Chapter 21: Forging Mastery lv.1!
A Quiet Departure A cool breeze swept the valley, waiting for someone to depart. Vick wore a simple brown woolen sweater. He asked Winger to dispose of his old belongings. She agreed, and he blended in with the villagers. His aura, however, set him apart. Mounting his horse, the air grew heavy with a bloody, murderous intent. Winger faced the pressure calmly. “Be careful,” she said softly. “I might return soon,” Vick joked. He rode off, soon vanishing into a speck. Farewells weren’t always needed.
Winger’s Burden The situation was troublesome but manageable. Vick felt overwhelmed alone, but Reila and Kailos’s elite squad could help. That day, without support, it was simple. Worse scenarios required caution. Feeling weak, Winger’s mood sank. Strength wasn’t gained overnight. Her slow progress wasn’t due to talent. Obstacles made the journey long. Back at the treehouse, she hid the sword sheath. A sheath without a sword, a memento. She folded tattered clothes, storing them away. Grabbing magic potions, she headed to the mines. The rift’s stability reassured her. Abundant magical essence allowed experimentation.
Return to Glennmbak Large forces in Glennmbak could spark conflict. Aiden sent his troops back to Hosgard. A letter from the capital made him frown. Ministers argued over logistics while Dangarol crumbled. The lord seemed unbothered. “Kael Kahn…” A Sword Saint’s presence calmed fears. Why would the crown prince concede now? Aiden avoided the messy affair. A duke’s call for calm let him retreat. Royal intrigues ran deep. A new, unknown powerhouse was baffling. Heading home lifted Aiden’s spirits. A youth rode past, likely from the village. Eager to return, Aiden didn’t stop. Fateful encounters often go unnoticed. The mountain blended softness and sharpness. A gentle breeze barred intruders. Days later, harvested fields appeared. Autumn painted the village with red maples.
Reunion at the Tree Aiden headed to the great tree. Winger wasn’t there. A copper bell chimed downstairs. A girl’s voice called, “Who’s there…?” Veyi peeked over the railing, curious. She’d met Aiden once, years ago. He hadn’t returned in over a decade. Back then, he was fiery, in his thirties. Now, his demeanor was steady. Memories had faded and changed. “Who are you?” she asked. “Aiden,” he replied gently. His attendants were stunned. The earl rarely showed this side. “Eh… EH—!!” Veyi gasped. She recalled the near-mythical name. His occasional gifts had filled her childhood.
Forging in the Mines In the dim mine, Winger refined crystals. She experimented with forging techniques. Two crystal types seemed similar. Their impact on advancement was unclear. She prepared both for safety. Her hammer lit the cave. After ten thousand strikes, a notification sounded. [“Forging” has advanced to Level 1] [Forging lv.1 (0/500): Forged items may gain a 1% enhancement chance.] Crafting a hundred weapons might yield one enhanced. Was there a guaranteed minimum? She couldn’t tell the enhancement’s value. Learning appraisal skills might help. Winger stretched, tired but satisfied. The rift was stable, routines set. Holy magic countered unstable elements. She and Reila inscribed magic arrays. Winger learned as she worked. Reila explained symbols’ purposes. Some were obsolete but necessary. Ctrl+C was the greatest invention. Sunlight dazzled her cave-adapted eyes. She felt refreshed, almost ethereal.
A New Journey Instead of home, Winger ventured deeper. Life’s stability sparked her impulse. Mountains stretched beyond sight. Legends told of a hero slaying a dragon. Its bones formed these peaks. They barred moisture from the west. Snow-capped peaks touched the sky. Legends were just stories. No colleague wrote such a script. The silver-haired witch darted through trees. The ancient forest awed her. She didn’t feel small. She walked a day without reaching the edge. Moonrise, sunset—she checked the village’s safety. At a waterfall, eroded markers appeared. Beyond was uncharted land. She decided to press on. Ties had made her forget herself. Greenery grew repetitive. Days later, crimson cliffs emerged. Waves crashed, seagulls soared. The forest ended at towering cliffs. Azure and indigo framed the scene.