Ronald (2)

*****

*Knock* *Knock*

As Nelson knocked on the workshop door, he had a very conflicting monologue running in his mind.

'MAN UP NELSON, IT'S NOT LIKE HE WILL KILL YOU.'

As Nelson had scheduled him after work hours to have a chat with Ronald, the infamous blacksmith of the village.

'I need to make sure he has good interests... how the fuck did I end up here?'

For Nelson this was a totally unplanned event, he had never expected that Noah would ask this B Rank adventurer to take him in as an apprentice.

'I need to preserve his determination.'

Even though he was afraid, he was building up the courage to talk to the rumored criminal. This was because he wanted to make sure that this determination and interest shown by Noah was kept going, he didn't want his son to lose his dream and wish just because his father was too afraid of some theory.

*Creek*

Soon the door creaked open and Ronald stood in front of Nelson, he had normal clothes on, just a white shirt paired with leather pants.

"Welcome, you can come inside, also I realized that you had never introduced yourself to me during our last interaction."

"Oh, I apologize for that, I was a bit psyched out by my son's sudden request, my name is Nelson."

"Don't worry about it, you weren't the only one psyched out, this really was something I wasn't expecting either."

As Ronald greeted Nelson in his workshop, he guided him to his lunch table.

To Nelson's surprise, there was a full-on feast prepared on the table.

*****

A/N: This reminds me of Hanibal, hehe.

*****

"You really didn't need to prepare so much."

"Hey, calm down, you are the 8th guest I have ever had visit my workshop, actually you would be 2nd if you excluded all the knights that visited me."

"Ah, about that, that was a question I wanted to ask you about, what's the whole deal with the knights."

They both had gotten seated and had started eating.

"I thought everyone already knew, that is why they didn't dare approach me."

"Wait, so true that you are a crimin-"

"NO, Gosh no, I didn't mean that stupid story... Ah, I guess you don't know, let me just explain this in 5 words."

Soon suspense spread through the room, Nelson started tensing up just waiting for the answer.

"My name is Ronald ******."

As soon as the last word escaped Ronald's mouth, Nelson's back felt cold, he started sweating, he had never expected something like this.

"How do I know that's true."

"Go visit the adventurer's guild and ask your supervisor about me, just make sure you tell him that you were sent by ****** ******."

This was enough, this actually explained everything, why Ronald was seen in a negative view, why such rumors were spread. It was never Ronald that hid this fact, it was others, the people in the shadows.

"Umm, just the last thing. Why did you take Noah in instead of turning him down? You could have easily said no."

"Don't ask me something you already know the answer to... You saw his eyes too, the kid has the determination that goes beyond smithing, also there is also another reason. It's just that his stats are interesting when compared to other kids his age, the kid isn't that worse off than some noble brats."

"Wait are you trying to say that he can enter t-"

"Yes, I am saying that he can enter the Icarus academy. But that's only if he can complete his apprenticeship with me."

"What do you plan to teach him?"

"Well, if I am being honest, I wanted to teach him about Runic Craftsmanship and Enchantments before he went off. From what I know, the academy is surrounded by magical monster zones. And, I also understand that your family isn't exactly that good with money, this is why I want him to soak up all my blacksmithing abilities so he can make a living and pay for his own fees."

"I am kind of confused... Why are you being so nice to us?"

"You want an honest answer? I am tired of being stuck in this place, there isn't anything I can do, but if in a period of time I can teach that kid something, he might just be able to help me out. I know it sounds farfetched but again, its been so long since I had a choice, even though the chances are slim, it's better than none."

"Bu-"

"Don't worry, I don't plan on telling him anything, to him it would be your normal blacksmith teaching their apprentice some skills while also helping him increase his stats."

As Ronald completely explained the reasoning behind his acceptance of Noah, Nelson had also understood why he was doing what he was doing, this was still a scary experience but he still appreciated how honest Ronald was being.

As Nelson was thinking and appreciating Ronald's replies, Ronald had something else in his mind.

'How the fuck do I tell this guy that I just appreciate having people's company. All this alone time has turned me into a lonely mess, ugh.'

*****

The next morning, Nelson had to wake up Noah before he headed for breakfast, last night he had talked to Amanda about the conversation he had with the Blacksmith. But he had made sure that he didn't reveal any of the blacksmith's secrets to Amanda.

This also didn't cause any problems as even though Amanda called Nelson a meathead, she still trusted him with her life. She knew that when it came to the matter of family, Nelson was one of the most selfish people that she had known.

"Pa isn't it too early in the morning?"

"Kiddo, if you don't get used to this routine you will never be able to run in this marathon of life, now come, have breakfast with us, you will walk with me to your workshop as I go to the guild."

As soon as Noah heard what his father said about going to the workshop his eyes started shining, just looking at Noah's reaction Nelson cracked a smile being more assured that he had made the right decision.

Being happy with his choice, Nelson happily started drinking some water.

"But Pa, the money that I earn, do I keep it?"

As soon as Nelson heard Noah say this, he spitted out the water in his mouth and started coughing out loud. Listening to the conversation and looking at Nelson's reaction, Amanda just started laughing out loud.

"See Nelson, our child is all grown up, he knows when he should push his interests forward."

"Haha, even I didn't expect such a question from a 9-year-old. And yes Noah, you will keep the money that you earn as I think you will desperately need it in the future."

Of course, Nelson didn't want to give any hints about The Icarus Academy, but one thing he knew for sure was that it would cost their entire's family's fortune to just pay for one month of the academy lessons. But thankfully, from the chat he had had with Ronald, he understood that they only needed to pay for one to two months as between this time Noah should be able to settle in and start working on other ways to earn him better money.

This was a dream of Nelson, to have his son earn their yearly earning in 1 week and make breakthroughs through the social classes. For Nelson, it was already enough when Ronald said that Noah wasn't far off when competing with Nobles.

Actually, Nelson knew that Noah could accomplish way more in the future now because of the guidance he would be getting from his new blacksmithing teacher. Before anyone knew it, the infamous Flaresmith that was rumored to be a criminal, turned into Noah's respectable mentor.

'I wish I had a teacher like him, I would have become a force to be reckoned with if I had gotten trained by him.'

"Noah, finish your dinner, we have to leave in a little bit."

"But Pa, This is breakfast."

'Someday this smartass will get a straight-up beating.'

As a visible vein popped on Nelson's head, Noah who was quick to notice, sat down and started to excitedly munch down the breakfast. It didn't take long before they both finished their share and prepared to leave the house.

As soon as Nelson exited the house, Noah brightly followed behind, this time paying attention to everything on the path and taking the view in as something he was regularly going to experience from now on.

*****

"So This is it, I have a way to improve now."

Noah stood outside of the workshop, his father had already left for his duty so Noah who stood outside of the workshop started to knock on the door.

The door soon opened up and Noah was greeted by Ronald. Well, It was Mr. Ronald for Noah.

This was the start of Noah's journey into the world of blacksmithing, hunting, and adventuring.

"Hey kid, go place your bag over on that chair, then come meet me at the forge and I will give you your first task."

Noah quickly went over and did as he was asked, he placed his bag and lunch on the chair and started moving towards the forge room. While walking towards the forge room he started stealing glances at everything around him.

'So this is where I am going to learn from now on.'

Noah had never seen a place like this before, he had never expected such an antique feel, all directions he looked at, held special details, some walls had pieces of armor hanging on them while some head weapons.

Something totally unique.

"Done, Mister, you can give me the task now."

"See buddy, there is a problem we need to sort out before anything, simply, your stat's are too weak. With those stats, you are nowhere close to being able to help me in any way, so the first task I entrust you with is to, go grab one of those hammers placed on the table and start swinging on a piece of metal with full force, of course, by that I mean to place it on the anvil first. I am not demanding you to create some heavenly sculptures, all I need are some simple straightened metal plates."

As confused as Noah was, he understood that this was a way of increasing his strength stat which would allow him to carry out more tedious tasks later on.