If the Duskblade Sect already knew about the mana oil, and they could make it, then there was no reason to hide it from Amie. The final changes that he had made were something that any mage could do, if they knew how, so it probably wasn’t even unique to him.
Just not widely publicized, so that others didn’t copy the technique and start to pete with the ones who had figured out the trick.
Dominic took out the oil he had used for the last one, and filled the tubes for the oil bath enchantment of the rifles. Normally, he did one at a time, but there was really no reason that he couldn’t heat and dunk all ten, as long as he was charging the mana in the oil beforehand.
It was a simple process, made for human smiths with no affinity for magic. Nearly impossible for him to mess up.
Amie stared at him as he worked, heating the rifles so the mana core stuck to them, and then dunking them for their magical upgrade.
"Uhm, I might not be anything like a blacksmith, but I am pletely sure that the mana oil is a one-time use product, and you’re supposed to paint it on in multiple layers before heating." She mented.
Dominic looked at the tubes of oil with suspicion.
Mana oil was supposed to be used like a varnish or enamel finish and baked on after application? That actually made a lot of sense. But using it as a tempering oil worked so well.
"I suppose that I’m probably using it wrong, but look how well it works.
Oh, of course you can’t tell yet. Here, let me hang them up to dry and then you’ll understand." Dominic explained.
The rifles were quickly removed and hung near the forge to drip-dry. However, when Dominic examined them, this batch was different from the ones that he had done before.
Previously, they turned a lovely gunblue colour after enchanting, with the copper stocks remaining their original tone. But this batch was pletely black, including the copper.
It only took him a moment to realize that Amie had been the one who made the copper for him, instead of grabbing sheets that he had already made. So, the blackened effect should be a result of her magic interacting with his enchanting process.
Honestly, that might be an improvement. Hunters didn’t want their rifles reflecting any light. Of course, these would likely be wrapped to prevent heat transfer, and gunblue didn’t reflect much light to begin with, so it was a small matter.
But enough that they were visibly different from previous batches.
Amie examined the row of hanging rifles, and barely caught herself before she could touch them and get oil all over her hands.
"That is remarkable. One layer, all Unmon Grade, all level six. Is that from the monster core that you are using on them?" She asked.
Dominic nodded. "Yes, the core dust is the catalyst to infuse the magic into the item, the same as the standard technique. But immersed in the mana oil. A higher grade core will give better results, but I would have to be using strong enough magic to fully charge the core dust between uses, and that is much more difficult than working with a manufacturing process at this level."
Amie nodded slowly as she stared at the rifles. "So, we just wait for the oil to dry, and then you’re done?"
Dominic shook his head. "No, they’re done now. I just let the oil drip back into a collection tray so I can keep using it. They just need to be wiped down once they’re mostly ready. The head and the mana bined to make the oil soak into the piece, and the colour changes when the enchantment is activated.
After that, nothing more will change.
So, these are about ready, and the fire will dry them in a few minutes. Why don’t we work on a set of mana pistols? You’ve been patiently waiting to see the process, and they’re a popular item to sell to the Merchant Guild Caravans.
Probably to the Adventurers too, as long as I don’t make them too high level. The standardized pricing for magical weapons does make them a bit prohibitive to acquire."
"So, you can actually make better rifles than these? Why don’t you?" Amie asked, not following his logic.
"If a mage from your Sect was issued a Rare Grade Level 20 weapon, how do you think that they would react? Forget the fact that it uses a far more resources and precious materials, just go by the reaction of the mon mercenary mage." Dominic asked.
"You have a point. They would probably pee themselves, then have a heart attack, and maybe cry with joy.
Not the Elders, of course. They’re all Stoic and such. But I can’t say that I wouldn’t freak out." She agreed.
"Not just that, but think of how much those are worth on the open market. It would make everyone who was issued that sort of weapon a target for bandits."
Amie smiled. "Bandits aren’t so scary when you see them ing. But when they sneak up and ambush you, even mages can get in trouble fast."
"Now that we’re on the same page, I will make the mana revolvers. As you can see here, the magitech circuits are very similar to the ones in the rifles, as they are the basis for the mana round option on the other weapon.
The two weapons are actually very similar in function, though not in appearance. So, once I finish the inscription of the circuitry, I link it to the circuits for the handle mounted socket, in case the wielder wants a spell gem.
Personally, I don’t like that setup, the gems stick out from the handle, and they’re not fortable to hold.
But nearly everyone who buys one of the pistols wants the option, and there really isn’t a better place to put them except on the butt of the handle, and that has its own drawbacks." Dominic narrated as he prepared the pistols.
This time he dropped them all in the same bucket after heating, with just enough time to recharge the mana in between.
"Now, we pull them out, let them hang for a bit, and call it a morning. We will repeat the process after lunch."
Amie smiled. "That is wonderful. I will go get the food, and I will be right back."
User Comments
0 comments from readers