Chapter 65 - 65)The Basics Of BlackSmithing.

Looking at Night and his clear intentions, Shade intervened before Night could act,

"My Lord, perhaps it is best to leave it alone? Norse Warriors are extremely proud and the only way to truly reach them is through the 'weapon', I believe it is in our best interest to avoid them and proceed with our original task,"

"Hmm, you're right thanks for telling me Shade,"

"It is nothing, My Lord,"

Upon entering the building their ears were immediately bombarded with sounds of hammering, the temperature difference was no joke, compared to the temperature outside which was extremely cold, the temperature inside was burning hot, just staying in one place for a few seconds caused them to sweat.

The smithing center was awfully busy, no matter the day or time, Blacksmiths, Bladesmiths, all kinds of smiths constantly putting in the effort to outdo themselves as well as the others. The staff of the building doing their best to be of help, with the constant need for resources and the flow of weapons both in and out, to say the staff was working hard was definitely an understatement. But regardless of the constant sweat dropping and the loud noises, there was a very pleasant and lively feeling in the atmosphere.

"Oh? a traveler, what can I do for ye?" an old woman asked.

"Ah...well you see, I was hoping to learn how to smith..."

"Hoho, you wish to learn eh? very well, GERARD!! GET OVER HERE!!," she screamed into the halls. The building was professionally made, right in front of the entrance was a huge semi-circular desk, which is where the old woman was. Right behind the desk was a room, which presumably held resources that could be bought.

The left and right sides, both lead to multiple rooms, more than 20 rooms each contributing to the absurdly loud noise.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT GRAMMA, CANT YOU SEE I'M WORKING?" a voice returned.

"...." the old woman just smiled and stayed quiet.

"ARRGHHH FINE," Gerard yelled.

A man taller than anyone Night's seen so far came out from one of the rooms to the right. He had brown hair with highlights of gold, he was bulky and fit, not a hint of fat, it was as if all the forging and smithing melted the fat and left behind only iron-like muscles.

"Ah travelers, you wish to learn huh? very well follow me," he said without even waiting.

Night nodded and followed him, he thought of Gerard as someone who could act like a professional, Gerard managed to understand Night's intention in less than a second.

A wave of heat blasted into their faces as soon as they entered but Gerard wasn't fazed in the slightest, he just continued walking forward and into the room where it only got hotter, Noctis was more than happy, it was nothing for him but Shade and Night could feel the heat hurting them.

"Anyway as you already know, you'll have to get used to the heat. Let's start with the basics, smithing essentially has four main stages that are, Heating, Holding, Hitting, and Shaping.

Here are the instruments or tools necessary you can go ahead and use them, there's the forge for heating, torch for concentrated heating usually for cutting off small parts of the weapon, there's a bucket with water for cooling, obviously you'll need an apron, like this one," he said while pointing to the brown apron on him.

"There's tongs, hammers, clamps, and vices, there's the anvil..."

Gerard proceed to show Night around and even explained to him the basics and slowly demonstrated the making of a weapon.

[Congratulations! you have understood the basics of Smithing! to complete the requirement 'learn how to smith', a condition for the hidden class-change quest, you must craft the following:

1)5 common-grade weapons.

2)2 uncommon grade items.

3)1 item above the uncommon grade.

]

Unlike mobs, weapons didn't have the grade 'field' they began from the common grade, and weapons below the common grade didn't exist with the exception of the starter items.

"Now then you can use this room, get your material and whatnot from gramma or anyone who works here, if you require any help with the inspection of weapons or anything related to items then feel free to approach me, then... until next time.. oh and be careful and good luck..."

"Oh right my bad, you can use any material for smithing as long as you're able to tame its properties and properly control it, so don't bite off more than you can chew, it'll only do you more harm than good,"

"Thank you, I won't forget your kindness," Night said while slightly bowing and cupping his fist.

Gerard only shook his head and left the room, leaving the trio alone inside.

"Well, let's get started then?"

// // //

"Sir...why does he need to learn how to smith?"

"Reed, once again, you ask me these questions like I'm supposed to know the answer, I'm not sure why he needs it but ATHENA says so, and well...it is best to trust ATHENA as it must've had a reason to do so, everything that happened to Night so far is only due to his choices and the timing of his choices, now then stop asking me such questions and pass me a beer, he's about to start smithing,"

"Y-yes, sir..."