Skip Magician 53

Test

Chapter 53. Let's Go Meet A Craftsman

Still... it's one thing for guys to just hang out, but why did three guys come shopping in the capital? Isn’t this the kind of thing girls do, all giggling and laughing? Why am I walking around with a refreshing handsome duke and a cool handsome baron? Thanks to this, women passing by are whispering behind my back.

"Even if you want to live as an adventurer, enrolling in Chronos Magic Knight Academy is only beneficial... after all, the academy runs the adventurer’s headquarters."

"That's right..."

Chronos Magic Knight Academy operates the adventurers' guild of the Kuria Kingdom as a safety net for those who couldn't become magic knights. Well, by "operates", I mean they manage and mediate requests... which is enough.

Those who couldn't earn the title of Magic Knight at Chronos Magic Knight Academy generally have three options.

The first option is to become an adventurer affiliated with the adventurers' guild operated by the academy. While adventurers often have a rough image, in the Kuria Kingdom, they’re more like specialized hunters of magical beasts. In wartime, they're treated like reserves for the magic knights.

The second option is to join the kingdom's army. The army and the magic knights are separate entities; magic knights mainly handle the security around the capital, while the army has various tasks, like disaster recovery. Those who graduate from Chronos Magic Knight Academy and join the army usually enter the royal knights. The army is quite hierarchical, but perhaps due to Kuria Kingdom's culture, it’s merit-based, and ranks can rise quickly.

The third option is to become a private soldier for a local noble. Couria Kingdom has a vast territory, and not all regions are perfectly governed by the national army and magic knight corps. Thus, local nobles often maintain private soldiers for their territory’s security, mimicking the magic knight corps. Graduates of the magic knight department of Chronos Magic Knight Academy are highly sought after by these nobles.

"I think being a noble's private soldier might be a good future... if I could join a larger noble's force, I’d be set for life."

"That’s quite the stable, old-man mindset."

"Shut up."

"Oh, here we are."

Though a bit annoyed by Jeremiah’s comment, Ash stopped in front of our destination building.

"This is the blacksmith who forged my sword."

"It doesn't matter what sword you use."

"Theodore, you think having your grimoire is enough. But it’s good to have a fine sword too, you know?"

I don’t have the money.

"Don’t worry about the money. They offer installment plans."

"So, it’ll cost me in the end anyway."

You nobles don’t understand the lack of money we commoners face.

"Don’t worry. The Garndi Barony is a new noble family with not much money, so their total assets aren't much different from commoners."

"Is that okay for a noble family?"

"Our mansion is the only expensive thing."

"Even that mansion isn't considered noble enough by high society... though, I don't think luxury is everything."

Nobles really are the worst.

Opening the door, the heat typical of a workshop hit us. The sounds of metal being hammered and ground came from all directions... it was kind of exciting.

"Master, are you here?"

"Oh... you’re Garndi' boy."

"Long time no see. Today, I’d like you to forge a sword for my friend."

"A friend? A guy like you, who’s all about training and shows no interest in student life, made a friend?"

Wow... this old man is spot on.

"I told you before. He’s the guy who horribly wore out my sword in one battle."

"That time, huh... so, which one is it, the blond one or the redhead?"

"The last time it was the blond and the time before it was the redhead."

"It’s both, then! This is interesting!"

Seriously... this old man is fun. I thought he'd be a more stubborn craftsman since Ash called him "Master". But he seems like a fun guy.

"By the way, what’s with the wear?"

"Garndi’s soft swordsmanship deflects attacks with the sword. The stronger the attack, the more the sword wears down."

Oh... I see. Deflecting attacks with your sword would wear it down much more than just using it normally. That’s why Garndi’s father and son entrust their sword maintenance to a specific person, like having a personal physician.

"But that's because my sword is still immature... my father could deflect attacks without wearing down his sword."

"You idolize your father too much... he used to break swords recklessly too."

The master says he idolizes his father too much... well, in his mind, his father’s sword is perfect. Quite different from my dad, who’s a lowly magic knight.

"So, whose sword today... wait, the blond one has a fine weapon."

"You can tell?"

"Anyone can see that."

No, you can't really tell just by looking.

Considering magic knights, royal knights, and private soldiers for nobles, this country has a lot of knights. Because of that, many blacksmiths are scattered throughout the capital. Some workshops sell cheap, mass-produced items, while others, like this one, make custom swords for nobles.

Even among these numerous workshops, this blacksmith, who earned his status through skill and now serves the Gandhi Barony, must be one of the best in the capital.

"Redhead, it’s your turn. Show me your sword."

Following his instruction, I obediently took off my sword and placed it before the master. He unsheathed it, looked at it for a while... then sighed and put it down roughly.

"Isn’t that sword a common one sold by merchants, Master?"

"Yes."

"Using such a sword... are you an amateur?"

"Yes. To have used such a sword for several months since entering the academy without much wear... you’re either a complete amateur who never draws his sword or a monster who coats the sword with magic power and uses it regardless of sharpness."

Can you tell just by looking?

"To have this little wear after facing Garndi... you must be a monster. What worries me more is the slight chipping. What did you try to cut?"

"What, huh... I wonder."

"The red dragon, probably."

"Dragon scales... it’s a wonder it didn’t break."

You can tell all that... indeed, this blacksmith’s skill is exceptional.