Matsurize continued working the bellows, keeping the forge blazing as Ayane hammered away at the now slightly smaller pieces of iron ore. Ayane tirelessly swung her hammer, shaping each piece with precision.
After the ore had gone through the furnace three times, the materials were no longer just raw iron ore—they had taken on the rough form of kitchen knives. Each piece was now a black, rectangular slab of iron. Ayane put down her large hammer and grabbed a smaller one with one hand and a pair of iron tongs with the other. The large hammer was no longer suitable for the delicate work ahead.
Matsurize, now able to stand up again, took a moment to rest. By now, it was around ten in the morning, and Ayane had been working for another hour. She had expected Matsurize to be exhausted about thirty minutes earlier, but she was so absorbed in her work that she hadn't noticed his persistence.
Despite the grueling process, Matsurize hadn't complained once. He pushed himself beyond his physical limits repeatedly, never disrupting Ayane's rhythm. His eyes remained focused on Ayane's every movement, his determination unshaken, even though his body leaned heavily on the workbench for support.
Ayane carefully clamped the rectangular iron slab with her tongs and began shaping it with the small hammer. This part of the process was more delicate and refined, a far cry from the earlier forceful hammering. To Matsurize, it looked almost gentle compared to the previous stages.
If the earlier steps were all about brute strength, this part was about skill. Ayane's speed and precision were impressive. Within about fifteen minutes, she was finished. She placed the knife-shaped slab into a nearby water barrel, and a loud hiss echoed through the workshop as steam rose from the water.
The quenching process completed, Ayane had crafted fifteen rough kitchen knives. The next steps would be to attach the wooden handles and sharpen the blades on a whetstone. However, Ayane wasn't planning to finish everything today. The villagers hadn't formally placed their orders yet, and Ayane wasn't in a hurry. Besides, she didn't plan to handle the remaining steps by herself—she intended to teach Matsurize.
Looking at Matsurize, who was now barely able to stand, Ayane smiled. It was almost noon, and she knew it was time to prepare lunch. Matsurize, judging by his frail physique, would definitely need food soon.
She gently helped Matsurize to a bench in the yard, letting him sit and rest. After that, she went back to the workshop. A few minutes later, she returned with a whetstone, placing it in front of Matsurize. She also brought out the fifteen knife blanks, a pile of wooden handles, and some strong adhesive from the house.
Ayane crouched down in front of Matsurize and showed him how to assemble a finished knife. She demonstrated every step, from attaching the handle to sharpening the blade. Matsurize, sitting on the bench, watched her closely, his face flushing red as he accidentally caught a glimpse of her chest. Remembering the basic manners Ayane had taught him, he quickly lowered his gaze, focusing intently on her hands instead.
Ayane worked quickly, understanding that Matsurize had a sharp mind and learned fast. She wasn't afraid to move at her usual speed, knowing that he would follow along. In no time, she had finished a fully assembled kitchen knife. The yellow wooden handle contrasted against the dark iron blade, while the razor-sharp edge gleamed brightly, reflecting Ayane's black hair.
Ayane waved the finished knife in front of Matsurize's face and asked, "Little Ze, did you get it?"
Matsurize nodded confidently.
Pleased, Ayane stood up, placing the knife on a wide wooden rack in the yard. "Once you've made yours, put them here, okay?"
Matsurize nodded again.
With her instructions given, Ayane headed into the kitchen to start preparing lunch. While Ayane could teach Matsurize many things, cooking wasn't something she intended to hand over. Cooking was a passion of hers, and she enjoyed the process too much to let anyone else take over that part of her day.
Matsurize, now left alone, picked up one of the knife blanks and replayed Ayane's demonstration in his mind. It was as if his brain was running a slow-motion movie of her every move, allowing him to follow each step with perfect precision.
Remarkably, despite being a novice, Matsurize worked as quickly and accurately as Ayane had. The knife he finished was no less impressive than hers, with the same polished look and sharp blade.
Before long—less than ten minutes, in fact—Matsurize had completed all fourteen knives. Ayane hadn't even finished cooking the first dish when he was done. Respecting Ayane's wish not to be disturbed while she cooked, Matsurize quietly sat back down on the bench, resting and recovering from the morning's exertion.
The morning had been exhausting, especially the bellows work, which had drained Matsurize's energy. Now, having completed the tasks Ayane set for him, he sat peacefully in the yard, regaining his strength and waiting for lunch to be ready.