James walked alongside the old man, his steps steady and composed as they left the awakening area.
The double doors swung open, revealing the VIP waiting room, and the atmosphere shifted immediately.
Heads turned, and a wave of curious gazes swept over James as if he were some sort of enigma they couldn't figure out.
The youths lounging in the room were clearly from well-off families, dressed in fine robes embroidered with family crests.
Most of them had plans to show off their soul weapons' grade, eager to prove their worth. Now, their chatter quieted, replaced by murmurs and stolen glances at James.
After all, it wasn't every day someone walked out of the awakening area, personally escorted by a high ranking member of the forge.
"What grade is his soul weapon?" one boy whispered, his tone a mix of curiosity and jealousy.
"He must have awakened something incredible," another replied.
But James? He didn't even spare them a glance. His face was a mask of indifference, his sharp eyes fixed forward as if the entire room didn't exist.
While others might have basked in the attention or bragged about their achievements, James had no such inclination.
'What's the point of explaining myself to people who don't matter?' he thought, his expression cool and unreadable.
The old man noticed James's unbothered attitude and couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips. 'This boy's got a good head on his shoulders. 'He's not like the others,' he mused.
Leaving the gawking crowd behind, they stepped into the main forge. James's breath hitched as his eyes took in the sheer scale of the place.
The forge was enormous, stretching further than the eye could see. The walls glowed faintly with a magical white light, making the entire area feel clean and almost otherworldly.
But what truly caught his attention were the endless rows of shelves.
Thousands of shelves lined the vast space, each one packed neatly with scrolls—small, pieces of parchment glowing faintly under the magical lights.
The organization was impeccable, with labels etched onto the shelves in a flowing, foreign script that James couldn't read.
For a moment, James frowned, his curiosity piqued. 'What are these scrolls for?' he wondered.
He had only just arrived in this world, and while he'd picked up bits of knowledge from his family library, much of this world's workings were still a mystery to him.
The old man noticed James's lingering gaze and let out a chuckle. "Ah, I see you're curious. Those," he said, gesturing to the shelves, "are enchantment scrolls. Each one contains the specifics of a single enchantment—its effects, limitations, and of course, its cost.
"This is how we operate here. No need for guesswork or relying on memory. You find a scroll that suits your needs, and the forging process can begin immediately."
James nodded slowly, absorbing the information. The explanation made sense.
He vaguely remembered reading about enchantments—how they were essentially magical scripts that had to be inscribed onto a weapon or object in a short window of time.
If not done quickly, the enchantment would dissipate, vanishing like smoke in the wind. Having pre-written scrolls like this was an efficient and practical way to streamline the process.
It was simply like a roadside stand. You make your order and your product gets manufactured right before your eyes.
"That's clever," James said finally, earning a pleased nod from the old man.
They continued deeper into the forge, the shelves thinning out as the space grew quieter.
Eventually, they entered a smaller chamber. The room was plain, with smooth white walls and no visible doors except the one they had entered through.
The old man walked up to one of the walls, his movements precise. He tapped twice on a specific spot, and the room came alive.
A soft hum filled the air as glowing runes spread across the walls like ripples on water. With a faint click, the room sealed itself, and James felt a strange sensation beneath his feet.
They were moving.
James's eyes widened as the room began to ascend, the sensation akin to an elevator. But this wasn't powered by cables or machinery—this was pure magic.
The hum of the runes filled the space, faintly vibrating under his fingertips when he placed his hand on the wall.
'They've managed to replicate technology with magic?' he thought, his awe barely concealed. He stared at the glowing runes, wondering just how advanced this world's magical systems were.
The more he saw, the more curious he became about this new world and the people who inhabited it.
The old man, noticing James's reaction, chuckled softly. "You're surprised. It's not uncommon. Magic has no limits, lad—only the limits we impose on it. You've yet to see what it's truly capable of."
James didn't respond, his mind spinning with possibilities. 'What other wonders did this world hold?' He was eager to find out.
After five minutes, the sensation of movement stopped, and a soft chime echoed through the chamber. The walls slid open, revealing a vast, empty white space.
The room was unlike anything James had seen before. It was enormous, with polished floors that reflected the soft glow of the magical lights above.
But what truly caught his attention was the glass wall stretching across one side of the room, offering a breathtaking view of the city below.
Standing by the glass, with his hands clasped behind his back, was a middle-aged man.
He was short, with a long, pointed goatee that gave him a sharp, almost regal appearance. His posture was relaxed, yet there was an undeniable air of authority about him.
"Two flames cannot burn without air," the man said suddenly, his voice low and contemplative.
Slowly, he turned to face them, his sharp eyes locking onto James with an intensity that made his heart skip a beat.
The man's robes caught James's attention next. They were similar in design to the old man's but a muted grey, with a single stripe embroidered on the chest. James's breath hitched as the realization hit him.
One stripe.
This man wasn't just anyone. He was the Forgemaster—the most powerful figure in the forge. The most powerful figure in the whole city!
James's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. 'I'm standing in front of the Forgemaster himself… but why?'
The man smiled faintly, his piercing gaze never wavering. "Welcome, Kaelan," he said, his voice calm yet commanding. "Shall we begin?"
_____
Power stone Goal!
20 PS - 1 Bonus chapter
50 PS - 2 Bonus chapter
100 PS (Quite an achievement as of now) - 3 Bonus chapters.