Chapter 4

After starting exercise for a week, a slight smartness appeared on my face, and I had built up enough stamina to run. I had also successfully changed the properties of fire and water, and everything was going smoothly. My magic power was also increasing steadily. Unlike my parents, it seemed that Kururi had a talent for magic.

I woke up early and ran around the domain. I was impressed that the people were already working in the morning.

In the past week, the nearby residents had come to recognize my face. I had always been a homebody and had never shown my face before.

When I started running, I didn't feel any discomfort. Instead, my mood lifted, and I felt like running even faster.

Indeed, Kururi's body had high potential. The effort I put in was clearly paying off. The more I moved, the lighter my body felt.

Still, I didn't want to overdo it. Overexertion during the growth period is forbidden.

After a moderate workout, I headed to the usual library.

Actually, I had been stumbling over the basic property change of lightning. While water and fire were easy, lightning was difficult to activate.

"Grandpa Moran, it's not working!"

"Ho ho ho, repetition is key in everything. If you keep at it, you'll be able to do it."

Grandpa's words had a different weight to them.

Still, it didn't work today either.

After dinner, I checked my body in the mirror after taking a bath.

Hmm, there were good changes not just in my face but also in my body. It was a positive trend.

Continuing with exercise and magic for about three months, Kururi Heran's body had transformed.

My body had become slim and toned, and my face was still that of a handsome young man.

I had mastered all the basic property changes in magic, and my magic power had increased to a dangerous level.

My body felt light. If I jumped, I felt like I would fly. I could do a handstand and a spinning jump at will. No one would call me the chubby, comforting Kururi anymore.

I decided to go to Mr. Donga's place right away.

I led a horse and jumped on it.

Come on, let's go!

As soon as the horse started running, I was airborne.

I had gotten too carried away. I hadn't realized how difficult horseback riding could be. I had been under the illusion that I could do anything because I had become thinner.

"Master Kururi! Are you okay!?" The stable boy ran over.

"I want to learn horseback riding."

"Y-Yes."

The stable boy helped me stand up, covered in mud.

Horseback riding requires a lot of leg strength. You have to hold the horse's belly firmly with your thighs to avoid falling off.

On the first day, I collapsed as soon as I dismounted. My legs were so tired that I couldn't stand up properly.

"Everyone is like this at first," the stable boy comforted me kindly. He was a good guy.

Still, even the horse bowed to Kururi's potential.

In no time, a week had passed, and I could ride a horse.

"I'm going for a little ride," I said proudly.

Now I could finally go to Mr. Donga's place.

"Excuse me," I stood at the entrance of 'Donga's Weapon Shop' and called out.

Since no one came out, I went in.

"Mr. Donga!!"

"What is it! It's noisy!

Huh? The lord's foolish son?"

"Ah, yes, it's Kururi from three months ago."

"Ho, you've lost weight. You look different."

"I've come to learn blacksmithing."

"Ah, that's what it's about. Well, come in. If you're no good, I'll kick you out."

"Please teach me!"

Despite his appearance and speech, Mr. Donga taught me the job carefully.

Once he found out I could use magic, he assigned me the task of lighting the fire.

After a month of doing odd jobs in the forge, I finally got to learn blacksmithing.

"It's been a month since you came here. You've gotten used to the environment, so let's try hammering iron."

"Please teach me!" I answered, wiping my coal-stained face with a towel.

"Hammering iron is to remove impurities and increase purity.

It's also done to balance the iron and mix different types of iron.

In short, it's a world where hammering is everything. Hammering and hammering relentlessly is the best way to improve."

"Got it."

I hammered iron every day as Mr. Donga said.

Odd jobs, customer service, and purchasing had become my responsibilities, so I was almost living there.

I was reporting to my parents, but they were worried, saying, "What has that child gotten into?"

Such a life continued for a year, and my master, Donga, gave me his seal of approval: "You've become a real blacksmith."

Despite my slim body, my hands had become incredibly tough.

There were countless burn marks, calluses, and scars.

Hmm, a year is quite something.

One day, my master called me.

"Is this the sword you forged?"

The sword my master was holding was the one I had forged last night.

"Yes, but—"

My master was speechless.

"The purity is high, and the balance is almost perfect. I probably reached this level in my late thirties..."

My master was muttering to himself.

Indeed, it was a good piece, but I had been consistently forging at that level recently. My master just hadn't noticed.

"Excellent. Kururi, I have nothing more to teach you. From here on, it's a battle with yourself. It's the world of the seeker."

"Huh!?"

"Your skills are almost on par with a master. From here on, you can't learn from others. It's a world of constant self-improvement."

"Ah, so, can I make a living at this level?"

"Yes, let's put this sword in the shop. It will surely sell quickly."

Wow!!

I did it. I've got a trade!

"Though I have nothing more to teach you, keep hammering iron every day. If you stop, your skills will dull."

"Yes, thank you, Master!"

"Terrifying talent. It's a waste that you were born as the lord's son."

No, no, that's usually considered lucky.

I returned home after a long time and had a dedicated forge built for me.

The whole house was in an uproar with the news that Kururi had returned. My parents were especially happy, and the forge was built more lavishly than necessary.

From now on, my life will be a back-and-forth between the forge and the library, which I had been away from for a while.

Since I can forge swords, I might as well learn how to use them. Yes, I'll ask my parents next time. They'll probably oppose it, though.