380 Emerald Burst
“That is one of my last knives. I used an alloy called Midnight Metal. But we can use Adamantine refined with Mana and create a magic circle at the base, you seem to have a lot of mana, so a magic sword will be practically indestructible in your hand” Ezra concluded, the boy was completely excited.
“Indestructible?” Questioned Luke.
“Yes, if you channel your mana into a sword, it will definitely make it indestructible” Ezra replied.
*
Ezra began to perform the drawing of the diagrams, as much as he did not have a complete grasp of how to forge in Zhao’s style, the little boy possessed a general idea of what the Katana could look like.
The initial idea was a completely black blade, as per Luke’s request. On the handle would be a small red crystal that would act as a way to channel the half-wolf’s mana. The flow of mana would follow from the beginning of the sword to the end, energizing it and activating the magic circles that Ezra would add.
“Some swords have built-in quick enchantments, like transforming mana into slashing attacks or infinite poison spells. Anything like that interest you?” replied Ezra.
Luke placed one of his hands on his chin, and thoughtfully, began to visualize what would be best suited for his combat style.
‘Until now I was used to using a pansperm equipment, I can keep the sword in my inventory when needed, which won’t create as much difficulty for me. Now, about the enchantments… Do you have any idea what would be interesting Balance?’
[Poison and wind and fire magic, are the most versatile for your use. Fire magic has a strong enough destructive power for when it is necessary to exterminate large groups, wind magic allied with your Vind skill will be useful during combat. And Poison is almost indispensable for your assassin fighting style]
‘If you have a way to control the flow of poison in the weapon, this sword would be really quite versatile. I think ideally it would be some kind of immobilizing toxin, so I don’t have to worry about it in duels or training’
“Ezra, how does the poison work?” Luke said.
“Hmmm, basically, a magic circle etched inside the handle will use the stored mana to poison the blade. We can choose more than one substance, it will all depend on your ability to control the flow of mana” Answered the little blacksmith, who was standing with his arms crossed staring at the piece of paper left under the table.
‘Control the flow of mana from the sword? What does that mean’
[You just need to manage the mana around the sword. Controlling where it goes]
‘Hmm, I guess fire magic and poison, maybe two different kinds of poison. I would need something to immobilize” Luke said.
“Hmmm, poisons wouldn’t be a problem. But depending on the size of the enemy, it might be more interesting to add electric magic. The handle of a katana is usually a bit bigger, so we can add more enchantments inside it, its mana is also quite big, so it wouldn’t be hard to control all that” Ezra continued.
‘I think it’s best to be honest with him’
“You know, I’ve never used a sword with different enchantments. I don’t know how to manipulate my mana to tell you the truth” Luke replied.
“Ah, I have some swords like that. Let’s go to the training area, there’s one here in the building” Ezra said.
“Alright! Let’s practice then, can you explain to me how I can do it?”
“Sure!” Answered Ezra, who got up and ran out of his chair.
“I’ll get some swords!” Said Ezra shouting.
Ezra selected four different swords, each one had a special particularity, they were just equipment he had made to test some ideas. As small as he was, his experience in the art of forging blades was remarkable.
Luke waited for the boy in the corridor, until he then began to hear the sound of clanging pieces of iron. Ezra had tied the four swords together, and was running with them on his back.
The boy normally walked with hurried steps, making small jumps as he walked. With each little jump you could hear the swords clattering. Luckily, the boy had used a thick piece of leather to store the weapons, along with three mesh belts that were holding the equipment together.
‘These weapons will be ideal for your training master Luke, I have chosen equipment with different functions, so you can get a better idea of what is most interesting to you’ Ezra said.
‘Hmm, four different swords… Well, it won’t be a problem if I train with each of them afterwards. It’s not like I’m going to have a very busy day today, Megan told me I can miss lab today’
[Try to pay Megan a visit in the afternoon, she was very worried about you, she didn’t let go of your hand at any point when you were unconscious]
‘Oh sure. Wait, how do you know that?’
[Even if you were unconscious, I am still conscious inside your body. I live in your soul, you being asleep doesn’t prevent me from staying awake]
‘That’s really surprising news… But how? How confusing’
[It’s not like I’m watching you all the time either. I also prefer to rest my conscience when you are sleeping, but that day… I was too worried about your well being Luke, don’t worry]
Luke gave a small smile
‘Thanks Balance’
“So Ezra, show me where this training room is” Luke said.
*
The two boys walked through the forge, leaving the far end of the building and walking down the long corridor that led to the entrance. The temperature had increased significantly inside that place, it seemed that there were more blacksmiths working now.
‘Really, Hepha must be quite busy. If there were several men working before, now it seems that the number has doubled,’ Luke thought.
“How many people normally attend the forge?” Luke questioned.
“Hmmm, of the blacksmiths who come to this building every day, I would say around 200 men and 40 women. But there are those who come periodically, I think there must be around 500 blacksmiths active at Melki’s academy.
This was really surprising news. After hearing this, Luke instantly remembered Hephaestus’ words.
[You were really lucky to get an offer from this boy. And to imagine that among 500 blacksmiths, he is the most promising]
All the more reason for me to feel guilty for underestimating him.
[Well, have you ever stopped to think that this boy is still maturing and still has years of training ahead of him? Surely he will be a master forger]
‘What makes you think that Balance? I mean, his swords are really amazing, but what caught your attention?
[Can you see that green sword Ezra is carrying? It has an extremely strange flow of mana, to tell you the truth, I don’t think I’ve ever seen any magical equipment like that]
‘A sword so unique you’ve never seen anything like it … and yet it was made by such a young boy, is he sure is a prodigy’
pAn,Da-n0v e1,c
The two were still walking down the hallway, but by now, they were near the exit door of the forge.
“Yes, this here is the Emerald Burst. One of my favorite swords, he’s cute isn’t he? I like green, although green doesn’t really suit me. Blue and green don’t mix well outside of nature do they?” Ezra said.
Luke was so focused on finding out what was different about that sword, that he could not imagine such an unpretentious and innocent answer. This little line from the boy made him fall into laughter.
Luke then approached Ezra, and extending his hand, began to pet the little blacksmith’s blue hair.
“Yes! You’re right, green and blue don’t mix so well outside of nature” Luke said.
“Master Luke! It wasn’t enough that Master Hepha was running her hand over my head, now you too!” Clamored Ezra, with an annoyed face and his cheeks puffed up.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s just that I don’t usually get fellows so much younger than me, to tell you the truth, you look like a child” Luke replied.
Ezra’s face turned red, both from embarrassment and anger.
“Master Luke! I am not a child! I am a noble blacksmith, Hepha’s apprentice, a respected craftsman!” cried the blue-haired boy, puffing out his chest as he tidied up his blue hair.
The two were now outside the forge, inside walking down a concrete road that led to a large enclosed hall. After opening two long iron doors, the two of them found themselves in the forge training area of Melki’s academy.
It was a place that in some ways resembled the training center of the Strogueher household, which gave Luke’s chest a small tightening. A feeling of nostalgia for those days when he trained incessantly with Nathalia.