Back in the Battle Maiden Sect.
The time for their next class with Elder Kendra had arrived and Mira could only think of one topic left to be discussed, Inscriptions. She figured that the remaining time would either be spent on this and then maybe something like combat knowledge. But she wasn't sure how they'd drag this out to 6 months long.
Maria and Mira made their way over to the class and waited with the rest of the disciples. Some disciples were giving them strange looks because they spectated Mira sparring with some of the other disciples in the Training Ground. They were slightly jealous that Mira was given all of these opportunities, but also wished they were picked as well. But their thoughts were interrupted when Elder Kendra walked in.
"Welcome back new disciples. Today, I'll be talking about one of our last subjects and after that, there will be no more weekly classes. Today I'll be talking about inscriptions!" When Elder Kendra said this, someone in the class raised their hand to ask a question. The Elder paused and let her ask.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I've been curious for a while. Is there a weapon Dao? I know there are different daos for the elements, but I've never heard anything about a weapon Dao." One girl asked which surprised the other disciples in the room. They never thought about this and immediately became interested. Elder Kendra also had a strange look on her face when she heard this question.
"Hmm… Well, technically yes. You could say there is a weapon Dao. But none of the Elders here have comprehended anything like that. We only know some information on this topic. A weapon Dao is extremely mysterious and evasive. I've heard that one needs to be a heaven-sent talent to be able to comprehend something like this or be incredibly lucky. I'd also guess that if you practiced enough and reached enlightenment about your weapon then you might be a step closer to this."
"Regarding the strength of a weapon Dao, if one is able to comprehend something like this then their battle prowess will undergo a drastic change. I don't know how strong so you'll have to figure this out by yourselves."Elder Kendra explained, but the disciples didn't seem too satisfied with this answer.
Even Mira wanted to know more as she's never heard of anything like a weapon Dao. She hasn't been using a scythe for that long compared to how long she's lived, but she's no slouch and she's never felt or heard of anything like this.
'It seems there is something else on my list for things to learn. But since nobody here knows how to even unlock the path of a weapon Dao, then I'll just have to keep sparring and trying to improve with each battle; no matter how big or small.' Mira thought to herself then pushed this aside. There was nothing she could do and Daos are incredibly elusive.
"That's all I know about that so the only thing you can do is just keep working hard and improving. Now, onto the main subject. Inscriptions are the last main profession for Cultivators. Inscriptions can be used for several purposes, but the main one is enhancing one's equipment. An inscription can increase the durability, sharpness, add attributes, strengthening, enhancing, and many other things."
"The effect that an inscription can bring relies on the material used to inscribe, the object it's being inscribed on, and what inscriptions are used. Along with other things like the accuracy of the inscription and intent that you put into it."
"There are many factors that play into being an inscriptionist and you can't just take some beast blood, write some random scribbles on a sword, and call that an inscription. No, you have to understand what intent to put into your work, learning all of the symbols used to make certain inscriptions, and just learning the different types of inscriptions as well. Inscription making is by far the most meticulous profession for cultivators."
"Honestly, I don't really recommend learning this profession. There are fewer Inscriptionists out there than the other professions, but that's just because of how difficult it is. It takes a lot of time to learn, uses precious resources that could be used for forging, and doesn't make as much money as alchemists or Array Masters. This is mostly because while most people use a weapon to fight, pills to increase their strength, and arrays for defensive measures or traps. Inscription making is costly and the returns aren't that great until you hit Core Formation and above. The difference in your equipment being 20% stronger or more durable when you start reaching higher realms becomes much more significant."
"If I were to put it into numbers with you being at 100 and someone in the Core Formation Realm being at 10,000. 20% of 10,000 is an extra 2,000 while 20% of 100 is only an extra 20. There are many ways to make up for that 20 at your levels, but this becomes increasingly more difficult the higher you get as it's not as easy to make up for that 2,000. This is why almost nobody gets their items inscribed before they reach this realm of power as not only does it cost too much, but the returns are too small. You also won't be able to inscribe weapons for someone in the Core Formation Realm unless you are in that Realm as well."
"But I will say this. If you learn now and keep honing your skills until you reach that realm of power then move somewhere closer to the Central Continent, you might make more than any other profession out there. That's how popular it is among the higher realms. Even I have all of my equipment inscribed."
"If you are interested in learning more about inscriptions, we only have one Elder here who can teach you. As I said, it's the least popular profession so don't be too surprised. Now that this is done, I guess I'll demonstrate the difference between an inscribed weapon and one that isn't." Elder Kendra explained all she knew about inscriptions. She then took out two swords, one that had a large number of symbols running down the side of it and the other didn't. She then took out what seemed to be an extremely durable piece of wood. She took the non-inscribed sword and lightly slashed it. The sword went around 60% of the way into the thick piece of wood. She then picked up the inscribed sword and used the same amount of strength, but this time she cut the piece of wood in half. The disciples were all rather surprised by this result and started to have different and complicated thoughts about inscriptions.
"As you can see, inscriptions can be extremely useful and might even be the difference between life and death. Mira, Maria, even though you are only in the Foundation Realm I would advise you to find a weapon you like and get it inscribed. With your strength on top of an inscribed weapon, you will be an incredibly formidable opponent." Elder Kendra advised and both of them nodded their heads. But Mira furrowed her brows and thought of something.
'I wonder if spiritual weapons can be inscribed? Maybe I'll ask that inscriptionist later.' Mira thought to herself and became extremely curious. Spiritual weapons are incredibly rare and hard to make. Not only that but they are stored in the owner's soul and get stronger with the user. Her scythe is currently a Peak-Stage Mortal Grade and will turn into a Low-Stage Earth Grade weapon when she advances to Core Formation. She was curious if the inscription would lose its value after the weapon increased.
"What if someone uses a weaker inscription on a stronger weapon? What will the effects be?" Mira went ahead and asked part of her questions.
"Hmm… Though I'm not 100% sure I don't think the inscriptions would be able to keep up with the pressure and get destroyed. This is why the materials used are important as weaker materials are used for weaker weapons and cultivators." Elder Kendra explained with only half confidence. But this was enough for Mira.
Mira will have to go see this inscription master at some point to have some of her other questions answered, but it seems like she won't be inscribing her weapon now. But a new thought popped into her head.
'Should I request a scythe be made? Then I'll be able to get it inscribed. A Peak-Stage Mortal Grade should be able to last me until I reach the Core Formation Realm which I don't expect to reach for at least 3 to 5 years at the minimum.' Mira thought to herself and started to think this might actually be a good idea. Though it determines how much this will cost her. If it takes too much time to earn Sect Points and Spirit Stones to get a new scythe made and inscribed versus just training and cultivating then she'll just give up on the idea. She'll have to buy a new one once she reaches the Core Formation Realm anyway.
"I'll go ahead and end the class today! And I'll also inform you that there is one more class after this that is mandatory. The rest will mostly be introductory battle classes or just general knowledge classes that are completely optional. We might even have some of our disciples come in and try to get you more acquainted with our Sect. Anyway, this is the second to last mandatory class. Congratulations on making it into the Battle Maiden Sect and Welcome!" Elder Kendra announced to the class and left. The disciples were rather shocked when they heard this. They were expecting another 2 to 3 months of this, but it turns out they don't have to come back after this.
The disciples started to get excited as they could finally take some of the longer missions that offer more money or even just go adventuring after another week!
While everyone was overjoyed, Mira got up and left as she began thinking. She was seriously becoming an inscriptionist. She's learned many different languages that all use different symbols to convey different words. If all she has to do is learn some symbols and write them down, then how difficult can it really be? She can do that in her sleep!
While Mira was considering different aspects of being an inscriptionist, Maria woke her up from her thoughts.
"Mira! Geez… What are you thinking about? Do you want to be an inscriptionist?" Maria asked curiously. This is the first thing other than training and fighting that Mira has shown interest in!
"Sort of. I originally wanted to try out forging, but I don't know if I'm suited for it. Maybe I'll just read some books on it and learn it down the line. But inscriptions are rather interesting. We can't stay at the Battle Maiden Sect forever at some point, we'll have to leave and support ourselves. I'm only good at fighting, but that is most cultivators. I need to expand my skills." Mira said as she decided to choose whenever she met with the Inscription Master in the Sect. It wouldn't matter if she refused to teach her.
Maria nodded her head brightly as she felt like Mira was growing up! But Mira just kicked her in the gut as soon as she saw Maria's face.
'I'm many times older than you and you look at me like I'm some child growing up?! I've never had any time to learn anything other than fighting!' Mira yelled at Maria in her mind but didn't voice her thoughts. She only looked at Maria with a very disappointed and angry look.
Maria was amazed once again at Mira's ability to read her thoughts, though it seems that Mira really didn't like her look as that kick caused some minor internal injuries. Noted.