19 The Blacksmith

It was a very arduous process. But After three months of hard work, I finally became an Esquire Smith! It was a laborious journey for me, filled with pitfalls and traps. I had to memorize basic metal properties and common Tier-1 and Tier-0 metals.

I was constantly under the forge, it would take weeks for me to get the smell of forging off my hands. But it was all worth it. I amounted to something now. Who dares say this young noble was worthless?

My first few forgings were a disaster. With no understanding of Metal Dao, it was hard to interact with the metals. My control of Fire qi left much to be desired.

When I finally could melt a metal properly by controlling my Fire qi in the forge, I found that reforging metals without metal qi was difficult. I haphazardly forged my first Esquire Dagger with a Tier-0 metal.

To work with Tier-1 metals required Esquire Metal Dao. Higher-level metals didn't always have this requirement for the Metal Dao to match them.

However, without breaking into the Metal Dao you could not work with Tier-1 and above metals at all. I understood better why Esquire Devils were the minimum requirement to be part of noble devil society. If you were not at least at this level, you could not even practice a profession.

I figured Kyle must be proficient in Wood Dao to grow Tier-1 fel weed. I eventually gave up trying to work with Tier-1 metals and sought the counsel of my Devil Ancestor.

"Haha, little brat, I think you might have learned an important lesson today. Every profession practiced in the Abyss requires an understanding of Daos to be proficient in them. Therefore devils are not experts in many fields," said Kogthoz.

"To become a Devil Duke smith I had to gain a high-level understanding of Fire and Metal Dao. If you split your focus trying to learn all fields you will never reach the apex of any of them. It also would affect your personal improvement of your devilry realm."

"Just sitting here attempting to study and learn a third Dao such as Metal Dao would be detrimental to you right now. Metal Dao is a difficult Dao to master, and you already have two Daos. Your devilry would suffer if you spent months studying just to step into the Metal Dao."

"I honestly did not even suspect you would step into the Fire Dao so quickly. Soulflame qi was all you need to do Esquire level forging of soul items. Understanding the Soul Dao makes handling metals with soul properties as easy to handle as if you understood the corresponding Metal Dao."

"Here is the inheritance you worked so hard for, study it well, and forge a place for yourself in the Hudson clan. Our time must end now. I've given you all the attention I can."

"When you first lost your vision, you bemoaned not being able to see a thing. Barely able to navigate the halls of my mansion. Brat, I didn't forget all the things you broke in my halls sneaking out. Now you hardly bring up your vision as a problem and are focusing tirelessly on improving yourself."

"Study this book well and master your Soul Dao. That is your best path, blacksmithing can only be complimentary to you. The Soul Dao is what's most important for your devilry to progress. The Devil Dao and the Soul Dao seem similar on the surface, but there are many differences that true masters can use to tell them apart."

Devil Ancestor took me to the front door, handed me the tattered book, and walked away slowly. He was making another one of his eccentric 'Devil Ancestor' scenes!

'Such an amazing exit. From the look on his face, I could tell my speech filled him with so much hope. I definitely have mastered being a knowledgeable and refined Devil Ancestor,' thought Kogthoz.

"Wait Devil Ancestor! This young noble wants to start his own organization. I still know nothing of devil contracts," I said.

The only reason I came here in the first place was to learn about contracts. I got so caught up in trying to get this Soul Inheritance I almost forgot!

'If I taught him how to make a contract he wouldn't continue working hard, you can't just give things to a brat like James. He needs to work hard for everything, otherwise he will never appreciate the value of things,' thought Kogthoz as he walked away.

Devil Ancestor just ignored me and continued to walk away slowly and dramatically. He looked back with his head over his shoulder and said, "Study the Soul Dao well, then you will understand."

Then he disappeared on the spot with a transportation talisman.

"Damn old fogey, always making this young noble work for things. Where is your [Kogthoz Devil Count Scripture - Volume 1, Contracts]? Whatever this young noble will always come out on top," I said to his disappearing figure.

Since I am now free again, I should go to the DMV to get an official Devil Mark!

Devil Mark Validating Association was the regulatory authority of titles within the Abyss. It was where devils officially registered their titles. Other races could also get professional badges at the DMV Association.

This young noble loved to show off, so he had to have an official devil mark after working so hard. How else could I bluster around arrogantly? People would probably call me a fool if I said I was an Esquire Smith without my Devil Mark.

Soon, everyone in the Hudson Estate will again look up to me as a paragon of the younger generation. As is to be expected. I am dashingly handsome and talented. No one should ever be able to look down on this young noble.