** Author's Note**

Sorry , i couldn't post it yesterday, was busy with RL ( Maybe it doesn't matter to anyone but i'm putting my heart here so thanks to anyone reading it ::) )  

Any comment with advice or mistakes would be appreciated, i'm ready to learn from my mistakes )

** End Author's Note **

"Wait, mister machine, try again"

Elio was pleading this heartless machine to try again in hope to gain a new assessment.

But no matter what, this result cannot be changed or cheated.

Rodrick looked at Elio's face with tears in his eyes but he knew, that's it.

Rodrick sighed.

"Come on , Elio , let's go. There's nothing we can do here,let's head back to our home...."

Elio looked in eyes of his father.

"Dad, why? I wanted to become Hero like Crusaders , i wanted to do so many things, why? Am i no good? Dad why? *Cry* "

Rodrick looked at his own son , his face covered with tears and snot.

"Elio, your name means Sun so stop worrying and be more cheerful, your dreams do not end with this assessment , they just need to take another form. You can become a hero , we just need to find a  different path for you.. Even i, while saving someone from monsters on my shifts, am considered a hero by the people i saved. Don't be desperate, we will figure something out."

Elio looked up again , he couldn't smile but still, he stopped crying.

"Dad, i don't know what to do. Let's go home to mom, i want to see my mom."

Rodrick took his hand as they headed out of the building.

"Thanks for your services, Miss Iris. Have a nice day.."

Iris looked at them and said.

"Yeah, same to you, thanks for using our centre, bye little one."

Rodrick and his son walked out of the building and went straight home.

Felicia was waiting for their return, when she saw their faces she understood everything.

This evening Drakar family was eating in silence.

* * * * * * * * * * *  * * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * * * * * * * * * * *  

25 January 2780

Almost 10 years passed since the aptitude test.

Elio was walking back to his home  aftera hard day of work in the blacksmith, he and his father decided that he will become an apprentice of blacksmith at the moment he turned 10. Elio's father hoped that by doing this kind of job  Elio would be able to increase his physical strength in 1 way or another . Forging weapons and armors was quite a good job in this age, after more than 400 years of war against monsters old weapons such as: fireguns, laser weapons etc became useless. Monsters could adapt very fast to any kind of danger,  their skin became impenetrable by simple bullets or heat. For unknown reason Asyllum started to change as well, humanity discovered  different kinds of metal, wood and other materials. After these discoveries humanity was finally able to create  weapons , which were and are, very effective against monsters.  Forging, woodworking , leatherworking and other kind type of crafting also started to gain huge popularity among survivors, there is always a need for weapons and armors. To use more efficiently melee and/or long range weapons  Martial Schools were created, some accepted only most talented and some were for common people who wanted to become city guards or foot soldiers in  Heaven Army.

From the moment Elio started to study under his Master, Vulcan, it beame quite obvious what he's very talented, his skills were growing with every strike he made.  After 5 years years Elio finished his apprenticeship and he was coming back home as full fledged blacksmith. He was the youngest blacksmith in Neapolis and also quite popular, he made good quality items which reached B grade and never missed his deadline.  During his period of apprenticeship he had to live with his Master so he could fully immerse himself in art of forging. He couldn't make any friends of his age , though there is one special friend  which he couldn't never forget, Sofia. Time to time Elio asked his customers if they ever heard about Sofia and what he found out simply astonished him. She became an officer in  Heaven Army and she was raising pretty fast in ranks. She might become the youngest General ever. Her intelligence and talent were 1 of the best in last century. There was even a rumor that one of Crusaders made her his own personal apprentice. Elio couldn't forget her, so he tried his best in his own way so maybe one day he could meet her and finally have a proper talk. 

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Elio finally arrived home.

"Moooooooom, i'm home!"

When he opened the door he found his parents waiting for him to enter while having huge smiles on their faces.

"Welcome back, Elio !"

"Welcome back, my baby."

After heart warming hug between Drakar family members, they sat down at their table and started to have family dinner.

He was finally back home.

**********************************************************************

Next day

In afternoon , Elio was sitting on his bed while using his laptop.  After some time he heard that his father came back from his job, Elio  went out of his room and heard a voice from kitchen.

" Today i heard that   Heaven Army started to recruit different craftsmans in their ranks, i hope Elio will not hear about it otherwise he would want to join"

"Yeah, you're right Rodrick but you know how fast any rumor can be spreaded, especially if it's a rumor about Heaven Army."

Elio stood still the moment he heard his Dad,  his heart started to beat faster. After few seconds he approached his parents and said:

"Dad, Mom, i'm going to join  Heaven Army. You know it's my dreap  so please don't stop."

When Rodrick and Felicia heard what their son said , Rodrick didn't say anything meanwhile Felicia started to beg Elio to not join, she cannot handle to loose him or risk him in any way.

But no matter what Elio was set to join ranks of  Heaven Army.

After 30 minutes he reached  The Central Of  Heaven Army.

When he tried to enter the building he was stopped by a man in uniform.

"Good Afternoon, sir. What business do you have in this building?"

"I would like to join Heaven Army as blacksmith, i can forge weapons and armor of B grade."

Man guarding the entrance couldn't believe what he just heard, a youngster which didn't even have 18 years could forge B grade items? Well, even if he lies it has nothing to do with him.

"Okay, proceed forward to reception, there you can talk to Miss Iris."

"Thanks"

Elio went forward to reception while thinking, can it be that Miss Iris from HEAVEN Centre?

When he almost reached reception he saw Miss Iris, yep, it was her. Elio thought:

"I just hope it doesn't end  the same way as last time...."

While reaching reception Elio started to speak:

"Hello there Mrs.Iris, do you remember me ?"

Mrs.Iris looked at Elio.

"Hm, nope sorry kiddo, who're you again?"

Elio became embarassed while thinking.

"Stupid me, of course she wouldn't remember me, it was almost 10 years ago, why did i even say this line to her..."

"My name is Elio Drakar, i took HEAVEN Aptitude Test more or less 10 years ago,  result was lowest of lowest ahaha. Well it doesn't matter, i'm here to join Heaven Army as Blacksmith. I can forge weapons and armors of B Grade."

Mrs. Iris stared at him and didn't know what to say.  Or he's thinking that she's an idiot or he's one little monster.

"Say again, please. You said B grade? Do you even know how many blackmisths can forge B or higher grade weapons, or armors,in this city? Only 2, Master Vulcan and Master Hephaestus. If you want me to believe it, you must prove it. So, what are we gonna do , kiddo?"

Elio didn't know what to say, first of all he never knew that B or higher grade blacksmiths there that rare in Neapolis, maybe because he never made officialy an item higher than C grade but still, it was great shock for him.

" Well, Mrs. Iris, i can prove it. Do you have a forge here? Or if you want we could go to any forge close to The Central. I'm sure i can prove my words."

Mrs.Iris looked at this 14 year old boy, she was intrigued.

"Come on , follow me."