Chapter 683

Clink-! Clink-!

Driana was striking the metal with her hammer.

Dweno observed Driana in silence.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve actually watched Driana forge a weapon, isn’t it?”

Enniha stroked her chin and spoke softly, her eyes fixed on the intensely focused Driana.

“Just how capable is Driana?”

On the other side of Dweno’s workshop.

Cal, who was standing over an alchemy pot and stirring the bubbling liquid inside, offered an answer.

“If you actually watch her work, it will probably shock you.”

“Well, considering that girl’s typical handiwork, I can’t help but feel a bit apprehensive.”

Enniha’s expression turned grim as she remembered Driana, who fancied herself a creative spirit but only produced bizarre sculptures and bizarre paintings.

Dit, standing beside Enniha, squeezed his fists tightly.

“We’ll find out just how skilled she really is.”

Dit was a hopeful candidate to become an apprentice smith for Ivaldi.

Dit had poured his heart into his efforts, desperate to be chosen as Dweno’s disciple.

Yet that ambition had been shattered when Driana, a complete outsider, was taken in as Dweno’s student instead.

Dit had previously presented a weapon he forged to Driana, declaring that he would test her capabilities.

And Driana, after inspecting the blade Dit had crafted, flawlessly pinpointed every single defect, leaving Dit thoroughly humiliated.

Now, the tables were turned, and it was Dit’s turn to assess the sword that Driana had forged.

Enniha tilted her head, observing Dit’s intense demeanor.

“Considering how accurately she spotted the flaws in that weapon, she clearly possesses an exceptional eye.”

Illiana, who was catching the conversation, softly inquired of Cal.

“Did she only act so mean because he talked down on her artwork earlier?”

“Without a doubt.”

Cal envisioned the look on Driana’s face when she was picking apart the sword Dit had constructed.

‘What kind of amateurish finishing is this? The edge will grow blunt in no time!’

‘Why does it make this kind of vibration? You! You botched the heat regulation during tempering, didn’t you?’

‘Are you out of your mind! You expect to become Dweno-nim’s pupil with this kind of work! Just give up! I would never bother instructing someone like you!’

Driana had completely dropped her customary polite manner of speaking to utterly demolish the sword Dit had made.

Under normal circumstances, she would never critique anyone’s project with such hostility, but this time, she had retaliated with absolute fury in her eyes.

“She really is a dwarf whose pettiness matches her small stature.”

Ar, resting on a stool inside the workshop, sneered with an expression of disgust.

Clang-! Swoosh-!

Driana completed her final round of hammering.

Right after, the blazing embers were absorbed back into the crimson, glowing metal that had been spraying sparks.

“Phew.”

Driana exhaled deeply and plunged the heated blade straight into the cooling water.

Sssssssss-

A fierce sizzling noise erupted alongside a thick shroud of vapor.

Driana drew the blade out, wiped away the moisture with a cloth, and set the finished product down on the workshop counter.

Enniha drew a sharp breath the moment she laid eyes on it.

“Wow… it is absolutely gorgeous.”

The weapon Driana had crafted was practically a masterpiece of art.

The detailing across the blade resembled a flickering fire.

The surface of the steel was polished so cleanly it mirrored their faces like glass.

Dit likewise stared at the weapon, completely spellbound.

Cal clicked his tongue as he observed his reaction.

‘Naturally. Regardless of how she behaves, she is a prodigy whose talent was validated by Leo.’

Even if they were mere imitations, Driana had been replicating Dweno’s creations since her very first year.

Granted, Dweno’s armaments were not things that could be replicated merely by copying how they looked on the surface.

Yet Driana possessed the rare capability to forge incredibly convincing replicas.

She had been taught smithing principles directly by Dweno during their journey to conquer Dweno’s world alongside Leo’s companions.

Throughout that endeavor, Dweno had entrusted his own forging hammer to Driana.

The meaning behind that gesture was unmistakable.

It meant he formally embraced her as his apprentice in the art of blacksmithing.

‘According to what Leo mentioned, Dweno never took on a single pupil throughout the entire Age of Calamity.’

He had forged countless armaments, yet he never imparted his expertise to another soul.

To be precise, there simply wasn’t anyone capable of comprehending Dweno’s advanced methodologies.

In that regard, merely earning an endorsement from Dweno is enough to gauge just how spectacular Driana’s innate gift for forging truly is.

Ever since that moment, she had relentlessly honed her blacksmithing abilities for a full year.

‘Undergoing instruction from Dweno-nim at this stage is a preparatory phase meant to elevate her far beyond her current limits.’

“This object is a masterpiece all on its own.”

As Illiana murmured in awe, Driana gave a playful wiggle of her finger.

“Oh, certainly not. This is just the beginning; I am about to transform this blade into a genuine masterpiece.”

Hearing her declaration, Dit looked absolutely terrified.

“Hey! What else could you possibly do to it?!”

“First, I am going to carve an elegant motif onto the metal! Just watch! See what I can transform this plain blade into.”

The very second Driana, wearing a smug grin, reached her hand toward the steel.

Smack-!

Dweno’s knuckles came crashing down onto the top of Driana’s head.

Leaving Driana groaning as she clutched her skull and rolled across the workshop floor, Dweno lifted the weapon Driana had crafted.

“Well done.”

Everyone present gasped at Dweno’s brief expression of approval.

“Dit.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Take a look at this.”

Following Dweno’s instruction, Dit accepted the sword Driana had made with hands that shook slightly.

Before long, he bit down hard on his lower lip.

“It is… on an entirely different level compared to my own.”

“Exactly! I am vastly superior to you, aren’t I?”

Driana, who had jumped back to her feet, began mocking Dit from her spot next to Dweno.

“You claimed my coordination was awful and criticized me left and right. Yet this is just a weapon I threw together without even trying hard.”

“Yes… you truly are incredible.”

“Do you finally comprehend it now?”

Ar mumbled under his breath, watching the arrogant dwarf gloat.

“Even though she clearly forged it with every ounce of her spite.”

“Seriously. Why must she utterly crush someone whose talent she already admitted to? It makes it awkward for the rest of us just to watch.”

“No kidding. Why are we the ones feeling the second-hand embarrassment?”

Cal and Ar muttered to one another.

Just then, Illiana fetched an object from a far corner of the forge.

“Let’s check this out. This is the sketch that the kid Dit created, isn’t it?”

“Wait? What do you think you’re doing?!”

Dit panicked instantly.

“I’m just curious to see how well he managed to draw it.”

A few days prior, in the middle of their dispute, Dit had boasted that he could produce a better piece of art than Driana using nothing but his feet, promising to bring a sketch to prove it.

The paper currently in Illiana’s grip was the product of that challenge.

Illiana dashed past Dit toward Driana, presenting the illustration while rubbing her palms together playfully.

“My, my~ Dweno-nim’s esteemed apprentice, Driana-nim. Look what I discovered. As a token of appreciation, could you perhaps forge a blade for me sometime down the line….”

“Hmph. I suppose I could consider it.”

Ar muttered, watching Illiana flatter Driana like a total sycophant.

“Her conduct is downright shameful, acting like a textbook crony.”

Cal let out a sigh.

Dit’s flushed face looked incredibly pitiful.

Driana triumphantly unrolled the sketch.

And in that instant, she turned completely to stone.

“Wow…”

Illiana let out an involuntary gasp.

“Oh my goodness! Dit! Did you honestly paint this yourself?”

Enniha questioned in sheer disbelief after scanning the artwork, and Dit gave a quiet nod.

“Yes.”

Dweno, who snatched the paper right out of Driana’s paralyzed fingers, looked equally astonished.

“Stunning! Dit! You possess a genuine gift!”

“Huh?”

“Such an exquisite depiction of the evening sky! Have you practiced painting prior to this?”

“N-no, this is the first time.”

“Magnificent!”

Ar and Cal also crowded around to view Dit’s illustration, keeping their eyes on the enthusiastic Dweno.

Students attending the Hero Academy were required to take cultural education courses as well.

They frequently analyzed various forms of artwork.

Granted, with the exception of Driana, individuals like Ar, Cal, and Illiana were the types of students who would sleep through those specific lectures, but the experience had at least refined their ability to judge quality.

Even by their metrics, Dit’s depiction of the night sky was breathtakingly gorgeous.

“How did you manage to paint it like this?”

“Well… I just painted it while visualizing the memory of when I gazed up at the night stars for the very first time.”

Dweno nodded understandingly, looking at the self-conscious boy, though his expression soon turned sorrowful.

“What an absolute shame. If only I had recognized this artistic gift of yours a bit sooner…”

“It’s definitely not too late! Dit! Have you ever contemplated pursuing a path as an artist?”

Enniha inquired with a radiant grin, but Dit replied with absolute certainty.

“I wish to forge armaments! I want to grow into a phenomenal blacksmith and assist the champions who risk their lives for our world, precisely like my late father did!”

“In stark contrast to certain individuals, that is an honorable perspective.”

Ar smirked, glancing toward Driana, who flinched noticeably.

“Quite true. Unlike a certain someone who went completely out of her way to bully a child younger than herself.”

As Cal chimed in with his own jibe, Driana, her face burning crimson, lunged directly at Cal.

“Why is everyone picking on me?!”

“That miserable cat always slinks away so annoyingly whenever I try to smack it, doesn’t it?!”

Illiana tilted her head, observing the chaotic environment of the workshop.

“By the way, if Driana is capable of recognizing that this sketch is beautiful, it means her aesthetic sense functions normally, so why do her own creations turn out so utterly disastrous?”

“She claims she desires to paint them beautifully as well, but whenever she puts real effort into it, things fall apart. She employs the absolute finest techniques at her disposal to make them as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Consequently, the finished products probably look magnificent through her own eyes.”

“…She is utterly afflicted.”

Illiana, receiving Ar’s explanation, directed a deeply sympathetic gaze toward Driana.

After the brief squabble settled down.

Enniha offered a warm smile, noting Driana sitting in one section of the workshop staring dejectedly at Dit’s illustration, while Dit stood on the opposite end admiring Driana’s forged blade.

“I have an excellent proposition.”

“What might that be?”

“Driana wishes to master the art of illustration, and Dit desires to master the art of smithing, correct? Why don’t they instruct one another? Given that they are around the same age but possess entirely different talents, I believe they could serve as a wonderful influence for each other.”

“Hmm. That actually sounds like a reasonable plan.”

Dweno crossed his arms across his chest and nodded in agreement.

“Indeed. Dweno. Though you will still be required to guide Driana in her smithing.”

“Enniha. Shouldn’t you be the one instructing Driana on how to paint?”

“Wouldn’t studying under Dit prove to be far more advantageous for Driana than anything she could learn from me?”

Cal tilted his head to the side upon hearing her excuse.

“Isn’t that just a convenient excuse to dump the responsibility onto Dit…?”

“Hohohoho. This big sister truly dislikes youngsters who are far too perceptive, you know?”

“My apologies.”

“You mean old auntie, not big sister, wouldn’t it be?”

As Dweno interjected callously, Enniha drove her elbow straight toward Dweno’s head.

Instead, she collapsed onto the floorboards, weeping as she clutched her own shattered elbow.

Dweno paid no attention to the groaning Enniha and summoned both Driana and Dit over to him.

“So, what are your thoughts on this arrangement?”

“I am completely on board!”

Dit responded with immense zeal.

He embraced the concept because he had developed a genuine respect for Driana’s craftsmanship.

“I am fine with it as well.”

Driana had likewise found genuine inspiration within Dit’s illustration.

The two youngsters, offering mutual nods, retreated to a corner of the forge to converse.

Enniha smiled softly, observing their interaction.

“It is truly wonderful to witness the dawning of fresh potential.”

The sun had fully dipped below the horizon, and constellations were beginning to twinkle across the dark expanse.

The dark, oppressive era had concluded, making way for a future filled with promise.

“It has been an incredibly long time since I last witnessed a peaceful scene like this.”

It was a tranquil reality that one simply could not afford to appreciate during the times when merely clinging to survival required everything they had.

CRASH-!

The massive skull of the Lord Gigantes was utterly shattered.

BOOM-!

Leo directed his gaze upward toward the heavens, watching the lifeless, broken form of the Lord Gigantes collapse.

An entire week had elapsed since they commenced their tracking operation.

Vibrant crimson flames enveloped the thrashing remains of the Lord Gigantes.

Whoosh-

Leo, having consumed the Lord Gigantes utilizing Zerdinger’s aura, smoothly slid his blade back into its scabbard.

‘With this victory, I have thoroughly scoured the entire perimeter surrounding the stronghold.’

Leo narrowed his eyes thoughtfully as he retraced his steps toward where the rest of his companions were waiting.

‘Why am I still unable to locate the path to the entrance?’