Polygamy as a concept was not foreign to the lands of the Continent. Nobility aside, even the less-known influential figures like knights and merchants of the Kingdom took part as a show of status. Personally, I wasn't entirely opposed to the concept.
Spending a night lying atop the rooftop had infused a cold chill within my bones. Though it did allow me the time that I needed to sort my thoughts out and even assess Titania's talents.
Unlike Amara, who seemed more suitable on a battlefield, Titania's entire build was directed toward forging. Her singular S-Rank talent ensured all the items crafted by her hands would be self-reparable and adaptive. Which meant they could grow with their users.
Of course the effects didn't end there. Since it was an S-Rank talent, it allowed for the domain implementation where the crafting speed would be enhanced alongside the quality.
Flame of Creation, on the other hand, was a markedly simple talent. It allowed her to summon an ethereal forge flame that was capable of melting and infusing elemental properties in their raw forms.
Runic Imprint, being the other A-Rank talent, was also focused on forging. But this talent in particular allowed her to inscribe powerful runes into objects, people, or even entire areas that granted a variety of effects.
Among her two B-Rank talents, one was called Hammer Heart and could be considered a watered-down version of the Immortal. Of course, that was when considering the Immortal's primary effect of granting eternal life.
In comparison, Hammer Heart actually allowed for her to manifest her will and spiritual power into reality. This would allow her to forge even the toughest of materials, and provided her with extraordinary mental resilience.
At last, Runic Empowerment, the other B-Rank talent, was the only one that seemed remotely related to combat. This talent inscribed her body and soul on a conceptual level with powerful ancient runes. When they were activated, they would enhance her strength, durability, and stamina.
I discarded all forging-related choices, though I did hesitate at Flame of Creation. No matter what, they were still flames, and that somehow felt cooler than flinging blood around. In the end, I decided to discuss it with Titania first.
Pushing myself to my feet, I walked closer to the edge. From afar, the horizon was being dyed a golden red. A droplet of wetness caused me to reach for my forehead before I directed my gaze at the darkened clouds.
"Raining again, huh...?"
I sighed and proceeded to climb down. The window was open thankfully, and both the ladies were situated within. Amara sat with her arms crossed and her back against the wall, and Titania seemed to be tending to her armor atop the bed.
"Good morning." I greeted, in general, though my attention rested on the dwarf.
She blinked her eyes at me and then stole a quick glance at Amara. "Did you not sleep last night?" She asked.
I offered a wry laugh, rubbing at my eyes. "Is it that obvious?"
"Very much so," she nodded.
After the whole fiasco yesterday, I couldn't catch even a wink of sleep. The entire conversation weighed on me, sort of a physical reminder of the hurt I had caused. I knew I should've trusted her, but knowing that my power might be putting her under suggestive influence made that a very hard prospect to swallow.
The fact that she hadn't jabbed a spear or two in my gut was a testament to her sympathetic nature, and I was immensely grateful for that.
"Did you have a good night's sleep?" I asked as I found a spot on the bed to sit upon. Her armor was one bulky thing, and it made me wonder why she would even bother. After all, she didn't seem all that suited to combat.
"Yeah." She nodded. "Thanks for letting me have the bed."
I shrugged; it would've gone to waste either way.
"Um." She meant to speak but paused, hesitating. I nodded, urging her to continue. She stole a quick glance at Amara before turning back to me, "Did you two have a fight?"
Her voice came as a low whisper, though I was sure Amara probably heard that. I smiled and bobbed my head. "I made a mistake, and now I'm being punished for a week."
That bit still stung, not the punishment, but the mistake. I put the thought aside and focused on my primary goal. "Actually," I began, "I wanted to ask you about your talents a bit."
The rest of our discussion mirrored my initial conversation with Amara, though Titania proved to be vastly more enthusiastic about my origin and the talents it granted. She seemed genuinely curious about the mechanics, so I explained to the best of my ability.
"Hmm." Titania put on a ponderous expression after she had finished listening to my explanation. "I cannot offer you a proper suggestion as it would depend on your own path. What you seek the most, that is. However, I can provide an in-depth analysis of my own talents."
I beamed a smile, and she fought a furious blush from creeping up on her face. That somehow complicated my own feelings, especially when I felt an ominous glare bore holes into my back.
Soothing music of rainfall began in the background as Titania expounded on the pros and cons of her talents. She was an expert forger and rune master and displayed an extensive knowledge of both categories. Somehow I found it hard to associate the short-stature woman with someone who would pound metal on an anvil for hours on end. Yet, the image that sprung to my mind made the prospect both endearing and somewhat inspiring.
"So, Hammer Heart or Runic Empowerment?"
After an extensive discussion, these were the two we had decided upon. Of course I could only choose one, so the decision still fell on me.
Although it sucked to make a choice between two of the lowest-ranking talents, I had to recognize that better talent didn't necessarily symbolize better synergy. Particularly when considering the fact that both my inner self and my dragon heart longed for battle.
In the end, I decided to go with Runic Empowerment. Hammer Heart, while excellent, seemed more suited for creation in general.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Would you like to bind (Runic Empowerment - B) as your talent?]
Y/N
I made my choice.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have awakened the talent. Runic Empowerment (Rank B)
I felt a shift in my essence, an awakening of something deep within. It was unlike when I had synchronized my attribute with Amara's; this felt more like adaptation than sharing.
With the awakening of the talent came knowledge of its usage and capabilities it granted. Considering my entire experience with the different talent rankings could be contributed to a single D-Rank and then an SSS-Rank, my vision was skewed to say the least. Despite that, Runic Empowerment managed to impress me.
I breathed out, calming down from the rush and flare of new strength burning in my core. When I opened my eyes, Titania was staring at me unblinkingly, and suddenly realizing my whole attention had shifted to her, she backed away and started poking at her armor.
"Hey, you wanna get something to eat?" I said, throwing a quick glance Amara's way, though the vampire barely acknowledged my attempt. I sighed. "And if anyone wants to come, they are free to tag along."
"Oh, I do feel hungry." Titania leapt up with an eager energy. Then looking down at the armor, she seemed to be considering whether she should leave it here or don it.
"Don't worry, just wear it if you want." I assured.
"People won't question my etiquette, right?"
I blinked at her inquiry and then laughed out loud. "Titania, this is Erdwatch. Half of the men and women here are dressed up, ready to battle. If anything, you would look more at home here than either of us."
That reminded me, I still had to buy a new pair of clothes and some armor as well. And there were the Mana Crystals too and the potions. Hmm. That's certainly going to occupy a good part of the day.
"Ah yes, you did mention that." She offered a nervous laugh and rubbed the back of her head. "And you call me Tania; Titania is a bit of a mouthful."
"Well then, Tania, let's go and put some food in our very hungry stomachs."
I offered to help with putting her armor back on before we were ready to depart. In the process I couldn't help but ask why she, as a forging master, would bother with an armor. Turns out that the armor was something she had made for purely self-defense, as she lacked the sheer combat potential and attributes to fight. Although she didn't recall when and where she had crafted, strangely enough, she somehow remembered every detail of the craft with crystal clarity.
Just as we were about to leave, Tania—hmm, that did roll off the tongue better—turned back to Amara, mustered her courage, and asked, "Amara, do you want to come with us?"
The vampire cracked open an eye and glanced in the dwarf's direction, then nodded her head, "Sure."
And so we left to have our breakfast together.
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