“What is it, Lucas?” Adreanell looks around, possibly assuming I saw another monster.

“I hit the 500 Endurance milestone. ...It doubles my health regen.” Checking the message again, I confirm I’m not imagining what it says.

“Holy shit, that’s insane.” Adreanell considers for a moment. “What’s your regen per minute now?”

“Yeah, it’s crazy. I can feel my health regenerating so much faster. It’s 66.6 per minute. Isn’t that crazy?”

Looking at Colt, he’s even more pale-faced than I probably am. “...You okay, Colt?”

“I- uh- I hit the 500 Attunement milestone…” He continues to check through his status, probably doing the same double checking I was.

“And? What’s it do?” Becky crosses her arms, glaring at him for not just coming out with it.

“It… normally doubles MP regen I think. But I’m a Fae so it just… doubles my Wild Magick regen. It’s… 180.4 per minute right now. ...I need to sit down.” He checks his status once again after he’s sitting down, likely confirming that he’s not going crazy.

My jaw drops at that number. “That’s- That’s basically cheating at this point. What happens if you get 500 Endurance? Will that number double again?”

Adreanell and Becky are both at a loss for words, looking somewhat envious.

“Well, it’s only because becoming Fae combined my HP, MP, and their regens together into just Wild Magick. It makes sense if you consider that my I’m spending the same pool when I take a hit as when I cast a spell. The regen is still just… wow.”

Cassandra walks over after finishing up treating the injured. She has a frown on her face but sees us all staring at Colt. “...What’s up?”

After Adreanell explains both my situation and Colt’s, she’s equally floored. “Now that’s pretty much cheating.”

“That’s what I said! Do you think it will double again if he reaches 500 Endurance?”

Her typical analytical look falls on her face. “That’s a good question. It very well might, or there’s a chance it only redoubles the base value. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

Colt practices a few Geomancy and Floramancy techniques before sitting back up. “I feel good with this much regen. By the way, Cassandra, does anyone still need healing? I know a good Fae healing spell now.”

“Uh, yeah, probably. Some people set up a triage area over there.” She indicates to a small encampment a safe distance from the walls.

Colt turns to me. “Wanna come with me, Lucas? I know you don’t have any healing but I think they’d like to see you. You’re kinda the figurehead of us Heroes of Portland, being the one that struck the final blow against Grandis and all…”

“But, all of you helped me do that, it wasn’t just me. You all received the Perk too.”

“Of course we did, but you got the killing blow and that’s all that matters to them.” Colt grins and begins to walk, knowing I’ll follow.

Adreanell, Becky, and Cassandra all head home, tired from the fighting but happy with the rewards.

As Colt and I are walking to the triage area, we spot his mother.

“Hey, Mary!”

“Hey, mom. Thanks for the assist earlier.” He smiles at her then frowns as he pulls something out of his storage. “Sorry, it broke during the fight after you threw it…” He hands her a spear that’s been snapped in half.

“Bah, that’s the fourth one I’ve gone through. Those Construct Shop weapons don’t last. And hi, Lucas. I saw you out there fighting. It’s good to know Colt is in good hands.” She looks at Colt dotingly.

He glances to the side. “Moooooom.”

She laughs, enjoying embarrassing him.

“Thanks, that crab was tough! Remind me to not fight sound-based enemies if I can avoid it. Oh, Mary. If you want, I have a bunch of new metals I’ve made. I could make you a spear. I already have some ideas for one.”

“Sure thing, how much do I owe you for it?” She takes out her bag of holding and begins to count out coins.

“Free of charge! I couldn’t possibly charge you anything. Besides, I’ll get a good amount of Talent levels from making it and you said you’d manage the farm for our shop. So it’s a gift from me to you.”

“Well, I won’t say no to an offer like that. Anyway, I think I’m interrupting you two so I’ll just be on my way.” She waves and we say our goodbyes before she heads home.

Colt and I arrive at the triage area, forcing me to spend a few minutes chatting with various people. There’s a strange amount of literal hero worship that makes me uncomfortable.

Colt finishes talking with the coordinator for this area before standing in front of us all. He calls out, voice slightly nervous. “Okay, everyone! I’m gonna use a healing spell so don’t be alarmed!”

He spreads his hands in front of the group of people who are all looking at him now. “Realm of Spring: Healing Meadow!”

The ground under us glows, grass and flowers sprouting up. Small motes of green light rise up from the grass and soak into our skin. Checking my own HP, it’s rising faster than before. The people around me are gasping in awe at the speed their wounds seal up.

He walks up to me, waving to people who thank him. “Now look who’s under the limelight.”

“You’re welcome for that.” He grins.

Once Colt finishes healing everyone, we head home. Apparently, his new regen really helped sustain that skill on such a large crowd.

The spell is unfortunately not very useful for combat as you need to be standing in the field for the whole time, which isn’t as easy when fighting something. He’s also not sure if it would heal the monster as well or not.

Arriving home, Colt heats up some of the leftovers from dinner as well as a slice of pie for me. After a filling meal and a completely necessary shower, we both collapse in bed, exhausted.

The recent battle brings back more nightmares, especially because people were killed during the attack last night.

A few times throughout the night, I wake up gasping from nightmares and Colt comforts me until I fall asleep once more.

Waking up for good, it’s just barely light outside but I decide that’s good enough. Slipping out of bed, I kiss Colt lightly on the forehead and head into the bathroom to clean myself of the cold sweat from my nightmares.

Looking in the mirror, my face is haggard. I’ve been shaving using Hydromancy water blades, but currently, a fine layer of stubble covers my face. Shaving that off, I smile at the smooth-faced reflection, checking my teeth to make sure they’re clean.

Styling my hair as best as I can with just my hands and water, I walk out of the bathroom and into the upstairs kitchen. Heating up some more pie, I have that as a comfort-breakfast.

Shaking my head in an attempt to bring myself out of the funk I’m in, I slap my cheeks lightly and head downstairs.

‘Some blacksmithing should help me get my mind off of this…’

Stepping on to the first floor, I realize there’s a new chore I need to remember daily. Walking into the room with the slime pen, I’m only somewhat shocked to find two more eggs.

The pen will have enough space to accompany five slimes, but soon enough I’ll need another pen. I’m not sure exactly how many it will fit but beyond five will be pushing it especially as they grow.

Grabbing the food carton, I feed the three slimes and then touch the two eggs.

‘Hmm… I’ll name you… Squishy… and this one… Helen.’ Laughing to myself, I’ve always enjoyed pets that are given human names.

“Glad to see you laughing.”

Turning around, Colt is standing in the doorway smiling at me. “Mornin’ sunshine.”

“Morning to you too. More slimes?” He kneels down next to me. “Squishy and… Helen?” He laughs at the second name as well.

“I thought you’d like the second name.”

“I do. You’re very beautiful, Helen.” The slime quivers, seeming slightly… bashful?

Petting the two new slimes and feeding them, I receive a notification.

Level up! For continuing to care for your slimes and treating them well, your Talent: Fledgling Slime Rancher has reached (2/50)!

‘Hm, nice.’

“Hey, Colt. Think you could stop by the Construct Shop and get us a second pen? They cost a Gleam, but we’re gonna need the pen soon. Besides, I want to start giving these slimes aspects but I think it’ll be important to keep neutral slimes too.”

“Sure thing, I can run out now if you want.” He stands up, brushing his knees off.

“That’d be great. I’m gonna work on your mom’s spear.”

“I’m sure she’ll love it. Be back later.” He quickly pecks me on the lips and walks out of the room. The door opens and closes moments later.

Petting the slimes a bit more, I stand up and head to the forge.

‘Shit, I don’t have a hammer. Wait…’ Opening the portal door slightly, I find Ilmarinen working away as usual.

“Hey, Ilmarinen!”

He looks up from his work, smiling slightly. “To what pleasure do I owe me apprentice visiting me fer?”

“I was wondering if you could help me make myself a hammer? I’m about to start some smithing with neutrite and I realized I don’t have one…”

“Are ye working with tier 1 neutrite?” He beckons me closer.

“Yeah, that’s all the Shop has.”

He laughs deeply. “I remember those days lad. I’m proud of ye for continuing the craft. What do ye have for me to make ye a hammer? I’ll have to be careful not to flatten the metal.”

“You’ll make it for me? And uh, I think this one might make a good hammer.” Taking out the maroon ingot made from strengthening and internal sheathe aspects, I hand it to him.

He considers the ingot for a moment. “Immoblite, eh? With these traits it should make a fine hammer for one such as yerself. This should take me naught but a moment with such low tier metal.”

He leaves me feeling unintentionally insulted while walking over to his forge. The ingot is up to heat in moments. He grabs it with one arm and places it on one of his anvils. Using some kind of cutting tool, he slices through the metal like butter, cleaving it in half.

He then drives a pointed tool through the center of the ingot half, creating a hole in the center. The metal is like putty in his arms, demonstrating to me how far I have to go in terms of progress.

With some precise hammer blows in rapid succession, he brings the metal to the shape he wants. Cooling it in a barrel of oil, he takes it out and gives the hammer head a few test swings.

“This isn’t me normal practice lad, but with such simple metal I should be able to…” He holds it between two arms and with my Mage’s Eyes I can see the flood of mana going into the metal. Turning on my Primordial Perception, I watch him magically heat treat the metal in an instant.

“Do ye have wood for me to make the handle out of, lad?” He holds out an arm, ready to receive whatever.

“Oh, one moment!” Running back through the portal door, I grab some of the ironwood maple wood from yesterday.

Handing it to him upon my return, he inspects it for a moment. “This should work fine, ye will need to enchant the wood to keep it sturdy, however.”

“I can do that much.” Smiling at him, he pats me on the back.

“I know ye can lad, yer me apprentice after all.” He puffs his chest out proudly.

“I don’t mean this in a rude way but… you’re in a surprisingly good mood today, Ilmarinen. How come?”

“Tis a time fer celebration, lad! I’ve gained a level in me Blacksmith Talent. It’s been many tides since the last…”

“That’s great! How did it happen?”

He considers for a moment. “Meeting ye, lad. I didn’t realize I had stagnated until ye showed up outside me door. Ye have inspired me to take fewer orders and simply create once more.”

“Wow, I didn’t realize I had such an effect on you. I’m happy for you, Ilmarinen.”

“Yes, yes. Don’t let it get to yer head. Now, let’s see about finishing this hammer.” He grabs the block of wood and moves over to the lathe. In moments, I assume due to the use of some Skills, it’s in a functional handle shape.

He pokes it through the hole he made in the mallet head, driving a wedge into it afterward to expand it to a perfect fit. He adds some kind of sealant on to the top, completing the piece.

“Couldn’t make it better than excellent quality, unfortunately…” He hands it to me, giving me a moment to Inspect it.

First Spark

Quality: Excellent

Traits: Internal Sheathe, Strengthening

Description: The immoblite that makes up this blacksmith’s hammer grants it superb durability. The more the hammer is used, the more durable it will become, strengthening its internal sheathe over time.

“First Spark? This is a really good hammer, Ilmarinen. Thank you!”

“First Spark, named for the creative spark ye have ignited in me. This is my gift to ye in exchange.” He nods happily. “Now, I believe ye have some smithing to get to.”

“Oh, right. Yeah, I’m making a spear for Colt’s mom. I already have some ideas for it.”

“Ye do, do ye? Would ye like to share with this old cephalopod?”

“Sure thing.” Explaining all my plans, he nods along.

“Yer plans are perfect. Ye know exactly what ye want to do and yer gonna execute yer plan. I would expect nothin’ less of me apprentice.”

“Thanks, Ilmarinen. Glad you think it’s a good plan. You wouldn’t have any higher tier neutrite laying around, would you?” Glancing around, I don’t spot any of the pale gray ingot.

“Don’t test yer luck, lad.” He scoots me back toward the portal door, putting my new hammer in my hand and closing it behind me as he nudges me through.

“Damnit.”

‘I’m gonna need more neutrite to make this spear…’ Walking out into the main room, I find Colt just coming in.

“Oh, hey, Lucas. I have the pen! I’ll set it up over there. When did you get a hammer?”

“Ilmarinen made it for me! Turns out, I inspired him to get creative again. He made me this hammer in return! It was only a medium quality ingot but somehow he managed to make it an excellent quality hammer.”

“Damn, he’s a good blacksmith if he can do that. Wait, isn’t that the shitty ingot you told me about?” He comes over and runs his fingers over the metal of the hammer, it’s still warm to the touch.

“Yeah, but I figured it’s so durable it will probably make a good hammer. Turns out I’m right! The description says it gets more durable the more it’s used. Anyway, I know I sent you to the Shop but… I’m about to head there. I need more neutrite, I used it all up.”

“Oh. Okay. I’ll be out in the back yard if you need me, I wanna start setting up the patio for my restaurant. By the way, do you think waiter golems are possible?”

“Uh, maybe? I could probably make it so they can deliver food but I don’t know if they can take orders. Maybe you could have some kind of written menu system and they just bring back slips of paper?”

“I’ll figure out something for that. Anyway, see ya.” He walks through the door into the downstairs kitchen.

Stepping out of the front door of the house, I run to the Shop as quickly as possible.

Finding the tier 1 neutrite, I buy twenty more of the high quality ingots. With some haggling, I’m able to buy them for just 5 Glints each. ‘I’m pretty sure Adreanell has higher Charisma than me… how did she manage to spend both Gleams I gave her?’

Deciding to check the shop, I find she definitely didn’t spend all the money I gave her on mana crystals either. ‘That greedy minx…’

Sighing, I shrug, feeling resigned. ‘It’s not like this money means that much to me anyway.’

Heading back home, I walk back into my forge and prepare the extra teletite ingot I need. With the purple ingot made, I feel ready to get to work.

Beginning with the ocelite ingot, I take the strangely springy, reactive ingot and begin the process of cutting off how much I’ll need for the spearhead with Hydromancy.

Forming a blade of spinning water, I slowly saw into the metal. Eventually, I’ve cut off the amount I need, leaving about a fourth of the ingot leftover. Storing the remainder away, I put the rest in the forge, bringing it up to a workable temperature.

Taking it out, I begin to hammer it into a triangular shape, as my plan is for it to function not only for stabs but for slashes as well to increase its versatility.

It takes a while to bring the metal to shape, but afterward, I begin flattening it out more and adding the tapers I need to save myself time at the grindstone.

Finally finishing, I set down the basic, unsharpened spearhead and begin sizing out how much sendite I’ll need. The combinations of guidance and swiftness should make for a good binding to both hold the spearhead on to the shaft and to allow for more accuracy with stabs.

This piece is much smaller, so I only remove a small portion of the pale lavender ingot to work with. As it’s a small piece, it heats up fairly quickly and I hammer it into the banded shape I need to hold the spearhead.

Finally, the part I’ve been avoiding. Making the spear shaft. Taking both ingots of teletite, the guidance and levitation metal, I cut them into thin sheets using Hydromancy. After completing that step, I stack them on top of each other and forge them to a high heat.

Using Aeromancy, I protect them from oxidation during this process so that the metals will bond together when brought to temperature.

Forge-welding them, I fold the piece, burning my hand in the process of hammering it. Reforging it, I repeat this process several times to truly bond the metals together.

Without any kind of tongs, I’m forced to use Metallomancy on two steel ingots to hold the metal in place while I forge it.

As I don’t have any proper tools to quicken the pace, I begin the lengthy process of smithing the ingot into a pole shape. Many forges and reheats later, I’m finished by mid-afternoon.

‘Now to sharpen the blade.’ Taking the grey-blue ocelite ingot, I feed mana into my grindstone. It revs up to high speed quickly.

Working through various grits, I finish off with a polishing belt and have a shining, deadly sharp spearhead ready to be affixed to the spear shaft.

Having kept the measurements in mind with Shaper’s Soul, I slip the spearhead into the only hollow part of the shaft. It slides in, fitting perfectly.

Taking the sendite binding band, I wrap it over the spot where the spearhead and shaft meet. It fits into the depression I made, wrapping around itself.

Cutting off excess with Hydromancy, I quickly pump mana into Pyromancy and melt a small bit of the sendite, causing it to function as its own solder and seal the band completely.

Another grinding and polishing at the grindstone and I take a look at my complete project.

It’s a bit groovy, the spearhead is grey-blue while the binding is light lavender and the spear shaft is purple.

‘Still needs enchantments though… But first.’ Allowing notifications to come back in, I receive two pleasant ones.

Level up! For working with several different tier 1 neutrite-based metals that have a synergistic function for the first time, your Talent: Fledgling Blacksmith has reached (43/50)!

For reaching your eighth Talent milestone in Fledgling Blacksmith, you have been awarded applicable stat points to Strength, Endurance, Dexterity, Insight and + 240 XP. In addition, you have been granted the Perk: Mystic Metalwork!

Perks:

Mystic Metalwork

Description: Your capabilities when working with magically attuned metals are improved. You will find it easier to manipulate these metals to your whims with both your might and your will at the cost of mana. Willpower and Insight increased by 2. +2 Willpower and Insight per level up.

With knowledge flooding my mind on how I can use this Perk, I hold the spear I just made in front of me. Focusing on where my shoddy solder job is, I use the power of the perk. It seems to let me make small adjustments like this to magic metals.

The metals already respond to my will for their own innate effects and this feels like an extension of that. Using my will at a mana cost, I shift the metal slightly, making it a more uniform connection, strengthening the binding.

Focusing on such a microscale again leaves me with the beginnings of a headache, so I simply smooth out some of the divots from poor hammer strikes in the shaft and realign the metals of the spearhead to mimic heat treating, a step I don’t have the tools to do otherwise.

Testing the weapon before I enchant it, I activate the traits. The spear floats away from my hand and begins to orbit my body at my command. ‘This is so cool!’

The spear falls once it reaches a five-foot range from my body. That’s apparently the range of my influence over the guidance aspect.

Taking a few test stabs, I focus on the aspect of guidance and swiftness in the bindings. The precision of my stabs increases, especially as this is a weapon I’m not used to using.

Activating the traits in the spearhead, my stab speed increases further, allowing me to unleash a flurry of strikes into the air in front of me. Each of these functions has a small mana cost, but it’s mostly negligible.

‘Wow, this sounds arrogant but I made a good spear.’

Setting it back down on the table, I sit down and begin the process of enchanting it. For the shaft, I use the same grip runes I added to the grindstone to prevent the smooth metal from becoming too slippery to cold.

Alongside the grip runes, I add durability runes to make sure the shaft won’t bend or break easily.

Reminding myself on sharpness runes I used before, I add those to the spearhead alongside some durability runes. Running my finger over the blade, it splits open at a simple touch.

‘Oops, really sharp.’ Sealing up the cut with Promethean, I mentally chastise myself for doing that.

For the bindings, I add reinforcement runes to increase the strength of the material. Finally, it’s dark outside once more and the spear is complete. ‘Only took me a full day… sheesh. Now… what to name this…’

“Ocelotta Stabbing? No… The Purple Piercer? Good lord no. Uhhhh… I’m so bad with names.”

Auto-name your creation? Yes / No

‘Oh thank you, Construct. You’ve saved me.’ Selecting yes, I finally Inspect my end product.

Feralfang

Quality: Medium

Traits: Guidance, Levitation, Swiftness, Feline Grace, Durable, Sharp

Description: This spear has been made with an ocelite tip, sendite binding, and a teletite shaft. This spear can be controlled by the guidance aspects within its metals to allow for accurately directed attacks. Due to the teletite shaft, this spear is lightweight and able to be controlled around the body without touching it. The ocelite tip allows for rapid stab attacks to be performed at the cost of mana. General durability and sharpness enchantments have been applied.

‘That’s a much better name than anything I could have come up with.’

Walking out into the main room, Colt is stepping down the stairs. “Oh, I was just about to come to get you, dinner is ready. Is that my mom’s new spear?”

Handing it to him, I grin. “Yup. Took me all day but I finished it. I got a new Perk called Mystic Metalwork that should really help me with making more weapons in the future.”

“She’s gonna love it. Let’s go visit her after dinner.” He looks just as excited as I am to give her the spear.

“Sure thing. What’s for dinner?”

Colt climbs back up the stairs, head turned to face me. “I made some fish. A few people decided to brave the ocean and came back with some kind of cod, I think. Anyway, it’s perfectly seasoned. I just filleted and pan fried it.”

The table is already set when I arrive upstairs. Sitting down, I take my share of the cod and begin to eat.

Pop

Looking up to find the source of the sound, I find a small, dark purple bicolor “tuxedo” cat sitting on the table.

“Uh, Colt, am I going insane or are you seeing this cat?”

His own fork is partway to his mouth but he’s stopped moving. “Uh huh. I see it.”

The cat walks closer to me and allows me to pet it for a second. Taking the chance, I Inspect it.

Telecat

Traits: Teleportation

Description: This unusually mischievous cat is known for stealing and breaking objects rather than attacking any sentient being. It’s slippery and hard to capture due to its teleporting capabilities.

The cat reaches a paw for my cod as I’m petting it. Blocking its paw with my other hand, I scold it. “No Mr. Cat, you can’t have my cod. Especially not on the table. If there’s some left when I’m done I’ll give it to you, okay?”

The cat mews at me before teleporting under my arm, grabbing a big piece of my dinner in its mouth, and disappearing with another pop.

“What the fuck just happened?”

“I have no clue. ...You can have some of my food, I eat mana anyway, this just tastes good.” Colt slides over his plate, giving me some of his dinner.

“You are a messiah among men, Colt.” Eating the food quickly, I finish and stand up from the table. We clean our dishes quickly and head over to Mary’s house.

Arriving at her house minutes later, we knock on the door. She opens the door a few seconds later, wiping sweat from her brow.

“Can I he- Oh, Colt, Lucas! Hello! Come in, come in! The girls and I were just having a late night sparring session.” She leads us into her dojo, introducing us to her class she’s been training.

“Well, I have a surprise for you, Mary.” Producing her new spear from my hold, I hand it to her. “It’s yours.”

She grabs the spear, inspecting every inch of it. “Wow, this is incredible. It’s lighter than my old spear but it’s really well balanced.” She takes a moment to read the description, which I can tell most of the girls in the room are doing by their ooh’s and ahh’s.

“This is an amazing spear, Lucas. I’m so excited to try it. Oh, how about we have a spar?” She twirls the spear in her hand, seeming to enjoy how fluid it is.

“Mom! You can’t just-”

“It’s just an offer, Colt.”

“Uh, are you sure you want me to? I don’t wanna hurt you after all…”

“I’m sure you can control your Strength enough, just don’t go all out on me, okay? One of the girls here told me you said you’d make sure people are strong, so if you’re going to teach, you need to know how to control yourself, right?”

She nods to the black haired girl who I recognize as one of Brandon’s women in his entourage. She awkwardly smiles at me.

“Well, okay. Let’s have a spar.”