Iji took his massive anvil and forge from the cart one by one and set them up in the square.
He then lit the fire in the furnace.
The flames roared to life, radiating an intense heat unlike that of any ordinary fire.
Bai Shi wondered to himself if this could be the flame of the giants.
He quickly shook his head.
No, it was probably just another type of flame different from a normal one.
Although it was highly likely that Iji was a giant who had survived the War against the Giants, his cautious nature meant he would never carelessly use the Giants' Flame, which could expose his identity.
In the game, if you had progressed Ranni's questline before the Radahn Festival, Castellan Jerren would tell the player: "Iji, he’s a strange one, that giant. Shrunk himself down, so he’s not at all comfortable. And he’s a right old chatterbox, to boot."
In other words, Iji's true form was a giant. He had merely used some method to survive the war and change his appearance to that of a troll.
This special flame was probably something akin to Lion's Fire—a type of flame different from the norm, but not the flame of the giants.Iji's voice interrupted Bai Shi's thoughts.
"So, where are the materials for the equipment? While the furnace heats up, I'll take a look at them first to decide on the specific forging process."
Having finished his preparations, Iji turned to ask Bai Shi.
Bai Shi immediately ordered a Storm Knight to inform the storeroom where the dragon materials were kept and have them brought over.
Soon, the massive dragon hide and bones were carried over, along with a large quantity of gold.
Iji picked up the dragon hide and spread it out as much as possible, examining it meticulously.
Against his massive frame, the hide no longer seemed so enormous.
The quality of the hide was excellent, and even Iji couldn't help but praise it.
"This is the hide of a very powerful, long-matured dragon. The scales are remarkably intact, and its large size is a great advantage. It gives me more leeway during forging, and there will be plenty left over."
"It hasn't been affected by any other elements. It's a very fine dragon hide."
Bai Shi noticed something in his words.
"Is it important that it hasn't been affected by other factors?"
In the game, creatures like flying dragons were often associated with other attributes, be it ice, rot, or magic.
Iji nodded.
"Although flying dragons descend from the ancient dragons, who have scales of stone and are unchanging, they are completely different from their ancestors. Not only have they not inherited that unchanging nature, but on the contrary, they are easily influenced by their surroundings."
"Perhaps as compensation for losing their stone scales, flying dragons can quickly adapt to the environment of their region, drawing power from it to strengthen themselves."
"For instance, a flying dragon living in the lakes region, having devoured countless sorcerers, can breathe magical dragonfire."
"If we were using the hides and scales of such dragons, they would carry other attributes, making them more suitable as materials for weapons."
"But as defensive material, they are unsuitable. In a way, they have been corrupted by their local environment. Not only is their defensive power unbalanced, but they might even bring negative effects to the equipment's owner."
So that was it. Bai Shi roughly understood.
It was like the flying dragon Ekzykes in Caelid, which was afflicted by the Scarlet Rot. A weapon made from its materials would probably inflict Scarlet Rot.
But if it were made into armor, wearing it would likely subject one to the constant affliction and damage of the Scarlet Rot.
He imagined the scene, and it would probably feel like having ants crawling all over his body.
In that case, materials from such dragons were better suited for forging weapons, like the Frozen Hatchet found in a chest in Liurnia, which was forged from the scales of the ice dragon Borealis.
"How long will it take to forge this set of armor?"
Iji thought for a moment but couldn't give an exact number.
"I can't be sure at the moment, but it will definitely be within three days. I am quite confident in my forging speed."
"As for the specific time, I'll need to take your measurements first. Please show me your enlarged form."
Bai Shi removed his other clothes, leaving only a loose loincloth, then activated his Great Rune to increase his size.
After the base fragments that made up his Rune Arc had become more complete, Bai Shi's body could now grow even larger.
Iji measured Bai Shi's body, taking special note of his proportions.
The exact dimensions were less critical, as Bai Shi had mentioned that his form might grow even larger in the future.
Soon, referencing the diagrams, Iji finalized the design concept for the armor.
In Iji's design, the golden crown, golden chestplate, and golden gauntlets would all be crafted using the technique that imbued inanimate objects with life, allowing them to grow in size along with the wearer.
The dragon scales, however, would be forged using a different approach.
Since the dragon hide was very large, it offered a great deal of room for manipulation.
Iji decided to focus on treating the hide itself, leaving the size of the scales unchanged.
In the smaller form, the scales would be layered. What looked like a single scale on the surface might have three or four scales stacked and fused beneath it.
When the body enlarged and the armor fully expanded, through Iji's technique, the layered scales would separate and spread out along with the hide, covering the entire body and ensuring there were no gaps left exposed.
Although treating each scale individually was very troublesome, it was not an issue. He could also take the opportunity to reinforce the scales with magic during the process.
Iji explained this design concept to Bai Shi, asking for his opinion.
In truth, what opinion could Bai Shi have?
He knew nothing about armor forging. All he could say was that Iji's design sounded excellent to him.
Having received Bai Shi's approval, Iji began to forge.
In Bai Shi's past life, this kind of craftsmanship was something men of all ages would stop and watch, a veritable "man's speed bump."
Bai Shi observed for a while, then left with a sense of satisfaction.
Though he wanted to keep watching, he couldn't stay there indefinitely. Other matters awaited him.
Now that he had a certain foundation in magic, it was time to visit Sorceress Sellen at the Waypoint Ruins.
After slaying the dragon, he hadn't even had a decent set of clothes, so he had avoided the nearby Waypoint Ruins.
The meeting with Ranni had been an exception. Who could have predicted she would arrive so quickly?
If possible, Bai Shi certainly didn't want to converse with people while poorly dressed every day.
Bai Shi returned to his normal size and put his clothes back on.
He pulled a Carian Glintstone Staff from Iji's cart, weighed it in his hand—it was a bit light. He then picked up a Glintblade Staff, only to find it even lighter.
After some thought, Bai Shi decided on the Glintstone Staff.
He then had the Storm Knights summon people to move the remaining items to the storeroom, while the prayerbooks and sorceries were to be placed in his and Sorcerer Thops's classroom.
Apart from the Carian sorceries, the rest were fairly common academy spells, which he presumed Sellen would already know. He would leave these for Thops to study, hoping they would help him develop his Force spell sooner.
Melina led Bai Shi to a Site of Grace near Agheel Lake.
From there, he could quickly reach the Waypoint Ruins where he had arranged to meet Sellen.
Bai Shi mounted Torrent and rode toward the appointed location.
Along the way, the soldiers on patrol all stopped to salute him upon seeing him. Many of them did not recognize Bai Shi's face—after all, not everyone had seen him during the coronation—but they recognized Torrent. His appearance was unique in the Lands Between.
Soon, Bai Shi arrived at the Waypoint Ruins.
The ruins had long been abandoned, but their scale was considerable, suggesting they had once been an important stop on the road connecting Stormveil to other regions.
Now, the site was overrun by numerous Miranda Flowers. Seeing Bai Shi approach, they began to stir their roots, squirming toward him while spewing clouds of dark green poison pollen.
Bai Shi used the wind to blow all the poison pollen away, then increased the storm's intensity, sending the flowers' petals and pistils scattering into the air.
Soon, the Miranda Flowers ceased their attack, trembling and prostrating themselves before Bai Shi in a plea for mercy.
The Miranda Flowers displayed a considerable level of intelligence, so Bai Shi decided to spare them, figuring they could be left to guard the gate for Sellen.
While dealing with the flowers, Bai Shi also pondered whether he should have the waypoint stations throughout the lands renovated in the future.
After all, his Tarnished would eventually be spread throughout Stormveil and even the entire Lands Between.
Not all Tarnished could teleport via Sites of Grace; most couldn't even see them.
If he repaired the waypoint stations and the like, it would likely be much more convenient for transporting supplies and moving troops.
Bai Shi silently made a mental note of these things, planning to entrust them all to Lanslet before heading to Caelid.
Speaking of Lanslet, Bai Shi couldn't help but feel a slight headache. Though the man was excellent in other respects, his personal life was a bit...
The man turned out to be a playboy. He was already involved with several Tarnished women, calling it true love and claiming he wanted to give them warmth and care.
However, that was his private affair. As long as he did his job well, Bai Shi wouldn't interfere.
And the man truly did his job well.
He was managing practically all the affairs, large and small, in Stormveil. After all, not only was Bai Shi often away now, but he might be gone for long periods in the future.
He walked down into the ruins, where there was an underground cellar.
In the game, a Mad Pumpkin Head guarded Sellen's room, but there was none here now.
After lighting the Site of Grace in the cellar, Bai Shi walked to the door and opened it.
As the door opened, he was greeted by the sight of a room filled with glintstone crystals, which emitted a soft glow.
The rest of the room was overflowing with books, so much so that the shelves couldn't hold them all, and they were stacked in thick piles on the floor.
Sellen, wearing her Witch's Glintstone Crown, sat at a desk.
The desk was laden with numerous scrolls and books, and she was currently flipping through them.
Sellen looked up at Bai Shi.
Bai Shi spoke first.
"It's me, the one who freed you from your prison. We agreed that I would come to you to learn sorcery."
Hearing Bai Shi's voice, Sellen recognized him.
Although Bai Shi was not wearing his Storm Knight armor this time, his voice hadn't changed.
Besides, this place was well hidden, and the outside was swarming with Miranda Flowers that most people would avoid. A normal person would not come here.
The only person who would come here was likely the one with whom she had made the agreement.
"Oh, it's you."
"I apologize for the wait."
Bai Shi felt a bit guilty. He had promised to become her student long ago, yet he was only just now arriving.
"No matter. I haven't been here long myself. After I was revived in a new body, there were many things to attend to."
"For a sorcerer like me, this amount of time is nothing at all."
Bai Shi continued:
"Well, in that case, I am now your student. Master."
"Is there an apprenticeship ceremony?"
Hearing Bai Shi's words, Sellen rested her chin on her hand.
"Though we agreed long ago, before you formally become my student, I must ask you again."
"I am a sorcerer who was expelled from the academy and deemed a heretic for exploring the primeval current of sorcery. A true witch. As the one who freed me from that dungeon, you should know that what I say is true."
"One should be careful in choosing a master. It is possible my existence will bring you nothing but ruin."
"You still have a chance to reconsider. Once you truly begin your studies with me, there will be no turning back."
How could Bai Shi possibly reconsider?
"I have no regrets."
Sellen was merely worried that her status would implicate him. After all, if the people from the academy had the chance, they would surely destroy anyone associated with her.
But what could those sorcerers from the academy do to Bai Shi?
Though Bai Shi was but a toddler in the ways of sorcery, as a warrior, he was a veritable lion.
Seeing that Bai Shi's mind was made up, Sellen no longer tried to dissuade him.
"Since you insist, then I shall take you as my apprentice and teach you glintstone sorcery."
"Remember, your master's name is Sellen."
"But be warned, my teaching methods are far from gentle. I am very strict, you know."
Speaking of which, it seemed Bai Shi had not yet told Sellen his name.
"I am Bai Shi, a student honored to learn sorcery under you, Master."
Sellen chuckled softly, committing the name to memory, then extended her palm, gesturing for Bai Shi to place his hand on top of it.
"Place your hand on mine. Let me first see your aptitude for sorcery."
"But don't worry. Even if your talent is lacking, I will teach you well. It will just take a bit more time."
Bai Shi looked at Sellen's smiling witch crown and placed his hand on hers.
Although Sellen claimed to be very strict, he couldn't help but feel that she was actually a very gentle person.
"Well, well. This is quite something."
Sellen was somewhat surprised.
"Your talent for sorcery is much greater than I anticipated."
Judging by Bai Shi's warrior-like appearance, Sellen had been prepared to spend a great deal of time teaching him.
But she hadn't expected his aptitude for sorcery to be so high.
Bai Shi smiled.
"It seems I won't bring shame to your teachings, Master."