Grunt turned the wooden sword left and right and examined the edge, finding it amazing the slightly dull edge could still cut. He took the sheath and stored the weapon and handed it back to Xero.

“Boy, this is a hell of a Magic blade. Although not so good in physical combat but the ability to conduct magic through it is amazing. You said it was that Sword spirit thing right?” Grunt asked.

“Yes, this particular one Ashley said it was a Spirit Sword, ten magic blades formed from sword spirits further merged by another after being buried. She said that it acts as a monster itself and can grow stronger eventually developing spells.” Xero said.

Grunt shook his head, “No this thing can ‘hold’ magic formula not develop. That said, the material greatly affects the outcome of the spell. This wood sword would help with nature magic. But it can use other magic. That cleave spell the girly developed, if you engraved it into the soul of this sword spirit, you can directly use it through the sword.” He said.

Xero went into deep thought before turning to Grunt, “Is there a place to buy materials?” He asked.

“Want to make more swords?” He asked.

Xero nodded, “Although i do want to experiment with this, i also want to see if i can’t develop a strong elemental sword. If i get metal or ore related to all the elements or at least the basics and turn them into magic swords then merge all those into a spirit sword, i kinda hope that it would make a powerful spirit sword for magic.” he said.

Grunt laughed loudly, “Good dream kid, though it is one you can accomplish. That said a wood sword isn’t that good, not unless it’s Elf Magic Wood or dwarven Ironwood. You should still breed this sword, from what i understand, as long as it is placed inside the ground or solid matter, it will slowly grow stronger right? Then take this sword to the 6th layer of the forest training field and find one of the Bloodvine trees. These are trees with a unique kind of tree sap that is as red as blood and as thick. Stab the sword into the tree at a good angle that no one would notice and mistake as a branch. When this kind of tree is used as material, there is a rare chance that an ability called, bloodsucker, is born. This kind of ability makes the sword suck the blood of its cut victims and converting the blood into plant mana that flows into its wielder and heals any wounds they may have.” He said.

Xero was in shock when he heard of such a strange kind of tree. It was a mystery to him how such a thing came into existence.

“Can’t i just make a sword out of the tree directly?” He asked.

“Well you can but you will be in the middle of a battle with Bloodvine bats that live off the sap of the tree. If you can make it then good job.” he said

Xero’s lip twitched and nodded as he understood the meaning. Although he can make it, how many trees are there and how fast can each sword be made. There is no way that he would be able to make enough swords without killing the tree.

“I’ll probably try going today or tomorrow. I still want to test some things out with this sword first since it is troublesome to make more.” Xero said and took the sword and put it at his waist.

“Oh right, kid, since you're making something so interesting, mind giving me a hand.” He said. Waving to follow, Grunt lead the boy out of the school to the field and into a far off warehouse that was built next to a large hut.

This was Grunt’s house, unlike the other teachers, he lives outside of the school castle near the forest. Beside this was a large warehouse where he stored many things.

“Come in kid.” He said as he opened the door.

Entering Xero found himself standing in a junkyard yet not one. There were many piles and boxes of different times and goods. From tools to bones to many different objects.

“What are these?” Xero asked when he found a nest with eggs in one of the shelves.

“Urg…” Grunt muttered and rubbed his head. “Ah that’s right! They’re Griffin eggs. Nasty biters those things and prideful to a damn fault. Puts those damn hypocrites to shame. That said, an adult griffin isn’t a joke because an adult is level 60 while infants are born directly at level 5 and grow quickly to level 15 within 3 months before they learn to fly.” He said. “Now come come!” He said and they moved the back were a pile of huge bones were laid out. “Here we are. My dragon bone collection.” He laughed.

“Dragon bone?! Like real dragon bone and not just drakes?” Xero asked in shock.

“Of course, why would i keep drake bones, though i do have a few since they are good potion ingredients. Nevermind, boy make me a blade like that sword you made yourself out of these bones. I’ll let you make your own. These seven piles have Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, Light, Dark and Demon dragon bones, their the basic kinds i killed and gathered. It shouldn’t take much to make a sword right?” He asked.

Xero shook his head, “I don’t exactly know how much bone is needed but it probably isn’t much since the trees didn’t die when the swords were made.” He said.

Looking at the piles Grunt decided and pulled out one huge femur bone from each pile of dragon bone while taking a thinner leg bone that usually accompanies the femur.

“The big one is for me, small one is for you.” he said.

“Inept old bear, you want to make dragon bones into swords?” Ashley asked.

“Got a problem imp?” he asked.

Ashley snorted.

“Ashley put the sword spirits in the bones.” Xero said. Ashley pouted, “Ashley…” Xero said but the sword devil pouted, crossed her arms and looked away like a spoiled kid.

“See brat, this is why you need to be stronger than your familiar, that way they won’t constantly bitch about the orders.” Grunt complained.

“Ashley!” Xero shouted.

“Boo~! Why should i help this old fatty… also you don’t have enough bones. You need at least 10 swords to make 1 spirit sword.” She said crossing her arms.

The two looked and indeed found that there were only seven bones. Considering the fact that she said at least 10 swords it meant that more than 10 would work better so in no time at all Grunt doubled the number of his bones and Xero’s.

“For mine i just want an extra light, dark and demon.” Xero said.

Grunt shrugged since he wasn’t losing anything by taking them back. Again the two looked at her and this time Xero was frowning at the pouting devil.

“Ashley, i don’t want to use the familiar command.” He said.

Ashley looked back and hid a slight smile on her face while she forced a pout. “Then i want you to hug and pat me until I’m satisfied and i want a big kiss on the lips!” She said.

Xero froze when he heard her words before almost smacking his face in with a tired expression on his face when he finally figured out why the cunning devil was complaining so much. She knew they wanted this yet they could not obtain it without her help in summoning the spirits and pushing them into the bone.

“No kiss and i can pet you at night until i go to sleep… and i’ll willingly let you sleep with me but nothing more then that.” He said.

“Okay!” she turned around instantly with a bright smile as she walked in front of the bones. She stuck her hand out and a flow of mana from Xero went into the familiar Seal to the devil and 24 spirits appeared and she took one and put one in each of the chosen bones.

When done she went over and hugged Xero happily rubbing her cheek to his chest before hopping and wrapping her legs around his waist.

“Is that it? Where are the swords?” Grunt asked.

Ashley turned with a frown to look at him, “The sword spirits are already making them. It will take a while since it’s dragon bone and that is anything but easy material.” She said.

“How long exactly?” Grunt asked.

“As little as an hour, as long as a week probably, who knows, Earth dragon bones are as hard as hundred times reforged metal so how can it be soft? You will know the sword is done when the hilt appears but don’t go pulling it out because the longer it stays inside, the more of the bone is used to improve the sword. If you later put all of the bone into the ground to make the spirit sword, it will use the most of the material wasting very little.” Ashley said and went back to hugging.

“I guess we can’t do anything about it.” Xero said as he balanced himself under the devil’s hugs and neck kisses she was giving. It was quite hard for a young man in the midst of puberty to be in this situation so early. Truthfully, Xero was not sure how long before he actually fell for her seduction. The only saving grace is that she is an ‘infant’ and he could think of her as just a spoiled brat which takes the edge off by a lot.

“I’ll be going, I’ll come back to check tomorrow okay.” Xero said.

“Aye, since it’s a slow process might as well not rush it.” He said waving off the boy and devil.

The devil in question did not let go of Xero and was latched on like a baby koala hugging it mother and does not let go. Xero was bright red because it drew a great deal of attention and he could not get her off due to the deal so he made a beeline to his room were he was finally able to peel her off with the excuse of meditating to expand his mana pool so she jumped out of the window saying she would go prepare some food personally, though only something small, since there are only weak creatures near the school.

Xero quickly put her back in the seal since she could not even be summoned out at this time and he had to order her to remain because she kept jumping out.

Finally with peace and quiet he rested and trained until night time where he went to dinner before going to bed where he was jumped on once more as he went to sleep with Ashley.

***

“Ahahaha! All of them done within 12 hours, now that is good time!” Grunt laughed as he looked at the strange sight were there were bone hilts for swords sticking out of the bones.

“It’s not that impressive, they are just low grade magic blades that had a lot of wasted material.” Ashley said.

“Come on let's go bury these and make my beauty.” He laughed as he picked up to bones and walked outside and looked around before walking a small distance and dropped the bones in an open space.

After a small while two piles of bones had formed about 6 meters from each others.

Xero took out his wooden sword to try out the ability of this and began to control the earth mana by sticking the sword into the ground. The connection to the earth mana was many times greater.

The ground began to rise and cover the bones until it was perfectly covered the pile.

Ashley flew over and pushed a sword spirit into the pile.

At once the pile began to glow the earth began to spin as the earth turned bone white. A grinding sound was heard as the material inside the pile seemed to be broken down and slowly it compressed until it formed what looked like a dragon egg that was nearly 3 meters high and half a meter wide. It landed on the ground as a pulsing was coming from the ground.

“What in bloody hell is going on?” Grunt asked.

Ashley was looking at it while the Familiar seal was flashing and when it stopped she turned and grinned. “Inept old man, how old are you?” She asked.

“I’m 67, what about it?” He said.

“Your prime is gone right, you’re no longer getting much stronger i assume?” She asked.

Grunt snorted, “Who says, some people don’t stop growing until they start dying at near 100. Why brat?” He asked.

“If you leave this little ‘egg’ out in the open, first off 90% of the mana in the area will be drawn into it and most plants will die leaving it a barren land. Not only that it will take 20 years for this egg to ‘hatch’ and give you your dragon sword.” she grinned.

His face turned serious. “It lacks mana you're saying?” He asked.

“Yep, to refine all that bone matter and organize the elements from the seven elements will take a long time. Of course, if you provide mana it will speed up, uncommon mana stones, rare mana stones maybe even higher quality, after all it is one very weak sword spirit trying to make dragon bones into a sword.” She laughed.

His face was twitching but his eyes started to blink, “If i put this thing in the training areas i may be able to supply the energy.” he suddenly said and grinned. “Now that i think abou it, Xero needs to do that as well, how will you supply the mana?” He asked.

Ashley looked back at Xero and grinned, “Master doesn’t need to worry, 10 years or 20 years, it won’t be too late for him to obtain the sword since he is still only 12 years old at the moment.” She smiled

Grunt also realized this but he still looked at her grinning, “Still will you still make an entire area a barren wasteland. It will easily attract the attention of powerful people who will take it away.” He said.

“Try touching it?” Ashley said.

Grunt looked and touched it only to feel his mana being sucked up and he pulled his hand away. “Bloody thing is a blood sucker!” He shouted now wondering how he will transport it all.

“I can easily move it for you, the sword will not affect me, if you want your area here not to become a wasteland, get the headmaster to give access to both eggs to be transported to the volcano badlands were there won’t be a problem if the it is ruined since it's already badlands.” She said.

Grunt growled as he found himself as trapped as Xero by the girls cunning. Although she only learned of it after making it, she is profiting from it way too much making him itchy from anger.

“Fine, make the boy’s sword while i go talk with Gatekeeper Valmor and see if he will let us do that.” He sneered.

Stomping off he caused the ground to shake.

Ashley watched him leave before finally snorting, “Finally gone.” And turning to the warehouse.

“Where are you going?!” Xero asked.

“There is something good in here.” She said simply and walked inside. The sound one things flying came as soon as she stepped inside and the sound of her sniffing and knocking on the walls and on chests. Finally she walked out and in her hand was a small fire shaped ruby. “I knew this old man had some good stuff.” She said and kissed the little gemstone. “I wonder how angry he will get when his Dragon heart crystal is found gone.” She said and tossed it into the pile of swords.

“We can’t! He will easily find out!” Xero shouted.

“No he won’t, that thing was left in the corner under some old rag pelts that are moldy and rotting. I found it thanks to the mana it radiated. I smelled it yesterday but i didn’t want to alert him. I also found that this thing wasn’t obtained by him but fell into the warehouse without his knowledge.” She said. She pulled Xero and showed a very small opening in the ceiling that allowed water to drip into the box that it had been inside of.

“Now bury it before he comes back.” Ashley said. She was quite serious at this time making Xero feel strange when she always acted so cutely around him.

He stuck the sword in the earth and the pile formed and when it was done she put the sword spirit into the pile.

Only then she relaxed as the pile began to spin and form the egg. A red glow came from the center before being covered up by the bone crust and closing the energy inside. The egg was half as big as Grunts because the bones were smaller making the sword to be born a smaller sword instead of a large one.

When the egg landed mana began to draw towards it and she smiled wryly. “Master’s egg will take almost 40 years to make, if it has a steady supply of mana then maybe it can be cut down to 5 as well but the best guess is 7 to 8 years. In other words only near the time master graduates.” She said

“That is fine. It will already be too powerful for me to use at the time. I still don’t feel good about taking that thing from Grunt.” Xero said.

Suddenly Ashley jumped on him and rubbed her face on his chest, “Ah~! Master is so cute since you’re so soft~! But I’m here to be naughty in your place so always remain this cute even if you eventually grow ‘big’. Even then i will still love master~!” She shouted.

Unable to get away from her grip on him he had to wait for Grunt to come back so that they could transport the eggs to the Volcanoes inner layers. There were 30 layers and the max level was usually around 65 for the creatures around here. Grunt found a cave and cleared it out of the denizens who were very powerful but under his attacks died in under ten punches. Grunt’s egg was placed here and buried in the bedrock so it gathered mana faster while another cave was chosen to become the home for the egg owned by Xero.

Ashley confirmed that it would take 6 years. Grunt asked why it still took so long and the answer was a blunt, “These are level 60+ dragon bones. You want a small level 1 sword spirit to eat through so much bone in under a day!? Stop dreaming, it needs to eat, digest and assimilate all that material, as well as be supplied with mana to even accomplish half of that. The sword will form in 3 years but it takes 3 more years to digest all of the eggs materials into the sword and form a proper sword with edge and everything. Stop dreaming you inept old man! Everything has its natural course in the world. If you want a spirit sword made of dragon bone in another method go find some stinking blacksmith that can do that for you.” Ashley roared at him and vanished into the seal huffing in a rage.

It shocked the two of them by the outburst but they could do nothing but exit the place and leave the eggs be with the area marked with a magic tracking symbol so they can find it again when the time comes, they left.

In the area though, mana flowed like rivers into the eggs and within a short time the density of mana within the deeper layers began to decrease matching a few of the lower layers before it stabilized due to the thickness of the mana.