Chapter 1.2:

I took a leisurely stroll to Guy’s shop since it was still pretty early.

By the time I arrived, it seemed like he had just sauntered down from his bedroom.

“Morning, Guy.” I greeted while hanging up my bag on the rack.

Guy’s last strands of black hair seemed to have completely disappeared in the last week. He seemed to be relying more on his walking stick these days.

“Hmph. Could have gotten here earlier.” Guy replied gruffly.

“Could have gotten here later.” I answered with a wink.

I turned around to put on my work apron when I felt a small object hit me right at the back of my head.

“OW!” I yelled. I faced Guy and glared at him.

“Don’t get cheeky, boy.” Guy stared me down as he picked up another piece of ore from the crates nearby and was tossing it in place menacingly.

“Right… sorry, Guy.” I said apologetically as I kept my eye on the ore in his hand and slowly inched back against the wall.

“Get to work. We have orders to fill up.” Guy grunted as he dropped the ore and hobbled towards me to snatch away his bag of goodies.

“Alright. We’re doing the South End request first, right?” I clarified as I started the forge.

“Mhm. Don’t get obsessive about the mana capacity. The general said they’ll take anything above 90%, we’re already a day behind schedule.” Guy reminded me.

I frowned at him. “But there’s a noticeable difference in that last 10%… What if the soldiers using them are faced with life or death and that 10% would have made the difference?” I insisted as I started weighing the raw magic ore.

Guy stopped and let out a sigh. “Boy, do you understand what happens if we’re late with this shipment because you’re trying to shoot for 100%?”

I thought about what he was implying. “Wouldn’t they just get them from another blacksmith?”

Guy shook his head. “You’re still too naive, boy. Haven’t you been listening to the news? The monster culling in Desert Hell is failing.”

I looked up at Guy who had gone deathly still as he looked out the window. “I don’t understand. All the herald announced last week was that the army is actively recruiting again to support South End’s efforts. No one said anything about monster culling.”

Guy pounded angrily on the window sill. “THINK. BOY. THINK. Make use of your intelligence. Why would they need to actively recruit rather than just wait on the new crop of volunteers to enlist this year? It’s because they’re being overrun. We’ve steadily received more and more orders from South End in the past few years, or did that escape your attention too? North Haven is on the opposite side of the continent, but they’ve come to us for orders as well, even though there are blacksmiths in every city.”

“But… if it was that bad why hasn’t the Capital made an announcement to draft more people?” I asked.

Guy laughed dryly. “In the last Banquet, what was the latest report by Lord Cayden on the status of South End?”

I thought back to the Banquet that was held a few weeks back.

Lord Cayden didn’t make a report… He hasn’t done so in the past two years.

“There wasn’t any.” I said quietly.

“The Head Military Lord of South End is tasked with giving regular updates about the army’s efforts in Desert Hell. Now, why do you think there’s been no news?” Guy continued mercilessly.

“The Royal Family is restricting information?” I offered.

“Aye. The Kingdom as a whole does not need to panic. But you only need to open your eyes to see we’re approaching dire times.” Guy added solemnly.

I nodded in agreement.

“Now if you understand, make sure you work double time to keep us on schedule.” Guy ordered as he went to the shop to prepare for opening. “That 10% you’re shooting for won’t do much good to men who’ve already died.” He called back.

I shot him an annoyed look as his figure disappeared from the door frame.

I let out a sigh and started smelting.

Around midmorning, I got up from the workbench. I wiped off the sweat from my brows as I inspected my handiwork.

Twenty Longswords and ten spears. This should make up for the lag in the schedule.

I went over to the supplies chest and took out the small branding iron and the metal polish.

I infused mana into the branding iron and used it to mark each weapon with Guy’s insignia. Then I rubbed them all down with the metal polish before placing each one in their respective crates.

“That’ll do, boy.” A gruff voice called out from behind me.

I turned to see Guy holding a small pouch in his hand. He tossed it to me and I barely caught it in my hand given that one of the crates was still in my arms.

“What’s this?” I asked as I placed the crate down and inspected the contents of the pouch.

“Ruby dust.” He replied.

I gawked at the sparking powder. “Are you serious? We’re going to start enchanting?”

“Not with that. Think of it as an incentive for your little project.” Guy smirked at me.

A blush flashed across my face. “You know about that?”

“Aye. Your brother made a special request. I called in a favor from a buddy in West Port to place an order. Ruby isn’t native to this continent. But it’s the best conduit to enhance fire magic.” Guy explained still looking at me smugly.

“Ah… He told you everything?” I asked, feeling a bit annoyed at Paul.

“Can’t get my help if I don’t know what it’s for, lad. Truth be told, I don’t think you’re ready for enchanting. But if you’re going to present a weapon for the lady, I can’t have you shaming me as my apprentice. It has to be extraordinary.” Guy said, looking away.

I was stunned at the unusual consideration. “I… I don’t know what to say, Guy. Thank you, this was really nice of you.”

Guy waved dismissively, still not showing his face. “Don’t thank me just yet. If you don’t show any talents for enchanting within the week, I’ll do it myself. I ain’t gonna let you waste ruby dust. You’re giving it to her the following Monday right?”

“Yeah.” I replied shyly.

“That’s not a lot of time.” Guy commented. “Well, just hold on to that and keep it safe. We’ll start the basics of enchanting tonight with some opal.”

“Isn’t opal also imported from the West Continent? Why aren’t we using a local gem like onyx?” I prodded.

Guy turned to me and sighed. “Boy, do you imagine we’re going to be making enchanted trinkets and decors? We’re going to be filling up orders for enchanted equipment while you learn. Now, why don’t you tell me why we’re not using any onyx.”

Realization struck me and I felt really stupid. “Because no one placed an order for it.”

“Aye. And why don’t we enchant the metalwork you practice with?” Guy pressed.

“Because there’s no way to recover the gem dust after enchanting so when we melt down the metalwork, the gem dust is used up.” I answered quietly.

“Aye. And are you planning to pay for all the onyx dust?” Guy leered.

I shot him an aggrieved look. “No.”

“Honestly.” Guy held up his hands in exasperation.

I was about to give him cheek when I suddenly thought of something. “Hey Guy, shouldn’t we also enchant these weapons before sending them to South End? Maybe that’ll help.”

Guy shook his head. “It’s not in the job order, boy. Best to stick with what the customer asks for. They may want to use an enchanter they know personally over there.”

Guy started to head back to the shop front. “Get moving. It’s almost ten.”

I opened up my pocket watch and panicked. “Right. See you tonight, Guy!” I called out into the hallway.

I heard his usual grunt and I exited the backdoor.

Chapter 1.3:

After taking a couple of shortcuts, I was in front of our shop a minute before ten.

I popped in and gave a peek at the customers browsing the wares. Abram saw me and he shot a look towards the kitchen. I gave a small nod of acknowledgment and quickly made my way to the back.

I put my bag on the kitchen table, wore my white vest with the stylized “F”, and went back outside to the store to start helping out with the customers.

At around two in the afternoon, we closed the shop for lunch.

“Our lunch time keeps getting pushed back later and later, dad. My stomach’s eating itself.” I kept rubbing my belly.

“Aye, sorry son. Hard to find a clean break these days. The customers seem to come in waves.” Abram replied as he massaged his temples with his eyes closed.

“Looks like Paul couldn’t get away to join us for lunch.” I glanced around looking for Paul’s things.

Abram stopped at that. He seemed to age and his hands fell limp to his sides. “The academy keeps him pretty busy.”

I went beside Abram and gave him a one armed hug. I was almost eye level with him already. “Dad… Come on. We’ve been over this. It’s not the end of the world. Paul’s just busy. But you know, after he presents his thesis next month, it’ll be over. He’ll officially be a professor and then he can dictate his own time.”

Abram continued looking forlorn. “Don’t get me wrong, son. I’m very proud of your brother. Youngest master appraiser ever recognized by the State… even managed to get his merchant license last year while traveling the continent for his research. From the letters I got, his magic professors in the Capital all sang his praises. And soon… well, he’ll be recognized as an emerging expert on unique abilities. I just thought he’d be around more often now that he’s back in North Haven.”

“I know, dad.” I consoled Abram. “I know what you’re afraid of. I feel the same.”

Abram looked a little taken aback. “You do?”

“Yeah. I mean, Paul is amazing. Really, he can succeed in whatever he tries. Next year, he’ll officially be an adult. I don’t say it out loud, but I worry that he’ll decide he can’t reach his potential just staying put here with us.” I confessed.

Abram nodded and grunted his agreement.

I pulled Abram in for a full-on hug and patted his back.

“Come on now, you two are acting as if I’ve died.” A deep voice commented.

We turned to the hallway and Paul was standing there with his bag slung over one shoulder. His long hair was tied into a short ponytail today, making his large round glasses more pronounced. The glasses seemed to magnify the dark circles under his eyes.

Paul had gotten a little darker from his travels and was already as tall as Abram by now.

“Aye, son. Did you any of that?” Abram said, a little embarrassed.

“Oh, no. Nothing about the part that I’m never around these days.” Paul replied sarcastically. “Certainly not the part where you guys said I’m abandoning you.”

I rolled my eyes at him. He came over and grabbed me in a headlock. He started rubbing the top of my head roughly.

“OW! GEROOFF!” I yelled pushing him away. I punched him in the arm and he mocked getting thrown by the hit.

“Ohhhh~ So painfuuuullll~” Paul play-acted. He collapsed to the ground gripping his arm.

Abram and I started laughing, and Paul joined in.

“See? Isn’t that better?” Paul smiled as he got up and dusted himself off.

“Dork.” I taunted.

“The one and only.” Paul answered with a bow.

Paul stood between Abram and me and pulled us in for a side hug. “You two don’t need to worry. I’m not going anywhere. Two years of travel was more than enough.”

“Son, I don’t want you to feel like we’re holding you back. If you want to do more with your life, we support you.” Abram resolved

“Dad, all I wanted to do when I grew up was to be a Master appraiser and merchant like you right? That hasn’t changed. I just wanted to take up research so that we can know more about Adi’s skill and hopefully find a way to help him master it. But that hasn’t changed the plan for us.” Paul explained.

I looked at him in shock. “You… you took up that research for me?”

Paul looked at me confused. “Why did you think I chose unique abilities for my field of study?”

I thought for a while. “I dunno, I guess.I just figured you wanted to create a unique ability yourself? I mean nothing seems impossible with you.”

Paul laughed out loud. “I’m not going to lie. That was part of my motivation. But after conducting my studies and meeting all the registered unique ability holders around the continent, and some ‘unregistered’ ones…” Paul added conspiratorially. “…I think I’ve more or less found some helpful answers.”

I looked at him with admiration. “You can help me master it?”

“That I can, little bro.” Paul said confidently. “In fact, you can help test out my theory. Why don’t we head to the basement right now?”

“For sure!” I replied excitedly.

“Ahem!” Abram interjected. Both Paul and I stopped to look at him.

“Aren’t you two boys forgetting something?” Abram said sternly, his brows creasing.

I looked at Paul who only looked equally puzzled. I shrugged at Abram.

“Our lunch break is only an hour, boys. We need to re-open for the afternoon in half an hour.” Abram shook his head as he chastised us.

“Ah… rightey-o. Sorry, pa.” Paul chuckled weakly.

“Lemme get started on those carrots.” I offered as we got cooking.