Rogan then showed several weapon options that Krovane and Hugo could choose from for the path they would take in the future. He explained the strengths and weaknesses of each one, and how those choices would also shape their fighting styles.

  What made it even more impressive was that Rogan had a solid foundation with nearly every type of weapon. Even so, his main focus was fighting with a great sword, a blade that was much larger in size.

  This type of weapon had its own advantages, which he explained clearly. However, because of its size and heavier weight, its attack speed was naturally slower compared to simpler swords that were shorter and lighter.

  Rogan then shifted the wooden sword into his right hand. In the next instant, the blade suddenly burst into blazing flames, the fire dancing vividly right in front of them.

  Woah… Krovane and Hugo both looked stunned by the sight.

  “Will the sword burn because of that?” Hugo asked.

  Rogan smirked before answering. “This is Fire Element magic. I am using my own mana to control it, letting the sword carry fire element attacks while I wield it. As for whether it will burn, the answer is yes. But it is not the same as setting wood on fire in the usual way. The problem is that this is still just a wooden sword, and it cannot properly withstand the flow of elemental mana particles running through it.”

  He went on in a relaxed tone. “That said, some people who are skilled enough can even turn paper into a weapon. However, having a proper weapon is still clearly the best option, especially one that is well made and crafted by a skilled blacksmith.”

  Rogan then picked up a spear and demonstrated its use, then moved on to a bow, followed by a shield and a sword, carefully showing how each weapon was meant to be used.

  The day then continued with Krovane and Hugo starting their training in the basic techniques of each weapon. They tried them out directly, testing and feeling each one, trying to figure out which suited them best.

  In truth, choosing a weapon was usually influenced by several factors, most of which could already be seen from how someone awakened to mana.

  A person’s signature ability played a major role in deciding which weapon fit them best. On top of that, there was also elemental affinity, which they would only gain later when they broke through to the Apprentice stage.

  Hugo possessed a physical boost ability that gave him strength and speed far above normal. Because of that, he was far more suited to fighting with a heavy weapon like a great sword or a large hammer. These weapons allowed him to fully use his raw power, turning every swing into a devastating attack that could overwhelm opponents head on.

  Meanwhile, Krovane, with his relatively smaller body, had excellent speed but lacked raw strength. Because of this, he was better suited to lighter weapons such as a spear or dual daggers. These weapons matched his agility, allowing him to strike quickly, control distance, and rely on precision rather than brute force to defeat his enemies.

  Until then, the decision was left as homework for them to think about and figure out over the next few days.

  **

  That afternoon, Krovane walked along the outer edge of the area. He planned to feed the fish by the pond before continuing with his work at the blacksmith. Just as he was about to reach the pond, he suddenly slowed to a stop.

  He saw someone sitting on a bench near the fish pond. Flowers and wild grass grew freely around the area, giving it a quiet and gentle feeling.

  “Liora?” Krovane murmured softly.

  He walked closer, and the girl seemed to notice him. She turned her head in his direction.

  She paused for a moment, then raised her hand and gave a small wave. “Hi, Krovane…”

  As Krovane got closer, he noticed something else. Liora was sitting on the bench with her boots placed neatly beside her.

  “Hi, you are here alone?” he asked.

  “Yes. I am usually the one who feeds the fish. But since you are doing it now, I kind of miss it,” she said, letting out a light laugh.

  There was something else that caught Krovane’s attention. Liora was wearing long boots that reached up to her knees, and they looked stiff, almost like there was something solid inside them.

  “Oh, that, my boots,” she said.

  Krovane froze and quickly turned his eyes away. “No, sorry. I was not staring.”

  Liora went quiet for a second, then tilted her head. A moment later, she laughed again and covered her mouth with her right hand.

  “Did it surprise you?”

  “No, it is not that. I mean, Liora, I did not…” He stumbled over his words, clearly flustered.

  Seeing his reaction, Liora laughed even more.

  Krovane fell silent.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Liora gently tapped both of her legs against the bench. “My legs cannot be used properly. They have been like this since I was born.”

  Huh… This was the first time Krovane had ever heard about it.

  “I… I just heard about that,” he said quietly.

  Liora could not use her legs properly? Was that why she wore those boots? From what Krovane had seen before, she always walked normally. He had never realized how much the boots supported her, or how serious her condition truly was.

  “Do you want to stay and talk with me for a bit?” she asked with a soft smile. “I often chat with Emily and Hugo. I want to get to know you too.”

  “Uh… yes. No, I mean, yes,” Krovane replied awkwardly. “If you want to talk.”

  Liora smiled and patted the empty spot on her right. “Then how about you feed the fish and sit here with me?”

  Krovane nodded and walked closer. He took out a small wooden container hanging at his side, filled with dried fish feed prepared earlier. He crouched slightly by the pond, scooped a handful, and tossed it into the water.

  The food scattered across the surface, and ripples spread outward. Moments later, the fish rushed in, their bodies moving beneath the water as they gathered to eat.

  After throwing another handful, Krovane closed the container and finally sat down beside Liora, the quiet sounds of the pond filling the space between them.

  “How is your training going?” she asked next.

  “I…” Krovane answered hesitantly, keeping his eyes away from her. “Yes, Rogan is really impressive. He is strong, and he knows how to fight. The training is also very harsh. Hugo and I were told to run for a long time, and we had to practice combat as well. I did not expect it, but it was actually fun, even if it was only training fights.”

  He paused for a moment before continuing. “Still, I cannot really imagine what it will be like when people fight monsters for real. Training feels different, and monsters will not hold back. I think it will be frightening, but it is something we will have to face sooner or later.”

  At some point, Krovane realized that he had been talking for far too long, all in response to Liora’s simple question. He turned his head and saw her watching him closely, her expression calm and serious as she listened.

  A moment later, she let out a small giggle. “It sounds like you are really enjoying the training. You and Hugo are working very hard.”

  “Yes,” Krovane replied with a small nod. He then turned his gaze back toward the pond, watching the fish swim quietly beneath the surface.

  Should Krovane ask about her legs? Was that the right thing to do? Or should he avoid the topic and ask Emily instead? But asking Emily directly somehow felt even more impolite.

  In the end, Krovane gathered his courage. “Your legs, Liora…” he said softly.

  “Yes…”

  His eyes shifted to her legs, which honestly looked normal at first glance.

  “The boots seem to help you walk really well,” he said.

  Liora nodded. “Yes. The boots use mana to support my legs and give them strength from the outside. It is not perfect, and it is not as strong as normal human legs. But I have been using them since I was three years old.”

  “Three years old?” Krovane repeated.

  He paused, a sudden realization forming in his mind.

  “I awakened to mana from the moment I was born,” Liora continued calmly.

  No way… Liora was one of those extremely rare people who awakened to mana at birth? That usually meant awakening even before being born.

  “That is… incredible, Liora. You awakened since birth.”

  But then Krovane fell silent again, suddenly feeling like something about his words was wrong. Was that the reason she could not use her legs properly? Or was it something else?

  “Sorry, I mean… that kind of awakening is really rare. I just think it is amazing.”

  Liora only let out a soft laugh before continuing. “That is why I want to enter Elaris Academy. I want to learn more about how to use magic properly.”

  “You… I am sure you can do it,” Krovane said.

  “Yes. I really want to,” she replied with a gentle smile. “If only Emily, you, and Hugo could go too. That would be really nice.”

  What if Emily, Krovane, and Hugo could also enter Elaris Academy?

  Krovane fell silent after hearing Liora say that. He remembered Emily once telling him that it was not something they could easily do. Entering the academy required something significant in return, usually a major contribution or achievement.

  Even now, Krovane still did not truly know what he was supposed to do in this world. So far, he had only been following the plan the three of them had made together. Or more accurately, the plan Emily had made.

  He did not know what he personally wanted. Still, in any situation, a plan made by Emily felt better than having no plan at all.

  Should he work harder to complete their mission in this world? A mission that promised a reward, the possibility of returning to their original world.

  Yet the biggest question remained. Did Krovane even want to go back to that world? Would it really be better than staying here, trapped in a strange place, one where he had a place to live and people who accepted him?

  Would he truly be able to leave all of this behind?

  “Krovane?” Liora’s voice pulled him back to the present.

  “Sorry,” he said, giving her an awkward grin. “I need to go,” He hesitated for a moment. “Do you need help getting back home, or…?”

  “No, it is okay,” she replied gently. “I will stay here. Good luck, and do your best. You are working tonight, right?”

  “Yes. I work at the smithy and learn blacksmithing.”

  “I think that sounds really interesting,” Liora said with a warm smile. “Good luck with your work.”

  **

  Krovane left and hurried toward the smithy. It only took a few minutes before he pushed open the wooden door, and a wave of hot air slammed into his face, mixed with the sharp, heavy sound of hammers striking metal inside.

  As usual, he moved straight to his workstation and began preparing his tools. He set out the tongs, the hammer, and the piece of metal he would be refining that night.

  Soon, the steady rhythm of hammer strikes filled the space around him. Krovane’s grip felt firm and natural, and the longer he worked, the more it felt as though the hammer was becoming part of him.

  Then… a thought crossed his mind.

  His hammer froze in mid air as he stopped striking the glowing metal.

  He had been doing the same thing again and again. Night after night, he hammered without pause, refining metal and focusing only on this single task. He had not moved on to the other kinds of work that the rest of the blacksmiths in the smithy were already doing.

  And yet, there was one thing he clearly felt through all of it. He was getting better. Better at holding the hammer. Better at swinging it. Better at controlling every strike.

  A single question slowly formed in his mind.

  Could he… use this hammer… not just for forging, but also as a weapon in battle?