Shion Lan prepared to continue his training. In the training hall, he extended his flame-covered sword and his other hand, which released threads toward his targets.
"(Cutting Flames)! (Paths of Fire)!"
Seven slashes and seven threads shot forward, reflecting his progress. The sword left cutting marks with internal burning, while the threads detonated the points they struck.
"Not bad, another step to master it.", Shion said with enthusiasm in his eyes.
Just as he was about to continue, he was surprised by the voice of the maid Marie asking for permission to enter. He allowed her in, and she said,
"I apologize for interrupting your training, but the young lady of the Jewel family has arrived."
Shion nodded and went to change his clothes, thinking,
' It's been a week since the annual celebration. We'll return to the academy in a few days, and I asked her to meet for a favor. '
After dressing and preparing, he came down in his usual elegance and greeted her,
"Welcome, Lady Jewel."
Pearl Jewel shook her head.
"Come on, we're classmates at the academy, and you're also an investor in the Jewel Guild. You can drop the formalities."
Shion cut straight to the point,
"Let's get to business. I want to meet a good blacksmith."
Pearl looked at him curiously.
"Didn't you receive a sword from the king?"
"That sword was given to me to keep because it doesn't affect me. It's considered a treasure despite being a disaster. Don't expect me to wave it around, especially as a third-rank noble."
Pearl nodded.
"You have a point. I know a blacksmith who can meet your needs."
Shion smiled.
"And how do you know my needs?"
Pearl smiled charmingly.
"For someone like you, I think I know the kind of weapon you want—and that blacksmith has enough creativity to match you."
Shion grew interested and said,
"So, when can we go?"
"Right now."
And they headed out.
Afternoon, arriving at Aroum Territory, Pearl explained,
"The Aroum family is under the rule of the Jura family, so their control over the earth element is among the best. Their main industry is blacksmithing. The one I'll introduce you to is among the best… but also the strangest."
Shion listened while observing weapon shops filled with various displays.
"These weapons look impressive and suit the main character type."
Some blacksmiths overheard and felt proud.
Shion and Pearl turned into a side street, then into a narrow alley until they reached a side door.
"Are you sure that the blacksmith is here?"
Shion asked as he saw the place.
The shopfront was sealed shut. A heavy chain and rusted padlock bound the metal shutters, their paint blistered and faded by years of sun. A crooked "Closed" sign hung in the grimy window, and dust had gathered thick on the sill where no customer had stood for a long time.
But Pearl said,
"I told you before, he is strange."
"That doesn't explain the place."
Pearl didn't care and knocked the door.
A rough voice came from inside:
"Who is it?!"
He sounded annoyed, but Pearl smiled.
"It's me, Pearl Jewel!"
"Oh, the little girl."
The door opened, revealing a muscular man with burn marks on his hands, which he ignored.
"So, what do you want?"
Pearl hesitated.
"I came to request a service, sir."
"If you weren't from the Jewel Guild, I wouldn't even bother answering the door."
Shion frowned.
"B—"
Before she could continue, Shion interrupted,
"It's fine, Lady Jewel. I'll settle for a cheap weapon from the market, but I won't tolerate this man's nonsense."
Pearl looked at Shion who said 'Lady Jewel'.
The blacksmith narrowed his eyes.
"And who are you, boy?"
Before Pearl could answer, Shion said,
"I doubt you've heard my name, so there's no need for you to know it."
The blacksmith turned away.
"Go to the first shop on the main street—you'll find the best attention-grabbing weapons there."
Shion scoffed.
"The best weapons? If I weren't in your territory, I'd have insulted those useless tools!"
Pearl froze in shock.
' Do you even realize what you're saying?! This isn't some wandering smith—this is the Aroum family's territory! '
But unexpectedly, the man looked at Shion with interest.
"Is there a reason you say that about our weapons?"
Shion replied:
"They look impressive and suit the main character type."
Pearl, "..."
' Is that praise or an insult?! '
Pearl was about to lose her mind but the blacksmith nodded.
"You're right. They think following standards produces the best weapons—but they're fools."
Shion continued,
"These are fine if you're equipping beginner mercenaries destined to die on their first mission—or children who just want to play. In the end, no two people are the same."
"You're absolutely right!" the blacksmith praised him.
But before he could continue, Shion grabbed Pearl's hand and started walking away.
"Huh?!" Pearl can't with Shion but the rough voice penetrated their eardrums,
"Wait! Where are you going?!" the blacksmith shouted.
"To find someone who can make what I need. I don't need idle talk."
As Shion turned, the blacksmith suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path. Pearl jumped back in shock.
"Level seven," Shion said calmly.
The blacksmith's expression changed, then he smiled fiercely.
"You've got skill, boy. Now let's talk inside—if I like what you say, I'll forge your sword for free."
Shion replied coldly,
"I don't have time to entertain you. Either you make what I want or not, let us leave."
The blacksmith grinned.
"And if I don't let you leave?"
Shion pulled out a folded paper.
"You won't see this."
"What is it?" The blacksmith smirked, "A royal decree promoting me?i"
Pearl panicked internally.
"Is he mocking a royal decree?!"
Shion said firmly,
"Take a look—you'll see its value."
He unfolded it, revealing designs and details. At first, the blacksmith didn't care—but soon his eyes widened at certain angles.
"That's...!!!"
Before he could look longer, Shion folded it and put it away.
"Wait! Let me see that sword design!"
Shion smiled internally and thought,
' As I expected, he can't resist the desire to get a design from Shi Yun Lan's world. '
He replied calmly,
"Then bring two cups of tea, and we'll talk comfortably."
"What about me?"
Shion noticed Pearl and said,
"You can get cookies."
"..."
They entered the blacksmith shop.
Shion sat down casually.
The blacksmith had no choice but to prepare tea.
Pearl, meanwhile, was speechless. She sat beside Shion and asked,
"What just happened?"
Shion replied,
"You're not used to dealing with people like him. He has pride equal to kings because he's come far—but when he sees something better, he becomes humble."
Pearl glanced at Shion's pocket.
"I have a sword design from my master," Shion continued. "I don't know much about blacksmithing, but I know it's extraordinary—like everything he creates."
He thought,
' This is a sword used by senior supervisors in Shi Yun Lan's Northern Academy—strong, light, and sharp. Perfect for my Stellar Summet Art. '
When the tea arrived, Shion sat across from the blacksmith.
"First, what's your name?"
"Steve Aroum. A blacksmith and a seven-star warrior. I've reached level seven."
Shion nodded.
"I'm Shion Lan, head of the Lan family, a student at Karath Academy, a two-star swordsman, a two-circle mage, and at the edge of level four."
Steve's eyes widened.
"No wonder you have such designs! From what I've heard, Lord Lan has a unique style in everything."
As the rumours about Shion spread through the kingdom.
"Thank you. Now let's get to the point."
Shion placed his teacup down.
"I want you to forge this sword. I'll pay in installments."
Steve replied,
"I don't mind making it for free, but this design is unlike anything I've seen. I'll need several attempts."
"When will it be done?"
"About a month."
Pearl was shocked.
"A month?!"
Steve explained,
"This design requires patience. From what I see, it allows a level-six user to fully unleash its potential. It's difficult to forge and requires specific materials. Considering possible failures, a month is the best estimate."
Shion stood up, adjusting his clothes.
"I'll be waiting eagerly. I hope you finish within a month—I have a test to take."
"Leave it to me!" Steve said enthusiastically.
After leaving, Shion and Pearl returned to the main market.
"We've taken care of the sword. Now let's find something to get by with for the time being."
Pearl thought,
' If other blacksmiths knew what happened, they'd execute both of you! 'Just something to get by with'? After that? '
After some browsing, Shion found a decent sword, and Pearl bought some accessories and jewelry.
It was a successful trip for both.
As they left the territory, people began whispering,
"What a beautiful pair."
"Don't you know her? That's Pearl Jewel, the guild master's daughter!"
"But who's the man with her?"
"I don't know, but he's handsome enough to match her."
Pearl heard the whispers.
Shion said,
"If I'm causing you embarrassment, I can walk ahead."
"No, it's fine. Since when does a merchant get affected by people's words?"
"I'm glad you're not bothered."
It was evening. Lights glowed, and stars shimmered in the sky, reflecting softly on Shion's face as he smiled.
Pearl looked at him—her calm blue eyes like a quiet sea… suddenly disturbed by waves.
' What's happening to me?! '
Her cheeks flushed deeply.
Shion noticed.
"Do you have a fever?"
He placed his hand on her forehead—it felt warm.
Without waiting, he grabbed her hand and tried to take her to a doctor.
But Pearl slapped his hand away.
"I'm fine! Just leave me alone!"