The reason Furan came to this club to post a commission was that she couldn't find any other way to market her ability to create magic rings.
She had learned her magic ring-making skills from Harbos, and Harbos had no connections in Apprentice City at all.
So even if she used Harbos's name, people who actually needed magic rings wouldn't see her, and she still wouldn't get any orders.
In the entire Ashsoil Province where Apprentice City was located, the magic ring industry used a master-disciple inheritance system that was even more backward than a clan system.
Not only would you have to pay to learn the trade, but without connections, you wouldn't even be able to find the path.
Furthermore, others monopolized all trading channels; setting aside big clients, if you only had money but no connections, don't even think about finding someone to engrave a magic ring for you.
So Furan's purpose in coming to this club was to use its reputation for high-end equipment to see if she could get some orders.
After all, the items sold here were all high-level equipment; if someone suddenly saw a magic ring custom-making service that they had been searching for but couldn't find for a long time, wouldn't they be tempted to give it a try?
Bauer hesitated for a moment but decided to let Furan try. Since she was covering the cost of the materials herself and there was no loss on his side, there was no harm in trying.
He unlocked a cabinet high up to the side and took out three gemstones along with some prepared ring bands.
Although they didn't usually sell magic rings, they did sell some rings with special bonuses, like a Ring of Strength that could slightly increase strength... Obviously, they sold for much less than magic rings; the cheapest ones could be bought for seventy or eighty silver coins.
"Are you going to test engraving Spells for others?"
Even magic ring production is divided into two types: one where the maker can cast the Spell themselves, so they don't need help from others and can naturally finish it.
The second type requires the cooperation of a second person during the production process to cast the Spell, which the maker then records before performing a series of treatments to create a true magic ring.
The former is less difficult than the latter; after all, coordinating with oneself to cast a Spell is definitely better than coordinating with someone else, whose proficiency might not even be high, making success difficult.
Of course, most custom orders are for the latter because the maker's own energy is limited and they cannot learn many useful spells; if you don't know the Spell, how can you make it yourself?
Moreover, more often, a client will bring someone who knows the Spell to the door to record the Spell they need, so they don't even have to learn the Spell themselves.
"Of course."
Others might make magic rings to earn money, but Furan wanted to steal other people's Spells with zero pretense.
"Very well, I am of the Elemental School, so let's try recording an Ignition Spell."
Bauer suggested; he was an apprentice of the Elemental School, but because his magical talent was insufficient, he could only specialize as an Artisan.
As a major School, the Elemental School held a welcoming ceremony for new apprentices every year, and Bauer had never seen Furan at a welcoming ceremony, so he subconsciously assumed Furan was not from the Elemental School.
Engraving a Spell from a different School was something an Artisan often encountered; although the structure of the Ignition Spell was relatively simple, he believed it would be a good way to show Furan's true level.
"There are three sets of materials here. If you feel it's not enough, we can add two more, but no more than that—five sets at most."
"That's fine."
"Very well, you may begin. Just call me when you need me to cast the Spell."
Furan picked up a set of materials from the table, first comparing it to the ring band to determine its size, then checking the quality of the gemstone to see if it could serve as material for engraving a Spell.
After confirming, Furan nodded and used Hand of Telekinesis to hold both the gemstone and the ring band in mid-air.
"A very proficient Hand of Telekinesis; she is definitely a qualified Artisan," Bauer thought to himself.
Using Hand of Telekinesis in the production of weapons and equipment is an advanced technique because it allows for free rotation in the air, letting the Artisan clearly check for any mistakes, and it is also very safe.
It's just that not everyone can use this Spell well, because the Spiritual Power of Artisans varies, as does their magical talent.
For instance, although Bauer could also use Hand of Telekinesis, he only used it when forging large equipment like armor and longswords; he had no way to use it for small components because his precision was insufficient, and forced use would only delay progress.
"We can begin."
Seeing that Furan had already engraved the patterns on the gemstone, Bauer asked:
"Where should I cast it?"
"In front of me, just not too far away."
Bauer then adjusted his position and cast the only Spell he was still relatively good at—the Ignition Spell—in front of Furan.
A flicker of fire suddenly appeared in the air, then abruptly vanished.
Bauer knew this was the effect of the Spell recording; usually, when he used the Ignition Spell, the fire would burn for a few seconds before disappearing even if there were no combustibles in the air, rather than vanishing instantly like this.
He turned his head and saw Furan toss the ring directly into her pocket as she explained:
"This one failed... let's try again."
Bauer had nothing to say about this; since she had paid for the materials, there was nothing wrong with wanting to keep the scrap for disposal.
After Furan was ready again, Bauer cast the Ignition Spell once more. Seeing the red light flash in the air and vanish, he turned his head.
This time, Furan didn't put the ring in her pocket again but held it in her hand, examining it closely.
The yellow gemstone emitted a faint glow, indicating that the Spell engraved on this gemstone could now be cast.
Only magical gemstones can record spells; this is their special natural characteristic.
They can record Spells while other mages are casting them, but without an Artisan, this process might take around several hundred times to record, and even then, it might not be recorded well.
"It can be cast once every three hours, and requires a portion of Spiritual Power and a small amount of mana."
After sensing it, Furan handed it to Krige. Krige put the ring on his index finger, concentrated his spirit, and cast it toward the air.
A second later, a ball of fire emerged in the air, vanishing after a few seconds, and the glow on the ring grew dim.
"Not bad, truly skilled."
Krige cried out in surprise; he really hadn't expected that one day an Artisan who could make magic rings would come to his club.
"Our club's rule is a commission cut... uh, I'll take 10% for your commissions."
"Deal."
Seeing Furan agree without hesitation, Krige scratched his head; he had been prepared for her to ask for an even lower commission rate.
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