The sun was just rising over the peaks of the buildings as Talina and her son Alexander made their way into the Production sector of the city. There were blacksmiths on every corner, tailors, fletchers, carpenters, rune crafters, tinkers everywhere. There were so many different people adverting so many different things that it’s had to classify them. There are so many skills, so many possibilities here, this is the reason Alexander hasn’t started any of his projects. He needed to know the common sense of this world, and the best time to acquire it is after the registration.

“Alexander, you now have a choice, you need to go around and find a master to apprentice with. Find one that suits you best.” Talina explains, “this is all for your own good. You can’t make a future for yourself without some kind of crafting skill. No one can kill all their life, everyone has to have a pastime, a hobby a retirement.”

“I can see that mom, given my stats and the potential to actually use magic I would like something that I could use to supplement my physical abilities for the future. Can you give any advice?” Alexander looks up and asks his mother.

“Well you are not strong enough to be a blacksmith quite yet, kids that start so soon are generally from crafting families unlike us, the combat families.” She continues with her right hand propped on her hip, “I would suggest something that you can use to alter existing equipment to give the affects you are looking for. You will need affinities above 60 to power most things, but you are pretty smart. I am sure you can think of something.”

Alexander looks down at the ground and thinks a while, “Firstly, I think we are blocking the road, I know you are THE “Blood Tyrant” but we can still be polite right?” Talina looks at her son, shakes her head and moves to the side of the path to let the people trying to go unnoticed by.

“Secondly, can you tell me what professions the rest of you have already? Maybe I can help diversify the family at the same time.”

Talina rubs her chin, “Well… As you must be aware by now, I am a mage with very high water, fire and air affinities. With 3 fields of study I really don’t have time for a production profession too so I never took one. I did find that being able to enchant professionally would have saved me a lot of trouble, but the army has one in every platoon so not always an issue.”

“Your father… well your father is an Alchemist, he uses Beast parts and cores for his creations. It’s a good source of income but he has never sold anything, something to do with his class I believe. Arturia is a Leatherworker and Blacksmith and Abrail is a carpenter and fletcher. You will be seeing them again soon too. Its been a while hasn’t it?”

“Yes, almost 6 months, he started at the Academy, didn’t he? And Arturia is about to graduate too. I wonder how she is doing…” I say pensively. “Anyway, that sounds like some good coverage. Can tailors make anything other than cloths?”

“She has to go on her graduation hunt into the Beast Lands first, then they will graduate, but don’t look so worried, they will be tracked by their instructors. Its not too dangerous, and if something happens, then the army will deal with it! She will be fine” she says reassuringly, “It’s your brother I am more worried about. I hope his archery-based magic was accepted by the professors. I know how hard he trained it.”

Alexander thought for a second about everything his siblings are going through right now and committed himself to catch up with them as quickly as possible!

I wonder what Abrail’s stats are like, how much do I have to do to catch up with him, never mind Arturia, but I will catch up and surpass them both, even if my magic is sorely gimped. The family has a nice coverage of trade skills already, we have a blacksmith, leatherworker, carpenter and fletcher… and dad is even an alchemist. So, if I am going to take something that diversifies the family and can supplement my physical skills… For now, I am going to start with rune crafting, I need something that can take the place of batteries or some kind of mobile power source but I can ask around for that.

For now, Alexander was set, he needed to find a rune crafter and try to find an apprenticeship that allows him some freedom to pursue other interests too. He looks up to his patiently waiting mother and smiles.

“Okay I have decided to start as a rune crafter. I am also looking for something special but I think I can find that on my own mom. Do you know who we can ask, who do you use for your enchanting?” Alexander asks

“Well, we had people in our platoons as I said before, and since then I have been going to them too so can’t really help you there. But I seem to remember one of them became a civilian a couple of years ago… maybe she can help you. Let’s go, we are looking for Artificer Wendy’s shop. Keep close Alex”

Talina chooses a direction deeper into the sector and they start threading their way through the street. There are blacksmiths making swords, tinkers working on clocks, punch daggers and hidden weapons, there are tailors making dresses and cloaks, leatherworkers tanning belts and hardened leather armour and rune crafters with rulers, protractors and compasses performing what looks like calculations to align some kind of symbols. Hmmm rune crafting seems to be a very good fit actually.

“Ahh where did she put her store? I always meant to check on her but never had the time.” Talina stops a passer by and asks “Can you tell me where Artificer Wendy has her workshop at?”

The passer-by blanches after hearing the name and points further down the street. “If you would follow the road until you see the red alchemist, her store is just around the corner. Ma’am if you don’t mind some advice, take your son to another rune crafter. Wendy doesn’t have apprentices for a reason, she piles them with books and tell them to learn alone… the last one almost lost a hand, thank god his vitality was high enough otherwise….”

“Thank you, she is still her usually self then?” Talina thanks the man and whispers under her breath.

“Did you hear that Alex, are you sure you want to go to Wendy’s? Maybe someone more hands on will be better for you?” Talina asks

Alexander is actually excited after hearing that he will be able to study on his own. This plays perfectly into his wish to experiment a little… well a lot.

“No mom, she sounds perfect. And you know that I like to read so there shouldn’t be a problem. With you are dad around, if I am trying anything too dangerous, I can always hide behind the famous Blood Tyrant, your vitality should be more than enough!” Alex responds excitedly.

“The… The Blood Tyrant did you say? Um, apologies Lady, I didn’t mean to tell one such as you your business, please excuse me” the man is shocked even further, what has he got himself into, why would THE Blood Tyrant stop him on the street? What did he do to get such bad luck? He quickly turns and escapes into the flow of the masses like a salmon in a stream.

Well that was odd… I need to find out who my mom is in relation to the kingdom, I can’t stay ignorant for ever. But 1st let’s see Wendy.

Alex tugs on his mother’s hand and insists “Lets go mom, Wendy sounds great and maybe I can ask her some questions too!”

Talina sighs with resignation after that encounter “Okay, okay Alex, stop pulling or you will hurt yourself, lets go we are almost there. I will introduce you and you can convince Wendy on your own while I go check out those cooks. Something smells tasty and its about time we ate.”

When they finally walk up to the correct building Alexander is surprised, from the outside it looks completely normal but inside it’s completely different. Through the windows it looks like snow is falling… INSIDE the building. Not only that, but there are also swords and daggers floating around, that’s a broom in the corner keeping the floor clean.

Wow! This is a world of magic and sorcery, I keep forgetting as its not often used around town, most people don’t have enough control and only really learn offensive spell. Sure, there is construction and its really fast but I am from a world where a 3 story building is common place and not something created only with magic.

As they walk into Wendy’s, Alex expected it to be cold as there is snow falling, but it’s nice and pleasant. Is the weather effect controlled somehow or buffered from the rest of the area? Maybe an illusion?

Talina looks around but there is no one in the shop. “Tch, who leaves their store unattended like this, anyone could come in and steal everything!” Talina states acidly. Suddenly all the weapons that seem to be floating to display their rune work shift to point at Talina, and I am not talking about 5 or 6 but all of them, from every wall and even the broom!

“Calm down everyone, I know this one, you don’t need to be so murderous. So, Mrs Blood Tyrant, what can I do for you today?” A woman comes out of the back with her head in a book. She has what looks like a white lab coat on with ink stains all over it, there are holes around the hems too. Rune crafting must be messy!!!

Talina scowls at the woman, “Wendy, how many times have I said that I don’t like that name. Just call me Talina, or if you really want to give me a title then Talina of the Mists please. Now I am here about my son Alexander apprenticing with you. Can you tell me what you need?”

Wendy looks at Alexander and considers, “Well my last apprentice quit after almost losing a hand, if you didn’t lose it then what’s the problem, wimp. I hope your kid is not going to be like that too… As for payment? The Rune guild requires all practitioners to have apprentices at all times, the 1st one is free but I get to charge for any after. So, you are in luck.”

“Okay, Alex, I am going to go find some food, you stay here and get to know Wendy. I hope she can help you with everything you need… Isn’t that correct?” Talina arches and eye brow at Wendy before turning away and walking out of the building.

Wendy watches as Talina exits the building and then looks back at Alex, “Okay young man, please tell me why you want to be a rune crafter and not a knight or a mage. Normally kids your age, in their 1st year of apprenticeship are kicking and screaming to go practice their skills and level their combat with their friends, but here you are with a gleam in your eyes…”

Damn she is smart! I have to be really careful here or she will notice I am not everything I look like from the outside. Carefully now, carefully.

“Master Wendy, I am looking to add some extra oomph to my physical arsenal and rune crafting seems to be the best way for now and in the future. As you can see my mother is Talina, and I am sure she will be expecting some very scary things from me any time now. I do not wish to disappoint her, as you know, no one disappoints her more than once.” He starts out tentatively.

“That is true, what exactly are you looking for though? Shooting fire out of your sword? Flying? Invisible shield? Those things need years and years of work and levels to get. You won’t be getting it before you magic develops and then it won’t be needed unless you want to make siege weapons.”

“Well my mana pool and magic affinities are not high enough to be a mage, I am not saying my intelligence stat is low or I am naturally stupid, there is something wrong with my body and my dad is looking into it” That’s a lie but I really hope she doesn’t ask mom or dad about it. “For now, I want to add a small lightning affect to my weapons to stun my enemies to give me openings to strike. I don’t need such amazing ranged attacks quite yet, and I think I can come up with alternatives for spells before I am 12. Maybe that will also give me an advantage at the academy.”

Wendy looks down at Alexander and considers his reasons. Its not like she will say no unless he wants to create a bomb, but its always good to start off those apprentice/master relationships with the correct relationship. “Your mana pool and affinities are too low to become a mage? Well that can come with more stats and the right journals I guess. Okay you are tentatively accepted; w5hat level is your Research and Reading Skills?” she asks

“My reading skill is Tier 4 Line but I don’t have the Research skill. My Studying Skill is Tier 4 Line too though, if that helps.” Alexander replies.

“Well I guess it will do,” she walks back behind her counter to a book shelf and picks out 5 books from the bottom shelf, “You have 1 week to read all of these books, they are the basics of the 4 basic elements and the fifth book is the application of that knowledge to Rune Crafting. I hope your Mathematics and Drawing Skills are at least Line Rank or you will not have a good time.”

Alexander grimaced, he has had no need for drawing but he should have considered it before. Ah what a misstep.

“I can see by your face that you don’t have one of those skills. Well so long as your Mathematics is good even if you don’t have a skill for it you will be fine. Now off you go, your mother is waiting outside for us to finish. Talina of the Mists my ass – Ha!”

As Alexander walks out of the shop he is greeted by his mother with a couple of skewers of meat extended toward him. “Everything okay, did she let you become her apprentice? What are those books? Do you need help carrying them?” Talina questioned her son.

“Mom, thank you for the food! Yes! Wendy gave me a week to study these books but I think I can be done in less time than that and spend the rest of the time drawing. I don’t have that skill yet, thought it wouldn’t be a skill though considering ….” Alex replied.

Talina covered her mouth and tried not to laugh, “No drawing is not a real skill though there are some classes later that can develop it into a skill. They need materials and lots of mana to do anything with it though.”

“Is there anything else you need here Alex or can we go home. Oh, give 3 of the thicker books too, don’t want to make people think I am a slave driver or anything.” She says while laughing to herself.

“Well I would like to get one more thing but it can wait, maybe the books will give me the information I need, and if not a subsequent visit to Master will do.

“Ehh calling Wendy Master already, is my little baby in love?”

“Mooom, stop that, I am not in love with Wendy, I am being respectful, stop making such a scene, people are looking!”