With his hands in his pockets, Evo turned around and walked back toward the shop.
His eyes were still cold, his expression filled with disdain, but he decided to hear what the dwarf had to say.
– What is it, old man? Why all the yelling?
The man felt the chill in Evo's voice but shook his head and decided to speak.
– Listen... I'm sorry! I'm truly sorry for the terrible experience I made you go through. – He bowed deeply and continued.
– You see, long ago I used to forge my weapons full of inspiration, with pride. I sold them with joy, believing they would find worthy owners. But... – his voice lowered into melancholy, his eyes gazing into a painful past. – I was wrong. I sold my masterpieces, and people used them for a while, then threw them away when they got bored. Do you know how much that hurt me? – He looked into the young man's eyes, who listened intently.
He sighed and went on.
– I grew bitter and exhausted. I cried and drowned myself in drink for years, until I finally decided to stop forging with devotion. Then I began mass-producing cheap blades, without care or passion. – His tired, resentful voice trailed off as he stared at one of the swords in his hands.
Evo listened silently until the man finished.
– Listen, old man! – he said, staring back. – Maybe I overreacted a little. – He sighed, sounding slightly regretful.
The truth was, Evo was upset for several reasons.
First: in his past life, he had also been an artisan, working alongside his family crafting clocks with dedication and love. Seeing a fellow craftsman destroy his own art struck a deep nerve.
Second: he had begun to notice that the emotions and temperament of Daniel Roberts were slowly returning. Daniel had been cold and straightforward with strangers, rarely showing affection unless it was toward his family.
Daniel and Evo were both men of strict principles — they despised anything wrong or dishonest.
– This feeling growing inside me... I need to be careful – Evo muttered.
Within him, a dangerous seed was beginning to sprout —
the seed of pride and arrogance.
He had noticed it for a while now; sometimes, his pride would skyrocket, but he had always ignored it.
All of that piled up until Evo finally exploded, his mood sinking into the abyss.
– Buuut! You were wrong too! – The old man deflated at his words.
– I know! I did something unforgivable as a craftsman.
– Buuut! – Evo dragged the word again. – You also admitted your mistakes, and that... is something great and hard to do. You should be proud of that.
He continued.
– Now you just have to fix your mistakes and move forward. – he said, softening his expression with a small, encouraging smile.
The dwarf burst into tears, falling to his knees.
– Thank you, young man... thank you, thank you! – he murmured again and again, bowing with tears streaming down his face.
Evo's heart tightened slightly.
– Hey, old man, don't overdo it! Get up already, or people will think I mugged and beat you up, you old fool. – he said, scratching his head awkwardly while glancing around to see if anyone was watching.
After a while, with Evo practically begging him to stand, the dwarf finally calmed down and wiped his tears.
– Listen, boy! – he said, drying his eyes with his sleeve. – Are you free today?
– I am, old man. Why?
– Would you let me start redeeming myself by forging your sword? I just need the materials... and you.
Evo narrowed his eyes.
– You gonna make me one of those junk swords from inside there, or are you gonna forge me a real one? One I can trust with my life without fearing it'll fail me? – he asked, tilting his head in genuine doubt.
Ravisto struck his chest with conviction.
– I, Ravisto, swear to put my body and soul into this creation! I promise to deliver the greatest sword I have ever forged! – he declared like a sacred vow, filled with passion and confidence.
Evo stared at him for a moment, then finally gave in.
– Harrrrr... fine, old man Ravisto. I'll give you my trust. Be grateful!
Ravisto lit up like a child after hearing the words of agreement.
– So you'll help me forge it?
– Yes, I need you. Normally, we forge weapons with our own emotions, but that limits the blade — it can't resonate with its master. That's why some swordsmen choose to learn blacksmithing themselves or stay beside their smiths, pouring their feelings into the blade.
– To avoid that, I'll forge it with your emotions imbued within it. That's why I need you. It'll be a splendid sword, without limitations.
Evo nodded and pulled materials from his ring.
– So be it. Here, take the materials.
He handed over mithril, white elemental gold, and orichalcum. The dwarf looked at them and almost had a heart attack from excitement.
– T-t-this is... White Elemental Gold... – he whispered, as if holding something divine.
And indeed, to blacksmiths, that material was divine.
White Elemental Gold was the finest ore for forging weapons — malleable, and most importantly, it could accept any existing element: fire, earth, water, darkness, light, space, time, shadow, illusion... anything.
– Amazing, isn't it? – Evo asked with genuine excitement.
– Of course it is, boy! With this, we can craft an extraordinary sword! – the man confirmed.
– I asked my mother for it as a birthday gift, before leaving for the Academy.
Evo hadn't planned to ask for anything, telling his mother he was fine and needed nothing. But Noeli insisted he choose something, and so he thought of forging his own sword — though he lacked the materials. And that brings us to now.
– Let's hurry! I can't wait any longer, I'm itching to hammer! – said the dwarf, brimming with excitement.
– Hahaha, fine, let's go! – Evo replied, following him into the shop.
The two prepared to begin the forging.
– Listen, when I start hammering, pour your emotions into the blade. You don't have to think about them — the sword will understand your heart. Just imagine sending your feelings to it, letting it see what's inside you.
Evo nodded eagerly.
He took off his shirt, wearing only his pants — the heat was unbearable, sweat dripping down his skin.
– All right, let's begin!
The forging began!
The strong scent of metal and fire filled the air. The scorching heat brushed against their skin, and the sound of hammering echoed like music in that place.
Evo focused entirely on channeling his essence into the metal, while Ravisto hammered with all his soul, shaping the blade exactly as Evo envisioned.
Hours passed.
It was late at night when they finally finished their work.
– Har, har, hahahaha! That was incredible! – the dwarf laughed, panting heavily.
– Hahaha, old man, you were amazing! That was insane! – Evo said, wiping rivers of sweat from his face.
– Look at this... – Evo's eyes gleamed as he gazed at the sword in his hand.
The sword was smaller and thinner than usual.
Silver, with golden details on the hilt.
Its cross-shaped handle was wrapped with lines of gold leading up to the base of the blade.
Light yet durable, its cold edge seemed sharp enough to slice through the very universe.
It was truly a divine weapon.
Evo gazed at it like a father admiring his child — filled with pride and love. He ran his hand along the blade, caressing it gently.
Even the small white serpent coiled around his wrist — who only ate and slept — opened her eyes for the first time, captivated by the masterpiece before her.
– Ohhh, even you woke up, Kalythra? – he murmured, stroking her head.
– Ohhh, I hadn't noticed the little one on your wrist. A white serpent... how rare – commented the dwarf.
– Ah, this little glutton only eats and sleeps, hehehe... but she's my companion – Evo said fondly, petting Kalythra, who returned the affection.
The old man nodded, returning to the main topic.
– So, what do you think?
Evo turned his gaze back to the sword, licking his lips with a grin.
– Let's see.
[ Analyzing item... ]
Evo tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for the result.
[ Analysis complete ]
[ Displaying results ]
Item: Sword
Name: Sword of Execution
Rarity: Growth Type → Currently [ Unique ]
Authority / Ability: [ First Stage → Partial Judgment ]
Others: [ Locked ]
Description: A sword forged from the wielder's strongest emotion. It shall deliver absolute judgment upon its enemies. Its law is clear and unshakable!
Evo felt a chill run through his body as he read the description.
– Holy shit... – he muttered, stunned.