Chapter 7: Ascension

Hammering away, in front of the burning furnace, I was so absorbed fighting the metals.

With each strike of this hammer, it was as if the flames coming from the furnace would engulf me whole. But my limbs who had lost the conscience of choice did not pull me away from the forge.

The idea of shaping the blade you created in your mind, it was truly what you call a man’s romance.

Acquired a new title: Smithing Neet

*Clang! Klang!*

“Reimuz, put your back into it!”

“Oooh!!”

I pounced away like a child who had gotten a new toy.

In return the old man would shift the heated metal and adjust its position to cover my mistakes.

And that continued until the desired shape was acquired.

For the past few days, we worked in silence and solitude. Letting the image rise and flow in my mind, as I flexed my arms up high and flatten this piece of steel, my inspired gaze never lifting from the anvil. Alternating between my rough strikes and the old man’s precise hits, we pressed and shaped the heated metal to generate the image in my head into reality.

By the sunset of sixth day, the very blade that I could call my own was completed.

Along with the old man, we sank down to his grassy backyard to catch our breath.

“Here.”

I grabbed the towel the old man reached out to me and wiped my face dry with it.

I was sweating profusely, but I had never felt this good for so long.

It gave me a nostalgic feeling, as if I was training with my father all over again.

“What do you think about blacksmithing so far?”

The old man asked, making me glance at his direction.

Regardless of his looks, this sweaty old man is a pretty good guy.

“Well, there are no smiths from where I came from… Or more like the idea has already been set aside, so I wouldn’t really know what to say. But, after experiencing it firsthand, I think it’s pretty fun.”

“Pfft, really? I can’t imagine such a place where you wouldn’t need a blacksmith.”

The old man chuckled, perhaps because I sounded so retarded just now.

I wanted to shove it in his face that he was wrong, but there was no use thinking about such things when I don’t have a single proof to establish my argument.

Nonetheless, I still explained over a course of a single laugh.

“Hahaha, we have a wide variety of machinery to help us with everything.”

Speaking of machinery reminded me of my phone.

I remember carrying my bag along with me when I got dragged in by that portal. And since I came here fully clothed, it must mean that it was somewhere in that forest. I wished I have the time to retrieve it, but Celes would probably disagree.

I pushed myself up to a sitting position. “That aside, is there a form of swordsmanship you follow, Master?”

I asked curiously based on his previous story that he was a knight.

“There is… But it follows the use of buckler on one hand and a sword on the other. Ever since I threw my life as a knight, I threw that part of me as well. Now, I’m just an old blacksmith,” he said, nostalgia flashing in his eyes.

“I see… It explains why Master does not forge any sets of armors or shields.”

In certain games, armor and weapon shops are often separated, but in the old man’s case, it was intentional.

After he heard me voice my opinion, the old man sat back up and smiled wryly at me.

“Wanna hear another story?”

“As long as it won’t take us all day, why not?”

“You’re such a cheeky brat!”

“Thanks to your bad influence, I think I am.”

My riposte to the old man’s retort was sharp.

However he didn’t seem to mind.

It was good to know that he had a good sense of humor at least.

“Anyways, let me begin.”

The old man’s eye went upward and started his tale in a husky tone.

“Once upon a time, there was once a blacksmith who achieved the greatest fame a man could ever wished for.”

Oh no, I knew it. This is gonna be long!

But there was no stopping the old man once he started reminiscing.

I sighed and gave up after realizing it was futile to resist.

“Anyways,” he cleared his throat and continued. “This blacksmith created many relics and scattered them all over the continent. Many kings and emperors pursued his wisdom, yet he ignored all of them. Although how wise and popular he may be, the blacksmith is still a living being. He could not overcome his own death. It is said that the blacksmith left his mastery inside a magical gem and that very same game was cast into the ocean, forever losing the knowledge to replicate his artifacts.”

Surprisingly useful information…

Wait, if this legendary guy from his story was as great as he described him to be, then he might had the knowledge to repair Celes’s stone sword.

“So master wants me to find that gem then?” I asked.

“You’re still a young man. There’s more uses for the gem in your capable hands compare to mine.”

I see. The pieces were all coming together in my mind.

The boy in the old man’s story wanted him to create a holy sword—an artifact.

But since the old man didn’t have the knowledge nor idea on how to forge one, he’s been investigating this legend instead. Even though there was little hope like a grain of salt in the sea, he still believed. And after seeing my determination, he wanted me to continue that dream.

“Assuming you told me of this tale means you have a clue on where that gem is, right?” I asked, flashing a grin on my face. Excitement was starting to fill my exhausted body.

“Gahahaha!” He bursted in laughter as soon as he saw me grin. “Seems like I couldn’t hide anything from you!”

More like you’re too easy to read old man.

“So, where can I find this gem?”

“Let’s put it this way… If you think you lost something on another person’s property, who would you ask?”

What kind of silly question is this now?

“Umm, the owner of course?”

The old man looked directly into my eyes, nodding in agreement, after I said that.

“Correct. Then who do you think governs the seas?”

Hmm, if I think about it in a gamer’s perspective, there could only be one plausible answer. Unless there was some sort of God-like Poseidon in this world.

“Sea dwellers? Like mermaids perhaps?”

His smile widened when he answered back. “Correct!”

“So, where do I find these beautiful sea dwellers?”

“Gahahaha!! How should I know, dumbass? If I do, I wouldn’t be here!”

Okay, drop dead old man…

Still that was enough clue for me to figure out the rest on my own.

Gathering information had always been my specialty—in games that is.

But with this, I think I am one step closer on figuring out the secret behind the “Beholder’s Relic.”

“I see… Starting tomorrow, I’ll investigate.”

“Good. But before that, there’s something I would like you to do.”

The old man stood up and went back inside the smithy.

I followed him without thinking and once we were there, he handed me a piece of paper with a somewhat fancy insignia stamped on the bottom.

I read it out loud as my eyes browse through the contents.

“Spirit subjugation request…………”

I shifted my eyes back to the old man.

“What is this about?”

The next day, around noon, I went out to visit the marketplace.

For some reason, I was expecting a warm welcome from her, but it was hopeless. Instead, Celes greeted me with hostility.

She frowned at the sight of my idiotic smile. “Why are you here? Don’t you have a busy schedule?”

“Actually, I’m free for the day, so I figured I’d drop by here to help out—if that’s okay?”

After that night that we visited her in the pub, Celes left the job as immediate as the next day. She never explained the reason why when I tried asking, so I left it at that.

Now, she’s built a stall in the market by herself, without even telling me again or even the old man. If not for my loyal customers, I wouldn’t have found out.

“No. I don’t want you here.”

“Celes, you heard about the rumors, right? You go home late most of the time I fear for your safety.”

Celes turned to the side and crossed her arms. A posture indicating that she disagrees. “No means no.”

“Fine. You can just ignore me then.”

Even though she was still sulking, I sat on one of the wooden chairs behind her stall. Stretch my arms out and relax as I watch this beautiful person. Celes had sorted out her merchandise quite well, but she wasn’t calling out to her customers. So far, it didn’t seem like she’s had any business.

Why did Celes even became a merchant if she didn’t know the basics?

Well, with the way she is, it would be pointless to offer help right now.

Patience, patience.

Watching Celes from behind, it really made me think that she don’t belong here.

She didn’t seem to enjoy being a merchant. The only answer I could think of, is a “disguise.”

What could one gather while posing as a merchant like this? Hmm…… Information? Makes sense. If you perked your ears up, you’ll catch a lot of shady things going on. Especially for a noisy place such as this one. However these are just mere speculations.

I wonder if there was really a purpose behind all of these or she was just plain bad? I guess it was the latter after all.

Unfortunately, her day ended without having a single transaction. Celes looked dejected, but it was her own incompetence that brought these results. It was this time that you realized, beauty couldn’t solve everything.

Welcome to the real world.

“What’s up with that mocking gaze?” She snapped at me, teary eyed.

“Nothing, nothing at all. Anyways, are you done?”

“Mhmm……”

Celes seemed like she lost all energy to close down, so I packed up for her.

Her merchandise was full of curious items, probably gathered from the great forest that we passed through. There was also bottles of liquid which I would guess to be perfumes.

Once the packing up is done, Celes and I left the market in low spirits.

“Don’t feel bad, Celes. There’s plenty more opportunities.”

“Mhmm…”

I grin stupidly, but all I was able to bring out from her was a simple nod.

“If you want, I can help you next time,” I proposed.

“Really?”

“Of course, I may not look like it, but I was once regarded as a pro. In the world of Rune Midgard.”

“Rune Mid-gard? Where is that?”

“Hehe, it’s not surprising you don’t know. After all, it’s a vast world that was created by a genius human.”

“There you go again… Let me guess, your gaming knowledge?”

“Something like that.”

Surprisingly, Celes was able to catch my joke.

In return, that seemed to have lightened her up and she started to smile again.

Either I’m tired or her smile was just that refreshing to see, the burdening pain in my chest had been lifted.

“Hehe. You’re funny, Reimuz.”

Celes wheezed out a laugh and slapped her thin hand on my shoulder.

Suddenly she interrupted my walking by pointing towards across the street.

Her fingers led my eyes to a stall that sells accessories.

“Do you want to check that stall before we go back?”

“Mhm. I want to see what they have,” she said with a small nod.

We approach the stall with Celes skipping through.

Seriously, she’s mad at one point and now she’s happy.

“Welcome.”

The merchant greeted us with a smug look portraying his arrogance and greediness.

Probably one of those merchants that tends to take advantage of customers who don’t know a thing or two about their stuff. Too bad for you, I’m not one of those guys.

“So, did you find anything interesting?”

“Umm, yeah… But it’s too expensive.”

Her eyes sparkled while looking at a set of earrings that was decorated with small beads. As I look into it closely, I noticed how much it reminds of me her eyes. It was simple yet beautiful. The type of earrings that would match her perfectly.

Even without dressing up in something fancy, Celes is already perfect in my eyes. Even if she did, it would probably just attract bad company. But well, if she likes it, then I’m here to get it.

“It’s alright, I’ll pay for it.”

“Ehh?? Where did you get your money?”

“Don’t worry, it’s legal. And besides, I’ve been meaning to buy you a present ever since we got here in Bilford. There’s just too many things that was keeping me from doing so.”

I scratched my nose out of embarrassment.

Celes is bewildered, probably questioning herself what led me to this generosity.

For the short time that we’ve spent together, I’ve been exposed to her violent acts every now and then. So now, she must be thinking “why?.”

It was to be expected I guess. If I wasn’t such a tenacious guy, I would’ve died on that certain day she thought I was peeking.

“Well… If you insist, then I’d like to get this one.”

Celes adopted an innocent smile and looked back at my eyes shyly. While blushing furiously all the way through her ears, she pointed to the pair of earrings she fancied.

At the same time, the merchant gave us a snort of impatience. We were flirting in front of his stall after all.

“Old man, how much do these earrings cost?”

The merchant glanced at my direction and his eyes looked from top to bottom—like he was sizing my worth. I understood all too well what he was doing. He’s trying to comprehend if I know anything regarding his merchandise. I couldn’t read what was written underneath the price tag after all.

“Twelve silver coins for a pair of those amber earrings.”

Twelve silver coins.

That is a huge amount of money.

His price is bullshit.

“Why so expensive?” I frowned.

“The beads are made from a precious gemstone if you don’t know,” he snorted.

Made from a precious gemstone? Don’t lie to me.

From my observation, this city’s river extends to an ocean. It means that the ocean is not too far from this city. Meaning, the merchants in this city obtains a direct supply of materials from the ocean by some sort of port town close by.

So, how does that relate to this earring?

Once, I crafted a pair of earrings from a game.

I was a cheap guy so I hunted all the materials by myself.

The earrings I happened to be crafting needed some corals from the ocean to make.

Those same corals are processed into beads to imitate a jewel.

And that is why I knew these earrings weren’t made from those precious gemstones he spoke of. If it was, the price should be far higher than that. And a market stall as small as this sells jeweled accessories?

You’re just asking to get robbed old man.

“Hmmm… Twelve silver coins huh? Hmmm…”

I looked at the accessory up close and pretended to analyze them.

Then I showed a reaction as if I was surprised.

“Wait, this looks more like the corals that you’ll find from the ocean nearby…”

“The si-similarities are easy to spot huh? Hahaha…”

A sweat drops down on his face reassuring me that I have already exposed his lies. This old man didn’t think for a moment that a young guy such as myself would know a little bit about trade routes.

“But it looks so similar to those corals after all…”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, kid.”

“Sell it to me for five copper coins.”

“Eight pieces of silver and no more.”

En garde! “Twenty copper coins!”

“No!”

“I see. So you want to play it that way, huh?”

“Hah! Is that supposed to be a threat?”

“Look, old man… I’m not gonna say anything. I just want a fair price and a little bit of discount.”

I brought my head closer and spoke in a hushed tone while covering my mouth slightly, further amplifying the intensity that he was feeling at the moment. He shook slightly, and with that, I assured his defeat.

“Gah! Alright!! I’ll sell it to you for a silver coin. If I go any lower, I’ll be losing money instead!”

“Thank you very much… I’ll be sure to come back, some other time. Kukukukuku.”

*Ka-ching!*

It was such an easy bargain. Once the old man gave me the earrings in exchange for my lucky charm, I handed the earrings to their new owner.

Celes wore it immediately and happily smiled at me.

“What do you think? Does it suit me?”

She twirled once, and when she faced me, she smiled a smile that outshined the sun. Damn.

“Yes it does…”

I am near speechless.

That delighted face of hers and that adult expression so different from usual—she stole my breath.

“Thank you, Reimuz. I’ll treasure it,” she giggled softly.

“Su-Sure…… Ahaha…”

My heart was pounding and I felt the heat scorching my cheeks.

Am I blushing right now?

Come on! Say something me! It’s getting awkward!

“You always reply with “Ahaha” when you’re trying to escape.”

“Well, there’s no better way for me to start or end a conversation.”

“Really? I don’t believe so…”

Feeling stunned, I tried to shrug her off, but Celes kept on teasing me about it.

Dammit.

How am I even supposed to tell her that I have to leave for a few days?