The morning sun filtered through the windows of the tavern, casting a warm glow over the wooden beams and tables. Sael, Rhea, and Lyra sat together in a corner of the workshop area that the guild had graciously offered them for the day. Spread out before them was a collection of rare materials—the chunk of mandragora wood, the dragon whisker, and a variety of small magical trinkets that Lyra had provided. Beside them, Sael’s crafting tools and a fresh set of chisels gleamed in the light.

  Lyra hovered close, her delicate wings occasionally catching the light with a faint shimmer. Her white hair framed her soft features, and her large purple eyes watched Sael’s hands as he began carving into the mandragora wood. “You’re quite skilled,” she remarked, her voice soft but carrying a tone of curiosity. “It’s not often you see someone handle such materials with this level of care.”

  Sael smiled slightly, his focus on the wood as his hands moved with practiced precision. “It helps when the system assists, but a lot of it is practice. The mandragora wood has such a strange grain to it—almost like it’s resisting me, but at the same time guiding the knife.”

  “That’s its magic,” Lyra said, leaning closer to watch. “Mandragora wood has an innate connection to the flow of mana. It’s almost alive in a way. The more attuned you are to its energy, the easier it becomes to shape it.”

  Rhea sat nearby, occasionally chiming in with a question or comment, but mostly watching the two work. Her tail flicked idly behind her as she observed Sael’s hands move deftly, carving intricate patterns into the wood. “So, Lyra,” Rhea said, breaking the silence, “you’re really into this magic stuff, huh?”

  Lyra’s antennae twitched slightly as she smiled. “Magic has always fascinated me. It’s like an endless puzzle, each piece more intricate than the last. And crafting… well, it’s the perfect way to bring those pieces together. That’s why I wanted this staff.”

  “What kind of spells are you planning to use with it?” Sael asked, glancing up as he worked. He set the carved piece of wood aside and began carefully unwinding the dragon whisker, its silvery threads glinting faintly in the light.

  “Mostly earth and light magic,” Lyra replied, her voice taking on an excited tone. “The mandragora wood will help channel mana efficiently, and the dragon whisker…” she reached out to lightly touch the thread-like material, “…it’ll amplify my control and precision. Combined with the runes we’re inscribing, it should create a staff that’s both versatile and powerful.”

  “No pressure or anything,” Sael said with a grin, earning a soft laugh from Lyra.

  As Sael began affixing the dragon whisker to the carved wood, Lyra pulled out a small, intricate scroll. “These are the runes we’ll need to inscribe,” she said, unrolling it and pointing to the delicate markings. “They’ll bind the components together and create the magical framework.”

  “You’ll need to guide me through that part,” Sael admitted. “I’m still new to rune work.”

  “That’s what I’m here for,” Lyra replied with a gentle smile.

  They worked together for hours, Lyra guiding Sael through the precise etching of the runes. Her fingers traced the patterns first, showing him the flow of each line and symbol, and then Sael carefully replicated them on the staff. The air around them seemed to hum faintly as the runes took form, the materials responding to the magic being imbued into them.

  “So,” Lyra said after a while, breaking the comfortable silence, “if you don’t mind me asking… what’s the relationship between the two of you?” Her large eyes shifted between Sael and Rhea, a hint of curiosity and amusement in her expression.

  Sael paused, his chisel hovering over the staff as he glanced at Rhea. The wolf-girl’s ears twitched, and she looked just as surprised by the question. “Uh…” Sael began, searching for the right words. “We’re companions. Partners, I guess. We… look out for each other.”

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Rhea shrugged, though there was a faint flicker of color on her cheeks. “Yeah, that’s about right. We… like each other’s company, I guess.”

  Lyra’s antennae twitched with interest, and she smiled knowingly. “That’s sweet. It’s nice to see people who genuinely care about each other. Adventuring can be a lonely path sometimes.”

  “What about you?” Rhea asked, folding her arms as she leaned back. “You’ve got all this knowledge and magic. Do you always go it alone?”

  Lyra’s expression softened, and she looked down at the staff in Sael’s hands. “For the most part, yes. I suppose I’ve always been more focused on my studies and experiments. But… it’s refreshing to spend time with others who share an interest in creating something.”

  Sael smiled, his hands steady as he finished the final rune. “Well, you’re welcome to stick around for a while. It’s nice having someone who knows what they’re doing when it comes to magic.”

  “And crafting,” Rhea added with a smirk. “Sael’s not bad, but it’s good to have a second opinion.”

  Lyra laughed softly, her wings fluttering slightly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  As the day wore on, the staff began to take shape. The mandragora wood gleamed with a faint inner light, the dragon whisker coiled elegantly around it, and the runes glowed softly with a pale green energy. When Sael finally set down his tools, the three of them leaned back to admire their work.

  System Message: Crafting Complete

  Item Created: Dragon Whisker Staff – A powerful staff designed to amplify earth and light magic. Provides enhanced precision and mana efficiency for spells.

  New Skill Acquired – Rune Crafting (Lv.1)

  Novice Crafting upgraded to Journeyman Crafting (Lv. 1)

  Lyra held the staff in her hands, her expression one of awe and gratitude. “It’s perfect,” she said softly, her voice filled with emotion. “Thank you, Sael. This will make a world of difference in my magic.”

  “Glad you like it,” Sael said, rubbing the back of his neck. “It was a team effort, though. Couldn’t have done it without your guidance.”

  “And my moral support,” Rhea added with a grin, earning a laugh from the group.

  The three of them sat together for a while longer, the warm glow of their teamwork and camaraderie lingering in the air.

  “We need to decide what’s next,” he said, his tone thoughtful. “The area around here has been good to us, but it’s clear we’re on the outskirts of things. If we want to keep improving, we’ll need bigger challenges. Better materials, too.”

  Rhea leaned back in her chair, her tail swishing idly behind her. “Makes sense. There’s not much left to hunt out here, unless we want to farm small stuff forever. But where do we go?”

  Lyra, who had been quietly nibbling on a piece of fruit, looked up. Her large purple eyes shimmered with curiosity. “If I may,” she began softly, her antennae twitching slightly, “there are larger cities deeper into the continent. Places where adventurers gather and where the guilds are more established. You’ll find stronger monsters, rare materials, and more opportunities for crafting.”

  Sael nodded, intrigued. “Do you have a specific place in mind?”

  Lyra set down her fruit and folded her hands on the table. “There’s a city to the south called Darathyr. It’s a hub for adventurers and scholars alike. The surrounding regions are known for their variety of large monsters and rare magical flora. And,” she added, a faint smile playing on her lips, “it would be an excellent place for me to continue my magical research.”

  Rhea tilted her head, her ears perking up. “What kind of monsters are we talking about?”

  Lyra’s expression turned thoughtful. “Well, the area is said to be home to thunder drakes, crystal elementals, and even an ancient guardian beast that protects the ruins of an old city. There are also rumors of a forest titan that’s been stirring recently.”

  Sael raised an eyebrow. “Sounds dangerous.”

  “It is,” Lyra admitted, “but with danger comes reward. The materials you could gather from such creatures would be invaluable for your crafting. And the challenges would push you both to grow stronger.”

  Rhea grinned, her sharp teeth flashing. “I like the sound of that. What do you think, Sael?”

  Sael took a moment to consider, his gaze distant. Finally, he nodded. “Darathyr sounds like the right move. It’ll be a risk, but staying here won’t get us anywhere. And,” he glanced at Lyra, “it’ll be good to have someone with your knowledge along for the journey.”

  Lyra’s antennae twitched, and she smiled warmly. “I’d be honored to join you. Traveling with companions who share a passion for crafting and discovery will be a welcome change.”

  Rhea crossed her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Just don’t slow us down, magic lady.”

  Lyra laughed softly, the sound like the tinkling of bells. “I’ll do my best to keep up.”

  With their decision made, the three of them began discussing preparations for the journey. Sael made a mental note to stock up on supplies and finish any outstanding work before they left. As they talked, a sense of anticipation filled the air, the promise of new adventures and challenges sparking excitement in all of them. A shopping trip sounded like a good way to get everything they needed.