900 Forging
After putting Dominique to rest, Mira decided it was time for her to do something she's been talking about for years now.
Forging!
Ever since she joined the main Battle Maiden Sect, she'd been thinking about finally getting into the various sub-professions. Unfortunately, annoyances kept popping up one after another, forcing her to switch her focus to other areas.
Now that she was strong enough not to be bothered by so many things, she could actually dedicate herself to learning.
'I would've liked to pay a visit to one of the blacksmithing Sects here on the Northern Continent, but I'll probably put that on hold for now. The Firmament should have something for beginners, right? I'll just start there.' Mira thought as she opened up the point shop, which reminded her to complete this round of the Abyssal Battle Ladder.
'I'll do that later.' She noted. For at least the next few months, Mira didn't plan on attempting to break through. Not that she could even if she wanted to.
Putting that thought away, she focused on the shop, sorting it to only show information and techniques regarding forging.
Mira's eyes scanned the virtual display of the Firmament's point shop, filtering through various techniques available.
[Ember's Touch: A basic technique focusing on the precise control of heat and flame. Ideal for beginners.]
[Hammer's Echo: Learn to understand the rhythm and flow of metal. A technique that teaches the art of shaping metal through sound and vibration.]
[Vein of the Earth: An advanced technique to extract and refine the purest essence of ores. Requires deep understanding of earth elements.]
[Blazeheart Technique: A foundational technique that teaches the art of manipulating fire to achieve precise temperatures. Ideal for beginners to understand the nuances of heat control in smithing.]
[Ripple's Resonance: Learn the art of metal shaping with the fluidity and adaptability of water. This technique focuses on harnessing water's properties to create flexible and resilient creations.]
[Stonecore Resonance: A technique emphasizing the rhythmic pounding that echoes the resilience of earth. Suitable for those seeking to master the creation of durable and heavy artifacts.]
[Zephyr's Cadence: This technique teaches the forger how to work metal as if it were as light and elusive as the wind. Perfect for crafting swift, agile weapons and armor.]
[Frostforged Harmony: Focuses on the delicate balance between metal and the biting cold of ice. Ideal for blacksmiths aiming to craft items that harness the preserving and chilling powers of ice.]
[Thunderstrike Rhythm: A technique that combines the forging process with the abrupt and powerful nature of lightning. It teaches how to imbue artifacts with electric potential.]
[Luminous Refinement Technique: Learn to incorporate the purity and clarity of light into metalwork. This technique is perfect for creating artifacts that shine with the essence of light, offering sharpness and precision.]
[Shadowmeld Craft: A technique that explores the secretive aspects of darkness in forging. It teaches the art of creating items that can absorb or blend into the shadows, ideal for covert operations or stealthy engagements.]
…
Mira paused at each description, mulling over their potential benefits and suitability for her current level. Her gaze lingered on two particular entries that piqued her interest.
[Basic Blacksmithing: This comprehensive introductory guide is essential for aspiring blacksmiths. It covers the fundamental principles of metalwork, including understanding different metal types, basic forging processes, and the essentials of crafting simple tools and weapons. The guide delves into the significance of temperature control, hammering techniques, and the importance of precision in shaping metal.
Additionally, it provides an overview of the various grades of artifacts and their characteristics.]
[Soul of the Forge: A foundational technique designed to harmonize one's internal Qi with the external forces of creation. Essential for understanding the essence of blacksmithing and perfecting one's foundation.]
'These two,' Mira thought, tapping on them. The others sounded great and powerful, but they were more niche and advanced. [Soul of the Forge] didn't necessarily sound easy to comprehend, but the idea of perfecting her foundation meant a lot to her.
'That's what really matters the most and is almost the entire reason I'm doing this.' She mused while continuing to go down the list of techniques that could be helpful.
If she wanted to understand her Creation Tail more and advance further than her current attainments, she felt that forging was the best place to start. And having a perfect foundation meant that she'd covered all her bases.
With a mental confirmation, she exchanged 1,000 points for both techniques, and two thick books immediately fell onto her lap.
She set [Soul of the Forge] aside for the moment. Instead, Mira picked up the [Basic Blacksmithing], feeling the rather extreme weight in her hands.
'Is this whole book made of metal, or what?' She wondered and sent her Soul Sense into it, only to realize that it, in fact, was made entirely of metal and not an ordinary one.
'...I don't even know what grade these metals are.' Her anticipation grew, seeing just how amazing the craftsmanship of this 'simple' piece was.
'No wonder it cost so many points.' Mira clicked her tongue, but there was an excited glint in her eyes
As she opened the book, its pages revealed a wealth of knowledge, meticulously organized and illustrated. Mira dove into the text, her mind absorbing the crucial points that would lay the groundwork for all her future creations.
Chapter 1: Understanding the Forge
This chapter introduced the heart of blacksmithing: the forge. It detailed different types of forges, fuel sources (from traditional coal to mystical flames), and the importance of temperature control. Mira learned about the forge's role in heating metal to the appropriate malleability and the nuances of maintaining a consistent heat.
Chapter 2: Metal Types and Properties
Here, Mira discovered the vast array of metals used in blacksmithing, from common iron to rare and mystical ores. Each metal was described in terms of its properties, such as hardness, flexibility, and affinity to elemental energies. The chapter emphasized the importance of choosing the right metal for the desired artifact's purpose.
Chapter 3: Basic Hammering Techniques
This section covered the fundamental movements and techniques of hammering, the core action in shaping metal. Mira studied various hammer types, grips, stances, and striking methods. She learned how different hammering patterns could affect the metal's structure and integrity.
Chapter 4: Shaping and Forming Metal
The book guided her through the process of transforming raw metal into a desired shape. It introduced techniques such as bending, stretching, cutting, and folding metal, each accompanied by detailed illustrations and step-by-step instructions.
Chapter 5: Cooling and Tempering
After shaping, metals require proper cooling and tempering to attain their final hardness and resilience. This chapter taught Mira the critical stages of quenching (rapid cooling) and tempering (controlled reheating) to achieve the desired balance between toughness and brittleness.
Chapter 6: Finishing Touches
The final touches in blacksmithing, such as polishing, engraving, and applying coatings or treatments, were covered in this chapter. Mira learned how these finishing processes could enhance both the aesthetic and functional qualities of the forged item.
Chapter 7: Elemental Affinities in Forging
A unique aspect of this book was its focus on integrating elemental affinities into the forging process. Mira found insights into how different elemental energies could be harnessed to imbue artifacts with specific attributes or powers.
…
As Mira turned each page, her understanding deepened. The book not only provided practical knowledge but also instilled a sense of respect for the art of forging. It emphasized that blacksmithing was more than just a craft; it was a form of expression where the smith's spirit was imbued into the metal.
The hours continued to pass as she absorbed every word in the book, realizing just how complicated and precise the craft could be. It wasn't just smacking two metals together and grinding down the edge to sharpen it. It was an art, one that required finesse and experience to perfect.
