In the outskirts of the City.
Before an old broken-down shop which still looked the same as many months ago, Lucas stood while feeling quite nostalgic.
It was the place where he got the thing that somehow proved to be a turning point in the life-threatening battle.
If not for that huge cliche coincidence, Lucas didn't think that even his idiotic future self would be able to save him.
"Let's go!" Lucas muttered excitedly and walked towards the door followed by slaves in the clothing of friends.
....
CLANG!CLANG!CLANG!
As soon Lucas entered he heard a piece of heavenly music that pleased his soul.
The sweet sound of a metallic hammer striking down lingered in the air which rang like a melody full of rhythm that soothes and calms down one soul.
"Hishhh!"
The old man grabbed the heated metal with a pair of tongs and put it into the bucket filled with oil to finish the quenching process.
With a sizzling and crackling sound, hot vapours started to emanate from the bucket of oil as the red heat metal cooled down in an instant.
Pulling the metal, he took a rod of iron and did the file test to test the hardness.
Creachhhhh!
He nodded in satisfaction and looked at the small sword which had been ordered for a child of 10 years old.
"I can rest for today finally" He murmured with a pleasant expression while taking a towel to wipe his sweat and was about to sit down when he heard the creaking sound of the opening of the door.
"Perhaps not."He spoke with a disappointed expression.
"Grandpa Bentley, it's been a long time since I saw you."
"Did you miss me?"Lucas muttered while extending his arms as if signaling Bentley to get a cordial welcome.
Bentley's brows furrowed on hearing such a familiar voice and the image of a boy with golden eyes appeared in his mind.
"Stop ruining my name, kid. I am not even married and you are calling me grandpa."
"I am still you and yet to find a good spouse. Don't spread rumors all around you stupid brat."
"Humph," Bentley grumbled trying to act tough but one could notice how happy he was by seeing his ears perking up.
"Hey, grandpa, don't be like that."
"I missed you here by thinking that you have been lonely but you are ignoring me already."
"Stop spouting nonsense and say what you want?" Bentley asked while rolling his eyes to see Lucas had brought visitors with him.
"I have brought something for you," Lucas spoke with a smile.
Bentley's expression changed for a moment on hearing Lucas's words and he asked with curiosity"What do you bring for me?"
"I brought you a slave...I mean apprentice." Lucas spoke with a happy tone.
"What?" Bentley stood up from his seat and walked toward Lucas while staring at the pretty new faces.
"Kid, when did I tell you that I am looking for an apprentice?"He asked in an irritated tone.
"You haven't told me. I just thought that you need to pass on your skills."
"Looking at how old you are, I can see you drop dead any second. So, before that, you have to prepare and pass your legacy."
"What do you mean by old? I am still young and strong as a horse?" Bentley spoke while raising his arms to show his bulging muscles.
"Whatever." Lucas shook his head and asked, giving a disapproving look, "So, are you going to accept the gift ?"
Bentley's lips twitched uncontrollably as he saw Lucas's shamelessness.
'Gift my ass. You are just asking to work hard .'
"No!" Bentley spoke, turning his head.
"Please, grandpa accept. Do this poor soul a favor. Please, I plea and beg you."
"Just look at this young boy who is so passionate about being the blacksmith."
"At least, here this story first and then decide "Lucas spoke with a pleading gaze that Bentley found hard to ignore and his softy's heart was finally unable to take it.
" Okay," Bentley spoke with a deep sigh.
He looked as if he gave up on resisting though Lucas knew that he would agree easily but would try hard to put on a show
"Go Neil, it's your job next," Lucas spoke while patting Neil's shoulder giving him a wink.
Neil started to narrate his story while Bentley heard him carefully, he looked quite interested and heard Neil's every word attentively.
If not, he would have already yawned a couple of times.
Lucas also heard Neil's story carefully and didn't feel any sadness or sorrow as Neil wasn't the only one.
There are countless hidden gems hidden in rough and dirt.
If one could search and unite these rough diamonds and polish them, one could unite a superior army but it was not as easy as it sounds.
It was only because Lucas had a little bit of knowledge about the future they helped him to get these people otherwise even he would turn a blind eye to them.
"I see." Bentley nodded while rubbing his beard and pondered for a moment.
"Before, I can decide anything. I want to see your blacksmithing skills." Bentley spoke and turned his head to Lucas.
"So, what about that nerdy body?"
"Pftttt!" Lucas and Neil laughed trying to cover their mouth while Roan coughed violently as he saw the shamelessness of his friends with deep pain in his heart.
"Did he also want to become an apprentice?" Bentley asked while looking at the nerdy boy beside Lucas.
"No, he is here for magic staff. Hey, nerdy boy, introduce yourself." Lucas pushed Roan towards Bentley.
Roan bowed before Bentley and spoke"Hello! I am Roan. I am 17 years old. I am around 173 cm. I am a magician. I like to read books.."
"Stop! Your name is enough."
"Now, tell me what do you want?"
"I want a magical staff," Roan said loudly.
"Do you have a monster core?" Bentley asked.
Roan looked at Lucas.
Lucas nodded and pulled out a D rank core which he had brought from the MMD center.
Lucas got a good discount as he used the MMD points that he had saved till now.
Lucas handed the core to Bentley who put it into a black box carefully after cleaning it with a special fabric.
"Now, you came with me." Bentley pointed to Neil and asked him to follow him.
Bentley got up and opened the door to the smithery but stopped to see all three of them standing behind him.
"Hey, why are you following us?" Bentley asked as he looked at Lucas and Roan following him.
"Don't you have other things to do other than eavesdropping on us?"
"No, we don't have other things to do. We are free today."Lucas spoke while smacking his elbow at Roan.
"Yesss, we are free men."Roan blurted out with an embarrassed expression which made him look quite cute.
"We also want to see the blacksmithing and take a glimpse at your masterpieces," Lucas said with expectant eyes while bothering Bentley who became quite pleased with Lucas's words.
"Do you think, I run a circus here," Bentley asked with an irritated tone but gave up seeing Lucas who was hell-bent on coming in.
"Fine, suit yourself."
