Chapter 41 Chapter 41 - Barren Luster (2/2)
Special Effect: Has a 5% to 'Parry' and 'Reflect' an attack on successful block
Note: A simple but well-designed and crafted buckler, sacrificing some defense for movement.
”Not bad, not bad,” Lino nodded lightly, stroking his chin. ”You're talented.”
”... you still don't want to admit your defeat? Look at what you've crafted. It's just an ordinary sword.” she said, taking the buckler back. Lino smiled faintly and handed the sword over. Just as she was about to scream out while reading its stats, she saw Lino's finger pressed against his lips and a faint curl of his lips. ”... who are you?” she asked in a shaky voice, while barely parting with the sword.
”The guy who's just won the bet.” Lino said. ”I think you owe me your name.”
”... it's Shante.” the girl said, taking a deep breath. ”Who are you? You are not a young, up-and-coming blacksmith looking for job. This sword alone could net you thousands of gold coins, and you look like you barely expended any effort on it.”
”Keen eyes.” Lino said, sitting down. ”Mind if I offer you some advice?”
”No, please.” Shante said, immediately sitting down next to him, her eyes full of expectations. Lino couldn't help but chuckle; she was truly a blacksmith, where as soon as craft is mentioned, everything else is forgotten.
”Your mould wasn't good enough,” Lino said. ”The choice of metal is terrible; [K'van Metal] is too heavy for a movement-based buckler. You should have used [Verran Steel]. Though the end result would give you a bit less Defense, it would be far easier to wield. All bucklers - by their very nature - have 'Parry' and 'Reflect' options. Your choice to inscribe arrays directly in-between the layers is just a waste of time. You could have instead created a mid-layer mould that would increase the buckler's size temporarily. You also paid too much attention to the design; inner parts, hidden from the eyes, are rough, scrappy, ensuring that the buckler won't last long on the battlefield.”
”...” Shante fell into deep thought for a moment as she went over what Lino said. ”You're right... no wonder you can craft a sword like that. Who's your Master?”
”... just an old, bearded bastard with anger issues.” Lino said, smiling. ”You like crafting?”
”... yeah. I love it.” Shante said, smiling widely, like an innocent child. ”It's the one thing I'm good at. Or, well, at least I thought I was...”
”Ha ha, you are,” Lino said, laughing lightly. ”Don't think that just because I listed so many things that what you crafted isn't great. It's a rare type of a buckler, and most of the Scout and Archer divisions would be lucky to get one.”
”... how'd you learn to craft that well? You're not some old geezer pretending to be young, aren't you?” she asked, squinting her eyes.
”... no, 'm afraid not. I just... have a really good Master, is all.” Lino said. ”Don't tell him I said that, though. I'd never hear the end of it.”
”How would I tell him? You never told me who he was.”
”... I was making a joke.”
”Hm. You should stick to being a blacksmith. Joking isn't your strong side.”
”...” Lino chuckled lightly, shaking his head. ”Alright, good advice. How do you think the rest of them did?”
”... if what they've crafted is half as good as yours, I'd already be ready to hang my hammer up and leave. There's probably no one who can beat you here, not in this group or any other. I don't know whether to feel lucky or unlucky that you came to the competition the same year I did.”
”I wouldn't worry if I were you,” Lino said, looking up toward the sky. ”I don't plan on sticking around for much longer.”
”... eh? Why?”
”... stage isn't a place for me to shine,” Lino looked at her, his expression calm. ”Forge is.”
”...”
”Well, you should probably go back. They're about to start the inspection.” Shante nodded absentmindedly and got up, leaving. As Lino watched her receding back, he took the sword into his hands and stroked it gently before picking up the nearby knife and beginning to 'alter' it.
What he said to her was true; he had no intention of winning the competition, or this round even. Long gone are his dreams of luster, shine and gold while being showered in praise and applause of the masses. He's yet to figure out what he will do about the whole 'Demons' situation, let alone anything else in regards to the future. He can't have a swarm of nobles knocking at his doors and asking him to craft them something, which would no doubt happen were he to display the sword as it is. Sometimes, it's better to hang up the crown and wear rags instead of robes. Sometimes, darkness is far more pleasant than brilliant radiance.