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Chapter 54. Using Dragon Bones

"Are you a commoner?"

"Yes, I am."

"I see... In that case, you'd want a sword that's not too expensive but has good magical conductivity. Beast materials would be best."

"What about the red dragon bones that Theodore defeated?"

Eremia suggested to the master.

"I heard Theodore sold the red dragon materials for money, but didn't manage to sell most of the bones, right?"

"How do you know that?"

Well, it's probably common knowledge if you're familiar with dragons.

Indeed, I sold the red dragon materials immediately and used the money to buy a large number of magic books. No matter how many times I read about magical theory, I never get bored, and I don't have many other ways to spend my money.

As Jeremiah said, the bones were the only material that didn't sell quickly. The teeth were easy to use for weapons in their natural state and sold for a high price, while the dragon meat was bought by merchants at a premium because wealthy people considered it a delicacy. The scales were also sold for use in ornaments, and the eyes and internal organs had high value as magical catalysts, while the blood was bought by the state for use in medicines. However... the bones were hard to sell at a high price.

"Dragon bones have high magical conductivity and are among the strongest materials found in nature. Weapons made from dragon bones are often legendary and sought after by members of the Magic Knights."

"That's right."

"But do you understand? Dragon bones have immense value as a material... but only if they can be processed."

I see... The material has immense value, but few people have the skill to process dragon bones.

"Red dragon bones have high heat resistance, maintaining their shape even at temperatures that would melt iron. Furthermore, shaping red dragon bones requires precise magical control, something a skilled blacksmith alone can't do... Only someone who has mastered both magic and blacksmithing can properly process dragon bones."

There are hardly any blacksmiths with such skills. That's why merchants don't buy them, and blacksmiths only buy them for a pittance as a curiosity.

"However, you can process dragon bones. Isn't that right... Elman Romanov?"

"... Who is this blond kid? How does he know my name?"

"I apologize for the late introduction. I am Jeremiah Frisberg, the heir of Duke Frisberg."

"Frisberg...?"

Huh, does Jeremiah have some history with this man?

"Ah... I guess it can't be helped. Alright, commoner boy, I'll buy all the red dragon bones you have."

"Really!? Thank you!"

Those bones were quite a hassle... there are so many of them.

"I'll forge a sword for you from those bones... but it will be expensive. However, the cost will be offset by the price of the dragon bones, so it'll be free... and don't complain, this is a huge discount."

"Honestly, I'm just glad you're buying all those bones!"

"What a strange kid... Just like Garndi's son!"

So that's how people see Ash.

"Now, I need to see your natural swordsmanship habits... I can't make a true sword without reflecting those."

"Shall I spar with him? You know my soft swordsmanship well..."

"That works. Alright, kid, use that sword and show me what you've got."

Am I going to fight Ash again?

There was a huge warehouse behind the workshop where we went to spar. Since Ash didn't want to wear down his sword for this, he used a practice sword made by the master's apprentice.

"We're fighting so the master can see your swordsmanship... but honestly, I just want to fight you again."

"Yeah, I figured."

I knew it.

"No magic, just swordsmanship."

Got it... If I use magic in this fight, it won't help him forge my sword. But... can I fight Ash's improved soft swordsmanship after his duel with Jeremiah?

"Here I come!"

Ash attacked first, seeing that I was lost in thought. I dodged his strong step-in with a slight shift of my right side and countered with my sword, but he deflected it with his hand.

I guess I should attack more aggressively.

"Hah!"

I stepped in and swung my sword. My self-taught one-handed magic swordsmanship doesn't follow a proper form, so Ash shouldn't be overly familiar with it, but having fought me before, he easily deflected it. However, I countered with speed.

Ash's soft swordsmanship deflects an opponent's attacks with his own sword technique, but it can't deflect attacks it can't keep up with. So, the simple way to break his perfect offense-defense is to overwhelm him with speed.

"Tsk...!"

"Not yet."

Despite his efforts to deflect my fast strikes, one collided with his sword, disrupting his stance. I tried to press the attack, but like in his duel with Jeremiah, he only deflected the critical hits, suffering minor cuts.

"Ho... You've improved, Ash."

"Right? Since entering Chronos Magic Knight Academy, he's grown a lot. But his opponent, Theodore, is a monster beyond words."

I can hear you, you know. Don't spread weird rumors to the master.

Ash, realizing he couldn't deflect all my strikes, leaped back with a defensive block.

"Starting over?"

"Yeah... but I think I've figured out your speed."

Oh... That sounds like something a soft swordsman would say... Well, let's see if you can handle it faster!