Chapter 131 : The Two Strongest (Part 3)

After that his training continued.

Day by day Rei underwent unimaginable change under Ignia's training.

Finally the day came when Rei will start his training with Doldain.

Rei looked worn-out after his training with Ignia. His face was covered with dirt, and his clothes got messed up.

Since during his training with her, he can only rest for a few minutes before continuing his training again.

Yet, his eyes remained calm and instead looking tired, he looked like enlightened during his training.

"Man... my King sure doesn't pull some punches to a kid." Doldain spoke while observing Rei's looks.

"How the hell did you look like a beggar after three days?" Doldain joking it.

Rei could only smile it off, "Well, it was worthwhile, and I am slowly getting a hang of it."

"Sure..." Doldain could only smile awkwardly seeing his joke doesn't get through it.

"A-ahem, let's stop talking about that, since today will be the first day that I will teach you Axemanship." Doldain spoke.

"I never teach someone, but I will try my best."

"From what I see now, you are a true warrior instead of a kid, so I will not hold back on you, and there will be no complaint, understood?" Doldain reminded him.

Rei could only nod to his answer.

*THUNG*

Doldain then put down his large axe on the ground.

"As you know, Axe is different from a Sword and different from a Spear."

"They have short-range with wider blades that could cleave the enemy into two pieces."

"But what makes it so different?"

"As you are already being taught by my king, Sword is the base of all weapons."

"But what is the different part that makes Axe special?" Doldain asked him.

Then Rei raised his hand, "I think...is it because of their weight?"

Doldain nodded his head, "Correct." Then lifted his axe with one hand.

"The difference between a Sword and an Axe is the weight of it."

"From the density of the blade itself and the strength that was needed to lift this one weapon is what makes it different."

"Durable, heavy, and strong, that's why Axe is a great weapon for someone who has a strong body and strength."

"And at this point, I will teach you different kinds of weapons as well, of course." Doldain added.

"Weapons come in different shapes and function despite the fact that the base of each weapons are the same."

"Especially an Axe."

"Axe have different shapes and types, from a two-handed Axe that is used to cleave and crush enemies with bigger sides."

"To one-handed Axe which can be used in shorter-range close combat and easier mobility."

"And Axe comes with different size of the blade, and have different function as well."

"Such as Axe with a wider blade on one side, the purpose was to create more impact caused by the different weight on the side with wider blades that makes it destructive."

"Or Axe with two sides wider blade, which is the purpose to balance the weight of the weapon, but it can also protect yourself using the blade itself while destroying your enemy."

"Also two-handed axe can come by different size, by making the shaft or the grip longer, and that weapon is called Halberd."

"A weapon that can be considered as a Spear and also an Axe for mid-range close combat." Doldain explained.

While Rei listened to what he mentioned.

"And many other things, even swords came in many sizes as well as shapes."

"Long-sword, short-sword, claymore, great sword, flame tongue, and many." Doldain spilled all kinds of weapons.

"Even Spear and Bow, also Shield as well." Doldain added.

"Each weapon has many functions, but there are two purposes that never change, which is..." Doldain stopped so Rei could answer it.

"To protect or to kill." Rei answered him.

"Correct, what matters is the fact weapons are innocent, and it depends on the owner who owns the weapon."

"Whether they use it for evil or for good." Doldain explained.

Rei came to understand more and more during their teaching. What he was lacking, what he needed to improve.

After Doldain explained, Rei had been thinking about it in silence.

"Either way, that's all I can teach you about weaponry. Next, will be choosing your axe first, then we go proceed with your training." Doldain then turned around and walked, then Rei immediately followed him from behind.

Finally, they left the training hall.

*******

*TAP*

*TAP*

*TAP*

Rei is now following Doldain from behind walking through this big hallway.

'Hmmm, this might be my first time walking here.' Rei thought while looking around.

'Well from the start, I don't know much about this castle since I never had tried to to tour around the castle.'

'Though I guess partly, because I was training with Ignia for three days straight before and the other day I focused more on recovering my strength.'

'Added with the festival on few days ago.'

Then Rei reminded of something, 'Hmmm, I wonder what is those three dwarves doing anyway?'

While having so many thought within Rei's mind, they finally reached their destination.

"Hm?—?!"

They stopped walking in front of a large door made out of steel.

'So big?!' Rei could only gulped while looking up as the door almost reached the high ceilings.

*CLINK*

Then Doldain opened it.

*CREAK*

*TUNG*

*TUNG*

*TUNG*

The door opened slowly and created this loud steel noises.

After that...

*BUUSHHHH*

What greeted them was smoke and heat coming from behind that door.

'So hot!—'

Rei widened his eyes and surprised to see a magnificent sight.

*CREAK*

*BAM*

Finally the door was fully opened and the inside of it...

Was a wide blacksmith workshop, filled with weapons and equipment hung all over the walls and several Dwarves are working on something.

"Woah." Rei couldn't help to be amazed by it.

Especially the sight of those Dwarves tampering with their hammer on an undone sword, by molding it and sharpening it.

It was the same sight that he had seen from the balcony before, but now he got to see it even closer.

'It's amazing...' Rei thought

"Heh, right? So come on in." Doldain beckoned him inside.

"Y-yes!"

Rei walked into the room and he immediately felt the heat coming from the furnace.

"This place..." Rei mumbled.

Doldain smiled, "This is the Royal Workshop where some chosen Dwarves work here to create our weapons." he explained.

"It is..." Rei then let his eyes wander around the room, appraising them one by one and from the colors of the weapons here are...

"Amazing."

Blue and purple.

'No way...this mean that!'

'These weapons are all [Rare] and [Epic] grade!' Rei couldn't help but be astonished by the sight of these weapons.

Sword, Spear, Shield, Bow, and an Axe as well, all of them was being put on sight on their walls around them which had better status and grade.

As they walked closer towards the Dwarves who were working on these weapons, they stopped on that one dwarf who Rei were familiar with.

*THUNG*

*THUNG*

The dwarf was hammering on the sword he held.

Then Doldain approached him first, "Well well, how is your injuries, Bavog?"

Doldain spoke towards the dwarf who was holding a safety helmet and holding his hammer.

"Seriously, can't you see that I am working?"

Bavog stopped hammering his hammer.

"Tsk." Bavog clicked his tongue while his face was wrapped with bandages.

"Why the fuck are you here?"

"Well I just thought of seeing my cute Bavog who got his ass handed to him by a child~" Doldain teased him.

His taunting managed to get under the bandaged dwarf's skin, "Huh?! Are you messing with me?!"

"What? I'm just telling the truth~"

Bavog clicked his tongue, "Tsk, seriously...you and your fucking mouth." Bavog spoke but soon noticed the appearance of the kid who defeated him.

"Huh?! W-why is that boy here!?" Bavog immediately backed up against the wall.

"Heh~ well, we are here to introduce him to a few weapons here but first, could you show us some axes?"

Bavog gulped, "S-sure...just go to the corner over there, Hurhil will tell you." He  spoke as he pointed at the corner shelves within this workshop.

"Thanks bud!" Doldain laughed seeing Bavog's reaction upon seeing Rei, when Rei walked past him, he bowed his head towards Bavog before he left.

'Ughhh...what with my luck today.'

While remaining terrified after what happened between them.

******

Rei and Doldain walked through the shelves that were filled with weapons all over the place.

Then, the two of them found a dwarf there sitting on the chair while doing something on the table.

The dwarf was wearing goggles while holding a sword, as if he was examining it.

*TSSK* *TSSKK*

No—rather than examining it, he was more into carving the sword hilt and the blade as well with a pen knife.

*TSSKKK*

The pen knife created some light as he carved something on the sword.

"Hey! Hurhil! We've come to visit!" Doldain spoke.

Hurhil, the dwarf who wore goggles, stopped his work to look at him.

Then he sighed, "Could you please not disturb me while I'm working? Doldain." Hurhil turned around while taking off his goggles.

"Hahaha! Well I just wanted to see all of you before being busy again!" Doldain spoke while laughing.

Hurhil smiled, "Well I can tell since you are pretty busy these days."

After that Hurhil froze and noticed Rei who stood behind Doldain.

"Hm? Well well, aren't cha the kid who beat up Bavog?"

Rei tensed up, "Nice to meet you again, sir."

Then Hurhil laughed, "Hahaha! Chill out, don't be so tense~ I had a blast that time you beat Bavog with one punch!"

"So what do the two of you want from this lowly dwarf eh?" Hurhil spoke while rubbing his beard.

"Well nothing much, just coming to check few axes around, this kid gonna be my disciple." Doldain spoke.

"Right right—hm? Say what now?"

"Hmm? Checking up few axes around?"

"No the next words you mention."

"You mean this kid gonna be my disciple?"

"Huh?! You have taken a disciple?! And a human?!" Hurhil looked at him in disbelief.

"What?!" Then Bavog appeared from behind after listening to his words and followed them from behind.

Doldain and Rei suprised from the sudden outburst Bavog created.

"Ughhh, could you please not shout, is it that surprising for me to take a disciple?"

"Well yeah, I mean most of the dwarves here wanted you to teach your secret and you gave it away to a child!" Hurhil spoke with a hint of accusation.

Rei could only remain silent in this situation, 'Is it that serious?'

"Well I had seen his potential and I think he will grow up to be the strongest, and I can guarantee it." Doldain answered.

"Even our King had approved him as worthy to be teached by her as well." Doldain bragged about it.

"What?!" Bavog and Hurhil gotten more shocked to hear that.

"Hohoho, never thought the two strongest in our Kingdom would teach a young human like him."

"Well then how about I see that potential myself."

When they were talking, an old looking dwarf came between them to join their conversation.

"Bhardus." Doldain spoke his name.

"I came here to see what you guys are making a fuss of, but to think it was the child who defeated Bavog with one punch." Bhardus spoke.

While Bavog shrank after hearing the same thing over and over again, "Ughh.."

Bhardus approached Rei and took his hand to touch it immediately.

"Let me see..." after that Bhardus touched his arm as he examined him.

"Ohhh! This is..." Bhardus looked surprised.

"What is it?"

"Young child...how can you endure this?"

'Endure? What does he mean?' Rei looked clueless at what he meant.

"What did you see, Bhardus?" Hurhil asked.

Bhardus sighed, "To think a child like him had this kind of potential while holding down the pain."

"What do you mean?" Bavog asked.

"This child...he could wield multiple weapons." Bhardus spoke.

"Huh?!" The two dwarves were shocked.

"Yes, as you know, wielding multiple weapons can be considered the hardest and the most taboo from the rules of the world." Bhardus spoke.

"Because one needs to endure the pain it goes through to change his weapon." Bhardus explained.

Rei looked calm as he already knew about it, 'Well it's nothing to be surprised of.'

"But this child was accustomed to the pain and freely changed his muscles and his organs to match with the weapons he used." Bhardus spoke.

"Such an unimaginable pain." Bavog spoke.

"Yes, to the point that someone would pass out or...die from the shocking pain." Bhardus spoke.

"Woah..." Hurhil spoke.

"Child, what kind of struggle did you meet on your journey? To be able to achieve this?"

"Uhhh...it's nothing to be proud of, I just fought for the sake of my survival and to protect those I love." Rei spoke.

It was just simple explanation, yet the three dwarves become speechless after hearing what he said.

Doldain suddenly laughed, "Hahaha! Well said kid."

Bhardus sighed, "To think…a child like you holding such a great burden..."

"Oh right, he's still 8 years old." Doldain spoke.

"WHAT?!" Then Hurhil got up from his seat along with Bavog who were more shocked than usual.

Bavog and Hurhil looked at him, after that they began to cry.

'Tears?' Rei looked confused.

*TAP*

Suddenly Bavog tapped his shoulder, "Son...you can tell this uncle anything!"

Rei shivered hearing those words, 'Uncle?!—'

"Yes! This Grandpa will help you!'

'G-grandpa!?—' Rei got more shocked from the sudden looks from them.

"I-it's okay, it's nothing to be proud of, but... Bhardus-san?"

"Just call me Grandpa Bhardus." Bhardus spoke sternly.

"U-uhhh...y-you don't have to, it's just–I wanna ask." Rei spoke trying to avoid this conversation.

"Yes, just tell me anything."

Rei then looked at him seriously, "I want to know...whether I can use another weapon." Rei asked.

Bhardus widened his eyes, "Hmmm..." Then holding his hand again and examining his body by touching his shoulder then his arm.

"I think...you can." Bhardus spoke.

"Really?—"

"But..." Just right before Rei got too excited, Bhardus looked st him seriously.

"If your body can endure the pain again, then I could say yes." Bhardus spoke.

"I see, but then that means I can still learn Axemanship, isn't that right Doldain?" Rei spoke to him.

Doldain smiled and nodded, "Yeah, so Bhardus, this is the reason why we are here, we want to choose the right axe for him to use."

Bhardus then let go of his hand, "I see, but are you sure you want this?"

"What do you mean?" Rei asked.

"You already have enough weapons to use, why do you need more?" Bhardus asked.

"Yeah, that's right." Bavog spoke.

But Rei looked down and shook his head, "No, it's not enough...to defeat that man, I need a new power and increase my strength."

The three dwarves were confused about what he said.

"Why are you rushing things?" Hurhil decided to ask.

"I'm not rushing...but…I don't want to see someone get hurt." Rei spoke while looking at his hand.

"That is why I required strength to protect them with my own hand, since..." Rei spoke while smiling at them.

"It has been my dream to become the strongest knight to protect the people I love." Rei spoke.

"A knight....I see, such an admirable dream you have." Bhardus nodded.

"Since you have proven your worth from our King and this guy, we shall support you to become strong." Bhardus spoke while Hurhil and Bavog nodded in agreement.

Rei brightened up and bowed his head, "Thank you very much!"

"Hahaha! You don't have to thank us! You are now our brother! Every weapon that you need! We will make it for you!" Bavog spoke.

"Ahem." Doldain then coughed, "Sorry to interrupt but I don't think he need you guys to make it."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Hurhil asked.

"Well...instead of making, how about teaching him instead."

"Teach him? But he is a [Warrior] job, how can he—" Before Bavog finished his words, Rei raised his hand.

"Ummm...actually, I am a [Blacksmith]." Rei spoke.

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"Huh??–WHAT?!"

*******

After that, Rei and Doldain went back to the training hall.

"BUHAHAHA! Those guys' reactions are are so hilarious! I can't stop laughing!" Doldain laughed again.

'Somehow you seem to be laughing a lot lately.' Rei thought.

"So kid, are you sure you have chosen the right one?" Doldain spoke while pointing at the thing that Rei was holding.

"Yeah, I get the feeling that this is the right one."

An ordinary iron battle axe, with one side wider blade and long grip to be used with two hands.

"I thought you might choose the same type as mine, but given the path that you have taken is different, it seems you made the right choice." Doldain nodded.

"But you do know that the different types need a different approach right?" Doldain reminded.

"I understand, the path that I choose is different, but...I won't give up just like that." Rei answered.

Doldain smiled.

"Uhhhh, you sounds cringe."

Though he ruined the mood.

"I know." Rei agreed.

"Right, so, how about trying to take a swing." Doldain spoke.

Rei nodded while gripping the axe with two hands, then he lifted it up.

"Huff—!" Then he swung his axe down.

*SWOOSH*

"Ugh—?!"

Then the pain began, his muscles that had accustomed to different kinds of weapons had begun to change again.

Bulging veins appeared on his arms and his neck.

"Kid! Stop!" Doldain, who saw that, wanted him to stop.

Then Rei lifted his axe again while panting heavily.

He gritted his teeth, "Haa!—"

Then swung his axe one more time.

[Notice!]

[Skill "Pain Resistance" has been activated]

His skill caused his pain to subside, as his muscle slowly went through changes.

After that, Rei lifted his axe and swung it downagain.

*SWOOSH*

"Huuuu..."

Doldain, who just watched from beside him, began to look at him in a different way.

'He resisted the pain?!—I could hear and see the way his muscles moved and went through changes.'

'It is just like Bhardus said...how can he handle such unimaginable pain like that.' Doldain thought while he began to frin widely.

'Interesting...his will and tenacity is very strong.'

'Then, I guess...it is worthwhile to teach him a few of my techniques.' Doldain thought.

Meanwhile Rei slowly got used to swinging his axe, 'The pain is gone... slowly…'

Rei looked at the axe that he swung, 'When I carried this axe, it was pretty easy and I didn't feel any weight, but....'

'After I swung it once, it suddenly became heavier...is it because my body reset itself every time I changed my weapon?' Rei thought.

'But...I guess it is, it's like in the RPG game where you can change your main account into a sub account.'

'It is similar to that...how come I never noticed? Or is it because an axe is heavier than any other weapon?'

'Guessing from the weight, an axe could release a heavier attack if compared to a sword or spear.'

'Even the shield cannot compare to that.' Rei smiled, 'I guess...I am lucky to meet him.'

*SWOOSH*

Rei then swung his axe again.

Doldain noticed him smiling while swinging his axe.

'Heh, I guess he is having fun.' Doldain thought as he watched him swinging his axe.

"It's gonna be a long journey ahead."

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******

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7 years later…

Back to the Capital of the Luxion Kingdom, where the Welford Manor was located.

*BOOM*

And immediately greeted with a large explosion from their backyards.

"Hmmm, you sure have grown tremendously after 7 years..."

A large and tall silver haired male, with wrinkles on his face was standing there beside the training hall that got destroyed.

"You make me proud."

He was a member of the Legendary Hero Party, [The Sword Saint, Rowan].

"Heh~ did you forget who is teaching her magic?"

Then an old lady walked behind him, wearing a witch hat as she spoke in an arrogant manner.

"She is my disciple as well, remember? I am the one who taught her that~"

She was also from the Legendary Hero Party, [The Witch, Matilda].

The two of them looked older as time went on.

'Seriously…why are they fighting each other? I am the one who taught her here!'

Then another voice came out but didn't come from the two of them who stood on the sideline.

It's from the inside of a certain someone instead, who stood there in the middle of the scene who was also the one that caused this destruction.

"Well can't be helped that they are this happy from how much we have grown, Iris~"

A young lady's voice could be heard behind the dust, as the dust dissipated, it was revealed who is the true culprit, the one who caused this scene.

'Well, I don't have anything to teach you anymore seeing how fast you grow~ and I am proud to see you now.'

'Yomi~'

A young girl with her dark blue hair with the color of the night sky and two different eyes.

The left eye was the color of the blue sky and the right one was blood red.

The girl had grown to become a splendid young lady, her body was slim and several parts of her body had grown and she's wearing a formal dress for fighting and was holding a rapier.

And she was known with a new title.

[The Empress of Life and Death].

Iris May Welford, a.k.a Hanamachii Yomi.

Age 15 years old.

To be continued...