Wisdom and Advice

"Master Steve, who trained you?" Alan inquired as they strolled towards the store. Steve, wearing a smile, turned his head while walking, replying, "I thought you'd never ask."

Entering the store room, Steve took a deep breath, revealing, "I hail from the capital, 'The Phoenix City,' not this region." Alan, though familiar with the names of other cities, the capital, and the Kingdom, had never ventured beyond the Winden region and even spent 10 years in a small forest area.

Reflecting on his master, Steve shared, "My mentor was a prodigy, the finest swordsmith I've ever witnessed. Consider my creations as rough copies of his work; he's a perfectionist through and through." Steve suggested, "If you ever encounter him and manage to commission a sword, it would be the epitome of swordcraft."

Despite being five years younger than me, his knowledge and skill in weapon making surpassed his age. I began my apprenticeship under him at 25, an age when most start their own ventures. Enchanted by his abilities, I apprenticed for the second time, spending five years under his tutelage. It was he who inspired me to travel and explore the world.

"Never think you are the best; there will always be someone better than you," he always stressed. "Alan, lad, I'd offer you the same counsel my master gave me. 'Never be a frog at the bottom of the well; be a Dragon and soar the skies.' Travel the world, learn new things, meet new people. Be knowledgeable, to the extent that even the most learned person in a place seeks wisdom from you."

These mantras left a lasting impact on Alan, marking the third phrase he took to heart.

The first, his grandmother's wisdom, "Knowledge is power," fueled Alan's relentless pursuit of learning.

The second, John's advice, "Be a child when you are with a child," allowed him to relish moments with other children, a truth he believed would endure as he aged.

Now, Steve's words left a profound imprint. "Never think you are the best; there will always be someone better than you." And 'Never be a frog at the bottom of the well; be a Dragon and soar the skies.' These instilled in Alan a vow to continuously improve, no matter the circumstances or his age.

Steve continued, "My master, Remus, traveled alongside me, but he insisted on separate journeys so I could see the world through my own eyes and grow. A decade ago, I learned he returned to the capital after 30 years of exploration. In contrast, I roamed for a bit over 10 years before settling in this place."

"It was during these travels that I discovered star metal and learned things I wouldn't have in Phoenix City," Steve shared, capturing Alan's fascination with each word.

Once I settled down in Winden city, I fell in love with an young girl. Younger than me by 15 years. It was she who fell in love with me and started coming to my shop to meet me everyday. I didn't knew when I started reciprocating her feeling. He smiled.

"We got married, but fate wasn't in our favor. She died during childbirth, and the child... the child was also lost within her womb," he said, a hint of sadness in his smile.

Alan, silently absorbing his master's life story, noticed what seemed like a tear in Steve's beard.

After a brief silence, Steve sighed, "Sorry for that, lad. It's been so long since I shared this with someone."

"It's okay, Master Steve. I'm truly sorry for your losses," Alan said, bowing slightly.

Steve smiled, patting Alan's shoulder. "Okay, lad, I have to meet the Guild Master of the Adventurer's Academy later today. I know I told you to choose your materials for the sword, but I'd like to make the selection for you. Is that okay with you?" Steve asked, and Alan agreed without a second thought. "Well then, off you go. I'll finalize the material for you tomorrow. Come back the day after, and we'll start forging your weapon," Steve fondly shooed Alan away.

Alan happily departed with a smile, confident that his master would choose the perfect metal for his needs.