Volume 10 - Chapter 10 – Jin’s Skill (2/2)

“Isn’t it hot?”

Elsa asked with worry as, although it was for just an instant, she had sensed the temperature grow until the iron was Citran-colored (orange).

“Yeah, it’s fine. What you perceived was simply the phase change of iron, it’s not like it really went to that temperature. That’s the good thing about Craft Magic.”

Jin said and handed the kitchen knife to Elsa. She physically felt that it was indeed not hot.

Behind them Hannah was watching with eyes sparkling, and next to her on top of having his jaw seem dislocated Duston’s eyes were so wide it seemed like they could fall out any moment now.

“Finally let’s make the blade. [Shaping]. Let’s also clean up the surface. [Finish].”

The blackish kitchen knife glittered with silver gray.

“Alright, it’s complete. Duston, do you have a handle for this? …?”

Jin said and turned, and behind him Duston was making an indescribable face.

“Hello. Anyone there, Duston?”

Jin called out to him, and gradually Duston rebooted.

“Y-yes. I was just surprised since this is the first time I’m seeing a Magi Craftsman work. B-but, just wait a minute, what did you do to the ingot!?”

He was apparently talking about the separation of impurities that Jin did.

“Well. There was a bit too much impurities mixed in so I separated them.”

“…You can do even that?…”

Duston gave an impression of slight exhaustion.

“Anyway, a handle, huh. Here’s one of the standard handles I use.”

It was a kitchen knife’s handle made out of hard wood. Since the knife Jin made was nearly the same size as Duston’s, he attached the knife to the handle and it was finished.

Gloria who had been similarly watching Jin’s way of working was likewise absentminded until now when she also rebooted.

“Ji–Jin-dono! You’re amazing! What Lithia said really wasn’t a lie! Could you please make my sword soon too!?”

The pitiable beauty showed her character.

Jin gave a nod and asked,

“Alright. So, what kind of a sword would you like?”

“The official equipment for us female knights is a short sword. A sword with a blade of 50 centimeters and a handle of about 20 centimeters would be preferable.”

These short swords were called such to contrast with the long swords used while riding a horse. It didn’t mean that the sword was particularly short

“Got it.”

Jin said and secured a necessary amount of iron from the ingot from earlier using [Separation]. Since he was familiar with Lithia’s sword he already had a rough idea about the general amount needed.

He then used [Forming] and [Carburising] followed by [Heat Treatment], [Shaping], and finally [Finish].

Additionally he applied [Hardening], completing the sword’s main body.

Elsa who had watched him work asked a question.

“Jin-nii, why did you use [Carburising] fewer times compared to earlier? And you didn’t use [Homogenize].”

“Oh, well spotted. Breaking is the worst case scenario for a sword. An ideal sword doesn’t break, bend, and cuts well. To realize this I use composite materials.”

Jin explained.

“Composite materials?”

“Yeah. To put it simply, comparatively soft iron is used in the core portions and the edge portions use hard steel. The surfaces are then hardened.”

After Jin told her that, Elsa said she understood and raised her eyes.

“If the core is soft it doesn’t fracture easily. By using [Carburising] on just the surface it becomes difficult to bend. And after hardening it cuts well.”

“You got it.”

Elsa seemed happy and slightly blushed when Jin spoke well of her.

“Y-y-y-you! T-this is the first time I’m hearing about that kind of a manufacturing method! Is it alright to thoughtlessly spread a secret like that?”

Behind them, Duston seemed agitated as he spoke.

“Eh, it’s alright. I borrowed your workshop and even used some of your iron, Duston. Ah, do you have any materials for making the sword’s sheath or the handle?”

Duston was taken aback by Jin’s calm reply and his agitation ended.

“Yeah… Missy, what a guy you brought with you.”

While speaking he pointed at a material shelf in the back.

“You can use whatever you like that’s there.”

Jin then searched the shelf.

He chose heavy leather for the sheath, bronze for the guard, and solid wood for the grip. He quickly shaped and processed these with Craft Magic too, and soon the short sword was completed.

“Gloria, I’ve had you wait for quite a while. Please take a look.”

“Uhm, thank you.”

After accepting the short sword Gloria immediately drew it and tried swinging it lightly.

“How is it? Since the weight can be adjusted a little, please don’t hold back.”

“I see. It feels like the tip is a little heavy.”

Gloria told her impressions to Jin.

“Got it. You can keep holding to it just like you were. …[Forming].”

Jin made the sword taper a little more towards the tip.

“How about now?”

Gloria tried swinging the short sword once more and,

“Mh-hm, this is good! Thank you, Jin-dono!”

She smiled with her whole face and thanked Jin.