Drake stood ready at the enchanting table in Master Lyraen's private alcove within the Silverhaven Enchanter's Guild. He had a fresh stack of [Basic Vellum Rolls], ample [Lesser Magic Dust], and [Faint Essence]. His mind was cleared, his focus absolute, a sense of keen anticipation thrumming through him. This "one-time welcome gift" from Master Lyraen – a guided experience of 90% Craft Completion Rate for two basic glyphs – was an opportunity of monumental significance thanks to his [Eidetic Execution] talent.
"Are you prepared, apprentice?" Master Lyraen asked, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of focused energy. He stood beside Drake, his presence exuding an aura of profound arcane knowledge. "This technique requires a degree of mental receptivity from you, and considerable focus from me. Empty your mind of prior attempts. Feel the flow I guide you through."
"I am ready, Master," Drake replied, his gaze fixed on the pristine vellum sheet he placed upon the enchanting table.
"We shall begin with the [Glyph of Minor Health]," Lyraen stated. "Place your hand upon your [Runed Copper Rod]. Do not attempt to force the movements. Allow my guidance to shape your actions."
Drake gripped the rod. Lyraen placed his own long, slender fingers lightly over Drake's hand. A subtle, cool energy flowed from the Master's touch, not into Drake directly, but seemingly around his hand, guiding his intent. The enchanting interface for the Minor Health glyph appeared, the complex Alvari-like runes hovering above the vellum.
"Now," Lyraen murmured, "observe the first rune. Feel its intended path, the precise pressure, the ebb and flow of Mana required..."
As Lyraen spoke, Drake felt his hand begin to move, almost involuntarily, yet with a smoothness and precision he himself had never achieved. The Runed Copper Rod traced the first intricate curve of the glyph with effortless grace. Simultaneously, he felt a guiding impulse for his Mana channeling – a gentle mental nudge to increase or decrease the flow, keeping the energy indicator perfectly stable within its optimal band. It was an extraordinary sensation, like being a perfectly tuned instrument played by a master musician.
The rod danced across the vellum, tracing each rune of the Minor Health glyph with an unerring accuracy he knew was far beyond his current personal skill. The Mana flow remained flawlessly stable, responding to the subtle guided impulses. The entire process felt… harmonious, powerful, perfectly controlled. As the final rune was completed and the energy discharged into the vellum: FZZZZT-CHIME! A bright, pure blue light pulsed from the glyph, significantly more vibrant than the dim glow of his previous 63% CCR attempts.
<< Craft Successful! [Glyph of Minor Health] created! CCR 90%! >> << Effect: +[Significantly Higher HP Bonus] to enchanted item! >>
<< [Peak Performance Replication] active. Best recorded CCR for [Recipe: Glyph of Minor Health] updated: 90%. >>
Drake stared at the notification, then at the beautifully inscribed glyph on the vellum. The difference in quality compared to his own 63% attempts was night and day. The lines were sharper, the energy more vibrant. And his talent had instantly, irrevocably locked this 90% baseline.
"Ninety percent! Just like that! The control... the flow... it felt completely different. So this is what high-level enchanting feels like. And it's mine now, permanently."
"Remarkable," Master Lyraen commented, withdrawing his hand. His voice held a note of genuine surprise. "You are… exceptionally receptive to the guidance, apprentice. The attunement was almost seamless." He peered at Drake. "Now, attempt the [Glyph of Minor Health] again. On your own. Let us see if the echo of the experience remains."
Drake nodded, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and focus. He placed a fresh vellum sheet, selected the recipe. The runes appeared. He took a breath, and then, relying on [Eidetic Execution], he initiated the craft. His hand moved, perfectly replicating the guided motions he had just experienced. The Runed Copper Rod traced the intricate paths, his Mana flow modulated with the same flawless stability. It felt… automatic. Almost Perfect. FZZZZT-CHIME!
<< Craft Successful! [Glyph of Minor Health] created! CCR 90%! >> << Effect: +[Significantly Higher HP Bonus] to enchanted item! >>
Master Lyraen's eyebrows shot up. He leaned closer, observing Drake intently. Drake, without pause, crafted another. << Craft Successful! [Glyph of Minor Health] created! CCR 90%! >> And another. << Craft Successful! [Glyph of Minor Health] created! CCR 90%! >>
Each one was a perfect 90% CCR replica. No deviation. No failures. "By the sacred runes..." Lyraen breathed, stepping back slightly, a look of undisguised astonishment on his ancient face. "To replicate the guided execution so flawlessly, so immediately, without any degradation… I have mentored apprentices for centuries. I have never witnessed such an affinity. It is as if the pattern, once shown, is etched upon your very soul."
"He has no idea. 'Etched upon my soul' is pretty close, actually." Drake merely offered a humble nod.
Lyraen shook his head slowly, a rare smile playing on his lips. "Well, apprentice. It seems my 'welcome gift' may prove more… impactful… than I initially envisioned. Let us proceed to the [Glyph of Minor Strength]. The process will be the same."
They repeated the guided session for the Minor Strength glyph. Once again, under Lyraen's focused attunement, Drake's hand moved with guided precision, tracing the different set of runes, managing the slightly different Mana flow patterns required for this glyph. FZZZZT-CHIME! A vibrant red glow this time.
<< Craft Successful! [Glyph of Minor Strength] created! CCR 90%! >> << Effect: +[Significantly Higher STR Bonus] to enchanted item! >> << [Peak Performance Replication] active. Best recorded CCR for [Recipe: Glyph of Minor Strength] updated: 90%. >>
And again, Drake immediately demonstrated his ability to replicate it flawlessly on his own, crafting several more 90% CCR Strength glyphs in quick succession while Lyraen watched, his expression a mixture of awe and profound curiosity.
"Unheard of," Lyraen murmured, more to himself than to Drake. "Truly unheard of. You possess a gift, young one, a connection to the craft that transcends mere learning."
Drake felt a surge of satisfaction. His gamble in asking for the guided help had paid off spectacularly. He now possessed the ability to reliably craft two fundamental enchantments at a 90% CCR quality – a level that, according to the forums, most enchanters struggled for months or years to achieve even sporadically, let alone consistently. This would provide a significant boost to his own gear and potentially, much later, a source of income.
"Thank you again, Master Lyraen," Drake said with deep sincerity. "This has been an invaluable lesson."
"The lesson, it seems, apprentice, is one you were uniquely prepared to receive," Lyraen replied, still looking thoughtful. "Use this gift well."
With his new baselines locked, Drake looked at his remaining pile of [Lesser Magic Dust], [Faint Essence], and vellum sheets. He had also accumulated a small stack of the 90% CCR Health and Strength glyphs from the practice. "Time to put these to use. My own gear needs enchanting. The difference between a basic item and one with a 90% Minor enchant will be noticeable."
Master Lyraen, perhaps sensing Drake's intent or as a final part of the "welcome gift," gestured towards a small pile of additional basic materials on his own workbench. "You have demonstrated remarkable aptitude, apprentice. Use these as well. Consider it an investment in your potential." << Acquired: [Lesser Magic Dust] x50, [Faint Essence] x25, [Basic Vellum Roll] x2 (Gift from Master Lyraen)! >>
Grateful, Drake gathered all his materials. He accessed the enchanting interface for applying a glyph to an item – a simpler process than creating the glyph itself, likely involving focusing energy to bind the glyph's magic to the gear. The glyph dissolved into light, which flowed into his equipment, it pulsed once with a soft blue light, then a faint, almost imperceptible purple luminescence began to outline its edges.
He repeated the process for his [Sturdy Leather Jerkin], also applying a 90% Minor Health glyph. Then, he took his new [Initiate's Twin Blades] (Rare quality). He applied a 90% [Glyph of Minor Strength] to his main-hand blade, then another to his off-hand blade. He also enchanted his [Rugged Leather Gloves] with Minor Strength. Each successful application caused the item to gain that subtle but distinct purple luminescent outline – a clear visual indicator of potent, high-quality enchantment.
Once finished, he inspected his character sheet. The cumulative +HP from the two Health glyphs and the +STR from the three Strength glyphs (two on blades, one on gloves) provided a tangible, significant boost to his survivability and damage output. His blades felt slightly more potent, his health pool more robust.
"That's a noticeable difference. Even Minor glyphs, when crafted at 90% quality, provide a solid buff. This is a game-changer for gearing."
Deeply grateful, Drake thanked Master Lyraen profusely once more. With his basic enchanting ability now drastically improved to a reliable 90% CCR for two core glyphs, and his own gear newly enhanced with this potent magic, he felt truly ready. The immediate, pressing need to grind enchanting CCR was alleviated for now. He could pause his crafting pursuits and focus fully on the next great challenge: the journey to the Echoing Forge.