Volume 4 Chapter 6.5

Volume 4 Chapter 6.5

「If ya really strugglin’ ta decide, then there’s an option that wouldn’t require ya ta change ya current equipment.」

「What is it?」

「’t won’t be metal-based equipment anymore but I could play ‘round with hihiirokane ‘n turn it inta liquid metal. I just hafta put a coatin’ on it ‘n ya’ll be able to manipulate it however ya want.」

「Would the defence stat increase with equipment like that?」

「’t would increase compared ta ya current stat. But if ya don’ train the metal ‘nough, tis difficult ta work with.」

As Hiroshi brought up another ridiculous idea, Haruna gave a doubtful look. The credibility was low from the point where he mentioned “training” so light-heartedly even though they were talking about metals.

「Mio, did ya want ta change yours ta that too?」

「… Maybe Haru can manage it but I’m not sure if I can manage to hold it in place.」

「Gotcha, welp, I’ll make one for Haruna-san just as a sample. If ya don’t like it, I’ll melt it ‘n use it for somethin’ else.」

Although they have not really talked through it, Hiroshi decided the type of equipment that he was going to craft for both Mio and Haruna. For the most part, it looked like he just wanted to craft something. Mio was worried that he was planning something ridiculous. Meanwhile, Haruna, having some Japanese aspect to her could not say no now that he has started working on it. She also did not want to sound picky when Hiroshi was crafting all of the armours for her.

「Welp, let’s make all the weapons first. Orichalcum-base should be good ‘nough for both Haruna-san’s rapier ‘n Mio’s dagger, ‘ight?」

「Yup,」

「I’ll leave it up to you sensei.」

Hearing both of their response, Hiroshi decided to do whatever he wants with the weapons. Now that he was in that mentality, he threw away all common sense. He threw together different materials into various shapes, not only during the refining process but in forging process as well.

However, once Hiroshi was close to the finishing stage, intense sparks were flying out from his working area. At this, Haruna and Mio who is used to Hiroshi’s ridiculous methods were very worried as well. But unlike when they were working with magical steel, Haruna did have some level of understanding of what Hiroshi was doing. However, Haruna was starting to understand the depth of crafting in a very questionable manner.

「’t should be ‘nough for the orichalcum-based weapons. Makoto-san wasn’t sure what kind o’ weapon she wanted. So I’ll make one outta hihiirokane as planned ‘n another one made outta admantite just in case ‘n get her ta try out both o’ em.」

As he finished crafting the weapons out of orichalcum, he instructed Haruna and Mio on other things to craft as he caught his breath. Hiroshi was also thinking about different weapons he has crafted in the past for future reference. The weapons which he has crafted (including Hiroshi’s and Tatsuya’s) was high enough in quality that they didn’t need any adjustment or corrections. The final product of the weapon was a weapon crafted with magical steel with its abilities enhanced. However, since Hiroshi crafted it, it wouldn’t surprise anyone even if he has mixed in different materials as well.

「Sensei, I think hihiirokane would be enough.」

「But even when ya git used ta the weapon, hihiirokane takes time ta grow. I doubt ‘t would suit the dungeon ‘n boss battle that we need ta finish for this mission. Lookin’ at the fragments o’ the last Katana, if I craft it out o’ admantite, ‘t should hold it tagether for ‘t least two rounds. ‘n if I enhance the stats, ‘t might even be indestructible.」

As Hiroshi commented on Mio’s opinion, he started to graft admantite ore. The problem with Makoto’s current Katana was that it would break if she used her extra skill once. So, if they craft a katana out of admantite which is known for its sturdiness, it should solve that issue. However, Katana crafted out of admantite doesn’t have much growth after that. Also, unlike hihiirokane which would grow and strengthen by using extra skill, admantite would break after using it only three times. So, in that sense, Katana crafted out of admantite was a little inconvenient.

Though hihiirokane sounds like the ideal metal to use condition-wise, it was quite a character. The metal possessed many advantages and disadvantages. It was difficult to go into a battle with hihiirokane-based weapon alone if you didn’t have any backup. Even though Hiroshi knew hihiirokane would be a bad bet, he wanted to craft what he could craft.

「Welp, I guess I’ll work on the plain admantite first than work on the main sword which would be hihiirokane. But, tis not somethin’ I really wanna smelt it in front o’ others.」

Although Hiroshi was complaining, he got to work immediately. Soon, he crafted up a Katana that was somewhat different from the one made of orichalcum but a beautiful katana that would grab the attention of any high schooler. To think that this wasn’t enough to bare against the strength of extra skill, that was probably the most troubling part of being able to use an extra skill.

「’n finally, tis the lon’ awaited hihiirokane. Haruna-san, I know ya gonna be shocked but tis how this metal works.」

「Haru, if you’re going to get into blacksmithing, it’s a path that you can’t avoid.」

After hearing Mio say that, Haruna’s worry only grew. She felt as if she would regret many things after watching the forging process of hihiirokane.

「Welp, here we go!!」

As Hiroshi cried out, he slammed the hummer against the well-heated hihiirokane with the amount of strength which Haruna has not seen before. Then, hihiirokane changed its shape as it gave out an unearthly cry.

「Wasn’t that ‘nough for ya?」

Hiroshi commented in an arrogant tone and slammed down the hammer again, making the entire building shriek. Again, hihiirokane changed its shape with a sharp shudder that nobody would believe it came from a metal.

「Ya might be actin’ mighty stubborn ta show off but ya only a metal, ‘kay. The one who has control over ya life is me!」

As Hiroshi continued to throw insults, he started to lightly slam against the surface of the metal. At this point, Haruna is already set back.

「Hey, Mio-chan…」

「When working with Hihiirokane, you have to hurt its pride like that and make it obedient. If you forge it normally, you won’t get a decent material out of it.」

「I see…」

With Mio’s explanation, Haruna is even more set back. As the two were talking, Hiroshi continued to yell out insults at hihiirokane as it gave a lively shriek which was definitely not a sound an inanimate object should be able to produce.

「Well, what Hiroshi-kun is saying kind of sets me back but that oddly lively noise that the metal gives out is uncomfortable too…」

「It is what it is. It’s better to give up. All the other metals in this universe are normal so don’t worry.」

To Mio’s words, Haruna’s concern towards hihiirokane grew. After a while, it started to give out sounds that sounded more metallic and with great force, the final strike was made. Immediately afterwards, Hiroshi cried out 「This is ya reward!」and got started on quenching. As he finished making the sword in records time, Haruna was set back again. Especially his tone when he cried out the word “reward”.

「So, tis a method that ya wouldn’t want ta show it in front o’ other people unless ya were demonstratin’ ta ya apprentice.」

When Hiroshi finished, he spoke in an exhausted tone. Although Haruna was uncomfortable watching the forging process, knowing Hiroshi’s personality, she knew that this wasn’t something he enjoyed doing. For Haruna who was used to showing a bright, enthusiastic persona up-front even when she didn’t want, there was no way she didn’t understand how Hiroshi felt in this situation.

However, the need to put on an act like it was some kind of role-play just to forge a metal was something she struggled to understand.

「It’s kind of irritating that the forging process is so messed up but the finished product of this metal is so breathtaking…」

「Haru, that is how hihiirokane works.」

「… I feel like another one of my common sense just burnt to ashes.」

「Haru, you’re not in a position that can comment on common sense.」

As Mio outright rejected Haruna’s mindlessly comment, she felt even more down. However, she couldn’t be feeling blue forever.

「Hey, Hiroshi-kun.」

「Hm?」

「I’m sorry but could you change my equipment to breastplate made from orichalcum.」

「I see, ya don’ want equipment made from hihiirokane…」

「Yeah, after seeing that…」

She requested a change in order after losing all trust in this metal called hihiirokane. As Hiroshi accepted the change with a bitter smile, he started working on equipment which was probably more important than the weapon. Not including Tatsuya and Mio’s order, Hiroshi finished crafting a breastplate which was made of orichalcum.

「Sensei,」