk about it and decided ta give ya the beginners book Beginners Guide to Understanding Runes for ya ta start yer journey with Runes. Rune Crafting is no easy thing nor is it simple. Ya have ta learn about each rune. Ya have to understand what they are, how they work, what works with em and what doesn’t. Ya’ll have ta get a considerable amount of Knowledge Theory before you start crafting them on objects. This book will help ya start that.
“The next item is a hammer I personally made for ya. It’s not top quality, but it’s the best ya’ll find for ya level and can last ya till ya reach at least level thirty in Blacksmithing. I placed a couple of Runes on it ta help last longer and take a load off ya stamina a bit. Ya better not sell it or I will knock yer lights out in more ways than one!
“The last items I placed in here are just some normal equipment for ya ta use when ya need to work on Blacksmithing. It’s a pain ta rent equipment at Crafter Workshops and having ta buy it all right after the Tutorial Area will take too much of yer time trying to save up the money for it. So, ya better thank me the next time I see ya. Also, I left some bones and copper ores so ya can progress further in Bone Crafting. If I can offer some advice, try to specialize in that. You have a knack for it from what I was seein. Anyways, if yer ever lookin to learn more from me or just want ta stop and say hi then come find me.
Best of luck,
Fia.”
Liam smiled after reading the letter. He felt his time learning from the feisty Dwarven woman was well spent. Even though she teased him and made fun of how he was doing things, she really did go out of her way to help and guid him. So, to say she went above and beyond with what she gave him was an understatement.
The equipment she was talking about was all the things he needed for his Mobile Crafting ability to work on making a small Smithy for him. She was right about the pricing on the items too. When he was back in the Tutorial Area he checked out the pricing on the items he needed and they were not cheap even thought they were the lowest grade of items.
She had gotten him a small smelter and a small Kiln so he could smelt ore in one and work on smithing armor, weapons, or tools in the other. Now many would argue it would be wasteful to get both when he could just use one or the other for his smithing, but he could understand why she had gotten both for him. This was so he didn’t have to smelt his ore in one and accidentally drop some of that foul smelling impurities in it and have to gag the entire time he was pounding away at the ore to smith it into a weapon or such. The smell was powerful enough to distract you and you needed all the focus you could get when smithing.
She had also gotten him Smithing Tongs, a Smelting Rod, Ingot Mold, Smith Gloves, Smith Apron, and an Impurity Crucible. Each of these items were of poor quality but that was alright. If he got his skill high enough in both smithing and tailoring then he could just make better versions of the items.
He kept those items within the bag so he wouldn’t make a mess but he pulled out the last two items to inspect them better. The first was a Blacksmith hammer. It had a short handle that was about as long as his forearm. The head piece of the hammer had a smooth black rectangular shape on one end and a point on the other end. The smooth end had a silver layer of metal added to it making it look like a cover of sorts. In the middle of the head where the handle ran through was a picture of a ferocious bear head with its mouth wide open. Its eyeballs were replaced with rune-like symbols and lines were etched around it giving it the look like it was roaring.
Liam assessed this item.
“Fia’s Student Smithing Hammer – Item type – Runic Tool (Blacksmithing) Item Rarity – Common. Item Quality – Average. Rune Quality – Common. Runes – 2 Durability and Stamina Reduction. + 10% to Blacksmithing. + 10% Stamina Reduction when using this hammer during a Blacksmithing crafting session.”
“Not bad, Fia,” Liam muttered as he smiled appreciatively. He looked around the item once more to see if he could find the runes it said it had. He couldn’t feel the runes nor was he able to detect where they were. At first he thought it was the eyes on the bear, but he didn’t see any glowing or feel anything from them.
After a couple of minutes of not finding them he shrugged and figured once when he started his Rune Craft training then he’d be able to find them. That thought brought him to the next item. The one he was most excited about. The Knowledge Theory Book.
He looked at the book. It was a silver covered book with several different rune symbols in a circle around the title. He assessed it after looking at the cover.
“Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Runes. Contains the Knowledge Theory – Runes. Item type – Knowledge Theory. Item Rarity – Common. Item Quality – Average. Description – This book contains the Knowledge Theory behind Runes. All Rune knowledge in this book is meant for beginners. Does not contain Advanced or Master Level Knowledge Theory on Runes, Runic Weapons, etc. Reader has the chance to gain Knowledge Theory – Runic Knowledge. Reader has the chance to gain Crafting Art - Rune Crafting. Note – Rune Crafting can only be obtained when reader has Knowledge Theory Runic Knowledge and has gone over the Practice guide in the book several times.”
Liam was excited. He wasn’t excited about the book, but rather this was a new craft. He would have loved to get a book on enchanting as well, but he wasn’t going to complain. He’ll find a way to get a book on enchanting somewhere. For now, he had a book on Runes!
He put the book and the hammer away before looking into the next bag. This one was from Galin and had a note inside of it as well.
The note read, “Liam my boy, if you’re reading this note then you have gotten out of the Tutorial Area safely. You have been both a pain and pleasure as my apprentice. I believe you carry the spirit of a true Alchemist with your curiosity, dedication, and your wanting to learn more. However, I must advise you to quit disregarding following the proper and tested paths of alchemic procedures as you grow, not that you’ll listen.”
Liam snickered at that. The man was right about that.
“Now that I have gotten that out of the way. I want to also say that I hope you keep that motivation to try new ways to make Alchemy items. Even though the proper and tested paths are there for us to follow, you were right that if there are easier and better ways to make items then maybe more people would come to love Alchemy. Your innovation and love of trying new things just might help those who are stuck and can’t proceed farther in the craft. With that said I have left you a few things I believe will help you grow more in the Alchemy Craft.
“The first set of items I left you is an upgraded set to help make better potions and a way to make bigger batches, so you do not have to keep switching out the smaller vials to fill them. You should be or are getting closer to where you are able to make Average level potions. This is my congratulations present for that. You have gotten to this point quicker than most I know.
“The next items are a few vials of the Chemicalized Creation items I made with your help. However, these versions are weaker than the ones I gave you to use on the sixth floor. Before you get upset there is a reason for this. As a Crafter with the Field of the Craft under the Focus Point Production Craft you should have an ability called Item Understandance.
“This ability is quite helpful and highly underestimated. After you reach level ten you will start to see in the description of potions, venoms, chemicalized creations, and more ingredients used in the item. After you reach it to a higher level you’ll be able to see exactly how to make it. Higher than that you’ll be able to see alternate ingredients you can use to make a version almost similar to it. I highly recommend you start raising that ability as much as you can.
“Once you get that ability to level ten then you can start gathering the ingredients needed so you can start making your own Chemicalized Creations. You should be at the right level to start learning. I noticed your growing curiosity in that section of Alchemy, so I left you a Knowledge Theory book on Chemicalized Creations. In it you will be able to start learning about them as well as the beginning recipes to make small weaker versions of what you and I made together. If you decide to specialize in that then seek me out and I will help you in any way I can.
“Please take care. I look forward to hearing what new and interesting processes and items you make the next time we meet.
Best Regards,
Galin.”
Liam looked at all the items in the bag. Just like Fia, Galin had supplied him with what he needed to make better Alchemic items. However, he skimmed over the items and went straight for the book.
He pulled it out and stared at the cover. He let out a laugh as he read the name of the book. It was a red and orange covered book with several different colors looking like they were exploding from the title of the book. The title read “Beginner’s Guide to Things that go Boom!
Liam sat on his bed hunched over with his arms resting on his knees. He had just finished retelling what had happened to Eri and was waiting for any input she had. He was staring at the floor.
Eri had remained silent while he told her everything. After he finished she told him how it looked to her.
So, you’re saying everything I went through happened in a blink of a moment? Liam asked, cementing how serious the situation was. How though? What kind of magic can do something like that?
“You said he mentioned a spell called Time Seal right? – Eri.”
Liam nodded his head in response.
“That spell is kind of hard to explain. It can work in two different ways depending on how the caster uses it. It can stop time around people and seal them in a space outside of this realm. It can also allow certain targets to move around freely. It is a spell that works great for assassins. It also falls under Time Magic. It’s a rare type of magic that only a select few can acquire. You have to meet certain requirements to even learn it. One of them being your personal level over fifty. – Eri.”
Liam’s eyes widened as he continued to stare down at the floor.
So…you’re saying that man was over level fifty? Liam asked.
“To be precise he was probably late fifties early sixties due to the spell he used. – Eri.”
Jesus Christ. No wonder the power he exuded was so strong. Liam commented.
Eri stared at her Champion. She noticed his arms shaking and the conflicted expression on his face. She believed he was scared. Of course he would feel scared. He was faced with a powerful person in an area where no one could have helped. Not even her.
She knew he had faced powerful monsters back in the Tutorial, but their power was toned down due to the magic placed, regardless of it being a Forbidden Path. She could argue that the creatures that were summoned and the Shadow of the Deity that appeared weren’t, but even when facing that power, he was able to fight back because he had a chance thanks to his Zodiac ability and the support around him.
This time though was different. Having that Stat Shatter Debuff active halved his power, essentially making him a brand new arrival all over again. And the fact no one around to back him up in a Time Seal probably didn’t help his nerves either. Regardless of that, this was the first time he got to see real power focused at him. Got to feel the power constrict and suffocate him. It would be enough to make people feel weak and fall into despair.
She knew eventually he would come across power like that. It was inevitable in this world. Many powerful individuals flaunt their power and try to make those weaker them know it. She knew he would come to know this one day, but she didn’t want him to come across it this way.
Eri didn’t realize it at first, but her hands were balled into a fist and shaking. At first she wasn’t sure what she was feeling and why, but after letting herself think more about it she realized what it was she was feeling. It was anger.
She was pissed about what had happened. It wasn’t the fact that it had happened, she had some inkling someone was going to come. They would always come for their clansmen or women. She was waiting for it.
No, what she was pissed about was this mysterious person had used Time Magic to seal her champion in a pocket of space where no one, not even she, was able to see what was going on. If that man had decided to go through with his elders’ orders then she could have lost her champion without even knowing what had happened. And she was not okay with that.
She knew what clan it was that he was from and knew they placed seals on their newly arrived or their young for certain reasons. She believed that since he had already had one on him they were only going to give him information as to what they expected of him. She didn’t realize how far off the mark she was.
That they weren’t the ones who placed the seal that was already on him and the fact that they were aware of this happening and wanting to kill him told her there was something more going on behind the scenes. What it was though, she didn’t know.
For now, she needed to get Liam to get past this and start getting stronger. It had been years since she had talked to anyone besides those currently around her and she didn’t know what to do. Should she be the kind of deity that was kind and speak softly? That wasn’t exactly her style, but if it helped then maybe she should…
Hey Eri… Liam started, bringing Eri out of her thoughts.
“Yes? – Eri.”
The clan that guy belongs to… You know what clan it is don’t you?
“Yes. – Eri.”
Using that man as an example, would you say that other members from that clan are much stronger than him?
“Yes. Very much so. - Eri.”
Eri was starting to grow curious but also confused on his line of thoughts with these questions.
Do you think those members would have been able to handle that Forbidden Path with ease if that dungeon wasn’t in the Tutorial Area?
“*Tilts head to the side and raises a brow* Yes. However… - Eri.”
Eri was about to point out the difference between him and other people in this world, but was cut off as Liam asked another question.
Which would you say is stronger? Those powerful clan members or…that shadow giant?
Eri was taken back from this question. She wasn’t sure what led him to ask this. She also noticed the more he asked his questions the more his body started to quiver.
“That shadow giant. – Eri.”
Liam suddenly gripped his hands tighter as he read her response. Eri was beginning to think the answers she was giving him was bringing his mood down, however she was surprised as she watched him throw his hands behind him on the bed, leaned back while letting out a burst of air, throw his head up and smile.
So what you’re saying is I have a chance to be stronger than those people in that clan right? Liam asked with a huge smile on his face.
Eri was now thoroughly confused on what was going on in his head.
“I’m sorry…Please explain how you got to this conclusion. I think I got lost somewhere from point a to point b. I thought you lost to the fear of facing the power of that guy? – Eri.”
Liam leaned back forward and rested his arms on his legs and knees before replying, You’re not wrong. I was sitting here scared like a weak pathetic person. Looking right at a person who could have killed me right there without any way to defend myself or for anyone to know what happened is pretty damn scary.
Not only that, but the way those shadowy tendrils felt reminded me of when I lost myself and was almost swallowed up. I still feel scared thinking about it. I am weak. There’s no arguing that.
“Then why… - Eri.”
However, after thinking about the way those shadowy tendrils felt reminded me of when I was almost swallowed up by my own power. The same power you granted me, mind you. I got to thinking about that giant. Even though it cost me to be plagued with this Stat Shatter Debuff, I was able to fight against that giant. With the power that I have sealed away within me I was able to help push back that creature. So if you’re telling me that those people in that clan are not stronger than something I was able to push back then that tells me that one day I can surpass those who are currently more powerful than me right now.
Eri stared through her watery connection right at her Champion’s face. She could see his body trembling. However, she could also see the expression on his face. It wasn’t one of fear, but one of excitement.
“I can’t tell if you’re scared or excited. – Eri.”
Both. Liam responded instantly as his right leg started to bounce a bit. That guy showing off his power was a real eye opener. There are a lot of powerful people out there. People powerful enough that they could kill me before I even knew what happened. However, that’s only because I am weak right now, especially with this Stat Shatter Debuff active. I’m not saying it would have been different if that Debuff wasn’t on me. I still would have died if that man decided to kill me. However…
“However? – Eri.”
This was an eye opener I needed. It showed me what it is I really need now more than ever now that I am here on this planet. Liam continued.
“What is it you believe you really need? – Eri.”
The more Liam talked the more Eri was growing curious on where he was going with this. It surprised her the attitude he was showing. She thought surely she was going to need to give him some form of encouragement.
A challenge. Liam replied.
Eri saw something flash in Liam’s eyes. It was too quick for her to see exactly what it was.
“A challenge? What do you mean? – Eri.”
I needed a challenge to present itself to help me get a starting point. Liam started to explain. A starting point and a comparison. I thought that shadowy giant would have been the starting point, but I still don’t know how exactly strong that thing is since you said it was only a small portion of its real strength. This guy showing up and flaunting his power was a great way to show me what a person around the personal level of fifty or sixty is like. I need, no…I want to surpass that.
“So, this guy scaring the shit out of you is now being turned into a challenge for you? – Eri.”
Liam nodded. You could look at it like that. However, the challenge doesn’t stop or end with him. I want to get stronger not only to surpass him, but to also send those elders of his who sent an order to kill me and the others from Earth a message.
“*Raises a brow with curiosity* Oh? And what message is that? – Eri.”
As soon as she asked the question she watched that same flash from earlier happen again, but this time it stayed. It was dim and not very prominent, but she was able to see it outlined over his slit irises and pupils. It was her symbol for Chaos.
That they fucked up. You don’t try to kill the Champion of Chaos and think you can get away with it. Liam finished.
Eri stared, dumbfounded by his proclamation. After all that had happened. After the near death experience, he had just faced. Never would she have expected to hear this weak, newly arrived person proclaim that he would make those more powerful than he realize they fucked up.
Nor would she deny how excited that made her feel. There is no better way to cause chaos than to bring about mayhem onto those who looked down on a weaker person. No better way to spread her nature than to make the strong feel weak.
Her excitement filled her as she started to imagine how it would go down. She was starting to lose herself in the illusion before she shook her head bringing her back to the present before her.
“As much as I would love to see this happen, the reality is you are nowhere near where you need to be to do that. So let’s start small before you start causing the mayhem that would bring. Since you still have a couple of days before the second layer of the Stat Shatter Debuff disappears I suggest you work on your crafting and maybe work on your spells and get them to higher levels. Study up on your Knowledge Theories and see if you can gain new abilities. – Eri.”
Liam suddenly snapped out of the trance he was slowly putting himself in when he realized something. Speaking of crafting and abilities. I totally forgot that Fia, Galin, and Nabal left me something. I need to check that out.
“Go ahead and see what they left you. Who knows. Maybe what they left you will help progress you farther into your crafts and training. – Eri.”
Liam opened his inventory and pulled out the three bags Nabal had brought him earlier that morning before he had to run out from the Tutorial Area. He looked them over trying to decide which one to open first, but decided he’ll just start from right to left.
He looked into the first bag and saw the contents within. Judging by the items it had in, he knew this was from Fia. He decided to start with the note placed within.
After pulling it out and reading the contents it said, “Dear Liam, I know I said I’d give ya something if yer ta reach level seventeen in Blacksmithin before leaving the Tutorial Area, but after all that ya went through I decided ta give ya this anyways.
“The first present is a book about Rune Crafting. I remember our little talk about it and decided ta give ya the beginners book Beginners Guide to Understanding Runes for ya ta start yer journey with Runes. Rune Crafting is no easy thing nor is it simple. Ya have ta learn about each rune. Ya have to understand what they are, how they work, what works with em and what doesn’t. Ya’ll have ta get a considerable amount of Knowledge Theory before you start crafting them on objects. This book will help ya start that.
“The next item is a hammer I personally made for ya. It’s not top quality, but it’s the best ya’ll find for ya level and can last ya till ya reach at least level thirty in Blacksmithing. I placed a couple of Runes on it ta help last longer and take a load off ya stamina a bit. Ya better not sell it or I will knock yer lights out in more ways than one!
“The last items I placed in here are just some normal equipment for ya ta use when ya need to work on Blacksmithing. It’s a pain ta rent equipment at Crafter Workshops and having ta buy it all right after the Tutorial Area will take too much of yer time trying to save up the money for it. So, ya better thank me the next time I see ya. Also, I left some bones and copper ores so ya can progress further in Bone Crafting. If I can offer some advice, try to specialize in that. You have a knack for it from what I was seein. Anyways, if yer ever lookin to learn more from me or just want ta stop and say hi then come find me.
Best of luck,
Fia.”
Liam smiled after reading the letter. He felt his time learning from the feisty Dwarven woman was well spent. Even though she teased him and made fun of how he was doing things, she really did go out of her way to help and guid him. So, to say she went above and beyond with what she gave him was an understatement.
The equipment she was talking about was all the things he needed for his Mobile Crafting ability to work on making a small Smithy for him. She was right about the pricing on the items too. When he was back in the Tutorial Area he checked out the pricing on the items he needed and they were not cheap even thought they were the lowest grade of items.
She had gotten him a small smelter and a small Kiln so he could smelt ore in one and work on smithing armor, weapons, or tools in the other. Now many would argue it would be wasteful to get both when he could just use one or the other for his smithing, but he could understand why she had gotten both for him. This was so he didn’t have to smelt his ore in one and accidentally drop some of that foul smelling impurities in it and have to gag the entire time he was pounding away at the ore to smith it into a weapon or such. The smell was powerful enough to distract you and you needed all the focus you could get when smithing.
She had also gotten him Smithing Tongs, a Smelting Rod, Ingot Mold, Smith Gloves, Smith Apron, and an Impurity Crucible. Each of these items were of poor quality but that was alright. If he got his skill high enough in both smithing and tailoring then he could just make better versions of the items.
He kept those items within the bag so he wouldn’t make a mess but he pulled out the last two items to inspect them better. The first was a Blacksmith hammer. It had a short handle that was about as long as his forearm. The head piece of the hammer had a smooth black rectangular shape on one end and a point on the other end. The smooth end had a silver layer of metal added to it making it look like a cover of sorts. In the middle of the head where the handle ran through was a picture of a ferocious bear head with its mouth wide open. Its eyeballs were replaced with rune-like symbols and lines were etched around it giving it the look like it was roaring.
Liam assessed this item.
“Fia’s Student Smithing Hammer – Item type – Runic Tool (Blacksmithing) Item Rarity – Common. Item Quality – Average. Rune Quality – Common. Runes – 2 Durability and Stamina Reduction. + 10% to Blacksmithing. + 10% Stamina Reduction when using this hammer during a Blacksmithing crafting session.”
“Not bad, Fia,” Liam muttered as he smiled appreciatively. He looked around the item once more to see if he could find the runes it said it had. He couldn’t feel the runes nor was he able to detect where they were. At first he thought it was the eyes on the bear, but he didn’t see any glowing or feel anything from them.
After a couple of minutes of not finding them he shrugged and figured once when he started his Rune Craft training then he’d be able to find them. That thought brought him to the next item. The one he was most excited about. The Knowledge Theory Book.
He looked at the book. It was a silver covered book with several different rune symbols in a circle around the title. He assessed it after looking at the cover.
“Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Runes. Contains the Knowledge Theory – Runes. Item type – Knowledge Theory. Item Rarity – Common. Item Quality – Average. Description – This book contains the Knowledge Theory behind Runes. All Rune knowledge in this book is meant for beginners. Does not contain Advanced or Master Level Knowledge Theory on Runes, Runic Weapons, etc. Reader has the chance to gain Knowledge Theory – Runic Knowledge. Reader has the chance to gain Crafting Art - Rune Crafting. Note – Rune Crafting can only be obtained when reader has Knowledge Theory Runic Knowledge and has gone over the Practice guide in the book several times.”
Liam was excited. He wasn’t excited about the book, but rather this was a new craft. He would have loved to get a book on enchanting as well, but he wasn’t going to complain. He’ll find a way to get a book on enchanting somewhere. For now, he had a book on Runes!
He put the book and the hammer away before looking into the next bag. This one was from Galin and had a note inside of it as well.
The note read, “Liam my boy, if you’re reading this note then you have gotten out of the Tutorial Area safely. You have been both a pain and pleasure as my apprentice. I believe you carry the spirit of a true Alchemist with your curiosity, dedication, and your wanting to learn more. However, I must advise you to quit disregarding following the proper and tested paths of alchemic procedures as you grow, not that you’ll listen.”
Liam snickered at that. The man was right about that.
“Now that I have gotten that out of the way. I want to also say that I hope you keep that motivation to try new ways to make Alchemy items. Even though the proper and tested paths are there for us to follow, you were right that if there are easier and better ways to make items then maybe more people would come to love Alchemy. Your innovation and love of trying new things just might help those who are stuck and can’t proceed farther in the craft. With that said I have left you a few things I believe will help you grow more in the Alchemy Craft.
“The first set of items I left you is an upgraded set to help make better potions and a way to make bigger batches, so you do not have to keep switching out the smaller vials to fill them. You should be or are getting closer to where you are able to make Average level potions. This is my congratulations present for that. You have gotten to this point quicker than most I know.
“The next items are a few vials of the Chemicalized Creation items I made with your help. However, these versions are weaker than the ones I gave you to use on the sixth floor. Before you get upset there is a reason for this. As a Crafter with the Field of the Craft under the Focus Point Production Craft you should have an ability called Item Understandance.
“This ability is quite helpful and highly underestimated. After you reach level ten you will start to see in the description of potions, venoms, chemicalized creations, and more ingredients used in the item. After you reach it to a higher level you’ll be able to see exactly how to make it. Higher than that you’ll be able to see alternate ingredients you can use to make a version almost similar to it. I highly recommend you start raising that ability as much as you can.
“Once you get that ability to level ten then you can start gathering the ingredients needed so you can start making your own Chemicalized Creations. You should be at the right level to start learning. I noticed your growing curiosity in that section of Alchemy, so I left you a Knowledge Theory book on Chemicalized Creations. In it you will be able to start learning about them as well as the beginning recipes to make small weaker versions of what you and I made together. If you decide to specialize in that then seek me out and I will help you in any way I can.
“Please take care. I look forward to hearing what new and interesting processes and items you make the next time we meet.
Best Regards,
Galin.”
Liam looked at all the items in the bag. Just like Fia, Galin had supplied him with what he needed to make better Alchemic items. However, he skimmed over the items and went straight for the book.
He pulled it out and stared at the cover. He let out a laugh as he read the name of the book. It was a red and orange covered book with several different colors looking like they were exploding from the title of the book. The title read “Beginner’s Guide to Things that go Boom!
