Chapter 11 Akash {Legendary Genius}

The moment Sara was way Alan's eyes were deep gray and they stared down at Akash who flinched but didn't push back at all as he showed respect toward his uncle. Alan was Maverick best friend and they have been best friends for the past two hundred and nineteen years so of course when Maverick asked for his help just couldn't say no but he has other way to turn his best friend down.

 The hall was littered with all sorts of metal components Akash could barely recognize. Most of these were likely components for soul machines, though.

Alan didn't pause as he walked deeper into the workshop, causing Akash to hasten his steps.

The shop wasn't large nor small. After passing through the halls, Alan brought Akash to one of the inner rooms.

Inside of the room was a workbench, which was just barely taller than Akash.

Alan stopped here, turning around to face Akash.

"Do you know what forging is?"

At a loss, Akash shook his head.

Alan indifferently.

"Actually, I didn't want to accept you in the beginning. You're too young, completely unsuited for forging. However, your dad was determined to have me give you a chance. If I don't find you acceptable, then you'll have to leave. When that happens, don't stay here and weep endlessly, understand?"

"I won't cry, Uncle Alan," Akash defiantly answered.

"This is your task for today," Alan said as he pointed to the side.

Off to the side was a half meter tall metal table. On top of the table was a round lump of metal and below it was a soul machine screen.

Alan walked over and picked up a hammer.

"You see that lump of metal? Use this hammer to strike it a thousand times. The screen will display the number of hits with sufficient strength. It'll require all your strength to swing it down. If you're able to complete this task, I'll tell you what forging is. If you're unable to finish, then you don't have to come here tomorrow."

After speaking, he placed the two hammers in Akash's hands before turning around and walking away.

The metal hammer's handle was about a third of a meter with a cylindrical head that was half a foot long and ten centimeters in diameter. They weighed about five kilograms each. For a six year old child, this wasn't light at all, let alone the fact that he had to swing it a thousand times.

Akash had looked at the hammer with a bitter expression, but when he took the hammer from Alan, he was amazed to discover they weren't so heavy, after all.

Is it hollow? Uncle Alan looks very fierce on the outside, but he's actually so kind.

Akash smiled to convey his understanding and swung the hammer in his right hand down on the lump of metal.

Bang! The metal boomed and he jumped in surprise. The soul screen below it activated, displaying the number '1.'

He raised the hammer in his left hand and smashed it down with a bang!

2.

This isn't so hard! He thought this will be a hard task but it's quiet simple and easy!

"Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!" The numbers on the screen increased unceasingly in tune with the continuous thumping. Neither hammer wavered at all, as Akash didn't feel they were too much of a burden. The pair of hammers constantly beat down the the lump of metal, and in return, the number on the screen persisted in its ascension.

After hammering it for the hundredth time, Akash was already beginning to sweat. At three hundred, his arms began to feel sore.

I must persevere. Dad said so. I must persevere!

Akash continued to swing the pair of hammers, enduring the soreness.

At five hundred, the soreness turned into aching, but he continued on just as before and persisted with all his power, refusing to stop.

As the aching in his muscles intensified, Akash's arms shifted to a faint red, but he just clenched his teeth, pushing past the pain.

His shirt was covered in sweat he he took off his jacket and he let out a sigh as he grabbed some water.

No he can't give up no matter what! He must keep on living work hard and always protect his family. Akash clenched his teeth while his hands were sore but his mind wasn't weak at all. 

At the seven hundred mark, he couldn't even feel his arms when he raised them and his hammering speed was much slower.L𝒂aTest nov𝒆ls on (n)𝒐velbi/𝒏(.)co𝒎

Just like before, he clenched his teeth and persevered. His sweat had practically turned into broth, making his school uniform to stick to his body. His sweat dripped like a waterfall, and Tang Wulin felt his spine go numb. His whole body shuddered as if he were electrically shocked. His original aching eased up, and the hammer felt a bit lighter.

"Bang, bang, bang!" He proceeded to strike the last three hundred times with even more ease than the start.

"One thousand!" It was only after reaching the objective Alan had set for him that Akash lowered his hammers. As he gasped for breath, Akash could feel an unspeakable aching from his palms and his arms had swollen so much that they were beyond recognition. Apart from this, he felt unexpectedly invigorated. The numbness in his spine spread to his seven vertebrae and back down his spine in cycles, leaving him speechless.

What he didn't notice was a golden veined pattern accompanying the numbness he felt in his spine.

It was only after five minutes that he was able to catch his breath. 

He touched his hair which became messy and his eyes became quite gentle he sat down on the ground that was cold and he grabbed his water bottle and finished all the water. After he was done calming down he stood up and patted his hands on his legs.

"Uncle Alan, I'm done," Akash said while he stared at Alan who was laying on the couch listening to some kind of music.

Alan blankly stared at him. He glanced at his wristwatch and discovered that it had only been half an hour since he left Akash to his task. The small wristwatch holograph screen disappeared after Alan tapped it.

"You're done hammering it?"

"Yes!" Akash nodded.

Alan didn't question him again after seeing his sweaty appearance. He would rather let the facts speak for themselves. After standing up, he brought Akash back to the previous room.

'1000.' The number was displayed on the screen. Alan had set up the screen himself; naturally, it was impossible for a six year old child to cheat. But the result was still unbelievable.

The two metal hammers couldn't be considered heavy for him, of course, but neither were they hollow. Each hammer was truly 5 kilograms in weight, and even an adult male's arms would be too numb and limp to raise after a thousand swings. Furthermore, it would be very difficult for them to finish in only half an hour, much less a six year old child.

The test Alan had given him was just a way to tactfully decline him. His relationship with Maverick was pretty good, so he couldn't directly refuse. After all, he didn't want to instruct a six year old child who he deemed unsuitable for forging.

But before his eyes…

"Hammer it a few more times for me. Don't stop unless I tell you to." Alan said heavily.

Akash nodded his head not doubting his uncle at all he picked up the two small hammers and he raised his hand and started to hit the metal square.

"Bang, bang, bang…" Each strike was done without any technique, or even leverage. He was relying purely on strength to hammer the metal lump!

After only a few times, Alan was able to ascertain with his own eyes, based on his past experience, that this child's strength was sufficient to completely pound the metal lump.

Was this a legendary genius?