99 Chapter 99
Aaron didn't really mind what others thought about his artifacts. He knew his work was good. But seeing the old man so dissapointed left Aaron a little agitated. He felt like the old man only said what he said because he really didn't want Aaron to waste his life.
He didn't belittle him or said it in a tone which made fun of him. It was like he saying it from his own experience and regret he had.
A little demonstration won't hurt Aaron. He was going to show off in front of the judges anyways.
"How can you prove it? " asked the man.
"It's just a sharp sword right? It could perhaps the opposing weapon somewhat? But it would still be useless. " The man shook his head as he said.
"What's the strongest material you have in hand? " Aaron asked the man.
The man was a little surprised seeing Aaron asking for the strongest substance. Usual display of sharpness was on a piece of wood. The best displays was an a plain metal. Never the strongest or hardest things. He still decided to see where Aaron was going.
"My fire sword. It's a specially refined metal. It had to be strong enough to bear the heat of the fire it produces. Ordinary metal can't even scratch it. " He said with a sense of pride.
"Can you bring it out? " asked Aaron.
He did as asked.
"Will it be alright if it is damaged? " asked Aaron.
"Damaged? Boy if you could damage this sword. It will be some achievement. Infact if you could do it at your age, I will treat it as a success of your artifact. Maybe you will have a future in it. "
"Do you know that old man Milano. He maybe good at artifact making. But even he can't make a weapon strong enough to damage this refined and magically reinforced sword in a single strike. "
"So, if you say you can damage it, give it a go. " The old man said.
He was thinking maybe a failure now would put the boy on the right path and not waste his life like he did.
He produced a spare sword he kept in his space ring and presented it to Aaron.
Aaron casually picked up a sword he had at display.
"Watch this. " He told the old man.
He activated the atomic edge on the sword. Once he did it, he slowly brought the edge of his sword close to the sword of the old man.
It wasn't a full swing or even a gentle strike. He just moved the edge slowly and cut through the fire sword like he was cutting paper.
The old man kept waiting for something to happen. He waited for Aaron to make a strike with full power. He waited to see his reaction on his failure and finally heeding his advice.
But the moment he realised what had truly happened he left with his mouth hanging open. He couldn't believe what he saw.
He quicky snatcheb away both sword from Aaron's hand and tried for himself. The result was the same. His sword was cut again. He didn't even feel like he cut something.
His specially refined metal. He had even used a mage stone to grant it even more strength. Still it failed to even resist the simple sword. He could just see and tell that the sword was nothing special. It was a basic steel sword.
He dropped his own sword and tried to feel the edge of the sword.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. That's a very special edge. You would loose your finger if you did that. " Warned Aaron in good faith.
That made the old man sweat. He realised what he was going to do. Of course it was a special edge. It could cut metal like butter. His hands were definitely weakee than metal.
He passed the sword back to Aaron.
"Young truly surpasses the old. Here I was trying to guide you off the wrong path, but you have shown you truly belong to this path. I am sorry. I shouldnt have perhaps said what I did. "
It was true. A normal person might see this as a normal sword which was incredibly sharp. But Rogan wasn't a normal person.
He understood what sharpness meant. He understood how mages increased he sharpness. He was a weaponsmith himself. He had made various 'sharp' swords. He knew the constraints and the limit of sharpness achiveable.
But the boy's sword was beyond what he thought was possible. He knew the boy had probably used a technique unknown to him. It was simply not weaponsmithing. It was something else.
"You don't need to be sorry. I know whatever you said was something for my own good and didn't say it out of malice. It's just that I was lucky enough to get some inspiration and come up with this technique. "
"You don't need to act humble. If I was you, I would be gloating all over the place. Infact, even if by chance you are overlooked here, I will stake all my reputation in helping you get the right recognization. " After coming out of the shock, the old man was happy. He was happy because someone had break though in weapon making. This would raise the reputation of all weapon makers in the mage world.
Although the use for the sword wouldn't be much for mages personally, but it was the perfect weapon. And for mages who were good at sneak attacks, it was a sure shot killing weapon. The perfect weapon to have for your human guards.
The uses were uncountable.
And the picks and spades? He could understand now what Aaron was trying to achieve. He couldn't wait to see the look on that old bastard Milano's face. He always took weapon smithing as useless. Let him see that now.
"Thank you. But let's wait for the judges first and see what they have to say. " Although Aaron wouldn't mind the help, but he would like to try on his own. He was here for that in the first place.
The old man nodded acknowledging Aaron's word.
As they were talking and Rogan was praising Aaron and talking about how he should test his weapons against the defensive artifacts of the Obelisk family they heard sound of people talking on the next stall. Stall which belonged to Milano.
"Ah Milano, I see you have come up with something new this year as well. What is it?" asked an old looking man in plain robes.
"Azo, it's you who is the head judge for this year? I didnt know that. And yes, I do have something new. This thing is going to blow your mind. Or should I say, cool your mind. " Milano laughed at his own joke. And from how the two talked, it was sure that had a good relationship.
"You know you make terrible jokes Milano. Let me see what you got. " Said Azo smiling.
Milano showed his cooler to the Azo and his team of judges.
"You have really outdone yourself Milano. It's a fantastic piece of artifact and definitely one the best in this year's fair. The uses for such an artifact is endless. It could perhaps help preserve food as well."
What Azo had in mind was the beginning of a trend which would end up placing refrigerators in each house.
"Isn't it? And about that seat on the council. What do you think of it Azo?"
"Right talk at the right places, Milano. And you know it's not my decision alone. But yes, you are one of the leading contenders. And if your artifact is the best, you will have even a bigger advantage. "
"Alright, there aren't many stalls left. I will move on now. "
"There is nothing to see in the stalls next to me. They are weapon heads. The usual firesword of Rogan and a boy with sharp swords. " Said Milano in a loud enough voice to make sure he was heard at the next stalls.
"Whatever it may be, you know I have to be fair in my assessment and I can't skip any one. Take care Milano. Hope to see you in the council soon. " Azo left with saying something which for sure indicated Milano would soon would be in the council for the mage Association department of artifacts.
