Back to grinding
After splitting with Lumine, Venti, and Paimon, I decided to take care of some immediate business. My boots instinctively led me towards the familiar, bustling entrance of the Adventurers' Guild. The fight with the Cryo Regisvine had been brutal, almost fatal, but it also promised significant rewards.
I approached Katheryne's counter, the same professional smile gracing her lips. "Ad astra abyssosque! Welcome, adventurer. How may I assist you today?"
"Hello, Katheryne," I replied, feeling a quiet satisfaction. "I've completed a commission. The one concerning the Cryo Regisvine at the Thousand Winds Temple."
Katheryne's eyebrows rose slightly, a flicker of genuine surprise in her usually composed demeanor. "Oh? You tackled a Regisvine? Alone? That's... quite the feat, even for an experienced adventurer. Did you manage to retrieve any of its core materials?"
I reached into my inventory and pulled out the glowing, crystalline fragments I had collected after its defeat. They shimmered with a cold light as I placed them on the counter. "Here are the materials."
Katheryne's eyes widened momentarily as she examined the quality of the drops. "These are excellent specimens! Truly remarkable work, Lance." She then began processing the quest.
Ding! Quest Complete: Elite Bounty - Cryo Regisvine Annihilation! You have successfully defeated the Cryo Regisvine and collected its core materials.
Rewards:
Mora +25,000Adventurer EXP +1000Adventurer Rank Up! You are now Adventurer Rank 16!Item: Frostbearer Catalyst Blueprint
Another wave of invigorating energy washed over me as the Adventurer Rank notification flashed. From Rank 15 to 16 in one go – the Regisvine was indeed a high-value target. And 25,000 Mora was a substantial sum, far more than I usually made.
"Your rewards have been processed," Katheryne stated, sliding a small pouch of Mora and a scroll towards me. "And with this accomplishment, you've advanced to Adventurer Rank 16. Congratulations, Lance. Very few adventurers manage to reach this rank so quickly, let alone by defeating a Regisvine solo. Your reputation truly precedes you now. This blueprint is also a bonus reward for your exceptional performance against such a formidable foe."
I picked up the Mora and the blueprint, feeling the tangible weight of my accomplishments. It was a good feeling, a solid step forward in this perilous world. The dangers were immense, but so were the rewards. I nodded my thanks to Katheryne and turned to leave the Adventurers' Guild, already contemplating my next move.
As I stepped out into the bustling streets of Mondstadt, a sudden, unfamiliar chime rang directly in my mind.
Ding!
A new message, distinct from a quest completion or level-up notification, materialized before my eyes.
System Notification: Observation: Current local blacksmithing capabilities (Mondstadt) are limited, primarily focusing on basic weapon enhancement and material refinement. Advanced crafting of high-tier armaments and specialized gear is largely inefficient or unavailable.Analysis: Given user's combat proficiency and access to unique materials, a self-sufficient crafting capability would significantly enhance overall effectiveness and strategic flexibility.Recommendation: Consider acquiring the Blacksmithing Skill.Note: Proficiency in Blacksmithing would allow for independent creation, repair, and customization of weaponry and armor, transcending current local limitations.
My steps faltered. A blacksmith? The system had never given me such a direct, proactive recommendation before. It was always about combat, survival, or quests. But now... it was suggesting a profession.
I thought about the limited options at the local forge, the general quality of gear I'd seen even on the Knights of Favonius. It was good, but not exceptional. My own spear and bow, while incredibly durable and sharp, hadn't really been crafted for me. They were just... there, supplied by the system. And the "Frostbearer Catalyst Blueprint" I'd just received was clearly for crafting.
The system's logic was sound. If I could forge my own gear, I wouldn't be reliant on others. I could custom-build weapons perfectly suited to my fighting style, imbue them with unique properties from the rare materials I collected, and maintain them myself. It would be a monumental undertaking, learning a completely new skill set from scratch, but the potential advantages were undeniable. It was a path to even greater self-sufficiency and power.
The system's recommendation echoed in my mind. Blacksmithing. It was a radical departure from fighting, but the logic was undeniable. If I wanted to truly maximize my potential and overcome the challenges of Teyvat, relying solely on found equipment or the limited craft of others wouldn't be enough. The Frostbearer Catalyst blueprint I held was a clear sign.
My steps, which had been leading aimlessly, now turned purposefully towards the forge. The rhythmic clang of hammer on anvil grew louder as I approached the bustling heart of Mondstadt's crafting. Smoke billowed from the chimney, and the air hummed with heat and the scent of metal.
At the forge stood a stout, bearded man with powerful arms, sweat glistening on his brow as he expertly hammered a piece of red-hot iron. This was Wagner, Mondstadt's primary blacksmith. Nearby, his apprentice, a younger man named Hertha, diligently worked a smaller anvil.
I waited until Wagner paused, wiping his brow with a grimy rag.
"Excuse me, Master Wagner?" I began, raising my voice slightly over the residual ringing in the air.
He turned, his eyes, though tired, sharp and assessing as they took in my adventurer's gear and the faint bruises I still carried. "Aye? What can I do for ya, lad? Need a weapon repaired? Or perhaps an upgrade after tangling with whatever left ya lookin' like that?" He gestured vaguely at my torn clothes.
"Actually, it's something different," I replied, meeting his gaze. "I'd like to learn from you. I want to become your apprentice."
Wagner's eyebrows shot up. He stared at me for a long moment, a mix of surprise and disbelief on his face. He clearly recognized me from my recent notoriety. "An apprentice, eh? You, the 'Shield of Mondstadt,' wanting to swing a hammer instead of a spear? That's quite a notion, lad. You're an adventurer, not a forge hand." He squinted. "You got any experience? Strong arms aren't enough; it takes patience, an eye for metal, and a good bit of grime."
I reached into my inventory, pulling out the heavy pouch of Mora I'd received from the Regisvine's defeat. I didn't need to count it out; the weight alone spoke volumes. I placed it on the counter between us, the coins clinking softly against the wood.
"Experience can be learned, Master Wagner," I said, meeting his gaze directly. "But dedication, and perhaps... a suitable apprenticeship fee, can be provided upfront."
Wagner's eyes widened, first at the sight of the substantial pouch, then at the sheer audacity of the offer. He picked it up, feeling its weight, and a low whistle escaped his lips. "Well now," he rumbled, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes. "That's a hefty sum for a beginner. Most apprentices start by paying in sweat, not gold."
He put the pouch down, a thoughtful expression on his face. He glanced at my Adventurer's Guild badge, then back at the Mora. It was clear that the money, combined with my established reputation as a capable, if reckless, adventurer, was making him seriously consider.
"Alright, lad," Wagner finally said, a gruff smile spreading across his face. "You got guts, and you got a purse that speaks louder than most words. But don't think this means you'll be idling. If you're gonna be a blacksmith, you'll work. And you'll start with the grime, just like everyone else. But I'll teach ya what I know." He held out a calloused hand. "Deal?"
I grasped his hand firmly. "Deal, Master Wagner."
Days at the Forge
The initial days at Wagner's forge were a stark contrast to the adrenaline-fueled life of an adventurer. My mornings began not with monster hunts, but with the roar of the bellows and the harsh clang of steel. I learned the fundamentals from the ground up: how to properly stoke a furnace, the subtle art of heating metal to just the right temperature, and the rhythm of the hammer.
Wagner was a demanding, but fair, teacher. He had me starting with the most basic tasks: hauling ore, shaping simple iron bars, and endlessly polishing finished goods. My adventurer's strength and stamina served me well, allowing me to endure the heat and heavy labor without complaint, earning a grudging respect from Wagner and his apprentice, Hertha.
With each swing of the hammer, each piece of metal successfully shaped, I felt a subtle shift within me, the system confirming my progress. It wasn't just physical action; it was the absorption of knowledge, the development of a new kind of instinct.
After a few days of this intense, hands-on learning, a familiar chime finally rang in my mind.
Ding! New Skill Acquired: Blacksmithing (Lv 1)!
Having acquired the foundational Blacksmithing skill, I knew I couldn't spend all my time at the forge. My role as an adventurer, and the pressing issue of Dvalin and the Abyss Order, still called. I sought out Wagner, who was already back at his anvil.
"Master Wagner, I'll be heading out for a bit to take on some Adventurers' Guild commissions," I informed him.
He grunted, not looking up from his work. "Aye, figured as much. Don't forget what I taught ya, lad. And bring back any good ore you find. A blacksmith's always got use for rare finds."
"Will do," I replied, a small smile playing on my lips.
I left the forge, the heat and clang replaced by the cool Mondstadt air and the general bustle of the city. My gear felt light and familiar as I headed towards the Adventurers' Guild. It was time to get back to what I did best – fighting.
I scanned the Quest Board, picking up a few standard commissions: clearing out a particularly troublesome Hilichurl camp, investigating some unusual elemental energy readings in a nearby valley, and gathering specific monster parts for a crafting request. My mind, now subtly informed by my nascent blacksmithing knowledge, instinctively registered the type and quality of materials listed in the quests, seeing them not just as loot, but as potential components for future creations.
With a nod to Katheryne, I stepped out of the city gates, ready to resume my life as an adventurer, now with a new, powerful skill waiting to be honed.