272 Mapping the Path as an Artifact Forger
‘Hahaha!’
Aleph’s laughter echoed through Eren’s mind, interrupting his grand visions.
‘Ah, lad, your ambitions are admirable, but let us rein in those spirited horses of yours. The art of forging Elder Artifacts or Hex artifacts cannot be achieved merely with the acquisition of raw materials or impressive ranks.
It requires the wisdom that only experience can bestow. You must endure numerous failures before finding your stride in artifact creation,’ Aleph cautioned, shattering Eren’s daydreams with a dose of reality.
Initially inclined to protest, Eren paused and contemplated Aleph’s words. There was a nugget of truth buried within the old devil’s advice. Instead of dismissing it, Eren chose to heed the guidance, recognizing Aleph’s expertise in the matter.
With a sincere tone, he inquired, ‘In that case, what should be my focus? What path should I embark upon as a battlemage while pursuing my parallel journey as an artifact forger?’ Eren sought profound insight from Aleph, knowing that his knowledge surpassed that of anyone else he could consult.
Aleph deliberated for a moment, carefully considering his response to Eren’s question.
‘For now, my young friend, you should set aside thoughts of creating Hex Artifacts or Elder Artifacts. Those realms are currently beyond your reach and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future,” Aleph advised, his words carrying a hint of caution.
‘Instead, focus your efforts on crafting and acquiring transcendent-grade artifacts. While these artifacts do not rely on intent-based magic, they possess the ability to grow alongside their wielders through the bond formed with a mortal soul residing within these weapons.
By crafting these artifacts using conventional methods and materials, you can then bind the soul of a mana beast to them, turning them into weapon spirits. This integration allows both the weapon and the embedded beast soul to evolve alongside your own progression.’
With this new goal in mind, Aleph presented Eren with the concept of transcendent-grade artifacts. Aware of their existence, Eren acknowledged their value. Although not as rare as Hex Artifacts and relatively more abundant compared to Elder Artifacts, transcendent-grade artifacts still held significance.
Eren realized that obtaining these artifacts only required financial means, as they could be found scattered across Gilaahan. Thoughts raced through his mind, and he concluded: Aleph intended for him to use the crafting of transcendent-grade artifacts as a stepping stone toward eventually delving into the creation of Hex Artifacts.
Driven by a strong desire for knowledge, Eren turned to Aleph, seeking further enlightenment. With eagerness in his voice, he urged, ‘Tell me more about these transcendent-grade artifacts,’ his thirst for understanding evident.
In response, Aleph wasted no time in providing clarification.
‘Transcendent-grade artifacts offer a more feasible path for you as an artifact forger compared to Hex artifacts. By starting with crafting transcendent-grade artifacts, you can gain the necessary experience to advance your skills in the future,’ Aleph explained, ensuring Eren grasped the significance of this progression.
Expanding on the topic, Aleph elucidated, ‘Transcendent-grade artifacts can be seen as a bridge between regular artifacts and spiritual artifacts. If Hex Artifacts are the failed attempts at creating Elder Seed Artifacts, then transcendent-grade artifacts can be seen as the outcome of incomplete Hex Artifact production.’ He paused, allowing Eren to absorb the information before delving further.
‘You see, Eren, most transcendent-grade artifacts harbor flawed consciousness that remains dormant most of the time. However, thanks to their ability to tap into their own spiritual force, these artifacts can accommodate a wide range of Rankers across various ranking statuses.
For instance, a transcendent-grade artifact found in Gilaahan could be wielded by Rank-1 Meta Rankers up to Rank-3 Arch Rankers without requiring modifications. The bound soul within the artifact autonomously adapts the runic details, sparing the owner the need to upgrade the artifact with each promotion,’ Aleph calmly explained, painting a clearer picture for Eren.
As Aleph’s words sank in, Eren realized the extent of his amateur status as an artifact forger. The limited success he had achieved in crafting regular artifacts was merely scratching the surface. He understood that to enrich his path as a battlemage and become a successful artifact forger, he needed to build a solid foundation and gather a vast array of experiences. This realization fueled his determination to pursue growth and continue honing his craft.
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“You’re heading in the right direction, Eren. Don’t rush your ranking journey and jeopardize your progress. Compared to most battlemages of your generation, you’re already faring exceptionally well. You’ve surpassed the novice artifact makers who are just grasping the basics.
Having a teacher to guide you in mastering the art of artifact forging would have been beneficial. I still remember my own first teacher, Baelin Stoneforge, a skilled dwarf. It took me years before I even qualified to be his student and decades to refine the knowledge he imparted. Your journey as an artifact forger, in comparison, can be considered remarkably swift,” Aleph explained, and Eren recognized the reasoning behind his words. A smirk crept across his face as he responded to Aleph’s musings.
“Well… I don’t believe I need a teacher. If you truly possess the expertise in artifact forging, as you claim, why don’t you guide and instruct me yourself? Help me grow so that together we can obtain the Elder Artifact,” Eren proposed, extending an offer to Aleph.
However, Aleph burst into laughter once again, his amusement evident.
“I’ve already aided you, Eren. Haven’t you realized that it was I who facilitated your State of Epiphany in artifact forging as soon as you embarked on your ranking journey? Those experiences provided you with an advantage, allowing you to bypass the novice stage in artifact forging,” Aleph revealed, leaving Eren wide-eyed with surprise.
Eren yearned to interject, but Aleph continued without pause.
“The reason you feel you don’t require a teacher is also a result of the State of Epiphany you experienced. While I agree that you don’t need a teacher for the basics, you will require one as you advance in your career as an artifact forger.
When you can successfully craft transcendent-grade artifacts, I recommend seeking out a talented individual– someone like that lass Illvar. She is Kino’s master and could serve as your teacher. Only with a capable mentor can you expedite your journey, Eren. Of course, all of this is just a viable plan for the future. What you need right now is to strengthen your foundation.”
Aleph suggested, causing Eren to delve into deep contemplation once again, reevaluating his thoughts on various matters.