Crimson Leaf Longsword: Bronze Tier: Attack +15, Agility +5, Attack Speed +5% – What a waste! Jake exclaimed as he looked at the longsword he had just crafted.
The materials Jake used were high-quality iron ore. With this type of ore, Glen the blacksmith could forge gold-tier weapons. With good luck, he might even be able to craft legendary-tier weapons. However, Jake had managed to craft only this bronze-tier weapon, which felt like a waste of such excellent materials.
However, while Jake might not have thought much of this weapon, to Brenton and the others, it was like a divine weapon.
"Captain, how did you manage to craft a weapon like this? The sharpness of this longsword surpasses all the weapons I've seen before, only a bit inferior to your weapon, Captain. Just by looking at it, you can tell it's a battlefield killer. If I had this, I wouldn't fear anyone!"
Although Brenton and the others couldn't appraise the weapon's specific attributes, the sharpness of the longsword's appearance made it clear to them that it was no ordinary item.
In fact, because Jake had so many excellent items on him, he didn't hold this bronze-tier equipment in high regard. In Skylark Camp, apart from Eli's weapon, which had reached the bronze tier, the other team leaders' weapons were all basic items. They were much worse than the weapon Jake had just crafted.
"Here you go." Jake grinned as he tossed the longsword to one of the team members.
The team member looked both frightened and excited. "Captain, are you really giving this to me?"
"Of course," Jake replied.
"Thank you, Captain! Thank you, Captain!" The team member said excitedly, and the others wore similarly excited expressions.
Having a good weapon on the battlefield greatly ensured their safety and even potentially saved their lives. By equipping them with such good weapons, Jake was raising their hopes of survival in battle and saving their lives!
This gesture was even more appreciated than when Jake had treated them to a meal. With a smile, Jake continued forging. The group stayed in the blacksmith shop until the sun was about to set before Jake finished crafting the remaining weapons for the others.
What made Jake happy was that among these weapons, he managed to craft a silver-tier weapon—a large axe that Brenton had requested. It weighed around fifty pounds.
Crimson Leaf Battle Axe: Silver Tier: Attack +30, Strength +10, Constitution +10.
Though it didn't have a skill attached to it like Jake's blackstone longsword, its attributes were significantly higher than the previous bronze-tier equipment. Brenton was overjoyed, hugging the axe Jake had crafted for him and grinning foolishly.
Before leaving the blacksmith shop, Jake sold the remaining iron blocks in his backpack to the shop. Each high-quality iron block sold for three gold coins, making thirty gold coins in total. This way, Jake not only didn't spend any money but also made a profit. Of course, the selling price was cheaper than what they had been offered by Sun the blacksmith.
"Captain, after we go back, those guys in the camp will surely be envious to death," Brenton said, patting the specially crafted axe that Jake made for him with a smug expression.
"Seeing these weapons of ours, they're probably going to drool," Adrian chimed in.
And indeed, when Jake and the others returned to the camp with weapons in hand, the people who had already returned to the camp stared wide-eyed, showing a mix of disbelief, envy, and shock as they looked at Brenton and the others.
In a camp where people could only use sickles, hoes, or even bare hands as weapons, Jake's team was equipped with sharp-looking swords and axes. The difference was astonishing.
Seeing the envious gazes from the people around them, Brenton and the others felt even more proud. They walked with their heads held high, almost wanting to hold their heads up to the sky. Following the Captain was indeed the right choice!
In the evening, when Eli gathered everyone to officially appoint the team leaders, he noticed the equipment of Jake's team and showed a surprised expression.
As expected, Jake continued to be the leader of the Second Platoon and the Fourth Squad. Brenton and the others naturally had no objections and even wished they could raise their hands in approval.
"Get some rest early today. We'll set out early tomorrow morning," Eli told everyone before letting them disperse. People went their separate ways, each with a different mood—some were excited, some were nervous.
Back in reality, Jake, unsurprisingly, saw Xenia again after his training was over. With a sinking feeling, he immediately wanted to avoid her.
"Wait!" Xenia called out directly. Jake pretended not to hear and tried to walk past her.
"If you leave, I'll post about the day we went shopping together on the school's internal network," Xenia said again.
If anyone else had said that, Jake might have doubted their courage to follow through. After all, doing so wouldn't benefit the girl in any way. However, when it was Xenia, Jake felt she was quite likely to do exactly that. Helpless, he stopped and turned to look at her. Xenia smirked, resembling a scheming little fox.
"This is for you." Xenia walked up to Jake and handed him a red invitation.
"What's this?" Jake asked as he took it.
"My birthday party invitation," Xenia said. "It's my birthday next week. Make sure you come."
"Is it appropriate for me to go?" Jake hesitated. He really didn't want to go.
"What's inappropriate about it?" Xenia said. "If you don't come, I'll..."
"I'll go!" Jake sighed. "I'll go, alright?"
"That's more like it," Xenia laughed again. "Also, take this. I bought it specially in the morning. Others haven't had a chance to taste what I bought yet. You're always refusing."
"You really don't need to do this. It's not very appropriate, and it's not good if other people see," Jake said, glancing at the passing classmates and gesturing at the items Xenia had given him.
"Why should I care about what other people think?" Xenia said lightly. "I do what I want to do. What's it got to do with others?"
Indeed, Xenia wasn't the kind of person to care about what others thought. She did things according to her own preferences.
"Okay, you win," Jake said helplessly.
"Remember to eat while it's still hot," Xenia said and turned to leave, seemingly oblivious to the gazes of the people around her.
Jake shrugged and was about to leave when he noticed Wendy passing by not too far away, giving him a cold look. That look made him feel uncomfortable all over.
"How did I forget that Wendy always coincidentally passes by every time?" Jake lamented in his mind.