“… Haha I hate you too.”

Bens mind suddenly felt like it was running amok.

It was painful, but not the usual pain he experienced from the system that he could feel piercing down to his bones and soul.

While the pain now, was like his mind was constantly pulsating and expanding.

Once Ben could manage the pain to an extent that he could function, he noticed all the details about the knife had transmitted to his mind.

From the quality and quantity of materials, from its forging process to the design pattern carving into the blade and handle.

It was all imbedding within Ben's mind with the learning functions assistance.

"System will there ever be a day when my mind, body or soul isn't destroyed when I use any of your functions?"

[…Hosts health report states Host is fine.]

"… Haha I hate you too system."

Ben struggled to chuckled with the slight continuous pain still inflicting his mind.

His pained expression instantly became calm while continuing to watch Gunthirs handiwork with the knives.

He continued to observe Gunthir until the pain subsided before scanning the next knife on the table.

He repeated the same action, with the same pain each time, till the very last knife.

When he scanned the last knife, he didn't experience the pain like he did before.

Instead, he received a notification from the system.

[Complete set of knives crafted by 'God of Smithery' have been scanned]

[Host has unlocked a special ability]

[Blacksmith Intuition]

'What the hell is this?'

Ben complained in his mind.

He really couldn't care about any new skills or crap from the system in general.

What worried him was the possibility of immense pain.

So far, he learnt if he gained something from the system, there would be a required payment, typically in form of excruciating pain for himself.

"System, can you tell me what the function of this ability is?"

[Name of new ability is <Blacksmith Intuition>]

[Host can now understand the characteristics and function of items within the vicinity when the ability is used.

Host will learn the weaknesses of the item.

Host can also learn the crafting method of the items, however the chance of it occurring is quite rare.]

"… System, is that why I know how those knives are made now?"

[Yes Host.

Including the composition of the materials, as well as the complete structure and design.]

[Because of the (???) Learning function, Blacksmith Intuition can also be of help when the Host is crafting and can suggest ways to improve the item the Host is working on.]

"…Right…"

He was trying to wrap his mind around what the system just said.

Still a bit confused by it all, he examined other items around the room.

When Ben focused on the large wooden bench, a faint series of lines indicated by the system showed the strain and tension around the support base for the bench.

What he noticed was the quality of the wooden bench was initially ok, but the bench had been used continually without any real maintenance.

Ben understood why the durability was weakening as before he struggled to understand the fluctuating durability, but it came from the tension and relief of weight that was affecting it.

The system also displayed some improvements that could be implemented to relieve the tension as well as the top bench which was damaged over the course of extensive use.

When he tried the same on the knives, he couldn't find any weaknesses or ways to improve them.

He thought the function wasn't working, but he saw the small numbers indicating the durability.

"System, why isn't the function working like it did with the bench right now?"

[Host, the quality of the blade exceeds the current capabilities of the system…]

Ben was stupefied by the systems judgement.

It was supposed to be this powerful system and his master knife stumped it.

What the actual fuck.

"How in the hell does this make sense!

I can create the knives if I choose since I have the method buried in my fucking mind.

But I can't examine the structure and design of those very knives because the system is level too low?!"

[Host shouldn't focus on the system.

It is trying to support you to the best of the systems functions]

[Also, the host shouldn't compare the method of crafting those knives to the knives before you.

The system has only allowed you to replicate your own, however the ones crafted by the 'God of Smithery' will use skills and knowledge that the current capabilities of the system can't detect.]

"So, the crafting method stuck in my mind…"

[It is only somewhat based on the method use by the 'God of Smithery'.

The rest of it was synthesised together by the system based on data and information collected.

That is why your version can only be an imitation of the original.

…That is until the system upgrades.]

[😊]

"Urgh… fine."

Ben rose up and left Gunthir to his work after observing for quite some time.

On the way out he saw Kage arriving with tea and some snacks with his mother, Agatha, and Tia following along.

"Mother why are you here?"

"I came to greet out guest silly child.

We cannot ask them to do something without properly treating our guest.

Now where are you going child?"

Ben explained he was leaving for the workshop to craft some tools since he wanted to help with the work than just watching. Instead, it grew her ire.

"Why are you leaving once we have arrived Benny?

Calm down and relax for once with us child.

There are plenty of people around that could help, you know."

Before he knew it, Ben was dragged inside by Agatha and Tia while his mother giggled as she watched him struggle helplessly.

She wasn't pleased with Bens' behaviour lately since he wasn't behaving like he was preparing for his empire.

Lately, Ben missed some lessons with Gloria, blaming his busy schedule and orders backed up at the workshop.

Once Gloria aired her concerns to Liz about Bens dedication to his classes and etiquette classes.

Liz enquired around with Alfred and the others to see if he was being run ragged.

She learnt however he had been spending more time at the workshop for the last month or so.

He had pushed his training earlier with Kage and Alfred everyday so he could arrive at the workshop before it opened for the day.

So, Liz wanted to have a few stern words with her son about his behaviour and actions of late. Thankfully, she caught him today before she scurried away.

When Liz and Agatha entered, both were taken aback by the amount of beast corpses piled to the ceiling.

Both were horrified and stunned by the sight.

They nearly passed out from the fright and shock, but they both pinched their own legs to shock them awake from the daze they were in.

"W-what the…"

"My Lady, these were requested by the Young Master for his project…"

"Project…"

Ben knew for some reason he was dead meat.

He didn't even want to look up.

He just closed his eyes shut tight, praying his name wasn't called.

"Benedict Khadraazil, open your eyes and look at me young man."

He knew it…

He was fucked.

"M-mother. I-I just needed a c-couple for the p-project…"

Ben barely said while shaking and fiddling with the ends of his shirt.

He didn't want to meet his mother scary gazes.

Her expression never changed from her bright smile, even when she first saw was stunned by the sight before her.

It was the charm of her clear hazel eyes.

Her eyes could say a thousand words, without ever saying a word.

Right now, Ben could sense they were very angry at him.

"Ben… Please look at me."

He slowly turned his gaze towards his mother.

He saw her deep honey gold hazel eyes that peered back at him with burning gaze ready to punish him.

"M-mom… I'm so sorry."

She lessened her anger when she saw Bens grief-stricken face.

He was repenting with honesty and truthfulness before her, his eyes weary from disappointing his mother.

She pulled him close.

The warmth of his mother and her embrace, he calmed down enough before Liz said some stern words about the monstrosity before her.