[Sakyo] Alright, got the rewards for the three quests.
[Garm] Congratulations.
[Sakyo] You sure you're ok walking with that cane?
[Garm] Yes, it is a big improvement from the large stick I was given when I first lost my leg, although it is a bit difficult to stand for too long.
[Sakyo] Then I'm sure you'll like our next stop. We're going to get you a new leg.
[Garm] Are you sure? I do not mind waiting a bit longer for one.
[Sakyo] Yeah, I've got a few ideas I want to run by Thrain. Besides, I'd rather trust a pro with the measurements. You remember how he fixed up your leg whenever it needed some refinement.
[Garm] Yes, Sir Thrain is quite good at taking care with fine details.
[Sakyo] Plus I want Sylvar to help add a few enchantments that I think would work well for you.
They make their way to the Arcane Atelier shop, talking a bit on the way. Garm's curiosity gets the better of him and he can't help asking something that's been bothering him since morning.
[Garm] Master, if you do not mind me asking, why did you run outside in your sleepwear earlier?
[Sakyo] Um, that was a series of events that led to me needing to escape before I was devoured. (Not to mention I said some pretty embarrassing stuff. "Be careful, I might end up losing control on you." What was I thinking saying that?)
[Garm] Um, should I ask?
[Sakyo] Let's just say I may need to go on dates more often with Naja.
[Garm] Oh... Ohhh. That is what you mean by "devoured." I suppose her instincts are reaching their limit. She is at the age where most females in our former pack would begin mating.
[Sakyo] I'm just lucky Ren held her back for me, but I'm almost scared to go back.
[Garm] I do not see why that is a problem though. Would it not be good for you to grow your line by making offspring?
[Sakyo] I'm not even an adult yet. I'd at least like to get there before I start thinking about kids. (I mean, Naja is basically the same age I was in my last life, and Ren is roughly two years younger. It's not that I don't want to do that with them eventually, but I'd rather wait until we're all officially adults before moving to that step.)
[Garm] Still, I do not believe it would cause any harm in practicing for that day.
[Sakyo] Garm, let's stop talking about this.
[Garm] Very well.
The rest of their walk is spent in awkward silence. It feels like an eternity before they finally reach the arcane crafter's shop.
[Thrain] Welcome. Hey, kiddo. It's been awhile.
[Sakyo] Yeah, how've you been?
[Thrain] Eh, can't complain. Business has been a bit slow lately, but we're still hanging in there. Sylvar's in the back working on some new boots. Anyway, what brings you two by?
[Sakyo] I was hoping you could make Garm a new leg. His old one got burnt up on our last mission.
[Thrain] Sure thing. You thinking wood again, or maybe you're looking for a little upgrade?
[Sakyo] Actually, I'd like to use these.
Sakyo pulls put the wyvern teeth the old man let him keep. Seeing them, Thrain practically spits out his entire drink all over the floor.
[Thrain] Wyvern teeth?! Where'd you get these?!
[Sakyo] Um... (Are they really that rare?) ...We just got lucky to get a few. Can you use these to make him a new leg?
[Thrain] Of course! I can make him a new leg easily with such amazing materials!
Thrain's booming voice interupts Sylvar's concentration, causing him to come out to see what the comotion is.
[Sylvar] What's all the shouting for? I could hear you all the way in the back.
[Thrain] Look who decided to pay us a visit, and look at what he brought.
[Sylvar] Wyvern teeth?! How'd you get your hands on these?
[Sakyo] Not important, but I was hoping you'd be able to help me make an enchantment for once its done.
[Sylvar] I've taught you a lot about enchantments. You should be able to apply any one you want to it.
[Sakyo] Maybe, but I'd feel better with you watching my work.
[Sylvar] If you say so. Come out back. I just finished up a custom order.
They go to Sylvar's work desk in the back room. Once inside, Sakyo pulls out one of the half full magic stone from his band.
[Sylvar] You looking to enchant a magic stone?
[Sakyo] Yeah, I had this idea for one that's not completely full yet. What if I could get it to absorb the elements made from mana within a certain range?
[Sylvar] Interesting idea, but there's no one enchantment that can do that. You'll have to layer multiple on top of each other in the right order. Absorption, compression, storage, and release. Not to mention you'll need to add a limit to how much it can absorb. Otherwise the stone could get overloaded and explode.
[Sakyo] That's why I wanted you here. I wouldn't have been able to think of so many steps to such a simple action.
[Sylvar] I've been an enchanter since before your grandparents were born. Trust me, there's no one better at what I do.
[Sakyo] Then let's get started.
Sylvar closes the door, ensuring no distractions can enter the room while Sakyo works. He stands at his side, watching Sakyo begin the enchantment.
[Sakyo] (First, I'll set the limitations for what should be absorbed. It doesn't need to have a lower limit, but I should set an upper limit, so it doesn't get overloaded. I don't want it like my bands, absorbing the user's mana. Instead, I'll limit it to the seven elements made from mana. Normally, this wouldn't work since anyone who tries using magic would have their own absorbed as soon as they fire an attack, but Garm can't use magic to begin with, so he won't have to worry about that.)
The mana stone gives off a faint glow as the first enchantment is complete.
[Sakyo] (phew) (With this, Garm should be able to absorb mana up to mid-tier magic. Since it absorbs the mana from attacks, he won't have to worry about attack magic since the power source is being cut off. Next, absorption. This one should be the easiest. Most of the limitations are already set, so I just need to add the same enchantment Sylvar put on my bands.)
The stone glows even brighter as the second enchantment is set.
[Sylvar] Nice work.
[Sakyo] (Alright, on to compression. Hmm... If I wire the mana flow like this, it should automatically compress the mana to allow for more storage. Magic levels go from low, mid, advanced, high, and master level. With mana compression added, this could increase the storage from mid level to advanced tier magic.)
Third enchantment is complete.
[Sylvar] Two more to go. Stay focused.
Sakyo doesn't even hear Sylvar's voice. He's too concentrated to be aware of anything around him right now.
[Sakyo] (Storage is next. The stone can store raw mana, but the tricky part is gonna be storing the elements that were already converted. Maybe if I wire the mana flow to act like a gravitational field for the element absorbed, I won't need to worry about that.)
Fourth enchantment, complete.
[Sylvar] One more...
[Sakyo] (Success! Now the raw mana will be stored while the elements will be layered over the rest of the armor. Finally, release. Hmm... This might be tricky. Garm's never used magic, so he won't know how to fire it. A timer? No, it could go off too early, or too late... Impact! That's it! An impact that exceeds a certain amount of force could be used to signal the moment of release!)
Fifth enchantment, complete. All steps of enchanting the mana stone are finally finished. Sakyo puts the finishing touches on the layered enchantments before applying them directly to the mana stone.
[Sakyo] Success!
[Sylvar] Nice work. I told you you wouldn't need me. With all my knowledge added onto your own curiosity, you've already got everything you need to be a master enchanter.
[Sakyo] I'm glad you think so, but I still have a lot to learn.
[Sylvar] If you say so. I think it's time we get out of here. We've already made those two wait for the past three hours.
[Sakyo] Three hours!?
[Sylvar] You were so deep in concentration. I didn't want to bother you.
Sylvar opens the door to find Thrain in deep concentration, making a detailed sketch of Garm's new leg.
[Garm] Master, did you finish your enchantment?
[Sakyo] Yeah, how's it going out here?
[Garm] Sir Thrain has been drawing blueprints for my new leg, though I still have yet to see any blue paper.
[Sakyo] That doesn't mean... forget it. Let's take a look.
Sakyo tries to take a step closer, but Thrain jumps up with excitement, making him jump back with surprise.
[Thrain] I HAVE DONE IT!
[Sylvar] Sorry, I should've warned you. Once he gets excited about a project like that, he won't let anything get in his way. Last time I had to remind him to eat after he locked himself in his workshop for two days.
[Thrain] Alright Garm-boy, I've finally got the design for your new leg finished. Take a look.
He lays out his blueprints, detailed sketches of Garm's new leg. It looks almost identical to his normal leg, but without his fur. The shape of the paw. The dimensions of every curve. Everything about this new leg shows just how passionate he is about making a perfect new prosthetic for Garm.
[Sakyo] This looks amazing.
[Garm] Indeed, it would almost certainly feel as if I never lost my leg. If you do not mind me asking, how long will you need to work on it?
[Thrain] If I work without rest, I can get it done in three day- Ack!
His excited declaration is cut short by Sylvar's fist bonking him atop his head.
[Sylvar] He'll have it done in about a week.
[Thrain] No, I can get it done sooner!
[Sylvar] Need I remind you of the last time you threw yourself into a project like this. You went weeks without going to the bath house! I only just got the stench of your sweat out of those sheets!
[Thrain] (pout) Fine.
Sakyo let's out a small chuckle at such a childish pout coming from such a grown man.
[Sakyo] (I guess Sylvar's the one who wears the pants in their relationship.)