Chapter 42 - Weapon Master
"Now, Follow me." as the dwarf led the way into his forging stations.
'Haa… I hope it will not be another troublesome situation.' Thought Angus while he followed the dwarf name Bail.
Arriving at the station, "Alright, Lad. I don't care which noble you come from or who you are. As long as you want to keep working in this course you need to heed my word. Do I make myself clear?!"
"Yes, sir." replied Angus immediately after hearing the stern sound of the dwarf.
"Good. Now, since you are here. Sharpen and polish those piles of daggers." said the dwarf while pointing at the huge amount of pile iron daggers.
Although, it is higher quality than practice dagger but the amount is quite ridiculous that it may take a long time for it to be done.
"Err… But.. Sir, how about my assignment?" asked Angus nervously.
Every student that attends the side course needs to complete some assignment to be cleared for them to pass the course during one term. Then, the teacher will give a score based on the assignment.
Although the score will not influence the graduation from one term to the next but a bad score will leave a bad mark in their score. It will become sort of eye sore inside the report. This is why students usually didn't dare to try a lot of side courses at once like Angus did.
As for Angus, he just didn't want to get a bad mark in his assignment while being worked like a slave by the dwarf.
"Assignment?! Ohh, I forgot that you are also a student here. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it. Just sharpen and polish those daggers now." Before the dwarf starts to manipulate the forge.
'Haa… I guess I didn't have any choice.' Thought Angus while picking the dagger and started to sharpen it at the nearby grinder.
"Oh yeah boy, be careful while you sharpen those or I will give you a bad mark at those so called reports." said the dwarf before he focused on his own work.
Hearing this, 'Damn… just my luck. Why do I get attention with this unreasonable dwarf of all people? Haa… I guess I will say goodbye to my nap time.' Curse Angus inwardly
Angus knows how bold and unreasonable the dwarf character can be. Because of that he couldn't back down or run away like usual. He knows that it will only create more hassle and will end his learning in smithing.
All he could do now is only preserve. Not wanting to be enslaved for a long time, Angus immediately did his work seriously.
During the sharpening process, Angus will enter a trance state everytime he works and is done much faster than before.
However, after hours passed by another bunch of new created daggers came and stacked up with the previous pile of daggers.
Looking at this, Angus knows that this is an impossible work to be done. But, the dwarf never said to sharpen all of them. But, only to sharpen the daggers.
At this moment, he begins to remember the unreasonable work from his previous master in the past life. He knows that this is not about the work but a test to see the persistence in my character.
Knowing that Angus is being tested, he immediately feels challenged. Although Angus wants to be a low key but in front of such a challenge, he will still man up and accept it.
'I will give you some surprise, dwarf.' Thought Angus.
Then, Angus suddenly brings two daggers at once in front of the grinder. Using his focus, perception, the flexibility of his hand, Angus manages to sharpen two daggers at once.
After he is done with the dagger, he immediately brings another dagger to be sharpened and puts away the sharpened ones. He keeps doing this impossible feat without stopping that attracts all the nearby students and workers inside the smithing.
Even Bail, the dwarf that gave the assignment, couldn't say anything after checking the quality of the boys' work. He couldn't believe such precise work could be done by the boy in such a manner.
Of course, because of this commotion. The old dwarf that everyone refers to as the boss also pays attention to this.
"What are you looking at?! Do you want me to cut you out with these daggers?! GET BACK TO WORK!!" Shout the old dwarf.
"Bail, send more daggers for the kid to be sharpened!" order the old dwarf
"A-Alright, Boss." Replied Bail while he got away to bring more dagger.
During this time, Angus notices this but rather than stop, he increases his work speed. As for the old dwarf, he also notices this but keeps silent while checking every dagger.
Soon the night falls, all the worker and student are already going back to their dorm beside Angus that keep sharpening the dagger without stopping. While the old dwarf, keep checking every single dagger that is being sharpened by Angus nearby.
After another few hours, "Huff… Finally it's done" Said Angus as he finally sharpened the last dagger.
Looking at that Angus only slightly tired, "Good Job, Brat. Tomorrow come with me…" During the middle sentence, the old dwarf suddenly throws the dagger at Angus.
Angus immediately caught it easily between his two fingers as a reflex. He also became more vigilant towards the old dwarf.
"Hahaha… As expected you could have caught it easily. Don't worry boy, it's just a test. Say boy did you ever hear the title of weapon master?" Say the old dwarf.
"Weapon master?" Asked Angus confusedly.
"Yes, weapon master. Among the dwarf and craftsmanship there is a title called weapon master. It's a title for people that could master any kind of weapon, especially the cold weapon."
"Those that bear with this title could be said to be near invincible in battle. They could even kill higher grade people just relying on their weapon mastery skill. Usually, this kind of person needs to experience many kinds of weapons before they could claim this title."
"However, sometimes among the smithers and crafter birth a natural weapon master that could use any kind of weapon the moment they touch it. This kind of talent is as rare as having affinity with the space element itself."
"And you boy, have that talent to become that the weapon master. A person that could wield any kind of weapon proficiently." Explain the old dwarf.
Hearing the old dwarf story, 'Hmm… I guess that explains why I could easily learn any kind of weapon in my previous life.' Thought Angus inwardly.
"Err… Okay. So, now what?" Asked Angus innocently.
"Now, what?!! Boy, did you realize you have a rare talent that every single combatant and crafter want?" Say the dwarf furiously.
"Yeah, I know that my talent is quite a bit special but… you can say it has nothing to do with my dream." Replied Angus.
"Dream?? Hahaha… What could possibly kid like you know about?" Berated the old dwarf.
"Well, at least I have a dream. Many people don't have it, you know. Some even lost it" said Angus nonchalantly.
Hearing this the old dwarf silent for a moment like reminiscing of his old memory before continuing, "Alright, kid. What's this dream of yours that is more important than becoming a weapon master?"
"I just want a peaceful life. That's my dream." said Angus resolutely.
Hearing this, the old dwarf silence for a moment that seems like his brain fried by Angus's answer.
Looking at the dwarf becomes kind of absent minded, "Err… Hello??" as Angus waves his hand in front of the old dwarf.
After a few moments, the old dwarf woke up from his thought, "Brat, say what is your dream once again?"
"Err.. I just want a peaceful life. Just laid back and enjoyed my life without worry…" said Angus.
Before Angus finished his sentence, "You.. You lazy brat without any backbone!!" As the old dwarf retrieves his big hammer from out of nowhere and slams it towards Angus. *BAM*
Being hit by the hammer suddenly, Angus flies away through the smithing area towards the entrance smithing area.
"Get over here, brat!! I will smack you until your mother can't recognize you!" as the old dwarf pursues Angus while being held by Bail.
But, the old dwarf strength is many times greater than Bail and immediately throws him away.
During this time, Henry who is stationed outside also notices this commotion and enters the smithing area. He found Angus coughing some blood while the old dwarf approached at fast speed.
Feeling the enraged and powerful old dwarf coming, "Sir, I don't know what happened but you are hurting the duke… "But before Henry could finish his sentence, he was slammed with the hammer from the old dwarf.
"Shut up!!" said the furious old dwarf.
Looking that a grade one student fell unconscious under his casual attack then looking at Angus who only has a little bit internal injury. The old dwarf knows how monstrous the boy is.
But, remembering his laid back answer and attitude, he once again became furious and attacked Angus. Using the moment Henry made, Angus finally could recover from the shock and get up.
At this moment, he notices another sledge hammer coming towards him. Looking that he could not dodge it. He gathered a tremendous mana in his fist and counter attacked the incoming attack [Iron Fist]. *BAAM*