Blacksmith Welf

Now that two of them were in a close room without any people, Alex decided to get this over with without showing any pleasantries.

"Welf."

Welf gulped as he heard him. Looking at the eyes of Alex that has vertical pupils, Welf felt threatened but awe and respect at the same time.

Suddenly, a book magically appeared into Alex's hands out of nowhere but Welf somewhat knew that his master took the book from his inventory.

"Here, catch this."

Throwing the book that was radiating with golden light, Welf caught it in a rush and was shocked when he the item description appeared in his eyes.

"Try opening it."

Alex slowly spoke with a smile and Welf followed even though he was inwardly surprised of what has been happening since he had met with Alex.

The moment he opened the first page, his expression had morphed many times. Prevalent among his visage was shock, pure and utter disbelief. Just like what happened to Alex earlier, information about who Pagma was flowed into Welf's mind.

However unlike Alex who only attempted to open the book, Welf had fully opened it resulting with some changes that Alex eagerly watched.

[Development ability Blacksmith has been changed and have become Pagma's Successor.]

[Your level has dropped.]

[You are now level 1.]

[All stats have been reset.]

Welf couldn't believe his eyes. Weren't he supposed to get stronger by strengthening your existing level, stats, and skills? Even though he had read it, he had no time to process the description of the book therefore, he couldn't really welcome why his hard earned level and stats were reset instead of maintained.

"What is this?"

While he was confused by the unknown situation, new notification windows emerged.

[Blacksmith's Craftsmanship skill has been created.]

[Blacksmith's Craftsmanship skill has been mastered.]

[Blacksmith's Appraisal skill has been created.]

[Blacksmith's Appraisal skill has been mastered.]

[Blacksmith's Patience has been created.]

[Blacksmith's Patience has been mastered.]

[Blacksmith's Disassembly skill has been created.]

[Blacksmith's Disassembly skill has been mastered.]

[Blacksmith's Repair skill has been created.]

[Blacksmith's Repair skill has been mastered.]

[All blacksmith skills have been mastered to the level of the Pinnacle, and the skills of the legendary blacksmith have been opened.]

[The Legendary Blacksmith's Craftsmanship skill has been created.]

[The Legendary Blacksmith's Discernment skill has been created.]

[The Legendary Blacksmith's Appraisal skill has been created.]

[The Legendary Blacksmith's Patience skill has been created.]

[The Legendary Blacksmith's Repair skill has been created.]

[The Legendary Blacksmith's Disassembly skill has been created.]

[The Legendary Blacksmith's Breath skill has been created.]

[The Legendary Blacksmith's Blessing skill has been created.]

[The Legendary Blacksmith's Creation skill has been created.]

Dazedly staring at the notifications, Alex let Welf process in his mind on what's happening. After a while...

Welf sighed now that he was a level one again. The levels that he barely built up over the past year had been completely reset, and he now needed to start over...? He had to restart the damn level-up grind from the beginning?!

However remembering the heights that Pagma had reached based on the information earlier, Welf went into his knees and stared at Alex with reverence and awe that came from the depths of his soul. He banged his head in the ground as he kowtowed to Alex.

"Master, I think you for this gift you have given me. Rest assured, no matter what happens, I will make sure your will is done to perfection."

Looking down at Welf, Alex calmly spoke.

"Well about that...you can stop calling me Master."

"That...I cannot."

"Well nevermind. Why not try opening your status window?"

Following Alex's suggestions, Welf spoke.

"S-S-Status window." His voice was shaking, but he tried not to let it affect him. He concentrated on the status window in front of him.

[Status]

Name: Welf Crozzo

Race: Human

Level: 1

Abilities:

Strength: I- 0

Endurance: I- 0

Dexterity: I- 0

Agility: I- 0

Magic: I- 0

Pagma's Successor: S

Skills: Crozzo Blood Lv.Max (B), Veritas Burn Lv.Max (D), Legendary Blacksmith's Craftsmanship Lv.1 (S), Legendary Blacksmith's Discernment Lv.1 (S), Legendary Blacksmith's Appraisal Lv.1 (S), Legendary Blacksmith's Patience Lv.1 (S), Legendary Blacksmith's Repair Lv.1 (S), Legendary Blacksmith's Disassembly Lv.1 (S), Legendary Blacksmith's Breath Lv.1 (S), Legendary Blacksmith's Blessing Lv.1 (S), Legendary Blacksmith's Creation Lv.1 (S)

Magic: Will-o-Wisp Lv.Max (D)

[Pagma's Successor]

* The probability of adding additional options when making items will increase.

* The probability of item enhancement will increase.

* All equipment items can be worn unconditionally. However, there is a penalty depending on the rating of the item.

(#A/N: Some of you guys might be wondering why I made Welf become Pagma's Successor instead of Alex, it's because of a simple reason. It might not be enough to convince you but I hope it's still acceptable.

Watching from the Canon and reading until the lastest arc from the light novel, I just felt a pity for Welf who was left behind by Bell in terms of growth. In the scene where the Hestia Familia was ambushed by Freya Familia, I just pitied the level 2 Welf who absolutely stood no chance facing a level 5 and a level 6.

Well its not just Welf but the other characters from Hestia Familia too but that was a matter for the future. So yeah, the thing is simple, I will write and design Welf in this FANFIC as a stronger character than the canon to become a strong character and will be representing what being an overgeared is.)

"As great as I expected."

Alex muttered but he was still surprised that he could see the status of Welf or any of the notification windows in front of him.

Alex then ordered Welf to grab his greatsword in the back out of curiosity. It was a large single-edge sword with a broad blade created and used by Welf.

[Due to your class characteristics, you have equipped Greatsword.]

[A penalty is applied because the item conditions are not met.]

[Attack power of Greatsword will decrease by 30%. Only half of the option effects will be applied.]

[The penalties will be reduced if your understanding of Greatsword increases.]

As his stats was reset to the point it was comparable to normal civilians, Welf's current stats didn't meet the conditions to use the Greatsword that civilians that haven't received their Falna wouldn't be able to lift.

Due to his excitement, Welf belatedly noticed the bit about 'understanding' that appeared in the notification windows. Then he checked the detailed information.

[Item Understanding]

[Pagma's Successor can understand the materials and principles of the item by using, disassembling, or repairing the equipment items. The higher the level of understanding, the more efficiently one can handle the items. If you have a 100% understanding, you can learn how to make that item.]

"Ohu~"

The higher his level of understanding, the fewer penalties there would be.

"Then I'll get the production method? Wow..."

Ordinary production smiths had to pay a large amount of money to get production methods. Yet Welf could now get it for free, as long as he increased his understanding. Also he had a large amount of experience in smithing which made him benefitted greatly with the new changes.

"Why not try to open the Blacksmith Craftsmanship skill?"

Alex pointed out with curiosity. Welf obediently followed and opened the skills window and confirmed the 'Blacksmith Craftsmanship Skill.'

[Blacksmith Craftsmanship Skill]

[Lv: Master

Produce equipment items that you know how to make.

There is a certain probability of creating rare rated items.

There is a low probability of creating epic rated items.

There is a rare probability of creating hero rated items.

* Due to the effect of mastering the skill, the attributes of all items are increased by 10%.

* When rare rated items are produced, all stats will permanently rise by +2.

* When epic rated items are produced, all stats will permanently rise by +4.

* When hero rated items are produced, all stats will permanently rise by +12.]

"This is absurd..."

Welf was surprise that in every item he created, his stats will rise. Also it said that his smithing ability had now reached the master level.

Normally, a master smith was rare and could only be counted in hands. One of them was Tsubaki Collbrande, the captain of the Hephaestus Familia. However, Welf had basically 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.'

Welf then confirmed the other '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 hero 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.

* When epic rated items are produced, all stats will permanently rise by +4.

* When hero rated items are produced, all stats will permanently rise by +12.

* When legendary rated items are produced, all stats will permanently rise by +25.

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

"Wow..."

The 'Legendary Blacksmith's Craftsmanship Skill' was only level one. Nevertheless, it was far superior to the mastered 'Blacksmith Craftsmanship Skill'. Welf couldn't help admiring it.

Also unlike before, every time Welf could create an item, his basic abilities will increase depending on the rating of the item he created. Knowing about this, the sadness of his level and stats being restarted faded.

Furthermore, if he could only create items at fast speed, he could also obtain stats more faster compared to his previous self. As he was aware of how hard it was to normally increase the stats, Welf was very excited.

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.]