blacksmith of a Thousand tales

Chapter 11: A New Challenge

Reyn had barely processed the whirlwind conversation with Alistor when Garrett appeared at the door of the library. The tall, blond adventurer's presence was impossible to miss, his large frame filling the entrance as he strode over to Reyn, a familiar grin on his face.

"Reyn," Garrett greeted, clapping him on the back. "You got a minute?"

"Of course," Reyn replied, closing the book he'd been reading. "What's up?"

Garrett glanced around, making sure they were relatively alone, then leaned in slightly. "It's about Edgar. You remember him, right? One of the knights I work with?"

Reyn nodded. He had heard the name before, one of the rising stars in the knights' ranks.

"Well, Edgar's got a big tournament coming up in the capital in a few months. All the best fighters will be there—nobles, knights, even some adventurers with high rankings," Garrett explained. "He's looking for a new weapon, something that'll give him an edge. He asked me if I knew anyone who could make him something special."

Reyn's interest piqued. "And you're coming to me."

"Who else?" Garrett chuckled. "I told him about the Buster Sword and how well it's been working for me. He didn't even hesitate—wants you to make his weapon for the tournament."

Reyn leaned back in his chair, considering the request. A weapon for a knight at a major tournament would be a significant opportunity. But this wasn't just about making another weapon; it had to be perfect, something that would stand out in both craftsmanship and magical power.

"I'll do it," Reyn said slowly, "but on one condition."

Garrett raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"I want you and Edgar to take me and Liora to see the tournament," Reyn replied, a small smile forming. "I've never seen a real tournament like that, and Liora's been working hard as an adventurer. I think it'd be a great experience for both of us."

Garrett grinned. "You've got yourself a deal. I'm sure Edgar won't mind bringing you along. Besides, you'll probably want to see your weapon in action."

"Definitely," Reyn said. "But I need more information first. Tell me about Edgar's fighting style. What kind of weapon would suit him?"

Garrett rubbed his chin, thinking. "Edgar's fast—really fast. He's got strength, but he relies more on agility and precision. He's known for overwhelming his opponents with speed, getting in quick strikes before they can even react."

Reyn nodded thoughtfully. A weapon for someone with speed and precision. Something sharp, long, and deadly. His mind immediately went to one of his favorite video game weapons, one that had always stood out to him for its elegance and lethality: the Masamune, the long, slender blade wielded by Sephiroth in Final Fantasy.

"What about a long katana?" Reyn asked, his voice laced with excitement. "Something like the Masamune. It's sharp, incredibly fast, and could be enchanted with lightning or wind magic to enhance his speed even further."

Garrett's eyes widened at the idea. "A katana? That sounds perfect for Edgar. He's all about speed and finesse. If you can make it with those enchantments… he'd have a real edge."

Reyn smiled. The Masamune would be a challenge to forge, but it would also be one of his most ambitious projects yet. It wasn't just about making another weapon—it was about creating something legendary, something that could change the tide of a battle in an instant.

"I'll get started on the design," Reyn said, his mind already racing with ideas. "But I'll need some special materials. We'll have to find a way to get them."

"Leave that to me," Garrett said with a confident nod. "I'll talk to Edgar and see if we can get the materials through the knights' contacts. I'm sure he'll be willing to invest in something like this."

Reyn stood up, shaking Garrett's hand. "Thanks for trusting me with this. I won't disappoint."

"I know you won't," Garrett replied with a grin. "I'll let Edgar know what you're thinking, and I'll come back with the details. Oh, and don't forget to bring your 'secret source' when we head to the capital." He winked.

Reyn chuckled. "I'll be ready."

As Garrett left, Reyn's excitement grew. He couldn't wait to start working on the Masamune, envisioning how it would come together with the right materials and enchantments. And the thought of seeing the tournament with Liora made it all the more exciting.

A legendary blade for a legendary knight—this would be one of his greatest creations yet.That night, Reyn lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. His thoughts drifted to the Masamune and how excited he was to begin forging it. At 14, so much had happened already—discovering his ability to enchant weapons, getting closer to his goal of becoming a renowned blacksmith, meeting incredible people like Garrett and Liora, and now the chance to create a legendary blade for a knight in a prestigious tournament.

As his mind wandered, Reyn found himself smiling. He had come a long way since arriving in this world as a young boy, and now his dreams felt closer than ever. He had the support of friends, his family, and even Alistor's potential business deal to help fund his education and materials. Things were falling into place, but Reyn knew that every success was also an opportunity to prove himself further. The Masamune would be his next masterpiece, and it had to be perfect.

But as his thoughts circled around the Masamune, something unexpected caught his attention—a faint, glowing light in the corner of his room. Reyn sat up in bed, his heart racing slightly as he looked over. There, on the small table where he had kept the magic egg for all these months, was something new.

The egg was glowing.

Reyn quickly got out of bed, rushing over to the table. The familiar egg, the one his father had bought for him so long ago, was shaking slightly, cracks forming on its smooth surface. His breath caught in his throat as he realized what was happening.

"It's finally hatching..."

He had been feeding the egg with his mana for so long, hoping to one day see what kind of familiar would emerge from it. Now, at this moment, it was happening.

The cracks spread wider, and with a faint burst of light, the egg broke open. Reyn shielded his eyes for a moment, blinking as the light faded. When he looked again, his eyes widened in disbelief.

Sitting in the remains of the egg was a tiny, adorable kitten. Its fur was a soft, smoky gray, but what caught Reyn's attention the most was its tail. Flames flickered gently at the tip of the kitten's tail—but these were no ordinary flames. They were rainbow-colored, shifting and changing between brilliant hues of red, blue, green, and gold.

The kitten blinked up at Reyn with large, curious eyes, letting out a tiny meow.

Reyn couldn't help but smile. "You're... incredible," he whispered, reaching out a hand to gently pet the kitten. The kitten purred in response, nuzzling his fingers affectionately.

The warmth from the flames was gentle, not harmful at all, despite their vibrant appearance. It was as if the kitten's fire was perfectly in tune with Reyn's mana, a sign that this familiar had a deep connection to him already.

"Rainbow flames..." Reyn murmured, still in awe. "What kind of magic do you have, little one?"

The kitten tilted its head at him, as if it understood the question, and flicked its tail playfully. A small burst of rainbow-colored sparks danced in the air, illuminating the room briefly before fading into the night.

Reyn laughed softly, his excitement bubbling over. This was no ordinary familiar. The kitten's rainbow flames had to have some unique magical properties. He would need to research it further, but for now, he was content just admiring the little creature.

"I guess I'll need to give you a name, huh?" Reyn said thoughtfully, sitting back on his bed with the kitten now curled up in his lap. He stroked its fur gently, thinking of a fitting name for a familiar as special as this.

The kitten yawned, its tiny body stretching before settling back down, perfectly comfortable in Reyn's presence.

"How about... Ember?" Reyn suggested. "You've got flames, and they're pretty special."

The kitten purred again, as if in agreement.

"Alright, Ember it is," Reyn said with a grin. "Welcome to the team."

As he sat there, with Ember peacefully resting on his lap, Reyn realized that life had just gotten even more interesting. Between his upcoming work on the Masamune and now this powerful new familiar, the future felt more exciting than ever.