Sword-wielding (1)

In a calm, warmed-up room, a thick male voice sounded boldly. Eight faces diligently watched, placing their jotters on their thighs. 

"Sword Wielding has four key criteria for evaluation, these keys play an essential role in Sword Making. Hardness, Strength, Flexibility, and Balance. Swords made from copper are more likely to be too flexible, making them get bent easily with just a slight impact. That's why the Dormant Academy management has insisted on using bronze instead due to its strong effect by varying amounts of tin and alloy."

"Though a smith could make various parts of the sword harder or tougher to suit the demands of a combat service, but, I would advise that you should make every single section hard because of the intense thickness of the Unicorn's skin."

Everyone nodded excluding Seth. 

"A good sword has to be hard enough to hold an edge along a length which can range from 18 in (46cm) to more than 36 in (91cm). At the same time, it must be strong and flexible enough that it can absorb massive shocks at just about any points along its length not cracked or broken."

"Finally, it should be balanced along its length so that it can be wielded effectively."

The class sighed in delight. Sure, they've gotten a hint in sword preparation and right now, the practical process wouldn't be much of a difficulty.

Seth jotted down everything that came into his ear just like Ivy who was sitting close to him. Trying quickly to withdraw his gaze from her, she suddenly turned to him, wearing a polite face: 

"Seth, can you please spare me your pen for a minute," Ivy asked with a slight smile. 

Seth's heart hits his chest a little, plunging him into a small stream of confusion. But without hesitation, Seth stretched forth his right hand to hand over the pen to her. 

"Sure... Have it," Seth said. 

"Thanks," Ivy thanked and turned to face her book. It seems her pen ink was finished... Of course, that should be the reason for asking for his pen! Truth be told, it seems she doesn't have time for punks like him. 

After a while, the teacher walked towards the sword-wielding spot where all the required materials were kept. He ordered Seth and Ivy to follow him as they joined forces in unveiling the materials from their packs.

In sight are Hammer, Anvil, Tongs, Vise, Forge, High Carbon, Chisels, Punches, Drifts, Sand Papers, Magnets, Quenching Oil and Belt Sander. 

After unveiling the items from their packs, the master ordered the rest to come forward. Seth and Ivy stood right at both sides of the teacher, making the others wish they were in their shoes at that moment... I repeat, just at that moment — Class Head duties are damn tough.

But it was completely certain that Seth and Ivy had no idea of this. Perhaps, they just wanna play the part regardless of its tough outcome. 

"Let's start wielding now, combat training time is about three hours left," the teacher said and gripped the steel. This steel is roughly the size of the final product."

"We would have to create a design first. Ummm... As a teacher in the Dormant Academy, I'll use the logo design of the Red Tiger Clan. You can use a design of your choice, that's never gonna be a problem," the teacher said.

After talking, the Fundamental Creation male teacher brought out a short book and drew the exact logo of the Red Tiger Clan. 

The head of a Red Tiger with the tip of its claws showing at its chest region.

"Okay then, let's continue. We are going to heat this steel until it turns yellow which should be 2100° to 2200° Fahrenheit. Then after that, we'll quickly place it on the anvil and shape it with the hammer... I'll advise you to focus on this. This might be your lifesaver," the master warned and walked closer to the liquid fire.

Snap-snip-whoosh! 

After the teacher had placed the sword in the fire, the thermometer began to count. The student also followed, however, excluding Seth. To him, it was somewhat childish. He just has to keep a concentrated eye on the scene and that's all. 

1900°. 2000°. 2100°... 2200°. 

The teacher quickly removed the yellow steel and placed it on the anvil, followed by a hit by the hammer. It was shaped to the size of an accurate longsword whose tip was curved nicely like that of a Warlock's blade. 

Seth glanced at the steel, amazed. 

'I wish I'm the one doing this right now.'

He thought.

After this, it was time to create the cutting edges on either side of the sword.

Raising the hammer, the teacher began to bevel the edges of the sword. Everyone watched attentively, this time Seth was fully focused. A jerk like him would always want his sword to be as sharp as that of the Supreme Lord of the Midcontinent.

The teacher was finally finished with the cutting edge creation and everyone was calm excluding Seth who suddenly frowned his face after the Master-ranked teacher had stopped hitting the hammer.

'That's not sharp enough. That edge can't even slash a weakened timber.'

However, that never changed the fact that he was not going to be heard. Saying it out, to him, was as though requesting for a huge slap in the face. 

"Now, we are going to reheat it to normalize the steel. This time it's going to be heated to 1420° Fahrenheit before we cool it up," the teacher lectured. 

Without wasting much time, the teacher attempted to place the sword into the fire again, before large amounts of footstep sounds were heard, making him halt his lecture at that moment. 

They are the jerks! What the hell are they doing here after the teacher had ordered their absence? 

Suddenly, an intense scowl appeared on the face of the teacher as he turned to face them. After nodding negatively in anger, he placed the sword on the wide table, folded his arms, and asked with a harsh utterance. 

"What the hell are you punks doing here?!"

Following his scowl comes a bold yet thick man's voice. He is also a newborn, actually, reincarnation never places you in your class. Since his soul was as young as the others he is a complete newborn. 

The man boldly uttered: 

"The Dean sent us back, this is a matter of life and death. We don't have abilities yet so our lives depend on a weapon. If we don't learn Sword Wielding, that's going to be a full indication that we are going to die shamelessly in Menace Isle," the newborn heaved a sigh, "unfortunately, we lost the Newborns in the Western continent. 

"What!" Master Den shouted. 

A stir was caused.