Chapter 102.1 - The Second Year at the Academy - The Place Called Home (1)

Chapter 102.1 - The Second Year at the Academy - The Place Called Home (1)

The first term exams have concluded, and the academy has entered summer vacation.

During this time, the replenishment of magic stones has been completed, and Narban’s request has been fulfilled.

Though both are rank 1, they are well-suited with effects like slash enhancement and durability enhancement, perfect for weapons.

When I delivered them, Narban was ecstatic.

“Meticulously prepare a sheath suitable for magical tools.”

He declared before hastily leaving the blacksmithy.

Soon after, I ran into Katie’s workshop by chance.

Amidst such events, amid summer, I found myself immersed in the blacksmithy and workshop.

Sweating all over, I worked the bellows while focusing on the iron thrown into the furnace.

As it heated to a yellowish glow, I would take it out and shape it with the hammer.

With each repetition, the mass of iron transformed its form.

What I ended up with was a dagger about thirty centimeters long.

Without much time for sentimentality, I activated [Ice Bolt] using water as a catalyst, sprinkled a pinch of salt into my mouth, and poured ice water over it.

As I hammered away with the smithy sealed tight to contain the heat, the inside became unbearably hot.

Frequently consuming salt and water, and forcefully working while cooling my body with [Ice Bolt] and [Operate Water], to be frank, this isn’t something one should do in the summer.

If it weren’t for magic, I would have given up long ago.

Also, I could really use some sugar.The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.

Unfortunately, it’s expensive for a luxury item, and I can’t casually consume it.

Salt is available from Torpus Rock Salt Mine, and there are several salt mines in the imperial territory, making it relatively affordable, so that’s a relief.

Taking a break, I gazed at the dagger I had made.

Ideally, I wanted to make a fantasy staple, either a short sword or a long sword, but refining the iron takes time, effort, and expenses.

If I were a member of the Blacksmiths’ Guild, I could purchase refined iron of various shapes at a low cost. All that’s left is to heat it and shape it, so in small blacksmithies, refining is often skipped.

Of course, being unaffiliated, I had no choice but to buy at the regular price or refine it myself.

A bit crooked?

“What’s with the random magic casting? Seriously, what was that just now!?”

The blacksmithy was enveloped in the abnormal cold.

Since there was no sign of crystals, it didn’t seem to be [Freezing Storm].

“It’s [Ice Frost]. Hasn’t it cooled down nicely?”

“It’s too cool!”

“It’s used for things like cooling furnaces in Himmuro.”

According to Elphemia, [Ice Frost] was developed as a basic ice magic.

However, its high mana consumption and short duration, coupled with the fact that it quickly returned to normal even when lowered below freezing, resulted in it becoming an extremely limited-use magic that hardly spread among the general public.

Of course, it was also excluded from the magic system.

Entering the blacksmithy, it was only slightly chilly, and the cold had disappeared.

It seemed like the intensity of the furnace had also weakened.

It would be nice if it could at least serve as air conditioning, but it’s meaningless if it just blows away the heat.

“Really, don’t suddenly cast magic like that. What do you want?”

“I brought it all the way here for you. You said you wanted to see magical metals.”

Elphemia took out a wand from her Teleport Bag.

“Wand of Conjuring. I use magical metal for decoration.”

Saying that, she handed me the wand.

The shaft was made of white wood, with metallic patterns of cinnabar wrapping around it like a weave.

“Taber ore, huh.”

Taber ore is a magical metal that circulates after mithril.

Its strength is intermediate between mithril and tempered steel, and it is often used for accessories rather than weapons.

Naturally, being a magical metal, it is easily suited for magical tools.

“But to think you’d even start blacksmithing.”

Peering into the blacksmithy, Elphemia took the dagger in her hand.