"Fairies and the First Creation"
Hephaestus, having promised to personally teach Drake forging, didn't simply hand him books and leave him to self-study.
Besides reading, over the next few days, Hephaestus taught Drake how to use forging tools.
Learning forging in this world didn't require extensive training. Acquiring the 〈Forging〉 ability during a level-up automatically grants knowledge of material properties and forging techniques.
However, Hephaestus's expectations for Drake were clearly higher, as evident from the books she provided.
Those books contained information on most materials usable in forging, including many suitable for Level 1 equipment.
Hephaestus clearly believed Drake would become a skilled blacksmith capable of crafting Level 1 equipment.
As Drake's physical abilities strengthened, his comprehension and memory improved, allowing him to quickly complete Hephaestus's assignments.
With Hephaestus's permission, Drake finally ignited the forge to create his first piece.
While the Dungeon brought hardship in ancient times, it also provided extraordinary resources.
Besides magic stones, there were various material drops. The fuel Drake used to ignite the forge was a combustion agent made from a material obtained from a monster called the Blazing Magma Rock.
Burning this material produced incredibly high temperatures, ideal for material processing.
Using Hephaestus's forge, Drake enjoyed this convenience.
Hephaestus had explained that the Familia provides individual forges for blacksmiths, but as an apprentice, Drake had to use Hephaestus's workshop.
The ore quickly melted in the furnace, the molten metal flowing into the mold.
Following Hephaestus's instructions, forging ordinary equipment involved material processing, shaping, assembly, and sharpening.
The first step was crucial; the final quality of the equipment was often determined at this stage.
Drake wasn't crafting high-level equipment and didn't need rare materials; he used ordinary iron ore.
The forge had refined steel ingots, but Hephaestus suggested he start from ore refinement to familiarize himself with the entire process.
Experienced blacksmiths could apparently judge steel quality by observing the molten metal; Drake couldn't yet do this, but he knew this refinement would leave many impurities.
Therefore, repeated forging was necessary to obtain suitable material for equipment…
Looking at the semi-solidified iron, Drake paused. He possessed magic; why be bound by conventional forging knowledge?
"Fal!"
At Drake's call, Fal emerged from the grimoire and landed on his shoulder.
"What is that…?"
Hephaestus stood up, staring intently at Fal.
Drake looked at Hephaestus, puzzled by her reaction.
Hephaestus composed herself. "I already thought Drake was exceptional, but you have even more astonishing secrets.
Do you know what's on your shoulder?"
Drake stroked Fal. "This is Fal, an elemental spirit bound to me by contract; my important partner."
Hephaestus chuckled wryly. "I don't know what you mean by 'elemental spirit,' but this creature's life essence is identical to a fairy.
Although it doesn't have a fairy's form, it's definitely a fire fairy, and a high-level one at that."
Drake realized this world lacked elemental spirits; fairies, embodiments of the gods, wielded elemental power.
Fal did resemble a fairy.
Hephaestus looked at Drake with wonder. "You're a fairy's contractor. You'll be crafting magic swords soon."
Drake looked at Far, surprised he was equivalent to a high-level fairy.
With Fal's assistance, crafting high-level equipment, even magic swords, wouldn't be difficult.
Magic swords are special equipment; even adventurers without magical aptitude can cast powerful magic with them.
Initially, magic swords were a substitute for magic; while they didn't consume mana or require incantations, ordinary magic swords were weaker than spells.
However, one family changed this; their magic swords supposedly possessed the power to evaporate oceans.
That's the Crozzo family, the reason Hephaestus mentioned Drake crafting magic swords soon.
A Crozzo ancestor was fed fairy blood, inheriting fairy bloodline. The Crozzo magic swords' power stemmed from the addition of fairy blood during creation.
Using their magic swords, the Crozzo family became a great noble house in the Rakia Kingdom, ruled by the god of war.
Their magic swords became devastating weapons, even burning down elven settlements.
The Crozzo family was cursed by fairies for their actions, losing the ability to craft magic swords. Only one person possesses the 〈Magic Sword Bloodline〉 skill.
The Crozzo family only had fairy blood; Fal was equivalent to a high-level fire fairy.
Drake's confidence soared; Fal understood his intentions perfectly.
Fal chirped, growing larger and flying to the anvil, releasing a burst of flame onto the semi-solidified iron.
Drake secured the iron with tongs and struck it with a forging hammer.
Clear sounds echoed as the iron reshaped.
Fal cooperated, maintaining the iron's temperature.
Drake's martial arts skill allowed precise control of his strength; each strike was perfect.
The iron reshaped, lengthening into a short sword.
For his first creation, Drake worked meticulously. The sword's lines became increasingly smooth, quickly forming a standard short sword.
Following Hephaestus's instructions, Drake systematically heat-treated the sword, making it more flexible and the blade sharper and harder.
The most important part was complete. Adding the hilt and guard would finish a short sword suitable for low-level adventurers.
Holding the finished blade, Drake examined its lines.
Due to Drake's rhythm or Fal's flames, dragon-scale-like patterns appeared as the blade was turned.
Drake nodded, presenting the blade to Hephaestus. "My Lady, this is my first creation. Please assess its quality."
Hephaestus took the blade, examining it.
Even Hephaestus praised the sword's shape; the material handling and forging were impeccable.
She particularly admired the unique patterns; they were aesthetically pleasing and seemed to have a special function.
Hephaestus took the unguarded blade to the forge, thrusting it into the flames.
The flames instantly dissipated, the patterns glowing as if charged.
Hephaestus withdrew the blade; flames enveloped the blade with a casual swing.
This ability is rare, even in equipment made with monster materials or rare ingredients.
Drake recalled the Fire Fairy Cloth; its abilities stemmed from the fairy's magic.
Fal's flames had been used to refine the metal; its magic was infused into the steel, creating this unique ability.
"Equipment that absorbs and releases flames? Unbelievable! This is already a Level 2 item. Your forging talent is truly astonishing."
Hephaestus's assessment was definitive; this short sword, made from ordinary steel, was already a high-level item.
In Orario, adventurers use different weapons based on their level.
Level 1 adventurers use weapons made from ordinary materials; they're cheaper and sufficient for upper-level monsters.
High-level adventurers use equipment made from rare materials.
Only skilled blacksmiths can forge Level 3 equipment for Level 2 adventurers; such blacksmiths are rare.
Level 2 equipment for Level 3 and 4 adventurers is even rarer, usually requiring custom orders.
Blacksmiths capable of crafting Level 1 equipment are exceptionally rare in Orario; only the Loki Familia and Hephaestus Familia have a few.
Drake's short sword was a rare item, at least a gold-tier legendary item.
Crucially, this short sword was usable by low-level adventurers.
High-level equipment is heavy; even excluding weapons like Dione's "Great Double-Bladed Urga," even Ais's Despair's Blade isn't easily wielded by low-level adventurers.
High-level and low-level adventurers possess vastly different strength levels.
Drake's short sword was different; it had special abilities but was made from ordinary materials.
Most importantly, it was inexpensive; Drake felt he was about to get rich. His forge construction plan could finally begin.
__________________
for more advance chapters visit patreon.com/bars45.
For 10$- All advance chapters.