Wilfred didn’t even look at Lucas. He walked up to Franklin and took out the fist-sized, grey Level 4 Energy Stone from his leather bag. “Mr. Franklin, we will do the trade,” he said.
Franklin looked at Lucas proudly as he raised his eyebrows. He then gave Qian Jin a thankful nod. If it wasn’t for this student from Oakland Academy, he would never have the chance to pressure Lucas’ Blacksmith Shop.
If Fabreidis didn’t seem like he still had something to say to Qian Jin, Franklin would have passed the energy stone he just received to Qian Jin and given him a big kiss on the cheek. Even if he lost some money by taking this deal, he could win against Lucas’ Blacksmith Shop. That alone made him feel much better.
Fabreidis told someone to grab two chairs; it didn’t seem like he was planning on leaving any time soon. After the chairs arrived, he sat down and told Qian Jin to sit down as well. “Kid, do you plan to continue your career as a blacksmith?”
Qian Jin nodded. “What can I do even if I don’t want to continue down this path? It seems like there are many more secrets in that mysterious Endless World. Currently, I can’t even leave the village safely. If I want to explore that world, I have to get trained by the old blacksmith on forging,” he complained to himself.
Fabreidis rested his head on his arm as he placed his chin in his palm. He carefully observed Qian Jin as he said, “It seems like you are not a bloodline warrior.”
Qian Jin shrugged his shoulder and didn’t say a word. “Of course! Any bloodline warrior who had their primary awakening would receive a lot of attention from their elders and families. They were all sent to top-tier academies to learn and train. No one would be dumb enough to send a bloodline warrior to the low-tier Oakland Academy,” he thought.
“Eh…” Fabreidis sighed as he felt a little melancholy. “Your body seems to be strong. Even if you are not a bloodline warrior, you could still become a great warrior if you focus all your attention to your warrior training. Of course, bloodline warriors would still be stronger.”
Qian Jin nodded casually again, but he felt a heavy weight on his shoulders. After calculating the three Ultimate Supreme Bloodlines, warrior containing the Elf King bloodline from the Qian family would probably experience the Ultimate Awakening. Other bloodline warriors wouldn’t be able to name themselves as the number one warrior. Although this fact was depressing, it was the truth.
“However, if you spend your time and energy on blacksmithing, then you might not be able to become a great warrior.” Fabreidis’ words sounded a bit helpless. “After all, people only have a limited amount of time and energy. You have to think everything through carefully. Are you sure that you want to take some time away from your warrior training and focus on blacksmithing?”
It was true that everyone had a limited amount of time and energy, but an hour could be used as two hours in the Endless World. Moreover, he could not even previously use the time he spent sleeping. Now with the help of the Endless World, he didn’t have to worry about only having a limited amount of time and energy, nor did he have to worry about allocating time between his blacksmithing training and his warrior training.
Qian Jin could feel that the affection Fabreidis was showing to him was like that of a father. Aside from being moved, he also felt a little guilty. He had to keep the secret about the hat to himself. He couldn’t explain himself to the kind, elder-like Fabreidis, so he had to paint a white lie.
“I will continue my journey as a blacksmith.” Qian Jin shrugged his shoulders. “As for the goal of becoming a great warrior, I won’t give up as well!”
Fabreidis stared at Qian Jin in his eyes for a while; through the pair of young and bright eyes, he could see the firm decision of training in both fields. He deeply sighed in his mind. “Young people are never afraid of anything. I was the same when I was young… Damn it! After finally finding a youngster who has potential, I will guide him a little so he can avoid the wrong paths that I have walked on. Hopefully, he will get some good results in both fields.”
“Since you want to continue your blacksmithing career, you need a great teacher to point you in the right direction.” Fabreidis frowned. “I know a damned Forging Master in that damned Blacksmith Union. He still owes me a favour, so if you really want to continue on this path, I will write you a recommendation letter and you can become one of his students.”
Bang!... Bang!
A few blacksmiths were stunned by what Fabreidis said. They stared at him and didn’t notice that the hammers in their hands had already fallen to the ground. The workshop became silent, and the only sound that could be heard was the burning fire; it became the only melody in the room.
“For… Forging Master?” Franklin blinked his eyes forcefully and picked his ears with his pinky finger subconsciously. He really wanted to know if he had heard that wrong. “Fabreidis said he was going to find a Forging Master to be Qian Jin’s teacher?” He was shocked.
There were industry leaders in every sector. The one profession above blacksmithing was Forging Master. That was the title that every blacksmith dreamt of obtaining! Forging Masters’ abilities far exceeded what blacksmiths could achieve, and they were respected and worshiped by numerous blacksmiths. To blacksmiths, a Forging Master was like the emperor of the civilians.
Numerous blacksmiths visited these people and brought numerous gifts with one intention in mind: they wanted these Forging Masters to take them or their kids as students so they could potentially become a Forging Master as well.
Franklin knew that becoming the student of a Forging Master was not easier compared to becoming a student of a powerful warrior or mage; one needed more than just money to become a student.
Lucas continuously gulped as heard Fabreidis’ words. “The number warrior at Oakland knows a Forging Master? Doesn’t he hate all blacksmiths? One of his letters would make the Forging Master take Qian Jin as a student? Why is this kid so lucky?” he wondered.
“With your talent, I assume…” Fabreidis looked at Qian Jin and carefully estimated. “Ten years! He will definitely teach you everything he knows. If you work hard, you can also become a Forging Master in 10 years.”
“Ten years!?” Lucas shouted out loud. “How old is Qian Jin? After ten years, he would still be young! He can a Forging Master be this young? A lot of blacksmiths passed their Forging Master exams only after all their hair had turned white. For some people who barely passed the Forging Master exam, the moment they received the qualification, they would become overly excited and pass away due to heart failure. This kid will become a Forging Master in only ten years?” Lucas peeked at Franklin. “If this becomes true, with just the connection that this blacksmith shop has with Qian Jin, I’m afraid… No! I have to make Qian Jin disappears, even if I have to take on a life threatening risk!” Lucas thought to himself.
“Forging Master?” Qian Jin raised his eyebrow. Although he didn’t know what Fabreidis was talking about, he could tell that this title was very powerful and influential just by observing everyone’s reactions. Lucas was so scared that his face almost turned green.