18 Chapter 18 (1/2)

If there was one thing that didn't change from one world to the next, it was family. That night he got back home, Wilfred was smothered in hugs and kisses from his parents and sister. They even invited the extended family to come and celebrate. It was the first time someone from the family attended the academy and graduated their first year to boot.

Wilfred's family wasn't rich but well enough that his father could make a feast to celebrate. Everyone ate until they couldn't anymore and Wilfred even drank a bit. Alcohols in this world were pretty basic, mostly beer or wine types. Beer would do for Wilfred but he prefered drinks like whiskey and rum. Not that he was an alcoholic but when the guys on base would get leave to go at the bar, he'd join them. They often ribbed him about drinking 'girly' drinks but he took it with a laugh. He missed the camaraderie the most, brothers in arms that always had your back.

In truth, this was why he was aiming for the mage corps, hoping to find some semblance of his old life back. He liked his friends he made at the academy obviously, Lucy and Lucius were great but they would most likely take different paths when they'd be done with school. For this night though, Wilfred washed his worries away with beer and partied until early morning with his neighbors and family. When he did fall asleep, it was for a long time, he only woke up the next night and with a hangover he did not think could be that strong.

”Morning everyone.”

His father chuckled.

”More like good night, you really partied hard last night didn't you?”

”Hnnng, don't remind me. Oh yeah, I wanted you to have this.”

Wilfred took 200 silver coins out of his pouch and put them on the table. Naturally, his parents refused to take it.

”Nonono, that's your money soon. You'll need it for next year. I don't think you'll have that room anymore and if you need supplies or things to help you out with magic, it'll be very expensive.”

Wilfred sighed and pulled out the other money, the 10 gold coins, to the amazement of his parents.

”..Whaa? Wow, I've never seen so much money in one place! How did you get that?”

”Uhh, let's just say I did a favor for the Headmaster. Now, I want you to take the silver, it'll help you out. I will need one thing from you in exchange though, I need to practice some stuff in preparation for next year so I'd really appreciate if you didn't give me any ch.o.r.es.”

”Well, when you put it that way...alright.”

Now it was time to get down to business. The family home was above the shop when Wilfred's father made armors. But there was also a bas.e.m.e.nt under the shop that served as storage, this was where Wilfred decided to practice his [Construct Artifact] in private. There were a lot of things he wasn't sure about his skill and he wanted to find out as much as he could about it.

Alright, so I can make guns, I've also been able to create some battery as well. What about swords and stuff, worth a try.

”[Construct Artifact]!”

Wilfred imagined a sword, western style. Blade made of steel, a hilt and pommel. However, nothing happened. Thinking it was a fluke, he tried again with a spear this time. He focused, imagining how the spear looks and feels, the materials used to create it...and nothing. It was like his skill didn't have the template to create it.

Thankfully, when it failed it did not use up his mana. Worried about his failures, Wilfred tried to do a gun once more. Something different this time though. The biggest and meanest rifle that Wilfred remembered from his past life. He visualized the barrel and scope, how it all worked together. Blue light shone from his hands and the gun materialized in them.

”Hmmm okay, so it seems my ability works fine still. I just can't make melee weapons? I wish Lucius was here, it's really annoying not being able to inspect your own creations.”

Checking his status, to see how much mana he used while creating the weapon, Wilfred noticed a change.

Wilfred Lamarche [Lvl 8]

Health: 65/65

Mana: 1556/6088

Str: 10

Con: 11

Agi: 10

Dex: 8

Int: 53

Wil: 46

Wis: 55

Lck:???

Skills & Spells: [a.n.a.lyze], [Wind Aura], [Construct Artifact], [Barrier], [Wind Blade], [Deconstruction]