Chapter 462 - 457 : [Halocles’ Scythe]

S/N    Name          Number    Score

1.    Cloudsmith        778      1285

2.    Handel Gretkart  111      1275

3.    Green Thorns      324      1252

5.    Floating Mirage    787      1166

The changes in the rankings weren't by any means small as the difficulty the contestants faced in the previous round was high. Not a lot of the participants knew how to combine a cold metal and a hot one so quite a lot of them had failed to get satisfactory points from this round.

In total, the 2nd round gave out 600 points, with an Upper-tier Mortal rank having 200, points, a Mid-tier at 150, and finally, Low-tier at 100 points. Sato and Handel had easily gotten all perfect points while previously 4th placeholder, Green Thorns, had managed to do the same, surpassing the former 3rd place to become the new overall third in the tournament.

Floating Mirage still maintained his ranking, producing only 2 Upper-tier Mortal rank and 1 Low-tier equipment. However, he was still satisfied with himself and didn't think much about it. Floating Mirage had already given up on struggling for the 1st or 2nd position amongst players and had decided to settle for third place. It wasn't a bad spot and he was still in the top 3.

"Now you've all seen your current standings so without any further ado, let's begin." Kolin clapped his hands.

Just like before, a bunch of mechanical puppets worked in and began dispersing the materials.

This time around, Sato paid attention to the puppets in a bid to understand how they work.

'Mechanical-related work doesn't come under the Blacksmith arts. I'm guessing this is something from the Engineering guild.' Sato thought.

The Engineering guild was among the most difficult subclasses in IR. Unlike most subclasses that were more of "arts", the Engineering subclass was a science-based class that focused on mathematics and physics. So to succeed better than most, one would need the required knowledge. As most players had no interest in mathematics, they all avoided it.

Sato, however, was an undergraduate of Mechanical engineering. This meant that he was more than qualified to take up this subclass just in case he wanted to. And coincidentally, Sato was already thinking of getting a second subclass.

'However, it's still too soon. Also, it would be best that I get one that directly enhances the strength of my main subclass.'

Sato then left that thought direction and focused on the materials before him. Unlike the ones they have been provided with, these were higher in quality that even a dummy in blacksmithing would notice it.

The glimmer around the surface of the metals was enough to show that these were properly refined and of high quality. They radiated differing mana signatures but on average, it was higher than the ones from the materials in the previous rounds.

'Peak 2-star materials and 3-star materials.'

Sato sucked in a cold breath of air.

The materials used in the last two exercises were mostly 2-star materials with the highest quality so far being the Greysteel used in the last round. But now, the third round took a sudden turn from this usual trend.

Peak 2-star materials were introduced with even two 3-star materials in the mix. It was safe to say that the equipment they were required to make wasn't some low-level product.

'The blueprint.'

After the materials were dispersed amongst the players, the blueprint for the equipment to be forged appeared on the work table of all the participants, and as expected, it wasn't an easy job.

[[ Halocles' Scythe Forging Blueprint I : (Level 15 Low-Tier Rare-Steel Rank) :

Requirements : Level 15  || 25 [Strength]

[Strength] +17

[Endurance] +10

[Dexterity] +10

Forging requirements : Practitioner blacksmith rank at the very least with the required necessary knowledge. Can be attempted by an Apprentice with high skill, though with very low success rate

Forging elements : Greysteel, Black Dawn Steel, Rever wood, Silver Crystal Ink …

System Comments : With so much good stuff in one, this weapon is certainly a reaper in the hands of the right character. One can turn from a preacher of justice and equality to a butcher in the fields with this in hand. A favourite weapon for the men of the dark side.

]]

While scythes weren't popular among fighters, it was still a fancied uncommon product, especially among members of the dark path.

Unlike most other basic weapons, Halocles' Scythe wasn't a simple one. There were 3 variations to the weapon and each one was stronger than the last, both in terms of quality and grade. Since the production method of each variation was a bit similar, blacksmiths used the manual to improve on their skills and see how far they've gotten.

Halocles' Scythe wasn't just difficult forging due to the arduous task of manipulating the materials required, but also due to the shape of the weapon.

Scythes could be said to be a balance between a pole-type weapon and a curved saber. Because of this, the weight on the other end of the weapon was a lot, and blacksmiths were required to create the weapon such that the weight won't affect the integrity of the weapon's physical characteristics especially during fights. What's more, some scythes had complex blade parts that made shaking them out a lot more difficult than a simple curved blade. All this and more made the weapon a no-no for most blacksmiths and increased the cost of making one.

By having the contestants forge a scythe for the last round, the blacksmith guild was testing their adaptation abilities as well as their craftsmanship. As a true blacksmith, one can't simply expect to only be able to forge a sword and call themselves one. In the eyes of the Kolin, a blacksmith was a professional at forging various kinds of equipment and weapons, not just some straight weapon or a definite shaped equipment.

The aim of this tournament was to find out who amongst the apprentice blacksmiths had enough potential to be raised or was qualified to be promoted to the next rank. Therefore, it was only reasonable for a task meant for a Practitioner to be included in the tournament.

Sato screened through the blueprint until he felt he had understood enough of it. Then he scanned the materials in the table before matching them with the ones in his memory to identify which was what. After which Sato began cross-referencing both the materials and the blueprint with the production methods in his head as he began to single out the ones that were suitable to be used on the materials.

From the previous round, it was already obvious that not all metals could simply be heated and melted together. Some needed special refinement methods while others were to be treated in a different manner or temperature. By identifying the materials first and then selecting the right production and refinement method for each, Sato would be able to lessen the wastage of materials, increase his chances of success and also, make the work easier and more organised for himself.

'Alright.. Let's begin.'