28 Grumpy Blacksmith, Mute Painter, Two-Faced Musician? (1/2)

His teacher's room was at the end of the 3rd floor hall. All the rooms were shut with a fortified metal door. He saw on the side of the door there was a string to pull so a bell would ring on the other side. Yanking on the bell, he tried to get his teacher's attention. After a loud bell sounded on the other side, Greyson was immediately scolded.

”Who in the hell is it?! Do you know what you have done?! Now you have ruined this sword and I will have to make it again!” The angry voice continued speaking as the metal door was opened. First, Greyson noticed the strong wave of heat coming from the room, then he looked at the gruff looking middle-aged man straight in the face. He had black messy hair that was pulled back and tied, with his facial hair all grown out, and piercing amber eyes. Wait... Straight? Suddenly he realized that although this was a middle-aged man, his teacher was only a little taller than he was at around a ten-year old's height. He felt very confused for a second before Lucius's voice echoed in his mind, ”a dwarf?”

A dwarf? He then remembered this race was mentioned while he was speaking with Lucius. They were another race which lived peacefully with humans that specialized in creating amazing blacksmiths. Obviously, not all dwarves were blacksmiths, however a majority are born with the fire element and their ancestors were the first blacksmiths. They had a long history and experience in the field, so their race ended up with an amazing number of blacksmiths and all the high level blacksmiths almost solely belonging to their race. Humans had a couple really accomplished blacksmiths, but they were much rarer.

'Peacefully' was of course a matter of perspective. As different races, it was very difficult to get rid of prejudice and hate. Humans mocked dwarves for their height and looks, while dwarves looked down on how weak humans were. Dwarves were born with supernatural strength and endurance, maybe to make up for their lack of height? Petty things, really. However, it was enough to create subtle hostility. There used to be wars between dwarf countries and human countries, but, a couple centuries ago, there was a peace treaty and they have not fought.

Greyson felt shocked to see a dwarf here. According to Lucius, you could see human blacksmiths working with dwarf blacksmiths in dwarf countries all the time, however, dwarves working with human blacksmiths in human countries was almost unheard of. Dwarves normally held human blacksmiths in disdain and anyone who worked with them was a ”disgrace.” Due to his surprise, even after his teacher walked out, he forgot to answer back for a long time. Seeing his silence, the dwarf was even more angered.

”Well? Are you stupid? Never seen a dwarf before? Out with it, what did you need that you rang the bell?”

”Ah, sorry, sir. It truly is the first time I have seen a dwarf so I was a little surprised. I was rude to stare like that. I was sent here by the front desk to be your apprentice.” Snapped out his daze, Greyson finally answered.

”Apprentice? A weak little girl like you? Have they grown stupid in the head?! You would not even be able to lift the hammer, let alone be a blacksmith.” He grumbled with dissatisfaction as he gave Greyson quick look up and down.

”I am a boy! I am stronger than I look...” Greyson could not help but speak back indignantly.

”Hmph! Whatever. I will teach you seriously if you seriously want to learn. If you give up and go crying that you want a different teacher, that is not on me.” Greyson heard his words and felt determined to not quit. He would work through everything and prove this annoy dwarf wrong!

”I won't give up easily, teacher!”

”We'll see. Come back tomorrow early morning. You will report here everyday. I have nothing prepared for you today.”

”Wait, teacher, could I come every three days? I have two other occupations to learn.”

”What?! Blacksmith isn't your only occupation?! How could they send me such an annoying brat! You don't even take the job seriously. Hmph! I shall see how you will succeed later. Being a blacksmith takes all of your concentration, you can just halfheartedly learn.” He lectured. Greyson heard his complaints, but realized he didn't say no.

He just saluted while saying, ”thank you teacher for your understanding. I will come tomorrow and show you that I am absolutely serious about being a blacksmith.”

”Just call me Old Man Thraec. I dislike all those human niceties. I won't be your teacher for long anyways.” He waved his hand and closed the metal door behind him. Greyson felt his teacher was an odd one, but he took teaching seriously so that was good. He turned around and left the blacksmith association and walked over to the the painting association. It was still morning so he had plenty of time to visit the musician association as well.

...

The painting association was much less busy and less grand than the blacksmith association. However, one could still see the artistic flare of the building. He walked in and was met with the only person behind the front desk. He was a kind-looking old man with a warm smile.

”Hello, little boy, how can I help you?”

”Oh? How did you know I was a boy?” Greyson felt surprised. Not that many people got it right.

”Hahaha, as an artist, I guess you could say I have a good eyes for things.” He laughed happily. The old man made Greyson automatically feel close to him, he just had a very inviting atmosphere.

”I am here to be assigned a teacher. I registered to be a painting apprentice. My name is Greyson, I am a new student at Dalia Magic Academy.” Greyson smiled.

”Ahhh, another budding painter, how wonderful! Nice to meet you, Greyson. I will see who is available.” The old man began rustling through his paperwork. Having a feeling of déjà vu, Greyson saw as the man's smile disappeared and he began to look conflicted.

”Is there no available teacher?” He asked the old man.

”No, no it isn't that. There is one. I just don't know if you would want him. He is a rather odd character. Usually students register early so he is the only one left.”

”Is he a bad painter or a bad teacher?”

”Hmmm... neither? He is mute. All his students felt frustrated by the lack of communication.”

Mute? As someone who once pretended to be mute, Greyson felt no concern with this issue. He preferred silence anyways.

”That's okay! I will be his student.”

”Okay, if you're sure you are okay, I will put you down as his apprentice. This is the way to his workshop.” The old man smiled and handed him a map. Greyson walked out of the association with the map and made his was to a clean little house. It had an air of simplicity and peacefulness that made Greyson comfortable. He lightly knocked on the door and after a little bit heard footsteps walking towards him. The door slowly opened and revealed a young man looking to be in his mid-20s. He was handsome man with chestnut hair and eyes. His hair was tied up neatly while he wore comfortable loose clothes and a smock covered in paint. He looked at Greyson with obvious confusion. Greyson took this as a cue to introduce himself.

”Hello, I was assigned to be your painting apprentice. My name is Greyson.” He politely saluted. The teacher showed understanding as he nodded his head.

”I know you are mute, but that does not bother me. I hope I can learn a lot from you.” Hearing his words, the painter smiled and patted Greyson's head. But then he looked worried and unsure.

”Did you not prepare anything today?” Greyson asked while smiling. The man looked surprise that Greyson understood. As someone who had not spoken for such a long time, Greyson got much better at making and reading expressions. He also just came from Old Man Thaec's place so he could infer what the problem was.

”I have 2 other occupations. So, I was thinking of coming to you every three days starting the day after tomorrow. Would that be okay?” He asked. The man smiled warmly while nodding. He went back into his house and came back with a key. He gestured for Greyson to take it. Greyson could tell it was the key to his workshop, so he received it.

”Thank you, teacher. I will back in two days then!” Greyson left first while waving. He felt very happy with this teacher. The young man was gentle and kind. He had a kind of grace that should follow an painter. He began to make his way towards the musician association next with excitement to meet his next teacher.