Published: September 4, 2025
This is not from Satou’s perspective.
Correction made on 2/11.
“Idiot! When you do a strike, put your weight into it—your hips, your hips!”
Today, too, the master’s fists roared.
It’s been 30 years training under the master, but I still can’t land a strike that satisfies him. Only two of us direct disciples—Garil and me—can swing the great hammer. The rest can barely manage a few swings. In another ten years, no, five years, I will master the strike. And someday, I’ll settle down with Jojori.
“Zajiul, what about your true identity?”
“Jojori? It’s nothing, a trivial matter.”
“Really? Grandpa has a visitor; is it someone from the large room?”
“Yeah, he’s in a bad mood now, so be careful.”
“Got it, thanks.”
She’s lovely today as well.
Even with her blunt attitude, she answers politely. Truly a fine woman.
◇
The visitor Jojori mentioned was a young boy from the human tribe. His exact age was unclear, but probably just on the cusp of adulthood.
Yet, the master had him strike a sword. Not iron, but mithril! What a waste.
Earlier, that fool Rodal brought some failed refined mithril, so he’ll use that instead. An amateur wouldn’t tell the difference anyway.
“Use this.”
“Thank you. It’s my first time forging mithril, so I’m nervous.”
He said he’s forged iron swords before, so he’s not a complete novice. But even Rodal, who’s the least experienced here, has forged swords for fifty years. Comparing them is unfair. The master is harsh.
Watching the boy light the forge with smooth motions, I felt something amiss. Is he really an amateur?
The doubt became certainty when the boy raised the hammer.
That confident stance.
Just like the master’s.
The impression was spot-on.
After one swing, the boy tilted his head. Did he notice that subtle defect? How could he, hitting mithril for the first time, detect the flaw compared to something else?
The master was ready to punch him over the mithril, but that didn’t matter. What kind of sword would he forge if given the best mithril? My heart stirred for the first time in ages.
I ran ahead to the room with the mithril refining furnace, ahead of the master and others.
I can’t trust Rodal. This time, I’ll prepare the best mithril myself.
“Guys! Get fired up!”
Even after shouting to motivate them, the refining crew slumped to the floor.
“Zajiul, the gnomes aren’t here today. We’re short on magic power.”
“It’s all about spirit! With spirit, you can do anything!”
“Don’t say such nonsense. Then inject the magic power yourself, Zajiul. With spirit!”
Ganza was out at a gnome gathering today. Maybe that’s why today’s mithril is poor quality. It wasn’t Rodal’s negligence. I’ll buy him a drink later.
I tried to infuse magic power with spirit, but it’s not something I’m good at. I could only inject about five rin. I’m just not good at infusing magical artifacts with magic.
“Should I inject this?”
The boy, instructed by the master, was apparently charging the magic power himself. Judging by the short staff at his waist, he could use magic. Usually, ten gnomes work together to charge such a device. It’s not something one person can handle—I experienced that for myself earlier.
Yet, he accomplished it alone.
Iteru, the refining leader, looked so surprised his jaw nearly dropped. I could understand that feeling.
The master inspected the finished mithril with testing instruments. Just a glance and you know—it’s first-class, ultra-high grade. It was the first time I’d ever seen the master bother using testing tools.
◇
The master ordered me to bring out the mithril alloy great hammer from the warehouse. It’s much heavier than the one we usually use for strikes. Unbelievably, the master intended to let the boy wield it.
A non-dwarf swinging the great hammer?
Garil and I objected, but were beaten down with fists. We can’t oppose the master’s decisions.
The boy, told to swing the great hammer, stood dumbfounded in front of it.
Of course. There’s no way a slender human kid could lift it. When I lifted it with one hand, he exaggeratedly expressed surprise. It was embarrassing that he praised me in front of Jojori. Say more!