An unknown amount of time passed. Only when the examination was about to end did the other young apprentices finally complete their pieces.
A row of similarly shaped Two-Handed Swords lay neatly arranged on their respective anvils, their cold steel glinting under the sun.
"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..."
Hawke gave a few light coughs, then stepped forward to inspect the Two-Handed Swords the boys had forged, one by one.
Before long, however, the old Blacksmith's brow furrowed deeper and deeper, and his face grew visibly red.
Perhaps out of consideration for Baron Fosling's presence, he refrained from his usual angry reprimands, instead announcing the results again and again in a low voice.
"You let the ore burn too hot. Failed."
"Insufficient force in the hammering. Failed."
"You... This sword doesn't match the design specifications. Failed!"
Hawke's breathing grew heavier, and his footsteps sounded more leaden.
After a short while, he arrived in front of Marco.
