Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Michelan's Forge
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Chirrr...
The late dawn echoed with the cries of crickets.
We followed Michelan to his forge.
Even as we passed through the dense forest on the academy's outskirts.
He seemed familiar with the path, sharing all sorts of tales with his signature hearty laugh.
"So, why were you acting like that at the cafeteria earlier?"
"Huh? What are you on about?"
"You kept wandering around, scaring us..."
"Hey now, I never left the kitchen!"
...
Of course, there were moments when we all fell silent midway.
Michelan, having lived for ages, had plenty of entertaining stories to tell.
"So there I was, hammering away at the forge. Suddenly, this woman bursts in."
"...Who was it?"
"Ahem... Not sure if I should say. She was someone I used to travel with. Temper like a storm—worse than an elf sometimes."
"Sounds like you two were close."
"Close? With that firecracker? Anyway, she shows up out of nowhere, says she's gonna build an academy."
"...And?"
"With her attitude? No way! I told her to quit joking. She threw such a fit, wrecked half my forge. Still gives me heartburn thinking about it!"
...
It reminded me vaguely of someone holed up in the dean's office—the tale of the academy's founding.
"That guy you met at the cafeteria? Probably a ghost."
"Huh?"
"Said he used to be the cook, but students avoid him lately."
...
"He's harmless, though. Don't be scared. He was just excited to see you."
...
Chilling facts I hadn't really wanted to know.
Before long, we arrived at a canyon, captivated by Michelan's gruff yet jovial tales.
Whoosh...
In the majestic canyon with its clear-running stream.
Michelan trudged across a short bridge and halted before a cliff face.
"Uh... This the place?"
Lea, peering around, spoke first.
She looked disappointed, shoulders slumping dejectedly.
Not just Lea—Arien and Estelle eyed the surroundings skeptically too.
'Well, can't blame them.'
Nothing but a ordinary canyon in sight—no cave, nothing.
Sure, it was impressive, but calling this a forge site stretched it.
Even I, who knew better, felt a twinge of doubt. The others must be baffled.
They all looked like they wanted to ask, but held back at Michelan's dead-serious expression.
"Ahem, this is it. Hang on a sec."
"It's been twenty minutes already..."
"Argh! I said it is! Almost done, just wait!"
His puzzled look stirred some unease, but...
"Grr... Why won't this work?"
...it'd be fine, right?
Anyway, amid the awkward vibe, Michelan fiddled with scattered rocks around.
Clunk, clatter!
He rolled big boulders into depressions, twisted small stones carefully.
After fussing about, he infused mana into the cliff face last.
Thud!
A loud rumble from the cliff, followed by gears meshing.
"Whew, my back. Getting old, memory's shot..."
Click! Clack!
Busybodies of intricate mechanisms at work.
Rumble...!
With scorching heat, the cliff split open before us.
"Whoa..."
Lea watched wide-eyed, sparkling with wonder.
...Gotta admit, pretty cool.
A hidden forge inside a cliff? How to contain the hype...
Estelle and Arien looked amazed too.
"Haha! Took some doing to build this! Looks cooler now, eh?"
...
Cool, yeah, but...
Seeing him flop down sweating buckets kinda kills the vibe...
Anyway, Michelan rose and headed through the open door.
We followed into the heat-radiating interior.
Blasts of hot air filled the workshop.
I stared at the scene before me, forgetting the heat.
'As extravagant as ever...'
A vast arch-shaped cavern of pristine stone.
Everywhere, eye-catching oddities littered the space.
Masterpiece gear piled like trash at a glance.
Rare ores filling corners, mana stones thick with power.
Quenching liquids chilled with eerie frost from ice chunks.
"Forge of Eternity..."
Most striking: a long arched passage leading to a massive furnace beyond.
The primeval blaze that melts all, its fragment contained. The furnace exuded grandeur and majesty, awe-inspiring.
Dozens of layered magic circles blocking the heat—truly masterful.
No wonder he's called the furnace's master.
"So... hooot..."
Lea, weak to heat, wilted with a pout—but still gawked around curiously.
"Haha! Better come this way!"
Thud, thud.
Michelan's booming call from afar.
Following it, we found a cool breeze in a separate room with living furnishings, away from the furnace.
He'd moved for our comfort.
"Sit comfy, make yourselves at home."
Glancing around the room, it contrasted the forge's grandeur.
Ornate dining table, plush chairs that screamed comfort.
Michelan's craftsmanship shone even in everyday furniture.
"...So squishy."
Estelle sank into a chair, visibly thrilled.
If the duke's pampered daughter approved, it had to be top-notch...
Michelan's skill never ceased to amaze.
"Glad you like it! Haha! Wait a bit, I'll pop back to the forge."
With that, he left for the workshop.
Tension eased, fatigue crashed in—silence settled.
"Haha, everyone tired, huh..."
Yeah, a lot happened today.
Ghost in the cafeteria? Not just rumor, then...
That chilly hand on my shoulder at the end...
Ugh... Goosebumps even now.
Still, good outcome, so lucky, I guess.
Relaxing into drowsiness, a tickle brushed me, lavender scent wafting.
"...Yeah, tired. Rowen."
Estelle sidled up stealthily, leaning her head on me naturally.
Her amethyst eyes met mine, face oddly flushed.
"Ungh...! Me too, tired!"
Lea flung herself at me from the other side, not to be outdone.
"Haha... girls?"
Suddenly pinned, I felt a weird mix: flustered yet satisfied, ambiguous bliss.
Could shrug them off easy, but didn't want to. Strange.
"...What a joke."
Arien shot a pitiful glare, but soon closed his eyes sleepily.
Swish...
As warmth lulled me toward sleep.
Slide!
"Haha! All set! Just pick your gear...?"
...
Michelan burst in laughing heartily.
"Ahem, my bad. Back later?"
"......"
He sheepishly shut the door and left.
"...Sigh, idiot. Get him back quick."
Thanks to him, I caught Arien's scornful mutter.
Unfair...