Chapter 13. Helping Wipe Away Sweat

[Arc3] - 13. Helping Wipe Away Sweat

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"Clang—"

With each strike of the hammer, the blinding sparks illuminated the face of the blacksmith, and a bead of sweat trickled down her cheek. Just as the sweat was about to fall, a snow-white hand reached out to wipe it away.

"Is this how you're helping?" Hephaestus sighed with some helplessness, her face flushing—whether from the heat or something else. "You act so impressive, but all you did was wipe away sweat? And with your hand, no less!"

At first, she was somewhat expecting something extraordinary from Cyd, but she ended up being really surprised—almost to the point of messing up her strike. Was he here to help or just to cause trouble?

"Sorry," Cyd awkwardly scratched his face; it was a desperate move to avoid being kicked out. Slamming money on the table and declaring he was loaded would likely get him thrown out and blacklisted.

"Forget it. Just stand over there and watch! Don't do anything unnecessary!" Hephaestus raised her voice. "I need to focus! Focus!"

If this white-haired guy distracted her again, who knows what kind of weird creation she might end up forging!

"Alright," Cyd lowered his head in disappointment and walked over to where Ryuu was standing.

"You seem really eager to help," Ryuu asked casually.

"Because…" Cyd closed his eyes, listening to the clear sound of the hammering. "I couldn't even do something as simple as wiping away sweat before."

Ryuu looked at Cyd deeply, then closed her eyes, mimicking his gesture.

Finally, it was quiet…

Hephaestus let out a breath and glanced at the [Reforged Pandora] placed beside the forge, biting her lip in frustration.

That was a weapon forged by "Hephaestus". Whether in technique or style, it could only have been made by "Hephaestus". But it was a weapon she couldn't replicate now, and as the God of Blacksmiths, she had to admit she couldn't create a weapon that surpassed [Reforged Pandora].

What was she missing that made her feel so defeated just by looking at [Reforged Pandora]? Was it that line of text she didn't dare to face directly?

It was as if she could see another figure through [Reforged Pandora], looking at her.

It felt like she was being shown up…

Damn it, don't underestimate me!

Hephaestus swung her hammer in frustration.

I'll forge a weapon that surpasses yours soon enough!

Even if her divine power was sealed, her craftsmanship wouldn't disappear. Each strike would make the weapon before her more pure.

"Clang—"

Hephaestus tossed the hammer aside and shook her head, gently placing the short sword into the cooling water. Watching the steam rise, she lowered her eyes in disappointment.

I failed…

She had forged what was perhaps the most stunning weapon she'd ever made, but still, she failed. She wanted to create a weapon that surpassed [Reforged Pandora], but she failed.

"What's this weapon called?" Cyd curiously asked as he approached Hephaestus.

"It hasn't been named yet," Hephaestus shot Cyd a sideways glance and used tongs to pull the short sword out of the water.

"It's beautiful," Cyd admired the short sword, stroking his chin. "Bell would probably love it."

"No wonder you could sneak in here without a sound. You and Hestia are in cahoots," Hephaestus rolled her eyes.

"Can I have the short sword for a moment?" Cyd reached out, and a crystal on his left wrist silently lit up.

"Just so you know, this was forged for that child. Only members of Hestia's familia can use it," Hephaestus raised an eyebrow but handed the short sword to Cyd.

"It's fine. I'm just going to add a little enchantment," Cyd grinned as he slowly grasped the short sword. Rows of pale blue glowing text appeared on the blade, and the black edge cut into Cyd's hand, with crimson blood seeping from between his fingers.

"What are you doing!" Ryuu's eyes widened as she grabbed Cyd's wrist. "Let go, now!"

"I didn't expect it to actually cut me. As expected of a divine weapon—it does hurt," Cyd let go, his cut hand beginning to heal. The blood-soaked short sword now bore rows of pure white text.

"What did you do?" Hephaestus demanded, her eyes wide.

"I just gave it a name," Cyd chuckled, raising the short sword. "Hero's Blade—a weapon that only members of Hestia's familia with the will of a hero can wield."

"Don't go altering someone else's work without permission!" Hephaestus snatched the short sword from Cyd, examining it with a frown. "Adding conditions at the moment of completion—this weapon is meant to grow alongside its user. What you did was unnecessary."

"Teachers always do unnecessary things for their students," Cyd shrugged.

"You're an idiot, aren't you?" Ryuu said with a hint of annoyance.

"He clearly is," Hephaestus sighed, placing the short sword into a wooden box before tossing a piece of metal into the forge. "So, what kind of weapon do you want?"

"Don't you need to rest for a bit?" Cyd tilted his head.

"I'm on a roll right now," Hephaestus tapped the forge with her hammer. "I suppose you're also getting gear for that kid. With the Hero's Blade, he won't need any other weapons. What do you want to give him?"

"A shield—a round shield," Cyd gestured with his hands. "A shield that can protect him until he's ready."

"If you want, I can forge a weapon just like the Hero's Blade, one that can grow with him," Hephaestus raised an eyebrow.

"That's not necessary; this will do," Cyd smiled softly. "When he's truly capable, he won't need the protection of a shield—or a teacher."

"Then I'll cut you a little slack," Hephaestus sighed. "By the way, Hestia has to pay for the Hero's Blade, and you're not allowed to give her money."

"Of course, the Hero's Blade is a gift from Hestia to Bell," Cyd glanced at the Hero's Blade in the box. "She's his family who'll stay by his side, while I'm just a teacher who will eventually leave."

Unpleasant!

Hephaestus raised an eyebrow. Why did she feel like she was crafting a final gift filled with sorrow?

"Though I've never met that child," Hephaestus said, bringing her hammer down forcefully. "I believe that, to him, you'll never truly leave."

"That would be troublesome. I really want him to fly on his own, or at least support his comrades, but he can't just hide under my protection," Cyd tilted his head.

"You really are an idiot," Hephaestus rolled her eyes at Cyd.

It was such a simple truth, yet he made that face.