Woodworking Skill

"I don't think it's that bad of a skill to have. After all, having incantations is a way to build up the spell's power while catching the attention and shock of your enemy. Different combat styles fit different battlefields, so don't force yourself to stick to only one."

"Be versatile. Learn to master different combat techniques to sway your opponent at the right time. Although, I don't know how your plan against the Iron Canine will be if you fail in the first round. Even I don't have any advice about that guy," added Raiyen.

The Time Mage has got the point. The first move would be the only deciding chance I've got. It either makes it or breaks my spine. If I allowed the Iron Canine to strike before me, I might be done unless I use the Orders again to unlock the next stage. I might not have enough to do so, looking at my-

Hang on a minute... Vania, why didn't you tell me that I've gone four levels up?!

"Notice. I didn't think to mention it out loud since you should have seen it for yourself on your interface. However, you are correct; since you've defeated the Storm Beast, you've increased all Elemental Bars by 60%, which means you can use at least three Orders before blacking out."

Well, I could have done so much with that revelation... Anyways, it looks like I can use up more moves of my Orfinal Spell without shutting down halfway through the battle. However, what happens if the Iron Canine gets me to use everything at once?

I still have to find a way to fight Fabian Brookes.

"Lizzie? Are you worried about facing the Mad Hound?" asked Tomoe, trying to pull me back into reality.

Crap... I must've spaced out during the conversation earlier.

"I have second thoughts about it, but it should be fine. The problem is that I can't make weaponry without metal since I haven't unlocked the specific Skill yet."

"Avarice is a skill that your blade uses to consume items or materials and break them down into your Elemental Arsenal, right?" asked Bryan, suddenly popping into the chat.

Or was he already part of it? Man... I need to get my thoughts together.

"Yes, that's the properties of Avarice... Why?"

"Well, Tomoe has got something that you can use Avarice on to get that Skill... It's a special weapon created using the Woodworking Skill," explained Bryan, glancing at Tomoe.

All eyes were on Tomoe as the Kitsune pretended to whistle. Note to self; fox spirits are super lousy at whistling.

"How did you get a Woodworking Skill when your Element is Fire? And I don't have it either so where d'ya get it?" asked the Time Mage, raising an eyebrow.

"I went on quests... A lot of them when you kicked me out. Let's say that I gained a whole bunch of skills when I stopped all communications with the main group," explained Tomoe, refusing to look us in the eye.

"Does Mav know about these escapades?"

"I hope not, and I'm not letting you tell the Valkyrie either. However, the Woodworking Skill isn't easy to get since the requirements are to venture off to the forests of Albion and hack a tree planted by a Dryad."

"Then, using the tree's wood to make any weapon, the Woodworking Skill will be given by the Dryad. The only problem is to convince the Dryad why you are so desperate to make a weapon out of wood. She'll give you various reasons not to use your wood, but you must stand firm."

"They use their innocent-looking faces to convince them to stop hacking their tree. Do what I did and use their innocence against them."

"So how'd you managed to convince the Dryad?" asked Bryan curiously.

"Well, I just said that I needed it so I can make toys for children. The trick is to let the Dryad know your ultimate goal, using the weapon carving as an excuse to be a block to the end goal, which is gaining the Woodworking Skill."

"Oi, when did your heart become pure enough to think of children?! The last time I checked, you tried tricking a few human boys into playing in the swamps with alligators in there!" protested Raiyen, whacking Tomoe's head.

"Ow! I didn't specify which group of children! It was Albion's Town Orphanage's children and Mavislin herself. I held a soup kitchen at that Domain, and a child wanted a toy that could become a structure like towers or houses."

"So I peered into your memories and found something called LEGO building blocks, but I had no clue how to make it. I then simplified it to use wood and went on to find the Skill for it," explained Tomoe, sticking his tongue out at Raiyen.