376 Lonely Smith
The two mages headed toward the forge, and watching from afar Luke could already recognize the building from the sky. It was a kind of concrete house with a hammer symbol engraved on the front of the building.
Large concrete and marble columns held up a gigantic triangular-shaped roof. On top of that ceiling was a gigantic square with a hammer carved into it. Behind the hammer it was possible to see the shape of a flame. This was the symbol that represented the blacksmiths of the Melki magic academy.
The place, although significantly large, was not as well kept as the other buildings of the academy. It was large and had an energy that showed the strength of the place, which differed somewhat from the delicate study buildings. There were several windows inside that building, although the forge rooms were more isolated, closed.
When Luke and Orion climbed the steps leading up to the entrance, it was already possible for Luke to hear the rhythmic sound of several hammers striking. It was a strange melody, at the entrance, it was possible to hear how the hammers beat in the same rhythm, but to Luke’s keen hearing, it was possible to hear some lone hammers that followed their own rhythm.
“I didn’t get to ask this before, but, how am I supposed to pay for a gun? Does the academy have a currency?” Luke questioned.
“You won’t have to, everything in the academy is paid for by student points. You can receive them through outstanding achievements or by service to the academy. But I’ll order them for you, so don’t worry, I’ll be the one paying.” Orion said.
“Won’t that be a hassle for you? I mean, you’re helping me with this for no reason.” Luke replied.
“I want to see how you will evolve having the proper equipment to serve in the academy. Besides it won’t be a problem, I’ve been studying here for years, I can afford hundreds of swords without any problem.” Orion replied.
The Wizard of Zhao then turned to Luke and giving a smile, challenged the half-wolf again.
“But my victory in the duel against you will probably already be enough to repay the points I will spend today.” Orion continued, closing his eyes.
“That’s great, after I defeat you, I’ll be able to buy some more swords.” Answered Luke, who continued walking without bothering about what he had heard.
“Anyway, who are we looking for around here?” Luke continued.
“I’m trying to find the head of this forge, he can guide us on who to choose to order their equipment from. Although, a ready-made flight sword isn’t a bad choice.” Orion said.
The two of them were walking down the central corridor of the forge. The building was gigantic, inside this corridor you could hear even more clearly the beating of the hammers on the iron. With each door they passed, a huge wave of heat appeared and then soon disappeared, the work rooms were significantly hot compared to the hallway.
“There is a blacksmith I wanted to talk to, a boy, he came to me begging me to choose him as my blacksmith.” Luke said.
Orion then crossed his arms, as he walked forward.
“It will be hard to find a specific blacksmith by ourselves, let’s look for the master and then ask about this boy…. What’s his name?” He asked.
“Ezra Bluesmith, he said he heard about our conversation and said he needed my help.” Luke replied.
“Hmm Bluesmith… That last name is not unfamiliar to me.” Answered Orion, who stood thoughtfully.
pAn,Da-n0v e1,c
In the middle of that corridor, finally a different sound appeared. It was a female voice that was shouting at someone. The tone of the voice was not that of a maiden, but of a woman who appeared to be strong, it was not a cry for help, but rather commands and sermons.
After walking through so many rooms crowded with blacksmiths, it was really strange how a silence remained inside the forge. There were dozens of hammerings, but Luke had not heard a single voice so far. This woman was definitely someone different, someone with an important position within the forge.
“We finally found the forge master, Hephaestus.” Orion said.
The two then approached the entrance to the room, there was no door in any of the rooms, the goal was precisely to avoid running out of oxygen. There were dozens of blacksmiths working there.
Some were sitting there sharpening gigantic blades, others were hammering the hot iron, shaping new weapons. All concentrated on their tasks. The age of the blacksmiths varied greatly. Some were extremely young, looking like they were still in their teens, others were in their late twenties or early thirties.
The only person who was not in front of an anvil was the woman who was coordinating everything. With short brown hair that was close to red, this girl was wearing a white shirt with torn sleeves. Her arms were not thin like those of an ordinary woman, however, they were also not muscular like those of an adventurer.
She had on a blacksmith’s apron, made of black leather. Her clothes were marked with burns and stains that appeared to be from grease. Even though she was a strong woman, you could still see her feminine beauty, she was exuberant. Her face was delicate, although it showed her dominance. Her breasts were large, and her hands, though visibly experienced, were delicate. This woman looked not much older, she had a youthful beauty. To Luke, this lady’s energy was visibly similar to Ayumi’s.
The girl was walking back and forth across the forge, pacing as her breasts swayed in her apron. With her arms, she was ordering the different blacksmiths around, directing what needed to be done.
“Yudi, you are hammering too lightly!”
“Maryuk! Finish that tempering.”
“Get back to work, Luwiz!”
“Klaus, finish the tempering and you are cleared from today’s training.”
Luke and Orion stood in the doorway without making any noise. Just waiting.
“We will wait here until she comes to greet us” Orion said in a low tone of voice.
It took five minutes for Hephaestus to notice the two mages waiting at the door. She then walked towards them, her arms crossed. With each step the woman took, her breasts jumped up. At her waist, a red hammer accompanied her movement, making a metal noise that matched the rhythm of her bust.
“Do you… need another Orion sword?” Said the blacksmith lady
“Not for me this time, madam. I came to requisition some equipment for this newbie.” Orion replied.
Hephaestus then clenched her eyes watching Luke, she analyzed the boy from end to end. Descending with her vision going from the half-wolf’s ears to the tip of his feet.
“Hmmm, he looks promising to me.” Said the smith lady.
She then turned away and with a gesture of her hands, motioned for the two to follow her.
Crossing the forge, none of the smiths stopped to observe the three. All remained focused on their services. The forge mistress then guided the two of them into a room that was on the opposite side of the room from where the fire resided.
Pulling a key from her pocket, the forge mistress opened four locks on a gigantic wooden and iron door. When the door opened, it was possible to see that the wall of that room was surprisingly thick.
Inside there were hundreds of swords, they were arranged on shelves, and on hangers that looked like the ones you would normally see inside a clothes closet.
Using what looked like wind magic, Hephaestus moved several swords that rushed past the hangers, as if he were sorting clothes inside a closet. After dozens of short swords passed by, a gigantic amount of Greatswords began to appear.
“Here, these are the swords for Flight. Will you need magic equipment?” Said the smith lady.
Orion took the lead to choose next to the mistress.
“I believe it is best to choose a temporary sword, I came here to request a Flight sword made by the madam.” The mage of Zhao then bowed. Luke realized the moment and bowed as well.
Hephaestus then scratched the back of her head. She then sighed a little and motioned for the two of them to stand up. Crossing her arms, the forge mistress began to think a little. The girl’s breasts bounced with the movement, which caught Luke’s attention.
“Ara Ara… Well, I’ve taken an interest in the newbie. It’s okay, I’ll just make that flight sword. Any additional equipment will have to be produced by one of my students.” Said the blacksmith lady
“Thank you!” Answered Luke and Orion, simultaneously.
Luke then remembered the little blacksmith who asked for his help on the beach. He wanted to see how that boy was doing.
“Do you know a boy named Ezra Bluesmith?” The half-wolf questioned.
Hephaestus’ eyes widened in surprise, taking a step back.