The large red-tinged window suddenly appeared in front of him.
<<<< Congratulation! You have learned the skill – Smelting (Blacksmith) >>
Lucas closed the congratulatory message and opened the skill window to gain a better understanding of what had happened. The smelting skill was listed as "Novice" rank and level 01. Below the rank and level information, the effect statement explained that the skill provided reduced stamina cost and processing time while smelting, both currently at a two percent reduction. The skill also mentioned that the effects would grow with higher levels and ranks.
After reading the details of his new skill, Lucas closed the system window. He grasped that the rank and level of a skill reflected his experience and proficiency in that particular area. Smelting more materials would increase the rank and level of his skill. Additionally, the skill's effect seemed to be a passive benefit, automatically enhancing his smelting process without him having to actively activate it. In contrast to "observe," which required deliberate usage, smelting appeared to work continuously.
Lucas glanced outside the forge and realized that it was still some time before mid-morning. Turning his attention back to the roaring flames in the furnace, he recognized that it would be a waste to only craft a single ingot today. He needed to deliver five ingots to the guild on Monday, and any extras would be useful for future crafting endeavors.
With a smile, Lucas refilled the furnace with coal and fetched a few more pieces of ore. Once he was properly restocked, he closed the door and immersed himself in the simple yet fulfilling process of smelting ore. Time slipped away as he successfully smelted four more pieces of ore, each resulting in uncommon rank ingots. He noticed that his shoulder felt less strained today, likely due to the corrections he had made in his posture and hammering technique.
Having finished the required ingots for his task, Lucas realized he still had enough time left for one more. He decided to put all his newly acquired knowledge and skills to the test and see how high he could push the quality. Using the blower to raise the temperature to the maximum, Lucas started the smelting process, focusing on each precise strike of the hammer and pushing the ore to the very edge of high temperature without going over. As he entered the final stages of heating and hammering, he suddenly found himself in the zone—a state of complete concentration and synchronization with his craft.
The outside world faded away, and he entered a state of perfect concentration and synchronization. Every flash of flame, every effect of the heat on the ore, became crystal clear to him. Slowly turning the ore, Lucas skillfully heated each part to its maximum without allowing any overheating. Finally, he brought the ore out and delivered the finishing blows, completing the process.
As Lucas snapped out of the zone, a red-tinged window appeared before him.
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Standing in place, still feeling the lingering effects of being in the zone, Lucas gradually regained his senses. He turned his head to read the window, taking a deep breath to fully ground himself. Closing the window, he took a moment to stretch and ensure he was back in control of his faculties.
Opening his path window, Lucas was relieved to find that the rows of question marks had been replaced with a simple statement. It indicated that he had experienced the 'Heart of the Forge' and now gained a ten percent increase in heating items with a furnace.
Closing the window, Lucas pondered the origin of this 'Heart of the Forge' and why it sounded familiar. He closed his eyes, trying to recall any instances where he had come across the phrase. After a few minutes of contemplation, he opened his eyes in defeat. The phrase felt familiar, but the memory associated with it remained elusive for the time being.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Lucas began to bank the coals for the day. While he didn't need to open the shop in the afternoon due to it being a Saturday, he didn't want to overexert his body. He considered establishing a morning workout routine to strengthen his physique while heading inside for lunch, contemplating the best way to balance his work and well-being.
With his bowl of soup in hand, Lucas sat at the kitchen counter, contemplating how to spend the rest of his day. On one hand, he could venture out and explore the town, gaining more knowledge about his surroundings. On the other hand, he could dedicate the afternoon to reading more high elven books and further increasing his skill level.
As Lucas's hand froze momentarily while eating, a realization struck him. He had spent the majority of the morning smelting, which should have contributed to leveling up his newly acquired smelting skill. Focusing on the skill's name, he brought up the skill window to examine its progress. To his satisfaction, the skill had now reached level three and was close to reaching level four. The effects had also changed from two percent to six percent, indicating that each level increased the effect by two percent. With another thought, Lucas closed the window.
Finishing his lunch, Lucas stood up to wash his bowl, his decision made. He determined that he should continue focusing on increasing his blacksmithing skills rather than going out exploring. While exploration would undoubtedly be enjoyable, his limited funds restricted the fun opportunities he could pursue. Furthermore, he needed to focus on raising coins for taxes due at the end of the month.
Leaving the kitchen, Lucas ascended the stairs to the storage room he used to sleep in. Locating the boxes of books, he retrieved the last two with "Novice" written on the side. Taking a deep breath, he began opening each book, one at a time. After unboxing all six of the remaining novice books, he embarked on studying the content of each, considering his possible next learning path.
Among the books, Lucas discovered two more volumes about hammering from the same dwarf, evident from the mention of "Stonehead" in their titles. He also found a book on common metal materials and another on sharpening an edge. Lastly, there were two books on novice-level blueprints. After careful consideration, Lucas made his decision. He chose the two books on hammering and the book on common metal materials.
His reasoning was simple. The first book on hammering had already proven to be immensely helpful in improving his skills, and he believed that solidifying the basics would be a wise investment of his time. As for the book on common metal materials, he anticipated it would contain fundamental information that every apprentice should know.
Carrying his selected books, Lucas made his way to the front of the shop, instinctively drawn to his familiar spot. Taking a seat on his stool, he placed the books on the counter and picked up "Common Metal Materials" by Master Valfiel. Opening the front cover, Lucas immersed himself in the words, allowing himself to be transported into the visions that the book brought forth.
Time passed slowly in the quiet shop as Lucas delved into the contents of the book. After a few hours, he set it down on the counter, his mind still processing the information he had absorbed. He focused on recalling what he had seen and heard, allowing the knowledge to settle in.
One significant realization was that he found himself in the elven forest once again. Master Valfiel, the author of the book on common metal materials, was the same master who had written the smelting book. In fact, Lucas couldn't help but feel that this book was a complementary companion to the smelting book, building upon the foundation of his knowledge.
Master Valfiel had taken the time to explain how a novice could discern the different metals in their ore forms and provided the correct temperatures required for smelting each metal. Lucas was surprised to learn that some metals required lower flame intensities. Overall, he recognized that this book had a different purpose compared to the smelting and hammering books. It was designed to be a comprehensive resource, a reference he could always go back to for detailed information on each metal.
Glancing at the time, Lucas realized that he still had plenty of time before dinner. However, instead of opening another book, he retrieved a blank book from one of the cabinets. Writing "Metals" on the front cover, Lucas began listing each metal he had learned about that day. He recorded the melting temperature, the ore-to-ingot ratio, and any special notes on the common uses of each metal. He referred to Master Valfiel's book for most of the information but also included his own insights based on what he had learned about iron so far.
When his stomach growled in hunger, Lucas put down his book, feeling a sense of accomplishment. By writing down the insights he gained from the visions and his own experiences, he felt that he had a deeper understanding of the materials. Closing the book and placing all the books back under the counter, Lucas rose from his stool. After a productive day of learning and reflection, there was nothing he desired more than a satisfying dinner at the Drunken Squirrel.
Entering the tavern, Lucas felt relieved to see that everything had returned to normal. The food stalls were bustling outside, and the familiar regulars filled the interior. Finding a seat at the bar, he placed his order for the usual special and attempted to follow the conversations taking place around him.
From the fragments he gathered, it seemed that monster attacks were escalating in the port city and throughout the region of Rawlins. The king was reportedly mobilizing troops to keep the main roads secure, although rumors of hero summonings being expedited lacked substantiation. Nearby kingdoms were increasing their arms purchases due to the unrest, which was considered positive news for a city renowned for its blacksmithing.
As Lucas continued to listen while enjoying his dinner, the topic of concern shifted to grain trades. Being situated on the side of a mountain, the town had limited access to farmland. While they could likely sustain themselves through hunting and foraging if necessary, the rising prices would eventually lead to widespread starvation.
Leaving payment on the counter, Lucas departed as the sun began to set, heading towards home. He pondered the discussions he had overheard and contemplated the idea of stocking up on rice. Although it might not be the most exciting option, it could help him manage his expenses until he found a more lucrative means of earning coins. He knew Rabbie wouldn't be thrilled about the idea, but practicality sometimes outweighed preferences.
Upon reaching his shop, Lucas made his way to the bathroom to prepare for bed. Finishing up, he headed towards the hallway before suddenly pausing. A thought struck him, and he turned back towards the shop, making his way to the counter. There were several books under the counter that he had already read, and he saw no need to clutter the limited space. It made sense to return them to the storage closet where they could be neatly organized.
As Lucas retrieved the books from under the counter, he came across the ones he had purchased the other day. He kept the books on path ranking and blacksmith guild rules within easy reach for future reading. However, he had forgotten about the high elven book he had obtained from the bookstore.
Curiosity getting the better of him, Lucas attempted to open the unfamiliar elven book. The pages turned effortlessly, and his eyes fell upon the title. Instantly, shock and bewilderment washed over him, causing the book to slip from his hands as he tried to comprehend the incredible discovery he had made.