Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra
Chapter 141 - 141: Making A Deal With Anya

Anya raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "A special weapon, you say? And why should I believe you about the Moonshadow Ore?"

Adrian reached into his pocket and pulled out a small fragment of ore. It looked dull and unremarkable at first glance, with a simple, almost mundane appearance. But Anya, with her keen eye for materials, immediately noticed something different about it. There was a subtle, almost imperceptible shimmer beneath its surface, hinting at the true nature of the ore.

"This is a piece of Moonshadow Ore," Adrian said, handing it to her. "It might not look like much now, but under the moonlight, it reveals its true form."

Anya took the fragment, her fingers brushing over its surface. She had heard of this ore's unique property, and holding it now, she felt a thrill of recognition. This was indeed Moonshadow Ore, no doubt about it. "Alright," she said, her skepticism melting away. "I believe you."

Adrian couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. 'Even if I didn't show her the fragment, she would have still believed me,' he thought inwardly. He remembered that Anya's true ability was to discern the truth of her target's words. In the later stages of the story, her ability would evolve into mind-reading, making her an even more formidable ally to the protagonist, Aurelius.

'The author really had fun creating her character,' Adrian mused, recalling the inspiration drawn from a certain famous fictional character back on Earth—one known for her brilliant 'intellect' and funny reactions.

"Alright," Anya said, her eyes now gleaming with purpose. "I'll start on your weapon. Come on, follow me."

"Ok," Adrian replied, following her without hesitation. He knew she would first observe his fighting style, his body movements, and his preferences. Anya was a meticulous individual, and understanding her clients' needs was her first step in crafting the perfect weapon.

They walked back through the Smithing Hall, the rhythmic clanging of metal on metal and the hiss of steam creating a familiar symphony. The other students glanced at them curiously, but Anya paid them no mind. She led Adrian to a small, private forge at the back of the hall, where her personal tools and materials were neatly arranged.

"Let's see what we're working with," Anya said, gesturing for Adrian to step onto a sparring mat laid out in the corner. "Show me how you usually fight."

Adrian nodded and stepped onto the mat. He drew his sword, a simple but balanced weapon, and took a ready stance. He began with a series of basic attacks, moving fluidly from one form to the next. As he progressed, his movements became more complex, incorporating spins and feints, showcasing his agility and control. He even performed the techniques he learned from the Path Of Subtlety.

Anya watched intently, her eyes narrowing as she took in every detail. She noted the way he shifted his weight, the precision of his strikes, and the speed of his transitions.

Then, Adrian switched his weapons into daggers, repeated the same process, and ended his performance with an intermediate dagger technique he learned not long ago.

Adrian's final movements were a blur of speed and precision, his daggers flashing in the dim light of the forge. He moved like a dancer, each step calculated, each strike purposeful. When he finished, he stood still, his breath steady, his eyes meeting Anya's.

"Impressive," Anya said, her voice tinged with genuine admiration. "Your agility and control are remarkable. You need a weapon that can keep up with your speed and precision, but also withstand the force of your strikes."

Adrian nodded, sheathing his daggers. "Exactly. I need something that can handle both close combat and long-range engagements. A versatile weapon that doesn't compromise on durability or efficiency."

Anya pondered for a moment, her mind racing with ideas. "I think I have a design in mind. It will be a dual weapon—a sword and dagger combination. The sword will have a retractable blade that can split into two daggers for close combat. The core will be forged with Moonshadow Ore to enhance its magical properties, ensuring it can channel your energy effectively."

Adrian's eyes lit up with excitement. "That sounds perfect. How long will it take to forge?"

"Given the complexity and the materials involved, it will take a couple of weeks," Anya replied. "But I promise it will be worth the wait. I'll need to start by analyzing the Moonshadow Ore fragment you gave me, and I'll need some additional materials for the core and the hilt."

Adrian nodded. "Tell me what you need, and I'll get it for you."

Anya quickly scribbled down a list of materials on a piece of parchment and handed it to Adrian. "Here. Some of these are rare, but I trust you'll be able to find them."

Adrian glanced at the list, recognizing a few of the items. "I'll have these to you as soon as possible," he assured her. "Since the main thing is done, I should complete my end."

"Oh," Anya nodded eager to know the location of Moonshadow Ores.

Adrian tucked the list into his pocket, noting Anya's eager expression. He knew she was anxious to hear more about the Moonshadow Ore. With a calm demeanor, he gestured for her to take a seat again.

"Before I tell you where to find more Moonshadow Ore," Adrian began, "there are a few things you need to know. The place where it's located is not only difficult to reach but also dangerous. It's in a cave deep within the Forest of Shadows."

Anya's eyes widened slightly. "The Forest of Shadows? That place is teeming with dangerous beasts and unpredictable magic currents. Are you sure? Even Stellar Maguses will struggle just to stay alive. How did you even know about it?"

Adrian nodded. "Yes, I know. I came across the information through chance, by luck, you could say. It's said that the Moonshadow Ore forms in veins deep within the cave at the south of the forest. The ore is guarded by creatures attuned to its magic, so it won't be an easy task to retrieve it."

"Then, isn't it useless even if I know about it? I'm only a Lunar Sage and not proficient in combat."

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(I have released an auxiliary chapter (chapter 0) about the power system. You can read it to remember or learn the power system ranking.)