Chapter 226: A Unique Idea???

Since there was nothing to do in the blacksmith's shop, Pedro looked around and glanced at some of the finished products that Old man Olan had created. Most of the swords are two-handed and are dual-edge swords—which was similar to a Knight's sword.

Most of them are made of slightly grayish metal, consequently giving off a lackluster appeal to the common people. Even Pedro could not help but frown and thought, 'Why are the swords being sold in this shop is of the same quality with the newbie swords? No wonder he called himself unsuccessful! Blacksmith Olan must have been using an Ordinary Metal Ore in crafting these weapons!'

Pedro forced out a smile as he glanced to Blacksmith Olan and thought, 'Don't tell me… He is focusing more on profit, that is why he is using the cheapest metal ore in creating weapons! By only having a small capital… These cheap swords were the ones that provide the second-highest profit for blacksmiths. However… Selling cheap swords was difficult! They lack appeal no matter what their design was, so… it won't even be ideal as ceremonial swords. Thus, most of the time, they are only used as practice swords… Well… It's not my problem! It's not my shop after all!'

"Is there a problem?" Blacksmith Olan asked Pedro with a troubled expression.

Pedro simply shook his head in response and said, "There's none… But, I wonder… why are there only swords made out of Ordinary Metal Ore in your shop?"

Blacksmith Olan could not help but sigh and said, "Young man… You are trying to earn some money by trying to become a blacksmith like everyone else, right? Then, you must know that the metal ores cost around a silver coin or more, other than Ordinary Metal Ores that are easily found in mines and caves! Besides… It's not like there's absolutely no one buying low-grade swords. With the monster waves, the weapons of the soldiers wear out fast and break oftentimes. Thus, it is normal for them to purchase low-grade swords, rather than spend a larger sum of money in rush repairing their medium grade swords."

"I see…" Pedro rubbed his chin as he pondered for a few seconds. Then, he said, "It's true that I want to learn how to create a sword, but… I am not doing it for money! Anyway… I'll tell you more about it after I learn the basics of forging a weapon. I hope that it is alright with you, Blacksmith Olan."

Blacksmith Olan simply nodded his head in satisfaction with a smile on his face, and said, "It's great to know that someone was into forging weapons other than the reason of money. I can't help but be curious about the reason why you want to learn the basics of forging… But, it does not matter! I won't pry to whatever reason you have. As long as you would respect the art of forging a weapon and, at the same time, watch properly the methods… Then, I am alright with showing you the basics and, at the same time, giving you a few advice along the way."

"Then, I would be in your care…" Pedro bowed slightly towards Blacksmith Olan—grateful for the kindness given by the old man.

Well… Truth be told, the Blacksmiths had a tight competition against each other. There were even criteria including originality in some cases. However, due to the increased demand for weapons caused by the monster waves, and the urgent need for work of the poor people in the Kingdom, the Expert Blacksmiths in the Kingdom had no choice but to teach anyone the basics of forging weapons and equipment.

Thus, even Blacksmith Olan had casually allowed Pedro to observe him forge a weapon and even give him a few tips or so. Well… Blacksmith Olan's working area must have been small—which was why only one person was allowed to observe his work. Else, he could have even allowed Ragas to join them.

That said, after a few minutes, Blacksmith Olan's grandson had returned with a few chunks of Ordinary Metal Ores with him. The first thing that caught his attention as soon as he entered the room was Pedro, and consequently asked Blacksmith Olan, "Who are they, grandpa? Another new apprentice of yours?"

Blacksmith Olan could not help but force out a smile while rubbing the back of his head, and said, "No, Iyola! They have simply come to observe me do my work. Nothing more… Anyway… Since you are already here, go place the metal ores at the workshop! I would start forging in a few minutes! Watch the shop in my stead, while I am crafting weapons. You can do that at the least, right?"

"Of course!" Iyola proudly said. "You don't have to worry about the shop while you are forging weapons. I can manage the shop at the least! Besides… The next shift of the soldiers would be by night. There's several more hours before that, so you don't have to worry about having many customers stopping by."

"That's good!" Blacksmith Olan said with a satisfied nod. "Now, bring the ores to the workshop!"

"Yes, grandpa!" Iyola nodded towards Pedro and Ragas as greetings before he headed towards the back of the shop where Blacksmith Olan's workshop was located.

At this moment, Pedro could not help but smile in admiration of the hardworking child, Iyola. He seemed like he was a few years younger than Neerak Axutar, but, he was kind and hardworking—which were good traits for children to have.

Then, in the next second, he glanced to Blacksmith Olan and said, "You have a talented and kind grandson! Perhaps... He could forge weapons on his own, already?"

Blacksmith Olan simply chuckled in response and said, proudly, "Of course, young man! He's been with me since he was four years old. Since all I do every day was forging weapons and equipment, he can't help but observe—and even help me for more than thousands of times forging. So… He can already forge knives despite his young age."

"I see… I see…" Pedro nodded in admiration of Iyola's feat. Then, he said, "To be honest with you, Blacksmith Olan, I wanted to learn the basics of forging, because I wanted to create a sword made out of magic crystals! Do you think that it is possible?"

"Hmm… Magic Crystals, huh?" Blacksmith Olan frowned in response as he rubbed his black beard. Then after almost a minute of pondering, he said, "You have quite an idea young man! Using magic crystals in forging weapons or equipment is not something that I could think out of the blue… A unique idea indeed! That said… I would be honest with you! I don't have any idea whether creating a weapon or equipment out of magic crystals would be good or bad. After all… Out of the forty years that I have been a blacksmith, this is even my first time hearing that weird idea of yours."

"Hoo… Is that so?" Pedro said with a slightly worried tone. Then, he scratched the back of his head and forced out a smile, saying, "Then… Is it really not possible?"

Blacksmith Olan simply sighed in response and said, "It's not that it's impossible to do, but… Magic Crystals are too expensive to become a crafting material. Besides… Unlike ores, magic crystals can't be melted, so… it was only natural that we, blacksmiths, would not use magic crystals as forging materials. If you want to know more about magic crystals and their use, I suggest that you head to the Kingdom's Magic Tower and search for the Grand Master Sorcerer! Perhaps he could give you some information about magic crystals. But as a veteran blacksmith, it's not completely impossible, but it would be very difficult to do so!"

Pedro simply nodded in response and said, "It seems like I need to visit the Grand Master Sorcerer afterward! In any case… I would still like to learn the basics of forging! It's a great skill to learn after all! Besides… How would I know if forging magic crystals is possible or not if I don't even know the basics of forging!"

Blacksmith Olan simply burst into laughter and said, "You praised my grandson, but you, yourself, are a great person too! May this old man know your name and from which village you were born, young man?"

"Uhm…" Pedro could not help but scratch the back of his head and force out a smile—not knowing what to say about his birthplace in the game. After all, he was just a player that had spawned in Kagat Village. Since he can't think of anything at that moment, he had no choice but to say, "Ka-Kagat Village! I am from Kagat Village on the western side of this continent!"

At this moment, he took a deep breath as his troubled expression was replaced with a smirk on his face. Then, he said, "As for my name… I am Aron, Aron Death!"