The night passed peacefully, and when Von awoke the next morning, he felt refreshed and invigorated, the fear of yesterday already in the past. ready to face whatever challenges awaited him. With a renewed sense of determination, he rose from his bed and prepared for the day ahead.
Once Monica was ready, they went down to breakfast then made their way to the Wyvern's Hide Tannery. Once there, the two tried on their cloaks, packs and other supplies they ordered. Finding everything a perfect fit, he thanked them profusely. Seeing they were even better than he expected, he tipped two auracircles to the leatherworkers. Before they left, he remembered the scabbards.
He inquired of the elven woman who presented their backpacks and cloaks. "Pardon me, do you know someone named Bastian."
She smiled at him and gave a shrill whistle. A short stocky man who looked so similar to Grimdon he could be his brother appeared holding a pair of scabbards. "So, you're the lad who needed the scabbards." His voice was similar to Grimdon as well. "I have them, and the lady Vorolen has already paid the bill."
Von looked them over. The first one smaller and dyed yellow one with a golden metal on the bottom and on the opening. Overall it looked similar to Felinblade. Since it was stamped or carved with several large cats on the sides, it provided a hint at what its content's powers might be. Holding it, he could feel the essence coming from the scabbard.
Nudging it with his aura, he could feel the aspect of the scabbard. It was meant to make the blade smaller or even have it disappear as though in a storage item, leaving one to look harmless. The second effect was to keep the blade within it oiled to prevent rusting, provided one had oil somewhere in their belongings and their belongings were within ten miles of the scabbard..
The second one was larger and dyed a green to match Marshfang. The green metal on it also protecting not only the scabbard but the wearer. Its properties were similar, plus it aided in preventing one from being poisoned. It too would allow one to hide the blade from sight as though hidden in a storage bag and keep it oiled. The last property made any associated blade stored in it for more than an hour within the last day feel like while being carried or wielded, but only to the owner of the scabbard. To others, it could make the weight of the weapon extremely unwieldy.
Von nodded in appreciation as he examined the scabbards, impressed by their craftsmanship and the thought put into their design. He thanked Bastian for his work.
Bastian just replied, "Just remind Vorolen that I like meat with my dinner."
"I will! Thank you again!" Von beamed brightly. "Hey, I know this will sound odd, but do you know Grimdon from the Wyvern's Scale Armory? You two look similar."
"Of course I know the old fart. He's my older brother." Bastian grinned. "He started his smithy to try to get in with Vorolen, and I started this tannery to make nice things. Turns out, I got the girl, and he got the money." He winked. "Still though, I get a lot more hearts from the students because they want packs or cloaks before going on their journeyman trials."
Von was left speechless, so he just smiled. Finally, he asked, "isn't it odd dating someone hundreds of years older than you?"
Bastian let out of belly rolling laugh. "Look young fella, I'm part dwarf myself. I have two grandparents on each side who are clansfolk. Grimdon, Everret, and I also have one elvish grandparent, so we can expect to live quite some time." His voice turned to a whisper. "You are right though, she is about two hundred years older than me, but as they say, 'older women make beautiful..."
His words were cut off by a shout from the elven leatherworker. "Hey, don't corrupt the boy. He's human and probably not even in his teens yet."
Bastian sighed. "Well, anyway, she's not that much older than me in the grand scheme of things."
Von laughed and thanked him again before heading off with Monica toward the main thoroughfare. As she prepared to turn to the right to head to the Cavern, she paused and gave Von a huge hug. "No more accidents, you hear. I'll tell mom when we get back and she'll put a shine to your backside."
Von turned pink. "I'll try not to. It was completely an accident."
She let go of him. "Good, because I don't want to walk out of this swamp alone." Monica skipped down the cobblestone street toward the academy.
Von watched her skipping away feeling slightly warm. She was a little older than him, but she was still his best friend, and like she said last night. She was like a sister too.
As he made his way to the forge, what he heard was an absolute delight to his ears.
Welcome back, system! I've missed you.
Since you've upgraded, can you tell me about the 'unknown' skills I have? I mean, do you know what level they are now?
These skills are still at an indeterminable level: Aimamancy - unknown, Arithmancy - unknown, Choromancy - unknown, Chronomancy - unknown, Myalomancy - unknown I can now discern all skills of basic adept level and below.> Von signed as he walked. At least he now knew he was better than a basic adept in those affinities. System, what were the levels again? As Von considered this, he realized, he might actually qualify for the archmage title. At least five of his skills were above the basic adept level, so it is possible for three to be of master tier. He felt a lot better now, so much so, he strolled right past his destination and had to backtrack slightly. Looking around to see if Oren or anyone else noticed, his sense of panic subsided and he walked into the smithy. "Good morning, Maggie." The elven girl waved. "Master Oren hasn't made it in yet. He knew you would be late from stopping by the leather shop." "Thank you." He then went to the door to the forge and gave it a pull. It didn't move. "Um, the door is stuck." Maggie responded. "Master Oren warded it to prevent your sword from causing mischief, as well as..." Oren stepped through the doorway and completed her sentence. "As well as you from causing mischief with the sword until we are all present." Turning to Maggie he asked, "Would you please take Von's leather goods, except for the two scabbards, to the Flooded Haven Inn? Ask them to put them in the room for the young prodigies Room." "Yes, Master Oren." She curtseyed and took the backpack, cloak, and new boots from the boy before heading out the door and to the left. "You must've been distracted by their weight. You walked right past me and the building." Von blushed. "I was thinking about other things, like my magical title of archmage. It just seems odd for someone my age to have it. I never even met one before being here, but even the mages, wizards, and masters are all old when they pass through Milltown. Here I am only eight and I'm considered a master three times over. It's not what I expected, and when those few people use the title, and I look in the mirror, I expect to see me a hundred or more years older." "You're a chronomancer, Von. If you want to look five hundred years old, you can. On the other hand, if you want to stay eight, you can. Although, since you're human, I think I'd stop somewhere around two hundred. Most humans don't see their five hundredth birthdays." "Yes, sir. I was thinking of stopping sooner, so I don't get too wrinkly and my bones don't crack when I stand up." The two laughed. "As soon as Grimmy and Vorolen arrive, we can enter the forge. I wanted to ensure it would take three master smiths to unlock, just in case. Some people are crafty and capable well beyond their years, and I want everyone to be there before we find out what your Marshfang does." As if on cue, they could hear Grimdon and Vorolen bickering about her fixing dinner for his brother tonight. "Why him?" They could hear Grimdon ask. "I'm a lot better looking and older and more mature, too." As they entered the door, Vorolen was still shaking her head. "No, I think when it comes down to it, not only did Bastian get the looks, but the brains too. He didn't even try, while you worked much to hard setting yourself up for failure. Anything you can make, I was making a century before you were born. Bastian also has a better eye for detail. You might be able to pick out a hammer, but he can pick out a flower, and keep it alive." Grimdon became quiet while trying to find a good comeback, but failing, he just looked to Oren and Von. "Good morning." Oren spoke first. "I was just telling Von that I sealed the door to the forge to require three master smiths to enter. Are the two of you ready?" The dwarven woman and stout human nodded in readiness.