Chapter 4: Inspiration

Chapter 4: Inspiration



Martin has worked as a blacksmith for almost 60 years in Pebbleton. He'd seen many talents from the Boulder Island dojo come and go over the years, including Harpin D. Mortis when he was just another brat disciple. So when he heard that some little girl who claimed to be that man's granddaughter was making a fuss in his smithy, he was understandably annoyed.

'What is that woman doing? How has she already spoiled the girl rotten?'

Martin burst into the showroom fully intending to give the girl the discipline that Angela should have, but he stopped when his rant was only getting started.

'What is this?! She moves like an novice, but I can't help but I feel there's something hidden beneath the surface...'

Martin watched the girl go through the motions of the dojo's style for a few minutes in silence while his assistant was confused, unsure whether to ask what was going on.

When Cherry finally stopped, she turned to look at the old smith. "Hoh? It seems you're not blind, old man. Unlike your employee there..." She gave the younger man a smile that said 'You got a problem?'

"Let me introduce myself. I'm Martin, the master smith here. I have a proposal for you."

"Do you now? You've piqued my interest old man, what do you propose?" Cherry asked. 'I've got you now, hehehe.'

"Let me make a sword for you! Not just any sword, either! You've given me a great

inspiration, so I'm sure it will be the greatest work on my life!" Martin almost shouted in his excitement.

'Wow, his eyes are practically sparkling. No, wait, they're literally sparkling. What the hell? Will this world ever cease to surprise me?'

"Alright then, but since you're making it for me I have of my own ideas to run by you."

Martin's eyes shone with resolve "Fantastic! Come into the back here and we can discuss. Boy, you mind the shop." The younger man was at a loss for words.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Half an hour later, Cherry left the blacksmith to look for Borke. By the end of her chat with Martin he was begging her to be his apprentice. She refused, but said she'd come work in the smithy from time to time if he didn't disappoint her with her new sword.

She found Borke scratching and muttering to him himself. "I'm definitely forgetting something important..." Then he spotted Cherry and she could see the gears in his head click into place.

The fool rushed towards Cherry and immediately raised his sword high in the air, with the intent to swing it down with all his might.

Cherry was surprised. 'Just how little talent can someone have? He's been in the dojo for years, but he's actually just swinging his sword like it's a club..."

Cherry simply stepped to the side and angled her sword to parry in case he changed the trajectory of his attack. Though that was ultimately unnecessary, as the fool just followed through and nearly fell over in the process.

Thoroughly embarrassed by his own incompetence (which he blamed on Cherry, of course), the fool turned around taking up the same stance for his overhead swing.

'Enough with this farce...' Cherry thought, exasperated. She'd hoped this would at least be a bit of a challenge, just that was just wishful thinking.

Cherry landed a swift kick between the fool's legs and stood back as he toppled over, releasing

his sword.

"The winner is Cherry!" Slenk announced, stifling a chuckle.

"Y-you c-cheated... t-that w-was a c-cheap shot!" The fool wheezed.

"I don't believe we set any rules about striking below the belt or using kicks, isn't that right, referee?" Cherry grinned lazily.

"Of course. This matched was entirely fair. Please escort this idiot off the premises." Slenk replied, as if it was the most natural thing in the world for a swordsman to kick someone in

the gonads.

The fool was dragged away and swiftly forgotten. When Grandma returned later and the matter was reported to her, she had half a mind to find and kill the fool. Cherry managed to

talk her down, however.

The next few days were uneventful until the promised day came.

'Time to see what old man Martin cooked up for me. I hope he surprises me.'