Moving into the tower I let out a sigh. I had a blacksmith to find, but I was certain it would be a lot of waiting. I briefly looked at the
Moving into the tower I let out a sigh. I had a blacksmith to find, but I was certain it would be a lot of waiting. I briefly looked at the hole in the ground before letting out a soft sigh. The Dungeon was practically calling my name!
Yet, my promise to Rose was way more important than my desire to go in the Danger Hole. I moved up the stairs with a light hustle behind my steps. My running shoes slammed against the stone as I ascended.
Just as I made my way to the top I accidentally shoulder checked someone that rounded a corner and I paled. Dang it!
"I'm sorry!"
The man let out an annoyed breath as he slowly picked himself up. He dusted himself off and shrugged while throwing me a light glare before letting out a laugh.
"Say you look like an adventurer, I know how you can make it up to me!"
I blinked at the red head in confusion.
Did I just trigger a side quest? I was in a hurry though!
"Uh, sorry. I'm in a hurry to commission a weapon I can't-"
"Well lucky for you I'm a blacksmith, I'd be willing to discuss further with you."
I let out a sigh. I really wanted Welf, but perhaps this was a fateful encounter? I only had one way to find out!
"Alright then!" Perhaps the weapon would be bad, but I was certain I could tell pretty easily by just swinging it a few times. I was willing to throw my Valis into the fire pit if it made someone's day, but I wouldn't buy a bad weapon!
It was against who I was!
Then the man cracked a smile and pressed a thumb into his chest.
https://i.postimg.cc/SxYpFCQ8/welf.avif
"Call me Welf, let's get to work."
I blinked, then my eyes lit up with passion
"As in Welf Crozzo?"
He instantly frowned and let out 'tch'.
"Forget it."
W-what!? How could this be?
"Everyone else's weapons suck or are way too expensive! Please make me a new Best Friend Sword!"
He let out a sigh.
"Look dude, I don't make magic swords." He took a breath then clenched his fist and started to chew me out on the stairs causing me to droop in sadness. I wasn't going to him for a magic sword . . . but honestly he looked like he needed to get this off his chest so I let him speak instead of cutting him off.
"I don't give a shit that you were looking for me, and I certainly don't care that 'you're special' or whatever crap you're going to spin. A magic sword will never be your 'Best Friend' it will fail you and it will leave you to die. The moment it starts shining you'll just throw it away." He let out a heavy breath and said one final thing to me that made me even sadder.
"When something loses its use . . . you'll just end up getting rid of it."
Tears flowed from my eyes. Such a passionate monologue! Such heart! Such spirit! He doesn't forge magic swords because they break the emotional bond between soldier and steel! I understand!
Though it did make me sad to ever throw a weapon away! That's why mine had to reincarnate!
I gave him a casual smile and put my hands on my hips.
"I don't want a magic sword. I bought a dagger and chest piece from you, I really enjoyed the quality for the price so I wanted to commission a non-magic sword from you since my old one broke."
We awkwardly stared at each other for a flat ten seconds before he spoke up.
"Oh." He blinked and another moment passed before he laughed.
"Well why didn't you just say so?"
I gave a shrug.
"Your speech was so passionate, I couldn't stop you!"
He smiled lightly then held out his hand for a shake.
"Welf Crozzo- but seriously, just call me Welf." I returned the handshake causing him to grin.
"Andrew Ariti, newbie hero and veteran sword lover!"
His look turned a bit more serious, but there was still some amusement in his eyes.
"So how much are you working with?" He slowly peeled his hand away but froze at my words.
"I'm willing to pay 20,000 Valis."
His jaw dropped and then he gulped.
"I think this is going to be the start of a very profitable relationship for the both of us."
Ah, so this was a fateful encounter!
"Well it's nice to meet you Welf, when can we get that sword started?"
He gave me a thoughtful gesture, then smiled with a shrug.
"How about right now? I can take you to my workshop and I can start cooking up your 'Best Friend Sword'."
I nodded with glee, all thoughts of Hestia and Belle fading away for the moment as the Sword Autism kicked in.
"YES!" He nearly jumped back at my sudden yell.
"Alright then . . . let's get this show on the road." He let out an awkward cough and waved me along as I trailed close behind him. As we went around the tower I realized we were heading the opposite direction of the church and instead seemed to be heading east.
We started walking down a cobble road that had us go past several other workshops but a lot of the workers seemed to just throw Welf some nasty glares instead of any greetings to their fellow blacksmith.
He let out an awkward laugh then frowned.
"They're just jealous of my new customer."
Ah, had I already made a name for myself? I gave him a casual smile as we moved past the developed district and near a dirt road.
"Well I'm glad I'm your customer Welf, you make good stuff." He nodded his head then turned it back down the cobble path while checking for any onlookers. I turned my head as well and spotted no one as he turned back to me.
"My workshop is just down the road here, it's a bit of a hike though."
I gave a shrug.
"I like hiking." As we moved down the dirt road he asked me a question that made me smile.
"So why'd you choose my equipment anyways?"
That was easy!
"I tested everything in that novice shop, your gear was the only stuff that was weighted and made properly." He let out a laugh and started a bit of rant.
"Those novices always mess up the weighting and balance when crafting any combat equipment that isn't a hammer. I've actually trained a bit with my sword so I know more than those fresh blacksmiths when it comes to that sort of thing!"
I nodded but then frowned.
"Do those novice's even have proper teachers?"
He just shrugged, then scowled.
"Getting a teacher you can apprentice under is hard, most of them have had to learn from books on loan from a Familia."
I wonder who taught Welf how to forge then?
Maybe he was just secretly a hidden genius?
My master said the same thing about me too! According to her 'internet tutorials should not have resulted in your chimeric swordsmanship'. I only really understood the first part though, not really certain what the chimera part was about.
Most of her lectures went over my head and we just sparred a lot to hone my swordsmanship. However I'm sure those memories are still in my head somewhere.
He presented a shack to me and awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
"Sorry it's a mess." He opened the door and I was presented with a medieval forge! I'd actually only seen these at the Ren(aissance) Fair before, seeing a true forge like this was just a different level!
"Nothing to say? Well-"
"It's amazing!"
He blushed faintly before steeling himself with a serious expression.
"Well all right then, you said you wanted a 'Best Friend Sword'?" I nodded before I paused, it felt like I was about to insult my friend!
"I call it a Best Friend Sword but most people know it as a Bastard Sword." He blinked, then laughed maniacally nearly to the point of crying. I stood there awkwardly for a moment until he let out a sigh.
"You really are a strange guy."
I gave him a smile.
I was an Isekai Shounen Protagonist, of course I was!
"I certainly am, but I'm glad to be one!" He let out a hum and turned towards his forge. However as he turned I saw the small genuine smile starting to grow on his face. He waved me off for a moment as he looked over his materials.
"Feel free to test out some of the weapons on the wall while I figure out what would be best suited for you."
Ah, he's really going all the way! Though he doesn't need to watch me, I already know what I want!
"Heavier near the base, a flatter pommel, rough grip that is about an eighth of a finger length thick, balanced blade with both sides sharp so I can shift my style . . . the works."
He looked at me with widened eyes before leaning back slightly.
"Huh. You know your stuff."
I gave him a thumbs up.
"The only thing I know about blacksmithing is how to make an order!"
He let out a light chuckle at that, before pausing. He stared at me for a moment before asking me an odd question.
". . . what level are you?"
"Just level one at the moment. I've only been an adventurer for about a week."
He looked a bit saddened before starting to berate me.
"Look, you know your swords but you should just quit being an adventurer while you still have your life. People like you end up getting stabbed in the back without anyone to fall back on."
I let out a light huff of air before giving him a smirk. I could see the slight anger in his eyes, but behind it was a desire for me not to get killed.
He was just a Tsundere like Rose!
"Well then, what level are you?"
He rolled his eyes lightly.
"Level one, but I've been a level one for a lot longer than a week . . . what are you implying?" I pulled a longsword off the wall and weighed it in my hand. Wasn't perfect but it would do.
"A duel, me against you."
He gave me an incredulous look before snorting.
"Fine then, but we're using wooden swords. I don't want to kill you by mistake."
I blushed faintly and put the sword back on the wall. This guy was smart! I should get training weapons for me and Belle!
He tossed me a wooden long sword before picking up one himself and walking outside.
"Alright, let's get this over with."
I followed him and then paused as I gazed at the sun in the distance.
"How about we make a wager?"
He raised an eyebrow at me before gesturing for me to continue.
"If you win, I'll follow your advice and I'll even still buy that commision off of you."
He actually looked a bit intrigued to my surprise, the grip on his sword tightened. He really was a good guy at heart despite the prickly exterior!
"And if you win?"
"You'll become my companion, my blacksmith, and my friend." I gave him a radiant smile as I pointed right at him before adding a little bit extra. "Though I'll still pay you for your work, I'll probably just need a lot of armor in the future so you can expect me as a repeat customer."
He let out a small sigh and gave me a weary smile as he hefted the blade over his shoulder.
"You seem like a nice guy, sorry for what I'm about to do." Then he moved. He stomped forward and pushed off the ground. The sword on his shoulder extended out with his arm and plummeted right towards my shoulder.
I barely sidestepped the attack. He was fast! He blinked in surprise at my dodge before throwing a sideward swing towards me. So I did what you should never do in a sword fight.
I jumped. There was simply no other way to evade the attack. However as I rotated in the air I whipped my sword against his incoming strike and then pushed off of it in order to land on the ground with a smile.
"What the hell?"
I let out a laugh at his words. Then I charged back at him. I could feel the wind on my face as I dashed in his direction with a smile.
I missed this! I missed facing off against another swordsman, and I could already tell which of the four 'Paths' he followed.
My teacher had taught me of the four path's most fighters followed. The Mighty Dragon, the Defensive Tortoise, the Agile Bird, and the Cunning Tiger. Everyone followed a 'Path'. Core pieces of who they were intermingled in their fighting style. However my teacher said I followed none of them, and that I was a Chimera.
Still not sure what that meant, but I did know one thing.
He followed the 'Path' of the Dragon. He was straight forward, honest, and struggled to hide the intentions behind his attacks. Instead he followed through with his actions, and set them up to allow his movements to be paired with brutal force.
Of course every Dragon was different, but he was one that always seemed prepared for sneak attacks. The way his eyes twitched around the different points of my body showed me that he had been betrayed before.
So I refused to fight him like a Tiger. Instead I'd fight him on his level, even if it wasn't the best option!
"I like your swordsmanship." I gave him a happy smile as I spoke.
"Thanks . . . now are you going to just stand there or are we going to keep going?"
I slowly leveled my sword in his direction then nodded.
"Let's not waste time. The next strike will decide this."
He smirked and I could feel a connection between us forming as fire danced in our eyes under the setting sunlight.
Then we both charged at each other. I kept myself low to the ground and struck at an upward angle while he brought himself down upon my blade. I flew upwards and moved past him as a sickening crunch of wood echoed throughout the area.
I turned down towards my completely shattered blade and let out a sigh before standing up. Welf wasn't moving and just stared off into the distance as I got a good look at his back.
I approached next to him and spotted him staring at the setting sun while his broken blade also laid upon the ground.
He seemed to be in complete shock so I decided to speak.
"So do we both win, or do we both lose?"
He blinked and slowly turned his eyes down to me in confusion.
"What?"
"Do I follow your next words of advice, and get my new sword, while you become my companion? Or do we instead part ways like this never happened?"
This man's swordsmanship stung of him being hurt by others before.
I could never force myself to be his treasured companion. That would only push him away.
He had to make this choice himself.
"Andrew . . . right?" I nodded.
"Yep. Newbie hero . . . and veteran sword lover."
He let out a light snort before nodding his head. People feared companionship in some cases, but in the end everyone wanted someone or something.
This guy . . . he wanted someone he could trust. That's why his swordsmanship showed me. Every attack was a question. One you could so easily lie too. Yet, I chose not to do so.
Our blades had already communicated his answer.
"Welf, right?"
He gave a smirk and his eyes sharpened with a fire behind them I'd only seen in his forge.
"Welf Crozzo, but call me Welf."
I am thou, thou art I. Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the Wings of Hope that break the chains of thy Fate.
With the Birth of the Tower Arcana, You have obtained the winds of blessings that shall lead to freedom and new power. . .
Rank 1: Steady Smithing - Equipment has increased Durability.
The Tower huh? That made a lot of sense. The Tower represented someone who had an exterior that pushed others away, because they had been pushed away constantly before. They hated having to be alone and I could understand that completely.
However the only way to break free from the exterior was to shatter it. In other words you had to bring the Tower down and reveal the person trapped inside.
Damn, Welf had it rough. But I'd save my treasured friend! Ah, does this make Welf the 'Bro'?
"I'd be glad too . . . but can I also call you friend?"
He let out a conflicted laugh.
"We literally just met!"
I gave him a shrug and a light elbow jab.
"Hey now, we clashed blades so that connected us!" He snorted.
"Speaking of, how the hell did you get that strong in a week?" He was one of my treasured companions so I kind of spoke without thinking.
"I have a skill that increases the Excilia I get."
His eyes widened in extreme shock and then turned to me seriously and put a hand on my shoulder.
"Why would you trust me with that information? What if I used that against you?"
I gave an awkward chuckle. I know Rose told me not to tell random people, but Welf was my companion!
"I already told you, we communicated through our battle. You aren't the type of guy who would stab someone in the back."
He slowly peeled his hand away and turned back to the setting sun.
Rank 2: Equipment requires less Maintenance after being worked on by The Tower Arcana.
"Huh. You could tell all that from a sword fight?"
I nodded as the Sun blipped over the horizon.
"As for the advice I'll give you . . . Just come to me from now on. Don't waste your time with other blacksmiths."
I stared into the distance for a moment as I nodded, then paused.
"Yep . . . OH SHIT I GOTTA GET BACK!"
He looked at me in surprise before I paled and handed him the bag of Valis.
"Sorry! I have to run, my Familia is probably worried sick! We can meet up tomorrow at Babel!" I sprinted home as fast as I could.
I totally forgot about them in pursuit of my new Best Friend Sword!
If you'd like to support me or read ahead you can do so on my p . a . t . r . e . o . n . c . o . m/BobOfTheHedgeField