A New World, an immersive game experience

Chapter 474 - Shocking The Smith

"You will have to explain how that works. I just know weapons can have abilities, but I have no idea on how they are formed or what they are limited by."

"Really?" Glancing at Aoidos, Solvi frowned but continued. "Alright, the abilities are determined by a mixture of the material used as well as the rune network."

"Enchanting the metal before forging can allow the metal to support a wider variety of runes, but, it can't stray too far from the metal's natural alignment. Crystals are more flexible and allow us to add inscription into the rune network."

"Generally, each network will be separate but connected. Meaning, damage to one will not destroy the weapon, and if the smith is skilled enough and also has the means, then there can also be a repair rune network added. However, this is normally very mana heavy and thus expensive to add."

Eldrian regretted how he had simply used the Mov Crystals he had found to increase his inventory upon hearing this. While it had allowed him to take a few more books and weapons, which had yet to sort through, none of them was above Tier 5 in any case.

However, upon thinking of this, he suddenly realized he might have access to a bit more money than he had thought. Taking out the four best weapons he had found (2 Tier 3, and 2 Tier 2), Eldrian asked Solvi if they could reuse some of their parts.

"No, they are just made out of celestial metals. It would just weaken the piece."

"And if I sold them?"

"You won't get a great price selling to me. I would give you 100 gold for them, you won't be able to get much more. Even with the Tier 2 being peak weapons, they are just worth around 30 gold, shop price."

"I understand," Eldrian said while quickly storing them, causing Solvi to laugh at his actions.

"Right, back to my explanation. You will have to decide if you want the weapon to be focused on its abilities, or its physical attributes. You have three choices, have the blades be made of Rank 3 metals, have the crystals supporting the weapon's abilities be Rank 3, or half and half."

"If all goes well, the blade will be semi-Tier 7."

"Right, what kind of abilities are you looking for?" She added, knowing that this was a truly important question.

"I don't really know. I prefer abilities that can keep me in the fight, so I guess I will also prefer that the physical attributes are its strong point."

Solvi looked at Eldrian, impressed. Almost everyone always wanted flashy abilities, especially for something that was going to cost 2000 gold coins. Eldrian's answer showed that he knew what was truly important in a fight.

However, all weapons had to have a trump card.

"Before we continue, can you show me the materials you want to add to the spear?"

Nodding, Eldrian took out the voidstone. If she knew how to use it, and if she didn't appear greedy, then he would also take out some of the magic crystal dust.

Solvi froze upon seeing the voidstone, her eyes shined in a fiery brownish-red as she tried to analyze the stone before her.

"Thi-this... How in Dragos's flames did you manage to get your hands on this?"

"Luck and connections, will you be able to add it?"

Solvi stopped herself from reaching for the stone and took a moment to recompose herself. "I will be honest, I can make use of it, but... I won't be able to use even half, or even a quarter of its ability."

"If... If you really want to add it and will allow me to experiment with this. I will do my best. Also, I will only need a small piece, not the entire stone."

Nodding, Eldrian smiled and decided to now take out a bit of the magic crystal dust. He took out just a few grains, but the sight sent Solvi into shock. She stared at the glittering dust as her mind became completely empty of thoughts.

"This... Can't be-"

"It is the dust from a magic crystal."

Hearing the confirmation, Solvi's dwarven legs caved in on her as she tried to accept the reality before her. Most smiths dreamed of one day being able to work with a magic crystal, nearly none dared dream make use of the dust of one.

A magic crystal wasn't like other crystals (and stones). Like them, it did indeed lose its original purpose upon turning into dust. However, unlike them, it gained a new ability and function.

That was, it was the absolute most perfect inscription material. If mixed in a certain mixture it would turn into a past that could change everything in the crafting process.

However, Solvi had only heard rumors of Tier 10 smiths attempting this. She knew she had no right to even attempt this.

"I am sorry, but I won't be able to. I would just waste it."

Eldrian nodded, but he didn't store the dust. Instead, he took out a piece of fabric and enclosed the dust inside of it. "I still want to try, my weapon is truly an important part of me. I can't in good conscious not make it the best that I can possibly can."

Of course, Eldrian said this but had actually not even taken out much of dust. What he had shown her wasn't even 1% of the dust. Just a few grains.

He didn't mind if this amount became wasted, at the minimum this would make Solvi do her absolute best. He also understood that these materials were far harder to work than even divine Mythril. He had no idea how Solvi would be able to actually make use of them.

It took her a few minutes to settle her thoughts and calm her rapidly beating heart. "Before we continue, can you please explain to me how you controlled and morphed the spell. It might allow me to make better use of the materials you want to add."

"Of course," Eldrian smiled, he had hoped she would ask before they did the forging. If she learned something, then it would benefit him all the more.

"I assume you are familiar with your mana, you can feel and follow it. Right?"

"I can, it is required for forging of magical metals and adding runes. However, I can't take control, as is the case with most everyone."

"Of course, I know it isn't easy. There are two mindsets in trying to take control, or rather, I have gone through two mindsets."

"The first is to overwhelm your mana with your focus. Trying to surround it with your will and forcefully move it."

"However, I have come to learn that this method is limiting. It might show the greatest results in the shortest amount of time, but it will also limit you later on. The other method is instead trying to not even think of it."

"As you would move your arm, or... Actually, as you would swing your hammer. It shouldn't be a conscious action, but rather something you do without even thinking."

"Instead of thinking of all the angles and possibilities, just think of the end result. For example, when you swing your hammer you don't consider how high to lift it. How quickly to bring it down, how hard to strike."

"You just do these things thanks to years of experience. And, I know you do not have the same experience with mana. But you do have years of experience with magic. You just need to let go of that which is holding you back."

AN: A big thanks to everyone who continues to support this on WN.