I return to splitting my time between practicing slash form and working on scrimshaw. It takes me a week to finish the shield and then another two weeks to finish the sword. Bones watches me silently the whole time no matter what I am doing.

Finally done with the scrimshaw work, now it is time to see if my idea for using demonic power will work. So I place the shield in my lap and enter meditation, first I take a good look at the shield and its insides to make sure there are no flaws. Then I slowly start feeding demonic power into it.

Everything goes smoothly at first, the bone of the shield absorbs the demonic power. The problem occurs when I try to shape the demonic power into a spell like I did with mana, the demonic power vanishes when I try to shape it. So I need to think of a different way to create the effect I want.

On a good note the demonic power that the shield did absorb made the shield even stronger, so I keep filling the shield with power until it won't take any more. I also do the same with the sword, this way if I can't figure out how to enchant them they will still be pretty good. But no matter what I try I can't figure out how to make the demonic power mimic mana and create a spell.

Maybe I am going about this the wrong way, instead of mimicking mana I should focus on the demonic power itself. So I turn my sight inwards and start trying to analyze how the demonic power works. I pay special attention to how the abilities I want to copy work.

I have learned my lesson, I am not trying to give the items a core or use part of my soul. Anyway, I will take a break for now until I think of something new to try. I quickly carve a simple sword from what was left of the claw I used to make Bones' sword. I hand Bones the sword and shield, he jumps up and down while chattering at me.

He obviously likes them, and he immediately goes to the barrier to try them out. I let him get used to them while I put the finishing touches on the second sword.

"Bones, come here we are going to spar."

Bones instantly stops practicing and comes over, but I get a confused vibe from him. So I explain to him what sparring is, I explain it a few different ways before I sense that he understands. He quickly takes a stance with the shield ready, once he is set I swing the sword I made at him.

Even though I wasn't swinging hard, when Bones blocks with the shield he slides back three feet. I guess it makes sense since I have ten times his strength, but the things I tend to fight are normally strong as well. Except for the humans anyway, but I am not worried about Bones fighting humans.

Each time I swing, Bones blocks my swing and slides back. I wait until he walks back and takes his stance before I swing again, we do this for two hours. I can see that his stance is improving and eventually the amount he slides back decreases.

Bones has gained a level!

'That's what I was waiting for! Bones status!'

Name: Bones

Class: Skeleton

Level: 3

HP: 330/330

MP: 30/30

Strength: 34

Agility: 18

Endurance: 36

Intelligence: 2

Wisdom: 2

Charisma: 2

Toughness: 9

Skills: 8

Shield Basics Level: 2

Shield Bash Level: 2

Sword & Shield Level: 3

Sword Basics Level: 2

Axe Basics Level: 1

Blunt Basics Level: 1

Toughness Level: 1

Defense Level: 1

'Nice! He is showing some good improvements!'

This is definitely working well, if he can keep growing like this then he will make an excellent tank. We spar for a few more hours before I suddenly have an idea, I take the shield from Bones and sit down to focus on it. This time while channeling demonic power into it I just focus on what I want the power to do to the shield.

Since demonic power is more intuitive than mana it responds to my desire rather than a rigid spell structure. It takes an hour and all of my power but this time it works. Once I am done I stare intently at the shield until I am able to see its information.

*Magic Item*

Drake Skull Shield

Durability 998/1000

Defense: +9 Str: +10 Physical Resist: +20%

'It turned out even better than I hoped!'

I hand the shield back to Bones, he seems very happy, is it possible he can tell the difference? Anyway I leave him to practice and meditate to regain my demonic power. Once I am fully recovered I take his sword and repeat the process.

*Magic Item*

Drake Claw Sword

Durability 900/900

Damage: +20 Attack: +10 Fire Damage: +15

'This is working out really well! Maybe I should make him armor?'

After returning the sword to Bones I check how much drake bone I have. Turns out to be quite a lot, half the skull is still there, and I only really used one bone and two claws. There is still tons of bone, not to mention the remaining claws, all the teeth, and the horns.

'I could make him full plate armor and still have plenty left. That would look awesome and also disguise the fact that he is a skeleton.'

Having decided I once again split my time between practicing slash and working on scrimshaw. Occasionally when I am working on the armor Bones will stop practicing to come over and eat all the bone scraps. By the end of a month I have completed the armor and enchanted it, I am also really close to mastering the slash form.

*Magic Item*

Drake Bone Full Plate

Durability 2500/2500

Defense: +20 Strength: +20 Physical Resist: +30% Magic Resist: +15%

'Yup, awesome! He looks intimidating even though it's hard to tell he's undead. Not to mention that defense is awesome!'

Now with no other projects left to do I focus on finishing the slash form so I can see what is next. I only take time out from training here and there to spar with Bones. He hasn't leveled up again yet but his skills are definitely improving.

As he is now he will already be useful against humans, and a proper tank should improve our party tactics. I have decided, once I finish mastering the slash form I am going to attempt to break out. I have had enough of this place, I want to see the sun!