It's been a while since I returned to the [Force Blade] crafting hall. With all of the note-taking and training I had in the library for the past couple of days, I almost feel burned out even after getting through the large encyclopedia on magic. Eventually, my [Scribe Mastery] is now level 14, which lets me gain access to several skills needed for my next few crafts for today. But while Wind is still busy with his weapon builds downstairs, I'm not alone this time since Azel is with me helping out the build (or rather, help me not to screw this up this time).
Of course, I can't do crafting without some tools, and [Beginner Writing Tools] aren't enough to start with. Thankfully Azel not only managed to buy some materials needed for what I'm going to make, but some tool kits to give me a head start for it.
[Beginner Papermaking Set]
[A set of tools needed for a beginner to create their own paper.
Quality: 10]
[Beginner Bookbinding Kit]
[A tool kit that contains tools needed to create their very own book. Perfect for novice Scribes who prefer to publish their work and magic crafters who wanted to write their own tomes and grimoires.
Quality: 10]
"Perfect. Thanks for getting all of these materials and kits for me, Azel," I said.
"No problem. I'm just relieved that you gave me your money to purchase them in your place," Azel said as they give me the remaining change through a trade window. "Besides, I'm just relieved that my Dad has plans to stop by at [Initio] while you're stuck here while your brother is working on his weapons."
"Don't worry. I did spend my waiting time writing some theories about <Volo> and its past." I even show him some of the notecards I wrote to him as proof.
"Trust me, you're going to get a lot more theories once you read more on the game's magic system itself. Which reminds me. Are you sure you're reading to craft a tome just like Zale's?"
"Yes. But I also want to make two notebooks first to test out the waters. One to store some of my existing notes I made the past few days and another as a spare. If I want to improve more on my magic, I should master the basics before getting to bigger projects."
"That's great to hear, Kazu!"
After that, we become silent as I stare at my materials on the table.
"So... How are you going to start your tome first?"
Good question, Azel...
"Well, if I want to make a book, I need paper," I reply. "And yes, I didn't say you also need to buy it on purpose. To tell you the truth, I planned to make one for myself. You know, to give it a homemade feeling to my tome."
"Even if you want me to buy a dozen stack of them, you might end up broke immediately for buying so much paper," Azel comments. "But are you sure you can do it? Heck, do you even know how to make one from scratch?"
"I read the history of paper on the internet and books beforehand, so I think I can handle it. I hope..."
Comparing to me mastering magic and [Magecrafting], I feel like this is on par with arts and crafts. So I'm sure I'll be fine without Wind's help.
"I would ask if you just try using the crafting menu. But knowing you, I feel like you're the type to get your hands dirty."
I chuckle as I head to my station. "You know me well, Azel. Alright, let's see how I can go from here."
Taking a deep breath, I take a look at the materials Azel bought me.
x10 [Paper Scraps]
[Scraps found in old parchment papers. It can be recycled into new paper. Each bottle contains 12 scraps.]
I don't know if these are the right materials, but they should be enough for my project. First off, I need to turn these wood chips into pulp. Normally, I would several chemicals and soak them in water for a few hours. But I'm still in middle school and this is a fantasy VRMMO after all. I think I can improvise with a bit of my magic. Plus, the videos I saw require me to use wood chips. But since Wind is still busy with his projects, I have to pass with those for now.
With that, I pour 2 dozens of [Paper Scraps] into the pan filled with water from my [Beginner Papermaking Set], and using a bit of my [Wind] magic, I blend them with it as a makeshift blender. After that, I leave them for a few minutes with a tray submerged in the pan and a burner below. According to my research on papermaking, it might take a while until they fully merged into one single paper, so I have to move on to the next craft. This brings me to the next material...
[Bluster Feather]
[A feather plucked from a [Bluster Hawk]. While not the sharpest, it is the sturdiest compared to other feathers.]
Sure, there's Wind's [Gale Feather], but with a description mentioning how sharp it was after being plucked by its source, it might not be the best material for my pen. So I'm forced to use another feather I got from our previous hunts. Using a knife from the kit, I carefully remove the barbs from the tip and cut them diagonally. After I'm satisfied with it, I place the feather onto a cup filled with sand heated with two candles and shove it in there to harden it. When that's done, it's time for the ink.
x5 [Nigrum Melinum Petals]
[Petals plucked from the [Nigrum Melinum]. It is well-known for creating paint and pigments.]
x3 [Oak Resin]
[Resin that was extracted by an oak tree. It is used in a variety of crafts.]
This is a bit tricky when it comes to materials for it. The petals were recommended to me by Azel, but I'm not so sure about the resin. Still, this is a game and I'll just have to wing it. Using the mortar and pestle from my alchemy kit, I crush the petals and grind them into powder, and pour them into a small inkwell. Then I pour the resin in and quickly mix them all together until I see a black mixture inside it that I'm happy to call my very own ink.
[Black Ink]
[A handmade ink created from a variety of ingredients.
Quality: 12]
12 isn't so bad and all, but it could be better. Still, I can't complain too much about it since this is my very first [Scribe] craft. Next up is the paper as I quickly take out the tray containing the paper from the pan. Using several [Iron Weights] from the kit, I place them onto my paper for a few more minutes before I hang it up at the drying that I've prepared beforehand. After that, I check up on my now-hardened and finished pen from the hot sand.
[Quill Pen]
[A simple makeshift writing implement made from a bird's feather.
Quality: 12]
Okay, the pen is not bad. That's good. All that's left is the paper as I take it out from the drying line and trim some of the edges off. Once that's done, I take a closer look at my third new craft.
[Simple Paper]
[A handmade paper created from recycled scraps.
Quality: 12]
Well, it seems I might get the items with the same quality after all. Guess I've got a lot of improvement to do once I'm done here.
"Whoa!" I quickly turn around and see Azel staring at my new crafts on the table. "You have only done it in about 2 hours and yet, you managed to craft all of them!"
I chuckle a bit at their compliment. "Yeah. They said I still need to wait a few more hours for the paper. Thankfully, both the developers and I agree that might complicate things in the game and just lowered the waiting time for it."
"That's one reality break that I can agree with. But now that you made paper, how will you turn a few of them into a tome?"
"Yeah, I was just getting to that. Wind already made some wooden covers for me. But just in case, I'm going to try making something simple and functional for our upcoming travels."
With that, I make a few more papers with the remaining scraps. Normally, there's supposed to be a skill that gives me an easier way to duplicate the required amount of paper I need for this project. But since my [Paper Creation] skill comes with said effect, I can do so without grinding for more experience.
Once I have about 20 papers, it's time to make my very first book. To be more specific, my very own notebook. Taking a needle and a thread from the [Beginner Bookbinding Kit], I fold the stack in half and sew the middle with some techniques I've learned from the videos I watched beforehand. Then, I take out a [Flat Book Cover] and fold them to envelop my notebook before I sew and glue them together. Eventually, I put down my tools as I now stare at the now-completed notebook in my hands.
[Simple Notebook]
[A notebook made by a novice [Scribe]. It is made with personalization in mind, perfect for journaling, notes, and more.
Creator: <Kazu>
Quality: 14]
I can't help but smile at the sight of my new notebook in [Isekai]. While I do own my favorite notebook in real life, I rarely use it outside of school. But now that I've made my own, it makes note-taking a lot easier on my end. I can also hear Azel laughing as they see my new craft.
"I never thought you managed to make your notebook, Kazu. It looks amazing!"
"Well, I can't exactly call it perfect. It only has 14 quality and I don't know if it translates my skills when it comes to a tome," I calmly say to Azel.
"But it is still your first [Scribe] craft using the [Experienced Crafting] method. Not many [Scribes] I know to use that method to make papers. Let alone a notebook. If you keep this up, then you might able to make a tome that should help you in your [Magecrafting] and more."
More? Is that even possible? Still, I had decided to take up this craft in the first place and it's because of Zale that I can become stronger than ever.
"Well, if you think it's okay, then I think I'm ready for the big craft. Let's see where I can go from here."
With that, I start on my very first tome with [Magecrafting] in mind. If I want to duplicate Zale's methods, then I have to concentrate and avoid making mistakes. It's only a matter of time until the deadline and the expansion are released.
----
Wind's Masteries
[Archery] Level 19
[Woodcrafting] Level 10
[Swordsmanship] Level 18
[Cooking] Level 9
[Wind] Level 16
[Physical Enhancement] Level 17
[Hunting] Level 15
[Blacksmithing] Level 10
----
Kazu's Masteries
[Arcana] Level 20
[Thunder] Level 18
[Wind] Level 15
[Alchemy] Level 18
[Magecrafting] Level 11
[Magical Affinity] Level 19
[Scribe] Level 15