Juhwang's Forge (3)
"That's a metal I've never seen before in my life."
"Does something like this even exist in the world?"
The two dwarves snatched the metal lump and examined it from every angle. They infused it with mana and kneaded it, heated it in the forge and hammered it, but nothing changed. When that failed, they sprinkled various chemicals on it. When even that didn't work, they sniffed it and even licked it to taste it.
Still, they couldn't figure out what it was. In the end, they threw up their hands in defeat and handed it back to me.
"It has light-absorbing properties like darkstone, but that's a rock, and it crumbles under light impact."
"Can't trace its origin either. Makes me doubt if it's even real. Feels like it shouldn't exist at all."
The two master smiths muttered as much.
"Fine, whatever it is, we can't use it as material like this. Impossible to process—how the hell are we supposed to work with it?"
"Ah, that's what I was getting to. Do you have any mithril scraps by chance?"
"Got some leftovers from before."
Torka narrowed his eyes but fetched some mithril anyway.
"Watch closely."
I placed the mithril scrap on top of the metal lump. Then, with a thread of mana from my fingertip, I prodded its core.
The lump swallowed the scrap—then spat it right back out. The ejected piece had lost all its original color and shrunk in size. At the same time, the metal lump grew slightly larger.
"Huh?"
"What just...?"
"Take a look now."
I handed the lump back to the bewildered dwarves. They fiddled with it again.
"The base metal's changed. And it's taken on mithril's properties."
"That mithril scrap's turned into scrap metal now."
They marveled and exchanged opinions once more. Then they fetched other metal scraps and said,
"Try it with these."
I absorbed every scrap they handed me into the lump. What had been fist-sized was now the size of two fists.
"Incredible! It absorbs only the strengths of other metals. And from mere scraps, it's grown this much already. More than enough material!"
Brand shouted in excitement.
Torka, on the other hand, looked a bit grim.
"Where the hell did you get this? It's not natural. Definitely man-made with something that defies the laws—shouldn't exist at all."
He spoke in a grave tone.
He wasn't wrong. This was a fusion of Chaos Stone, infused with the power of corruption, and Amplification Iron. Naturally, its core was an ominous force, and treating it like some rare metal was a stretch.
But it wasn't dangerous. The corrupting power had been fully purified, purging all malice and leaving only its unique benefits.
"Sorry, can't tell you where. But I can assure you—it's harmless."
If it weren't safe, I wouldn't have brought it here.
"......"
"What're you mulling over, Torka? With this, we can forge the masterpiece of our lives!"
"True enough. Tune the alloy ratios right, and it'll rival the divine iron used for holy swords. Even if I refuse, those old fogies outside would swarm in."
He lifted the lump and stroked it for a long while. Then, quietly,
"If it's fate, then fate. Guess we accept it."
Torka nodded in resignation. Dwarves believed in destiny despite their looks—especially that encounters with materials were fated.
"Then about the cost..."
"You brought the material—what cost? Professor's payment covers it anyway."
Brand said as much. I'd planned to pay extra, but the boss's word was law.
"Thank you."
"No need for thanks. Better you two owe us like this. Bright futures ahead and all."
"Pardon? Me too?"
"Didn't know? Your weapon commission's triple the quoted price."
"Uh, that money..."
"No need to repay. It'll come back around someday."
His mindset was unique. Most dwarves wouldn't even think like that. No wonder he was in charge.
Look over there—the other dwarves ignoring us, lost in their designs.
Typical dwarf behavior.
After that, I explained the alloying method and precautions. It seemed omnipotent, but it had limits—no infinite absorption.
"We leave it in your hands."
"Two weeks, it'll be done. Come back then."
"As fast as the reputation says."
"Haha! Thought we'd take months like you humans? Forged the Holy Kingdom's prized Holy Grail in a month!"
Brand thumped his chest proudly. Classic dwarf pride.
And as I turned to leave—
"Evan, you here?"
My brother Veil's voice rang out.
Brand bellowed,
"Get in here! Repairs done ages ago—where you wandering?"
"Sorry. Lost Evan on the way..."
Veil hurried in. Spotting me,
"Brother's here with others too. Hello."
"Save greetings for later—take this."
Brand tossed the sheathed sword to Veil.
"Business done? Scram. Your commissions got us swamped! Rana, just say hi and go."
"Yes, Uncle!"
He shooed us out.
"Kyle! I'll go say bye!"
"Take your time."
I saw Rana off. Silence fell the moment she left.
Evan broke it.
"You and Veil seem on bad terms. You two really brothers? My little sis isn't like that."
"They've always been that way."
"For real, sis?"
"Yes."
"What a cold sibling bond."
"Shut it, will ya?"
I cut in before his nonsense dragged on.
"Aw, c'mon, bro. Since we're all here, how 'bout lunch? Senior Rana'd love it."
"Sure, whatever."
"I'll fetch senior quick. Sis, come with!"
"What're you—"
"Young master, I'll be back."
"Haa..."
Left alone with Veil. No clue what those two were thinking.
"First time seeing you since the entrance exam, brother."
"Yeah, somethin' like that."
Meetings were always with Evan or Cloi around. I never sought him out.
Hatred for my brother was long gone, but approaching felt off. Not revulsion—just the brother relation.
Honestly, no idea how to handle family. Elraim felt like family after years together, but she was still other. Blood-tied Veil was different.
Family was alien territory. Uncomfortable. Harder without Elraim-style affection.
"Lots of talk about you lately. Mostly positive. Professors and Princess Ariel praised you heaps."
"......"
No meetings, but he'd kept tabs. With our relation, rumors reached him via the princess even without seeking.
"Post-reexam, views flipped 180. Especially among students. Your little bro's thrilled at the change."
Veil smiled. Different looks, but somehow familiar—like looking at myself.
He stared quietly, then spoke.
"Brother, you know?"
"What."
I replied curtly. Still, he smiled. How's anyone this nice? I'd have beaten a rude sibling black and blue.
"Entrance exam day. Thought you'd gone dark side. Tried everything to fix it. Even clan power couldn't easily undo that."
Veil exhaled.
"But Evan and sis Elraim said otherwise. Purest mana, not ominous."
"...When'd you see sis?"
I grumbled. He replied with nostalgic eyes.
"First time hearing 'sis' in eight years. Explains why she seemed brighter lately. She's liked you since we were kids."
"Cut the crap—get to the point."
"Understood."
Veil nodded, tone steady.
"Won't pry like sis. You've got your burdens, your reasons. Won't ask unless you tell. Won't blab either."
Strange misconception, but let it slide. No need to correct—no easy explanation anyway.
Veil turned to the furnace, sighed deeply. Seemed stifled.
"Brother..."
"What."
"Father contacted me recently."
He got frequent updates. Never me. Not even via Elraim. She said nothing post-entrance.
"...Clan meeting decided to strip your heir status."
"I see."
Shocking, sure—but I stayed calm. Arden head wasn't appealing. Managing territory, drowning in paperwork. Pass.
Shifted mindset for the protagonist, but tedium's still tedium. Post-academy story end, life's easier. No thanks to hassle positions.
"Not something to brush off. Could affect your rights..."
"What rights? Head spot was never the eldest's birthright."
"......"
"Ardens always pick the generation's top talent. Age, gender irrelevant—pure skill and smarts."
Couldn't lead with mediocrity. Especially not Arden. Risk ruining the house.
"And you're founding duke level. Suits you better than a wastrel like me."
"...That was past wastrel you."
"Nah, still am. Forever."
Won't save the world—no shaking the wastrel tag. Inevitable.
"That enough for you? Current you could overturn the clan."
"It is. So Veil, quit worrying—focus on you."
I ended it. Nothing more to say.
Story-wise, Veil must be head. Else, plot derails. Gotta prevent that.
"...No, I'll fix it back."
"You never listen..."
Then Evan's voice from afar.
"Bro~! Got senior!"
Seeing our backs, he yapped.
"Huh? Mood got worse?"
"Less talk, more food. Rana, lead the way."
"Yeah! But fought with your bro?"
"Seems so, Rana."
They sensed it too. Eyes averted.
"Let's go."
I grabbed Rana and Elraim's hands, pulled ahead.
"Ka, Kyle...?"
"Y-young master, suddenly...?"
Ignored their fluster. Not the time.
"Eh? Bro, wait up! Veil, c'mon!"
"Right."
We left the forge for a nearby restaurant and had a late lunch.