Chapter 64

Rizetta twirled her carefully combed hair around her finger as she entered the guild's workshop.

"Hehe. Today is the day Roland comes. I have to make a good impression."

"Hey, Rizetta."

"Hey, Rizetta. You look especially well-groomed today."

"Oh, Edgar, Charles. Good morning. By the way, is Roland here yet?"

Edgar and Charles exchanged glances and smirked mischievously.

"The collaboration with the 'Golden Eagle' is off!?"

Rizetta said, sounding flustered.

"What do you mean? What's going on? Why so suddenly..."

"He was a fake."

"A fake?"

"An impostor. A fraud."

"I always thought he was suspicious."

(A fake... him?)

"You were trying to get a job from him, weren't you?"

"Too bad. Your plans fell through."

The two of them laughed heartily.

"Then, where is he? Where is Roland now?"

Rizetta asked desperately.

"He seems to have opened an alchemy guild on the outskirts of town."

"An alchemy guild?"

"Right. The name of the guild... I think it was 'Spirit Workshop'?"

"What's he trying to do? Is he trying to spite us?"

"...Right."

Rizetta turned on her heel and headed for the exit.

"Hey, where are you going?"

She didn't answer, quickly left the room, and slammed the door in a huff.

"Tch. What's her problem?"

"Just leave her. It's her usual temper."

After leaving 'Dragon's Flame,' Rizetta headed straight for 'Spirit Workshop.'

(I'll see for myself if Roland is really a fake.)

Roland was conducting another interview.

(Extend Aina's durability. But with her alone, it's impossible to solve this problem. I need to find someone with skills and stats that can complement her weaknesses.)

As he continued the interviews, a suitable candidate appeared.

He was tall and well-built, with a gentle expression that belied his physique.

[Rody Leavitt's Status]

Strength: 60-80

Durability: 60-90

Agility: 30-40

Stamina: 60-80

(I found him. A-class durability. And...)

[Rody Leavitt's Skills]

'Ore Refining': C → B

'Metal Shaping': D → C

'Product Design': D → A

'Silverwork': E → C

(He has A-class potential in 'Product Design.')

"My name is Rody. Well, the reason I'm applying is that the guild I'm currently working for pays too little to support my younger brothers."

"I see. If you come to work for us, we'll pay the salary listed in the job posting. We also offer support for skill improvement. However, I'd like you to start as a subordinate."

"That's fine. I'll do whatever it takes as long as you hire me at this salary."

"Understood. Can you start tomorrow?"

"Yes!"

That day, he ended the interviews.

Aina was walking to the workshop, recalling the events of the previous day.

(I didn't meet my quota yesterday. Today, I have to work hard and make 10 C-class swords.)

Aina took a deep breath in front of the workshop's entrance before opening the door.

"Good morning. I hope to work well today. Eh?"

As she cheerfully greeted the workshop, she noticed Roland and an unfamiliar man, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

"Good morning, Aina. You seem determined."

"Good morning, Roland. Um... who is he?"

"I'll introduce you. This is Rody. He'll be working at our workshop from today."

"Nice to meet you."

Rody bowed slightly.

"Nice to meet you."

Aina also bowed.

"Aina, he'll be your subordinate."

"Eh!? Subordinate? Me?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

"N-no. It's just... I don't deserve such an investment. I'm still a novice."

"It's not a problem. You're worth it!"

Aina was taken aback by Roland's confidence.

(Such confidence. It's as if he's certain I'll grow...)

"Let's get started. Aina, I want you to make 10 C-class swords today."

"Okay."

"Rody, you'll support Aina. First, place this iron on the workbench. Then, adjust its position and angle according to Aina's instructions to make it easier for her to shape."

"Got it. That's all?"

"Also, when you have free time, pack the finished products and prepare the next piece of iron. The key is to support Aina so she can focus on shaping. I want to improve her 'Metal Shaping' skill."

"Understood. I'm good at physical tasks, so leave it to me."

"Aina, focus on the shaping. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask Rody."

"Okay."

"Let's start with this. I'll leave the details of the work to you two. Discuss and work together."

"Okay."

The two of them immediately got to work.

Rody placed the iron on the workbench, and Aina hammered it into shape, joining the pieces together.

(Good. The task of consolidating the iron is done. Next, I need to shape it.)

Aina used her 'Metal Shaping' skill to hammer the visible light points in the iron, shaping it.

(Oh! The hit point is off.)

"Can you move the iron? I need this part to be here."

"Got it. Is this good?"

"Yes, perfect."

After Aina hammered for a while, the light points shifted again.

"Next, flip it over."

"Got it."

They continued working like this.

At first, their teamwork was awkward, but soon they fell into a rhythm, and Rody began moving the iron without Aina's instructions.

They worked together seamlessly, like pounding mochi.

(Indeed. This way, I'm not as tired. It takes longer than working alone, but I can focus more on 'Metal Shaping'!)

Roland watched their work closely.

(Fifth C-class sword. Yesterday, Aina's strength and durability started to drop around this point...)

[Aina's Status]

Strength: 40-50

Durability: 20-30

Agility: 60-70

Stamina: 50 (↓20)-70

(Only her stamina is down. Good, no problem. This should work.)

As Roland watched, Saki brought tea as she did yesterday.

"Here you go."

"Saki. It's tea time already?"

"Oh? You have a new member. I should have brought an extra cup."

"It's fine. Just bring their cups. I'll skip it today."

"1, 2, 3, 4... You're on the eighth sword, Aina. You don't seem tired today."

"Yes, Rody's support has reduced Aina's burden."

(Indeed, the extra tasks were taking a toll on her durability.)

Durability was a stat that decreased when attacked by monsters, but it could also be depleted by regular work if it was too low.

(It takes more time and cost, but this way...)

Eventually, the iron for the tenth sword of the day was placed on the workbench.

(This is it... the last one!)

As Aina swung her hammer, the tenth C-class sword was completed.

"Y-Yes! I did it."

Aina wiped the sweat from her forehead and exclaimed in amazement.

"Wow, amazing."

Saki clapped.

"Roland, 10 C-class swords are done."

"Ouch. I was confident in my strength, but this is tough. My arms are sore."

Aina and Rody ran to Roland.

"Yes, well done. But..."

Roland stared at Aina without blinking.

"?"

"Today... let's do a bit more."

"Roland...?"

"Let's take a tea break to regain our energy."

Saki held up the teapot.

Aina and Rody sat down and took a break to have tea.

(What's going on with Roland? Suddenly, extra work. He usually cares about not overworking us.)

Aina frowned and continued hammering the iron.

Roland skill appraised Aina.

He could see it.

The signs of her growth.

[Aina's Skill Improvement Conditions]

Sword Making: 0/1

By combining his 'Skill Appraisal' and 'Cultivation' skills, Roland could detect rare opportunities for skill improvement.

(The flag for skill improvement is up. One more sword, and her skill will...)

Suddenly, Aina saw the sword glowing in a way she had never seen before.

(Eh? What...?)

Aina was taken aback.

"What's wrong?"

Rody looked at Aina curiously.

"Well, it's just..."

(Something's off. I can't quite tell, but this glowing part. If I file it down, I might make a better sword?)

"Aina!"

Roland called out.

"Go ahead. Do what you want. You've met today's quota."

After hesitating for a moment, Aina put down her hammer and picked up a chisel.

"Aina?"

"Rody, can you hold this part while I file it down?"

Aina placed the chisel on the glowing part of the sword and struck it with a hammer.

The sword split cleanly and beautifully.

"This is..."

Rody's eyes widened.

(Just a little filing, and it's clearly different from the other swords. This...)

"The sword's power has increased."

Roland said.

[Sword's Status]

Power: 70

Durability: 50

Weight: 50

"Power 70! It seems Aina's 'Metal Shaping' skill has leveled up."

"My skill..."

Aina stared at her palms in disbelief.

(Indeed... I felt it. But to achieve this in just one day...)

[Aina's Skill]

'Metal Shaping': B (↑)

"Here."

Roland lifted the sword.

"Let's keep this one. It would be a waste to deliver it as a C-class sword."

"Okay."

Rody felt bewildered.

(A B-class sword? So Aina's skill improved? But it was so sudden. What caused it? Could this be Roland's skill?)

"Good work, Rody."

"Thank you."

"Aina, Rody. That's enough for today. We'll continue this setup for a while. See you tomorrow."

"Okay."

Rody was enveloped in a strange feeling.

(Something's different. This place... this person...)

At that moment, the entrance door opened forcefully.

Everyone turned to look at the entrance.

There stood a red-haired twin-tailed girl.

"You... you're from 'Dragon's Flame,' right?"

"I'm Rizetta."

She smiled sweetly.

"I've been looking for you, Roland."

Her overly sweet voice echoed through the workshop.