"From Healing to Hammering"
Just as the boys were starting to breathe again after the healer's wild exit, the tension in the room shifted once more.
"Looks like we're a hit today," Ethan muttered, noticing the new arrival at the door.
A massive figure stepped into the hall. His boots echoed with authority. He wore a sleeveless blacksmith's robe marked with the Academy's Forge Department crest—a crossed hammer and flame. His arms were thick with muscle, lined with faded burn scars, and across his back was a greatsword made of dark metal that hummed with contained energy.
The students parted like water as he walked forward, his heavy presence undeniable.
"Elina," the man rumbled, his voice deep and gravelly, "I heard a rumor. Dead ogres. Four of them."
Elina blinked. "You're late. One already got claimed by the healing department."
"Tch." The man's eyes fell on the remaining three bodies. "Still. These will do."
He crouched by the corpses, tapping the skin and sniffing the air like a butcher checking meat.
"I can use the bones. The sinew. That skin's thick—perfect for reinforcement layering. And this one's tusks... still intact." He looked up at the boys. "Which one of you brought these in?"
"We all did," Nick said, stepping forward calmly.
"Impressive," the Forge Master said, standing up and crossing his arms. "You lot don't look like much. But I know what it takes to bring one of these down."
Then his gaze sharpened.
"Don't mistake me for that healer freak. I don't cry over corpses—I craft power from them."
"Great, another corpse lover," Asher muttered under his breath.
The forge master ignored him. "I'll be taking these three."
"Wait—" Nick began.
The man raised a hand. "In return, you'll get compensated. Properly."
With a snap of his fingers, a metallic scroll floated from his belt and unfurled mid-air.
"This is a black-tier forge requisition scroll. Worth thirty points per ogre corpse. I'm issuing it personally under the Forge Department."
Elina's eyebrows shot up. "That's… a lot."
"Don't say I'm not generous," he grunted.
He looked to the boys again, especially Ethan. "You three—what's your focus?"
"Still deciding," Ethan said cautiously.
The man nodded. "If any of you are interested in crafting, weaponsmithing, or even armor enchantment, come to the forge yard. Mention my name—Instructor Kael. I'll remember this."
He gave them one last look of approval, then turned to Elina.
"Transfer the points and arrange for collection," he said.
"Yes, sir," Elina replied, tapping into the scroll and beginning the process.
Without another word, Instructor Kael hefted two ogre bodies onto a floating platform he summoned with a stomp of his foot, then exited the mission hall, dragging raw power behind him like thunder.
Silence settled again.
"Okay… that guy was terrifying in a whole different way," Asher said.
"But at least he paid," Nick added with a shrug.
"I still can't believe we're just casually handing over ogre corpses to literal legends," Ethan muttered.
"Welcome to academy life," Elina said, not even looking up.
Instructor Kael paused before leaving the hall, his broad back still turned to the boys.
"…One more thing."
He turned his head slightly, just enough for them to catch the glint in his steel-colored eyes.
"You three showed guts. You didn't just survive—you brought back value. That's rare. I don't usually offer this, but..." He took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over each of them. "If you're interested... I'll forge a weapon for each of you."
Asher's jaw dropped. "Wait. For real?"
"A personalized weapon," Kael continued, ignoring the interruption. "One that suits your strengths, your potential, your path. Not some mass-produced garbage the others use."
He walked slowly toward them, stopping only a few feet away. "I see untapped potential in all three of you. Even you, loudmouth," he said, smirking at Asher.
Nick raised a brow. "What's the catch?"
"You'll come to the forge yard tomorrow," Kael said simply. "I'll test your compatibility, your essence flow, your combat style. If you pass my standards… the deal stands."
"And if we fail?" Ethan asked.
Kael grinned, the scar near his mouth twitching. "Then I won't waste my forge time. Simple."
He turned on his heel again, walking away with the ogre corpses still floating behind him.
"Come prepared. And bring your resolve," he called back. "I don't forge toys. I forge legacies."
The mission hall doors swung open and closed behind him with a deep clang.
The boys stood in stunned silence.
"…Okay, that was epic," Asher finally said.
"Yeah," Nick agreed, a rare grin tugging at his lips. "Looks like this mission wasn't such a detour after all."
Ethan stared at the doors where Kael had left, fingers curling slightly. "A weapon forged by a legend…"
Their journey had only just begun—and the fires of their future weapons were about to be lit.