Chapter 34: Magic Flute

After his conversation with his teacher, Greyson went back with thoughts full of what he should make. He had always wanted his own magic tool, however, it was extremely hard to make one for all seven elements. This was his first level two magic tool, so he felt that he shouldn't get too greedy. In order to keep it simple, he decided that he would only make it for one of his elements. However, choosing one from the seven was the hard part.

For one week, he kept filtering through his options one by one before coming to a decision. He would make a magic flute! A lot of musicians, like his teacher Carlyle, were normal people with no magic. However, there is a side branch of musicians that are magicians and they use their magic with their magic. Most of these magic musicians are of the wind element because it combines well with the sound created by their instrument. Greyson had realized this while he was browsing through the library at one point for spells. One of the new wind spells he had learned was called "Siren's Voice." It was a magic that laced onto any sounds that he made like singing or playing the flute and caused his listeners to hallucinate. If the person was also a strong magician then it would at most make them momentarily confused, however, the weaker they were the more effective the hallucinations are.

He felt for his first personal magic tool, it would be meaningful to combine his occupations like this. He could use it during performances as the hallucinations did not have any negative effects if that is not the purpose he is going for. The spell can also invoke good memories and feelings from listening to the music. He could play a song of home and allow everyone in the audience to re-experience a warm family moment that they are reminded of. Although he could break through to the advanced level soon, he could continue using this level two magic tool as the level is not too important.

Feeling relieved to have finally made a decision, Greyson then jumped straight into designing his flute. He had asked for advice from both the old man and Carlyle as one had blacksmith experience and the other had flute making experience. Not all flutes were made from metal and actually a lot were made from wood as most people couldn't afford to ask a blacksmith the make one. Carlyle had made his fair share of wooden flutes so he imparted his knowledge to Greyson to help him design the flute correctly.

Another week of preparation had gone by and the flute itself had been made. The final touch would be the engravings. From the first moment that Greyson had learned how to engrave, he was fascinated by it. Engraving took more than just mana, there was a talent for it. Not everyone could be a blacksmith just because they have the corresponding elements and enough mana, the engraving is the major part which separates the talented from the untalented. One needed to be talented at mana control and have great concentration.

Engraving starts with an ancient complicated symbol that dwarves had discovered. These symbols would have a corresponding element. For example, for his flute, Thraec taught him the level two symbol for wind magic. This symbol meant that the magic tool he was creating could only help to amplify wind magic. The fascinating part is what happens while engraving the symbol. Channeling his mana into his finger, Greyson would cut into the metal and begin engraving the symbol. While engraving, he is to think about what function he wants the magic tool to have. The symbol would then start to change itself as it is being carved until it is a completely new engraving that stretches across the entire tool. This change would make the flute channel wind magic and amplify music spells like 'Siren's Voice.' Even the ancestors could not understand this magical change, however, it made every single magical tool created by a blacksmith unique and unable to be reproduced. While engraving, no mistakes can be made. If his mana fluctuates and he uses too much or too little while carving, then the entire engraving has failed and he would have to restart on a new tool body. His finger cannot pause either, the carving must be made in one smooth connected motion. The level of concentration it took to make the engraving perfect while also picturing the functions of the tool was the hardest challenge of all blacksmiths. The higher the level, the more complicated the starting symbol is as well.

Greyson practiced for the last week of the month just drawing out the symbols hundreds of times as practice. He would put paint on his finger and try to get through the symbol in one try while also keeping the lines even. Mana control was one of the hardest point because his mana flow had to be steady as he used it to carve the engraving. Using wood, Greyson practiced carving the symbol with his mana as well to make sure it doesn't fluctuate when he is engraving for real on his flute.

Finally, it was time. Greyson went over to the workshop and saw Thraec was already there as usual. The flute was already out on the counter an prepared. Even on the short walk over, Greyson was visualizing the symbol he would engrave. Without talking they just nodded at each other showing they were both ready. Greyson walked up to the flute that was secured down and took a deep breath. He started pushing his mana to his finger. The mana ran from his finger and started to carve into the flute. Greyson could feel his mana run through his body into the flute and the engraving. As he continued, he thought of himself playing this flute and affecting others with his music. His originally compact lines then started moving on their own and winded around the flute making a pretty pattern all around the body of the flute. 2 hours passed just like that and Greyson was almost finished. Sweat dripped down from his concentration while he started feeling a little dizzy from the leaving mana. As his finger connected the last line to the rest of the symbol, the flute began to glow green and floated in the air for a bit. It floated for a little before nicely coming down into Greyson's hands. Maybe because he was the one who created the entire flute, it felt like it fit right into his hand perfectly.

The flute was a sleek and beautiful silver with white carvings all along the body. As he looked over his work, Greyson couldn't help but be satisfied with his success. He started to think when he would use it next.