Seed Of Speed

After walking Rainshower to the Healing Hall, Diego made his way, not to the Exchange as he had expected, but to Crafter's Corner. It was a massive building, dwarfing everything nearby, shoved into the corner of the sect where it was wedged against the long dock that span the entire distance between the walls. Of course, it had to be large since not every student and elder had a workshop in their room, only masters and grand masters had that privilege, so nearly everything the sect produce came out of this building.

Diego was put in a daze when he stood inside the main lobby looking at the map of the four floors. The entire first floor was devoted to blacksmithing with nearly a thousand workshops. This building was bigger than the largest factory in his old world! Commissioned smiths took up three quarters as their private workshop, but that still left over two hundred rooms for daily rentals. After a few minutes, he found the room number Stormblade had told him through his message then made his way there.

"Come in," a voice called out after Diego knocked.

The workshop was small with just enough room for an anvil, a furnace, and a rack to store finished pieces. Stormblade was leaning against an empty while Tovao looked over a red-robed adapt's shoulder as he drew something, using the anvil as his table. Diego sighed instantly, knowing his brother was about to take him to the cleaners with this custom blade, but he did not really mind since he did not have much of a need for pellets with the sect's support. He stepped over to Stormblade and gave him a nod.

"So, how much is this going to cost me?" Diego asked.

"Not as much as you think," Stormblade said with a chuckle. "So, how did your 'something' go?"

"Good, I'd say… I have plans for tomorrow after all," Diego said as he rested against the wall as well.

"Going into town, I hope, the sect isn't the most romantic."

"What do you know about romance, Baldy?" Diego snickered.

"Women like bald heads!" Stormblade defended.

Diego laughed and so did the other two in the room. The adapt put his pencil down then handed the paper to Tovao.

"You must be Brightmelody, I am Silverflame, grade-three smith," the adapt said with a small bow.

"P.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you. Thank you for taking care of my brother," Diego replied, returning his bow.

"It's part of my job."

"How is it, Tovao?" Diego asked.

"Perfect," he breathed, causing both Diego and Stormblade to chuckle.

"The new weapon will be measured to his height and properly balanced. The enchantments will increase both the power and efficiency of all chi techniques, but especially those of the fire and earth affinities. And, of course, the design of the blade and shaft were at his request," Silverflame said.

"Sound far more impressive than anything I have," Diego laughed. "How much do I owe you?"

"That depends. Are you truly a core disciple?"

Diego pulled out his token and revealed the emerald in the center.

"Good, then we can make a deal. I will charge you only for the materials need for its construction, but in return, you arrange an expedition to a Metal Void Passage with me on your mining team," Silverflame stated plainly.

Diego chuckled embarrassedly as he scratched the back of his head and asked, "How would I do that?"

Silverflame's face blanked as Stormblade started laughing.

"Give him a break, Silverflame. He hasn't been with the sect long, and whatever they did to him after he became a core disciple, he managed to jump from the sixth stage to the ninth stage in three months."

"Sorry, Master Swordflash has kept me in relative isolation during our training and did not inform me of any of the rules associated with my new rank. I didn't even know there was a limit on how much my team and I could earn in the Catacombs before we returned from our trip."

"I've heard rumors of Grand Master Swordflash's strange temperament… Anyways, it should not be too hard of a matter. The reason why core disciples are limited in the Catacombs and in other ways is so that you will take on special missions and expeditions that help the sect in more direct ways. Take the Metal Void Passage as an example: you would be assigned to collect metal for the sect with pellets and the ability to retrain a portion of the metal as reward," Silverflame explained.

"How do you know all of this?" Diego could not help but ask.

"This isn't my first time working with a core disciple."

"I can talk to my master, but last he said I was on break for the week while I practice a new technique. I'm not sure when he will allow me to go, but I will make the request."

"Then I'll give you my token number. I'll go ahead and create the glaive. Once the trip is arranged, I'll pass over the weapon and you can pay me at that time," Silverflame offered.

"What if I fall through?"

"The weapon will still sell for a high price, even if I am forced to sell it to the sect for export," Silverflame said with a shrug.

"Then I will talk to my masters about it," Diego replied.

"Good, my token number is 73737, and yes, I know the number is an omen. Contact me again when you have arranged the expedition."

A tiny memory of Ishu's popped into Diego's head, and he vaguely understood that three sevens together where much like triple sixes in his own world. He shook his head at the silly superstition and asked, "Could I also commission you for a new spear and armor?"

Silverflame raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you planning your ascension to the Demi-Body Rank soon?"

Diego nodded, "Yes, my master has a final task for me before I can begin."

"I understand then. I can make you the same deal for your items, but we should discuss the specifics of your needs when you are ready."

"What's all this about?" Stormblade asked as his curiosity was peaked.

"The core disciples have special requirements, you shouldn't pester, cousin," Silverflame said.

"Fine," Stormblade replied with a shrug. "So then, what are your plans for the rest of the day then?"

"I think I'll visit my master, Shadowbolt," Diego lied.

"Bah, such a studious shaman you are!" Stormblade teased. "Why not come to the Gambling Arena? We've never had a proper duel!"

"In a few days," Diego promised.

"Tovao, come with me to the Gambling Arena! Its too late in the day to try to find another team for the Catacombs," Stormblade said.

"But I don't have a weapon," Tovao sighed as he came to his senses and set the sheet of paper down.

"Use a sect glaive then," Stormblade said, pushing Tovao out of the room.

"What are…" Tovao started, but he was pushed out of the room before he could complete his sentence.

Diego watched the entire events play out completely confused then looked back at Silverflame who's eye was twitching. "What was that about?" Diego asked.

"We have a complicated family history. Jundo would prefer that I not acknowledge it, but I admire his character far more than my family's, so I refuse to deny the fact," Silverflame replied with a sigh.

"You mean, Stormblade? I thought his family were farmers or something?"

"His father's family, yes, but his mother was born a member of the main branch of our clan… only without the ability to use mana or chi. In my clan, power is everything and without it, you are useless. His mother dealt with years of abuse from her siblings and neglect from her parent, but eventually, she managed to leave. Although she was useless to the clan, they still kept tabs on her and knew when she married Jundo's father then, of course, about Jundo himself. When he first showed signs of the gift, his mother presented him to our family… just to be thrown out again. Once she left the clan, there was no returning, our family's 'face' couldn't allow it to happen," Silverflame explained, his last words were like venom.

"The only reason why I can see the truth is that I am considered the weakest of the family currently, and therefore, I am in the same situation as his mother had been in. That's why I am here in the Konto Sect, instead of with them. It's easier to be a humble sect smith than the weakest member of the Anzoli Clan," he finished with a sigh of utter defeat.

"The Imperial Family, Anzoli Clan?!?" Diego asked shocked.

Silverflame replied with a nod and said, "It's no big secret, even Jundo's birthright is known by anyone who sees him cast a fire spell." To ill.u.s.trate his point, Silverflame raised his hand as a silvery-white flame sparked to life, floating just above. "Blood of the main branch can be distinguished by the silver fire, purer the color, purer the bloodline. His is nearly silver-white, putting him at the same level as the current princes, except that he intentionally ignores his fire affinity, devoting his energy to training in the other elements."

"Don't get me wrong, but why are you telling me this? This is the first time we've met."

Silverflame chuckled as he walked over to the furnace then said, "I'm not completely sure myself, but I know he considers you a friend. He's never brought anyone to my shop before and if he had minded me telling you this much, he would not have left you behind. No, my feeling is that he wants us to become friends as well, so that I could possibly contend for the seat of Emperor."

"Whoa…" Diego was shocked by the blatant honesty.

Silverflame shook his head with a light smile and said, "That is my guess as to my cousin's plans, but what he fails to realize is that I have no motivation for the position even if it were handed to me for free. I know my limits and flaws. I am no leader, just a simple smith that enjoys his craft." He waved a hand and chunks of metal fell into a stone pot then he placed it into the furnace. "Come back in a day or two and I'll have your brother's weapon ready, so I can start work on your armor and weapons."

"Thank you," Diego said with a slight bow despite Silverflame not even looking in his direction anymore then left the room.

Silverflame used a spell to see through the furnace as he watched the metal slowly liquify. He could not help but rub the blood-red tattoo hidden under his red hair as he remembered his childhood lessons back within the clan. Even if he was awarded the rank of prince by virtue of his flame color, even the best outcome was still being bound to that demon…