As Rian stood before the forge, a wave of anticipation and responsibility washed over him. The weight of his family's legacy bore down on his shoulders as he gazed nervously at the raw materials before him. With a deep breath, he steeled himself for the task ahead.
Entering the forge, Rian's senses were immediately assailed by the intense heat and the rhythmic clang of metal against metal. With practiced precision, he selected the starting steel: tamahagane, renowned for its purity and versatility in swordsmithing. The smelting process was a delicate dance of fire and craftsmanship, requiring Rian to monitor the temperature of the Tatara furnace meticulously.
For 72 grueling hours, Rian remained vigilant, adding iron sand and charcoal as needed to maintain the ideal conditions for smelting. Finally, when the process was complete, he carefully broke open the clay furnace to reveal the tamahagane within. With skilled hands, he separated the steel mass according to carbon content, ensuring that each piece would contribute to the blade's balance of sharpness and durability.
The next phase of forging was equally demanding. Rian heated, hammered, and folded the steels repeatedly, up to 16 times, to purify the metal and achieve the desired combination of strength and flexibility. Each fold brought him closer to perfection, as he meticulously removed impurities and refined the blade's composition.
Once the tamahagane was cleansed and purified, Rian began the intricate process of shaping the blade. High-carbon steel was forged into the outer shell, providing the razor-sharp edge, while low-carbon steel formed the durable core. With painstaking precision, Rian melded the two metals together, ensuring a seamless fusion that would withstand the rigors of combat.
The final steps of forging were no less demanding. Rian applied a thick mixture of clay and charcoal powder to the blade's surface, creating the distinctive Hamon pattern and protecting the steel during the firing process. Carefully controlling the temperature, he heated the blade to just below 1500°F before quenching it in water, imparting the signature curve that would define its shape.
With the blade fully forged, Rian embarked on the arduous task of polishing. Using a series of grinding and polishing stones, he painstakingly honed the sword's edge to razor-sharp perfection, a process that could take weeks, even months, to complete.
Finally, with the blade gleaming and resplendent, Rian assembled the sword, fitting it with a decorative guard and lacquered wooden scabbard. The handle, fashioned with exquisite detail and adorned with gold, completed the masterpiece.
"Father, it's done now and ready to be tested," Rian declared proudly, presenting the sheathed sword to his father.
Rhyz Yang accepted the sword with reverence, his eyes shining with pride. Together, father and son made their way to the arena, where King Gulliver awaited.
In the presence of the king, Rhyz Yang prepared to test the first sword crafted by his son, Rian Yang. With a solemn declaration, he assumed the chūdan-no-kamae stance, channeling mana into the blade with practiced ease.
In a blur of motion, Rhyz charged at the bamboo dummy, his movements fluid and precise. With a single stroke, he cleaved through the target with effortless grace, leaving it in splintered ruin.
"Yes, I have—" Rian began, but his words were cut short by a sudden, ominous snap, signaling the unexpected turn of events to come.