Chapter 33 extra weapon extra hand?
"Well what are ya looking for, there should be something left for you" Mr Smith grumbled as he opened some cabinets.
"Do you have anything more heat resistant?" Rohan asked him as he looked around the storage. There were many things laying around, from kunai to flails and hayforks. Rohan couldn't use a lot of weapons with his skill, if he let go of the handle it would cool down too quick. Or if it was made of wood it would burn in a second.
Mr. Smith opened the doors of the workbench and pulled out some swords and similar shaped items.
"This is an obsidian sword, heat resistant and perfect for cutting… but breaks if you hit armor… more of a designer item than useful." He put it back just as quickly as he took it out. The obsidian sword was dark purple, almost black in color, but as he said it would be to brittle.
Mr. Smith introduced a couple of swords to Rohan, he didn't have much more remaining.
"This is a lapis lazuli sword, again more for decorative functions just like this wooden sword. Not durable enough at all." He threw a couple of swords back under the workbench as he left 4 on the table.
"This zweihander is more than durable enough but too heavy for you. This wakizashi is a good item, but on the shorter side. Then I have this normal sword with a wooden hilt and handle, not the best choice to resist heat. Lastly this Kopesh from copper with silver details, not the most durable as well. You can try 'm all if ya want" Mr. Smith talked him quickly through the swords.
"I can test them with my skill?"
"Do as you like, no one has a need for these after you"
Rohan nodded and picked up the swords one after another and activated his skill for a brief moment.
'The zweihander is too heavy and long, the wakizashi is even shorter than the shortsword I have. The partly wooden sword is long enough but it starts smoking when I activate Fire Infusion, but it doesn't burst into flames. The kopesh is perfect for my skill, but copper is way too soft.' Rohan went over the options and took a quick conclusion.
"Mr. Smith… I will take two, both the wakizashi and the half wooden sword." Rohan hoped he wouldn't mind as the chance was small anyone else would use them.
"Bwabwabwa, for my part you could have taken all of them, go ahead they are yours"
"What do you want for them in return then?"
"Nothing bwabwa… none of this is mine I'm just an old dude giving a helping hand when he can. I'm not much use out there tomorrow so good luck." Mr. Smith gave both swords to Rohan as they talked on the way to the exit.
Mr. Smith took care of the smithery and was cleaning it all out from top to bottom, giving whatever useful he found to anyone that wanted. He was one of the few in the backline who would focus purely on support.
Rohan left satisfied as he shook Mr. Smiths hand one more time. It felt weird getting something for free, but in the end he would need to pay by putting his life on the line tomorrow. Just like dozens of other people in the castle. There were close to 150 people in the castle and most of them would join in, only a few would stay back and help with supplies.
Walking along the edge of the castle, Rohan had moved up to the outer wall. Looking over the city the lights would soon turn on again as the sun was setting early again. It would be a quiet night. The city center looked the same as always, no difference without any people as if it had always been this way.
Rohan passed a couple of guards on the wall who greeted him. He didn't recognize any of them as he reached the end of the castle wall. He walked down as the city lights turned on, brightening the sky and making the stars disappear. It had been ages since he had seen a starry night.
Spending a couple hours practicing with his skill he tried to keep himself busy and get tired. He was too nervous and calm too sleep. The rest of the team had the same problem, except Ragnar who was snoring loudly.
Rohan felt that he got more comfortable with Fire infusion, but there was some barrier that held him from using it more fluently. He could activate it quickly and stop it just as fast, but he couldn't get full control on where to activate it, and how much.
It felt as if it wasn't his mastery over the skill, but that his body couldn't handle it. His body or maybe just the mana was lacking. The only way to fix the issue was to get past level 25.
The following morning echoing bell sounds woke him up coming from the central tower. It was the signal to get up and leave the castle. Rohan couldn't even call it a home, but he still felt sad to leave.
"Rise and shine sleepyheads" Ragnar opened the windows and allowed the morning light to brighten the room a bit. Rohan had to close his eyes for a minute.
"The only sleepyhead here is you, falling asleep before 9 is old people stuff." Britta barked back, being grumpy in the morning.
"You both sound like an old married couple" Rohan chimed in. He got 2 pillows thrown to his head and had to lay back down. Which he didn't mind.
"You do know these pillows will need to be used again…" He smirked, the heavy feeling of yesterday evening had disappeared in front of the morning sun.
"You can wash the both of them, I don't think this old couple is capable enough." Ragnar laughed at his own joke as he got an angry look from Britta, but she didn't say anything.
'Could it be they actually like each other??' Rohan wondered for a second before shaking it out of his head. He didn't want to go into a downwards spiral this early on the day. It would be a long day as the sun had yet to fully set.