Chapter 23- Theory into Practice

Zagreus followed Gobber as he looked at his own Status and read the details of some Abilities he had gained and didn't have time to see himself, the path to Gobber's Forge was silent apart from the sound of the Blacksmith's wooden leg.

The two arrive at the Forge and Zagreus is curiously looking around, Gobber seeing this grabs a leather apron and throws it at Zagreus' face, the Demigod even though his Dragon senses sealed was able to grab the apron before it reaches his face thanks to his training and a remnant of his Draconic instincts alongside those of the Demigod.

"Put this on, but first change those ripped clothes, there are some extra clothes that are baggy on Hiccup and you can get them for yourself."

Gobber says as he points to the door at the back of the Forge, he starts arranging some metals and tools on a workbench and Zagreus goes to change his clothes.

And in a few minutes choosing an outfit that looks good on his body, Zagreus leaves the room with Hiccup's outfit, the only difference being the size and color.

'The color at least is black, but unfortunately it doesn't have a sewn Dragon, or gold details but that's nothing I can't solve later with a needle and thread.'

He walks over to where Gobber was waiting for him and then the Blacksmith starts to say.

"I first need to know which of these hammers you can lift, the heavier the hammer the less blows you'll need to apply to the metal. And after that I'll teach you some more basic knowledge about Forging."

On the floor were 6 hammers of different colors and sizes, colors and styles.

"The leftmost hammer is the lightest, and the rightmost black one is the heaviest."

Ironically, the black hammer Gobber said was the smallest of the hammers, and it's clear from Zagreus' strength that he went straight for black.

"You have confidence in your strength, I breathe it in but don't disappoint when I can't get up, Stoick and I are the only ones who can get up and we still manage to make a few moves before I can't even get up."

Zagreus, who had stopped to hear what Gobber had to say, continued on his way to the black hammer and crouched down while placing both hands on the hammer expecting a huge weight and he lifted it easily.

Gobber's eyes widen when he sees the hammer being raised and the next moment when Zagreus spins it with just one hand, his eyes look like they've gone out of his face.

Zagreus doesn't see Gobber's expression as he is more focused on the hammer in his hands, the hammer was actually very heavy and must be very dense to contain so much mass in its small size, he uses the [Eye of the Wise] Skill on the hammer.

[Black Iron Hammer]

[RANK- RARE]

[EQUIPMENT - WEAPON / TOOL]

[Description: A hammer made of Black Iron, a material denser than most normal metals and therefore stronger, was used by a Master Blacksmith and presented to Gobber many years ago.]

-----

"Boy, I'm actually believing your dad is some kind of god, what a ridiculous force you've got in there. There's going to be a recruit training starting early tomorrow morning, Stoick and most of the Vikings who live here will be on a hunt against the Dragons to lessen the attacks here, with your strength you would make a great dragon slayer one day."

"Now, the hammer you are using is made of Black Iron, a material we have in abundance at Raven's Cliff and which unfortunately we don't have the method for Forging, it was used by the man who taught me and he got it as a gift from the man who taught him and none of them know the method of forging Dark Iron."

"But what we know about this material is one of the toughest and most durable there is and proof of that is the hammer that's been here for decades and there's no sign of a problem with it."

Gobber finishes speaking and shows a pile of smashed swords and broken axes and says.

"What you're going to do today is fix these swords, heat them up and make them return to their original shape and then sharpen each one."

Zagreus looks at the large pile of swords and smiles.

'Everyone starts from somewhere don't they?'

Break Line

In the extra room at the Forge a few hours later.

Zagreus rested on his bed while he thought about what to do next, today turned out to be very busy but at least he earned the PERK [Blacksmith Apprentice] and the Skill [Blacksmith (Level 1)].

[Blacksmith Apprentice]

[RANK- UNCOMMON]

[PERK]

[Description: The one who started the path to becoming a Blacksmith, knows the basic knowledge of how to do it but no experience. ]

-----

[Blacksmith (Level 1)]

[RANK- UNCOMMON]

[SKILL- PASSIVE]

[Description: A skill that increases efficiency and knowledge about Forging.]

-----

Hiccup after a few minutes arrived to help him in the Forge, he was surprised that Zagreus ended up becoming Gobber's apprentice but after that the two teenagers approached due seen the similarity in their family lives and thoughts.

Early tomorrow morning most Vikings would set out on their journey in search of the dragons' nest, a dangerous quest to say the least.

Zagreus has had a doubt in his mind since receiving the [Medallion of Power] from the Gacha, he decides to test his theory, so he gets up from his bed and leaves the Forge towards the forest.

Walking slowly so as not to draw any attention from unwanted animals, such as wolves, etc., he continues heading into the forest in a pitch where you wouldn't be able to see almost anything for a normal person, but for a Son of Hades it was like being at home.

Zagreus soon finds a crack in a stone wall in front of him and when he enters he realizes that on the other side of a type of valley, there was a river near the hundred place and roots descending on the walls that surrounded the place.

The Demigod appreciates the beauty of the place and was so focused on his goal and theory that he didn't notice that in the darkest corner of the Valley was the Black Dragon resting as he watched Zagreus' next moves.

While walking to a rock that was near the lake, he takes the [Medal of Power] from his inventory and looks at it in his hand, it appeared to be gold plated and had a red streak in the center, Zagreus felt a kind of compulsion to put the Medallions around his neck but he had different ideas about that.

He places the Medallion on the stone and summons his Martial Soul, Dragon God of Death Scythe, in his right hand and then holds the Scythe with both hands above his head, he takes a deep breath and strikes the [Medal of Power] with the intention to use the Scythe Ability and absorb the Soul of Zarathos.

The Medallion is easily cut and due to the sharpness and force that Zagreus put into the blow the stone along with the earth below were also cut.

[Ding!!]

[Thanks to the Skill of your Martial Soul, you can absorb the Soul of Zarathos, do you want to absorb? If the answer is no, Zarathos' soul will be destroyed by the authority that the Scythe has over his soul. [Y] OR [N]]

[Warning!! The whole being of Zarathos will be absorbed, including race, power, authority and his memories this will bring great power but great pain too, is recommended that the user remain conscious and not be affected by the memories so that they do not change who you are.]

Zagreus didn't expect a System notification for this but it made sense, as in a fight it might not be the best choice to absorb someone's soul and gain their disadvantages, after analyzing the disadvantages that absorbing the soul could take he decides.

The Demigod then clicks [Y] and in the next moment his whole body starts to burn, his whole being seems to have been thrown into the flames but Zagreus knew he couldn't scream if he wouldn't alert the whole village, which is not a good thing idea when you're absorbing a Soul like Zarathos's.

The flesh of his face begins to fade and in its place a flaming skull is in place, the Talisman that had sealed its draconic features loses its effect and its horns appear on its head, a manic laugh is heard in the silence of the dawn.

"Hahahaha, this power is too much, argh."

Zagreus seems to be holding up even after the transformation and the intensive rain of memories, he seems to be fine and stable.

[Full absorption: The Skill [Infernal Flame Manipulation], The Skill [Life Flame Manipulation], THE CHEAT [Spirit of Vengeance], THE CHEAT [Angel of Righteousness], PERK [Demon Physiology], PERK [Angelic Physiology] , PERK [Immunity to Aging] have been acquired.]

[Ding!!]

[Ability [Black Flames] and [Infernal Flame Manipulation] are compatible, merge? [Y]/[N]]

Zagreus, who was still a horned skeleton with his entire body on fire, has no problem making his two Abilities even stronger and clicks ek [Y] while using [Eye of the Wise] on the other Abilities and Perks he's gained.

-----

[Manipulation of Infernal Blacks Flames] [Level 1]

[RANK-EPIC]

[SKILL-ACTIVE]

[Description: The power to shape, transform and infuse the Infernal Black Flames in any way and form, the only limit being the user's imagination.]

-----

[Manipulation of Flames of Life]

[RANK-EPIC]

[SKILL-ACTIVE]

[Description: The ability to mold, transform and infuse the Flames of Life, the only limit being the user's imagination, consists of the divine and sacred elements, capable of healing and capable of harming demons easily.]

-----

[Spirit of Vengeance]

[RANK- LEGENDARY]

[CHEAT]

[Description: Due to possessing the Soul of Zarathos who is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, Vengeance Spirits, and this comes with secondary Abilities like: [Infernal Chain], [Penance Stare], [Size Manipulation] , [Perception of Sin], [Reanimation of Corpses]. ] (I think the names are self-explanatory.)

--

[Angel of Justice]

[RANK- LEGENDARY]

[CHEAT]

[Description: Zarathos before being known as a demon was a beautiful angel of God, comes with the secondary Abilities: [Sacred Energy Manipulation], [Angelic Wings (1 pair)].]

-----

[Demonic Physiology]

[RANK-LEGENDARY]

[PERK]

[Description: Born or acquired over a lifetime, Demonic Physiology gives the user Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Stamina, and a lifetime of centuries.]

-----

[Angelic Physiology]

[RANK- LEGENDARY]

[PERK]

[Description: Born or Gifted over a lifetime, Angelic Physiology gives the user Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Stamina, lifetime increased to centuries.]

-----

[Immunity to Aging]

[RANK- VERY RARE]

[PERK]

[Description: Now that you have the soul of a Spirit of Vengeance residing in your body, you can go on living for eternity.]

-----

The burning skeleton is left with its jaw gaping open in shock and joy, the powers it has just acquired are immense, but its thoughts are interrupted by a familiar voice in its head.

{What are you?}

Zagreus looks back and sees the Black Dragon he healed in the morning, he returns to normal and says.

"Everyone has their secrets, lizard. And I'd really like to talk to you about leaving me in the morning, you know I healed and you ran away at the first opportunity."

Zagreus says looking into the Black Dragon's green eyes.

{I didn't want to be seen by my enemies in such a weak state.}

"Yeah, I understand you, but you still owe me a favor. Apparently the Vikings here are going to start training young dragon hunters and I'd like to train here, do you mind?"

{As long as it doesn't bother me.}

The Black Dragon pretends not to care but it's hard to do that when Zagreus can see what he's feeling.

[Happy, relieved, anxious]

Zagreus smiles at the Dragon's cuteness and unconsciously reaches out to the Black Dragon's head and the Dragon with the sudden movement flinches but not feeling any bad intentions and on the contrary, he feels a familiarity with Zagreus, he closes his eyes and bows the head to the hand of the Demigod.

The demigod in question feels a connection to the Dragon which is confirmed by the System's notification.

[Ding!!]

[Host connected to Monster they trusted and accepted their connection, a new Status tab was created.]

And in the next moment the Black Dragon walks away as if nothing had happened, but Zagreus knew he was happy and said right away.

"You need a name, referring to you as Dragon or Black Dragon is boring already!"

The Dragon in question makes an expression like he's raising an eyebrow in interest to the subject and asks.

{What do you suggest?}

"Something simple, efficient and worthy, how about Alduin?"

And so the hours passed with the boy and the Dragon establishing a friendship until Zagreus decides to return before sunrise, he leaves the Valley promising that after tomorrow's training he would come back here and the Dragon as a tsundere who is not shown nothing but this time his tail gave away his true feelings as he swayed with glee when Zagreus said he would be back.

Break Line

(Author's Note)

Hope you've enjoyed the chapter so far, in the next chapter there will be the Young Vikings Training and Stoick's Journey, I'll change and add some more phases to the training (if you have any ideas to give about it I appreciate it.).

A special thanks to Black-Raven who as always helps me correct typos and translations, until tomorrow or Wednesday. from your favorite author

- AbelWizard