Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Really…” Garza seemed to be in his forties. With his tanned skin, he looked like a copper tower, overwhelming others with just his presence. Lin Li felt especially suffocated, for he could clearly feel a strong Combat Energy emitting from the middle-aged blacksmith, whose presence felt as stifling as a wall. Lin Li knew that he was definitely a true high-ranking warrior, and Macklin might only best him by a hair’s breadth capability-wise…
The Breezy Plains was indeed far more exciting than Jarrosus…
“It seems you don’t wish to say it…” The middle-aged blacksmith held the rainbow adamantine machete in his hand, and casually flourished it in the air before saying, “That’s alright, I’m not interested in this machete, anyway. Honestly, I wouldn’t have interfered if you hadn’t doubted me earlier, but now it seems I have no choice but to do so…”
“M-Master Garza, I-I… that’s not what I meant…” How could Kaman not understand what he meant? Garza was the most authoritative blacksmith in Doland, so how could he allow others to question his ability? He had questioned Garza appraisal earlier, so wouldn’t that mean doubting Garza’s ability? Kaman really wanted to slap himself for this—just why did he have to doubt Garza’s skills? Wasn’t that asking for death?
Unfortunately, it was too late to say anything…
“Well, let me show you what a weapon forged of rainbow adamantine should look like…” Garza said, and slowly retrieved a single-handed sword from around his waist. From afar, the single-handed sword looked dull as though it had been lying in the ashes. Nobody would spare it a second glance if it was not being held in the hands of the most influential Smithing Master in Doland.
Perhaps only Lin Li knew that the single-handed sword was indeed forged of rainbow adamantine…
Of the rare magical metals, rainbow adamantine was the most unstable and easily affected by external factors. While a weapon forged of rainbow adamantine looked dull at first, it would glow with rainbow colors once mana and combat energy were channeled into it.
Just like this single-handed sword…
“A weapon forged of rainbow adamantine has many magical attributes, each with its own color…” Garza channeled a bit of Combat Energy into the single-handed sword he held. In an instant, the shop was glowing with the colors of the rainbow, filling it with an air of lavishness…
“Well, Kaman, I did not wrong you, did I…” Lasorick took over with a sinister air.
“I…” Kaman paled as he looked at the single-handed sword in Garza’s hands before looking at the crystal-clear machete…
The machete lay quietly and shone in the bright afternoon sun. The blade was crystal-clear, not a trace of color or imperfection. At any other time, Kaman would have marveled at that—such a sharp machete…
Now, however, Kaman had no tears left to cry…
As the most authoritative blacksmith, Garza’s words were the final say. If even he had said that weapons forged of rainbow adamantine were dull, then the machete he had sold was almost certainly a fake…
W-what was he going to do now?
He would be in big trouble for selling Young Master Lasorick a fake!
I’m doomed…
Kaman felt completely hopeless now. If he’d known this would happen, he would have never agreed to sell the four pieces of magical equipment. It did not earn him much, but it was about to cost him his life. How could he fool Young Master Lasorick? If Anjay was involved, then it would really be the end for the Rosen Union. Master Garza too. Damn it, I must have been blind to doubt him! If every blacksmith in Doland came after me, I would be dead…
As Kaman wallowed in regret, Lin Li emerged from the crowd with a smile. “It seems Master Garza is quite knowledgeable about rainbow adamantine…”
“Who are you?” Lasorick frowned as he glared at Lin Li with his beady eyes. Anyone who knew him would be able to tell that he was on the verge of exploding. How dared this rascal not know his place and interrupt him while he was confronting someone? Does he take me for a joke?
While the middle-aged blacksmith said nothing, he frowned as well. Clearly, the most authoritative blacksmith of Doland did not enjoy having his conversation interrupted.
Kaman, however, could not hide his happiness.
He knew very well that only the young mage who forged the machete could save him…
“Me? I’m just here for the buzz…” Lin Li smiled as he waved off Lasorick with an excuse before turning to the most authoritative blacksmith of Doland. “Right. Master Garza, since you know rainbow adamantine very well, could I ask you something regarding it?”
“What is it?” Garza frowned; he looked somewhat angry. Anyone would, having their conversation interrupted by a stranger—much less a man of his status.
“Well, it’s like this, Master Garza…” Lin Li remained oblivious to it as he smiled humbly before asking, “As you’ve heard, I am nothing but a young mage, but coincidentally, I know a thing or two about forging, and I remember hearing that not all weapons made of rainbow adamantine have to be dull and dirty. I wonder if that’s true…”
“Nonsense!” Garza’s expression darkened, and when he looked at Lin Li once again, there was no hiding the anger in his eyes. He had been a blacksmith for years, and worked his way up to a Smithing Master from a mere blacksmith. Countless rare magical metals had passed through his hands, and he had even forged over 10 weapons made of rainbow adamantine. He could tell a rainbow adamantine weapon even with his eyes closed.
Nobody could rival Garza’s skills in the whole of Doland—even the self-proclaimed forging masters of the Dwarf Kingdom did not dare go against Garza nor doubt his skills.
Today, for some reason, Kaman had doubted his appraisal before a young stranger doubted his skills. He even said that weapons forged of rainbow adamantine did not have to be dull! Damn it, don’t tell me it would shimmer like this damned machete? What a joke…
“Rascal, are you looking for trouble?” Lasorick said unhappily before he shoved Lin Li away. “Move aside, you must be blind to look for trouble in Doland. Master Garza may not stoop to your level, but I will not let you off easily! A mage? I can kill you easily if I want to!”
Then, all Lasorick saw was a blur before his eyes.
“Look where your hands are going!” The black-cloaked Norfeller moved like a ghost; he had pushed Lin Li behind him in an instant. With his pale face and blood-red eyes, the aura coming from the high-ranking Vampire was as chilly as winter even in the bright afternoon sun.
“You…” Even the ever-haughty Lasorick could not help shivering as he stood before Norfeller. It was a primal instinct of prey before a predator.
“Norfeller, don’t do this, you’ll scare him…” Lin Li smiled, and ushered Norfeller aside before turning to Lasorick with a smile. “Sorry about that, he’s got a bit of a temper. I apologize if he has offended you…”
“Humph!” Lasorick glared at Norfeller, but for some reason, the curses at the tip of his tongue could not find their way out as he looked at the deathly red eyes. Instead, he gulped…
“One thing he was right about, however. If you do not keep your hands in check, Young Master Lasorick, I cannot be sure they will remain by your side…” Lin Li smiled as though he had not been threatening to cut somebody’s hands off.
“What did you say!?” Lasorick almost erupted at that. He had thought that he was the most arrogant man in Doland, but he’d never thought that this young mage would trump him by a long shot. How dares he threaten to cut my hands off like that? Damn it, who does he think he is?!
Lasorick was furious. In his 20-odd years in Doland, nobody had dared to say this to him. Even the Archmages from Alanna had to treat him with respect because of his father, much less a young mage! How was he going to live this down without teaching the young mage a lesson?
“Damn it, I’d like to see you try!” Lasorick lifted the machete worth thousands of gold coins with an angry cry, only for a blue Combat Energy to rise, and all he saw was the shimmer of light reflected on the blade…
Then, he heard the clink of metal!
“Young man, your temper will do you no good…” Only when Garza said this did the people realize that Lasorick had not managed to wield the machete before Garza had stopped him easily with the sword in his hand.
Garza’s words were not directed at Lasorick, however, as he kept his eyes on the black-cloaked Norfeller both threateningly and cautiously.
“… ” Norfeller remained like a marble statue as though he had not heard the blacksmith. Only those sensitive to magical energy realized that while Norfeller remained still, strong magical waves were pouring off of him…
Without a doubt, this was the reason why Garza had stopped Lasorick. A pity that Lasorick did not understand this, as he wanted to continue his attack after that. “Master Garza, you don’t have to plead for this guy! He’s too much, how dare he threaten me in Doland!! I must show him some color to see today…”
“Forget it, Young Master Lasorick…” Garza shook his head as he looked somewhat helpless. Honestly, he would have left Lasorick here to let him try and show them some color to see if not for Anjay. What a fool, the black-cloaked guy moved like a ghost and shielded the young mage in an instant! If they really fought, he would have Lasorick’s head in an instant too. Show them some color to see? More like show them your head…
Unfortunately, he could not say this due to Anjay as well. Hence, he only shook his head, and patiently persuaded him. “Alright, Young Master Lasorick, you have punished the corrupted businessman, let’s talk when we return, ok?”
“No, Master Garza, you have to teach him a lesson for me today. He’s too arrogant, how dares he threaten me!” Lasorick refused to let go of this still.
“…”
