It has been three days since my first training session in the 'Try-to-control-your-body' exercise with 'Beat-up Instructor' Strix and I can say that I made some progress, though it's not much actually. I now can parry medium-fast strikes from my everyday-pissed of a teacher. But at the same time, I was still struggling when it comes to making my body stop going after feints and fakes, also I am still distracted as heck, which is why 'Teacher' gave me a one-way trip to hell. Everyday. For the last three days. He fulfilled what he said he would do.

It's understandable though, he asked me to focus and not let my mind wander around in training, but I didn't do it. Actually, I can't do it. The idea of having an opportunity to do more and failing to do it is really bothering me. More because it cost a life.

Though there is a small good side, after my session with Strix, Queen Lira would then beat him up ten-fold and leave him twitching in the ground; yes in the ground, not on. And all the while the Chief would watch nodding to himself. I don't why, but I think Chief Koor enjoys seeing Strix get beat up.

Anyway, at night I would get nightmares from all my over-thinking, nightmares like me being dragged by bloody hands down under, another being me in a black void as voices told me how I failed and how I could have helped if I tried. But there was one worst that all of them.

It would start with me waking up standing in the middle of Oblivion, right next to the monolith, there would be no one at all. It would also be dark, with hardly any sunlight coming from the hole in the ceiling

Like a character in a horror movie, my dream self would then start walking aimlessly in the empty city; looking around searching for something. Also, my dream self isn't a SiegeFrame, he's the human me, complete with my black messy hair that has some white patches littered among the black, a feature that I have that's really distinct, and my blue eyes that people say looks like I am always glaring if I am not smiling. There's also my medium-built body that gained toned muscles because of the manual labor my father would make me do in his garage/workshop.

It was kinda jarring, even if I was just in my mechanical body for like a week, I got used to it, and was also starting to accept emotionally that I am not going to do things that I took for granted while I was still alive on Earth. But seeing myself walking all fleshy made something inside me envy that version of myself. Anyways, I continued to watch myself in third person, the dream suddenly shifted into me being my dream self, though I am still not in control of where I was going.

And so I continued to ride along. Soon, I found myself in a big ally with the Elf that I rescued back in the cave standing in the middle; her back facing me. I didn't know why she was in my dream but I was having a bad feeling the moment that she showed up standing there alone.

She then spoke, her voice level but you can hear that it was strained as if she was holding herself hard not to lash out. "Why didn't you save my friend? I begged you with all of my being… Why?" She asked. I didn't have words to reply. Words to defend myself and not make excuses. When I didn't answer, she asked again.

"Why, why didn't you do anything, good sir? I asked you, pleading on my knees for you to grant my simple wish." Once again, I said nothing. I was glad that I have teeth to grit in this dream, and how tight I grit? Not sure, but I just know that I was gritting so hard that I swear I would be bleeding in my mouth if it was not a dream, don't know if I'll break teeth though. I was gritting out of frustration, frustration at myself for even having the question asked to me. For not being able to do as the crying girl back then asked me to do.

That's when she turned around, the moment she did, her features changed, from blonde hair to jet black, from green eyes like emerald, the ones I saw staring at me pleading back in the cave, to azure blue just like mine, and a face so familiar to me, though I was sure I will never see aside when I will be in the afterlife again someday. Also in her hands, a pipe appeared, a familiar-looking pipe, one that you can hardly find in the world I am now in.

It was the pipe that took the life of my sister. She then raised it up to her chest and pointed the same jagged end that I saw going through my sister's chest. In a panic, I tried to get a hold of the other end of the pipe in hopes that I can stop her, but I was not able to grasp anything. For a second, she vanished, wherever I turn my head, I can't find her, but then after I blinked, she was there again, but this time closer to me, right at my face actually, though something was also there. There was blood flowing from the corners of her mouth, alarmed, I then felt that there's something clutching my right arm, the same arm I used in the attempt I did.

And so I took a look at what was it that was holding my arms, but then I saw the Elf's hands, it was stained by blood, feeling cold and the dread slowly crawling up my spine, I followed where my arm is with my eyes and saw that instead of a normal, what I have was a pipe for a right arm, the same pipe that I tried to grab a hold of and throw as far as I can away from the Elf that took the features of my sister.

Just like the scene from the car accident I died in, the pipe, went through the Elf's chest, through her heart. I started to shiver, to be overcome by confusion and panic, but all of that was snuffed away when my gaze accidentally met hers, somehow I was frozen stiff at that same moment. And she took the opportunity once again to speak, once again, there was something new, something that drove the nail in my nightmarish coffin. Her voice changed, she spoke in my sister's voice. "You did this to us." She said.

If I were still human, I would be sweating waterfall back then, also would be heaving for air like there was no tomorrow, but as I am now, all I was able to do was suddenly spring up into a sitting position, might not be panting and sweating, but disturbed and shaken nonetheless. It took me a couple of minutes to calm down, but not fully. It was enough though to make me notice that it was still dark outside; the hole above the city still letting moon rays instead of sunrays.

But even with that, I would not be going to sleep any time soon, and so I got off the bed and went out of the Inn that became my home for my indefinite stay (It's a good thing, Mrs. Berlasak left the doors open, yes you read that right, Mrs.). I started to walk around the city but with no real destination, I just went where my feet wanted to take me, soon I found myself near Kragg's workshop.

Even in the dead of night, the lights inside the workshop were left open, and a faint sound of a hammer hitting metal can be heard. Not really knowing why I walked toward one of the windows of the workshop; it's small but enough to let me see what was on the other side.

And indeed, Kragg was still hammering away on a rough form of a sword. Trying to desperately steer away from my mind from the nightmare I had, I watched in earnest and admired the sparks that flew off the red hot metal. Though my watching was interrupted by the Blacksmith himself when he stopped hammering and turned his head my way.

"Admiring one's work from afar though interesting for a time would only make one full of questions and frustrated, Please come in John." He said to me, I was kinda spooked by that, but with nowhere to go and do, I just let myself enter and once again watch in hopes that I will distract myself. Kragg hammered the sword for a few minutes, then he went for the quench. After hearing the satisfying sound of water turning into steam upon contact with the sword, the Blacksmith once again turned to me as he inspect the straightness of his sword.

"Thou art seemed that ye are bothered by something, John. What is it?" Came his words, his tone concerned like a close friend. And that seems like it did me in. My… Uh, whatever I use to talk; spout out everything that was running in my mind at that time. My nightmare, the things that are eating my conscience still, and my building doubt about my ability and capabilities to fill the shoes that I have been given. And I ended with "Am I that easy to read? I don't have a face you know."

"A face ye need not to see the emotions of someone. However, that is a discussion for another time. As for thy nightmare and fears, I say this unto you, worrying is good if such does not drown you in torrents. Heroes are not made in a single night, they are forged as they go through the hardships of life." He then took the sword he was hammering and showed it to me. "What seest thou, John? Is this metal just a rough rod that is not good for anything? Or is it something more if only it would be treated continually in flames and strikes, alongside grinding?" Kragg asked me. I know what he's trying to make me understand, and I have to say, it was actually working.

Seeing that he was waiting for an answer, I gave him mine. "I see a sword, one polished and sharp, ready to serve its purpose and fight with its wielder." And it seems like he liked it. He gave me a nod and continued. "Yes, I agree with you, again, Heroes are forged, they come to being upon going through hardships. However, that is not all that makes Heroes what they are. They should have a great wish, a great aspiration. One that will not only benefit themselves but all that is around them."

That helped me. The nightmare may be still in my mind, but it's not bothering me as much. And so, I gave my thanks. "Thank you Kragg, you helped me again." Again he nod, I was ready to get up and was ready to go out of the workshop to not disturb Kragg on his work, but it seems like he was still not done with me.

"I have noticed that thou art interested in technical matters John, with you nowhere, and I did with the step I have in mind to finish, I have time to answer anything that ye have in mind." He said stopping me on track. "Really? Then! … Uh, I don't really have anything in mind." As happy I was to hear that, I came out empty-handed, but once again the mighty Blacksmith came to the rescue.

"If that is so, then feel free to explore my workshop, let thy mind wander, and ask away if thine wondering brings you little answers." He said. That's when I got what he has in mind, and so I gave him a respectful nod. He was still worried and about me and was making an effort on helping me. And in thankfulness, I allowed him to do so.

And explore I did; I looked at the furnace, at the racks of stocks (What smiths call solid metal cylinders that they use in forging), and the still-unfinished swords, ax heads, and spears in a barrel. But what got my mind gears running was when I saw the racks with finished weapons.

They were amazing, designs that are simple but still stand out. Though what caught my attention was not how pretty they were, it was the weapon that was at the top rack. It was an ax that has an intricate carving on the large ax head's sides and also along on its long slightly curved shaft. As I looked at it, I felt a warmth emanating from it. It was weird. And so being the curious man that I am, I grabbed it from the rack and took a closer look.

Once in my hands, I felt the warmth more, a warmth similar to when you touch the skin of a person. Questions came into my mind like a flood; why is this ax like this, why is it warm, how is it doing it. Puzzled and wanting an answer, I turned to the one that offered to answer, and it seems like he was eager to answer.

"What is this ax? Why can I feel its warmth?" I asked. If Kragg has a face, I swear he would be smiling right now. "What ye have in thy hands is what we call an Artefact. It is an object- in this case; a weapon that has a soul infused into it." He paused letting digest that. "… Wait, for real?! Who's soul is in this ax? Is it sentient? Can it talk?!" Came my barrage right after it sunk in my head. He chuckled again at me and my over-excitement, though not soon after he explained it to me like he said.

"The ax bears a part of my soul, and no it is not sentient and cannot talk. Though it can do something else entirely, if I may." The Blacksmith said asking for the ax. After giving it to him, I felt the warmth from the ax increase, warmer than when I was holding it, after that, Kragg gave me a show that had my non-existent mouth hanging. Of a sudden, the ax caught in blue flames then as sudden as they appeared they vanished, though most of them converging to the cutting edge of the ax.

Then Kragg made some flourishes which left neon-like lights as the ax traveled in the air. After showing off, he started explaining again."Artefacts carry a unique trait, that is the ability to carry Evokings- Spells that are inscribed into the soul inside the Artefact. These Spells cost almost no Mana and can be unleashed any time the wielder desires to do so. It also amplifies any Spell cast with it being used as an initial medium."

My visor twinkled like how Kragg's does (Yeah, I know. I am weird too seeing that I called Kragg weird). My otaku self is floated when he heard all of that. All of my chuuni imaginations can now be a reality (Yes I am not just an otaku, I am a chuuni too). With me being excited and all, asked the first question that popped out in my mind. "Is there a limit in how many uh, Evokings you can add to an Artefact?" Which was answered with a "Yes." which kinda disappointed me a bit but was something that I was expecting. "The limit in which one will be able to inscribe Evokings into an Artefact would be 5."

The Blacksmith continued. That made me more disappointed, but then there's nothing I can do. "Ok, any more stuff about Evokings?" Came my other question, still being curious about the mechanics of Artefacts and the possible anime-ish things I can do with it. And Kragg didn't disappoint this time. "There are 2 different kinds of Evokings, a Passive one and an Active one. A Passive Evokings are Spells that have their effect constantly active. In contrast, Active Evokings are Spells that need to be activated. An example of these Evokings is this."

The moment that he said that, his ax stopped glowing, nothing happened next, but then the weapon blazed again but this time much stronger and much brighter. Once again the flames compressed themselves into the cutting edge of the ax and like with the flames, it's much brighter than before.

"The event that you have witnessed was a demonstration of both kinds of Evoking. The first one I used was Passive Evoking, it allows the Artefact to gather Mana into itself and allow other Evokings to use it to increase their power or effectiveness. And the second, an Active Evoking that allows the blade to rend materials with much ease."

All I was able to say was "Wow…" I was mesmerized though somehow I got all that. Fantasies of me being a badass then started playing inside my head. (Sword slashes that can split mountains, shields that can block almost anything, and other stuff.) I almost got lost in my world that I almost missed the other things that Kragg said.

"Do ye desire to also gain an Artefact?" He asked. And I answered in a very enthusiastic way. "Yes! Yes please!" Complete with head-nodding like I'm trying to snap it off. If Kragg has a face, I think he would have been smiling at me. He then spoke again. "Then thou art in need of an object that ye wish to turn into an Artefact." Came his words. That made me think and realized that I have nothing in this world.

But before I can say anything, Kragg beat me to the punch. "Seeing that ye have no material possession of any kind, I would like to humbly offer my crafts to thee o Hero of the Vanguards," he said before attempting to bow to which I stopped by placing my hands on his shoulders. "No need to bow! And also, thank you."

And so because I don't want to make him sad or give a wrong message by declining, I accepted the offer and started looking for something I would like. Again I let my optics wander and also examine the thing I see, all of them looked amazing, but I felt that they are not for me. That's when I saw a greatsword. It didn't really look special, maybe something that you will find in a mid-game of an action RPG, shop, but to me, it looked perfect. It's a single edge greatsword that looked similar to the Buster Sword.

Walking closer to it, I found out that it was almost taller than me, but that only made my otaku self giddier. And so I reached for its handle and tested its weight. And to the fulfillment of my chinubyo fantasies, I was able to lift it with a single hand. "Hehehehe… Hahahahaha! HAHAHAHAHA!!! This is what power is! This is strength! Wahahahahahaha. Ha." As I laugh and monologue to myself, I felt a judging stare coming from Kragg.

And to my dismay, he was indeed looking at me like I'm some kind of a crazy person and not a hero. But his stare soon came back to normal as he started to laugh. After some seconds he finished and seemly relieved. He then told me why. "Seeing that ye are able to speak as such, it is only right to say that I was able to calm thine mind. And for that I am glad." Hearing that made me thank him again. To which he said that "It's a pleasure to do so."