"Can we try to name them? So far, they have all improved. We can start with the ring. If it fails, it's only uncommon anyway."
"Let's start with the bracelet. It was the weakest of the four," came the elven smith's reply.
They began the naming process. Additional essences were poured into the Bonfire Bracelet, which surprisingly kept its name. It seemed fitting and nothing better came to mind as Von and Oren examined it. Again, they passed it around. The increases to the bracelet's abilities were still significant, but only enough to make it barely rare.
Can this focus be absorbed?
No.
Von relayed the basics of the attributes of the focus as they concentrated their auras on it. Just the pyromantic enhancement was enough to make it rare. The common venomantic focus ability was pure icing on the cake as it were.
Chet whistled at the improvements over what he felt from the bracelet less than an hour ago. "I nominate Von to be the guildleader of the new Sungrove Smith's guild!" The other three smiths looked at him. "What? Look at how much he's already taught us! We will be the most famous guild in all of Yendora!"
Vorolen responded first, since he was her journeyman. "We?" She eyed Chet. "First, you are not yet an adept, though if you can learn this method well, I'm certain you will be. Second, Von is only an adept smith with a new technique for making magical items. Lastly, we would have to petition the king for permission to create a new guild, and we are no longer in Yendora. We are now in Von's world of Keephep. We don't even know the king."
"Khehep." Von corrected, "and I do know the king. My mother is his grand marshal or prime knight, or whatever he wants to call her. We can petition for a new guild. First though, there's one more item I know you made that I want to further imbue and then name if you would."
Everyone looked puzzled except for Von. All the items he recently made were present in front of him, and with the exception of the other pyromantic foci, the others were named. Just as he was about to ask what item, a thought came to Oren causing him to turn pale, shudder nervously, and felt his heart sank into his stomach. Weakly he asked, "your helm?"
Von nodded vigorously. It was already a demon lord tier focus. So far, he hadn't analyzed it, but it was unbelievably strong when it came to working with mind essences and its weaving. He couldn't imagine what else he could bring from it.
Oren looked hesitant. "We should rest first. Adding essence to these items was insignificant compared to something of that level of power. It took five myalomantic adepts to make it initially. It will probably take the whole college to enhance it, plus someone who can control the weaves.
"I think I can control the weaves, but a few more mages would be a great idea. I will see if I can gather enough for tomorrow."
A feeling of relief washed over Oren as they put off the helm for another day. He saw how drained the adepts were, and now he wants to pour more essence into it? "Do you think it will need other mages besides myalomancers?"
"I know it will. It will need several white mages, a few apotropaic mages, some illusionist, an agnomancer or two, a couple of aimamancers....
Oren stopped him. "Just gather who and how many you think you need and make sure they understand how to combine their weaves without killing the smith involved. If you need so many people, perhaps you could ask Archmage Alden if we can use the Nexus amphitheater.
Von sent a thought to the council arches asking to use the Nexus tomorrow and to gather the required mages. A mental response returned almost immediately. As you wish, Archon.
"We can use it. The archon of the council has already approved it and made the arrangements for everyone we need to be there." Von responded.
The lean elf's violet eyes narrowed as he tilted his head. "Archon? There hasn't been an archon since I've been here. Archmage Alden has the center seat on the council until one has been selected by the arches. Until then...."
Oren remembered, when Von was added to the council, the seats were all different. His own chair was pushed further to the side, and the girl with Von was in the position where he previously sat. To her left sat Von, directly in the center of the table with his back directly in front of the door. On top of this, Von's chair was unique with nearly every essence represented. Everything clicked into place. The boy was an archmage, he had more than a few abilities. His affinities were amazing, and the arches recognized him the first time he passed through them.
"It will be as you say, archmage, Zupan. I have no doubt, everything will be exactly as needed for this endeavor." His usual graceful stature turned into a less formal stance as he bowed. "Working with you today has been enlightening, Von. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Acquaintance?" the boy asked. "You have helped me learn so much and made sure I was trained. Among all those here, the three of you, Alden, Thain, Poralis, Alendoria, and the few others are my friends. I feel I could tell you anything and you have given me so much help."
Oren turned to the dwarf and two humans. "I believe Von knows a lot more about smithing than I realized. It would not surprise me if he were to pass his masterwork test should we offer it to him. His ability to learn is well past was I expected."
Vorolen and Grimdon looked at Oren very slowly before Vorolen touched Grimdon's arm. The mental conversation went something along the lines of: Had Von suddenly taken over his mind? The haughtiness the elf usually showed had been getting better over the last few decades. Maybe he was finally going senile? Whatever it was, something was obviously amiss. Perhaps the boy spent too much time in Oren's head. It didn't matter, they would have him examined once the boy retired for the night.
The master smiths' silent exchange of glances spoke volumes. The rapid transformation of Oren's demeanor from arrogant to humbled had caught them by surprise. What they witnessed in the forge earlier was extraordinary, but Oren's sudden shift in attitude seemed beyond extraordinary—it felt unnerving. The calm with which he now treated the young adept, the reverence almost—it was as if he forgot his own station among the masters of smithing.
Grimdon stepped forward, clearing his throat to break the awkwardness. "I think we've all had quite the day. Perhaps we should let the lad rest and discuss tomorrow's plan over some drinks. There's enough to talk about already without overtaxing ourselves with any more surprises tonight."
The others nodded, agreeing the forge could use some rest, as could everyone within it. The adrenaline of the earlier events left them all feeling drained, and the uncertainty surrounding Von's future actions was enough to make them wary.
Oren, however, seemed unusually energized, a gleam in his eyes. "Drinks? Yes, that sounds like an excellent idea. There is much to discuss about the upcoming project. While we're at it, we should probably consider allowing Von to take the exams before he leaves us."
Vorolen watched Oren carefully, her expression thoughtful. "Drinks sound good, but we should also consider what this means for the rest of the town. If we're going to involve others in this enhancement tomorrow, we need to be careful. There's no telling what could happen when mixing so many powerful essences, especially with an item as potent as your helm, Von."
Grimdon laughed nervously. "Yeah, I don't want to wake up to find the entire forge turned into a living jungle, or worse, half the town running around with their memories completely gone. Let's keep things contained and make sure we have backup plans."
The mood lightened slightly as the group shared a chuckle, the tension just beginning to ease. Oren placed a gentle hand on Von's shoulder, his voice warm and encouraging. "Make sure you're well-prepared for tomorrow, Von. You've proven yourself today, but you will need a lot of control and sleep to be able to handle so many essences and be able to focus them properly through me. I have no doubt you can do it, but just in case, you should rest."
The young adept nodded, appreciating the support but also feeling the weight of the responsibility. The events of the day had shown him the impact his skills could have, for better or worse, and he knew he needed to approach the next steps with caution.
As the group began to disperse, with the intention of heading to a nearby tavern for a drink, Oren lingered near Von. "If you need anything, just ask. I want to make sure,we aren't overpowered by your helmet or by the sheer force of the essences involved."
Von smiled, grateful for the elder's kindness. "Thanks, Master Oren. I'll see you tomorrow." With that, he watched the smiths leave.