Epic Of The Demonic Sage

"I hope that Apostle Asher will appreciate it. There are actual simpler versions of it, one not needing suitable metals and such, but this is good for any beginner Artificer who wishes to start working into other types of artifacts." Bishop Reynald explained.

"I see, thank you, Bishop Reynald. You may proceed."

"This lamp will be made out of a suitable metal, and though there are those who may try for other materials like wood, metal makes it more long-lasting. Once you have the base fixture, this is where we start laying out conducive wires. Please try and feel it."

Lucius felt the wire and noticed that while it was thin, it was sturdy and durable. It was a different thing from the metal for the lamp, but this was something that he identified before.

"I believe you may be able to identify this wire, Apostle Asher."

"If I were to surmise it, this is definitely Aetherite, one of the most common metals used in artifact building."

"That is correct."

"However, it is also to my understanding that while Aetherite is something that can be naturally found in our environment, there is also the artificial method of creating it with Iron being infused with Aether for a long time. It can be reflected a little in the price of the Aetherite to determine whether it's naturally sourced or artificial, although the availability itself also fluctuates from time to time." Lucius said.

"That is true, Apostle Asher. Those are good things to keep in mind. However, I may have to ask you to refocus your attention beforehand to the task we have at hand. Please worry about the prices of materials at a later time." Bishop Reynald chuckled. "In fact, it is surprising that you are already thinking about such things. If you wish to, it is possible for your household to pay for these materials, or perhaps for the Church of Etara to provide some."

"Church of Etara herself?"

"Yes, materials are given to the most promising of Artificers, well, it is not too different from funding an Artificer or a Master of something, but the Church of Etara also wishes to encourage her people to seek knowledge and such, hence why it provides gifts."

"I see." Lucius nodded. 'My influence in the Church of Etara isn't exactly something I have been affecting right now on a wide-scale due to how I have other priorities, but if I were to exert some influence, then I suppose I can also gain some benefit. Monetary is one thing, but gaining more access to knowledge would be another.'

"Forgive me, Apostle Asher. I have told you to focus on our lamp artifact and I have gotten a little bit carried away with the explanation of the church. It really comes with age sometimes." Bishop Reynald sighed softly.

"Please do not mind it. I am learning from your talks, and most scholars cannot help but engross themselves in conversation when they are finally given a chance to speak. However, it is also good to continue at the same time." Lucius glanced down at the table before him which held the artifact to be made. "These wires are…?"

"We have this rune crystal here." Bishop Reynald opened a box to reveal the E-rank crystal rune. "We will lay out the Aetherite wires in such a way that they connect the rune crystal with this glass bead and a button. Can you guess as to the purpose of this glass bead?"

"It will function as a bulb… the one which will provide the rune crystal a way to expand its reach and provide the desired energy and effect, and in this case, Illumination," Lucius answered easily.

"That is correct. Please allow me to do this first one so you can observe how I do it."

Bishop Reynald does the wiring of the Aetherite wires with relative ease. Despite his age, the man's hands are quick and skillful and he fashioned the artifact lamp quickly.

"If you press the button here, then we have ourselves the artifact lamp." Bishop Reynald demonstrated.

The glow of the lamp was something that calmly lit the room and enveloped it in its nice illumination.

'I know already what I was expecting when Bishop Reynald said that we were making a lamp, but it is also possible to improve this existing lamp if one wishes to. In several ways in fact.' Lucius thought.

With his experience from the past world, in both the magical equipment area and in the scholarly part of things, he could find ways to improve the current lamp.

"May I perhaps try it now on my own, Bishop Reynald?"

"Of course, of course, Apostle Asher. I did not wish to delay you. I am sure that you are most excited to make a trial version yourself." Bishop Reynald said.

'Trial? Even though Bishop Reynald has been constantly praising my intellect on theory, I suppose he does not think that I have much experience like he does to perform the practical part with ease, like he has done.' Lucius thought.

It was something that made Lucius wryly smile as he set his hands on the material given before him.

Under the same amount of time as Bishop Reynald, actually a little faster, Lucius built the lamp artifact according to his own specifications.

"Apostle Asher…" Bishop Reynald's eyes widened.

The way that Lucius moved was fluid an not only that, the lamp artifact that he made was not only the right kind of shape but also had a great illumination.

"What do you think, Bishop Reynald? Have I performed this satisfactorily?" Lucius asked, refraining from making any outward reaction.

Bishop Reynald glanced at him in awe, barely able to hide the increasing respect that he had for the young man.

"This is… you managed to improve the lamp's illumination, Apostle Asher. This is not many would notice, especially those who are not used to making artifacts, and its buyers might not always realize the difference, but I can feel and see it somehow. How did you achieve this, Apostle Asher?"