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Chapter 18 A New Student

Chapter 18 A New Student

The next day after school, I walked Anne and Cara home before going back to the guild to study more enchanting with Herrero. When I entered the smithy, Herrero was talking to a customer wearing a hood who was only slightly taller than Herrero, or so I thought.

"I would like you to take me on as an apprentice?" the stranger said to Herrero firmly, in a slightly high voice

"And why should I?" Herrero gruffly asked back

" I want to learn to craft and smith of course." The stranger answered back determinedly

" Then why not go to one of the bigger cities, or learn from the traveling craftsman, or get a job with the manufacturers?" Herrero asked back in his usual gruff manner

" I don't want to just watch metal be poured into some mold, or stamped out of a sheet. I want to learn to shape materials with my own hands to make and create." The stranger answered back

"Then find another smith, I don't want to be bothered. I already have an apprentice." Herrero says waving off the stranger

"Ohh, where is this so-called apprentice? I bet I can be just as good as them, plus since you already have an apprentice what is the difference in taking another?" The stranger started shouting questions towards Herrero

"Heh okay, you heard that Kid?" Herrero then turns to me asking with a grin spreading on his face.

"I heard some of it Master, but don't really understand what it's about," I answer confusedly

The stranger turns around, and their androgynous face shows no signs of surprise. They had high thin brows over deep purple eyes the color of amethyst, and a thin nose. Their skin had a reddish-brown tint. They remove their hood and reveal pointed ears and hair that match their amethyst eyes. Eerie, yet beautiful. They gave off an air of confidence and danger, but also vulnerability.

"Good afternoon, I'm Wats Resero, a blue-level adventurer, and apprentice of Master Herrero," I say introducing myself

"I see nothing special with you. So if I can defeat this kid, you'll take me as an apprentice instead then?" The stranger said, turning back to Herrero determined

"Haha. If that is how you want to settle things?" Herrero laughs brusquely. He didn't even ask my opinion on the matter...

"Defeat me in what, I didn't do anything to you? Who are you? What do you want?" I start asking questions. However, instead of answering me the stranger yelled and started circulating their soul energy around as body enhancement. I have no idea what kind of soul skill this stranger has as anyone can circulate soul energy like that with training. It is easier for mages and combatants, but there is still no clue as to who this mysterious person is or what they want. I just wanted to learn how to enchant, why is some stranger trying to pick a fight with me. "Master, I came to learn, If someone is picking a fight with me I would at least like to know who and why?" I say casually avoiding the charging stranger. My casual attitude seemed to piss off the stranger more, and they seemed to activate their soul skill or concentrated their soul energy even more. It's an advanced technique that increases efficiency and power. I felt a feeling of danger and instinctually activated (lock) towards the stranger. I saw the black chains from before. The stranger was caught in them, and I saw their soul skill, as a mostly green speckled with spots of blue orb [enchant]. Seeing that I turn towards Herrero, "Master, I think you should just take this person as an apprentice" I say with a slight smile.

"Hahaha, I kind of thought you might say something like that kid." Herrero laughs

"What do you mean you thought I would say something like that?" I ask confused

"Well kid, you are kind-hearted, thick-headed, and peculiar in many ways, but in some ways that just makes you easier to read. Ye gave the 12 daggers away from last time didn't you?" Herrero explains before asking

I then decided to turn towards the stranger, I didn't seal their soul skill but the chains were still wrapped around them. I release (lock) and the stranger stands up.

"What did you do to me, I felt like I was tied down with chains or something but didn't see you cast any magic or use an artifact..." The stranger asked me bitingly

I ignore their question, "Who are you...?" I ask instead

"My name is Colna, I'm a daughter of the Nyx Fae tribe and I came to learn how to craft weapons and armor," Colna answers shakily

"Master are you willing to teach Colna here?" I turn and ask curiously

"Kid, if you think I should, I don't particularly mind. But Why do you think I should?" He asks

"I feel like I could also learn something from her," I answer flatly

"Please Mister Herrero, I have a green level combat type soul skill [enchant], but I don't know how to make things, I thought that if I could learn that then I could sell artifacts for a decent living." Colna pleads

"I heard that the Nyx Fae have many talented crafters, why not ask them?" I asked

"The Nyx Fae are very proud and believe that everything needs to be worked for and earned on their own. When I revealed [enchant] as my soul skill no master wanted to take a disciple that would use a shortcut." Colna explains sadly.

"I'm actually trying to learn how to enchant artifacts right now from Master..." I chime in 

"Well, I would love to learn how it is done normally, without using my soul skill. I want to be able to craft my own artifacts too" Colna answers back.

"Very well I'll teach Colna about slot enchanting. Kid, are you comfortable with slot enchanting already?" Herrero gives up on resisting and then asks me.

"I feel pretty comfortable with it."

"Okay well, the next way to enchant artifacts is to engrave magic circles directly into the planned artifact. If you want me to help her, then I won't have time to teach you engraving today..." Herrero warns

"That's fine with me Master, If she catches up with slot enchantments we can learn engraving together the day after tomorrow, are you available then?" I ask Colna since that is when I'm supposed to be back

"Yes." She answered.

"Master, should I leave for the day?" I ask curiously

"Actually, can you fetch some stuff for me?" Herrero asked gruffly

"Alright, what do you need ?" I respond lightly. I did agree to get materials any time he may need in order for him to teach me.

"Any omnivorous savage magic beast bone, preferably of a swine or Ursa, by next week but the sooner the better," Herrero says gruffly

I pull out a bone from the earthen warty pigs that I killed before, "Is this okay?" I ask curiously

"... you already have savage magic beast bones just in your storage?" Colna asks surprised that I could pull out such a specific item

"Yeah, I killed a few earthen warty pigs last week to test an artifact I made..." I answered calmly

"Thanks, yeah you can go see you in two days" Herrero calmy takes the bone. "Oh yeah kid, before I forget in the back there is a small stack of books of spell circles. You may borrow what you like. Some are ancient magics, some theoretical, some normal magics but I think you'll like the second book. Might help you." He adds waving his hand dismissively

I go into the back and find the stack of books he was talking about. Many of the titles are the same as the ones Director Justo gave to me, but the second book in the stack caught my attention. It was called "Studies of Baseline Concept parts of Spell Circles". It was something I have been looking for this whole time. There were also some theory books, and books for some specific enchanting magic circles. I decided to borrow all the books I didn't already have.

I came back to the front and Colna was already training on slot enchantments. I told Herrero which books I was taking and said bye to him for now. I want to start reading some of the books I borrowed.