Seeing Frigga repeat the process, letting those strands of golden light intensify around the entire pickaxe for several seconds at a time, my eyes sharpened as everything finally began to click into place. Casting the Magic itself was simple enough. The difficult part was making sure it remained after you stopped supplying it. Frigga repeated the process several times, carefully guiding the Enchantment into the pickaxe, allowing the material to adjust, and then gradually withdrawing her own influence without letting it escape. Each repetition made the process easier for me to follow, especially now that I knew exactly what I was supposed to be looking for. This wasn't like when I saw the Asgardian Runes in action. That will take more time to learn.
Eventually, the last strands of golden light disappeared into the Durable Pickaxe. Frigga's Enchantment was complete. Almost immediately after, another Gamer Notification appeared before my eyes.
[Ding! Observe has finished its analysis!]
[Ding! Through Mana Perception, you have successfully perceived and comprehended the flow of Asgardian Magic!]
[Ding! Through a special Action, a new Passive Skill has been generated!]
[Ding! Passive Skill, Asgardian Magic (S), has been added to your Skills!]
[Ding! By comprehending one of the fundamentals of Asgardian Magic, Observe has successfully derived a new Effect for your Skill, Enchantment!]
[Ding! Enchantment (B) has strengthened to Enchantment (A)!]
Ooh. So Passive Skills can power up like with Field Skills, even if they don't have levels anymore. I take it that my attacking Skills can at some point. That's a nice touch. And what is that I see? Asgardian Magic finally came home! Score!
Still, I held my excitement. I didn't outwardly show it off and turn goofy all of a sudden. Instead, I opened up a blue screen before me, and read its details. I wanted to see what Enchantment (A) could do now. At the same time, Frigga raised her eyebrows.
"You managed to grasp it instantly?", Frigga asked, showing genuine surprise in her eyes.
"Sure seems that way, doesn't it?", I responded. It's not like I'm exactly hiding this blue screen. We're in a Party, and while I did suggest that Frigga's information should stay with her, mine still appears like this. Frigga is right next to me, so she saw how Enchantment powered up. "Are you not going to ask how I have Enchantment already?"
"I have no reason to.", Frigga said. "And the reason is, you have not learned Asgardian Magic prior to this. What I just saw confirmed that. So whatever you knew before was of relation to the Asgardian Magic we possess. I say that, but it would be a lie to say that I am not interested."
"So you caught onto that.", I replied, and smiled. "It is true. The Enchantment I know isn't related to Asgardian Magic. What I can do is somewhat different. Maybe a proper demonstration is in order."
"Very well. If you have something you would like to show, then I shall observe it.", Frigga said.
Looks like Frigga is on board with me doing a practical demonstration of Enchantment. The one that I know. But before that, I wanted to review its information, as well as Asgardian Magic. I didn't think it would unlock this early!
[Enchantment]
You have grasped the fundamentals of attaching all sorts of effects onto various surfaces. Now supplemented by Asgardian Magic and Mana Perception, you can perceive the flow of Magic within an object and properly guide, bind, and retain it within the material, allowing attached effects to become permanent.
Rank: A
Effect 1: Adds elements onto Weapons and Skills.
Known Elements: Wind, Water, Light
Effect 2: Adds beneficial effects onto Equipment and Tools. (New)
[Asgardian Magic]
An ancient system of Magic practiced and refined by the Asgardians over thousands of years. Rather than representing a single form of sorcery, Asgardian Magic encompasses numerous magical disciplines that manipulate Mana through knowledge, intent, and control. By comprehending its principles, additional branches of Asgardian Magic can be unlocked.
Rank: S
Effects 1: Grants you access to Asgardian Magic.
Enchanting Magic: Unlocked
Runic Magic: Locked
Illusory Magic: Locked
Conjuring Magic: Locked
Shapeshifting Magic: Locked
Warding Magic: Locked
Telekinetic Magic: Locked
Matter Manipulation Magic: Locked
Wow...
I knew Asgardian Magic was versatile, especially after everything I had already seen Frigga accomplish, but this was on an entirely different level. Enchanting, Runes, Illusions, Conjuring, Shapeshifting, Warding, Telekinesis, and even Matter Manipulation? This wasn't a single branch of Magic. It was practically an entire magical system packed into one S-Rank Skill. Seriously, was there even a point to learn the Mystic Arts at this point?
That's a trick question. Of course there is. While Asgardian Magic offers many branches, the Mystic Arts is known for creating portals and open ways to various dimensions. Just being able to portal from one place to another will be very nice to have. I know I have Fast Travel but having that will work on places I haven't been to yet.
Regarding Asgardian Magic, though...
I have only unlocked one of its branches. Enchanting Magic. My eyes lingered on the seven remaining branches marked as Locked, and a grin slowly found its way onto my face. For the time being, the path I had to take was clear, no? I still had a lot more to learn from Frigga. I feel like I am barely scraping the surface here. I initially had not wanted to go the full mage route, considering it's quite overused at this point, but who am I to blame? Mages are ridiculously powerful no matter what store you tread. It's really a shame they didn't get to see more of a spotlight here in the MCU where technology and advanced civilizations reign supreme.
Again, I am not one to judge. I was satisfied with what I reviewed for Both Skills.
"Looks like the lesson went well. It is as you say, Master. The body I possess is capable of learning Magic. I just needed a way to tap into that. I am truly grateful.", I said, expressing my earnest thanks. "Should you ever find yourself in a spot where you cannot find yourself a way out, I will rush to your aid."
"Mmm.", Frigga responded with a nod. "You didn't exactly specify what that moment may be, so why don't we leave it at that?"
That works for me. And to my surprise, I didn't see Soul Protection give any notification whatsoever. It stayed silent. I didn't specify a moment in the timeline of when that may be, remaining vague enough. Perhaps this could be a loophole I could look into? I decided to do that as I didn't know any other way of repaying Frigga for everything she has taught me so far, even if it has just been a couple days at most. She is the Allmother, after all.
"Then let's do that.", I responded. "You likely already caught onto it from the previous messages, but that was enough for me to grasp Asgardian Magic. Granted, not the entire system you impart onto others. Many of its fields are still locked, waiting for me to learn them. At least, for the time being, I can use Enchanting Magic."
"So you can.", Frigga said with an assuring smile. "Our Magic, as you have seen, offers many different principles and requires years to Master. You've just taken the first step, and as your teacher, I couldn't be more proud. You have what it takes, and that alone puts you above others. Are you willing to continue under my guidance?"
"I am willing.", I responded. I decided right then and there, it's time to go the full mage route. I'll adapt my own swordsmanship along the way and potentially make do with a Magic Swordsman-style.
"Good. I will not be easy on you.", Frigga said, looking satisfied with my answer. "Nonetheless, you have begun the path of learning the Magic we possess. I should provide you with a reward. Not now. I will need some time to get it ready."
A reward from Frigga!?
"Thank you. I shall wait for it.", I happily replied.
"As to what it will be, I am not one for surprises. I know you have a Staff already, but I will prepare a Staff for you that is capable of enduring our Magic. It will be up to you to decide on using it or not."
A staff personally created by Frigga...
No doubt will that be Rainbow-grade. Frieren's Staff is nice and all and I enjoy the extra MP it provides me, along with Zoltraak, it can only do so much. I haven't received any Rainbow-grade Item or Equipment after that one piece of Death Blade. I don't know what it will encompass, but the difference from Orange to Rainbow must be tremendous, I'm sure.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony and gratefully accept it when the time comes.", I said.
"With that, the lesson is concluded, for now.", Frigga said. "Take what you have seen today, make it your own. We will be practicing Enchanting Magic on various objects back at the palace during our future study sessions. When you feel ready to begin another branch, we will shift focus then."
"That works for me!", I responded, agreeing with Frigga. "That makes it a good point to stop too. We have some unfinished business."
As I said that, I looked toward the rest of the dimly-lit cavern. A bunch of glowing items could still be seen before us. I also saw several mining nodes as well. I wanted to improve my Gathering some more.
"Is that right? Don't you have something to check first?", Frigga asked, only to look at the Durable Pickaxe that aws still in my hands. Right, Frigga had finished her Enchanting Magic. Let's see its details, shall we? I also saw some more Gamer Notifications.
[Ding! The Allmother has successfully imbued your Durable Pickaxe with an Enchantment!]
[Ding! Two Slots have been detected.]
[Ding! You feel lucky.]
[Ding! Through an unexpected encounter, a third Slot has been added!]
[Ding! All three Slots have been Enchanted!]
[Ding! Durable Pickaxe's Grade has been Strengthened! Blue -> Purple.]
[Ding Durable Pickaxe's information is now ready to view.]
Would you look at that? Chance encounters work that way too, huh? Even more reason to increase LUK over the other Stats. The only thing I don't know right now is how my Stats compare to other people. Do normal people only reach 10, or 100, or perhaps 1000 in a given Stat? I do not know. I'll need to use Observe more when I get back later.
With that in mind, the information came into view.
[Durable Pickaxe]
Type: Magical Tool
Durability: 2,000/2,000
Grade: Purple
Slots: Three
Slot One: Fortune
Slot Two: Mountain's Grasp
Slot Three: Phantom
Before I could react, we were greeted by a purple glow. I couldn't help but smile. Looks like Enchantments have their own names, I like that. I decided to have a look at each one.
[Fortune]
Type: Enchantment
Effect 1: Increases the quantity and rarity obtained through Mining. Scales with LUK.
Quantity: +153%
Use: 20% of LUK
Rarity: +38%
Use: 5% of LUK
[Mountain's Grasp]
Type: Enchantment
Effect 1: Extends each mining action across a wider area surrounding the point of impact. Scales with WIS.
Range: 351 Meters
Use: 25% of WIS
[Phantom]
Type: Enchantment
Effect 1: Allows Durable Pickaxe to autonomously mine designated areas without requiring its wielder. Scales with MP.
Use: 500 MP/Minute.
Time: 107 Minutes
Seeing this information, I raised my eyebrows. This Durable Pickaxe is targeting different Stats, based on what Enchantment it currently has. Interesting. If I am reading this correctly, my present item drops would guarantee to drop double, with a chance of getting three times as much. With almost a 40% to get an increase in its Grade...Do ores even have Grades? if an Iron Ore drops, would it upgrade into a Copper Ore or something?
Only one way to find out.
"It looks like you are satisfied with the Enchantments I imbued the pickaxe with.", Frigga said, calling out to me.
"More than satisfied. This tool can practically work on its own for a good while. I don't even need to lift a finger.", I happily replied.
"Is that right? You've read its information. Why don't you do a practical demonstration?", Frigga asked me.
I don't see a reason not to. I still have around 3-4 hours left here in the Instance Dungeon. More than enough time to test this baby out. With but a single thought, another Gamer Notification arrived.
[Ding! You have successfully triggered Phantom!]
[Ding! You will now use 500 MP every minute.]
[Ding! You have used 500 MP.]
Wooosh!
Just like that, the Durable Pickaxe reacted to my Mana, and I felt a tugging sensation from within. Shortly after, the Durable Pickaxe suddenly lifted up into the air on its own, only to venture off to another nearby mining node that was ready to be extracted...