Walking into Nordri's house that next morning I was greeted with something different. I had guests in this house for the first time. My father and mother, the Dwarf King, Alviss, Sif, Nix, Heimdall, Ullr, Skadi, Aegir, Forseti, Hilda and a few "maids" including Reginleif and Prudr, Uncle Vili, and finally Master Nordri were standing in the main hall. I could also tell that his three brothers were here with each one giving of a different aura.
Sudri was clearly the living volcano in the corner giving off heat, Vestru had leaves whipping around him and Audri was just a big guy.
I was very confused for a moment. What could I have done to warrant the rank 6's of both tribes along with myself friends to be here.
"What are you guys doing here?"
Nordri stood up and came in front of me. He put a hand on my shoulder.
"They are here to present gifts." He then got on a knee to be even in height with me. He had that same stupid smile of his on his face but this time his eyes were slanted in happiness. He then put a glowing finger to my head and transferred memories to me.
"You have gone above a beyond what everyone expected of you as my student. Although you have not become a master and have plenty more to learn, it is time we end our lessons here. You have learned all the basics with me and with what I just passed you, you will be able to fly out in your own and chart your own path."
He then stood up and turned to the crowd.
"Today my first student has completed his formal apprenticeship and will complete the right of the forgemasters of the Dwarves by completing his formal forging tool. From now on, his accomplishments are his own. Will everyone here support his craft?"
All of them bowed lightly regardless of circumstance. Even Sif was properly bowing. I guess Hilda's sporadic lessons have really paid off.
On that note, I didn't know about this but apparently every forgemaster goes through a process when leaving their formal apprenticeship. All those who are friends with The apprentice or friends of the master come to bring materials for the forgemaster to use to make his formal forgemaster tool. It's really a convoluted way of getting sponsors for your apprentice while getting everyone to show you face.
I am a bit special. Since I'm human, this occasion which should have technically been open to all only has my close friends and some pretty important people here. Nordri's brothers were obviously invited by him but I can tell my dad wanted to bring back up to mot be shown up by the Dwarves. In fact there was someone here I've never met, but my diagnostic tool revealed him.
[Initializing Diagnostic]
Name: Tyr
Species: Human (Aesir Tribe)
Titles: War God, Head General
Age: 108
Class: Central General
Rank: 143
Soul Rank: 6.20
———————
Strength: 48
Constitution: 42
Dexterity: 25
Intelligence: 16
Wisdom: 12
————————
Status: N/A
Alignment: Lawful Good
Elemental Affinity: Blaze
Blessing: Tyr (Warlike Instinct)
Skills:
Focused, Disciplined, Natural Leader, Global War Tactics, Renown, Destroyer, Training, Expert, Multi-Thought, false justice .
Warrior Skills:
Great Sword King, Fighting King, Heavy Armor King
Scorch Dragon (100%), Fire Giant (100%), War God's Wrath (20%)
Rage-Tranquility Chain
[Diagnostic complete]
Tyr, our Central commander and war god. There is no rank in the military besides my father than his. He's also the second strongest person in the clan. His presence is frightening as well. He literally had flaming hair. If it weren't for his lack of beard and black armor, I'd think this man popped out of a GOW video game.
"Commence the gift presentation!" Nordri said this while dragging a table in front of me.
My parents went first. My mother looked about to burst as well. She likely has a week left until the baby comes knocking.
Both my parents already looked misty eyed at the moment.
It's not like I graduated college or anything why are they about to break down?
They both looked at me and passed a tree seed to me. "We both have watched you put so much effort into your work. You hardly ever stay home and when you do you stuff yourself in your study. We never were able to give you the opportunity to be a regular boy. You even granted us another child," my father said.
My mother continued for him, "You don't have a lot of Druid supporters at the moment besides me so as your previous Druid instructor, I present you the seed of the tree of life. The tree only grants seeds once every 10 years. I happened to receive the last one. This seed can never grow into another tree until the tree of life dies itself but, It has a remarkable effect to those who keep it close. It will help increase your connection to nature arbitrarily." My mother was smiling as this ability was very over powered.
My father then gave some advice, "druids usually use the seed as the core of a staff to increase their powers. You are a warrior and a forgemaster. Use the seed as the center of your tool and use it as a weapon to balance all your professions."
Wow this gift is incredible. I can already foresee a weapon that will allow me to express all my professions equally. This was something I was concerned with as well.
Next up were the kids.
Nix talked nervously. I don't blame him, I'd be scared with this crowd of people as well.
"We aren't wealthy so Sif and I tried our best to get an extremely pure set of Attribute gems of Ice and Lightning." Sif was nodding fervently.
They then passed two large gems of Aquamarine and Tourmaline. It's important to note that although gems are useful, their prices aren't as overinflated as earths and since Dwarves literally dig up mountains so they aren't that rare.
These will hold a lot of that attribute mana and I can tell they went through a lot to get it.
"Thank you guys." I got up and hug them both. Sif was red as a tomato.
Then the four generals approached with three chests.
Heimdall went first. He opened up the chest to reveal a metal that I can physically see was giving of plasma sparks.
"This is desert storm metal. It's a violent metal created when a desert storm strike the same area for a few years. It's one of the best Lightning metals." He quickly placed down the chest and stood behind Skadi and Aegir.
Aegir then opened his chest. "Skadi and I found this metal in a deposit on a Island of the northern coast. This island is frozen year long and it's metals are so cold that prolonged exposure will freeze your skin."
The chest was opened revealing a metal glowing in a frigid light. It was ghostly as well.
Skadi then said, "It's called Ice Ghost Metal and it is said to steal away the souls who touch it. It's found in the core of the deposit in that island and in small quantities. This is the biggest piece we could find."
Holy crap. One metal is violent and is Lightning based while the other is so cold it steals souls. Talk about overkill.
Both of them back off revealing Ullr with the final chest.
Opening it I saw a plantlike heart. It looked to be filled with life as well since it was still beating.
"This is the heart of a dryad. They are spirits who live in the forest, protecting it. On some occasions, dryads will present a piece of their heart to someone they love. Should they consume the heart, they will be granted eternal youth and incredible regenerative abilities."
This lineup of materials is incredible.
"Thank you for these rare treasures, I will use them wisely brothers", I said to them smiling.
They all smiled and walked back to the crowd.
Next up we're the Valkyries.
All nine of them bowed again and Hilda silently place an eye in the table. They then bowed and walked away.
I guess this was their way of hiding their identity. A lot of people in the room were confused while others smiled knowingly.
The next person to cut the tension was Ty. He took out a tanned leather and said, "Little one, I have not had the pleasure in meeting you yet so I hope this gift makes up for it."
I smiled at Tyr and nodded indicating it was okay.
"This leather is from a yeti. Yetis are strong snow monsters with great strength and durability. They can take the thoughts of blows."
I looked at the leather. I can use this to carve runes or protect the handle.
"Thank you brother Tyr. I will use it wisely."
He bowed and walked away. He seemed like a kind man. With all the humans done the dwarves were next. The dwarf king looked happy with his gift.
"Loki, the gift I have for you is very rare. So rare in fact that no one has seen one in ages."
This had me interested.
"He opened a small bag. Their called sister stones. These stones are linked to each other inexplicably no matter the distance. Some people use them to communicate with each other. Others use them to pair weapons. Heimdall uses them for his blades and can throw one should he choose and have it come back."
The stones were small like bebbles and they flowed in a familiar purple blue light.
Looks like I can attempt to creat a specific returning weapon with this.
Following his king, Alviss came over with his sophisticated look.
"Prince Nordri, I remember training the small you. And from that time I knew you to be very knowledgeable. Especially when it comes to using anything for your own ends."
He then took out a mask. The mask has intricate designs on it. He then looked at the mask and looked fir something behind it. He pulled a type of ring like object imbued into the mask.
"This mask is a rare transformation mask. I'm not allowed to grant you the mask per the rules of my family but that won't stop me from giving you one of core materials in it. Use it well" Alviss looked at me happily.
I looked at the dwarf who taught me history. His unstaumched support has always had me treat him like a grandfather. He's already old as well. I actually enjoyed his lessons very much.
Looking over I started to see three figures come over.
It was the three brothers. All of them looked to be competitive.
Before they could present anything Nordri stood up.
"My brothers, I am glad you came to my apprentices graduation. I'm sure you will present the best gifts. All of us have heard the tales of how giving you all are I just wonder which ones if us is the most generous."
Amongst the Dwarves, these four brothers embody perfection and grace and as such these guys do a lot of philanthropy. I can see Nordri is using this as a ploy to get more gifts.
"Nordri, you obviously know we would never skimp out on an up and coming forgemaster. There's no need to goad us," said Sudri although he still has a competitive light in his eyes.
Nordri laughed then said, "Oh then I look forward to it."
"Hmphñ, Sudri grunted but then looked at me.
"You remind me of myself when I was younger. Hungry and thirsty for purpose and adventure. I am going to present you with something to help that goal". He then opened his palm and a flaming ball appeared in it
"This flame is the flame of evolution. Forge your weapon in its flames and the weapon will grow with you. If you get stronger it will be more durable. If you get smarter it's enchantments will increase."
And now it's apparently a growth type weapon. At this rate I'm going to create a god like weapon. Actually based on my skills, I will never be able to take advantage of all these materials. Wastage is very likely. This gift will ensure that as I get stronger I can keep increasing my use of the weapon.
Vestri then came forward and presented a runic craved leather bellow. That's the name of the air blowing sac in Nordri's Furnace.
"This Bellow will bless your tool with increased speed and a lighter feel for the user."
Ventri seemed to be very tame compared to Sudri.
Then came big Audri. Fe Fi Fo Fum, he's that big. He came in with a huge sack and placed it in front of me. "Little fellow you are lucky these fellows refuse to give up. Gaea Rocks, the heaviest material I could find. Use them best while grinded."
"You all were extremely kind!" Nordri said while laughing.
"I might even be forced to use these myself.
The three of them looked straight at Nordri like they were going to eat him. He then stopped his antics by putting his hands up
He looked to me then and passed me a bottle. "This has the soul shards of a thunder beast. They are loud and always move with storm. Use ur in your forging."
Looking at the bottle I'm dumbfounded. I could have used this bottle when I was holding Baldr's soul.