Please combine… Blend together…
I stirred carefully, but when I checked with Appraisal, I could see the bond wasn’t very strong yet.
Guardinium
Classification: Alloy, Material
Quality: Low
Status: An alloy imbued with every form of protective power. The strength of its protection does not change depending on the quantity used. The bonding is weak, so it likely won’t reach its full potential.
Feeling: I want to be held more tightly!
Uh, am I really playing matchmaker for inanimate objects here?
Wait a minute… It wants to be held tighter, right? Maybe if I imagined that feeling, it would work?
Hold tightly… Be embraced…
Since I was only a child and romance was the farthest thing from my mind, I pictured a familial hug instead, remembering how it felt when my father held me close. I continued to stir gently as I held that image in mind.
Suddenly, a bright light began to flow from the bottom of the cauldron.
“Wonderful! You understood the item’s feeling perfectly on the first try!” Ana cheered, patting me on the back again. It looked like we’d succeeded.
I set the ingot mold Ana provided beneath the spout at the bottom of the cauldron and opened it. A shimmering liquid metal, a shade lighter than regular silver, poured into the mold.
“Now we need to let it slowly cool,” Ana said, nodding with satisfaction. She seemed to be able to judge its quality by instinct, even without Appraisal, due to her many years of experience.
Guardinium
Classification: Alloy, Material
Quality: Supreme
Status: A fully bonded alloy imbued with every form of protective power and enhanced resistance to corrosion. The strength of its protection does not change depending on the quantity used.
Feeling: I’ll never let go of you again! ♡
Seriously, though. Is alloy-making always going to be this romantic?!
I was happy I’d succeeded making my first alloy, but honestly, witnessing something so apparently intimate left me with mixed feelings.
A few days later…
“All right,” Ana said. “Now let’s take this over to the Blacksmith, shall we?”
The guardinium was now completely cooled and set. Ana showed up at my workshop right on time, like she had been eagerly awaiting this moment.
“Is the Blacksmith the girl you’ve been talking about?” I asked.
“That’s right!” Ana replied. “She’s the granddaughter of a dwarven Blacksmith I know. She’s young, but she does excellent work!” She seemed beside herself with excitement.
“Miina, Marcus! I’m borrowing Daisy for a while!” Ana called to the others.
Okay, I guess we’re really going right now! Not that I mind, of course.
“All right! Have a good time!” The two of them waved us goodbye, and with the guardinium in hand, we set off together toward the Blacksmith district with Leaf trotting alongside me, as usual.
This was my first time going to the Blacksmith district, and it was busier than I expected. The sound of hammers striking metal echoed everywhere. The combination of men shouting and joking with the clamor seemed to create a kind of music. It looked like around half of the people here were human and the other half were dwarves.
Dwarves were a race known for their skills in forging and combat; generally, they were short and stout. Because of their typical trade, they often worshipped the gods of smithing, fire, and earth. Many of the world’s legendary swords and finest treasures and jewelry were made by dwarves.
Ana stopped in front of a workshop at the edge of the district’s center and knocked. “Is Dragh or Lynn here?” she called through the door.
It swung open a few moments later, and a girl of about my height stepped out. She had bright red hair tied back into a high ponytail, and her eyes were the color of deep red garnets. She wasn’t burly the way dwarves were known to be, but maybe that was because she was a girl. Even though we were the same height, she had quite a fuller figure than me. I hadn’t started growing in those places at all.
“Oh, it’s you, Ana!” the girl said. “Grandpa’s out right now. Did you need something?”
“I’ve got a fine material to show you,” Ana said proudly. “This girl here is Daisy, an Alchemist. She does very good work, and I thought it was about time I introduced you two.”
She gently pushed me forward so that I stood right in front of the girl.
“Hello, I’m Daisy, an Alchemist,” I said. “Recently, I’ve been learning how to make alloys from Ana.” I made sure to bow properly while I introduced myself, as this was our first meeting.
“I’m Lynn, a dwarven Blacksmith,” she replied. “This might be surprising since we’re the same height, but I’m actually eighteen! I can work with anything from ornate accessories to swords and armor. Just let me know if you ever want anything made!” Lynn gave me a bright smile and held out her hand, so I reached out to shake it. She had a surprisingly strong grip as she pumped her arm enthusiastically; she seemed a cheerful and easygoing type of person, like an older sister.
“The material is a bit special. Mind if we come in?” Ana asked, but she strode right into the workshop without waiting for an answer. I hurried after her.
Once all of us had stepped inside and the door closed behind us, something strange happened. Lynn’s whole body began to glow with a golden light, and mine shimmered with bright green.