'Is he lying?' Durgrim's mind raced. Despite the blades' intricacies, he must admit they exuded an air of primal violence unfound in this era's crafts. 'Relics from the past?' He thought, with a frown, remembering his studies at the Arcane Academy of Enchantment. Yet, the design and method eluded him.
'Why are they soul weapons if they come from the past?' He pondered the time inconsistency. This smiting method emerged during the last thousand years, making it impossible for old weapons to share their attributes.
After five minutes of profound silence, he said, "I trust you didn't buy them."
Adam smiled in response, nodding in relief after the ban threat passed. However, the craftsman wasn't over.
"I want to study them for a week. I'll gift you an enchanted ring in exchange," said the dwarf, his eyes sparkling. If he couldn't learn about the weapon's creator, he would study them directly and understand the creation process himself.
Astonished by the demand, Adam pensively tucked his fingers around his chin and replied, "We'll stay for two days at most. Will it be enough for you to study them?"
"It won't. They are works of art I could study for months! Just the engraving style of your dark blade would take me a long time to replicate," Durgrim exclaimed, traces of sadness flashing on his face. If he could, he would have proposed a trade. But he knew his creations weren't on the blade's level yet, especially for the subtle increase in perception and instinct he experienced while holding them.
Those features excited him the most because he knew no artisan could replicate them in their era. Not even the most successful among the living who reached the archmage level.
As he pondered for a solution, Adam's voice echoed, his words like a divine hymn in his ears.
"I can try to replicate them using mana constructs for you to cast them in random materials. It won't be as good as the originals. But you'll have the engravings at disposition at the very least," Adam offered, wondering if his idea could help.
"That's a brilliant solution!" Exclaimed the dwarf, his hands shivering in excitement. Exploding into laughter, he added half-jokingly, "Who would have thought I'd meet a ghost capable enough to build constructs? Did you stumble into a mana conjuror's heritage or something?"
With a wry smile, Adam ignored the question and went to work. Scrutinising the blade, he condensed mana, replicating the intricate carvings gradually.
Sky-blue energy danced in his palm for ten minutes as sweat dripped from his forehead. Under Durgrim's bewitched eyes, a faithful replica of the dark blade materialised with the soft hum of mana.
Taking a deep breath to recover, Adam explained, "I made the parts movable so you can dismantle the construct. However, my mana will run out in an hour at most."
That was the best he could do at his level, and he hoped his arrangement would help the smith before he cast it.
Taken out of his daze, the dwarf exclaimed, "Absolutely wonderful! With your constructs, you can become the best craftsman of our era as long as your tier follows!" Then, he added, "Want to learn under me? I'm sure you'll progress fast."
In response, Adam shook his head, answering seriously, "I don't have enough time. I'm not even advancing into alchemy anymore."
"That can easily be fixed! You can use alchemy to create weapons. In fact, that's the most efficient way to blend materials and boost their natural properties," answered the dwarf excitedly. With notions in alchemy, he only needed to learn enchantments to become the best smith!
Tempted to learn but pressed by time, Adam said, "I won't have time to learn much in two days."
"No problem! Let me compile my knowledge for you in a soul orb. With it, you'll have access to enhancement theories up to the fifth tier, but you'll still have to put in the effort to master them," the smith offered, his eyes glowing. Then he added, giggling, "The only thing I ask in exchange is for you to surpass those old dogs in Durazmarn and mention my name!
I can't wait to see their surprise after witnessing it again after centuries. GaGaGa."
Overwhelmed by the old soul's enthusiasm, Adam smiled wryly and responded, "I'll do my best starting next year."
"Mastery is a gradual process. I don't mind you starting next year as long as you do it dutifully," Durgrim said, opening one showcase to retrieve a ring adorned with a beautiful swirling mass of energy. Then, he threw it at Adam with a smirk, adding, "Take this. It's an epic ring I named the Soul Weaver. It only possesses one enhancement, but I'm sure you'll find it helpful."
Catching the ring curiously, Adam passed it on his middle finger, his eyes closing in pleasure as a soothing sensation engulfed his soul.
"It passively rejuvenates and heals the soul. A must-have for ghosts!" He said, explaining why a single enchantment took the three spots of an epic item.
"I like it," Adam said, smiling brightly before the creaking noise of the door opening attracted his attention.
"We are back, big bro. We counted the coins on the way," Julius said, running to stand before the smith and extending the pouch. "There are four hundred coins in total."
"Mhh. You are 99 coins short," answered Durgrim before shrugging. "Alright, I'll take this loss for your safety," he added, walking along the shelves until he stopped before an elegant, ethereal leather coat.
"What do you think about this one?" He asked before explaining the enhancements, "It's the Aurora Veil. It'll protect your soul against spells up to the third tier without trouble besides concealing your aura."
Then, his eyes glowed as he added, "The last enhancement won't be too useful for you since you use mana. Just know that it helps with soul energy management."
Adam peered at the coat intently, feeling its stylish level resonate with him briefly. Then, he pondered the enhancements seriously.
After five seconds, he nodded, convinced it would be a valuable protection for his soul, not to mention the concealing effect.