7 Crafting Bonds of Truth
I was pooped, and it was nice. My built up stats had let me work longer than I should be able to, and I was not only able to bring my Blacksmithing up to level 7, but I also gained a bunch of new skills. They leveled, and I even gained another level making my stats just start to look wrong from all the boost I was getting from each skill level.
| Name: Gideon Von Alphonse Rose Vienerstien | HP: 440/440| MP: 130/130|
| Class: Master Craftsman | Level: 3 | Exp: 150/300 |
| Title: Juvenile Gambler (+5 luck) |
| Additional Title: Returned Son |
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| Strength: 51 |
| Dexterity: 30 |
| Constitution: 44 |
| Intelligence: 13 |
| Wisdom: 37 |
| Charisma: 4 |
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| Class Abilities: |
| Craftsmen Knowledge: Learn any crafting skill from interacting with the Craft. |
| Tools Are My Trade: Gain skills and proficiency with skills that are connected to Skills you already have. |
| I Am Craftsman: Instead of receiving stats from leveling this class, all bonus's come from leveling Skills. |
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| Skills: |
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Combat Skills:
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| Swordplay (Beginner): Level 2 | +1 Dex, +1 Str per level
| Dagger Proficiency (Beginner): Level 3 | +1 Dex per level
Crafting Skills:
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| Blacksmithing (Beginner): Level 7 | +2 Str, +1 Con per level
| Cooking (Beginner): Level 2 | +1 Wis, +2 Con per level
| Construction (Beginner): Level 4 | +2 Str, +1 Con, +1 Dex per level
| Masonry (Beginner): Level 5 | +2 Str, +1 Con per level
| Woodworking (Beginner): Level 7 | +1 Wis, +1 Dex per level
| Metal Casting (Beginner): Level 2 | +1 Con, +2 Int per level
| Instrument Crafting (Beginner): Level 2 | +1 Dex, +2 Cha per level
| Enchanting (Beginner): Level 2 | +1 Int per level
| Glass Making (Beginner): Level 1 | +2 Dex per level
| Clay Works (Beginner): Level 1 | +1 Con, +1 Dex per level
Survival Skills:
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| Survival (Beginner): Level 1 | +2 Con, +1 Tenacity per level
| Sailing (Beginner): Level 1 | +1 Dex, +1 Int per level
| Fishing (Beginner): Level 2 | +1 Luck per level
Knowledge Skills:
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| Appraisal (Beginner): Level 2 | +2 Int per level
Utility Skills:
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| Storage Magic (Beginner): Level 1 | +1 Int, +1 Wis per level
| Mining (Beginner): Level 2 | +2 Str, +1 Con per level
Facing the onslaught of skills and the influx of knowledge that came with them wasn't easy, and the chaos caused a few messed up nights, where I would accidentally use up all my MP and then faint on the spot.
However, it was exhilarating, and the surge of new power was a welcome change. With each new skill and level, I was one step closer to becoming a more formidable and versatile asset in this world. Waiting for me, of course, was Princess Marcella and her icy stare - a hurdle I couldn't just ignore.
Her interest in music seemed the only lead I had. My thoughts swirled around ideas of enchanting music boxes, crafting personal jewelry, and even creating a new musical instrument. However, each idea seemed too ordinary, too mundane to break the ice. I felt like I needed something more unique, something she could connect with. I could craft her something, but what?
I headed back to my room, but when I got there, Marcella was waiting for me at the door. She wore an aggressive scowl on her face with the icy glare to match one she noticed me. That was the moment that I remembered that I was filthy. This was sure to go over well. Like hell freezing over.
I tried to say something but the words were stuck in my throat. I was supposed to be the older one here but why did it feel like a mouse facing a cat? Marcella folded her arms, her gaze scanning me from head to toe.
"You stink, Gideon," she crinkled her nose, folding her arms across her chest.
"I've been working," I managed to retort, suppressing the fear her icy glare stirred. "You're welcome to cast a cleaning spell if you'd like."
Her eyes narrowed, but then she turned up her nose at me. "Why would I do that for the son of the monster that killed the man I was supposed to marry? Not some dirty child!"
I sighed, but I really didn't expect much from this exchange. She was right after all and I actually understood how shy must feel. Still, better to clean the milk up, rather than cry about it.
"Listen. My father hates me, and I had no idea that he did that until after it was done, and I was told at the same time I was to marry you," I explained, trying to keep my head calm, and not let the real me slip out, but she was having none of it as she stepped toward me.
Surprisingly, she marched right up to me, the sudden move causing me to instinctively step back. Looking up at me, her brows furrowed. "I am not here to ease up things for you. You are the son of that tyrant, the reason why I am getting married at such a young age to someone who does not even care to consider how this arranged marriage feels like. I am not here to dry your tears, Gideon. You better remember that."
Alright. I tried. Really. "Listen here, you little fucking witch," I growled, and she stepped back like I slapped her. "I don't like this, and if I could get out of this farce of a marriage, I would. Do you really think that I want to fucking wait around till you are over thirty to have sex with you? A person that doesn't even like me?" I asked, and then snorted, and walked past her, opening my door. "Fuck off."
I slammed the door and went over and slammed my small hand down on the coffee table in frustration. The table shattered, and I got some splinters in my hand, but when I pulled them out, the marks healed. I sat down on the couch, and let out a long sigh, but then I heard crying coming from outside my door.
"OH, you have got to be shitting me," I growled. The audacity of this bitch after waiting here just to insult me. Now she is just going to shed crocodile tears in front of my door to make me look bad!
"Why are you still here crying?" I asked when I opened the door to find her a mess on the ground. I might have been a little wee tiny bit harsh, but only a little.
"I was supposed to invite you t-to d-d-dinner!"
My heart squeezed at the sight of her sobbing, her frail body shaking with each whimper that escaped her lips. I didn't know what to feel - guilt? Frustration? Or just sheer bewilderment at the absurdity of the situation.
"Do...Do you want to come in and talk about it?" I asked, genuinely thrown off by her breaking down in front of my door. The fear I earlier felt towards her was replaced by concern, and despite my annoyance, I couldn't help but feel for her.
She gave a small nod through her tears before slowly standing up and walking in. I closed the door behind her and hesitated for a moment, not really sure what else to do.
Giving her a moment to compose herself, I moved to get some water. "Here," I handed her a glass, her fingers trembling as she took it from me.
Several sips later, her tears had dried up, and she was looking less distraught. She stared into her half empty glass in silence, her icy glare replaced with a look of vulnerability. Then her eye fell on the obliterated coffee table. "Did you do that with your bare hand?"
"Uh... yeah," I mumbled, caught off guard by the unexpected question. "I lost my temper a bit earlier. My skills have grown quite a bit recently, and well... this was the unfortunate result."
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| Gain the skill Smooth Talker(Beginner) Lv.1 | This skill has become Lv.2 | +10 to Charisma |
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Oh, what is this looney tunes bullshit? Smoother talker? Is that really a craft?! How did I even get a level with that response?!
Leaving all my inwardly babbling thoughts on my newfound skill behind, I sat down opposite to her. "So, you want to talk about stuff?" I gently offered, leaving it open-ended for her to pick the topic.
"I thought men are meant to be more understanding and patient, setting aside their ego," Marcella remarked, almost to herself.
"I'm not most men, princess," I replied, sincerely.
After a long moment of silence, she released a deep breath, her composed demeanor cracking for a moment. "Gideon..." She started. "I don't know if we can get along. But living in bitterness won't be helpful for any of us. We don't need to be affectionate. We only need to show respect to each other."
"I am like eight, so don't get so worked up about things. While I look small, I am actually pretty mighty, and nothing like my father, but I am also not a saint. Give me time, and I might even figure out a way to fix our problem. I am a Master Craftsman after all!" I laughed, but she shook her head.
"Even if you built a bigger body, you would still be a child," she replied, but I raised an eyebrow.
This world had classes and magic, and a ton of other things that somehow worked without making any sense. There might actually be a way to either force me to age or grow. I am sure there has to be something like it, or I could craft it.
Intrigued by the idea, I decided to play along. "What if I can? What if I can craft a solution that would make us equals?"
She studied my face, doubt peeking from those icy eyes. "You truly believe you can do it, don't you?"
"No clue, but I really don't want to make either of us wait if I don't have to," I said, but she gave me a concerned look.
"Don't you think that you are quite young to be thinking about sex already?" She asked, and then I remembered what Thordin had mentioned. Only him and Marcella's parents knew, but not her for some reason.
"Can I trust you?" I asked slowly, slowly weighing if this was the best move in my head.
"I won't give you false assurances," Marcella replied, her eyes level and intense. "But as of now, being your wife-to-be, I see no gain in betraying your trust, Gideon."
Reasoned through and through in such a calm manner, it prompted a nod from me. "Fair enough," I conceded, leaning back in consideration. For a moment, I hesitated, but seeing her openness to communicate and negotiate, I decided to go for it.
I drew in a deep breath, then sighed out. "My body might be of a child, but I have the mind and memories of a thirty-five-year-old man from another world," I revealed, watching Marcella's reaction closely.
Her eyes widened for a moment, but she quickly hid her surprise. After a pause, she calmly stated, "That explains your matured attitude, and the foul tongue you have."
"I knew you're smart," I grinned, feeling like a heavy weight had lifted off my shoulders. Of course, everything still depended on how she'd use this information; but for the first time since this whole marriage debacle started, it felt like a wall between us had been chipped away. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Yes, but only if you answer some of mine."
"Fair enough. Is being reincarnated in this world common?" I asked, but the princess shook her head.
"No, not common," she replied, her face serious. "There are legends, tales passed down through generations about reincarnation. But no recent cases, not in the past few centuries. You're the first one in a long time."
That threw me a little. I had assumed that reincarnation into other worlds happened quite a bit, especially considering the existence of a unique class like 'Master Craftsman' in the magic system. Interesting.
"Alright," I nodded, "Your turn, shoot."
Marcella looked thoughtful for a few moments before she finally spoke. "Why did you tell me about your past? It seems... risky."
And she's bang on it. If word leaked out about my unique circumstance, it could put me on someone's hit list. But for some reason, I trusted Marcella. Call it intuition or a stupid gamble, it just felt right.
"I don't like secrets," I began, looking her dead in the eyes. "As cliché as it sounds, we're in this together, and I think we should be honest with each other. It's the only way I believe we can make this forced marriage a little more tolerable."
She was quiet, seemingly lost in thought as she analyzed my words.
"And, well," I added after a moment of silence, a small grin on my face, "I find honesty often shocks people more than any crafted lie."
