/TOCK/ /TOCK/ /TOCK/
In a place filled with darkness.
There was a source of light.
It was the sparks that were flying all over.
From a place where a hammer was hitting a metal that was lying on a bench.
"Hufff…. Hufff…."
And there, a man with muscles sprouting all over his body could be seen while breathing heavily.
That man had sweat all over his body.
His eye was red and on the verge of collapsing with dark circles covering underneath…
Because of the sleep-depravedness.
It was the proof of his effort.
"This is not enough."
However, that man, even in such a condition, refuses to stop.
/CLANK/ /CLANK/ /CLANK/
And started moving his arm again.
The arm that was holding the hammer in his hands.
With each strike of his hammer, the metal that was lying on the bench started taking shape.
With each strike, he was putting his soul and his emotions into his work.
It was a man who loved his job more than anything else.
However, as time went on, while he was smashing the metal underneath, the man's arm slowly started slowing down.
Not because he was getting tired.
Because he needed to do something else, he needed to change something.
"This fire is not enough anymore."
That man had a prospect that differed him from any other blacksmith in this world.
He was different from those of his kin who devoted their whole life to this job.
Because he was the epitome of what a blacksmith could do with their work.
"Oh,' Mighty Vulcan. Grant me your fire once more."
Mumbling like that, he removed the eye band that was covering his right eye.
Revealing an eye that was different from anything normal.
An eye that was burning.
Burning with the Eternal Fire of the forge.
Though such a chant wasn't necessary to use the eye, he wanted to show his respect to the god he was serving.
And the moment the eye was revealed, the surrounding started to change.
The temperature inside the room started increasing.
With the fire enveloping the metal that was residing underneath.
The heat that was spreading from the fire could even melt the strongest metal in this world.
The man was working under such conditions.
/CLANK/
And the man started hitting again, and again and again.
Until the metal underneath started taking shape.
Taking the shape of a weapon that was widely known all around the world.
It was a weapon that was said to be the most sacred one.
It was a weapon many had given their hearts to.
It was a sword.
A simple sword that was neither long nor short.
Made of the finest metals that could be found in this world.
Even the blacksmith that was peening the metal was holding such metal for the second time in his life.
"I can't afford to mess this up."
With that mumble, he smashed and smashed and smashed.
Until the pillar of yellow light descended upon the weapon.
Granting a slimmer of yellow light onto the weapon itself.
Which soon brought a lot of sweat from the blacksmith's body.
******
Around the noon, a person could see a convoy of people standing in front of a building.
It was a building that was in the center of the city which was said to be the heart of the weapon makers.
The Fortress of Iron Mountains.
It was the name of the city and country itself.
And in the middle of that, there was a newly built building and a bunch of others that surrounded it.
A building that didn't have much aesthetic aspect like art.
But, inside, one could see the works of art….
In terms of weapons.
It was such a management.
This place was the heart of the blacksmithy, where the most successful blacksmith's resided.
And in front of that management, a lot of people were standing.
A crowd had already gathered.
"What do you think about this, Fokuik? Do you think he can pull it off?"
A dwarf with huge muscles asked the other dwarf standing beside him.
"I don't know. Even the Master Blacksmith Hessolim wasn't able to meet the requirements oft this princess. I don't think he will make that."
"Heh…. Just say you don't like him."
"What? Kumdeac, are you stupid?"
"Ha!"
"Do you think I am saying this because I don't like this Dorakorli guy or something? Because I can't stand his success? Am I that pathetic?"
"…."
"Right…."
"Man, come on. You know I am joking."
"I know, I know. It is just that. He was just a newly established blacksmith and had just started making a name for himself. This pressure may be too much for him."
"I see. You are certainly right."
"Though, I have seen his works. I think if given enough time, he will definitely become the best blacksmith in the world."
"This much?"
"Yes."
"We will see."
The dwarves were talking amongst themselves while looking at the girl that slowly made her way to the entrance of the workshop.
It was a girl whose face was covered with a veil.
However, everyone knew her identity.
Because of the emblem that the knights who were covering him had over their uniforms.
'Heir of the Empire. This is that princess.'
"Wow, is today the day that princess will look at the commissions given to the blacksmiths?"
"Yes. The competition will end today."
"I see."
Seeing the crowd, the people that didn't know about the reason were also starting to blend in.
And soon the princess whose face covered with the veil started touching the swords that was presented her.
First was a sword that was a little bit on the longer side.
/SWOOSH/
Grabbing the weapon she swung it for a little while.
"Hmm…"
Nodding her head, she started injecting her aura inside.
It was a bright purple aura that had a very sense around her.
And the weapon shone.
Shone with that bright purpleness.
After that, she nodded her face again while looking at the sword.
And started the last test.
A fiery red mana and bright blue aura started flowing from her hands.
And entered the weapon.
With both of them clashing inside.
/KIRIK/
However, just as she was about to nod her head, the weapon smashed into its pieces.
Leaving her with only its handle.
""""What?"""
The surrounding was surprised and then got quiet.
"In the end, this was a failure as well."
/THUD/
Saying that she threw the weapon to the ground.
And then made her way toward the other.
This time it was a slightly shorter sword.
/KIRIK/
But, it got broken again.
/KIRIK/
Another…
/KIRIK/
Another…..
/KIRIK/
Another….
She went on testing the swords that made by the world's most famous blacksmiths.
And every sword she tested was broken.
Until she reached one.
The one that she felt was her sword.
The sword that will be fitting her.
/SWOOSH/
First, she swung.
And nodded her head.
/SHINE/
Then she injected her aura.
And nodded her head.
/SWOOSH/
And lastly, she started injecting her fire and ice mana into the sword, making them clash with each other.
The surrounding people were holding their breaths.
Some were expecting the same results.
Some were hoping to see a different one.
And soon, the mana that was swirling all around the sword while clashing with each other took shape.
A shape of two bodies of snakes that were mixing in harmony.
One being red colored.
And the other is white colored.
At that moment, under the veil, a smile bloomed upon her face.
"This one is a success."
It was the event that made the blacksmith named Dorakorli make his name known to the world.