In the heart of Master Oren's forge, Von found himself enveloped by the intense heat and the rhythmic clang of metal against metal. The air shimmered with the radiant glow of the furnace, casting long shadows across the room as the flames danced and flickered. The walls of the forge seemed to pulse with energy, resonating with the raw power of the magical arts.
With a steady hand and a focused mind, Oren guided Von through the intricate process of metallomancy. He demonstrated the delicate balance of magical energy needed to manipulate metal, showing Von how to channel his aura with precision and finesse. Each movement was deliberate, each gesture infused with the ancient wisdom of the smithing tradition.
Their first lesson began with the basics: heating and shaping metal using magical energy. Oren showed Von how to focus his aura into the forge, raising the temperature to a searing heat that could soften even the toughest steel. With careful control, Von learned to shape the molten metal with his mind, coaxing it into intricate forms and patterns.
As the days passed, their lessons grew more advanced. Oren taught Von how to imbue metal with magical properties, infusing it with strength, resilience, and even enchantments. They worked with a variety of metals, from common iron and steel to rare and exotic alloys, each one presenting its own unique challenges and opportunities.
Von marveled at the way Oren's hands moved with fluid grace, guiding the metal as if it were an extension of his own body. With each strike of the hammer and twist of the metal, Von absorbed the ancient knowledge passed down through generations of blacksmiths. He learned the secrets of the forge, unlocking the hidden potential within the raw materials of the earth.
But metallomancy was not just about technique; it was also about intuition and instinct. Oren taught Von to listen to the metal, to feel its subtle vibrations and echoes, and to respond with sensitivity and empathy. Through patience and practice, Von learned to forge a deep connection with the elements, tapping into the primal forces flowing through the heart of creation.
In the quiet moments between lessons, Oren shared stories of the ancient masters and legendary smiths who had shaped the world with their craft. He spoke of legendary weapons and artifacts forged in the fires of myth and legend, each one imbued with the power to change the course of history.
As Von stood at the forge, bathed in the glow of the flames, he felt a sense of awe and reverence for the art of metallomancy. It was more than just a skill; it was a sacred calling, a path to mastery demanding dedication, discipline, and unwavering determination.
Master Oren led Von to a secluded corner of the forge, where a special furnace stood, its flames burning brighter and hotter than any other. The air crackled with anticipation as Oren gestured for Von to approach, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Today, we delve into the mysteries of metallomancy in its purest form," Oren declared, his voice resonating with authority and passion. "We will learn to meld the raw essence of magic with the primal energies of beast cores, forging artifacts of incredible power and potency."
Von's heart quickened with anticipation as he listened to Oren's words. He knew that this lesson would take his skills to new heights, unlocking the secrets of alchemy and enchantment that lay hidden within the forge.
With a deft flick of his wrist, Oren opened a small chest, revealing an array of beast cores of varying sizes and shapes. Each one pulsed with a vibrant energy, emanating a primal aura that stirred something deep within Von's soul.
"These are the essence of magic made manifest," Oren explained, his voice low and reverent. "Within each core lies the power of the creatures from which they were taken, waiting to be harnessed and shaped by the hands of a skilled metallomancer."
Von approached the chest, his eyes alight with curiosity as he examined the assortment of cores before him. There were cores from creatures of all shapes and sizes: from the fierce claws of a swamp dragon to the delicate wings of a fairy. Each one held the promise of untold possibilities, waiting to be unleashed upon the world.
"Now, watch closely," Oren instructed, his voice commanding and authoritative. "I will show you how to melt the beast cores and infuse their essence into the metals, creating magical alloys of unparalleled strength and resilience."
With practiced precision, Oren selected a large swamp dragon core from the chest, its fiery red hue pulsing with raw power. Holding it aloft, he channeled his aura into the furnace, raising the temperature to a blistering heat that would melt even the toughest of metals.
As the flames roared to life, Oren carefully placed the beast core into the heart of the furnace, watching as it began to smolder and glow with an intense heat. Von watched in awe as the core liquefied before his eyes, its essence swirling and coalescing into a shimmering pool of molten energy.
"Now, it is your turn," Oren said, turning to Von with a reassuring smile. "Channel your aura into the furnace and focus your mind on the task at hand. Feel the energy of the beast core and allow it to merge with the metal, creating a bond that will endure for eternity."
Taking a deep breath, Von steadied himself and approached the furnace, his heart pounding with excitement. With a steady hand, he channeled his aura into the flames, feeling the heat wash over him like a wave of pure energy.
Closing his eyes, he reached out with his mind, seeking the essence of the dragon core within the furnace. He felt its power calling to him, a primal force that resonated with his own inner strength.
With a focused concentration, Von guided the essence of the core into the metal, infusing it with the poisonous energy of the swamp dragon. He felt the metal begin to shift and change beneath his touch, transforming into a glowing mass of molten dark green metal pulsing with raw poisonous power.
With the molten metal swirling within the furnace, Von focused his aura, directing its flow with precision and care. With a steady hand, he channeled his energy into the metal, guiding it as it flowed like green liquid fire into the waiting mold.
As the molten metal filled every crevice of the sand-filled mold, Von could feel the raw power of his aura infusing the metal with a radiant energy. He concentrated, shaping the metal with his mind, ensuring that every detail of the sword's design was captured in the final product.
The furnace roared with intensity as the metal cooled and solidified within the mold, the once-blistering heat giving way to a gentle warmth that filled the air. Von watched with bated breath as the metal took on the shape of the sword, its form slowly emerging from the sand like a deep green phoenix rising from the ashes.
With a final surge of energy, Von withdrew his aura from the furnace, allowing the metal to cool and harden into its final form. He carefully removed the mold, revealing the newly forged sword blade and tang beneath.
It was a sight to behold: a small sword crafted with exquisite detail, its blade shimmering with a putrid green otherworldly light which seemed to run a deeper darker green within the fuller. Von could feel the latent power of the beast core infused within the metal. It had a natural affinity for poison, and he was quite wary of touching it by hand, still, it was the first magical blade he made, and it was beautiful.
With a sense of pride and satisfaction, Von held the sword aloft, admiring his handiwork. All it needed now was an appropriate pommel, cross guard, and grip. Once those were added, he could sharpen it and it would be a finished product.
Oren eyed the boy as if waiting for something, but he kept admiring his work. "Well, are you going to put a cross guard on it or are you going to just stand there?" he finally asked after several minutes of watching.
Von looked at the various molds until he found one, then poured his aura through the chest of cores until he found one which seemed to be just right. Based on the size of the sword, he needed a core from a beast which was both agile and strong. He found two which really came close. Both were great cat beast cores, one similar to a tiger was much stronger than the other, but still agile, the second one was fast and agile like a cheetah, but not nearly as strong.
He then took one of the bars of steel he created yesterday and began the melting and combining process again to create a new strong alloy which would hopefully allow the agility of the feline to be imbued into the weapon along with the existing features.
Once the alloy was created, it turned out to be a strange yellow color, but still, he had come this far, he needed to see it through. He Von focused his aura, directing the molten metal ever so carefully into the smaller mold for the cross guard. This flowed with a reddish yellow color; he worried about the look and if it could merge with the blade and tang of the sword. Finally, the mold was filled. He found there was a lot of the molten alloy left over and he looked to the elder smith to see what he should do.
Oren just looked at him with his head leaning slightly to the side and his right eyebrow raised as if he was curious to learn what Von might choose to do as well.
Uncertain, Von pause to think and recalled Master Oren's collection of molds before finally settling on a small dagger mold. He knew from seeing them around town, many women carried such as they were now only a tool but could be used to defend oneself from attackers and also easily hidden on one's person.
The mold he used wouldn't require a cross guard, as such, he could concentrate on just making the blade. He was pretty sure Oren would find this acceptable as it would work fine as a dagger and allow the owner to appear more graceful, thus, being the perfect item for a lady of fashion.
Once both items were complete, he allowed them to cool while choosing a hard green swamp poplar wood for the grip of the sword and a glass-like pearlescent grip for the dagger. For the pommel of the sword, he chose a strange green metal which seemed to mesh well with the other parts making it look like a sword a plant mage might utilize.
Von worked well into the night under the watchful eye of Master Oren to complete the two weapons before finally deciding they could be properly sharpened and polished the next day. During this entire time, Oren said nothing about what he did only occasionally examined the two weapons with his own aura looking for flaws or other hazards.
He finally bid farewell to the elf before teleporting to the inn. He was so late in arriving, there was little food remaining, but he did have the stew before enjoying a bath and walking to his shared room with Monica. She was already asleep when he entered the room. As such, he quietly removed his clothes and slipped into the other side of the bed. Falling asleep from his long day at the forge.