001

To be born a Valkyrie was a blessing, a sign from above if anyone watched over this place that you had what it takes to become a chosen warrior, someone who can lead humanity to a brighter future.

Though to be born as one of the chosen Valkyrie is a curse. A weapon a shell of it's past self choses you to be it's master and through no will of your own you are forced to wield it.

Forced to die for a world that was on the brink of it's flame fluttering out, forced to fight for minutes as your whole life is used up. The ones who made you fight feeling nothing for your death, the simple words 'next' spoken at the news of your end.

"Freya Nielin, I hearby announce you the Valkyrie of Mjolnir." From behind the veil the queens voice rang out across the hall, her shadowed frame standing.

A ball of lighting cast itself to life in the space between the Queen and Freya. Sparks and stray bolts shot out all over but avoided everyone in the large chamber.

The lightning would shift and morph until it formed into a bow, then as the power died down it shrunk into the form of a hammer.

[God Bow Mjölnir (Inactive) Obtained]

[Current special ability: Locked]

[Condition: Poor. Weapon effectiveness: 10%]

"May your service be long, and your deeds beneficial. Dismissed!" The queen sat down, and the light creating her silhouette faded causing her to disappear.

Freya rose from her kneeling position and picked up the heavy hammer into her hands. Many had believed Mjölnir to be a hammer, but it was in fact a bow. It's current form known to humanity was simply a by product of the weapons damage being too much to properly shift.

"Yes my queen." Freya turned on the spot and quietly left the room.

. . .

"It says Blacksmith." A man with messy black hair stood in front of a silent crowd looking dumbfounded. The shock on their face matched his own as he looked around the room, the word blacksmith planted firmly in his vision.

He wasn't the only one that saw it either. During class selection your class was broadcasted to everyone in the immediate vicinity.

A moment ago Shu had been hoping to hurry up and get this ceremony over with. He had only shown up because this was a mandatory event for all males who reached eighteen years of age.

Someone like him who only had the weight of his own life on his back suddenly felt a lot heavier, and as if to mock him in that moment the crowd exploded into loud cheers.

Pushing through the crowd came a tall woman who Shu remembered seeing when he had come in. She had fierce golden colored eyes, and her blonde hair had been tied into a high ponytail. The natural slant of her eyes and strong facial features paired with the white armor she was wearing made her neutral expression look terrifying.

Everyone know who she was, the oldest living Valkyrie Scarlett Pendragon holder of Excalibur.

"You're coming with me." Her voice sounded just like she looked, beautiful and terrifying but it's not like Shu had time to think about her voice. Scarlett took a fist full of his shirt and began dragging him behind her.

"Hey! What the hell? let me go!" He shouted struggling against her grip but he couldn't so much as move one of her fingers.

"Stop whining, your whole life is about to change for the better." She attempted to say sweetly but it was closer to a threat with her tone.

"That's exactly why! I already know that was a bold faced lie. I don't want to be a blacksmith!"

"Ah well, Regret the way you were born then."

Shu gave up his useless protest after that, and was carried to the castle. A few people following as far as they could through the fog ridden streets.

Scarlett dropped Shu off quite literally in the queens audience room. A small match was lit behind the veil before her form lit up the sheet. Scarlett bowed her head while Shu just laid there on the ground trying to process what was going on.

"What is it Excalibur?" The queen asked.

"One of the men at todays ceremony have been designated a blacksmith." Scarlett was clearly smiling through her voice, the way her eyes twitched slightly making it clear she was holding back some excitement to stay respectful.

Save for the Queen everyone in her cabinet hidden behind separate veils gasped. Chatter erupted from them all, the jumble of words nearly unintelligible. Then as quickly as it had started silence returned to the room with a single motion from the queen.

"Who are you boy?" Her form stood from the seat, a cane clearly seen in one of her hands.

"Uh-" Shu felt Scarlett jab him with her elbow and he fixed his position into a knights bow before continuing. "My nane is Shu, I am an orphan so I have no last name. I come from the fifth district."

"Why was it that you had to be dragged here? Blacksmiths of legends have fought bravely alongside the Valkyrie."

"With all due respect it is exactly because of that legend that I don't wish to join the Valkyrie. If I am to be honest I don't want to die and ruin my mildy comfortable life. I would also be a burden to the Valkyrie in combat." Shu was starting to sweat, he could feel the atmosphere grow hostile.

"Shu Kurosaki, That will be your new name as you are promoted to the status of Baron given nobility. You are to move to the second district and begin working as a blacksmith." The queen had come out from behind the veil and she stood in front of Shu.

Though do to the light shining behind her, and his head being lowered he had not been able to see her appearance. He thought to lift his head but a survival instinct stopped him.

"Am I not getting deployed?" Shu had known the second district to be the Valkyrie training grounds, and not the third district where the active military was stationed.

"Correct, you are too valuable for your class to have your life risked. You will stay in the 2nd district and train your ability to better help the Valkyrie." Her words should have brought comfort, but they didn't. His spot off the front line was only secure until others appeared.

If he wanted to stay alive he had no choice but to be the greatest blacksmith that he could.