Master Of None

Walker and Su moved closer to see what he was doing. Next to the elf was a pile of broken crystals that looked like they had been the blades grafted on to the metal body of the sword. Walker was very interested to see the runes being carved. 

The needle that was being used to carve incredibly small runes on the metal of the sword was glowing with the elf's mana. The patterns being carved on it were a mix of earth and fire runes that Walker was familiar with after seeing the fabrics and the training area.

Walker was sensing the mana starting to head toward the sword and become absorbed by the crystal grafted on to the metal body. The elf was getting more energized feeling this but Walker could see a problem forming. "You are letting it absorb the elemental mana too fast. That's why it keeps cracking like those." 

The elf boy was shocked by the sudden guidance but changed the design of the rune he was carving slightly. The mana absorption slowed and the metal body began to fuse with the crystal blade better. There was a slight glow of mana before the crystal part of the blade became the same red and orange color of fire. 

"Ha! It worked this time. I can't believe all I needed to do was change the absorption rate. I have failed four times. I can finally offer this to a master to be an apprentice." The elf turned to look at Walker. "Master please accept me as an apprentice."

Walker was stunned to see the elf boy offering him the sword. Bree was behind him stifling a laugh while Su hid a small smile. "I am very honored but I am not a master. I just have a very good ability to manipulate and sense the elemental mana. I may be able to craft with crystals but I just learned the skill two days ago, I am more of a novice than you." 

The elf looked at him like Walker had just made him swallow a sour grape. "But how did you know that...you can sense the mana?" The elf was trying to grasp this concept when a free other elves came over. They had heard the elf get excited about success. 

"You finally made the metal and crystal hybrid blade? What elements worked? Let me try it out." One of the other elves wanted to try it but The elf that had just mistaken Walker for a master held it tighter.

"I am using this to ask a master for guidance, please ask when I have made the second." the other elves heard this and gave up. They wouldn't be able to study and gain a breakthrough if they couldn't take and use the sword for inspiration. 

The other elves went back t their own work areas and the elf that had finished his sword successfully turned to Walker, "Thank you for your help. I'm sorry if I assumed wrong. I just didn't expect a normal mage to be able to have such a great sense...wait, are you the hero that is visiting?"

"They have even heard about you down here. It is rare for them to have the same news since they are so focused on their crafting." Bree was openly laughing now. She found it hysterical that the elf had been assuming si much. 

"S-ssir hero, forgive-" 

"Walker, my name is Walker and this is my party member Su. Please no more sir or miss. It is a little draining." Walker enjoyed being called sir at first, but now he thought it was stiff. 

"Yes, I am Liam. With your help, I finally proved my hybrid sword ratio works. I can finally offer it to a master as proof of my skills and hopefully earn an apprenticeship." The elf was all smiles. He was almost brighter than the crystal on the ceiling.

"In that case, you should come with us. I know a stubborn old elf that had been without an apprentice for the last ninety years." Liam's eyes bulged after hearing Bree's words.

"You really know one that has gone so long? Is he a hidden master?" Liam wanted to know all the detail at that second. His adrenalin was taking over. 

"He is my personal crystal craftsman and supplier. I give him a decent amount of work but he never wants to train another apprentice because he is lazy. Don't worry I will vouch for you. He had similar ideas as you when he was your age." Bree pointed at the hybrid sword in Liam's hands.

The young elf Liam smiled ore and gladly put his things away and readied himself to follow. "So what were you trying to gain by fusing the crystal and the metal?" Su was curious and had barely beat Walker to asking this question.

"Well, crystals are weak. They can be shattered by physical attacks and made useless in a battle. The metal swords are strong and can carry runes. So what if we had the magical strength of a crystal and the physical strength of a metal sword?" Liam was looking more and more serious as he spoke.

"I took the design for the usual spell sword weapon and made it so that I could fit a crystal in as the points of the blade. This way the rune will pour mana in to the crystal giving the sword the chance to use more powerful skills. Like the fire mana will be channeled in to make the flame blade skill more powerful." Liam was about to start ranting when Bree pointed to a door. 

This is where we have been headed. My craftsman Bart is in there. Let's see if he is awake." Bree was about to knock on the door when she paused. She looked at Walker and Su with a mischievous smile and lifted her foot. 

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