Ushiwakamaru

We found ourselves on a high platform at the Babel, with open walls offering a stunning view of the city below. Xian-san sat on the edge of the tower, gazing at the horizon with distant eyes. Meanwhile, Welf and I were seated on a bench, engaging in conversation.

Welf, after observing us for a moment, inquired, "Your sister, I presume?"

"A-ha, she is not my sister, although we do share a similar appearance." I chuckled at the assumption. People often mistake us for siblings due to our red eyes and white snow-like hair.

"Alright, back to the topic at hand," Welf said, diverting his attention from Xian-san to me. "You were looking for me, correct?"

I nodded and got straight to the point. "Yes, I want to commission you to make me a dagger."

"A dagger huh? Well, I could do that, but I have one little request for you... Bell I humbly ask to join your party" He seriously looks at me waiting for an answer

"Sure!" I accepted without a second thoughts

Xian wondered why she was here if Bell could find a blacksmith himself

-

We arrived at Welf's workshop, a small shack surrounded by greenery, much like the area around my home. Upon entering, we were enveloped in darkness since there were no apparent light sources.

"Wow, it's pretty dark in here," I remarked, taking in the rows of equipment hanging on the walls. Xian-san walked over to a broadsword hanging on the wall.

"Sorry, I didn't expect visitors, so I never cleaned up," Welf explained, taking a seat near a furnace.

Xian-san inquired, "May I take a look at this blade?"

"Go ahead," Welf warmly permitted her. Xian-san promptly dismounted the broadsword, testing a few swings before returning the blade and complimenting, "A great blade. You're talented in smithing."

"Thanks for the compliment," Welf replied, then turned his attention to me. "So, what kind of dagger do you want?"

I was a bit puzzled. "What kind?"

Xian-san clarified, "He means what kind of materials would you like your dagger made out of."

"Oh! then please make it out of this" I pulled out the minotaur horn I'd been keeping in my satchel, Welf took the horn, observed it for a second, and nodded

"Yeah this is a good material" and went over to the furnace to begin firing up the forge but Xian-san intervened

"Hold," Xian said, Welf halted and looked over to Xian-san with an annoyed look

"What? if it's not important ask it later" Welf said. Xian-san walked over to the forge and waved her hand to me to come over

"Activate your magic," Xian-san said confusing me and Welf, but I followed her instruction

"O flame, enchant my blade to aid me in my fight, engulf my enemy with your flame, and leave nothing but ashes" A small flame appeared on my hand and she grabbed my arm and turned to Welf

"Go and continue heating the horn, once you are done present it to me" Xian-san ordered, Welf turned to me for my opinion and I nodded trusting her completely

"Alright, it's your dagger, I'll be your fault if it turns into a scrap" Welf mumbled and continued heating the horn until it glowed red and presented the horn in front of Xian-san

"Now push your flame into it" Xian instructed me and I quietly followed her instruction, I willed my flame into the horn. the horn absorbed the flame and disappeared into itself before long

"Now you can continue forging as normal" Xian-san backed off leaving both me and Welf confused, Welf continued on smithing and I asked why she did that

"Your magic is an enhancement type is it not? I had a thought. if you enhance a blade when they are still being crafted, what will happen, Will it permanently be enhanced while the blade is still malleable, or just act like normal? nonetheless, it will not hurt to try" Xian-san explained her thought process and I nodded in understanding

-

Looking at the finished product, I marveled at the short red knife. It still emitted a faint heat, with small embers radiating off it. Welf could handle it without any issues.

"What curious magic," Welf mused, "the material was excellent before, but after you infused your flame, it became tougher, yet the weight remained the same."

Welf handed the knife to me and added, "Here, take it for free. It was the first time I worked with a material like that, so it was quite fun. Although I couldn't make the blade longer this time, I might be able to in the future once I improve my craft." He gazed at the second half of the horn he had cut during the forging process.

Xian-san, who had been quiet for a while, finally spoke, "What's the name?"

Welf seemed momentarily lost in thought, looking at the knife in my hand. Then he said, "Ah, right, I was so caught up with the material I completely forgot. Let's call it Ushiwakamaru. It's an ancient name that came from a warrior, and it means 'bull.'" Welf nodded in satisfaction.