1 Prologue

In the year 1400, on the 23rd of the 5th month, the Yang household was filled with joyous anticipation as a newborn's cry heralded the arrival of a son.

"A boy has been born!" announced Rian's father, his voice echoing with pride. "Rian Yang, they shall call him. A fitting name for a future blacksmith."

As an infant, Rian gazed up at his father with innocent wonder, unaware of the destiny that awaited him.

Years passed, and with each passing day, the weight of expectation grew heavier on young Rian's shoulders. At the tender age of four, King Gulliver himself ordered a wizard to assess the boy's potential for forging weapons.

The wizard's exclamation filled the room with tension. "Oh my!"

Concern etched deep lines on Rian's father's face as he inquired anxiously, "What's wrong?"

"It appears that this boy is not talented enough to forge weapons for the king," the wizard replied, his tone grave, casting a shadow over the room.

Frustration boiled within Rian's father, his disappointment palpable. "Damn it!" he cursed under his breath, his dreams for his son's future momentarily dashed.

But in the face of adversity, Rian remained steadfast in his optimism. With a hopeful smile, he interjected, "At least it's not zero talent, Father!" His attempt to lighten the mood was met with a grateful pat on the head from his father, who conceded, "You're right, my son," his voice laced with pride.

Determined to prove his worth despite the wizard's assessment, young Rian embarked on a relentless journey of training at the age of eight. Day after day, he toiled in the heat of the forge, his determination unwavering, fueled by a desire to exceed expectations and honor his family's legacy.

For the next four years, Rian immersed himself wholeheartedly in the craft of blacksmithing. From the early hours of dawn until the setting of the sun, the clang of metal against metal echoed through the workshop as Rian honed his skills with unwavering dedication.

At the age of twelve, the sound of Rian's counting reverberated throughout the palace walls as he pushed himself to the limit in his daily training regimen. Each repetition, each exertion brought him one step closer to his goal.

"97!"

"98!"

"99!"

"100!" Rian exclaimed, his breath ragged as he collapsed to the ground, his heart pounding in his chest.

As he lay there, catching his breath, a moment of introspection washed over him. Since the age of eight, he had dedicated himself to relentless training, driven by a singular purpose: to prove that greatness could be achieved even in the absence of natural talent.

But as he pondered the reasons behind his relentless pursuit, a knock at the door broke the silence, signaling the start of another day in the workshop.

"Come in," Rian called out, his voice tinged with anticipation.

His father entered, a warm smile gracing his lips as he reminded Rian of their shared purpose. "It's time to see how much you can accomplish in the workshop," he said, his pride evident in every word.

A surge of determination swept through Rian as he rose to his feet, a bright smile illuminating his features.

"I won't let you down!" he declared with unwavering resolve, ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead on his journey to greatness. And with each swing of the hammer, each spark that flew from the forge, Rian forged not only metal but also his own path to glory.