ParodyGirl

  "It's nothing. Eryk, this is Mikari. She's a level three bcksmith, and she'll be training you from today onward," Hephaestus said, smiling nervously. Mikari, still fused, approached us both.

  "You're impressive," Mikari started to touch my arms. "Your arms are strong and rge. Besides that, you have spectacur muscles. I've never seen such a perfect body before."

  "Ahem… Ahem…" Looking impatient, Hephaestus cleared her throat and moved closer to Mikari, pulling her away from me. "There's o keep toug him."

  "I was just examining his body. Since I'll be training him from now on, I o know his limits," Mikari replied, smiling ily.

  "Eryk, you said earlier that you didn't need ao train you, but I think it's best to accept Mikari as your instructor."

  "What? He doesn't want ao train him? Then why am I here!?"

  "He told me it wasn't necessary to find someoo train him minutes ago... but I had already called you for the job."

  "Well, I still don't think it's necessary."

  "Why? Do you think you already know everything?" Mikari asked. "Do you know how to make your sword as durable as possible? Do you know how to craft a magical sword? I teach you all that."

  "Yes, I do," I replied.

  "Liar! Weren't you terrible at f swords? I remember someoioning that."

  "Mikari, I told you before, didn't I? He's improved a lot in the past few days. So much that even I was shocked. He train on his own, but I thought having someone experienced like you to guide him could help him improve even faster."

  "What do you think of that?" Mikari pced a hand on my shoulder. "I'll watch you for a few days. If I think you don't need help, I'll leave. But if I see you , I'll stay and train you."

  "That sounds like a good idea," Hephaestus agreed with Mikari. I looked betweewo of them a out a long sigh.

  "Fine, but don't get in my way."

  "The way you say that, you sound so experienced and professional. Don't fet I'm still your superior. Just because you've improved a little doesn't mean you're on the same level as me."

  "Mikari," Hephaestus said, staring at her sternly.

  "But it's true. Besides, he should be careful with what he says. There are a lot of high ego people in the Familia."

  "Well, that's true. Eryk, you'd better not speak like that to just anyone, okay? Mikari is very kind, so treat her well."

  "All right. Maybe I was a bit harsh. I just don't like being interrupted when I'm w. If she only wants to observe, that's fine."

  "Great! Then you agree with my suggestion. We start today! I want to see you fe a sword. I'll check it to see your level."

  "Now that everything's settled, I'll leave. Mikari, be careful with what you do."

  "What do you mean by that?" Mikari tilted her head in fusion.

  "I called you to train him, but that doesn't mean you do whatever you want with him."

  "Don't worry about that. He's not my type," Mikari said with a ugh. Hephaestus stared at her for a few seds before leaving the training room.

  Is Mikari the type to throw herself at men or something?

  If that's the case, it makes sense why Hephaestus is worried.

  But it's okay. While Mikari is beautiful, Hephaestus is far more stunning.

  ####

  "Now, show me how you do it," Mikari said as she watched me. I grabbed the material and begaing it. O was hot and malleable, I started hammering.

  k!

  k!

  k!

  The hammer striking the metal produced a loud sound.

  "You're doing well, but you could go faster if you adjusted your posture. You have a great physique, but your posture is holding you back. Here, let me help." Mikari moved behind me and adjusted my posture.

  Previously, I hammered like hitting a nail, not g about my posture. But after Mikari's adjustments, I began hammering more effitly.

  I mao increase both the speed and fory strikes.

  "That's better," Mikari said, crossing her arms and watg me with a smile.

  As I folded the metal and tinued hammering, Mikari nodded, looking satisfied.

  'I'm gaining points faster now.'

  I finished shaping the sword's bde ihan half an hour.

  , I began the heat treatment using water, but Mikari stopped me immediately.

  "Hey, are you crazy? Using water damage the metal. Of course, it depends oal you're using, but oil is usually better. Also, you use that." Mikari poio a er of the room.

  "That's cy. Try using it."

  "I've been doing it with water sihe beginning. I'm not ging my method."

  "You're so stubborn, aren't you? Fine, do whatever you want."

  I ignored what Mikari was saying and did the same things I did the day before yesterday aerday. Then, I fihe first sword of the day.

  After polishing and sharpening it further, it was done.

  [ You have fed a Level 1 Refined Sword ]

  "Oh?"

  "What's that? It ged?" Mikari's eyes widened. "This sword wasn't like this before. What did you do?"

  [ The skill "Quick Ssh LV1" has been added to the sword ]

  'That seems like an iing ability.'

  "Hey, don't just stand up and go test it. Let me take a look first!"

  "Just watch."

  "What?"

  I walked over to the test dummy and prepared to strike.

  "Your stance is terrible," Mikari said, ughing.

  "Quick Ssh," I said, activating the sword's skill.

  "What the hell was that?" Mikari couldn't keep up with my attack.

  ParodyGirl