Forging Twin Daggers (2)

Shui continued hammering even after the sun rose, but shortly after dawn he hit both azure blades simultaneously and then stayed still for about ten seconds. Once the ten seconds had passed, Shui retrieved the hammers back into his body and then called Serina.

"Serina, come here."

Unlike Shui, Serina's clothes were drenched in sweat after watching the process from a front seat, but she immediately snapped out of her daze once Shui called her. Although she had been focused the entire time, she somehow felt completely refreshed.

"Yes!"

She quickly approached Shui and watched nervously as the twin daggers floated towards her. 

"This..."

"They're yours. Grab them."

With a wary gulp, Serina stretched out her hands towards the daggers. There had been no accompanying phenomenon when they were created, but Serina could sense a sort of dignity and prestige from them. Once Serina eventually gripped the twin daggers, it was as they had combined with her. She felt her experiences pouring into the blades while the way to use them was also imprinted in her mind. Thanks to Shui's training, Serina could use her daggers in close combat, but this new knowledge not only strengthened the foundation of her dagger skills, it also gave her inspiration on how to use them along with spells. 

Serina had never had an experience like this, nor had she heard of it from anyone else before. Although she had seen the daggers being forged right before her eyes, she couldn't believe how well they suited her.

"Wait, supreme spirit-rank?! That's even better than my hammer!"

While Serina was still in quiet awe, Fatty exclaimed once he noticed the aura the daggers gave off in Serina's hands. Spirit-rank artifacts normally affected nature with their presence, but this one only showed its worth in the hands of its master.

Sef had never seen a spirit-rank artifact before so he was only aware of the artifact's exact grade after Fatty shouted it. Although he wasn't a forge master, like any other cultivator Sef was aware that most forge masters had to have a high enough cultivation to use the artifacts they forged. This meant that the majority of forge masters capable of forging spirit-rank artifacts were at least at half-step Earth Realm. It would be a lie to say that no forge master was capable of forging spirit-rank artifacts while in the Soul Realm, but a supreme spirit-rank artifact would be near impossible.

Fatty found it more acceptable since he knew Shui's true combat power was at least at the Earth Realm, but it was still surprising that he could forge an artifact of such a high grade in the outdoors.

"Boss, do you think you could forge a hammer for me too?"

"Maybe when your cultivation catches up with mine again."

"Huh? No way! You broke through?!"

"While you were asleep in the cave. It was thanks to the qilin's energy."

As Shui's cultivation was normally hard to detect and he hadn't put any effort in detecting it recently, Fatty only now noticed that Shui was at the sixth level of the Soul Realm. He knew that even when their cultivations were the same Shui far outstripped him in might and skill, but he had still felt pride in the fact that he could at least keep up with his cultivation speed. Unfortunately, that source of solace was now gone. 

"Damn it! If only I had stayed awake!"

Shui merely smiled at Fatty's frustration before observing Serina.

"How do you feel?"

"I'm not sure how to describe it. It's like they've fused with my hands and bonded with my soul."

"That's actually a good way of putting it."

The twin daggers which Serina held were part of Shui's resonance series, so once she refined them they would act as relics and could be on her person 24/7. She wouldn't be able to use them to their full potential like Kate was able to with her Red Tiger Paws, but it would still be a significant boost to her fighting power.

"I honestly can't bear to part with them, but are you sure I can have them?"

"They're custom made so outside of your hands they might as well be useless. So if you're thinking of paying me back, just focus on getting strong enough to use them properly."

Usually Serina would argue more since she was reluctant to accept expensive favours, but the daggers felt like her own limbs so she found it hard to refuse. 

"Okay. Do they have a name?"

"Hmm, do you want to try?"

"Really? Then, how about, Double Lightning?"

The shape of the blades could be likened to thunder bolts so Serina used that as the basis for their name. After saying it she became worried that it seemed too simple, but Shui easily gave his approval.

"I don't see why not."

"Great!"

While Serina fawned over the light blue daggers with innocent delight, Shui turned to Fatty who had just laid Sef in the tent. He had managed to keep his consciousness during the forging process, but he was still weak and his condition had worsened due to the vibrations so his will gave out soon after the process was complete. While reminding himself to check on him, Shui called Fatty.

"Fatty, why don't you help her test them out?"

"Huh?"

"We might need to fight again before we reach Henon so I figure it's best that she get used to them quickly. Does that sound okay, Serina?"

Serina stopped to ponder the idea, but she soon gave Fatty a polite bow.

"I'll be in your care."

Unlike her usual polite self she had forgotten to ask Fatty if he agreed, but as both her and Shui were asking he didn't plan to refuse.

"I don't mind but wouldn't you be a better opponent, Boss?"

Although the gap in strength was smaller between Serina and Fatty, Shui had the skills to push Serina to her limit without causing any serious harm. Of course if he said he was tired after forging then that would make sense, but Fatty couldn't imagine that being true.

"Maybe, but she wouldn't be able to see how much stronger she is if I'm her opponent."

That, Fatty could agree to. When he sparred against Shui it always felt like he was being toyed with, so no matter how much Shui said he was doing better, he couldn't believe it.

"Okay then."

It was agreed that their spar would focus on weapon usage, but support and defensive spells were also allowed so that both could maximize their physical abilities. Serina was also allowed to use minor offensive spells since she was at a disadvantage. While keeping the tent in sight, they moved some distance away. Fatty equipped his hammer and entered his fit form to face Serina. Serina then activated the Revolving Metals Art to connect with Double Lightning. She felt a small jolt flow through her palms before awareness of all metals in the vicinity entered her brain. 

As the challenger, Serina made the first move. She attempted to dash towards Fatty and then thrust her dagger, but her speed was greater than she expected so it ended up as a simple charge. Even then, Fatty barely caught the tip of her dagger with his hammer. 

'Fast!'

The rebound pushed both of them back, but Serina sharpened her gaze and attacked again. She still had to get accustomed to her new physical abilities so she couldn't use any complex techniques, but her pure speed and strength were enough to make Fatty cautious. With the gap in their cultivations there should be no reason for him to lose, but the enhancement provided by the artifact was even better than Fatty thought. It was at the level where she might be able to defeat someone with his cultivation in one attack, but he knew that if he lost to her because of that Shui would definitely have an issue with him, so he couldn't afford to hold back and let her win.