Chapter 292: Crafting a Shield

Su seemed more excited than Walker of Midnight, mostly because she was not about to exhaust herself using spells to add to the fire. However Walker didn't say this complaint out loud. He had committed to this and wanted to make sure that the entire party had the best possible gear. 

Onyx chose to stay outside and bask in the sunlight, Midnight had shared some of the bacon with him adding yet another addict to the family. They would soon need to start a small farm to feed them all at this rate. They couldn't eat horned rabbit forever, eventually Hilda's would run out of recipes to test. 

There were already plenty of sounds coming from the forge along with smoke from the fires. When the trio entered they found that the wandering blacksmith had been hard at work creating all the connecting pieces for the armors and weapons. The small clasps for Remey's gloves and light armor were in one pile while some adornments for Su's shield were in another. These pieces were specially made to hold everything together so that they would not crack or break under stress. The thought process of designing them was very intense. 

They watched as the wandering blacksmith was finishing up a leather sheath for Gil's dagger. The dagger had yet to be forged but he already had all the materials divided out for everything that would be crafted. Walker couldn't help but to wonder how he had cut the steel worm skin in to such perfect strips and pieces. 

The wandering blacksmith immediately noticed them as they came in and started to prepare to craft the shields. They would be the largest project and he wanted Su to be there so he could compare size and weight as he crafted them. They were already drawn out on a piece of parchment with incredible detail. Su was entranced by it seeing her extremely minor design had come to life. The design of the back of the shield where she would hold it had many criss-crossed parts of metal that were supporting the shell-like shape giving her the impression that it would be much stronger than she had expected. 

"Walker and Midnight reporting for fire support. Just point us in the direction you want us and we will get to work." Walker's introduction for the day made the wandering blacksmith smile and wave them to get near the fires. Before he grabbed the materials he would start to shape he took some measurements of Su's arms and cut some parts from the steel worm skin. These would be for the handle of the shield so the metal wouldn't cut in to her hands. 

The wandering blacksmith had Walker and Midnight working soon after. The two were throwing black fireballs and breathing decaying flames respectively in to the fires constantly. Every once in a while the wandering blacksmith would add some coal but this was less so. The metals and other small materials were added in a certain order seemingly starting to fuse together as it turned red hot. 

Su was staying far back out of the way but her eyes never left the wandering blacksmith's hands. She wanted to see her dreams become reality. The shape took form after only a few hammer falls which just went to show the skill and strength being used. Seeing the rounding of the shield and the supporting parts being added was a whole other process that neither of them had witnessed. Even Midnight was looking at the process with intention to learn. She was providing the fire after all and to her this was something she should know to be a better dragon. 

Once the shield had fully taken its basic shape the wandering blacksmith sped up his work using a myriad of different tools on the front to add carvings and supports. The pointed bottom was made sharper so it could anchor in the ground while the top was rounded smooth so it could more easily be used as a support. In the back of the shield there was a carved indent with supports that was going to be for a mana storage gem. 

Seeing that there would be one mana storage gem in each shield was a great thing. Su would be able to store a lot more mana for another time in her shields. This could be invaluable to her skills in blocking or deflecting. Not to mention there were sure to be new skills she learned from her upgraded system. Not a single one of them knew what would come of this but Walker was sure it would be amazing. 

The first shield was quickly coming together and soon just needed its basic polishing and final touches for when it completely cooled. The wandering blacksmith had only accomplished this in three hours! After looking at Midnight and Walker he had decided that the two of the, should be able to hold out to make the second shield right away. He did not hesitate to start his work. Su was still entranced and kept looking at the cooling shield that just needed details. 

When the second was placed next to it she was nearly jumping around with excitement. She was seeing the same shields that were in her head in reality. If she was not in control of herself she would have reached out for them right there burning her hands. The wandering blacksmith gave her a few glances and took some more measurements before adorning his gloves again and starting to work out some final detail. 

Walker and Midnight sat against the wall of the forge since they were not free to relax and regain their energy. Six straight hours of using their spells to make the fire burn properly had really put them through the ringer. However from what they saw it was more than worth it, the shields were cool looking but the happiness Su had in her face mattered more. 

Remembering that the wandering blacksmith would need all the mana crystal shards he had he pulled the remainder firm his inventory. He was going all in and wanted to make sure there were enough to make mana storage gems for every single piece of gear. 

Watching the wandering blacksmith carve patterns into the shield he saw that they were infused with his mana. The mana would travel down the line back to where the gem would be set in the shield. It was the path that would allow the storage and use of the mana but also boost the effect of any skills that utilized mana in to the shield. It was a very wise decision and made the shield even more valuable for long term use. 

Su was practically losing herself over this. She was already thinking of how she was going to use both shields in tandem and wanted to practice with them right that second. This however made her realize that she would need multiple sparring partners to develop her new strategy and practice and dual wielding shield skills. "Leader, I will need to head to the guild and ask for some training partners. I would ask you to use your flame doll spell to make me some enemies but I think battling against new opponents would be better." 

"I agree, when I get my new weapons I will head to the guild training fields to practice. I am sure there are some adventurers there that have used blunt weapons that could teach me a thing or two." Walker's thought process was the same and he planned to have Remey and Gil do the same. They may be developing new skills right now but they needed to combat experience with unknown opponents. Only then would they really start to learn. 

After carving and polishing the first shield was finally finished. The black bronze color was from the addition of the two kinds of dragon scales which strengthened it to a major amount. The carved patterns gave the shield an artistic aura to it. There was a feeling that if someone were to try and hit this shield they instead would find themselves hurt and the shield without a scratch. 

Su had a shine in her eyes and the wandering blacksmith gestures for her to pick it up from the table. He needed to see how it fit in her hands and if there needed to be any adjustments made. She grabbed the shield like she had just been handed a delicate flower. She gingerly turned it and fitted it on to her arm. 

She only had one finished shield attached but it was plain to see how the size could perfectly block attacks on her entire front along with any one the was next to her. If she had two in her hands they would be able to fit together seamlessly clocking anyone behind her and on her sides. It was a perfect fit. 

Su lifted it and stuck it to the ground. The soft hum of the metal spoke of strength and unyielding defenses. Su grinned like a kid in a candy shop. "This is the best shield I have ever held in my entire life." 

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