The blade sharpening skill proved to be very useful as I needed less time to sharpening the blades. Still when lunch came I barely managed to sharpen half of them. At this rate it would take me all day to finish the remaining ones. Heck it could even take him 2. This would prove cumbersome as I still needed to learn how to read. I went outside trying to gain a little bit of air from the suffocating space of the forge.

{I need to learn this language fast and time is ticking}

Since it was launch Ashtrall gave us an hour break. Me along with my father went to a cheap diner to. There we ordered our food and had a casual chat. When our food was handed down to us(which was just an ordinary steak. A cheap one at that). We chowed down like there’s no tomorrow. I don’t know if it’s from the fatigue or not but I thought it was the pretty darn best steak in the world. When we finished our meals we had another casual talk until.

“ Dad do you know how to read?”

“Well I do know how to read, but only the easy words.”

Eureka! Here I was cracking my head open trying to solve my problem and here was my solution. My father that I see everyday. I regarded my father lowly because I thought of him as just another lowly peasant.

“Then can you teach me please father?” I said while using an innocent and cute voice along with my goo-goo eyes. The deadly combo, was what I called it and sure enough he couldn’t resist it

“well alright, education is important as well and learning how to read is important in life.” He said while giving a nod.

We returned at the blacksmith’s shop and upon arriving Ashtrall immediately set us to work like a bunch of slaves. After that meal my mind this time was set on finishing the task by afternoon. With my sword sharpening skill the task got a hell lot easier. By the time the last sword was sharpened it was already afternoon and a familiar sound came to my ears.

Ding!

Blade sharpening lvl.2(basic)

Through grinding the stone you are able to make it sharper enabling you to temporarily up damage.

Effects:

+ less time required to sharpen blades

+16% temporary weapon damage increased

Duration: 3 hours.

When the last of the blades was sharpened Ashtrall came to me and inspected the blades one by one.

“Hmmmph… You did a decent job” he said in a whisper

“But it still isn’t enough. You missed some parts that needed to be sharpened” He growled in a deep voice.

“Each side of a blade is vital and them being sharp is the basic foundation of a good blade, missing a part of a blade to sharpen is like you missing an arm.” He kept on scolding me about missing parts of the blade. All I could do was lower my head and roll my eyes.

I learned this great trick in my past life whenever I get scolded. You hear the preaching from the left ear and out with it in the other. This was clearly what I did when Ashtrall scolded me. When is was all said and done he tapped my shoulder and said

“But still you did pretty well for a beginner” As he pat me on the head and gave me a toothy grin.

“But don’t let it get to your head kid!”

My father and I left the blacksmith’s shop and on the way home we stopped by the library. He entered the library and a few minutes later got out with two small books in his hands.

Arriving home mother greeted us with a smile and urged us to come in since she already prepared dinner. We ate and had casual talk asking me on how my first day was. I then talked to hear about all the things that transpired during the day. When dinner was done father took the 2 books that he brought and taught me the basic letters languages and numbers.

Within a few hours I quickly grasped the concept since it wasn’t too difficult and my father was shocked as I immediately learned the letters and numbers. Normally it would take a week to learn the letters and numbers but since I was an 18 year old in a kid’s body this was actually child’s play(literally).

Ding

Quest completed return to the library to claim you reward

We went to bed as soon as we were done and went to sleep quickly. The next day I woke up just as early as yesterday but since today was a day was Sunday(Yeah the names of the week are the same as my past life, weird I know!) and did my daily training regimen but this time I took a 2 sticks and started hitting the wooden dummy using both of my hands to use it.

I first started with the left swinging it wide and then I followed up with the left stab and then a right slash. I alternated between the two and then I started picking up the pace. I swung faster and faster until I was unleashing a flurry of swings and strikes and every time it lands it makes a large thumping sound.

It dragged on for 4 hours until.

Ding!Ding!Ding!

You have gained the skill Dual wielding mastery

you have gained the skill stick fighting mastery

you have gained the skill Backlash blow

Dual wielding lvl.1(beginner)

You are able to wield swords on both hands with great proficiency.

Effects:

• damage is doubled when both hands are equipped with weapons

Stick Fighting lvl.1(beginner)

You are able to fight with sticks with great proficiency and is able to inflict greater damage

Effects:

+10 damage when equipped with sticks as weapons

Backlash blow lvl.1(Active)(beginner)

Using great speed and momentum you dash at the enemy and send upon a flurry of blows targeting random areas and inflicting as many blows as possible. Deals damage to the enemy.

Effects:

• Stuns enemy target for 5 seconds

Mana consumed: 100

After gaining skills and a few stats I went back inside the house and stared at the two books my father brought home. Since I know knew how to read I crept up on the two books and brought them to my face. A short Biography of the 9 races, The Gods and Goddesses. This two books seemed Are actually good. It seems at least my father knew how to choose good books.

I started reading the first book, The racial wars.

Since time immemorial there always existed 9 races. The elves, humans, dwarves,orks,draco,werewolves,beastfolk,vampires, and demons.

The elves were beautiful creatures endowed with great affinity for magic and great dexterity, often recognized because of their long ears. There are several different race of elves from dark elves to wood etc. .etc. Though frail and weren’t many the elves proved to be a great race using magic to defend themselves.

Humans were adaptive creatures equal in all aspects of life, and were considered to be average beings neither great nor bad. They have average mana pools and by harnessing technology they are able to stand their ground against other races.

The dwarves were stout creatures with great strength and blessed with meticulous perception for art and beauty. They are talented in blacksmithing and art that they were considered to be elegant beings. They’re bravery is also noted to be the top as they never back down from battle charging head on.

Orks great in stature but weak minded people, they showed great strength however it seems that even their muscles has gone on to their brains, considering if they even have one. They are often identified as green skinned people with disgusting or horrifying appearance.

Draco were held as divine beings next to gods and goddesses on the ladder of life. With appearances of a dragon they often shape shift in different forms so as tonot attract attention. They are very aggressive beings when it comes to territory and are also very secretive.With great minds and a lush pool of mana none dares challenge them. Though very few in numbers one draco was said to be able to destroy a small town.

Werewolves are humanoid creatures coated with furs of a wolf. Though little is known about them as those that has seen werewolves has never seen the light of day again. Though they say when a fullmoon occurs it is the time when they usually appear.

Beastfolk are monsters that have gained sentient minds and are capable of high intelligence. Beastfolk comes in all kinds of appearances and one could even encounter it at a forest or planes.

Vampires are noble beings that value their immortality above all else. They are prideful and egotistic creatures and will often ignore you or hail you in disregard. Nevertheless theyare also strong creatures getting stronger by night.

Next are Demons. Considered to be the epitome of evil. Demons hail from the southern lands and are intelligent creatures. They invade lands and take pleasure in the pain of others. It is advised to not go to the demon lands as once you entered you are already considered a dead man, and well may the gods bless your soul

Ding!Ding!Ding!

Intelligence has increased by 1

Intelligence has increased by 1

Intelligence has increased by 1

You have learned reading comprehension

You have learned Memorization

You have learned Identification

Reading comprehension lvl.1(beginner)

You are able to remember important facts and parts of a letter or a book. You are also able to read faster than normal people.

Effects:

• Able to read faster

You have learned memorization lvl.1(beginner)

You are able to memorize simple letters, low quality paintings and simple illustrations.

Effects:

• By memorizing illustration, sentences or paintings you are able to execute moves that was depicted in it.

Identification lvl.1(beginner)

Able to identify simple objects.

Well I guess the 2 hour read was worth it plus I read some interesting facts. I the n started reading the other book.

There are more than thousands God and goddesses of The continent. Some range from the major gods to the lesser ones up to the forgotten gods. Some of the major Gods are Draxia the fore bringer of fire and the Dracos. Lemus The god of Light and spirits. Ma-iorka The goddess of Deceit and lies. Trevotia the God of might and power as well as many more. Gods sometimes bless races giving them power beyond normal.

The book contained then some basic information just like what Kairos said. I shuddered just remembering his name. I still can’t remove that agony that I felt from him. I didn’t realize it but my intelligence increased by 2 while wisdom increased by 1.

I stopped reading and continued on training until night finally came. I leveled up dual wielding stick fighting to lvl.2. The next day we went to the village the same day and We continued on with our work. This time he made me sharpen a larger stack of blades than necessary. I started working with the stacks. Within 5 hours I’ve already sharpened all of them and this time I made sure I didn’t miss any spots or else the old man howling will kill me. On the other hand my blade sharpening skill was now at level 3

I took a break early and went towards the old man who was forging some swords. I took a stool and started watching him. Ashtrall was hitting the sword with such force that sparks flew. Every time he swung his hammer more sparks flew and over time the sword started taking shape. He then started folding the metal. He folded it a couple of times and then started hitting it again.

Gradually the sword began to form and when it did he dipped it on the water. Steam erupted and what came out was a beautiful blade glistening. The only thing that was needed now was to attach the hilt. I stared there awing at his work.

He saw me and gave a prideful grin. He waved at me to come closer. That I did and he stared at me.

“I could see that you’ve been observing me for a while kid, what about sharpening the blades. I told him that I was already finished with it. He went towards the blade and started inspecting each one carefully.

“Well, well, I see that we have a genius sharpener with us. It has only been a day that you've sharpened the blade and you already sharpened them spot on. Looks like your training will have to move up faster.”

I didn't quite get what he said what does he mean The training will have to move up.

“Tomorrow you’re going to start forging with me as you’re instructor kid. For now go home early while your father will still stay here, because you’re going to need every ounce of your strength tomorrow!”

He said that before flashing me a toothy grin. I feel something bad is going to happen tomorrow so I did what he said and left earlier than usual.

{Tomorrow will probably be hard} I thought before thinking of what horrors will await me tomorrow.