A steely glint flashed in his eyes as he grabbed the first ore, a rough brown metal pressing on his palm. Its dull sheen screamed durability.
He retrieved the mineral encyclopedia lent by Elara next, turning the pages with an eager smile.
"Gritstone. Particularly useful for armor crafting."
He muttered, reading the mineral properties.
'Toughness and attunement to earth. Should be perfect to craft a rare chest-plate.'
He mused, the rhythmic drumming of his fingers on the leather cover resounding.
However, he couldn't start before understanding what the attunement implied. Did he have to limit his elemental use to the same, or could he only engrave enchantments of that type?
Without waiting, he grabbed Durgrim's soul orb to find the answer.
"To craft items of the fourth tier or higher, the materials attunement is of critical concern. First, mixing opposite elements will make the item unstable and brittle. Second, you must understand the material like a living being. Does it want to cut, protect, or channel mana? Each one has something it wants. By figuring out their desires, you'll create the best items!"
His eyes brightened as he remembered the Runebark he used to carve the puppet. Through instinct, he had felt its desire and worked with it. Was it what Durgrim meant?
His eyes sparkled as he engulfed himself in the orb's knowledge, hearing the old ghost's voice resound in his mind.
"Lastly, using the same elemental affinity to work the materials will help conserve and enhance their properties. Depending on the compatibility, another element can reduce them by as much as eighty percent. Therefore, I advise you to specialise in using materials corresponding to your affinities."
A mischievous smile stretched his lips. With his mana affinity, he could use any material without restrictions. He only lacked proficiency and knowledge, two things he would get during this year.
Fueled with the determination to learn and expand his horizons, he gulped the orb's knowledge like a thirsty traveller.
Meanwhile, a soft hum echoed in the distance. Amidst the green lake of liquid flames, Aamon's cleaver shook with each passing hour.
At first, it thought Adam would study for a brief moment before giving up to play with mana or his friends. Yet, twenty elapsed, but he showed no sign of stopping.
The wind carried its soft mutter as he remembered the flame he felt burning in his soul.
"Why are you defying the world's rules? Is it to become the strongest? A sovereign?"
The questions lingered amidst the bubbling water. It had offered that and even more, yet Adam refused. Was he arrogant enough to believe he could reach the peak by himself?
"No... It's something else."
It muttered, noticing his focused frown yet sparkling eyes.
"He is enjoying the process. He wants to discover things. The strongest? He only wants to beat his yesterday's self and doesn't care about others."
A sigh resounded, and the metal trembled.
"What a shame. If not for the contract, I would have turned him into a demon general to celebrate Nyxara's return..."
Its voice trailed off, turning icy despite the vaporising heat.
"Well, she can do it herself."
Falling silent again, it gazed at Adam's shaking body. The distance didn't hinder it from hearing his words, either.
"Elara is here already? It feels like I just started."
He smiled and closed his eyes to leave the soul sea.
When he reopened them, he saw Nova's gentle hand shaking his body.
Stella imitated her, slapping his frame with its kitty paw, making his heart melt.
"I don't know who chose this cat for you, but he had good eyes."
He smirked, raising his thumb at the ethereal beauty.
"It's a shame that person never plays or feeds her."
She shook her head, lowering her hands dramatically.
"What a bad papa you have, Stella. But don't worry, mama will never abandon you."
He almost tumbled to the ground upon hearing her ridiculous claims.
'Since when did I become a papa?! I just picked the cat because it was the most stylish!'
He coughed, a shaky smile stretching his lips.
"I'll try to play with her more if it makes you happy," he said, turning to the door.
"Elara said she'll wait for you at the usual smithy. Have fun learning."
She grabbed Stella's paw and waved goodbye with it before returning to her secret training. After all, she knew Asha, Morgane, and Louise did her best to catch up with her. But she won't let them! She'll stay the big sister they look up to.
Meanwhile, Adam pushed the smithy's door open. He greeted the counter lady before walking to the usual forging room they had used for the past two months.
Elara's enthusiastic voice resounded the moment he entered, making him smile at her devotion.
However, he shook his head. He had to quench his curiosity about the mysterious inventor Yngrid mentioned yesterday.
"I have a question about someone long dead."
He started, noticing Elara lean forward in intrigue.
"I heard he died centuries ago, executed by the royal family. They should still hate him to this day, and his name is taboo..."
"No! Don't search for anything related to that dwarf!"
She cut him off, yelling and trembling in dread.
Then, she stuttered, finding it difficult to explain the little information she possessed.
"I only know Moira's passing by comments, but even she despises him. She called him Durazmarn's traitor, calamity inventor, and many other names I won't dare to pronounce."
She let her words linger as the memory of the arcanist's erupting anger resurfaced. Moira didn't just hate him. She would resurrect him if she could, only to kill him again!
"You don't need to know about him, anyway. Quick, forget everything and focus on learning and next month's battle monster tournament. I gathered a few resources to bet on you!"
He nodded in response, moving to the anvil, showing he abandoned the matter. Yet, his eyes narrowed into emerald and azure slits.