Sworded Affair

Chapter 135 : Wax and Wane

[You prepared wax for the first time. 20 (40) EXP gained!]

Emma paused at that, slightly surprised. She was still in her true form, after all, taking advantage of its increased durability to work directly in the nearly boiling water. That excitement was somewhat dampened when she brought up her status page, looking to find that the 40 EXP gained had gone to her main Class rather than Chandler.

[Anyone can prepare materials in advance; that kind of menial labour isn't specific to a crafting class, so it all falls under general experience gain. You won't be able to infuse your candles with magical properties unless you're in the correct body, on the other hand.]

"Right, that makes sense."

Satisfied that the wax was sufficiently runny, Emma pulled the small pan out of the water, bringing it over to the glass cups that would serve as moulds. She almost started pouring, before freezing as a sudden premonition brought her to a halt.

"I need to choose which properties to add before finalising the candle," Emma realised, bringing up the options for perusal.

[Select one out of three starting candles:

1) Destined: Points towards its maker, always.

2) Hallowed: Repels beings of evil alignment or intent.

3) Sanguine: Causes those nearby to bleed.]

She'd already decide to replace the Black candle, having enough experience by now to appreciate being able to turn off the lights on demand. As for the remaining three choices, Destined was quickly taken out of the running. Emma had no reason to give anyone the ability to find her at all times; not without restrictions or an off-switch, at the very least, in case they were stolen by the unscrupulous.

That left the choice between Hallowed and Sanguine, with Emma bouncing back and forth several times before landing on the former. Whilst the latter was the only property capable of causing direct damage, the negatives were too much to justify. The bleed condition wouldn't affect her true form, but any allies nearby would be fair game, limiting its use to solo engagements. In those engagements, Emma would also have to waste a hand holding the candle, preventing her from deploying her bow, or be reduced to throwing it at the enemy as a poor man's grenade.

"The uses are all too situational," Emma shook her head. "At least Hallowed can be used for security, without needing constant vigilance by everyone nearby."

[Hallowed attribute selected. You may now make Hallowed Candles.]

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The moment Emma locked in her choice, she felt a rush of knowledge, instructions for a ritual that filled gaps in her mind she hadn't even known were there. It was more intense than receiving abilities for her Damned Apostle class; most of those were simple in application, and not nearly so information dense.

"I probably shouldn't do that in combat," Emma groaned, feeling the beginnings of a headache as she rubbed her temple.

[If you're in combat as a Chandler, something's already terribly wrong.]

Emma didn't reply, on account of having gone cross-eyed as the information dump finished, revealing one particular detail that was incredibly unwelcome given she was on the clock.

"Where am I going to find a priest at this time of night?"

Because yes, there were conditions to fulfil in order to make each candle magical, some harder than others. The Black Candle was relatively simple, only needing to be finalised in the dark. The Hallowed Candle, on the other hand? It needed a genuine, bona fide blessing from a man of faith. The faith itself wasn't specified, but Emma had the strong feeling that anything short of genuine belief would fail to meet the condition.

"Hallowed Candles will have to wait then," Emma concluded reluctantly, before turning to the Fire Slime sleeping in the hearth one room over.

[Fire Slime stored.]

Shoving it into Eden's Echo plunged the floor into darkness, allowing Emma to get to work.

First of all, she switched over to her homunculus, being mindful of how experience would be assigned. After that, it was hardly rocket science; all she had to do was pour the wax into one mould at a time. For half of the lot, Emma followed up with a whispered invocation to the sunless sea, whilst she didn't bother with the remaining half. Once that was done, it was just a matter of placing the toothpicks at the top to serve as a wick, and the job was done.

[6x Candles created.

6x Black Candles created.

For creating your first batch of candles, 50 (100 EXP gained!)

Level up!

Half-Demon Homunculus: Level 2 Chandler

HP: 100

MP: 100

EXP: 100/200]

"So fast," Emma laughed, letting the Fire Slime back out so she could more easily read her updated status sheet.

Sure enough, her HP and MP remained unchanged, which explained why there was a warning when trying to choose a crafting class.

[That warning was added within the first decade of the System coming online. A man decided to become a Miner, and immediately went outside to fight monsters with a pickaxe. Poor Steve, may he rest in peace.]

"Not a great first class then," Emma winced. "Actually, is multiclassing possible? With a single body, I mean."

[Yes, but that functionality isn't unlocked until a higher level, and in most cases, a user is still restricted to either combat, or crafting. There are metaphysical difficulties with granting a single body both the essence of creation and destruction. It's not impossible, but squaring that circle is difficult enough to earn a Mastery.]

"Something for later then," Emma agreed, filing that away.

There were more immediate gains to look at, such as her shiny new level up.

[Select one of three choices.

1) Trait - Noncombustible: Gain high resistance to heat and fire from all sources.

2) Ability - Tunnel Vision (Cost: 100% MP): When activated, gain immense clarity for one minute, allowing for perfect execution of crafting steps. Whilst active, situational awareness dwindles to almost nothing.

3) Candle Attribute - Foul: Emits an indescribable stench that fills the air.]