Theodor led the group into the Crafter’s District, toward the largest forge at the end of the street, a massive structure tucked against the city walls like a hidden fortress.

  Inside, a small Cinderfolk blacksmith worked tirelessly over a roaring fire. His white hair and beard were singed at the tips, his dark skin glistening with sweat as crimson mana lines pulsed across his body. He looked less like a man and more like a god of the forge, shaping destiny with every strike.

  Theodor motioned for the group to stay silent as the blacksmith hammered away. For half an hour, they watched in reverent quiet until the mana lines on his skin flared brilliantly. With a sharp exhale, the smith spat out a glowing white rune. It landed on the blade, which immediately blazed with light as it absorbed the surrounding mana.

  Moments later, he plunged the blade into a fountain of mana-infused water. Steam hissed violently, filling the room with shimmering mist. When the blade cooled, the blacksmith seized it barehanded and swung it once, testing its balance.

  ? “Good blade… now you’ll need a worthy handle,” he whispered to the steel gently.

  A throat cleared behind him. The smith turned, chuckling as he set the blade on a nearby table. “Well, if it isn’t my new patron. Hello, landlord!”

  Theo grinned. “Everyone, meet this crazy blacksmith, Duromir Firehand. The best smith we managed to steal from Rond.”

  Duromir smirked. “True enough. He lured me with promises of riches… still waiting on those, mind you.”

  Theo waved off the jab.

  “What do you need? Make it quick, I’ve got a sword to finish,” Duromir said, voice sharp.

  Theo’s tone turned serious. “I brought your first customers. Make whatever they want, I’ll cover the cost. No limits.”

  Duromir froze, then trembled with excitement. “No limits?”

  Theo nodded. The blacksmith clapped eagerly. “Alright! Who needs what? Let’s make some money!”

  Umbra nudged Kai forward, eyeing the strange little being with uncertainty. “Go on, brother.”

  Kai stepped up. “Hello, I’m Kai. I need a strong sword, preferably Legendary. If not, a very durable Unique blade will do.”

  He wanted something forged for him alone. He could unlock more weapons from the Arcanum’s armory, but this time he craved a custom masterpiece. His Noxblade would remain his trump card, especially for the tournament. Every hidden advantage mattered if he hoped to win and earn an Archon or Seraph as a teacher.

  Duromir raised a brow. “Oho, a young swordsman. But don’t you think a rare weapon is enough for someone so green?”

  Nerva smirked. “Why don’t you scan him? Kai, release your mana.”

  Kai nodded. Durumir’s eyes widened as he read the boy’s aura and body strength. “Early Master Knight?! Hah! Forgive me, old master.”

  Kai chuckled. “I’m only eighteen.”

  Duromir nearly dropped his hammer. “By the flame, I’ll be damned! A freak of nature, and he wants me to make him a sword? I’m honored. Show me your current blade, I need to see your taste.”

  Kai smiled and summoned Noxblade, which floated around him like a loyal spirit, whistling softly.

  Duromir’s jaw hit the floor. “You… you have a naturally born Legendary blade, and you want another? Are you insane?!”

  Nerva and Theo sighed. They thought the same.

  Kai shrugged. “I want to keep my buddy here as a secret weapon. But my aura is too strong for ordinary blades; I need something sturdy.”

  Duromir’s eyes gleamed. “Hmm… a surprise blade for the tournament, eh? That’s good advertising for me if you make it far. Alright, want to try one of my finished works?”

  Kai chuckled. He really does act like a dwarf from the old tales.

  Duromir summoned a longsword similar in size to Noxblade. Its blade shimmered deep crimson, the hilt gleaming gold. “One of my finest. A Unique blade forged from Bloodmetal and Mithril, sharpened with Azurite, and blessed by the Fire Grand Magus to hold the skill Molten Strike. Go, test it on that practice doll in the yard.”

  Kai nodded, taking the blade. It felt solid, perfectly weighted, heavy enough to bite, and light enough to dance. He strode outside, swung a few times, and the blade sang through the air like fire given form.

  Noxblade floated beside him, watching silently.

  Kai shifted into his fighting stance, his aura surging like a tidal wave. Royal purple energy spilled from his body, liquid-like, wrapping around the blade until it condensed into a shimmering edge of pure energy.

  With a flash, Kai dashed forward. His strike carved through the air and slammed into the arg-metal puppet, a construct forged with the strongest enchantments for weapon testing.

  CRACK! The puppet’s arm flew off cleanly.

  “I’ll be damned!” Duromir shouted from behind, eyes wide.

  Kai leapt back, his voice sharp. “I’ll try one of my skills now, move back!”

  He raised the blade, aura flaring like a storm. “Thunderfire - Ignis Fulgur!”

  A breath of thunderfire erupted around the blade, merging with his aura. Silver, red, and purple mixed naturally as Kai thrust forward.

  BOOM!

  The impact tore a massive hole through the puppet’s chest and blasted straight through the tall fence at the edge of the yard.

  Kai exhaled slowly, pulling his aura back. He swung the blade a few more times, satisfied with its weight and balance.

  Then, CRACK! CRACK!

  The sound split the air. Kai froze as the blade fractured in two places and collapsed to the ground, leaving only the hilt in his hand.

  Duromir paled. Nerva and Theo stared in shock. Only Scry and Umbra chuckled; they’d seen this before.

  Kai scratched his head, embarrassed. “Sorry… didn’t think it was that brittle.”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Duromir exploded. “Your mother is brittle, you monster! That was the strongest Unique blade I had!”

  Theo chuckled, still stunned. “I’ll pay for it, don’t worry.”

  “You better,” Duromir grumbled, then sighed heavily.

  ? “Fine. I see why you’d want a Legendary blade. I only make those custom; nothing is ready on hand. Come here. Show me your core and aura so I can see what we’re working with.”

  ***

  They returned to the forge and gathered around the heavy oak table. Only Kai and Duromir remained standing, tension crackling between them like heat from the forge.

  “First, you’ll need to sign the Spirit Contract,” Scry interrupted, producing a parchment glowing faintly with runic seals.

  “It’s standard, just ensures you keep secret what you’re about to see,” Scry added smoothly.

  Duromir groaned, snatching the contract. “Fine, give me the damn thing.” He skimmed the text, then pricked his finger and let a drop of blood seal the runes. “There. Happy, you damn cat? Now, show me your core.”

  Kai chuckled. “Not that simple. Here, hold my hand.”

  Duromir hesitated, then extended his burly arm. Kai gripped it firmly, and in an instant, the blacksmith was pulled into Kai’s inner world.

  ***

  Kai led him into his core area, where three magic circles spun peacefully. Within them, a silver tear in space, which Kai pulled him through, within was a mana lake spanning the horizon, its waters glowing with silver and violet hues. At its center rose a verdant island crowned by a colossal Thunder Tree, its branches crackling with lightning leaves. Beneath its roots slumbered a three-headed dragon, scales glinting softly, while a small Arcanum was placed like a small hut nearby.

  Above this surreal landscape, Kai’s core spun like a moonlit star, radiating pure lunar mana. Lightning streaked across the skies, illuminating the world in flashes of silver fire.

  Then, as quickly as they entered, they returned to reality.

  ***

  Duromir stood frozen, eyes wide, face pale. “What… what did I just see? That’s supposed to be the inner world of a Master Knight? My ass! Argh, my head! Damn you, landlord, what did you bring into my workshop?!”

  Theo chuckled softly. He’d expected this reaction.

  Kai smiled calmly. “I’ll simplify it for you: I use water mixed with poison, thunderfire, life, and moonlight mana. That’s what forms my aura. I’m also a Magus with three circles, and I have a soul spirit, like some beasts.”

  Duromir threw up his hands. “Boy, that’s not simple at all!” He paced, muttering curses.

  ? “I’m not even sure I have materials that can handle five, six types of mana!”

  Theo nudged Nerva, who silently summoned the remains of the five Legendary swords and the shattered remains of Francis’s armor, laying them on the table. “Could you use any of this?” Nerva asked.

  Duromir’s eyes bulged. “Where in the blazing forge did you get these?! These were crafted by Oladin Thunderstone, one of the best smiths alive!”

  Theo shrugged. “I killed Francis. This is what was left.”

  Duromir paled, then nodded slowly. “Oh… right. That did happen. Well, with this, we can work something out. The weapons are wrecked, but their spirits are intact. The armor, we can melt for parts, though everything here is mostly suited for ice mana.”

  Kai frowned, then brightened. “Wait, I might have something.” He rifled through his storage rings, gifts from Tusk, Arthraxius, and spoils from countless Beastworld hunts, until he pulled out a handful of minerals and stones, setting them on the table. “Any of this useful?”

  Duromir leaned in, eyes gleaming like molten steel. “Let me see…”

  Duromir scanned the minerals laid out on the table, then burst into laughter. “You’re mocking me, right?”

  Kai shook his head calmly.

  “Rich bastard doesn’t even know he’s rich,” Duromir grumbled, then jabbed a finger at the stones.

  “Fine, I’ll be nice enough to explain. These red rocks? Draconic Mana Stones. Formed from excess mana shed by dragons, usually found where they nest. These silver minerals. Mithril Tears, the purest form of Mithril. And these green ones? Livarnium. Normally used in armor for regeneration, but we could weave that into your blade for self-repair. Combine that with the other remains, and we might craft something truly unique. Hohoho, I’m all fired up!”

  Theo blinked, stunned. “Where did you even get all this? Wasn’t I supposed to give you a weapon as a reward? This won’t do. Here, take my Arg ore. And I’ve got Orichalcum, Adamantite, and Voidglass.” He pulled rare metals from his personal storage like they were pebbles.

  Duromir’s jaw dropped. “Oh wow! You guys are awesome!”

  Kai raised a hand. “It’s fine, Lord Theodor,”

  “I won’t hear it!” Theo cut him off. Then he turned, voice sharp. “Umbra, your turn.”

  Umbra smirked and stood. “Hey, weird old man. I need gauntlets for punching.”

  Duromir finally gave her a proper look and froze. Then he grinned like a madman. “No problem, madam. Show me your mana.”

  Umbra opened her palm, releasing a wisp of Abyssal Thunderfire, dark flames laced with black lightning that hissed like a living storm.

  Duromir’s eyes widened. “Oh wow… this is rare!”

  Umbra chuckled and went further; her shadow aura surged, forming a Shadow Armor gauntlet over her arm.

  Duromir staggered back, clutching his chest. “I’ll be damned! Landlord, you brought me lunatics today. My heart can’t take this!” His mind raced, sketching designs in the air with his fingers.

  “Any specific requirements?” he asked breathlessly.

  Umbra tilted her head casually. “If it could transform with me, that’d be good. I am a Divine Beast, after all.”

  Duromir froze mid-step. “No way!”

  Umbra grinned and transformed. Her Tigerhawk form towered three meters high, feathers bristling, claws gleaming like obsidian. She screeched once, then shifted back to human form with a smirk.

  Duromir just stared, pale and sweating. “I’ll be damned… okay, I think I have an idea. I’ll use that Voidglass for you, maybe some liquid metalmana… and a pinch of Soul Quartz. Hmm…” He muttered, lost in thought. “You fight with your hands in human form and claws in beast form, right?”

  “Something like that,” Umbra said with a chuckle.

  Duromir nodded sharply. “Alright, I’ll need a week. If I need anything, I’ll send for you, my King!” He bowed dramatically.

  Theo laughed. “Now I’m your king just because you get to make new toys, huh?”

  “Fine, a week it is. Let’s go, everyone. Leave our friend alone. We’ve got a Nord to visit for armor.”

  “Wait!” Duromir shouted as they turned. “Go to Imaq. He’s not well-known, but he crafts better armor than anyone else. Uses a forgotten method from the far North. Trust me.”

  Nerva nodded. “Sure, we’ll take a look. Thanks.”

  “Left side street, small cabin behind the new tavern,” Duromir called after them.

  As they moved to leave, Kai noticed Noxblade hovering near the shattered remains of the Unique sword. It pulsed once and began absorbing the fragments like candy.

  Duromir saw it and went white. “Hey! You damn sword, leave that alone!” He lunged, but Noxblade sucked in one of the shards and vanished into Kai’s inner world, humming contentedly.

  Kai bowed, embarrassed. “Sorry… he likes eating broken blades.”

  Duromir threw up his hands. “I’ve had enough surprises for one day! Get out! Landlord will pay for that anyway!” He shooed them away, muttering curses as he gathered what little remained of his masterpiece.?

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