Chương 57: Beginner’s Blade

"Welcome, Supreme Warlady Elena," the Master Blacksmith said while bowing deeply.

"Let us see your work, Master Blacksmith Verox," she declared.

"Of course, right here." He went over to the counter and pulled away a piece of cloth. A sword inside a sheath was resting on a wooden stand. My mother looked over it and then gestured to me to pick it up. I grabbed the gold-inlaid sheath and hilt before freeing the sword.

"The Dungeon metal was decent. Not the best, of course, probably from the upper layers, but it had high Mana infusion. I would estimate some lesser variant of Mithril. Placing it around the value Platinum on the power table of metals."

"That strong?"

"Indeed. Dungeon metal is quite rare, one of the rarest natural treasures. I kept the enchantments simple yet strong as requested. Sharpness, tier 2. Durability, tier 3, and the hardest of them all, Self-Repair tier 1. A solid tier 2 blade." The tier grading system was common with adventurer equipment. Basic stuff was all tier 1, which was rated up to red core monsters. People rated Tier 2 for up to orange. Tier 3 could handle yellow-rate threats, which went up to level 99.

That meant up to the 9 th layer, that I could safely use this weapon. The grading system was more of a guideline. My mother's blade was supposedly a tier 5 weapon, rated up to Champion monsters at the 24 th layer, or level 249. Typically, elites and legendries had tier 4 and 5 weapons. And adventurers could use weaker tier 0 weapons, especially when starting. However, the tier rating system rated equipment based on champion monsters.

"It feels heavy," I said.

"Yes, since I didn't do weight reduction like I normally would have for someone your age."

"I would have thought it would be a Tier 3 with the alloy I found in the dungeon."

"If it were just the blade, it would have been. Your mother insisted on those specific enchantments, which draw Mana away from the main aspect of the blade by focusing on specific areas. So, the overall blade is slightly weaker, but the sharpness has been retained, durability increased, and self-repair added."

"You will adapt to its weight. The enchantment on it will serve you well. Having a strong primary weapon that requires little maintenance is important when you will be down in the dungeon for a long time," Mother said. I didn't even get to decide, but she was paying for everything. And how could I argue against her experience?

"For the Self Repair, it uses ambient Mana. The Supreme Warlady was kind enough to provide a blue monster core to form the nexus for the enchanting work. A bit overkill, but if the hilt is intact, the sword will eventually reform. It might not be my best work, but it is something I have placed my maker's mark upon." High-level craftspeople had apprentices do a lot of work, and they either did not place a mark or placed a lesser one instead.

To put his actual mark meant he stood by this work, and it greatly enhanced the value of such a weapon. It didn't escape my notice that my mother was throwing every resource possible that she had at me. She might say harsh words, but she loved me quite a bit. I would say, if anything, she was emotionally stunted. She had spent her formative years fighting in the dungeon. That would skew anyone's thought process.

"No innate spells?"

"No. But the weapon can handle channeled Mana well from skills. That is the kind of weapon you can wield with confidence for quite a while. Now it just needs a name."

"You didn't name it?" I asked while looking at the runic symbols etched into the blade. I thought I saw some familiar ones, but I wasn't sure. My knowledge regarding runes wasn't comprehensive enough.

"No. A weapon should always be named by its first wielder," he said. I looked at my mother.

"It is a personal thing. You can choose whether to share. I have never shared the name of my primary weapon."

"Ah, the legendary work of Grandmaster Forgeheart. If I may be insulting, may I look at your blade, Supreme Warlady Elena?"

"No, you may not. Its power shall only grace my hands."

"Ah, my apologies."

"Every smith I talk to asks. It is no concern.'""Why is it so special?" I asked.

"A tier 5 weapon, almost tier 6. Grandmaster Forgeheart gave his very life to craft the blade. He was a man of immense skill and pure talent. Legends would beg him to provide even a glance at weapons they commissioned from his apprentices. But as his skill grew he desired to break through and create a tier 6 crafting skill, the dream of all of us true craftsmen." Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"The only known tier 6 skills are combat skills," my mother said, and the Master Smith nodded.

"Indeed. But if anyone could break that barrier, it would have been Grandmaster Forgeheart. When a Supreme Legend asked him to forge a simple blade that could withstand her immense power, nothing extra, he took up the commission, using the most extravagant of materials and processes. He commissioned top Alchemists to help refine the metal. For over a year, he worked tirelessly crafting the ultimate blade. One that could withstand anything, carrying his hopes and dreams."

I listened closely while my mother didn't interrupt. Master Smith Verox seemed to be recounting a divine revelation.

"But he realized the blade would not surpass the barrier of a tier 5 blade, and his skills would not reach tier 6. His apprentices swore these were his final words.' Let all know that I lay down my life in pursuing even greater heights!' He then plunged the almost finished blade into his chest to quench it with his own blood and skills, killing him. They said he died with a smile on his face, and your mother pulled the blade from his charred corpse."

"No one has dared to inspect the blade. Some say it is the only Tier 6 weapon in existence. That is why all Smiths and craftspeople desire to inspect such a blessed weapon. The plainest of blades, with no ornamentation or other changes to its style. But forged as the ultimate sword," he finished while panting. I looked at my mother.

"Name your blade," she told me, cutting off questions I had. Did she really have the ultimate sword forged by a Grandmaster putting his very life into the weapon? What would it be like to hold such a weapon? I looked at my blade, which was so simple in comparison.

"Beginner's Blade. That is its name. This is but the start of my journey. A weightier name is not needed," I stated, and my mother nodded. I felt a slight shift in the Mana around the weapon and my status.

"A good name," Master Smith Verzo declared.

"Now the armor and other gear," my mother said.

"They are nothing special, and my apprentices did them, and I checked their quality. Light Armor, Medium Armor, shield, bow, spear, daggers, axe, and combat gloves. All tier 1 of the highest quality," he said, and gestured to another counter. My mother nodded and collected all these items into her spatial storage.

"Good work as always, Master Verzo. Thank you for coming to Monolith on such short notice."

"For a commission from you, I can smile for the rest of my days and brag to my peers." We left the shop as I walked next to my mother. We got into a magical carriage, which immediately set off.

"So, about your blade…"

"I will not speak of it. It is my most trusted companion. Your weapon is your life. Treat it well, as you would a close friend or family member, and it shall care for you."

"What next?"

"We are going to see Tutor Damian to collect your study material. He has been busy preparing a lesson plan for the next year while you are in the Dungeon. I expect you to complete it within that time frame." This implied she wanted me to finish sooner, as she set the bare minimum standard. I thought it was unfair, but arguing with my mother was pointless. She quickly won the verbal battle against me. We reached another building, and Tutor Damian was busy writing at a table surrounded by piles of books.

"Are you done?"

"Just about. Just finishing up the lesson plan and the suggested actions for breakthroughs. You asked me to put quite a bit together, as well as do other research."

"I know, but I expect results for what I am paying you."

"And done. A bit rushed at the end, but here is the study plan you wanted. The sheets here are the research you wanted me to do as well," Damian said as my mother took the study plan, which was a book, and the sheets of paper. While she flipped through them, Damian looked at me.

"And how are you, Justin?"

"I learned a lot in the dungeon and found a natural treasure that was turned into a sword," I said as I gestured at it on my hip.

"An impressive first solo descent. I'm happy that you are doing well."

"I used runes sometimes. A simple trap was made by carving fire runes and filling them with core dust. Managed to take out physically resistant monsters."

"An inspired use. Your skills are improving at a rapid pace." My mother must have told him my status.

"Innovative uses like that always give a lot of levels. Your time in the dungeon clearly was quite impressive." My mother cleared her throat.

"Oh, and I must apologize for misleading you before. The study I showed you, which looked at skill levels, was primarily from the general population. Not individuals who are more heavily tutored."

"I thought there were higher multipliers?"

"It didn't consider places like the College of Advancement or outliers such as yourself." My mother clearly wanted me to experience more pressure and was using Damian to correct what he had told me earlier. It was so blatant that it was ridiculous.

"We will be gone for quite a while. What will you be doing?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Well, your mother is sending me to the College of Advancement with a letter of recommendation. With that, I will get a coveted teaching assistant position, which could hopefully lead to a full professorship one day. I might even see you there in a year."

"My mother plans to send me there. I must take the top spot," I said, and Damian winced at that.

"That is…very difficult. The competition is brutal. Even with your skills and stats, it will be a challenge."

"Why? I am gaining skill levels faster than other kids my age?"

"Yes. But the true elites can compete against you. You have a chance, unlike me, with my poor background, when I attended. But the mindset of that place is very different," he said with a shake of his head.

"Are there any rewards for being the top student?"

"The top three students get their tuition refunded. Also the Mathemancer offers a single tutoring session as the Dean. He's a supreme legend just like Supreme Warlady Elena," Damian said.

"A dull elderly man who overthinks. You have done good work, Tutor Damian. Your letter of recommendation. And if you see the old man, give him this letter as well." She handed over two letters to Damian, who took them carefully.

"I will ensure I hand it to him personally."

"Come, my son."

"Good luck, Justin."

"Bye, Tutor Damian." I waved goodbye and quickly hurried after my mother.

"What did you have him research?"

"Skill combinations and progressions for you. It won't be easy, but I believe we can get you other resistance skills. Level them up on your own, but if you can reach immunity and then absorption, the chance to combine them into a tier 6 skill would be quite powerful."

"What?! Aren't resistances really challenging to level?"

"So? Work harder. Do better. If you want to be the best, then seize the opportunity I am giving you, my son."