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

not build, this section… you need to be able to make rituals at a high level. Again, to use these here, you need alchemy. Thank the celestials that you don’t need it to make the original weapons. Seems like some after-creation add-on.”

“So… to build them requires smithing and enchanting?” Joe winked at McPoundy, “The two areas where you are a Grandmaster?”

“Ah. Perhaps you did know what you were asking for.” The Dwarf chuckled lightly as his chest puffed up proudly. “Not many people out there that can-”

“I need to assume that this design also involves Sage-ranked enchantment. I also must assume that would allow you to advance further. I’ll take that into consideration, thank you.” Joe’s words seemed to make McPoundy physically ill. “As payment for having access to a Sage-ranked smithing item, I want you to teach me until I am at least a Master. As payment for the Sage-ranked enchantment, I want you to inform my ‘handler’ that I gave you this, and have it count toward my candidacy. Lastly, I want this item as my weapon, and for it to never be made it for someone else.”

“Done.” McPoundy held out a hand so cheerfully that Joe wanted to hold back and drive a harder bargain. Still… he didn’t want to go back on his word. He reluctantly let the handshake happen, and the deal was struck. The Grandmaster chuckled, eying the paper. “Now, the first thing I would like to do is get started on this weapon. I’ll tell you a quick trade secret: when a high-ranked diagram is made, there are almost always the lesser versions within it, if you know how to look.”

With a mischievous grin, McPoundy took the weapon diagram and cheerfully started examining it. Joe was still uncertain as to why he was looking for a lesser version, and so he voiced the question. The Grandmaster stared at him in surprise. “Do you think Mythical ingredients suddenly just fall into your lap? Following the diagram as-is gives me a one percent chance of completing the weapon. If I start with lesser versions, I can build up experience and know what I am doing before I start wasting materials.”

That made sense, and Joe did his best to follow along with all of the explanations that were pouring from the bearded mouth across the small table from him. Descriptions of alloys, tensile strength, torque ratios, how to determine if dragonfire was a requirement or a suggestion, and folding metal took center stage.

Skill increase: Smithing Lore (Apprentice 0). Congratulations on increasing the depths of your knowledge! Perception +5.

As soon as the informational barrier was breached, the words coming out of the Dwarf were strangely easier to understand. It took almost four entire hours, but McPoundy had extracted an Expert-ranked subset from the diagram and was beginning the process of making the weapon. “Look here; this section is all about taking manasteel and elongating it into wire. We’ll take the wire and use it… here… no, later.”

The Dwarf lectured the entire time he was working, and Joe absorbed the instruction with rapt attention. The wire was turned into cable, then wrapped into orbs. Three hours after the work began, McPoundy set six perfectly smooth orbs on the rickety table, which buckled under their weight before the legs snapped entirely. The flimsy pieces of wood fell to the ground and stayed there without the slightest bounce or rolling. “Well… prolly shoulda replaced that a long time ago. It’s fine. Don’t even know why it was in here, to be frank. Next, the enchantment. Let’s get started.”

Smithing Lore one-time use effect has been used! You have gained the design template for Ritual Orb (Expert). Expert ranked Smithing or Ritualistic Forging is recommended before attempting to create.

Joe almost kicked himself when he saw that he had used up his forgotten bonus, but he calmed down when he realized exactly how far away he was from being able to manage to make even that. Instead he listened closely to the Dwarf’s wealth of knowledge about vectors and energy flows, the position of the moon, and the quiet voice in his heart that called for peace and tranquility. The words were mesmerizing, and Joe almost fell asleep many times. Only the fact that he needed to understand allowed him to keep his mind open and attentive.

Enchanting Lore reached Beginner nine just as McPoundy was finishing the explanation. As soon as he noticed it, Joe activated Knowledge, and the skill increased in rank.

Skill increase: Enchanting Lore (Apprentice 0). Congratulations on increasing the depths of your knowledge. Enchantments now require 5% fewer components to create!

Skill increase: Knowledge (Beginner III). Sometimes a boost to knowledge at the right time is more effective than using it consistently!

“-and that’s the only time I’ll ever speak of it.” McPoundy wiped a tear from his eye and took a deep breath. “Thank you for not laughing; I knew that you were the right person to open up to. Please, though… just never bring it up.”

“I’m… bring what up?” Joe locked his eyes on McPoundy, who smiled brightly and pounded him on the back.

“That’s the spirit. Thankee, lad.” The Grandmaster handed him the orbs, as well as two worked-leather cuffs. “Here you go, then; try them on.”

Joe took the cuffs and examined them.

Control Cuff (Masterwork). These control cuffs allow the wearer to control the weapon ‘Ritual Orbs’. They were created by Grandmaster Iron McPoundy, and are able to control Ritual Orbs up to the Master rank. They have no attack nor defensive value. Durability: 500/500.

“These are really durable for… leather?” Joe looked questioningly at the Dwarf to double check. McPoundy nodded, so Joe returned his attention to the orbs and tried to learn how to use them.

Ritual Orbs (Expert) (Masterwork). Can be controlled via Control Cuffs or option one, listed below. Each individual enchanted Ritual Orb can be directed separately if you can control them properly, or all of them can be directed as a unit. Each orb deals a