Aodhfionn's Signiums

"Ye are ready to take the exam, lad. Go now." Aodhfionn said as waved his hand lazily. It has been 3 months since he came to the capital. Although the Dwarf Master told him that he would help him with forging the helmet, he banned him from actually doing so. Firstly, Aodhfionn was afraid Ezio would use the same technique again unintentionally and hurt his potential, secondly, if he couldn't, he would have no chance to forge a helmet out of that metal, and that would be a waste.

Ezio agreed with his master and decided to keep it for later. Aodhfionn taught him the art step by step. The first thing he had to learn was the items every blacksmith used in a forge. The furnace, hammer, tong, and other essentials were obvious. Different kinds of metals, crystals, and techniques.

The four deciding elements of forging were Metal, Technique, Quality of Qi, and Fire. Aodhfionn had a special fire of his own, and he showed it to Ezio. Of course, the latter understood that his master was helping him forge his dagger on his admission day when he saw the green fire was actually his master's.

The second most important thing was technique. There were thousands of different techniques in the world, but some had strict requirements. Aodhfionn said that he couldn't teach his techniques because Ezio couldn't learn them yet. Requirements were strict, so strict. Because from their conversation with Abbot, it was obvious that Aodhfionn was looking for an Apprentice for a long time, but he hadn't found anyone who could carry his heritage despite searching for years.

The third was the quality of Qi. It didn't just mean the quantity and density of Qi fed to metal while forging. Quality here also meant special Signiums. Aodhfionn was a true blue Blacksmith Master at Rank IV. And his Signiums were all about forging.

Ezio remembered the day when he first saw the Signiums and how shocked he was.

"Lad, come and help me. Today, Ah have a special order." Aodhfionn called him while Ezio was practicing his forging. Because the furnace his master had was special and high level, Aodhfionn ordered another one for his apprentice. Even with his 140 Qi Force, Ezio could light that furnace like Dante's wet dream.

"What do you need, master?" Ezio ran to the big furnace excitedly.

"One of the Sect Leaders ordered an Earl Grade spear. Ah need ye to give me items when Ah am forging, but don't distract me, okay?" Aodhfionn said as he weighed metals in his hand.

"You got it, Master," Ezio answered quickly as he watched. It was rare to see Aodhfionn serious. Since he was, Ezio wouldn't miss the chance and watched every detail.

Aodhfionn took several metals from the warehouse and felt them one by one, seeing they were all fire elemental, Ezio couldn't help but ask. "Master, did the Sect Leader ask for a fire elemental spear?"

"Hmm? No," Aodhfionn shook his head, "He didn't specify but the Sect Leader is from the Prometheus's Suffering sect. That sect is specialized in fire elemental and almost all of their disciples use the fire element. If the weapon you use has the same elemental abilities, it will amplify your techniques so I am just helping them out."

"I see." Ezio nodded in understanding. "Then why hasn't the Sect Leader asked you too? He should know this as well right?"

"You have to understand, Ezio. Not everyone can work on all metals. Some techniques may clash with the element of the metal and ruin your work, the fire you use, and your Qi... All of these are important. So when ordering a weapon, you can only ask for the grade, and even that is not always guaranteed. But I have a reputation, and people know I am meticulous in my work."

"I understand, Master." Ezio nodded contently.

"Have you ever seen Signiums of a forger before?" His master asked and Ezio almost squalled in happiness. Almost.

"I have, Master. But please show me yours." Ezio said calmly. It took every drop of his willpower, but he was able to hold the squeak in his mouth.

His master didn't say anything but in the next second, three Signiums appeared on top of him. The first one was in the shape of a hammer. It looked majestic and strong. The red cracks on the hammer were throbbing like veins. And the green hue around the hammer gave Ezio a heart attack.

"4th Curtain!" he couldn't help but exclaim. All Signiums, depending on the curtain level, had different hues around them. The first one was red, the second one was orange, the third one was yellow, the fourth one was green and the fifth one was cyan.

But even without the color, Ezio could feel the pressure the Signium was emitting. It was suffocating.

"Why are you so worked up?" Aodhfionn said calmly. "In the Empire-Tier Organizations, the prodigies awaken signiums from the 5th Curtain for their first.

"Really?" Ezio asked in disbelief. He was really surprised because he always thought he was special. Not only did he have this Mysterious Room in his mind but also he had a Seamless Body. No one else in the world had it. He also had Early Awakening. Although it wasn't as rare, it was still something. So when he awakened from the 5th Curtain, he thought he was special.

"Of course. Well, there are only a handful of them, but there are." Aodhfionn said seriously.

Ezio looked at his other two Signiums. The second one was a furnace blazing with green fire and the third one was a humanoid avatar holding a hammer. The second one was also from the 4th Curtain but the third one was blazing with a cyan hue. 5th Curtain!

"My first Signium increases mah chance of success when Ah am forgin'. To be honest, Ah didn't want to become a Blacksmith at the beginning. But when Ah saw this Signium, Ah felt a connection with it. From then on, Ah redraw my destiny.

"That is the Furnace of Verde. It allows me to use a special fire Verde. It increases the grade of my creations.

The last one is the avatar of a Forge God, Lugh.

That, lad, is the core of mah forgin' technique. Without that Signium, no one can learn my art." Aodhfionn said with a sigh.

"How come, master? Surely you can find another person that can awaken the same Signium right?" Ezio couldn't help but ask. Although there were millions of different Signiums, it wasn't rare for some people to awaken the same.

"There are some Signiums special to places, time and some other minute details. The one Ah awakened was special to the ancient domain Ah discovered when Ah was still journeying with mah friends. After we left that domain, it vanished, and the chances of acquiring that Signium went away with it." Aodhfionn explained demissly.

Ezio had never heard anything like this before. He hadn't even heard of ancient domains before. "Don't worry, master! I am sure there will come a day when you can teach your technique to others."

"Thanks, little lad." Aodhfionn smiled brightly.