Master of none

"You know, I spend a lot more time making potions and testing them with you than I do a lot of other things lately," Walker smirked as Remey showed him the formula ideas she had to create all elemental dispersion potions. She had pages and pages of ideas that would almost certainly work in some way, shape, or form once she created them.

"And? Alchemy is one of the best things to do with your time. Have you ever found the potions to be pointless?" The bit of sarcasm that Remey had in her tone made it clear to Walker that she didn't even see a point in him answering.

All of the potions she had made were useful.

These elemental dispersion potions could be used by the weakest person to ensure that there would be a counter to stagnant mana. Meaning that even the groups without the most advanced mana manipulators within them would have a way to handle the issues associated with mana stagnation within an area.

"I didn't say that potions weren't useful. I just wanted to make it clear that I keep ending up here with you and potions for some reason." He laughed slightly, Walker knew that this was mostly due to the rapid changes in the plants of the world.

The ways that herbs' changes had caused the herb fields to become a huge focus for many. This was due to the food that could be derived from it, the medicines, potions, and even some people's advancements in classes.

There was so much tied to them that it was hard not to find focus on them. Where the changes in materials like ores, wood, and stone were slower to appear. That didn't mean that herbs weren't also being used in these other crafting methods.

It was why a red faced group of dwarves had just burst in with the wandering blacksmith humming calmly behind them.

"They did tell you this was a dangerous explosive potion testing area? Right?" Remey wasn't angry, she was more surprised by the fact that the guards and other alchemists let these people in. The potions she was testing didn't seem overall too dangerous but she also knew they could go wrong.

The water mana dispersing potion she was about to test could be too condensed and cause ice to spread out from it. In the worst case it might even cause some ice shards to fly about before dissipating. A dangerous concept for those without prepared defenses.

"They let us in because we have these." The crafters showed off boxes in hand with strangely cracked gems. The wandering blacksmith was just humming confidently waiting. He knew that Walker would be captured by curiosity to test this as well.

"I guess you aren't the only one that tried to fix the mana stagnation problem. You chose to utilize other manas to push out or balance a dense stagnant mana. They decided to absorb and condense those manas to force other manas to flow in to an empty spot where mana had been before being absorbed. Both are great theories."

The reason Walker said this was because he had just used the all around appraisal on what many would believe to be damaged mana gems. Gems that should be inlaid in to equipment, armor, or even tools.

The frosty or foggy collection of these mana gems was what set them apart, other than the cracks that seemed like broken ice. They were ice in any form though, they were through and through mana gems. But they had a vastly different purpose.

'Gluttonous mana gem

This is a mana gem made with an absence of mana within. Due to the mana in the gem being forced out during the molding and shaping process, it has caused the gem to become less clear and even cracked. This does not affect the structure.

When exposed to a mana dense environment in tune with the affinity of the gem, it will rapidly absorb the mana until it is full. Depending on the quality, it can absorb purer or denser manas over longer periods of time.

This reaction can be somewhat dramatic causing the manas around to shift rapidly for a short time. The mana trapped within the gem can be extracted through careful forging and used in other crafting needs. It can not be set within any equipment due to the fact that it only absorbs mana and does not release mana unless being reforged entirely which will break the mana gem as it is…'

He could have delved in to the additional information about the mana expelling process to create the gluttonous mana gems, however, he didn't have to worry about it too much. Walker would love to learn the process of making it so he could compare the crafting of normal mana gems to these gluttonous mana gems. Their properties were so different and they used the same materials, yet they had vastly different end results.

This could be said for many great breakthroughs. The report changes in many things came due to small mistakes or the tiniest curiosity in a known and trusted process. It was wonder filled amazement when a new reaction occurred.

"So, how did everyone make these?" Walker glanced at the wandering blacksmith who had the smallest of smirks on his face.

"An apprentice wanted to remove water mana from one of the materials he was using to make an alternative mana gem for a spirit race's centurion golem, when he failed one of the shards were foggy and absorbed the dispersed water mana. We all saw it and had no idea what had gone wrong."

A younger dwarf was standing behind the other blacksmiths a little and seemed somewhat nervous. He barely had calluses on his hands or the tougher heat trained skin that most blacksmiths possessed. He was novice of novices but he'd made a perfect mistake that brought him in to a mess of advanced crafting methods and new testing.

It was a hell of a way to start a smithing career.

"I take it all of you are planning to take him as an apprentice then?" He saw all of the blacksmiths begin to open their mouths to speak.

"He will train with everyone here and become an expert in these gems so he can teach others." The wandering blacksmith had used the rare and few words he spoke to make it clear that this young smith would become the core of this method and item creation.

Walker shared a knowing look with the wandering blacksmith. Not only had he secured a career for the young apprentice he had ensured that he would be able to learn a lot more.

This wasn't considering the fact that these gluttonous mana gems would be valuable for years to come. Mana might stagnate permanently in the world. It could happen anywhere as the world and elemental planes developed. This would not be a problem erased forever. Whenever it appeared Remey's potions and the gluttonous mana gems would be needed.

"Remey, we will skip to the next test then. And you, will test the first gem once Remey has thrown that potion." Walker pointed to the apprentice and had him take the mana gem out of a box. It was already starting to pull at mana but he saw the gloves each blacksmith wore before touching the gem repelled mana too. Specifically water mana which was the next test.

"Everyone take cover!"

Remey shouted out before throwing the blue tinted potion in to the center of a reinforced flat and open area. The water mana burst out but caused various ice spikes to form making the area dangerous and cold without causing the mana to spread outward as much.

"Now the gem boy!" One of the blacksmiths shouted in hurry causing the apprentice to throw the gem with a slightly startled jerk.

When the gem crashed in to the ice, there was a cracking sound as water mana was violently dragged in to the gem. This violent reaction made the wind mana around pull in as well to fill the space where the water mana which had formed in to ice was rapidly disappearing.

However, the gem stopped and cracked releasing the mana in a secondary burst. It had collected more mana than it could hold proving that some better materials were needed or more gluttonous mana gems to balance the stress.

"That was pretty great. Remey, you were right about ice shards or other dangerous reactions. I think if you used those frosted oak leaves it might calm it. And that gluttonous mana gem did well but it needs refinement or we just need more of them."

There was a lot of confidence in Walker's tone. This was better than he imagined. Everyone working here had coordinated and begun a great alternative to forcing more mages to live around and handle the mana dense areas where stagnation would be a problem.

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