-----------------------
A/N: If you can, please support me on Patreon.
Link: www.Patreon.com/Gottle
(No spaces btw)
Can read up to 40 chapters ahead.
Link to my channel: https://youtu.be/4doBFlJkXNo
Channel name: Gottle
Check out my channel too, guys... would really appreciate it.
----------
Velzard's aura spiked, the air turning frigid as frost spread across the grass. Guy's crimson energy flared in response, the ground beneath him cracking from the sheer force of his presence.
Neither spoke another word.
In the blink of an eye, both moved—Guy with a fiery surge of power, Velzard with icy grace. Their fists collided midair, a single impact that sent shockwaves rippling across the land.
The sky above split with a thunderous roar, clouds scattering as if unable to withstand the force. Snow and flame burst outward in equal measure, swallowing the plains in a maelstrom of opposing powers.
For a moment, the world itself seemed to hold its breath—caught between the freezing will of the White Ice Dragon and the blazing arrogance of the Crimson Primordial.
And neither side gave an inch.
Now we shift back to Velsun.
Inside the underground forge he had ordered to be built, the air was hot and heavy with mana, the stone walls glowing faintly from the furnace flames. Sitting around with him were Zalario, Karlos, Reinhart, and his little brother Veldora. It felt almost like a boys' hangout—no girls allowed. Not even Ramiris. Sorry, Ramiris, Velsun chuckled inwardly with a smile.
"Velsun-sama, may I ask why exactly we are here?" Karlos asked with a curious tilt of his head.
"This underground forge, Velsun… are you planning to craft something?" Zalario asked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.
"Aniki, it's so boring here! Please tell me you're going to do something interesting," Veldora groaned with his hands folded behind his head.
"Calm down, guys," Velsun said, standing before the blazing forge. "I called you all here because I'm going to do something interesting. And yes, Zalario, I'm going to forge something."
Reinhart stepped forward, frowning slightly. "But Lord Velsun, you could have simply ordered us to find the best blacksmith in the kingdom, or even from other nations, if you desired."
Velsun shook his head with a smile. "What I'm about to create is not possible for a mere blacksmith."
This got everyone perked up.
"And what is it, Lord Velsun?" Karlos asked, already excited, eyes shining with anticipation.
"Well," Velsun began, "let's start with the basics. As you all know, equipment has grades, just like everything else has some level of classification."
He raised a finger. "First, there's Normal Grade. Anyone can make this, given some ordinary metal. Then comes Special Grade, which requires cheaper or normal magicule ores."
He raised another finger. "Next is Rare Grade… which, as its name suggests, is rare."
Karlos looked at Velsun as though a god were bestowing knowledge to mortals, admiration clear in his expression.
Meanwhile, Veldora stared at Velsun's fingers, muttering under his breath: "Normal… rare… special…" His brows furrowed, clearly struggling to keep up.
Zalario and Reinhart, however, both looked at him deadpan. Their expression practically said, "Seriously?" Rare, because its name says "rare"? That's your explanation?
Unbothered, Velsun continued, raising another finger. "Then there's Unique Grade. As you saw, Reinhart's sword was once a Unique Grade before becoming a Legendary Grade weapon after his awakening as a True Hero."
They all nodded.
"After that is Legendary Grade, which Reinhart's sword evolved into once he acquired the Hero Egg—but before his awakening."
Another round of nods.
"And lastly, the pinnacle of all grades—the God Grade Weapon. That's what Reinhart now possesses. A weapon capable of harming even True Dragons like me and Veldora. And, Reinhart…" Velsun pointed at him with a grin. "Don't even think of striking me with it, okay?"
"I wouldn't even dream of it, my lord," Reinhart said with firm resolve.
"I know you wouldn't." Velsun gave him a smile and a thumbs-up.
Then, with a sly grin, he asked, "But what if I told you… there exists a grade even above God Grade?"
"What?!" All of them—except Zalario—looked stunned.
"Yes, you heard correctly. There is a grade even above God Grade." Velsun's smile widened.
"It's called Genesis Grade. And it's so rare that only seven pieces of equipment exist—seven swords, forged by none other than my elder brother, Veldanava."
The revelation made the group fall into silence, each of them taking a moment to process it. Zalario, however, simply crossed his arms, looking unimpressed.
"What's the point, Velsun? As you said, only seven of them exist. And other than Veldanava-sama, no one can create them."
"Are you sure it's only Elder Brother who can create them, Zalario?" Velsun asked, his smile deepening.
"Of course. Who else could poss—" Zalario stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening slowly in realization. "Wait. Don't tell me…"
Velsun tilted his head innocently. "Don't tell you what?"
"You're… thinking of creating a Genesis Grade weapon yourself."
"Bingo, Zalario." Velsun grinned, eyes flashing with a dangerous glint.
Zalario's expression was serious as his arms crossed over his chest. "Wait… how do you plan to create a Genesis-grade weapon, Velsun? I know you're probably the most talented being I've ever known, perhaps in existence itself—but even then, I can't understand it."
Velsun only gave a playful tch tch in response, wagging his finger with a small smirk. "Zalario, didn't you once say that I have the potential to surpass Elder Brother when we first met? So, I want you to bring that confidence back."
Zalario let out a slow sigh, his brows furrowing. "Still… can you at least tell me how you plan to create Genesis-grade equipment? As you yourself said, only seven exist. Only seven in all of creation."
"Well, you see…" Velsun leaned back slightly, his tone shifting as if recalling something distant. "During the wedding, Elder Brother offered me to ask for anything."
He turned his head toward the others, his sun-gold eyes flashing briefly. "I think Veldora remembers it, right?"
"Yeah, aniki, I remember," Veldora answered instantly, scratching the back of his head with a carefree grin.
"So I asked him," Velsun continued, "the method to create Genesis-grade equipment."
The camp fell silent. Zalario's eyes didn't waver from him, searching for the truth behind his calm words.
"And do you know the main secret of it?" Velsun raised a hand, sunlight gathering faintly at his fingertips. "The seven weapons were made from Elder Brother's essence itself. His own existence poured into their creation. Which means…"
His hand slowly closed into a fist, the glow intensifying. "If I want to create Genesis-grade weapons… then I must forge them with my own essence."
The firelight of his aura shimmered like a rising sun, casting long shadows.
"The Sun's essence.
The moment the words left Velsun's mouth, the air itself seemed to tighten. His calm declaration carried a weight heavier than mountains, pressing down on the others.
Reinhart and Karlos stiffened almost in unison. Their eyes widened, disbelief flickering across their usually composed faces.
"Velsun-sama…" Reinhart muttered, his voice low with concern. "To use your own essence… that's not something even you should attempt lightly."
Karlos clenched his fist, his sharp gaze narrowing. "If you push too far, you could lose more than just strength. You're talking about offering pieces of yourself—your very existence—as material."
Veldora, usually the most carefree among them, looked strangely unsettled. He stepped closer, crossing his arms in a rare show of seriousness. "Aniki, are you really planning to do that? Genesis-grade weapons… they're crazy strong, yeah, but even I wouldn't gamble myself for it though; there has to be a catch."
Zalario didn't speak right away. His eyes lingered on Velsun, sharp yet conflicted. Finally, he let out a slow breath. "…You really are insane. But then again, I should have expected nothing less from you."
Velsun only smiled faintly, sunlight still dancing at his fingertips like liquid gold. "Insane? Maybe. But tell me, Zalario—wasn't it you who once said potential means nothing unless one has the courage to act on it?"
That shut Zalario up. He clicked his tongue but didn't deny it.
The silence that followed was heavy, yet electric—everyone knew Velsun wasn't boasting. He would attempt it.