Mythshaper

“So, when do I begin?” I asked, a little of my curiosity returning after finishing the meal.

I remembered practically pleading with her to take me to her workshop and teach me the runes so that I could help her. That was when Father was still not here with us, and I had no grasp over my own essence to be of any help. Perhaps, that was going to change now.

More than getting my primer in forging, I was excited to experience Mum’s workshop for what it was. She had built the workshop underground when she single-handedly constructed our house. While she had taken me in before, I never got the whole tour of the place, and how she did the work.

“In a couple of hours,” she said. “After you’ve had some rest.”

“Or you could cast the rejuvenation spell on me,” I suggested with a grin, "and we can begin now."

Mum shook her head. “I would have, but your essence is growing swiftly. It’s best if we let your body adapt to your essence recovering your stamina passively.”

I considered her words and sighed. Mum’s spell was already becoming less effective, but the relieving sensation would still have been welcome.

“It’ll be hard at first,” Mum said, her voice tinged with worry. “But I promise you’ll feel a lot better within a couple of weeks.”

“Your endurance will grow. Your stamina,” Father added, “and your recovery speed as well.”

“Unless, of course, you find swordsmanship isn’t for you,” Mum said. “It’s not really a requirement for Shapers. Take Aunt Emi. She was terrible at it, but that didn’t stop her from reaching Prestige class.”

“But I might not be terrible at it,” I said. While Shapers’ power manifested directly through manipulating the essence of nature, many still found it essential to train in swordsmanship or another weapon—mostly the combat-class Shapers. Aunt Emi was more of a scholar.