Ace finally came to a conclusion. He had decided to tell the truth to Doroth. He had to come clean eventually; it wasn't something he could hide all his life.
"Well, you see, old man… I'm awakened now. I awakened a few days ago and made quite a lot of progress. I met someone from the higher levels as well. That's how I got this thing on my wrist. To be honest, I still don't know if I should pursue the path of an awakened. It would come with a lot of advantages. I'll be strong, and I'll be able to do many things I've always wanted to do in my life… Though the price would be quite costly… So tell me, old man. What should I do?"
Doroth shook his head. He wasn't that surprised about Ace being awakened; he had suspected it from observing his behavior. What caught him off guard, however, was that the child standing in front of him had asked what he should do from a low-class blacksmith like him.
His face twisted with unspoken emotion. His hands trembled, though he managed to steady them. Doroth quickly masked his expression and turned toward the door, his steps suddenly feeble.
"Just follow your heart, kid. However, try to avoid any danger that comes your way. I believe that's the only path to survival."
After a couple of coughs, Doroth changed his tone to something friendlier.
"Anyways, since you've become awakened… it's only right that I give you a gift. So wait here for a minute."
Waving his hand, he entered his room. Rummaging through his belongings, he retrieved an ancient-looking box covered in dust. With a soft blow, he sent the dust flying and opened it. Ace stood silently, waiting. When Doroth finally stepped back in, Ace's eyes widened.
"This is my greatest piece of work. Treat it with care… I always wanted to give it to a worthy owner. I think you would suit that position."
Doroth had forged the sword after receiving news about his daughter. She was one of the few who managed to rise to the higher levels. However, after a year passed without word from her, Doroth lost contact completely.
His first thought was that something had happened to her. He poured all his anger and sadness into forging that sword—the very blade he had once wanted to make for his daughter.
After finishing it, though it had been difficult, Doroth finally managed to clear his head.
He came to the conclusion that maybe she was simply busy and hadn't had time to contact him.
Slowly, Doroth learned to live with the silence.
Ace didn't need to know that whole story.
With a faint smile, Doroth handed the shining sword to Ace. The blade looked as if it had just been forged and cooled in ice. The cold steel carried a powerful radiance. Ace's fingers traced along the handle, slowly grazing the surface. With his other hand, he lifted the scabbard and gently sheathed the blade, handling it as delicately as a flower.
"Are you really giving this to me? It seems like it costs a lot…"
Doroth didn't respond at first. He simply nodded before speaking again.
"Take care of it, kid. Use it well. It's my greatest treasure. I'm sure you will."
Holding back tears, Doroth turned away and waved his hand once more, dismissing Ace.
A soft whisper escaped Ace's lips.
"Thank you… for everything, old man."
**
Time flowed smoothly during this period. Ace trained with his newfound sword, growing accustomed to its weight and balance. However, his body wasn't in sync with his mind.
After straining himself through tireless training, he looked at the Atherband.
He scrolled through the ethereal hologram until he reached the section he wanted.
[Basic Combat Technique]
Ace clicked.
[Basic Combat Technique: The foundation of all martial techniques you will learn. Though created by the Emperor of Death himself, it remains the standard technique that anyone should know. It was made for beginners as a grace of Moert upon his people.]
Ace read through the description. He had read it countless times already.
After practicing the movements inscribed within the hologram and mixing in some of his own adjustments, Ace felt that he had finally mastered the base technique.
However, his heart felt empty. He didn't feel as if he had truly earned the satisfaction of learning it, especially knowing it had been created by the Emperor of Death himself.
The technique simply seemed too easy.
Ace frowned and shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He had mastered it. That was what mattered.
During these past days of training, he hadn't been empty-minded. He had been thinking ahead about what he should do next. Sometimes, the thought of leaving the blacksmith crossed his mind—venturing out until he became strong enough to enter the second floor.
Though it seemed too risky.
Another option was to remain and continue training until he grew strong enough to ascend safely.
Although it would take a lifetime through ordinary methods.
His mind drifted back to the first option, and suddenly he understood why he felt so empty even after mastering the technique.
He had never used it in real combat.
What he needed now was experience.
Experience gained through real battles.
He had grown exponentially stronger after fighting that tremendous beast. Learning through battle would be the fastest path forward.
Even so, was it truly worth it? Risking his life for something uncertain?
Maybe the first time had simply been a stroke of luck—that he had received such a boon from slaying the Stormcoil Eel.
Throwing his head back Ace scratched his hair.
"Damn it! Fine! I'm going with the first option!"
Without knowing, Ace had yelled—it was a really bad habit of his.
Doroth shook his head, thinking he was looking at an idiot from inside his blacksmith.
Ace assumed the pose he had taken earlier and then continued on with his training. Though his body was ready to give up.