Omen Blade Master

After one month of working and training, Iris felt much stronger than he had previously. His spirit had also taken a big leap, jumping up nearly two brackets. Spirit has ranks, the same as any armor or weapon. It's most definitely the best way to judge someone's combat prowess and/or talent. From lowest to highest it goes, copper, bronze, iron, gold, diamond, adamantite, mythril, and god class. Iris had managed to break the threshold of the bronze tier. It would take a lot more training to break through to iron, yet he was already feeling satisfaction with his growth. 

His body had improved thricefold, however. He had used both of the body enhancement techniques he had bought at the store making him much more formidable. He was now, although barely, someone people could rely on with strength. 

The Dwarf marvelled at Iris. Not only had he just become his apprentice, not even a month ago, but had unlocked a new spirit rank. Not to mention he had gained an incredible amount of muscle. The Dwarf chuckled to himself, continuing with the A rank armor. He hadn't finished it yet, even after threworking for a whole month. He sighed, he was almost done, and he wished so dearly to see his daughter. If he were to take her back by force, he'd risk years in confinement. He continued hammering when he heard the door open. 

Iris walked into the shop, dripping in sweat, after going for a four kilometer run. Panting he walked to the backroom and grabbed a towel, drying himself off. "Hey boy, ya look like ya ran a marathon." Said the Dwarf. "Yeah, I'm preparing to join the Tower. I need to be at my peak condition for the entrance exam." Iris said, letting out a shallow sigh. 

"Ah, so that's why you're training so hard. Come here, I have something for ya," the Dwarf said, motioning for Iris to follow him. Iris gave a questioning glance and decided to follow him. They went through the backroom and stopped at a corner. The Dwarf looked around for a moment and found what he was looking for. The Dwarf tugged on a small handle, throwing up a trapdoor that led down into the basement. 

Iris himself had never been down there. In his past life he was told to not go down there under any conditions. Walking down the steep steps, Iris was shocked to find a bedroom in the basement. While not in pristine condition, it was still a beautiful room. The bed looked like it came out of some fairytale, its curtains swishing slightly. "W-what is this place?" Iris asked. "This was my daughters room, before she was taken that is. I've brought you down here to give you something important." The Dwarf said, walking over to a drawer. "I have no use for what's in here. This is our family heirloom, the Omen Blade. It is my great-grandfather's spirit in the blade." He said, drawing out an elegant sword, its silver shine rivalling that of Luna's rapier.

"I bequeath this to you, young master, in hopes that you can use it to accomplish your dreams. I never got a chance to join the Tower, especially since I am too old now. But I hope this blade aids you in your journey in becoming a divine blade." The Dwarf said, giving Iris a sad smile. "I-I can't. This is your heirloom." Iris said in disbelief. The Dwarf shook his head, "If not for you I would've done something that I would have come to regret. However, my time for rising has come to an end, your journey has just begun. So, please, take this. It was just collecting dust in that drawer anyways."

Iris hesitated for a moment. He was in utter disbelief, something like this. He just didn't know what to do. It would be rude and disrespectful to not take the blade. Iris walked over to the Dwarf and bowed. He took the blade in his hand and felt a sudden overwhelming energy overtake his body. His tattoo shined brightly slowly turning the silver blade's color to a light lavender. Iris' power grew greatly. He felt like he had been reborn. 

The Dwarf stared at Iris like he had just slapped his mother. His mouth was agape in shock. The boy had turned the blade purple! He slapped his cheeks a few times to make sure that he wasn't in a deep sleep. After feeling the sting he decided to stop slapping himself. This was clearly real. The Dwarf had never seen anything like this. He felt the power radiating from the blade. It washed over him in waves. "This blade recognizes you as its master." Said a mysterious voice. It had emanated from the sword. 

The sword suddenly stopped glowing. Although, the blade remained a light lavender hue. Iris returned the blade to the scabbard and fell to the ground. He felt exhausted. The Dwarf took a moment to collect himself and walked over to Iris. "You ok boy? What was that just now?" The Dwarf asked. "I-I r-really don't know. F-for some reason it changed. I'm exhausted right now. I don't think I can walk either." Iris said, taking a moment to catch his breath. 

Iris passed out where he crouched and sprawled out onto the floor. "Damn, this boys somethin' else. Better put him in a bed or else he'll get a crick in his neck sleeping the way he is now." Picking Iris up, Dwarf walked him up the steep stairs, through the first floor, and up the second set of stairs. He set him lightly on the bed and turned off the lamp in the room. "Night boyo." He said. 

***

Iris woke up in a haze. He sat up quickly and breathed deeply. "Ah man, my head's spinning." He said to himself. Getting up, Iris picked up the sword he had gotten from Dwarf. He felt good holding the blade. It resonated well with him. Attaching it to his waist, Iris went down the stairs and saw Dwarf finishing the last piece of the A rank armor. 

Sweat was pouring down the Dwarf's head. He had been pounding the metal to get it into its shape for days. He had finally completed the last piece of the armor. He was tired. He'd worked on the armor for a month. A class armor took a while to forge. He sat down in the chair and just noticed that Iris was standing behind him. "Morning, it's almost time for your test. I'd have a feast for you but you were asleep. So, we can have it once you've been admitted." The Dwarf said, letting out a hearty laugh. 

"Thank you sir. I don't know how I could ever hope to repay you for the help you've given me." Iris said, bowing. "Don't sweat it boy. Entering the Tower is enough of a payment. Now, go and live your dreams." Said the Dwarf, smiling. 

Iris left the smithy and started on his way to exit the town. However, he noticed a suspicious bunch near the smithy. He smiled. He had come prepared for this since he knew they were from the Chimera family. Iris donned a fox mask and disappeared into the alleyways. 

Time for revenge.