Mythran's Master Of All

According to what Ren read in the book, 2 bows could be made from each 14 foot high tree, 3 if they were short bows. The trees were about 6 inches thick, tightly spaced together in clumps, and quite springy. Ren had to be careful while he worked, or he could get seriously hurt. One tree had nearly hit him in the face when it was cut down. The top of the tree had hit the ground, the end popped off the stump, and was flung into the air. Ren cut down 2 dozen trees and cleaned the branches off of them, cleaned twigs off the branches, then stored the branches into inventory.

“This should be enough for now.” Ren said to Teepo. “I can make a good mix of bows, anyways.”

Ren gathered the logs into inventory. “Since you can only use the cores of the trees for the bows, it limits how many you can make.” Ren smiled. “I know what you're thinking, Teepo... it's such a waste of wood!” Ren chuckled. “It won't be wasted, though. Arrows can be made from the parts you have to cut off, and from the branches as well.” Ren left the grove and started walking down the path.

“You know so much, Ren!” Teepo said.

Ren shook his head. “I didn't know any of this before I read 'Fletching Mastery'.” Ren said. “The information it held... I know if I took more time with it, I'd have found more things inside.”

“I wonder what other books Rosie has...” Teepo said.

Ren stopped walking and stared at Teepo. “I couldn't do that!” Ren said and started walking again. “I mean, it was great that she lent me such a valuable book... but, I couldn't just ask her to do that.” Ren shook his head again. “Rosie could have gotten into so much trouble for letting me borrow that book. She might have even lost her job.”

“Oh. I guess you shouldn't ask her for more books, then.” Teepo said.

Ren chuckled. “I wouldn't go that far. I still have lots to learn... but, I'm going to stay at my current level until I earn the priviledge to read the better books.” Ren explained. “With just one book of B rank, I went up to level 3 in skills I've never used before. Can you imagine if I had read a rank A book?” Ren said. “I'd probably start at Intermediate. That would definitely feel like cheating to get that high without doing any work.”

“It would be a lot easier, wouldn't it?” Teepo said.

Ren shook his head. “No... because I wouldn't have used the skills to get to that point. I'm going to have a hard time getting used to making a bow, even with the higher skill.”

“Why?” Teepo asked.

“Because... if I'd done it by hand myself and worked at it, I can get to Level 3 pretty fast. At the moment, I could let the system do it, but I won't get anywhere near the XP that I should for doing the work myself.” Ren sighed. “I hope I'll adapt fast so I can get my body to the point that the skills can be used properly.”

“I see... if you'd done the work, it would be better... jumping ahead is nice, but you'll have to work harder now.” Teepo said.

“Right.” Ren said.

Ren and Teepo walked back to the road and then they reached it, Ren looked up and down along the road when he reached it and didn't see anyone. They'd kept a lookout for anyone else that might have been around while Ren walked, but couldn't find any trace of someone following or observing them.

“Think it's clear.” Ren said to Teepo, then took off running back to Aurora. “I don't want to stay out here too long.”

Teepo chittered in delight as the hood bounced on Ren's back as he pumped his arms. Ren was almost running full out, but didn't push himself too hard. He wanted to be ready in case anyone actually was waiting for him. The Stamina bar drained at a steady rate and 15 minutes later, started eating the Health bar. Thanks to Staying Power the amount of Health being lost wasn't that big of a deal. They reached the West Gate about 30 minutes later without incident.

Ren slowed to a walk when they got to the safe area near the gate. Ren wasn't surprised that there wasn't anyone out there, as it was starting to get dark out. Ren went into the city and walked down the main street until he came to the turnoff to the Artisan District, but instead of going to the next one, Ren went down the street that would take him to the middle of the district instead. The street went right through the middle of the Artisan District and Ren got halfway through it and saw no one around. Ren activated Sneak and slipped off the street and behind the close buildings. Most of the buildings were dark and the window shades were closed, but Ren didn't want to take a chance that someone would see him. After sneaking around a few buildings, Ren came to the back of Mitchell's store.

Teepo, I need a scout. Ren thought to his friend.

“Right!” Teepo said and hopped over Ren's shoulder from the hood and onto the ground. Teepo squeezed himself under the door somehow and Ren waited.

“It looks clear, Ren.”

No traps or other surprises?

“I don't see anything, but that doesn't mean nothing is here.” Teepo responded.

Ren nodded, then realized Teepo couldn't see him. Right. Thanks, Teepo.

Ren activated Enchanted Eyes and a moment later saw a glyph appear on the door. Ren smiled and activated Decipher and Read Rune. Several Protection and Lightning runes were in it, and a rune Ren didn't know. Ren was tempted to just absorb the enchantment to recover some of the mana he'd spent earlier, but then thought it would be better to try and learn another rune if he could. Ren used Dismantle Glyph and waited.