Chapter 40: Visitors and Introductions
The morning sun streamed through the academy's library windows, illuminating Reyn as he flipped through a book on summoning spirits. The chapter he was focused on described summoning contracts that required offerings—valuable objects or sacrifices in exchange for the spirit's loyalty. His confidence in binding a spirit to a weapon had grown immensely. The key was not just summoning but creating a bond so profound that the spirit became an inseparable part of the weapon.
Nearby, Alistor sat with furrowed brows, attempting for the fifth time that morning to beat Reyn at chess. Once again, Reyn's strategic prowess proved too much.
"Checkmate," Reyn said casually, leaning back in his chair as Alistor groaned in frustration.
"You're impossible!" Alistor complained, rubbing his temples. "How do you think ten moves ahead like that?"
Reyn smirked. "You're too predictable. Think less about what's in front of you and more about the endgame."
Before Alistor could fire back, the library door opened, and three figures entered. Reyn glanced up, his sharp eyes quickly taking in the newcomers. The first was Elric, the Duke's son, his posture straight and composed, with an air of quiet authority. Beside him was his sister, Selene, her fiery gaze and confident stride contrasting with her brother's stoic demeanor. The third was a young man with a casual demeanor and sharp eyes, dressed plainly without any visible armor, though his presence hinted at combat experience. Reyn noted how the trio commanded the room simply by walking in.
"Ah, Elric, Selene," Alistor greeted warmly, standing up. "It's been a while. And this must be your friend Aidan, right?"
Selene nodded, her gaze drifting briefly to Reyn. "Yes. Aidan has been working with my brother and me for some time. He's... a reliable partner." Her tone was light, but there was a clear respect in her voice.
Elric stepped forward, his piercing eyes focusing on Alistor. "We've come to discuss the divine weapons we've heard about—specifically, the swords like the one Edger uses. It's said you have connections to the Blacksmith of a Thousand Tales. We want to inquire about acquiring weapons of similar caliber."
Reyn's interest piqued, though he kept his expression neutral. The Duke's children were impressive, but he couldn't afford to reveal too much.
Alistor, always quick on his feet, gestured to Reyn with a smile. "This is Reyn, the apprentice to the Blacksmith of a Thousand Tales. He's been working closely with the Blacksmith and handling a lot of the business on his behalf. Most of the designs and artifacts I've shared with you? They've come through Reyn."
Selene tilted her head, her sharp eyes studying Reyn. "You're the apprentice? I expected someone... older."
Reyn chuckled lightly, used to such comments. "I get that a lot. But the Blacksmith saw potential in me early on and took me under his wing. I've been working hard to live up to his expectations."
Elric's gaze didn't waver. "We've heard much about the Blacksmith's work. If these divine swords are as powerful as the rumors suggest, we're willing to prove ourselves worthy of wielding them."
Selene crossed her arms, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "You'll find we're more than capable. But what does the Blacksmith need from us to make it happen?"
Reyn leaned forward, meeting their gazes with calm confidence. "Divine swords aren't just forged; they're tailored. Each one must resonate with its wielder—matching their style, magic, and essence. To create something truly exceptional, I need to observe how you fight. That way, I can take detailed notes for my master. He'll use those to design swords uniquely suited to each of you."
Aidan, who had been silent so far, spoke up. "You mean sparring matches?"
Reyn nodded. "Exactly. It's the best way to understand your strengths and weaknesses. But don't worry—I won't be the one sparring with you. I'll arrange for someone who can challenge you properly."
Selene raised an eyebrow, her smirk deepening. "Challenge us? You're confident for someone who hasn't seen us fight."
"I'm confident in my arrangements," Reyn replied smoothly, glancing at Alistor. "Garrett would be the perfect sparring partner. He's skilled enough to push you to your limits, and his style will reveal how you handle different kinds of pressure."
Elric's expression remained stoic, but there was a flicker of approval in his eyes. "Very well. Arrange it. If this is what's required to earn the Blacksmith's favor, we'll comply."
Selene leaned back slightly, her arms still crossed. "Fine by me. But don't be surprised if we leave Garrett eating dirt."
Aidan chuckled, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement. "Sounds like fun. I've heard of Garrett—this should be interesting."
Reyn smiled, confident yet careful. "I'll arrange the sparring for tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll continue preparing the notes for my master. The better we understand your styles, the better the swords will be."
Selene's fiery gaze softened just a little. "You're pretty thorough, aren't you?"
"When it comes to my master's craft, thoroughness is everything," Reyn replied.
With that, the three visitors left, leaving Reyn and Alistor alone in the library. Reyn leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply.
"They're an intense bunch," Alistor remarked, rubbing his temples. "You sure about Garrett? He'll have his hands full."
Reyn nodded. "He's the best choice. This isn't just about testing their skills—it's about learning how they think in battle. And besides..." He smirked, his eyes glinting with determination. "If I'm going to bind a spirit to their weapons someday, I'll need to understand them completely