Cloud received the Additional Quest reward which was an S Grade Lottery Ticket, after he said his goodbyes to the receptionist and the examiner. He went to his new home and took the book Flamethrower which was a C Grade Skillbook and headed to the Skillbook Shop to find new books he wants. He stored it into the inventory with a thought ‘convenient.’ He thought. Then he saw the ring the system gave him after the god of mana died.’Lets check it out’
‘Wow it’s a godly+? So there is something above God? Except the system?’
‘Not really something I should worry about at my current level, not like I can do anything about it.’ ‘This item is seriously not bad though. It can help me a lot if I have enough mana and if the skills they use against me are magic or mana based……’ ‘A lot of restrictions on the whole mana thing though…...if a become a blacksmith could I modify this part?’
‘Thanks for the heads up system buddy. haha.’Cloud laughs awkwardly. He was never one to be able to talk with people. Except online when gaming. Since people playing the game had the same interest, the game. He had few friends in School and he was the quiet one in the group, except when playing cards at break times. He would chip in a comment or two on things but he wouldn’t start the conversation or hold it for that matter. Hence normal communication became a bit hard and complex for him to do.The same thing happened in college which didn’t improve things.
As he walked he passed by a shop selling and installing forges. ‘Since I plan to start smithing might as well have a look at what they got.’ Cloud entered the shop and the shop staff member greeted him.
Hello sir. Here to buy a new forge,some supplies or something else?-SS
Ummmm. I would like to buy a good forge and get it installed at home. All the groundwork has been done as there was a forge there before.As well as other stuff needed to forge I guess.-Cloud stops and thinks over something.
Basically I want the best forge you have and all the best equipment a blacksmith might and will need.All the latest technology you have. I have the coin if you have the ware.-Cloud.
We can certainly do that for you Sir-SS respectfully bows to him and continues.
Please come this way to show you a few examples of what we can offer you and the prices-SS She leads him further inside the shop and stops in front of a few round crystal balls which look similar to the Identify ones. The difference being the colour was green while the other ones were white. Cloud looks confusedly at the lady.
Let me explain these are memory stones. They store short memories. We ask all our clients to record a few memories and experiences on our products. So we can then show them to potential clients and so the clients will know what they are getting instead of just describing it to them with words alone.-SS
Aha. that's quite good that way I can see exactly what I want.Really nice. So which one has the best forge? I want nothing but the best.-Cloud
It depends on ones perspective. You might think one thing is better than the other even if I say something is the best you might not agree. So we let our clients decide what is the ‘best’. I suggest you go from the stone on the left first which is the most expensive one and the ‘best’ in our opinion-SS
*sigh* Okay. I see your point. I will check all of them and see which one is the best in my opinion. Also I would like it to be installed perfectly with the best configuration.-Cloud
No problem sir. It can be done within 8 hours of the purchase for an additional fee of course as we would need to get expert earth mages to assist. That would cost 10P. Also the forge you are about to look at fully equipped will cost 500P.-SS
No problem as long is it doesn’t break after a few uses or a year.-Cloud
That would not be a problem sir we guarantee our products will last you a lifetime.If something does break, but it is not your fault, we will replace it free of charge.You can ask any blacksmith that owns our products.-SS
Great-Cloud
Cloud look at all the forges and equipment that come with it.Finally he decided on everything. Which was mostly automated by enchantments and engravings with many different functions which allow him to regulate temp and power the whole forge with a mana crystals. It was almost like a modern earth forge and equipment except it was all operated by mana instead of electricity.
I would like you to modify the mana crystal engravings so they can use bigger than usual mana crystal and well as a higher grade.Also modify your products to be able to draw more power and withstand it, about 4 times the power should be good enough. Let me show you an example of the mana crystal I want to use to power everything.-Cloud takes the SSS+ Grade mana crystal out of the inventory on to the floor of the shop.
The SSS+ Mana crystal was as tall (1.85m) as him and thick enough to have 2 people holding hands to hug it. A vibrant and glowing light blue which indicates the quality and grade. The brighter and lighter the colour of the crystal the higher the grade and quality.
Certainly we shall try our best to accommodate your needs…. Let me show you one more memory stone I think what you are look for is something similar…. It is just a bit expensive even for rich people but I don't think I need to worry about that with you Sir.-SS takes out 1 more memory stone out of a drawer behind the desk and gives it to Cloud. He takes it and looks at the recorded memories. After being immersed in the memories for 10 minutes, he opens his eyes.
Yes! That is what I want! *cough* How much would that cost?-Cloud
….These products can only be exchanged for SS crystals or above. This is the best forge we have currently developed and it is not sold for money because of the material required to make it are too expensive and valuable as well some can not be bought with money…. It costs 200 SSS crystals and the owner of this establishment will not sell for money or other materials in exchange.-SS
……………...So how much SSS crystals would my SSS+ Crystal be equivalent to?-Cloud
That’s an SSS+ Crystal? I thought it is just a giant SSS crystal….. If it was Just SSS then that crystal would be equivalent to 200 SSS crystals…. As they are usually as big as a fist….I would need to get this appraised by a professional. I would guess then it would be about 10 times the original price…-SS
‘Holy shit and I have 120 of these things?! I could have gotten 10 Million of these if I had Unlocked inventory sooner?!?!?!’ ‘No wonder the system pitied me…..Just how much mana did that god suppress and for how long damn!’
…….Okay then. Would you call the owner for me? Maybe..... you are not qualified to deal with this?......-Cloud
Right away Sir!-SS went into the back room and after about 5 minutes
*Slam!!!* Something was heard breaking ‘’WHAT?!!?!?!?!’’ and then a dwarf came running through the door the Shop Staff went through.
Put that AWAY NOW!!!!-Dwarf. Cloud immediately collected the crystal in his inventory.
Phew…-Dwarf. The Dwarf takes out a breath of relief.
Kid are you stupid?!Nevermind come to the back with me and we can make some deal I hope-Dwarf.
Cloud nods and the Dwarf nod back and they head into the back room which was the forge in the last memory stone. No wonder Cloud recognised the voice. It was the voice of this Dwarf in the memory when he was talking about all the equipment and how it worked.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cloud POV.
Damn! All that noise and shouting got my heart pumping like a 20000W pump ( very powerful pump for ordinary people ) or at least it feels that way. So that should be the owner I guess.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
I follow the dwarf to a table in the corner of the forge with 3 seats there. The Dwarf sits on one of the chairs which has a small stool in front of it so he can reach and points to the opposite seat in front of him. I guess I should sit as well. I take a seat as well and the Shop Staff leaves us alone.
So kid you say that is an SSS+ Grade mana crystal?Take it out here since now we’re in private. If it really is such a Crystal I admit it is priceless.-Dwarf
I stand up and go to an open space where I can place the crystal and take it out. The tall and bright mana crystal is once again on display.
The Dwarf observes it attentively from where he is and closes his eyes he sighs and opens his eyes again. He nods to me and I guessed that meant I can take it back in the inventory which I do. Then I go back to my seat.
You’re lucky no one was in the shop while the mana crystal was out. You would likely be killed if someone finds out you have such a crystals. If someone did found out, even if they don’t have bad intentions it might just slip their tongue in a bar and then someone will come after you if not, more than one. Anyway. I hear you want the best Smithy you can get. As well as you want to make a deal. I am very much interested. Do say this deal.-D
I take a deep breath and think over what exactly to say. Can a deal like this really be made my mana crystal exceeds the price of the smithy he has by way too much…...Maybe ask him to teach me all he can about smithing and get the best smithy he can make, and then give me 500 SSS grade mana crystals? It’s not like I have only 1 such crystal…..
I want to trade you this mana crystals. In exchange you will build me the best Smithy you could possibly build. Also teach me Blacksmithing and everything you know, techniques,properties of metals , mixing of different metals to create better ones. Everything. Lastly 500 SSS stones or continuous improving of my Smithy until this value is achieved.Also make it possible for the Smithy to operate on this type of mana crystal- Cloud makes a smile which he didn’t want to show at the end of the last sentence.
The Dwarf mulls over the deal I proposed. Looking like he has some internal dilemma. After 10 minutes of silence I have already leaned on the table with one hand supporting my head. Could it be he is debating if he should teach me all the secrets of blacksmithing the dwarfs have?Ahhh this is taking so long….. After 10 more minutes the dwarf makes a resigned face.
The deal seems fair I don’t see how my knowledge is more expensive than 1,500 SSS crystals. Even if it is Dwarven secrets. I also have a condition. We shall Sign a soul binding contract. As the Aspect of Souls as a witness. As well as the System. The contract will stop you from passing on the dwarven techniques and knowledge I give you. You shall have only 1 person of your own blood only, inherit your knowledge as well as mine but must sign the same contract we will sign.If you break your contract your soul will be taken out of your body and burned till nothing is left. If I don’t fulfil my part to the best of my ability the same consequences are to happen.-Dwarf
That sounds reasonable. Secret blacksmithing should be taken seriously.
Okay I agree to this deal. You prepare everything and I will go to the Skill Book shop Mr. Kain owns. I need to buy some skill books.-C
If you plan to buy the blacksmithing one don’t bother I will give you one personally written by me. It will be finished tomorrow. The contract will be done today. Come after 30 minutes and we can sign it.-D
I could just learn both blacksmithing skills then. I could just tell him I already have it.
I already have the blacksmithing skill but it’s low leveled.I would still like to get a copy of the skill book you’re writing. Maybe my one can become Dwarf Blacksmithing .-C
Okay then that would make things a bit easier then.Also you will need the skill book I have written even if you don’t learn ‘Dwarf blacksmithing’ from it. My skillbook involves both blacksmithing even if the human side one is not my forte.-Dwarf.
That sounds interesting.
Okay then see you in 30 minutes.-Cloud
End of POV.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cloud goes out of the shop and heads to the Book shop. To pick up blacksmithing skill book and to return the low grade book flamethrower.
Cloud enters the book store.
Hey Mr.Kain I’m back to buy some skill books from you.-C
Welcome back boy. What are you looking for today?-K
Some high grade skill books from different elements, also the best blacksmithing book you have available. I don’t mind the price of it, I recently got quite a bit of money.-C
Here is the list of High Grade magic skill books. Look through it and pick the ones you need. As for the blacksmithing skill books. I only have one special one but the requirements to learn are very very high. Would you still like to have a look?-K
Yes the higher requirements the better! Don’t worry about it I’m getting it for a friends I have no knowledge of blacksmithing at all hahaha.-C
I see. That makes sense you don’t look like to have rough hands or the build for blacksmithing-k
Hahaha…. That’s true. Anyways please do bring the book I would like to see it while you do that, I will look at the list and decide on the rest of the books I want.-C
Okay ,okay. Don’t rush this old man. My bones are not what they used to be…-K
…..Sorry-C Kain went to get the blacksmithing book while Cloud looked through the list and picked the skill books he thought were good. While doing this Kain came back with a book that looked quite worn out.
I brought the book you want boy. It’s the original one. I have made a copy of it but I couldn’t get the spirit of the writing in the copy. To a good blacksmith this could bring inspiration and unlock some epiphany. I hope you’re friends find such fortune from this book.-K
Thanks a bunch. I will pay extra if I have to. Also can I get these skill books xxxxxxxx, xxxxxxxxx, xxxxxxxxx, xxxxxxxxxx, xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Extreme Heat Ray. Also how much would all these cost?-C
Quite the skills you chose there. I’m guessing the heat ray is to help your friend in blacksmithing?Also all of them will cost you...1,600P. That’s with a discount from me….If you can’t pay it you can always choose some other skillbooks.-K
No problem! Please get the rest of the skill books on the list-C Cloud places the Coin on the desk and Kain Quickly puts it away.
I will be with you in a few minutes.With all of your books.-Kain He again disappears at the back of the shop. Cloud touches the blacksmithing book Kain brough and the usual blue system window pops up.
I’ll let the Dwarf read it first who know he might learn something. If he does I might learn something too.
Cloud uses his Instant Learning ability on the way to the blacksmithing shop to sign the contract.
Cloud checks the skill descriptions provided by the system.
'This is quite the skill. I already have 70% affinity to mana? Didn't think I will have such a high Affinity if any at all.'
'Glad that the restriction will be gone after level 90. Which I hope doesn't mean 100 years.......'
'Lets check the Extreme Heat Ray'
'In the description of the book it only wrote down up to 6000C. So the system optimises the skills?'
'I kind of understand, but not really.... I just know now that this is the original and full spell created and you somehow recovered it.'
'I forgot to check the first magic skill I learned previosuly, Might as well check that one as well while walking'
