Chapter 11_ Blacksmith

Lexus, who was walking around Reinhardt, was reading a book in his hand while walking. He smiled as he read the last page and closed the book.

It was in that moment.

Swoosh!

[Intelligence has increased by 1.]

Why did his intelligence increase suddenly? It's because he read a book. He was certain that the reason for his intelligence increase was finishing reading a book.

After his fight with the troll, Lexus was bored on the carriage as he had nothing to do, not until, they could reach Reinhardt. Deciding to read a book out of boredom, Lexus had discovered it by pure coincidence.

If he reads a book he has already read, will his stats rise again? No, reading a book you have already read will not increase your stats. You need to read a book that hasn't been read yet; that is, a book that hasn't been read must be read in order for your stats to increase.

After discovering this, Lexus began reading and carried a book with him at all times. He did so because he believed that increasing his intelligence through reading was highly beneficial. On the other hand…

'It's so inefficient.'

Improving his stats is extremely important. However, the problem was the time it took to read all of the books Especially if most of the books were so thick.

'Preferably, I want to hunt monsters to increase my level with the time it takes to read a book.'

The only stats you could earn from reading a book are intelligence. It's not increasing by 3 or 4 but only 1. It would be better to go hunting during the time it took to read because you could increase more of your stats.

'If it was strength, agility, or stamina, then it would be different.'

On top of that, intelligence was not a very important stat to most people. It wasn't that they didn't need intelligence stats at all; it was just that most people had close-combat occupations, so their important stats were strength, agility, and stamina.

However, Lexus was an exception. His thought processing had been enhanced by 1,000 times, so reading a book until the last page was a very easy thing for him. Just a single glance at a page was enough for him to read it in a single second, allowing him to take advantage of the loophole that was available to him.

'I wonder how long it's going to take.'

He was very curious as to how long it would take to read all of the books that were inside his inventory. Once he was finished reading a new book, a message appeared stating that intelligence increased. He opened his character window.

[Status Window]

Name: Lexus

Level: 15

Class: Undefeated King's Successor

Second Class: Pagma's Successor

Titles: One Who Became a Legend and 4 others.

Health: 3,840

Mana: 3,850

Strength: 240 Stamina: 240

Agility: 240 Intelligence: 1,925 Dexterity: 40

—–—–—–—

Charm: 40 Dignity: 40 Insight: 40

Composure: 40 Indomitable: 40

—–—–—–—

Super Sensitivity: 45 Good Luck: 40

—–—–—–—

Stat Points: 150

Skills: Undefeated King's Swordsmanship (SSS), Legendary Blacksmith Skills (S), Great Sage (A), Plunderer (A), Sword of Ember (B), Sword Aura (B), Strength Augmentation (E).

Passive Skills: Madra's Mastery (A), Advanced Sword Mastery (B), Regeneration (E), Crazed Rampage (E).

The secret third son of King Wiesbaden, the Successor of Madra and Pagma. A son of a royalty and the one who follows two legends' paths so your potential is outstanding.」

After the fight with the troll, Lexus gained a massive amount of experience points because he had defeated a monster with 19 levels above him. Defeating a level 20 monster, combined with the effects of the Peerless Talent, allowed Lexus to level up to level 15. Additionally, every time he finished reading a book, his intelligence increased by 1 point.

This method of increasing intelligence wasn't mentioned in the novel at all. While other users may have read books, they did not continue reading books like Lexus. They hunted, completed quests to grow their characters. With a big smile, Lexus headed straight to the smithy. Pagma's Successor was a production class and production classes were money factories.

Why did so many people choose production classes over combat and hunting? The answer was money. The Pagma's Successor was a legendary blacksmith class! It was like a goose that laid golden eggs.

In Lexus' case, money was not a problem; however, he had another goal with using his class. That's why he was heading to a smithy. However, it wasn't just any ordinary smithy; for convenience's sake, he would be using his privilege as a royalty to a blacksmith that was contracted by the royal family.

Then, the moment Lexus stepped into the smithy…

[The effect of mastering 'Blacksmith's Craftsmanship Skill' is activated. Blacksmith NPCs with craftsmanship skill beyond the intermediate level will treat you in a friendly manner.

['Pagma's Descendant' class effect is activated. Blacksmith NPCs with advanced level craftsmanship skills will recognize and worship you.]

Lexus didn't react much at the notifications and simply opened the 'Legendary Blacksmith's Craftsmanship Skill'.

[Legendary Blacksmith's Craftsmanship Skill - Lv.1]

[Produce equipment items that you know how to make.

You can create the production methods for a new item with the 'Legendary Blacksmith's Creation' skill.

There is a certain probability of producing rare~ epic rated items.

There is a rare probability of creating unique rated items.

There is a very rare probability of creating legendary rated items.

*All stats of a production item will increase by 10%.

* When rare rated items are produced, all stats will permanently rise by +2 and reputation throughout the continent will rise by +30.

* When epic rated items are produced, all stats will permanently rise by +4 and reputation throughout the continent will rise by +80.

* When unique rated items are produced, all stats will permanently rise by +12 and reputation throughout the continent will rise by +300.

* When legendary rated items are produced, all stats will permanently rise by +25 and reputation throughout the continent will rise by +1,000.

* Something special will occur with every five legendary items created.]

"Wow...This is really absurd..."

In every item he created, his stats would rise. It also said that his smithing ability had now surpassed the master level. Normally, a master smith was rare and could only be counted on one hand. However, Lexus had essentially mastered the 'Blacksmith Craftsmanship Skill', which was beyond the 'Advanced Blacksmith Technique' and 'Intermediate Blacksmith Technique'.

'When I compare myself to the master smiths, I finally realize the greatness of a legendary level.'

The Legendary Blacksmith's Craftsmanship skill was only level one. Nevertheless, it was far superior to the skills of any master craftsman. Lexus couldn't help admiring it.

Furthermore, if he could create items at fast speed, he could also obtain stats more faster compared to by simply raising the levels of his skills. As he was aware of how hard it was to normally increase the stats, Lexus was very excited.

This was the very reason why he had tried to obtain this class. With Madra's swordsmanship, which boosted his ultimate attack power, and his skill in smithing, it provided him with great benefits while farming. He was excited and immediately confirmed the 'Legendary Blacksmith's Creation' skill.

[Legendary Blacksmith's Creation Skill]

[You can create three equipment item production methods every time the skill level of the 'Legendary Blacksmith's Craftsmanship Skill' goes up.

Number of items that can be created at present: 3/3

* When items are produced using this skill, the name of the creator is automatically placed on the item.]

•~~~•

"Excuse me."

*Creak*

The door opened with a strange noise.

Inside of a compact, one story building, burn marks and soot cover the walls but this is the real thing. The aura of an actual forge oozes out in every corner of the place. A smokestack just out of the corner of the roof.

"So this is a fantasy smith's workshop?"

The first thing Lexus noticed was the strong smell of iron. A wide array of tools hung from the ceiling, glinting. Hammers, tongs, random utensils...and lots of tools. A large fireplace was settled in the corner, behind a medium-height bench. Or, rather, an anvil. There were no dividing walls, just one big space devoted to forging armor and weapons.

Then someone noticed Lexus. It was the blacksmith that he was going to meet.

At that moment,

"Who the hell are you?"

Suddenly, the back door sprung open, and a large man entered with a scowl on his face. A thick beard, nearly touching the ground, obscured most of his features. His muscular build and defined forearms resembled those of an ox.

"Just someone who want to try smithing."

Lexus replied with a smile while also revealing the symbol of the royal family. Seeing the badge in his hand, the blacksmith widened his eyes and immediately bowed.

"A royal! Please forgive my insolence. I'm very sorry, your highness. Bit of a pigsty in here so can you put up with it for a bit?"

Seeing him panicking, Lexus didn't mind at all.

"Don't worry about me, its fine."

Though the blacksmith would be a good and capable one, Lexus knew that the current best blacksmith in Eternal Kingdom is Khan, the one who had supported Grid in the novel.

"So your highness want to try to be a blacksmith?"

He respectfully posed a question while rapidly preparing the tools that was needed in blacksmithing. Seeing him, Lexus wryly smiled thinking that he might have done something unneeded.

"Yes, I want to try smithing. Also, you don't have to be that tensed. Its just me."

"How could I!?"

However, it didn't make the blacksmith feel any better; instead, it made him feel even more nervous and prepared the best materials he could find.

Hmm, is this magic steel?

After reading thousands of books, Lexus recognized one material that was prepared at first glance. As he had Great Sage, it wasn't just simple reading but his unique skill made it like he remember and learned what he read.

Magic steel is the material extracted from raw Magic Ore. This material is very durable and heat resistant. In comparison to other rare metals that have at most a melting point around 5,000 degrees Celsius, Magisteel can withstand temperatures close to 10,000 degrees Celsius.

Furthermore, if used, handled and processed properly, it has a self-repairing trait and is exceptional at inducting Magical Power like Mithril, enabling any items made from Magic steel to "grow" with their user. All these properties made Magic steel highly desirable for making high quality equipment with magical properties.

"Never mind. It's in pretty good shape and quite. Little bit of shaping, some grease, and it should become one fine blade..."

Hearing Lexus' murmurs, the blacksmith halted and spoke in surprise.

"Your highness knows how to handle magic steel? Ugh, even I can't do that perfectly."

He groaned as even though he was at the advanced level, it was still between at the level 2 or level 4 which was still far at the level of a master blacksmith.

"Yes....Just a little bit."

Seeing him being very subservient, Lexus decided to start already.

"Can I take my time doing this? You see, I wanna see how far I can do on my own." Hearing Lexus' voice, he nodded in agreement and took a step back, just like what he was told. His status was just that significant for him.

'Hey, Undefeated Master.'

In his mind, Lexus tried to communicate with the ego of Madra with the link they had with Great Sage.

「 What's with that cringe way of addressing me? 」

Madra replied with a tone of annoyance but Lexus ignored that and continued.

'Can you perhaps send Great Sage the details about one of the swords you had been using during your prime?'

「 Oho… 」

Hearing Lexus, Madra became intrigued as he understands what's his intention.

「 So you want to reproduce one of my partners...Interesting. 」

Madra knew that it wasn't that easy to accomplish so he also felt expectant about it.

「 Fine. Then entertain me about it. 」

After hearing his answer, Lexus simply smiled and said.

'I permit you to control my body. Move it as you please, Great Sage!'

« Received. Switching to automatic mode. »

Thus, Great Sage responded to Lexus' will. Starting the process, Lexus then placed the magic steel along with the other materials inside the burning furnace.

Hwaruruk!

A huge momentum rose from the excited smith. The temperature of the furnace rose rapidly.