[Ding!]
[Refining has been completed]
The notification rang in Ethan's head, perking him awake.
His eyes perked up as he sat there blinking in his chamber. For a brief moment, he couldn't believe the notification he had just heard.
Then his gaze darted to the glowing words in the holographic panel.
Still, he found it hard to believe those words.
'It's completed? Already?' The thought penetrated his skull as he sat there staring at the screen in disbelief. He had been preparing himself for years. He had expected it to take years to complete.
Years of trials and errors.
But it was completed within three months.
The speed at which this research was completed was astonishing, something beyond his expectations. For a while, Ethan couldn't bring himself to react.
However, as the words settled in him, a rush of exhilaration surged through him, and his face brightened with a red hue.
"Did I underestimate them?" He blurted out in surprise; his voice tinged with exhilaration.
Smiling, he proceeded to check on them.
**** ****
The scene shifted to the wolf-kin village.
In the heart of the village, a building stood from where thick plumes of smoke spiraled like dragons coiling in the sky.
Sparks lingered in the air, drifting lazily like fireflies after the storm.
Inside the building stood a hulking figure. Despite the leather apron he wore, one could see his well-defined chest.
His arms were corded with muscle and marred by burns and calluses. Above his left brow ran a streak of ash, smeared unconsciously as he wiped away his sweat with the back of his hand.
In his grasp lay a dagger darker than the void.
The blade shimmered darkly, like a shard cut from the night itself.
Veins of violet light pulsed faintly along its length, as though lightning had been trapped within the metal. Its edge gleamed with a cold, merciless luster, and the hilt was wrapped in black leather bound with silver rings, giving it a predatory elegance.
Whenever the blade tilted, shadows seemed to ripple along its surface, swallowing light before spitting it back in a deadly gleam.
Kael, who stood at the center of the onlookers, felt his breath catch. His golden eyes reflected the weapon as if it were some divine relic.
But far from being a divine relic, it omitted an ominous gleam that seemed to swallow the hope itself.
"This… this is incredible," he murmured, unable to hide his awe. "To think you managed to refine Netherveil Ore into… this."
His voice carried a mixture of respect and disbelief.
Having participated in the refining, he knew how unforgiving this ore was. He had seen multiple failed attempts, frustration making their heads ache.
This ore was as stubborn as a wild beast, refusing to be tamed.
Yet now, before his eyes, this stubborn ore had been tamed.
He couldn't believe how Dorian had tamed this stubborn ore.
How did he manage to do it?
Kael couldn't bring himself to imagine.
Dorian's chest swelled with pride, teeth flashing with a grin. He was satisfied with the reaction of the onlookers. Well, he had managed to do something outrageous, something previously deemed impossible.
Hence, it was only natural for him to take pride in it.
Still, seeing their astonished expression fueled his pride further.
"I'll admit… I didn't plan it," he rumbled, his voice deep, gravelly. "The ore wouldn't yield, no matter how I hammered it. But then, by accident, I quenched it in oil mixed with ash from the Spiritwood."
"Oil and Spiritwood!" Kael's brows raised as he raised his concern.
The combination of oil and Spiritwood would result in an uncontrollable flame. This flame was so dangerous that no vessel could sustain it.
Plus, the flame would run rampant, which could put the lives of those near it in danger.
Moreover, this flame was difficult to put out.
Hence, most of the craftsmen avoided burning these two elements together.
Well aware of the consequences of this deadly combination, Kael couldn't help but raise a question. This act would have put their entire village in danger had the fire run out of control.
Upon being faced with Kael's concern, Dorian couldn't help but apologize. He was aware of the consequences. But it was just an accident. He didn't mean to create this fire.
"I'm sorry, Kael. I know I'm in the wrong here. I know how dangerous it would have been. But it was just an accident. Just like you, I was worried sick when I accidentally dropped Spiritwood."
Dorian's expression became apologetic, the pride from before nowhere to be seen.
"Just as you feared, the flames roared and turned strange as if they were alive. I panicked upon seeing it and tried to extinguish the flame. But I noticed something different... the heat was getting sucked."
Dorian raised the ore and spoke with great enthusiasm, "This ore can swallow the chaos flame. I mean… it can only be refined in chaos flame. Normal flame can't tame this ore…"
Dorian's eyes gleamed with enthusiasm as he held the ore like a prized possession.
Kael couldn't bring himself to speak. He could witness the spark of enthusiasm in Dorian's pupils. He could tell; he didn't mean harm to the village.
Likely, he was just excited to refine this untamable ore.
Dorian lifted the dagger reverently, the glow of the forge fire crawling along its edge.
"When I started hitting it, the metal began to sing with the hammer. It felt as if the ore itself wanted to take this shape. I didn't even mean to craft a dagger. I was just attempting to flatten it… But before I could even realize, it was born…"
Kael and the others present narrowed their eyes in marvel.
It felt like Dorian was telling a lore rather than explaining the refining process.
The way he mentioned the dagger made it seem that it was not a thing but a being.
Kael stepped a bit, "The ore guided you?"
Dorian nodded firmly, pride and a touch of reverence glinting in his eyes. "Aye. I've forged many blades, but this one… this one felt like it chose me."