"…out of all the things I would've expected to find out from a random memory, the supposed leader of a forging cult hailing from a high-profile family known for their forging techniques is definitely not one of them."
Recalling the conversation that transpired between Arcaelus and the High Priestess after the former's successful induction into the Eternal Flame, Valyr was left at a slight loss for words after the latter had mentioned a clan name that he had come across in the past.
'The Hephaista clan…'
Though Arcaelus did not think much about the surname, thinking that the High Priestess had only gotten to her position due to her talent and efforts, Valyr could not help but look at the name from another perspective.
After all, to him, he knew the Hephaista clan as the go-to forging clan to look for within the galaxy where Veldanyr was situated.
Indeed.
Known throughout the galaxy.
From what he could recall, the Hephaista clan had Myth-level beings aplenty, with most of them taking lead over the multiple clan branches that they controlled throughout the galaxy.
Then again, with the clan being known throughout the galaxy, Valyr also remembered that the ones manning the main branch of the Hephaista clan had a level of power that far surpassed the strength of mere Myths.
In fact, he was certain that their level of power was already close to breaching the next barrier of evolution.
Perhaps they've already breached it at this point.
'In any case, with the High Priestess' level of power seemingly standing at the peak of mortality, I guess she's been sent to Veldanyr to gain some experience.'
With the scenario having ended long ago at this point, Valyr consulted the thoughts that continued to linger in his mind regarding the scenario he had seen, delving into the world of darkness once more.
Of course, since the encounter with the Hephaista clan member wasn't the reason why he had appeared in the scenario in the first place, the young man slowly pushed the thought to the side as he returned his thoughts to Arcaelus' trial.
Ttang! Ttang! Ttang!
Hearing the sound of metal clashing against metal resound in his ears once more, Valyr began to trace back every step Arcaelus had taken into forging the item he had given the name Prometheus.
"…" With his eyes closed, Valyr would frown every once in a while, trying to look at the man's level of craftsmanship at multiple angles.
However, after examining it for quite some time, the young man realized that Arcaelus' level of craftsmanship was only above average when compared to the average blacksmith player.
Though, that was only the case when everything hadn't clicked in Arcaelus' mind yet.
Once it did, the man's level of skill grew exponentially, reaching a level that briefly reminded Valyr of the old man's skills during his relaxed forging session.
With the help of the Eternal Flame, the man's skills were accentuated even further, causing the final product to reach a level of quality that Valyr had yet to achieve.
Nevertheless, witnessing it firsthand allowed him to pick up on some key parts where he could improve.
Such as how Arcaelus interacted with the flame.
'To be one with the flame…' inwardly thought the young man, recalling how it seemed like Arcaelus knew every inch of the Eternal Flame.
Even though he did not.
Having interacted with the Eternal Flame for the first time, Arcaelus was able to work with the flame he had been given to such a degree that allowed him to forge an item that elicited awe in some of the people that were watching.
With that train of thought, it did not take long for the young man to immerse himself in his thoughts once more, gradually widening his level of understanding towards the forger's flames.
'Like a conductor in an orchestra, the forger is the one leading the flame to achieve the properties they seek.'
'However, similar to an orchestra, the forger must also be acquainted with the parts of the flame itself. Only then would one achieve the highest quality possible between both sides.'
At the moment he had come to this understanding, Valyr soon felt as if the world had appeared before him, inundating his entire body with a level of strength that caused him to feel somewhat drunk.
Though, just as quickly as it appeared, that feeling swiftly left his body as well, with only the sensations continuing to linger within him.
Ding!
Hearing notification sounds beginning to echo in his mind, Valyr slowly opened his eyes, soon realizing that he had been returned to the Chambers of Enlightenment at some point.
Staring at the screen in front of him, a slight smirk crept up on the edge of his lips as he read through the notifications he had received.
"Well then."
"Quite the welcome surprise yet again."
[A forger's flames takes on many forms, yet that does not mean that it is uncontrollable. Like a conductor in an orchestra, with enough time, one can also become acquainted with the flame they work with. Only with the two sides working together can great items be birthed.]
[Your understanding of the flames of forging has deepened and crystallized even further, reaching a culmination point. The world has taken notice of this, allowing you to borrow another portion of its nigh-infinite power.]
[Your Intent Seed of the Forger's Flames has ascended to the Second Stage.]
[Within the many steps needed to forge an item, one could say that the flame one uses is one of the most important things to take note of. With your understanding of the flames having grown deeper, you have figured out more natural ways to integrate the flames into your forging process, allowing your craft to expand to greater heights.]
[Your understanding of the forging process has deepened and crystallized even further, reaching a culmination point. The world has taken notice of this, allowing you to borrow another portion of its nigh-infinite power.]
[Your Intent Seed of Forging has ascended to the Second Stage.]
Similar to the results he had gained from expounding upon the Intent Seed of Forging, Valyr had inadvertently comprehended both the Intent Seed of Forging and the Forger's Flames yet again, allowing them to now stand at the same level as his Intent Seed of Shadow Energy.
'Then again, the two intents do go hand in hand,' thought the young man to himself, faintly smiling as the monotonous voice within the chambers spoke out one last time.
"You have used up your third and last opportunity to expound upon the intricacies of the Intent Seed of the Forger's Flames. No opportunities remain."
"You may leave the Chambers of Enlightenment."
Nodding in response to those words, Valyr gave the monotonous voice a few words of gratitude before leaving the dilapidated church, making his way back to the courtyard.
Not long after, he found himself standing in front of the exit that would lead him out of the Gates of Enlightenment, staring at it for a bit.
"I suppose I should also take the trials," muttered Valyr to himself as he took one last look at the courtyard he had more or less ransacked.
Wryly smiling at the thought, he finally took a step into the exit, returning to the temporary campsite a couple minutes later.
"To the Gates of Enlightenment."
"Though no person here has truly taught me anything..."
"I would still like to say thank you."
