Inflame (The Completionist Chronicles Book 6) by Dakota Krout (best romantic novels in english TXT) 📕

Scythe of Rituals (Unique). This weapon was designed for a Ritualist that has focused on the path of hunting single opponents, and uses a specific ritual to weaken or destroy his enemies. There is space for ritual circles up to the Student rank on the blade, as well as a socket in the handle for Cores to power them. Damage: 2.31x slashing damage, where x = Strength.

Barbed Chain of Taglocks (Unique). This chain was designed for a Ritualist that has focused on applying multiple rituals to groups of enemies. Each barb can contain a ritual circle up to the Beginner rank and includes a wearable bandolier of socket containers for Cores. Damage: 1.83x piercing damage, where x = Dexterity.

Spyglass of Ritual Projection (Unique). This spyglass was designed for a Ritualist that refuses to close on his opponent. It can project an active single-target ritual up to the Journeyman ranks, and includes a ‘decorative’ handle that can hold Cores to power the ritual. Can be used up to Perception/50 (rounded down) times per day.

“These are all…” Joe was shocked by the Unique weapons in front of him. He almost didn’t know what to say.

“Edgy?” McPoundy cut Joe off with a laugh before the human could make the mistake of complimenting how amazing they all were. “I know, I know. I made them intentionally insulting and gave them arbitrary limits. Practically trash, all of them. You can blame Havoc for forcing the issue, but it turns out, I actually like ya. So… what can we make for you? What would suit you properly and help you grow over time? What is a fitting weapon that you could use, a weapon that has the capability to grow your skill into the Sage ranks?”

Joe tried to shake the image of himself swinging a scythe around in a battlefield out of his head, ignoring the idea of binding a powerful enemy with a chain that sapped all their stats. Apparently these weapons were ‘laughable’, and he didn’t even know why. “I… suppose I don’t know. I’ve been a spellcaster my entire time in Eternium, and I have always acquired weapons only for whatever convenience they offered. What would you suggest?”

McPoundy thought for a long moment. “I suggest taking some time to think about it. Don’t take something that has a limited use; I can’t imagine you will have many chances to ask a Grandmaster to make you a custom weapon.”

“What did you mean about having the capability to grow into the Sage ranks?” Joe forced himself to ask the question, though it made him feel foolish when the smith had mentioned it so casually.

“Hmm? Oh… well.” The Dwarf grumbled softly as he tried to put his thoughts in order. “Right… again, I am used to working with powerful and skilled people. People that have a base of knowledge from experiencing life and working with people as they, too, learn. Listen, everything can theoretically reach the Sage ranks. But levels increase with use, practice, and especially innovative usage. Why do you think there are legends of a person slashing at the air and killing another person hundreds of feet away? A dimensional slash, if you will?”

Joe shrugged at the question. “I… assume that they would be at least a Grandmaster?”

“No matter how well you can swing a sword…” McPoundy put a hand on Joe’s shoulder, “it would never cut someone outside of the blade’s reach. Someone who can do something like that has fused their skills and spells in unique ways, and has made something that is their own. The path beyond mastery is almost never a single skill. In fact, single-skill Sagehood is the rarest of all paths to succeed upon. It could even be considered the most potent, since there is only a single aspect to study and perfect. The detriment… It will never be the most versatile. Put some thought into this choice. I will make something uniquely yours, and even refuse to make it for another, so that you have the best chance at reaching the summit of your chosen path.”

With that, Joe was shown out of the forge with stars in his eyes and his head spinning with ideas. “Why couldn’t he have been chosen as my mentor?”

“So sorry you couldn’t get a good mentor.” Havoc strode next to him, a glower indicating that he had taken offense. “Already told you, kid. It’s because someone wants you to fail, and they want it bad.”

“I still like you, Havoc. He was just so charis-” Joe reached out to pat the Dwarf’s shoulder, but a razor-tipped spike extended from the Dwarf’s shoulder as his hand neared it. Joe jerked his appendage back, barely able to stop himself from touching the poison-leaking spike. As his hand moved away, the spike also sank back into Havoc’s clothing. “What was that?”

Havoc smirked. “You think I’m stupid enough to let a Ritual user touch me? You’ll also find that any hair or bodily material that comes off me is instantly incinerated. Now, why do you like my little brother so much?”

“Brother? Wait, are you serious?”

The Dwarf waved behind them, “Yeah, McPoundy. My brother. What’s the big deal? He hits metal, and his blades cut real nice. Ooh. So what?”

“He took some time to teach me directly.” Joe struggled to express his thoughts in a cohesive manner. “Havoc, he’s a Grandmaster, and he’s going to teach me while making me a custom weapon.”

Havoc took a pull on his cigar, then waved it around as they walked. “So? I’m a Grandmaster thrice over, and you haven’t asked me to teach you jack.”

Joe almost tripped on his own feet as he jerked his head to stare at his suddenly-smug mentor. “Thrice… you have three skills at the Grandmaster ranks?”

“Enchanting, Sculpting, and the natural progression of the two: Golemancy.” Havoc’s mood seemed to turn for the better, though he was still sullen.

“Are you… is this an offer to teach me?” Joe offered the question hopefully, all thoughts of McPoundy having already