With stats like that, Michael considered Darkwood to be in the same league as Mithril.
It was the perfect addition to any Mithril Artifact or weapon that would need any kind of elasticity that a normal Mithril couldn’t offer. The best example for this was the bow, whose entire power comes straight from its string. Even a compound bow made out of Mithril would be useless if it had a broken string.
It didn’t even have to be for weapons, he realized. There are some musicians back in our nation that need better strings for their Mithril equipment. I wonder... if they used Darkwood for it, would their powers increase as well?
His imagination went wild once again as he thought of such grand possibilities. But then, he remembered that Darkwood was in the same league as Mithril, which meant that it was probably incredibly rare, maybe even close to extinction like Mithril.
"This Darkwood is amazing. But you guys don’t use it," he said to Farren, noticing that their bows used normal strings.
"Darkwood is precious. We can only grow under very specific conditions. It has to have the right amount of light, wind, soil, water, mana, and many more.
Even though it only needs a month for it to grow from seedling to maturity, any slight error in its conditions would immediately result in its death. Our success rate in cultivating Darkwood is close to zero.
That is why we have all resorted to journeying outside of the Elven Kingdom in search for any Darkwood relics left behind from the Ancient times. And the Royal Continent is the best place to look for it.
I was supposed to use the Darkwood for my bow, but it has chosen Sheina to be its wielder. It chose to become her weapon, and I am more than willing to step away."
Zion then told Michael about what happened in detail, with the Darkwood flying across the abyss while the combined Zephyr was close to self-destruction.
Hmmm... it flew towards her? That sounds familiar.
The Elves explained the phenomenon by saying that Mother Nature herself has chosen Sheina. But from his perspective, the more plausible explanation would be that the Darkwood flew towards her because she was a Natural Maugnetic.
It was the same thing as when GodForge pieces got attracted towards his heart.
He guessed that the only basis for someone to become a Natural Maugnetic was if they wielded Unity, just like the Ancient Humans had.
And since anyone he awakened would immediately wield eight elements like him, then that meant that once they had GodForge pieces in their hearts, then they would also become a Natural Maugnetic.
This seemed to prove that.
"It seems that thanks are in order," he said to Farren. "If Darkwood is that valuable, then I appreciate you for letting Sheina have it."
Farren immediately shook her head. "No, it is my honor to have witnessed such a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Michael then bent down into his shadows and picked up a thoughtful gift he thought she’d like.
"Here, as thanks," he said as he tossed it in her direction.
"No, no, I do not need compensation—"
But before Farren could even finish her sentence, she felt her own Dao Heart surge with excitement.
She looked down, only to see a Mithril Artifact compound bow in her hands.
"Wha... wha...."
This was real Mithril. Touching it with her own hands, she realized that its power was completely different from any weapon she had ever wielded before.
Her Aubility Power was surging much faster than it normally would using her own bow. It felt clear. It was the same difference between a single flowing drop of water compared to a raging river!
It was light, yet she could feel the beast hidden within this weapon.
"You’re giving this... to me?"
Farren asked, still doubting the whole situation.
"I think this is a fair trade for a Darkwood," Michael said to her.
But from her perspective, this wasn’t a fair trade at all. He was losing far too much! This was a full Mithril Artifact, already sculpted and forged to become a weapon.
And not just any weapon, but a compound bow. There was only one other compound bow in the entire world!
"We have plenty more in store, don’t worry," Michael assured her.
Farren was about to object, but then she realized that he wasn’t playing it down in any way. He really could make his own Mithril Artifacts, and his nonchalance in giving one away for free was proof of that.
"This.... This is an immense treasure that you have given me," Farren said, her hands going across the bow’s frame.
Then, she and the other Elves kneeled down onto the ground and kissed the soil, giving thanks to both Michael and nature itself for this gift.
"Trust that this weapon will be put to good use," she said. "This will be an excellent weapon for Lyra."
"Lady Farren, that is a good idea," said one of the elves. "She deserves a superb bow like this after all she’s been through."
"I can’t wait to see the look on that girl’s face when she sees this!"
The Elves were really excited to receive the compound bow, treating it as a national treasure of some kind. Michael didn’t have the heart to tell them that all archers in the Nation of Reborn had the same compound bow.
"Thank you, Michael of the humans! We will never forget this favor!" they all declared.
"I know it’s not much, but I would like to give you a small token of our appreciation," Farren said, giving Michael a small bag.
As soon as he heard that satisfying clacking sound from the bag, he already knew what it was.
Those were Sand Dollars!
He quickly opened the bag and counted it to be 20,000 Sand Dollars!
"Thanks!" he said.
Farren nodded. "For now, we must go and seek out more Darkwood hidden in ruins, but we will be in Metropolis after a month for the parade. If you would like to ask for our help, then all you need is ask and we shall offer up our bows at the ready."
Sheina then stepped forward. "If you’d really like to help Lord Michael, then you can visit our store in Metropolis and check out our goods."
"Then we shall do so."
The Elves then took out an arrow from their quiver and offered them on the ground. This was a custom in Elven culture as a way of saying good luck. Giving someone your own arrows symbolizes your desire for them to be safe, even at the cost of their own safety.
After that, they left the cave, leaving Michael and the Dragonborns alone.
"Lord Michael," Sheina said, approaching him. "Now that I have awakened my Aubility, will I also be given the same Mini Drone the same as Fudge?"
She manifested her Diva, showing the White Dragon above her head. The cute little draconic Diva purred cutely as it saw Michael.
"A white dragon...," Michael muttered. "You should name her Artie."
As soon as he said that, the White Dragon perked up and spread its wings in pride. It seemed to like the name.
"Artie," Sheina muttered. "That fits!"
Since Sheina’s talent was the [SS-class All-Seeing Artillery], then it was only appropriate to give it a name related to it.