by Zhuang Bifan
"Damn!"
Macklin was taken aback; he hurriedly called the three guys into his tent, and after looking around and making sure that no one was eavesdropping, he lowered his voice and asked, "You boys really saw two groups of undead fighting each other?"
"Yes, it was splendid!" Mason was already talking with great rapture without waiting for Lin Li to speak. From the thousands of Skeletal Warriors to the large number of high-level undead creatures creeping from the depths of Shadowglen… this fellow always liked to exaggerate, so everything about the size of a sesame was described as a watermelon in his mouth. Besides, the war of the undead was so great in power and impetus that it sounded like the end of the world coming from him. Even someone with great experience like Macklin was taken aback by it.
"Damn, you guys are lucky…" After Macklin heard from them, he remained dazed for a long while before sighing with emotion. "Do you guys know why the undead were fighting each other?"
Mason was startled. "Could it be a crime of passion?"
"…" Macklin almost slapped Mason on the head. Crime of passion from the undead creatures? You can kill one for me to see…
"Was someone manipulating them in the dark?" Lin Li probed.
"Half right." Macklin nodded, and then went on to say, "They were not manipulated by human beings, but by two powerful undead creatures—one a level-22 Lich, and the other a level-22 Skeletal Lord. For some reasons unknown, these two creatures have been fighting for a long time since the Dark Ages. Almost every once in a while, they will start a large-scale war of the undead."
"Seriously? Two level-20 undead creatures?" Lin Li started in fright.
"Do you know how bad it was now? That's why I said that you boys were lucky enough to be involved in such a fight and still come back alive…"
The three of them broke out in a cold sweat at Macklin's words.
Mason and Orrin felt extremely thankful—luckily, they were grouped with Felic. If it hadn't been for his Petrifying Potion, they might have been captured by the group of undead creatures and presented to the two powerful undead lords as tribute.
"Alright, cut the crap. Now let's get on with business."
"What business?"
"You all have done well this time." Macklin's creepy old face revealed a rare hint of admiration. "24 mages participated in the trial, but only 13 completed it, and you boys made up three of them. Before you left, I told you that this trial was decided by the Supreme Council. That is to say… the reward for accomplishing the mission will also be issued by the Supreme Council."
"Reward?" Mason's eyes lit up at once.
"Yes, reward!" The old man was in a good mood. His disciples were rewarded by the Supreme Council; as their trial mentor, he was naturally proud of it.
"Heh heh, Mr Macklin, can you tell us in advance what kind of reward is the Supreme Council giving us?"
"No."
"Damn…"
"But I can disclose in advance the Alanna Guild of Magic's reward to you…" The old man grinned, and whispered, "Congratulations, you are free to enter and exit the Omniscient Tower for the next two months!"
"Really?" Not to mention Mason, even Orrin and Lin Li's eyes lit up at the mention of it. What kind of place was the Omniscient Tower? It was the largest library in the whole Felan Kingdom. For mages, the Omniscient Tower was an absolute treasure house of magic. The vast majority of spells circulated in Anril today could be found in it.
Moreover, every mage who had ever entered the Omniscient Tower would leave a reading note in it. To some extent, this reading note was equivalent to a mage's lifelong research experience—this was not a joking matter. No matter how incompetent a mage was, he would acquire some unique skills more or less in the decades and centuries of research. These skills were the most precious gift in the world for mages.
Moreover, which of the mages who could enter the Omniscient Tower were incompetent stuff?
For the mages of the Felan Kingdom, the Omniscient Tower was a true Holy Land of magic.
Even Lin Li couldn't help but get excited at the thought of being able to enter the Omniscient Tower.
Forget about those lost spells; those reading notes were something really precious things to him. After all, he was exposed to magic only for a short period of time. Although Andoine had laid a solid foundation for him, he had no time to master some of the more peculiar spell-casting skills. If he could enter the Omniscient Tower, his strength could at least be raised to a higher level…
Lin Li pondered, and asked with some doubt, "By the way, Mr Macklin, if we go to the Omniscient Tower to study, will we have enough time to complete the next trial mission?"
"Trial mission?" Macklin chided angrily. "What other trial missions are there? You have accomplished the mission issued by the Supreme Council. Would I possibly make you stay in the Shadowglen for another month?"
"Then…"
"There's no more trial missions." Macklin's reply was very simple this time. "In the next two months or so, you can stay at the Omniscient Tower every day to study as you await the finals, and then… You guys can go back to your guilds."
"This isn't bad…"
"Alright, we're done here. You boys, quickly pack your things and return to Alanna with me."
…
The party of four returned to the Alanna Guild of Magic after a bumpy carriage ride.
"Oh, right, Felic, wait a minute. I have something to discuss with you." Macklin stopped Lin Li after they'd entered the guild hall.
"Mr Macklin, what's the matter?"
"This…" After the old man stopped Lin Li, he stood there and rubbed his hands in embarrassment. It seemed that he didn't know how to broach the subject.
"Mr Macklin, is it about magical weapons?" Lin Li knew what the old man wished to say upon seeing the latter's expression.The old fellow had to be worried and want Lin Li to give him some assurance, but he was afraid he'd anger Lin Li with his words, so he was all shilly-shallying there, acting like a sissy…
"Yes, yes, yes…"
"Do you want me to forge one now?"
"Yes, yes, yes…" The old fellow nodded in succession.
"Sure."
Lin Li's straightforward reply was totally unexpected to Macklin, such that the old fellow stood there dazed for a long time before coming to a realization. For a moment, his smiles were all about flattery. "That's great, that's great. I knew you're honest and kind. Come, come. Let's slowly talk about it in the smithy…"
Macklin heaved a long sigh of relief when he led Lin Li out of the guild hall. To be honest, he was afraid that this kid would not agree, and even more afraid that his words would offend him. The sentence earlier on was euphemistic, but the worry was undoubtedly expressed.
Macklin had lived for a long enough time to understand that anyone who had a certain ability would inevitably have some strange temper. Especially in the field where they were good at, no one could tolerate the slightest doubt. It was like the kid in front of him—he seemed to be very easy to talk to, but Macklin knew very well that this kid had a more terrific temper than anybody else.
Luckily, the kid was understanding today…
At the thought of this, the old fellow heaved a sigh of relief.
Lin Li did not speak as he followed Macklin out of the guild hall.
He could understand Macklin's feelings. After all, it was a bet on the future of the guild; even if the old man had trust in him, it was entirely reasonable for him to be worried as well. It was not too much trouble for Lin Li if he could use a weapon to calm the old man down. Furthermore, he had just obtained two fangs and a magical crystal; he could mighty well make use of this opportunity to put them to good use…
Chapter 153 - Frostfire Sword
Aldwin had been waiting outside the smithy for a long while by the time the two had come.
The President, who had always been calm and composed, was quite different today. There was anxiety all over his aged face; his moping disposition made it re
ally hard for people to relate him with the strongest mage in Felan. At present, Alanna was pacing around anxiously with his hands behind his back. He did not look like the President of the Alanna Guild of Magic, but rather like an ant crawling on a hot pot.
It was not until Macklin and Lin Li's figures appeared at the other end of the corridor that Aldwin finally showed a somewhat relieved expression on his face.
"Sorry to trouble you, Felic." The President came forward with an apologetic smile on his face.
"It's nothing." Lin Li smiled. He was not unhappy; this concerned the future of the guild, after all. He'd most likely be like Aldwin if he were to be in the latter's position.
Anyway, there were also two Vampire fangs that needed to be studied. It'd only take him a little more time to let the two of them completely rest assured, lest both should have to worry all day long even when they were getting old. In case something went wrong one day, wouldn't he have committed a sin…?
"Uh… Felic…" Aldwin hesitated for a while, and took out something from his pocket.
It was a yellowish parchment that looked like it had been around for some years. There were still some burn marks on the corners and the edges—it looked like it was caused by spatters of sparks.
"Take a look at this and see if you have confidence in this?"
Lin Li was puzzled at first; when he took the parchment and looked at it, he realized that it was a blueprint of the Frost Shadowbane.
"Well, there should be no problem…" Lin Li scratched his head. He really didn't know how to explain it to Aldwin at that moment.
The Frost Shadowbane was the lowest-level magical weapon. Any blacksmith who had reached the higher tier of mastery did not require any blueprint to forge the Frost Shadowbane. What was more, Lin Li was someone who was at the top of the forging profession.
However, it was impossible to explain such a thing.
Anyway, Lin Li had already received the blueprint. He had no option but to hold onto it for the time being.
Seeing the strange look on Lin Li's face, Aldwin thought he was lacking in confidence, and hurriedly comforted him with a few words. "All you have to do is try your best. We still have time. Even if it's not successful, it's not a big deal…"
"I will…" Lin Li nodded, and said nothing more. He took the blueprint, and went into the smithy.
After closing the door behind him, Lin Li smoothly threw several pieces of refined iron into the furnace. Then, he opened the Ring of Endless Storm, and began to study the fangs of the two Vampires.
On the day he had obtained the fangs, Lin Li was going to set them on a dagger. After all, mages were not warriors; excessive use of metal weapons would affect the control of mana. After careful thought, the only weapon he could use for close combat was probably a dagger.
But, the battle with the Lich had changed Lin Li's mind.
When the Sun's Spike was fired, a sudden thought popped up in his mind—why not make a crossbow for himself?
Although the dagger was light and convenient, its power was really limited. He was a mage, above all, and had few opportunities to fight in close quarters. Even if the dagger was inlaid with Vampire fangs, it'd still be very difficult to exert its power. But, it would be different if it were a crossbow bolt—it was similarly light and convenient, but the power was much greater. It could be used both at a long range or a close range, and it could be used on a variety of powerful crossbows, such as the Sun and Hollow Spike that was stored in the Ring of Endless Storm…
Also…
Perhaps there were few people who were more proficient than Lin Li in shooting enemies from a long distance. Before he came to this world, he was a Super Hunter.
Lin Li threw the refined iron into the furnace; he had already outlined several designs in his mind. As a Smithing Guru, countless of crossbow blueprints had been installed in his mind. What he needed to do now was to choose a scheme from these blueprints that could give full play to the Vampire fangs.
Meanwhile, the two most important figures in the Alanna Guild of Magic were pacing back and forth restlessly like ants on a hot pan.
"Say, do you think the kid can do it?" Macklin frowned firmly such that his brows were almost coming together.
"I don't know…" The President's face was not much better than Macklin's; since breaking through the Legendary Realm, he had probably never been as nervous as today.
The Adventurers Guild had already found an Inscriber who could chart high-level mageweaths as early as six months ago. In contrast, the Alanna Guild of Magic took a full year to find Felic, their only hope. The Alanna Guild of Magic today could be said to be pushed onto the edge of a cliff.
This was a big deal. Aldwin couldn't help being nervous…
Perhaps not even Aldwin himself had imagined that, one day, he would hand over the fate of the guild to a young mage under the age of 20.
"Too young…" Aldwin shook his head in spite of himself at the thought of this.
This was the point Aldwin was worried about—Felic was simply too young.
Although Aldwin's forging level was not much, he had nevertheless done some research on this profession. He knew that forging in general was not difficult. As long as one was strong enough to pull the bellows and lift the hammer, one could forge a decent piece of equipment; but, once it came down to the field of magical equipment, it was another matter altogether.
Aldwin had studied the blueprint of the Frost Shadowbane for at least a month.
He knew very well that the blueprint of magical weapons was no simpler than a Magic Shooter-level spell; it required too much expertise. If one didn't spend a lot of time on it, one wouldn't be able to figure out the ropes.
There was no doubt that Felic was a real genius; otherwise, he would not have reached the rank of a level-13 Magic Shooter at the age of only 20.
But, even the most talented person couldn't stop the flow of time. Becoming a Blacksmith required a large amount of time. How could he have enough experience when he was in his twenties?
The President paced back and forth with his hands behind his back outside the smithy.
Felic had been inside for almost half an hour, and there wasn't any sound of hammering yet; Aldwin was really worried. Could something be wrong, seeing that there hadn't been any movement inside for such a long time…?
It happened that, at this time, Macklin had to ask with a face of apprehension, " Say, if it doesn't work…"
"…" Aldwin shot him a threatening look. This fellow just had to rub his nose in it; was he trying to make him anxious by saying such discouraging words at this point in time…?
"Dding, ddang, dding, ddang…"
At this moment, there was finally the sound of clanking coming from the forging workshop.
When the sound of iron being hit came, the two top figures in magic rushed forward almost at the same time, desperately sticking their ears to the door, hoping to recognize the forging progress through this crisp sound of clanking…
The two of them could be regarded as the top mages even in the entire Felan Kingdom. However, they were two real rookies in the field of forging. As they put their ears to the door, it was merely to console themselves, for they could not even make a thing out of it at all.
Before they could make out something, the loud clanking noise ceased, and then there was a soft sizzling…
"That's all?" Macklin remembered the sound; drawing from his half-baked forging experience, it seemed to be quenching.
"No way…" Aldwin did not believe it; he stuck his ear to the door to listen once more.
But, before he could lean his head over, the door opened with a creak.
Then, they saw Lin Li walk out of the smithy with a smile on his face.
"D-done?" Macklin opened his mouth. His wretched face was full of incredulity.
"Done." Lin Li nodded. He stretched out his hand, pointing to the anvil in the workshop.
The two men looked along the direction of Lin Li's finger, and
saw a single-handed sword lying quietly on the anvil. A faint magical wave slowly passed from the polished sword.
"Wrong…" Macklin was about to enter the door when he suddenly noticed a slight abnormality. The magical wave on the one-handed sword seemed different from what he imagined. Theoretically, ice magical element should pervade the Frost Shadowbane; how could he sense a scorching aura on this sword?
"How come… how come it's of fire magical element?"
Aldwin was confused as well. After carefully taking in the magical aura on the one-handed sword, he shook his head again. "No, no, it's not only fire magical element, but also ice magic element. Felic… what is going on? How can there be two kinds of magical elements?"
"Haha…" Lin Li scratched his head, and smiled, embarrassed. "I just suddenly remembered that I seem to have forgotten how to forge the Frost Shadowbane, and seeing that the materials were just right, I conveniently made a Frostfire Sword…"
"…' Macklin nearly banged his head on the wall upon hearing it. What did the kid just say? He seemed to say, conveniently made a Frostfire Sword?
Bloody hell… The Frostfire Sword could also be conveniently forged?
Macklin almost had a heart attack at those words.
The old man was an Archmage, at any rate. How could he not know what the Frostfire Sword was?
This was a weapon with two magical attributes—and they were fire and ice, no less. To integrate these two completely conflicting attributes into a weapon was not something as easy as one plus one equalling two. Even if they were to look all over Alanna, they might not be able to find several Blacksmiths who could forge the Frostfire Sword…
Macklin knew very well that a Blacksmith who could forge a Frostfire Sword had at least an advanced forging level, and might even approach the legendary Master of Forging!
"High-level Blacksmith…" Macklin had the sense he was going crazy just at the thought of it.
A mage with an advanced forging level—what was the difference between this and a herbivorous dragon? Oh, no… it was something rarer than a herbivore dragon. After all, the dragon could be forced into being a herbivore, but there might only be a mage with advanced forging skills in the whole of Anril, and that was Felic…
