I continued ta pump air ‘nto the ‘earth ta keep the ‘eat going while I wait fer the metal ta soften ta a malleable state. My glove-covered ‘ands reached fer the ‘ammer seeing as the metal I was forgin’ was reaching the right temperature. Clank! Clank! Rhythmically echoes as I ‘it the metal inside the small workshop behind my shop. I stopped ta check, the piece of metal was slowly turnin’ into a fine sword an’ as if right on time, the door ta my shop opened with the bell ringin’ an’ two customers walking in. I dropped the hot metal into a barrel filled with water while a young man entered. Though he looks young, his delicate features an' dignified aura shows that the lad came from a good family.

Hmph. A noble maybe?

I quietly said ta myself. His stance says he’s a seasoned warrior but as a noble’s son, he may be hard ta deal with. The other, his companion, was a young woman. She was quite tall but the right size fer the young lad. Unlike the lad, she ‘as an air of elegance at every step that flowed through her simple dress an’ not a single drop of the lad’s bearings. It made me think the missy ‘ave no interest with swords. I sat me-self on the counter as I wait fer them ta look around or ask questions.

He might be boasting ta the missy about swords.

I said grumpily ta me-self while looking at ‘em. Contrary ta what I was thinking, the missy moved away from the lad an' started looking at the swords ‘erself. While the young man was absorbed with the good long swords. Thinking he might have a good eye, the missy picked up a rapier hanging on the wall. It was a simple rapier with black colored bronze as its guard. Though simple, it was one o’ my prized creation, because the blade was made from a very rare metal called Mithril.

After the Magi War, ores such as Mithril an' Adamantite became rare. During those times, it was mined excessively due ta Mithril’s superior properties against normal steel an' it’s high conductivity ta magic. Adamantite on the other hand, was hard ta mine, the only mine left in existence was ‘idden in the depths of Meldrid forest.

Noticing my gaze, the missy bowed her ‘ead an' as did I in return. It seems I misjudged her as she was able ta carry the rapier properly an' brought ‘erself into a stance, thrusting the air around the shop.

“A rapier huh? I thought for sure you’d want a long sword.”

The lad, walked beside her but still maintaining the distance as she swings the sword in the spacious part of the store. He borrowed the rapier an' slowly, his eyes turned round in excitement an' surprise.

“OLD MAN! HOW MUCH FOR THIS RAPIER!?”

He ran ta the counter. As rude as he may sound, his excitement was understandable. Realizing his rude outburst, he coughed an' fixed his demeanor.

Ruffled me beard fer a moment there.

I coughed an' looked at the missy who was puzzled with the lad. She slowly approached as she asked.

“Theo, you’re buying it?”

She tilted her head, as if her beauty an' elegance wasn’t enough, she added more cuteness ta the mix. Though, the lad wasn’t fazed by it, he was smiling warmly at the missy as if she were precious.

“If you’d like. The blade is of excellent quality too, it’s made of the same material as my sword. I’m sure it would suit your skills well.”

My eyes widened at what he said. As rare as Mithril was, blacksmiths who’re able ta handle it were rare as well. The material has magnificent qualities, but if not handled properly, it won’t harden enough an' the strength an' conductivity would reduce. Which means!

“LAD! WHO MADE YER SWORD!?”

I stood from the counter, I walked towards him an' asked fer his sword. I coughed again, I've caught the screamin' bug, looks like.

“Oh, um… The old man Dale from Aurelis.”

He took his sword out an' handed it facing the hilt ta me.

Indeed! It’s that bastard’s sword!

Cold sweat dripped from me face. Dale was the first dwarf ta openly market himself ta humans saying ‘Don’t ye know humans are the most profitable market right now?!’ An' he was right. With the sudden boom o’ hunters exploring the world, an' the short life span o’ humans compared ta us dwarves, we were able ta establish ourselves with our skills as reliable blacksmiths fer hunters. Even me-self, Gallos, is known throughout the country o’ Eloheim, as one of the best smiths around.

Problem is, I can’t keep up with me fame. Fame comes recognition, once people know that yer good, not only a huge amount o’ requests would pile up, but absurd an' annoying requests will come as well. Though me skills pale in comparison ta Dale, I decided ta follow what he did an’ choose only those who will properly take care of their swords. So, I hid myself here, in the outskirts of Eloheim, in Marquis Mastris’ fief an' sold swords ta young soldiers an' hunters who’re protecting the borders against the magical beasts from the Meldrid forest.

“Theo was it? Is the sword fer the missy?”

The lad nodded. My eyes met with the missy, she had a strong gaze but I still wasn’t sure she’d be able ta use it.

“Armor too, please.”

She said quiet enough fer me ta hear. Armor? What will such a delicate lady such as her have any use fer it? The lad I understand since he needs ta learn the sword even if he’s a noble, but I can’t seem ta grasp the missy’s intention nor her skills.

“I’ll sell ye armor but not the sword.”

I took the sword an' stepped back ta the counter.

“Hm? Why not?”

I sat an' sighed at the same time I dropped my weight unto the chair.

“Because I’m not sure if she can use it right. Are ye hunters anyway?”

They looked at each other speechless, while the missy puzzled.

“Well, I do have a license but she seems to have lost her memories so we’re not sure if she even has one. I can vouch for her skill though.”

He explained nervously. He gulped an' walked nearer ta me trying ta whisper something.

“She may look like that but I think she’s way stronger than me. She seems to like the sword so can you at least see if she’s worthy of it?”

I crossed my arms an' stroked my long beard that I was proud of. He has a point an' the missy did seem like she knows how ta use it at least.

“Alright. In that case, let’s go get your license, then I’ll decide.”

As if she was even more confused, she tilted her head. The lad beamed happily while saying ‘Good for you!’ ta the missy.

“But first, look fer some proper armor an' change that dress. By the way, the name’s Gallos”

Surprised, probably forgetting etiquette the lad hurriedly bowed in an elegant manner an' introduced himself.

“I’m sorry, I lost myself there. My name’s Theo and this one here is…”

Responding ta his glance, the missy pulled her skirt an' bowed her head.

“…Violet. Nice to meet you Sir Gallos.”

They looked around some more while the lad chose some good armor for the missy. That was the day when I can finally say that I encountered the perfect swordsman, or rather, swordswoman.