Chapter 12

"I'd like to request the forge of a new sword please."

I spoke to the person behind the counter. She was a reliable blacksmith who helped make my gear. In fact, we go back to the academy. Her name is Rika. She works for her parents at the smithy, but we both trained under the same roof.

Rika:

"I'm guessing you'll be going for the usual single-handed sword style eh?"

Keshin:

"You got that right. I've finally got myself a party. Sorry for not visiting sooner."

Rika:

"That's great to hear... That means you'll be heading off soon. Right?"

Keshin:

"Yeah. You'll do fine without me."

Rika:

"Yeah... Just be sure to say goodbye to the others too, okay?"

Keshin:

"I forgot to mention, I managed to pull it off."

Rika:

"Somehow that doesn't surprise me. You'd always be pulling off crazy things. That's why Haichou always got jealous over you."

Keshin:

"How's he doing nowadays?"

Rika:

"Well he turned from being a full-fledge pervert to a spirited swordsman. It's crazy to think how time flies."

Keshin:

"In that case, I may just run into him in the future. I'll be sure to give him a good whooping to remind him who's on top of the game."

Rika smiled, but then reached for my hands. It made my heart skip a beat- I was speechless. I always did have a slight crush on her. The cute medium lengthed brown hair, and her charming pink eyes. I'm surprised someone like me was almost best friends with her.

Rika:

"Part of me doesn't want to say goodbye. So I won't. Just make sure you come back from time-to-time... Please?"

Keshin:

"I promised you back then, remember? That no matter where I run off to, I'll always end up seeing you again."

Rika:

"Keshin..."

A moment of silence fell between us. Saying I had a slight crush was an understatement. I'm starting to remember how I feel about her. The warmth of her hands, I'll miss this for sure. I held her hands tight, before we both let go.

Rika:

"You requested one sword right? Since it's close to closing up time, I'll be able to get this done quick! You can rely on me to craft your gear. I'll throw in some extra things as a gift for you too."

I could barely smile, but I tried to anyway. Seeing her, I'm starting to miss her and Haichou already. We were the closest of friends, but Haichou began to see me as a rival part way through our friendship.

As committed rivals, we swore to duel each other once we grew strong enough. I have a feeling we will eventually, and he will probably be the final hurdle I'll overcome to become a full fledged swordsman.

Keshin:

"Rika, seriously. Thank you for everything you do for me. Hopefully we'll travel together someday. As fellow adventurers."

She nodded, that rosy smile that she always had that'd put Haichou and I at ease. I then began to think back then while waiting for a sword. Being a premium customer, Rika is willing to keep me in the shop even after closing hours. Afterall, the shop is apart of her home. Her family must be out gathering materials like usual.

Keshin:

"Gah!"

Haichou:

"Hah! I beat you again!"

Rika:

"Oh come on, you played dirty!"

Keshin:

"Heh. He still got me though. Anything goes, as he said."

I layed on the ground, dust collecting on my face after I had been beaten to the ground. He's seriously beating me up, he's even been able to learn how to use Arc.

Keshin:

"Alright, since you want to do some fancy things, let's go another round!"

Hopping to my feet, I quickly swung at him which he barely had time to react. With my, left hand, I buried my fist into his stomach. Taking it though, he swept my feet using his right foot before trying to hit me with the training swords. However, I quickly rolled to the side to avoid getting hit. He wasn't messing around for sure. Getting back up, I rushed in for another attack, but he was quicker this time. Swinging once down- I was forced to guard instead of attack- and with it, he combined the strike with a Sword Art. Being unable to block after he knocked my balance with the quick strike, he hit me directly on my right shoulder.

Haichou:

"Ho... You're getting good. But not good enough, if you keep at it like that, something bad'll happen to that right shoulder in the future."

Keshin:

"Tsk, as if! I'll get to where I aim to be. You're just a hurdle I must overcome."

Rika:

"So intense..!"

After two years, it was the finals match. A tournament held for students to combat against each other...

Haichou:

"Gah..!"

It's here! My opportunity to show the world that I'm more than just a student!

Keshin:

"Sword Art, Arc!"

I yelled, hitting his left shoulder- to which I then tried to connect it. This has to be the moment- if it isn't, then I haven't learnt a thing!

Keshin:

"Combine! Vertical!"

I yelled, but my sword didn't react. Rather, I mistimed it again. Do I seriously need to wait for the blade's light to go before activating another art?

Haichou:

"Hah... Seriously? Even with such a serious match- you're still trying to activate that stupid thing?"

Keshin:

"Tsk. Well, I win this time."

He suddenly broke into a laugh. He was defeated- but so was I. I failed, I missed my shot to become someone big.

Haichou:

"You won't win Keshin. You will never be number one, because I'm the one who'll be at the top."

Keshin:

"Heh. Hearing that pisses me off."

Helping him up, I put away my sword before hugging it out with him.

Haichou:

"After this, we'll be splitting. You, Rika and I. It's honestly shocking how fast time flew."

Keshin:

"But that doesn't mean it's the end. I'll become an adventurer and I'll prove to you again that I'm stronger."

Haichou:

"It's a deal then. Don't go dying on me."

The crowd went wild, since the exams were held for public entertainment as well as evaluations for students.

I hit the top spot in the tournament and passed the exams with flying colours. As for Haichou, he passed with flying colours too, being 3rd in the rankings of the tournament helped him out too.

Unfortunately one doesn't get famous just for acing a tournament, you'd have to perform something never seen before, yet I failed to do that. Because of that, I have to start out like any other adventurer. But honestly, it makes me glad. I can start where Haichou started- and I was able to meet Hajikeru, Hyouketsu, Nino, Effie and Santos because of it.

A few hours passed- to which Rika finally got done with my sword.

Rika:

"I know you've always wanted a sword in this style. So I did my best to make it..."

She stated, unveiling the sword from the wrapped clothing. Placing it on the table, I was greeted to a beauty. The sheath was a deep black with silver studs and leather dyed white. The hilt of the sword was black- which I placed my hand on it.

Rika:

"Draw it. Swing it. Please, keep this as my final gift to you."

I looked to her, before holding the sword for myself. Unsheathing the blade, I was granted to such a beauty. The blade was obsidian, a rare metal that is only really forged through legendary standards. In other words, she was gifting me a legendary-grade blade. Words do not describe how excited I was. The blade was a full black with an amethyst handguard- two extremely expensive materials as one was rare and the other was used for the highest currency around. The guard's shape was that of a royal crown in the center, with two small silver plates to the side. Black wings came out- a truly fine masterpiece indeed.

Keshin:

"Rika... You made this just for me..? It's thin- yet heavy, carrying so much weight... Only someone like you could produce something so amazing."

Rika:

"Keshin... You taking this sword and becoming the strongest will be enough payment for me. It's the best sword I've ever made."

Keshin:

"It's a Legendary-tier weapon right? Though I don't think a Legendary-grade weapon even has this much obsidian."

Rika:

"I'm coming close to a skill level of 700 for my smithing skills. Legendary grade weapons are easier for me to forge, but I trusted my luck for this one."

Keshin:

"I see. So it is a Legendary-tier weapon..."

Rika:

"It's an Ethereal grade sword. It was either this, or a standard silver sword using materials from you. The chances were less than 3% for it to work."

Keshin:

"Ethereal?! More than that, 3%?!"

Rika:

"I knew it would work despite the chances. It was a feeling I had..."

Keshin:

"I'd feel way too bad for taking this... But I'd feel even worst if I didn't accept such a prized present to me."

Rika:

"It's suited for level 10's, so you will have to reforge it to a higher grade weapon in the future."

Keshin:

"In that case, you had better become a stronger blacksmith by then! I'm definitely coming here and letting you reforge it. I don't trust anyone more than you with it afterall."

I was so fascinated by this beautiful sword. Swinging the sword, it honestly felt like the right sword for me. No. The perfect sword for me. There's no way in hell I'm going to change weapons after this one.

Keshin:

"Does this beauty have a name?"

Rika:

"Mmhm! It's called Resonant Blackstrom. It possesses a unique Sword Art you might be interested in too, afterall, any weapon after Mythril possesses their own unique Sword Art that's impossible to pass down to any other weapon."

Keshin:

"I guess it's because of the weapon's magical essense?"

Rika:

"Something like that. I would love to take your time and explain it, but I know you didn't just come here without purpose."

Keshin:

"Yeah... I wish I could spend more time here."

Rika:

"... so why don't you...? In fact, just stay here... With me... Haha, just kidding! You've got things to do! Don't let me waste your time!"

Keshin:

"It wasn't a waste. But I should do what I came here for. Thank you Rika, I'll keep this sword treasured for eternity."

With that I left the shop, ready to do exactly what I had in mind. If I can't use a sword and a dagger, then this might just work.

Rika:

"Sigh... That was my last opportunity to tell him."

The female watched as Keshin walked out the door- flipping the sign to closed. After closing down all the curtains, she then sat down at one of the tables, sulking, burrying her head into her arms.

Keshin:

"A-ah... Of course I don't have enough strength to hold both of these at once. It makes sense, Haji's sword certainly requires a lot of strength."

???:

"What took you so long in there? I thought you went in for a purchase."

Keshin:

"Eep!"

I turned around to see Nino, who seemed quite impatient.

Keshin:

"Oh it's just you... Whew!"

Nino:

"You certainly took your time. Anyways, can I see what new weapon you forged?"

I must've spent longer than usual since Rika did make such a beast of a sword. It's unfortunate that it'll probably need reforging when I do hit level 20. Thanks to the strength ring, I can carry it without issue. But it's strength requirement is insane, almost the same as the weapon Hajikeru gave me.

Keshin:

"Are you ready for this? It's called Resonant Blackstrom."

I unsheathed the bad boy to show it off to Nino. Shocked didn't begin to describe the expression on her face. I could totally see her fangirling inside.

Nino:

"Such a cool sword... Hey, Keshin, can I have it? Can I? Can I?"

Keshin:

"Ahh I can't. This thing is precious!"

Nino:

"How much was this thing? It definitely looks expensive. Considering the material."

That's right- as smart as Nino is, she doesn't know much about smithing and its costs. I did get it for free though so I should let her know.

Keshin:

"It was a gift from a friend."

Nino:

"You got it as a gift? Nice! It looks like it could be an Epic-grade item!"

Keshin:

"It sure does."

I said, being quiet about it being the max rarity. Seriously- Ethereal? It's just crazy to think about. Hell, I didn't even know Ethereal was a rarity. I could have sworn Legendary was as good as one gets but apparantley not. I wonder how she even got her hands on such powerful material. Perhaps it was a stroke of luck that this day came. Seriously.