Parallel - A Virtual Reality.

Clank Clank Clank.

The busy sounds of the Scardinians Smithy filled the entire place. All of their Blacksmiths and crafter were reunited here preparing for war, even those that came from the armies got here so they have to build another quick space to continue working. Every extremity we have were occupied doing something without rest.

A very tense atmosphere surrounded us as we continued working. Not even small talk went through as it would only be a waste of time if we didn't meet the daily quota.

"Here is another set of weapons" A Scardinian came and left me a few more weapons as I continued working crazily. I smiled wryly at the mountains of weapons that were forming besides me.

Truly, I didn't know that Elemental Forging would become so useful. If it wasn't because the situation is extremely urgent, I wouldn't even be doing this for free.

I concentrate hard as I drive the elements in the environments with the minerals we got in the Elemental Ruins. Manipulating each as I drive them slowly to the weapon and infusing it. Little by little the element fills the weapon as I start 'Hammering' its insides with elemental pulses.

'Retain. Retain. Retain.' Words that have become a mantra in my head appears, trying to retain the elements as much as I can. While watching the Dragon and how it sealed the elements in its interior thanks to the Space Element, utilizing Annulment, while being an easy way out, was still erroneous.

I need to 'Seal' the element inside, fortifying the weapon bit by bit. The process is quite similar to how the Elemental Runic Sword works, but…

- FAIL!

'Shit!' I grit my teeth as I fail again and the weapon in my hand explodes, pushing me away. Thanks to getting used to the process, I could anticipate the explosion and not get seriously injured but…

'The weapons have turned to dust' I click my tongue in frustration as I look at it. The reason why everyone is working so crazily wasn't only because we needed a great number of weapons for battle, but because my proficiency in Elemental Forging is simply too low and most end up breaking apart.

I sigh as I remember the day we got back. Kagito teleported us to Scardi's Fors as soon as we got out of the Elemental Ruins. Because of our sudden appearance, the Scardinians entered in a state of extreme alert because they thought they were going through enemy attack.

After clearing their suspicions, we got to talk with Casca again. We explained to him in private what happened in the elemental ruins and we showed him the Draconic Spatial Orb. We were very wary as we watched his expression change and his body shudder when seeing the Orb.

He closed his eyes and showed us something surprising. A similar orb appeared in his hand, but this was tinged with a shade of black. It was an imitation, a reserve or so to say, made by one of the Scardinians leaders a long time ago.

"We can use the ability of the orb with the reserve power of this one, but…" Casca told us that, but he paused, I knew where he was leading to, but I let him finish, "… It will be of use once and nothing more."

Thus, the Draconic Spatial Orb was maintained in Kagito's hand, and kept secret as a potential weapon to attack Dorek.

After that I went to talk with the Blacksmith of this place and left Kagito with Casca. A very important meeting between both of them was held.

I started helping out with crafting anything that would be useful for war and I presented the minerals to the Scardinians. A few were used to create weapons, with magic abilities, but I felt something was amiss as I recalled Elemental Forging.

Using the ideas, I got through the battle against the Silver Dragon, I was able to absorb the elements in the weapon, I tried bit by bit, epiphany going through my head as Instincts overtook me. I tried using the slight skills over the Space Element I have, but it was useless. So, I thought of 'Releasing' the power and 'Annulling' in determined intervals, as if I was forging. Soon, a blinding light of success appeared in front of me as a rune appeared on the weapon.

- Success!

- You have succeeding in the preliminary steps towards Elemental Forging! Whilst incomplete, you can now forge elemental runes on weapons, able to concentrate the elements in them to increase the overall power!

- You have succeeded as the only human in history in reviving the ancient Forging technique of the Elemental Elves. Albeit clumsily, your steps are firm and your conviction unyielding, which both are necessary qualities of a true Forger!

- Forge the Material! Forge the Immaterial! You have learnt the skill Elementary Elemental Forging, the previous step towards Elemental Forging!

- You can now create Basic Runic Equipment, but you are far away from the real Elemental Forging.

The first time I managed to create a Basic Runic Weapon, I was ecstatic, but that was very brief as I tested and tested and saw my proficiency of not even 1 in 10. Still the difference between a normal weapon and a Basic Runic Weapon was too great to let go of this advantage.

Thus, I was in charge of creating Basic Runic Equipment, specifically weapons, and thus, this mayhem was created. The power displayed by any Scardinian with a Basic Runic Weapon was increased, not because of magic, but instead utilizing better the elements at disposal.

Still, a Basic Runic Weapon compared to my Runic Equipment in general was like comparing dirt to a diamond. I could only smile bitterly at that. But thanks to that, it was easier to use and manipulate than my own.

I sigh again as I stand up and pick up another weapon. 'Aye, this would be a whole lot easier if Helium was here' I think to myself bitterly.

Helium, Kaiser's representative Blacksmith, and one of the best Blacksmith of Parallel's players. The equipment he forged are truly something else, even if the Scardinians Blacksmith were very good, Helium could catch up pretty fast and his ability to increase the durability of what he forges would really come in handy.

I shake my head as I start focusing again. Thanks to learning from failures, I could now somewhat safely create more Basic Runic Equipment, I could even improve on some of them, adding a Refinement of +1. Still, very hard.

I tried again and again until the stockpile decreased again and more came in, an endless loop, that is, until a soft voice wakes me from my focus.

- Ding! You have successfully created a Basic Runic Weapon!

"Even if you work your Fast Recovery hard, the mental fatigue still acc.u.mulates, you know?" My brows shot up and I look towards the voice surprised. My tense shoulders relax a bit as I feel my temples loosening. For some reason, warmth entered my body as I smiled at the girl that came to visit me.

"We don't have much time, I doubt would be slacking either" I say to Vladi, who purse her lips as she looks at me dissatisfied.

"You know, your failing rate has increased in the last hour, that demonstrate that you are on your limit" I freeze at those words as I look at her with a bit of unwillingness, "Also, the Scardinians are afraid you are going to blow up, too. Your aura has become quite chaotic, but they are also afraid to disturb you to tell you to rest when you have such a sharp expression your face"

I open my mouth to retort, but I shut up right away as she squints her eyes. I recognized that expression as I have seen it way too many times. If I answer back, I would probably get shot.

I sigh and smile wryly, "Is it that bad?" this time I felt my head hurting a bit as I start relaxing.

"Yes, so get up and get ready to rest, you have been going at it for hours, so I doubt you have eaten anything, too." She tells me and I simply get up as I lift my hands in surrender.

As I get out of the room, I feel the eyes watching me and I see some Scardinians visibly sighing in relief. The corner of my lips twitches as I feign ignorance and thank them for their good work as they say the same thing.

"Friggin' finally you ar' restin' kid!" A loud voice accompanied with soft guttural sounds resounds as I look toward a certain elder Scardinian. I give him a toothy grin as I say, "Sorry to keep you busy, gramps Jiuer!"

Gramps Jiuer is the chief Blacksmith of Scardi's Fors, a very eccentric and loud person, but very skilled when it comes to Blacksmithing.

He snarls as he hears my answer and looks at Vladi meaningfully, "You gal hafta keep him whip'd, tis boy is too wild fo' his own good!" After saying that, he resumes to his own work, not paying' attention to us anymore.

Vladi coughs in front of me as I see a tinge of pink showing on her face, "Come on"

A feeling of embarrassment sweeps through me as I say yes. Getting out, I could finally breathe fresh air, aye, it really feels good to rest and simply take a breather.

I look towards the person that took me out, thankfulness fills me up as I softly say to her, "Thank you"

She looks at me surprised and swiftly look in front as she scrunches up her brows, "You have to take better care of yourself" and strides in front towards a location we all liked in here.

A beautiful lake appears in front, birds chirping around as if nothing in the world bothers them, a soothing aura fills the place. I become entranced as I look at this beautiful place filled with magic along with this girl in front of me.

Without noticing, warmth spreads out in my c.h.e.s.t as a smile blooms in my face.

'Aye, I think I really needed to rest'

I think that as I follow after her towards this magical place.