Mythran's Master Of All

Ren worked all night and finished 150 Warrior uniforms, gaining 3 points each in Dexterity and Agility, because they required a bit more hand movements to construct than the basic Recruit uniforms. He was definitely getting faster with each uniform completed, and even had Stitching up to Level 5 (Intermediate). His main Tailoring skill was only up 10%, though... and that was including the 100 he'd made 2 nights before. Ren had discovered that trying to grind skills after reaching Advanced level takes a lot of time and work. He ate breakfast, fed Princess, and headed to the Garrison. When he reached his squad's area, he saw a table with various food items on it and smiled.

I guess my Command Aura won't be needed today. Ren thought and switched to Camaraderie Aura instead. The squad finally learned the overhead strike, with Groggot actually splitting his dummy in half, from chest to groin, with the battle axe. After several congratulations and some applause, he was given another dummy. Ren had squashed his dummy using the hammerpick with his first swing, and just hung around to watch and shout encouragement to the others.

Ghomhan taught them the thrust movement next. Groggot was having trouble with that, until Ren suggested he turn the battle axe around and use the knob on the handle instead. Groggot practiced it for a while, getting the hang of the balance using the battle axe backwards, but then Ren told him he could combine the moves. Groggot grinned as he used an overhead strike, slid his hand up the handle, flipped the battle axe around, and jammed the knob into the dummy's face, shattering it. Groggot needed another dummy after that.

They finished yet another day full of exercises and food rewards, and Ren leveled his main Aura skill and Camaraderie again. He headed back to House Neram when it got dark, fed Princess, then went inside and ate himself. They talked and enjoyed each other's company during the meal, and Ren realized something that he'd been missing. He stood up from the table when the meal was done and walked over to where Nathalia sat. He knelt on one knee beside her, so that they were face to face.

“I'm sorry I haven't been spending any time with you, like we were on the ship.” Ren said to her surprised face. “I've been so busy with everything that's been going on, that I've been unintentionally ignoring you.”

Nathalia's face flushed a little red. “Ren, that's okay. You're the man of the House now... you have a lot of responsibilities.”

Ren shook his head. “That's no reason to ignore good friends.” He said and took her hand. “I do consider you a good friend. If it wasn't for you, I'd be in a bunch more trouble.”

Nathalia laughed. “It was because of me you got in loads of trouble.”

Ren smiled. “That's what friends do. We get into trouble, and then help each other get out of it.”

Nathalia smiled. “It sounds so reasonable when you say it like that.”

“That's because it happens to me a lot.” Ren said and grinned, then let her hand go.

Nathalia laughed, and her mother joined her.

“You've surprised me by not kicking and screaming about all of this, actually.” Her mother said. “We've pretty much caught you up in our troubles.”

“I kind of let myself be caught.” Ren said and stood. “You're letting me stay here, the least I can do is help you as much as I can.” He looked around at all of the food that was left on the table, and shook his head. “I'm not going to need as much of this now. What are we going to do with it all?”

Narhilda chuckled and stood. “We usually give anything that's left back to the farm next door. That's where we get a lot of the ingredients, anyways.”

Ren nodded. “That sounds fair... but it's a shame that we can't keep such good food for more than a day...” Then he had an idea. He'd meant to make one when he was back at his business, but never got around to it. “I'll be right back.”

Ren went outside to the stable on the side of the house and took out enough wood to make a big crate. He changed the plans to a rectangle about 4 feet high, 3 feet wide and 2 deep, added shelves with holes for airflow, then made a box to sit on the bottom. He put air holes in that as well, and before closing it, put in a stone enchanted with a double Ice rune, and one with a double Wind rune facing it. Ren closed the box and activated the enchantments. A nice cool breeze came out of the box, and he attached it to the bottom of the crate. A hinged door was made and he was done. It was a little crude, since it wasn't made of metal like he wanted it to be originally, but it worked. He stored it and went back inside, picked a good spot for it, out of the way but still accessible, and placed it there.

“What is it?” Narhilda and Nathalia asked.

“It's something to help keep the food from spoiling, and let it be stored for days on end.” Ren said.

“You're joking!” Nathalia said and jumped out of her chair to open the crate's door. The cool air inside hit her face and she smiled. “Ma! It's true!”

Narhilda came over and felt the nice cool air, then shook her head. “Is there anything you can't do?”

Ren grinned. “I can't fly... yet.”

They all laughed.

“I'm sure you'll figure that one out, too.” Nathalia said and closed the door. “Lets put some of this food away.”

Ren helped them clear the table and most of the dishes actually fit in the available space. He bid the two women goodnight, and went to Narhilda's old bedroom.

I've got to go for about an hour or so, Teepo. Ren thought. I'll be back soon to keep working.

“See you in a little bit, then.” Teepo said and hopped out of his hood and onto the wall. He skittered up onto the ceiling and took up a watch position. Ren settled onto the bed and relaxed.

“Logout.”

********

Ren had a quick supper and used the bathroom. He liked it when Bonnie was working, as she didn't pester him if he was busy. Before climbing back into bed, he gave her a quick hug.

“Thanks, Bonnie.”

“W-what for?” She said, a little surprised at his sudden affection.

“Just for being you.” Ren said and climbed into bed. He didn't notice the slight blush Bonnie had as he put on the VR headset and got comfortable.

“Flow Login Start.”

********

Ren had only been out for about 15 minutes, so he only lost an hour of game time. Only 11 hours left! Ren thought and got to work. An hour later, he had an amazing thought. Ren was really surprised that he hadn't thought of it before. He stopped working and activated Sneak, then went out to the stable and Ruck's cabinet. He very lightly knocked, trying not to wake Princess. Ruck opened the door and Ren motioned for him to climb up. Ruck did and Ren closed the cabinet and went back into the house. Once back in the old bedroom, Ren had Ruck climb off.

“Ruck, I've had a neat idea. I've been working hard to make uniforms for the military, but it's taking longer than I'd like to do it.” Ren said. “I need your help.”

Ruck gave the 'okay' gesture and Ren smiled. “Great!” Ren drew up the cut out pattern for the uniform, so Ruck could easily see what to do and how to do it. He made wood cutouts for the parts, so Ruck could trace the outlines, then gave Ruck a pair of shears and a bolt of cloth.

“Take your time at first. Get used to the feel of the shears as they cut the cloth. Don't rush. The more you do, the more you'll be able to do.” Ren advised Ruck and let him get to work. Ren had cut out and sewn 2 uniforms before Ruck had finished cutting out one set of uniform parts. Ren checked Ruck's work and grinned at how straight the cuts were, and he didn't have to fix anything at all.

“Nice job!” Ren said and pat Ruck on the back. “Keep going! We've got a lot of work to do tonight!”

Ruck gave Ren the 'thumbs up' gesture and Ren sewed up the pieces into another uniform. They kept that pace all night. Ren did another 150 uniforms, but for every 2 Ren did, Ruck had cut out one and Ren sewed it up. That was an extra 75 uniforms Ren had to sew, making the total 225 for the night, and a grand total of 375. Ren sat down on the bed, a little tired. He'd gained another 3 points each for Dexterity and Agility, leveled Stitching up to Level 9, and even gained 2 points in Endurance.

“Whew... that was a lot!” Ren said and pat Ruck again. “You did a great job, Ruck. Thank you.”

Ruck gave a 'thumbs up' gesture and Ren stored all the uniforms into inventory.

“I've got to get back to the Garrison. Want me to take you back to your cabinet?”

Ruck shook back and forth, clearly indicating 'no'. He pointed to himself and then at the bolts of cloth. Ren widened his eyes.

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“You want to keep going?” Ren asked, surprised. Ruck gave the 'thumbs up' gesture again and Ren grinned.

“That'll be a huge help, Ruck!” Ren said, picked Ruck up and gave him a hug. It was a little awkward because of all the legs, and Ruck hugged him back. “We might even be finished by tomorrow night!” Ren put Ruck down and let him get to work. “See you tonight.”

Ruck waved and Ren went to the kitchen to eat breakfast. He got some food for Princess and fed her, too. After a quick sprint to the Garrison, Ren got a popup.