The Ether-Knight's Lessons

26

.^^ Idun's Rapier, (before Runes) ^^

— Idun —

Smelting together Diamonds, Obsidian, and Refined Mithril was remarkably easy, considering how secretive the people who created the Shade were about it.

Sure, there was a lot of metaphysical Etheric Equations, but those came to me like water in a river, completely unstoppable, once the dam had been loosened.

And just like controlling my cards, the metal itself required serious control, because the final steps included placing your Shadow into the metal, and then controlling it.

Having known the steps beforehand, I took a few extra steps of my own, to avoid any difficult 'custody battles', and added a few special spells into the metal, allowing me a much tighter control of it, even if that meant it was less fluid, and more predictable.

Detaching my own shadow was an interesting prospect, because that meant I could forever be in two places at once, though the second was only a Meta Shade slipping through dimensional cracks to teleport wherever it pleased, until I called for it in Battle.

The metal was dubbed 'The Shade', referring to its origins, mixing a shadow with Obsidian, and creating the perfect metallic substance. Just like my own Mithril, it was a Non-Newtonian substance, changing according to the energy directed at it, from solid to fluid, gas, or plasma, and the extra type, the actual form of a Mage's Shadow.

Shadows, amongst Mages, held a much more important role, than amongst humans. Instead of being the space in which light was blocked by a Mages body, it was actually a manifestation of their Spirit, reflected upon the Physical world. And by controlling it, the ultimate goal for a Meta, Psychic, or Physical Mage, you gained an enlightening, and extremely powerful ally: yourself.

Still, doing so was something most only dreamed of, because no known substance, other than The Shade, could contain the Shadow. You had to make deals with it, and yourself. A tricky business, to say the least.

I blew some metal shavings off the beautiful sword I'd carved, and then began to carefully Incant it again, just like my cards, but I didn't bother making it able to fly, I only made it able to change its weight. The Etheric-Web was intricate, but sturdy, and extended several thousand layers, by the time I was finished.

"You've skipped four days of courses, and had Eliza collect your course work... then returned said course work... for four days... I thought you'd Contracted a common cold, or perhaps some stomach infection. But yet I find you here, in your room, crafting weapons?" Syral asked incredulously.

"Would it kill you to knock every time you enter? Truly? You realize I like my privacy, Hmm? It's bad enough I have a seven year old here who doesn't understand the prospect that certain women sleep naked, now I've got you? I'd expect you to have more manners than a child." I remarked dryly, not turning from my work.

I gently carved another Rune into the blade, my chisel made of Ether Crystal, to grind Concentrated Ether into the Runes, empowering them instantly, and without tiring me out.

It sighed. "I will do my best... but we had a deal, you and I, to attend classes."

"For one month. It's been three and a half. I meet with Gladius and Pearl today to finally start the breeding of Canadian Golds." I shook my head, and engraved another Standing Rune, shaping them all into a Glyph Chain, running down the Length of the blade.

It leaned against my desk, momentarily distracted. "Oh? That's quite intricate... did Darien teach you that?"

"No. I watched the Glyphs and Runes of Madeline, and came up with the rest myself." I hummed, and added another, on the very edge of the blade, a 'Perth' for 'open', which would hopefully translate to 'piercing'.