Chapter 27

Rain’s fire was burning good and hot.

Now that it had reached the perfect temperature for bending the metal to his will, just like what he was taught, he finally had a small window of opportunity to take control. He pulled the heavy leather glove onto his right hand and slams the hammer down with a resounding metallic bang.

“Harder!”

A loud voice rang out from behind. Rain’s concentration spiked up, and once again he slammed the hammer down.

“Clenched your muscles and slam the hammer with all your heart and soul… put your spirit into your every pound.” Listening to the loud feminine voice amidst the resounding explosion of steel clashing, Rain grit his teeth and focused all his strength into pounding the red hot metal in front of him.

The steel puts up the tiniest hint of resistance before caving to his pounding. Rain didn’t stop. He brought the huge iron head crashing down again, his biceps flexing with every jarring clang.

Over and over, Rain slammed the hammerhead and sees the steel surrendering its strength and giving in to his. Rain smiled happily, as he found himself in a strange satisfaction. He somehow felt as if it was one of the most satisfying things in his life as he watched the red hot steel bend in angle he liked as if he was in control of it.

With Sylphy’s support, Rain would even know the exact degree of the molten steel’s temperature, and yellow spots would also appear in his retina, indicating the places that needed to be hit by his hammer, for greater accuracy on his work. Truly, Sylphy was like a game’s AI, that even Miyabila, the greatest blacksmith of the Tribe, and Rain’s teacher, ignorant of Sylphy’s existence couldn’t help but regard Rain as a very talented blacksmith that would only appear in a hundred years, or perhaps even a thousand years.

At first, Sylphy wouldn’t know about it, but as Rain started learning it from the professionals, he would receive a prompt that he has been taught a skill; and Sylphy would also get the necessary knowledge about it. Like being given access to some unknown knowledge, she was able to know and integrate much strange information and knowledge to Rain. Now, she is slowly becoming one of the ultimate support systems in the world.

Rain Revert Lv1

Class: [Fate Changer]

Title: [Lost Child], [Lamian Treasure]

Patron: Goddess of Chaos and Strife, the embodiment of Carnage and Mischief; Goddess Atria.

Attributes:

Strength: H63 Endurance: H79 Dexterity: H67 Agility: H72 Mana: H34

Unique Skill:

[Support System Pixie: Sylphy Systema Lv2], [All Language Comprehension Lv2], [Predation Lv2]

Skills:

[Bone Crafting Lv1] [Cooking Lv1] [Sharpening Lv2] [Blacksmithing Lv1] [Alchemy Knowledge Lv2] [Potion Refining Lv1] [Pharmacy Lv1] [Architecture Lv1] [Wood Working Lv1] [Molding Lv1] [Domestic Chores Lv2] [Etiquette Lv2] [Musical Instrument Lv1] [Singing Lv2] [Calculation Lv2]

Weapon Proficiency:

[Sword Mastery Lv2] [Unarmed Combat Lv2] [Knife Mastery Lv1] [Bow Mastery Lv1] [Body Control Lv1]

Absorbed Skills:

[Agility EX Lv2], [Bone Spike Lv2], [Stealth Lv2], [Horn Manifestation Lv0], [Claws Manifestation Lv1], [Hardened Skin Lv2], [Lightning Bolt Lv1], [Seismic Sense Lv1], [Night Vision Lv1], [Enhanced Strength (Small) Lv1], [Menace Lv1], [Bark Skin Lv1], [Vine shackles Lv1], [Lesser Vitality Lv2]

Acquired Resistances:

Physical Pain Resistance: 8%

Physical Attack Resistance: 9%

Fire Resistance: 11%

Wind Resistance: 5%

Poison Resistance: 8%

Rain’s status had been growing steadily these past few days. Even his skills had grown in number after eating different monsters brought by the Tribe Hunters and Lafetti as well as trying everything he could do in the Tribe and his free time. He even obtained singing and musical instrument skills when he was playing the flute while playing with the children.

He found living in this world, no rather, in this Tribe so exciting and full of first times for him. He can sometimes even see some sides of him that are yet to have appeared in his life until now.

He loved Alchemy, and now he became fond of Blacksmithing as well.

“Straighten your back! Endure the heat!”

The one who was shouting and yelling behind him was none other than Miyabila, the Tribe’s Blacksmith.

She was a Lamian with bright red scales, a color that is quite unique among the tribe’s Lamians. Hence, Rain has no problem immediately remembering Miyabila, due to the fact that she gave quite an impression in the first meeting.

It was said that it was because she had the blood of a Salamander in her, that she was quite good at playing with fire. Salamanders are a race of Lizardmen that were proficient in flames. They are fierce, strong, and extremely battle-crazed.

Standing behind Rain, crimson red eyes stood out in her somewhat tanned face and her beautiful red hair that seemed to have been flames molded into strands pulled back in a high ponytail. She was wearing a grey robe, though one can see that her body is quite thin within it.

She has high cheekbones, and long eyelashes, and when she let her beautiful red-colored hair down, it hangs in waves over her shoulder. She was quite beautiful, as all Lamians are—in fact, if one looks closely, she looks extremely like Milla Jovovich from the movie Resident Ev*l.

The instant the red hot metal starts to cool down, Rain immediately shoves it back into the fire to take it back to the pinnacle of perfection. Then, Rain once again slams down the heavy hammer forcing the volcanic metal to bend into shape. His body feels slick with glistening sweat. Drops fall down from his shoulders and let out a sizzle as they expire in the embers.

From what Rain heard from Miyabila, most Blacksmiths wear a thick shirt and leather apron for protection. Only Miyabila does not as she didn’t fear fire or heat, due to her innate high resistances for flames. Miyabila warned Rain before and suggested to wear an article of thick clothing to protect himself from the fire. However, Rain didn’t. For some reason, he likes to feel his skin heat up from the flames and start to cool as they die back. He seemed to be able to sense the perfect temperature for forging in his every pore, even without Sylphy’s help. Though, he was still a beginner Apprentice-in-Training.

And most of all, by doing this as well, not only his Blacksmithing skill increase faster than normal, but also Resistance to flames as well.

Apart from simple Chores, what Rain focused all his attention was Sarete’s Workshop and Miyabila’s Forge.

Almost all day, he spent double the hours compared to the other, like Farming, tending the reared magical beasts, and Butchering hunted prey.

If only he could focus only on these two places, he might actually spend all his time on them. However, he was still the Tribe’s slave, after all. The work he was doing is something he cannot refuse. Not like he was complaining since the Lamians are so kind and amiable.

He just can’t refuse them.

When Rain got tired, almost exhausted, the steel was already purified to some extent. Miyabila came over and started examining it, Ran waited behind with a worried heart. He was like a student after an examination, anxiously waiting for the score he could get. Then, she saw Miyabila turning around at her, and smiled; “Good Work as always.” She started and Rain felt a boulder coming of his heart.

“Although not perfect as there are still impurities on the metal, still, it was an extremely fine work for a beginner. You don’t know this but even someone like me spent a month or two to be able to reach this kind of refinement, when I was still starting—really, I do wonder how you can be so good when you barely even know how to slam your hammer a few days ago. I heard from Sarete that you also have a knack for Alchemy as well…” said her as she walks over, rubbing the sweat and dirt from Rain’s forehead and cheeks.

“My Master told me I’m a Genius, but that doesn’t seem to be the case…at least, in front of you, I cannot claim as such,” she jested.

Rain scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. Miyabila’s praise somehow made his heart jittery. “I still have a long way to go to reach your level. I need to work hard,”

“It won’t be long,” she nodded her head with a chuckle. “However, It would be a problem for me, if you really surpass me that easily. Therefore, if possible I still want you on this level for quite a long while.” She teased with an amused grin.

Rain shook his head with a wry smile; “Still, do you think I would now be able to create things I want?”

“Well, I think with your level, you should be able to…however, for now, try to continue practicing your hammering for a while. Your strength just barely qualifies it,” said Miyabila while tracing her quite long nails on his chest.

Rain’s face turned red. However, he knows that Miyabila didn’t have any vague intention of what she was doing, and understand that she was just checking his physical attributes. Right? Well, after all, if Drova can be said to be a battle maniac, then Miyabila was the type who was obsessed with hammering orange-red metals and feeling the heat around her. She prefers making metal works than anything else.

Miyabila’s gaze flashed an appreciative look, “Your strength is almost there, but try to raise it even more first before you start making things your own. It would give you higher chances of success, and making it a higher quality as well. Many people who thought they can do it, but end up as a failure. Although failure is common among us Blacksmiths, it’s better to have a qualified item for your first work, no? It would be good as a commemoration for your hard work,”

Rain thought that she made sense and he nodded his head. Although he actually wanted to finally create something by his own effort, he knows haste makes waste, and what Miyabila said is truly reasonable. He was only able to receive Miyabila’s praise because of Sylphy, and not truly his own talent—although it seems like he truly has some knacks on it, it was not as exaggerated as Miyabila said.

Normal apprentices could only start their own careers after a year or two of apprenticeship. Hence, Rain should wait for now. In any case, he still has many things to learn.

Miyabila led Rain outside to catch some fresh air. While walking through the forge, Rain’s eyes, like always, surveyed the room full of blades and weapons.

Weapons such as spears, swords, bows, knives and daggers and many more on the shelves. There were even farming tools and specialized knives, according to Miyabila, which were used for cutting through the bones of hunted prey, strange-looking knives for rending the tendons, and even knives for splitting the belly.

If we were to list all of them, then there would be dozens and hundreds of different types.

Rain couldn’t help but widen his knowledge as he truly didn’t expect that there would be so many different kinds of knives in the world, especially for skinning and gutting creatures. Though, most look like they were used for tortures like the ones he had seen in movies.

The morning’s exertion had been too much for Rain’s weak physique. Compared to all the Lamian’s in the Tribe, even the Lamian Children possess far better attributes compared to him. This was the difference in race and species.

The moment the Lamian born in this world, they were already far stronger than normal humans. Hence, although Rain was treated as Slave by the Tribe, he was actually being quite treasured as no one would force him to do anything, especially when he was exhausted. They would even force him to rest if needed and avoided letting him work heavy labor. Sometimes, Rain would feel embarrassed for being so extremely useless that a girl would be the one to carry large, heavy bundles and logs.

When leaving the forge, Rain immediately fetches some water to clean his body from the accumulated filth. His shoulders and forearms are covered with wide black smears from the heat and metal. His chest is gritty with ash from the flame and the sticky sweat that had been dried out was extremely uncomfortable.

Although Rain would not mind taking a bath under the broad sky, since the small forge didn’t have much space to accommodate his little desire, and the forge was always quite hot, still, he wished that they turned a blind eye on him.

But how come they watch him with dangerous eyes all the time they saw him naked?

It’s not like this was the first time!

Although Rain didn’t have a fetish for being an exhibitionist, and the fond of revealing his naked body to the world, still if this continues, Rain feared he might actually develop such shameless gentleman hobby.

Even now, he seemed to have unknowingly become used to being watched all the time—scary…

Firstly, Rain went towards a large wooden rectangular crate, big and wide enough to accommodate four people that he had specifically asked from Miyabila to make; after all, he always wanted to have a bath of his own. Though, the one Miyabila had made was placed in his house, it seems like Miyabila took a liking to it as well as she also made one for her own.

Filling it with water using magic was extremely easy and convenient. Then, Miyabila heat it up until the right temperature. Miyabila, unlike the other Lamians, love it hotter than normal—at least, it barely went above Rain’s preferred temperature, but all the more better, like some sort of a Hot Spring.

Rain smiled helplessly as he raises his face to the blue sky above. It’s one of those days when he feels a little lighter, a little springier, with a mood to match the weather.

This world in the springtime is capricious, but today the sun is shining, and as he walks through the garden towards the rectangular barrel, a burst of wistfulness courses through him.

Rain nodded happily as he checked the water's temperature, finding it just right and was pretty comfortable. As expected of Miyabila, her control of temperature was enviable.

His hands are blackened. Then, he began to undo his pants, noticing the mixture of grease and filth smeared in the sweat across his round biceps and washboard torso. The exposure to air has made his wood springing up, more so if three Lamians are quite spectating no?

Well, he had tried to ask them for privacy before, but to no avail. And if he tries to mind it all the time, Rain felt as if he was the one losing out. Thus, he just ignored them and do his own thing.

In any case, they will leave after a while. And he didn’t worry about being suddenly attacked out of nowhere; since Zarda had given her word that no one shall do something as sinful as that.

Just when Rain was about to wash the sweat and dirt of his body.

“Rain use this,”

Miyabila suddenly came over and offered a clean cloth.

“Thank you,”

Rain nodded, gratified and was about to take it when Miyabila grinned mischievously and pulled back. Rain was startled, somewhat surprised by the sudden mischief. His hand dangled in the air, lonely. However, Rain only smiled wryly at her, because nothing is going to get him down today.

Not even if a beautiful Lamian teased him.