Chapter-12

It's been three weeks since I have been residing with Muddy and Grandpa Max. Like Muddy said, learning blacksmith was no joke. After 3/4 days of learning blacksmith from Grandpa max then only I learned to control fire and the pressure applied on the different types of pieces. I have to concentrate and be careful while hammering otherwise, a single mistake can wreck your whole product. I keep on trying until I became perfect without any sleep or rest, like a madman. Finally, I manage to make some low grades equipment to high grades equipment. Before making the last piece of equipment, I stretch my arms and body then I take a glance on the floor. It was almost like forty-nine different pieces of equipment are swimming on the ground. "This will be the last one for today and I will take some rest". I continue hammering.

Grandpa Max was watching John trying his best and Muddy was helping John indirectly to improving his skill. Muddy keeps reminding John to have rest and eat some food. Sometimes, Muddy runs an errand for John.

While watching hardworking John, Grandpa Max suddenly remembers old memories of his friend, Richard Collin. When Grandpa Max encountered Richard Collin for the first time, he was a young man with a pure soul and full of enthusiasm. Richard had a tall figure with a good body and a cheerful personality and was in his twenties. Grandpa Max and Richard became close friends after spending their most of time together. Also, Grandpa Max taught Richard blacksmith works. In another word, Grandpa Max was not only Richard's close friend but also his mentor. The more Richard learned, the more he created high grades equipment. Both, Grandpa Max And Richard felt excited and keep creating new equipment, another experiment after another. Later on, after struggling for a year to collect the resources and raw materials, they finally created a legendary sword. They didn't sleep or eat or rest even for a single second and worked like a madman. At last, they were successful in creating the sword. Richard named it " holy sword" since lots of holy materials and holy magic were used.

Grandpa Max feels his heart is poked by millions of sharp needles and the memories of his good friend and family were killed, his soul crashed again. The happiness and the pain and the torture he was trying to forget for decades, now it is flashed all in front of his eyes. Grandpa Max feels something warm dripping on his hand. He looks at his hand then touches his cheek and finds, his eyes were filled with tears unknowingly. Grandpa Max quickly wipes his tears with the long sleeves of his cotton brown T-shirt and moves forward to look at John's equipment.

Grandpa Max picked up one piece of equipment from the floor and he was shocked. He once again looks at John hammering and the piece he was holding. He thought it was impossible to create A-grade equipment for the novices. He carefully watches the movement John was making, in a surprised and delightful. Not only John was making progress but he already mastered blacksmith.

Grandpa Max returns to his room without saying a word. John stretches his arms after finishing creating more than fifty pieces of equipment. Finally, John went to take a rest in his room. The room was sized for a single person and had a single wooden bed and an old table. He quickly jumped over his soft bed and fall asleep instantly. When John opened his eyelid, it was already daytime and Muddy was standing in his room, looking outside from the window.

"Muddy?"

Muddy quickly turns over, " Grandpa is calling you". He left the room right away after that.

I was shocked to see Muddy in my room and I quickly dressed up in fresh clothing and went to see Grandpa Max. Grandpa Max was sitting outside, looking at something.

"Did you call Grandpa Max?"

"Yes," Grandpa Max.

"Is there any work?"

"Today you are going to hunt with Muddy and bring something we can have a feast" Grandpa Max smiled.

I was a bit surprised hearing Grandpa Max but I was more surprised to see Grandpa Max smile. It was a warm smile.

"okay" I smiled back.

Muddy came out riding a brownish horse from the stable holding the bow and arrows" get on a horse if you are ready". Muddy throws the next set of bows and arrows toward me. I catch the bow and arrow and ride on the black horse. " We will be back," I said to Grandpa Max and went toward Jungle with Muddy.

The tone of Muddy was changed, it was not hostile like before. Also, Muddy behavior toward me was changed. I was happy about the positive changes Muddy was having toward me. After some minutes, muddy was able to hunt down wild boar easily. He looked over me happily showing the wild boar "let's return home and eat it".

" sure" I wasn't sad or upset about I didn't hunt back anything but I was feeling good to see Muddy's Happy face. We returned soon. And we'll all started preparing for the three-person feast. Grandpa Max cooked wild boar with his special recipe while Muddy and I were settling the table. We enjoyed our food and drink to our heart's content. I was watching those two, smiling and shouting happily. They were singing and dancing hugging each other. I was getting the joyful feeling of seeing them like that. Also, I was feeling happy knowing they finally accepted me. While living with them I unknowingly starting caring about them and treating them like family. Muddy fall asleep on the table after getting drunk and Grandpa Max was still drinking.

"Liam, I don't think so I need to teach you anymore"

"Why Grandpa Max"

"haha, my child. There is nothing left for this old man to teach you"

I was surprised to hear Grandpa Max. Grandpa Max continues " you already Mastered blacksmith. You are quite talented-" He falls asleep while speaking.

My heart was beating fast and my ears were turning red. I was delighted to hear praise from Grandpa Max but I was unhappy again. It was already time for me to leave them and continue on my journey. It was already a month and I have to return to Academy soon. Also, I need to raise my start level. I can't waste any more time.

With a heavy sigh, I carried Grandpa Max and Muddy both back to their room and cleaned the place and kitchen. I take out the material I gather fighting with monsters in the cave. Then I started making weapons and continued the whole night.

It was already nine in the morning when Grandpa Max and Muddy woke up. They heard the sound of hammering from downstair and quickly went there. They saw John was making some weapons.

"Liam. What are you doing?" Grandpa Max

"Oh, good morning Grandpa. And good morning Muddy. I already made breakfast. Let's eat together" I washed my hand and served the breakfast. I can say they were surprised, it was all shown on their face. They didn't ask anything and we all had breakfast peacefully. After breakfast, I handed Muddy a pair of bows and arrows made of Scorpion tail and scarlet crystal. I handed half of the Midnight blue crystal and Scarlet Gems to Grandpa Max. They were speechless and looking at each other. There was confusion written over their faces. Looking at them, I chuckle softly. " I will be leaving today "

"WHAT!" Grandpa Max and Muddy were shocked.

"I need to leave today" I smiled.

After a silence, grandpa max finally spoke "I understand, you can leave anytime you want." and he stopped for a bit " but you can visit us anytime."

Muddy was sobbing and he suddenly hugged me. I was touched by the vast change in Muddy.

"hic- when you will..be... coming back?" Muddy.

I hugged him back and patted his head softly "I don't know when I will be back".

In the end, Muddy let me go and washed his face since he was looking messed after crying. Grandpa Max was also showing an unhappy expression. He reached over my head and rub my hair " kid I wish for your success".

I bid my farewell the same day and continue on my journey. I took out the small golden protection shield, made of simple and plain design given by Grandpa Max before leaving. I attached it to my necklace and smiled. After being separated from Grandpa Max and Muddy, I admitted I was happy living with them. I was having the warmth of family which I never once felt in my past life. I was all alone from birth, I grew up in an orphanage and continue my adult life living all alone in that huge apartment. It was a nice feeling to call someone family. "I will keep visiting them, my first family". I continue on my journey without any rest until I reached a small city.