Master Of None

The wandering blacksmith had moved away to give Walker room to move and forge. The small hammer that he was going to make was nothing compared to the large forging hammer that had just been working with. However, it might be a little more challenging in a way. The small amount of metal might cool even faster Which meant he would need to work even faster too. 

When Walker had put everything in to arms reach, he started to heat the metals in the same way. It was still a wonder how they melted like ice and absorbed in to the frost dragon scales. The cold iron ore was a great mystery in this aspect and Walker felt that the only way the wandering blacksmith had learned it was through experimentation with the metal. 

”Pull it out now.” The wandering blacksmith wasn’t even looking at Walker but his voice picked up just enough to tell Walker that it had been heated properly. 

The metal was out of the heat in an instant and Walker had added the small number of blue koi scales. He was folding and following the shaping method that he had just watched and learned. It was much smoother since the metal was in a smaller amount than the larger hammer. Walker was able to smash it flat in a few swings and found that the warmed anvil from the previous hammer made it easier. 

”Now, the ice.” The guidance was still an unknown since the wandering blacksmith was hyper focused on carving and not at all looking at Walker. However, the piece of strangely shaped ic was set in the metal and Walker began to pull it up around the ice evenly. This was a lot easier than it had appeared. 

’The skill casing has been taken from the butcher system. The skill casing has been automatically learned. 

Casing- passive 

The skill casing is a multi system skill. It is passive due to the innate knowledge that the user gains in creating a layer around another item. This can be used with metal work, wood, meat, and many other things. The common use is sausage. The user is better able to manipulate a casing to fit snugly and evenly on the desired item. This is an important skill for any making a sheath for a sword or dagger.’

Walker felt that his eyes had just opened and he was able to better shape the metal around the centennial ice. The strange hooked part of the small hammer now made more sense. It could be used to carve and pull away pieces of metal from the overall creation. Then there was the handle. The wandering blacksmith already had a metal piece for it and all Walker needed to do was hammer it in and make sure the ice was still sealed. 

The process was much faster than the large hammer. However, Walker was not sure if it would live up to the desired quality the wandering blacksmith wanted. With a slight worry and tremble, Walker placed the small carving hammer in front of the wandering blacksmith. He picked it up after a moment more of carving and examined it. 

His fingers traced the edges and the curves of the hammer. The spaces he felt were a search for the centennial ice that might be losing its mana through a crack. Or potentially finding a spot that was too thin and would break while in use. ”You pass.” The wandering blacksmith placed the hammer down and unrolled an old parchment. 

”Wait, that was a test? A test for what?” The lost feeling was increasing as Walker tried to understand why the wandering blacksmith would test him. 

”Brother, he tested you to see if you were ready to learn rune carving. He is showing you the elemental runes used in metal carving. He was given this forge and there were books about draconic runes that he will be learning and it made me wonder if you should learn runes yet. Your progress is fast enough.” Onyx had been there the entire time watching. He had made a deal with the wandering blacksmith to secretly explain every single detail while the wandering blacksmith pretended not to be paying attention. It was a part of the test that any apprentice would get. 

” I, well. I am honored that you would show me. I know that blacksmiths take years to refine their own rune designs. I hope that I can live up to any expectations you have.” The response was a simple pat to the second work stool next to the table and a flat piece of metal being placed in front of the unfurled scroll. 

There was no hesitation. Walker sat down and memorized the rune designs. They were similar to the way one would imagine the specific element. Fire was flowing but sharp whereas water was flowing and smooth. The earth rune pattern was jagged and flat while the wind was smooth and curling. These were the four basic runes. The light rune was star shaped in many ways where the darkness rune was the same without the points and instead rounded like an irritated slime. 

Walker could tell that the elemental mana was attracted to them and that they would be the key to improving items beyond their limits. The small book that was placed in front of him was worn and looked to have been held on to for many years. ”The working or runes and their relations. This looks like a very old book. I can copy it for you when we get back. I don’t want you to lose something that’s obviously important to you” The response was a slow nod as the wandering blacksmith slowly returned to his carving to let Walker read and learn about runes. This was a touching and valuable moment between blacksmiths and Walker did not say anything that might take away from the awe he was now feeling.

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