As Sid finished his work one day, Ben approached him and asked to speak in private.

"Sid, I want to talk to you about something," he said.

Sid looked up, curious. "What is it, Sir Ben?"

"To be honest, your talent for smithing is very high , the highest we have ever seen in this workshop," Ben said, a hint of pride in his voice.

Sid's heart raced. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Then?" he asked eagerly.

"The head blacksmith is willing to sponsor you to take the smithing exam," Ben said, his voice filled with happiness.

"If you pass, you'll be able to become an apprentice and learn more about the craft."

Sid felt a rush of excitement. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for.

"Thank you, Sir Ben," he said gratefully.

"Don't thank me,Thank the head blacksmith. He'll be in his office waiting for you."Ben said with a smile.

Sid thanked Ben and rushed out of the forge, his mind racing with possibilities. He couldn't believe that his hard work had paid off in such a big way

As Sid ran towards the head blacksmith's office, he was met with congratulatory words from the other blacksmiths he passed by.

"Congratulations, Sid! You deserve it!" said one of the older blacksmiths, giving him a hearty pat on the back.

"I knew you could do it, kid," added another, a young apprentice with a wide grin on his face.

Sid smiled at their kind words and quickened his pace, his heart filled with anticipation and excitement. He had worked so hard to get to this point. The mysterious object aid him but it was his dedication that made others recognize him.

As he finally arrived at the head blacksmith's office, he took a deep breath and pushed open the door. Inside, he found the head blacksmith, a stout man with a full beard and piercing eyes, waiting for him.

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"Ah, Sid, congratulations on your progress," said the head blacksmith, his voice booming in the small room.

"Thank you, sir. I've learned a lot from you and the other smiths here" Sid felt a sense of pride wash over him. He had put his heart and soul into his work, and it was finally paying off.

The head blacksmith nodded, then reached for a thick, leather-bound book. "Take this, Sid. It's my own insight on blacksmithing. It's not much, but it should help you in your exams."

Sid took the book and opened it, marveling at the intricate diagrams and detailed explanations of metalworking. "Thank you, sir. This will be very helpful."

"I have heard a lot about your skills and work ethic, and I must say, I am impressed," continued the head blacksmith. "Now, let us talk about the exam."

The head blacksmith proceeded to give Sid a detailed rundown of what the exam would entail, explaining that it would test his skills in forging weapons, as well as his knowledge of metalworking and other related subjects. As he listened, Sid couldn't help but feel a little nervous, but he was determined to do his best.

After the head blacksmith finished his explanation, he gave Sid a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Sid. I have faith in you. You have worked hard, and I believe you are ready for this."

"Thank you sir. " Sid bowed his head in gratitude. Being a blacksmith was his first step to grow stronger.

The head blacksmith smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. Now, I want you to focus on your studies. The yearly exam will be held next month, and I want you to be prepared."

Sid nodded, feeling a sense of determination set in. "I'll do my best, sir. I won't let you down."

He had never truly understood the power and potential of blacksmiths until he began working in the forge. He had always thought of them as mere craftsmen who created weapons and tools, but he soon realized that their strength and skill went far beyond what he had previously imagined.

The blacksmiths he worked with possessed a raw power that was truly awe-inspiring. Though they may not have the combat experience of a knight, their strength and endurance were just as formidable. Even the head blacksmith, a two-star smith, had the power to defeat a one-star knight in terms of raw strength.

As Sid learned more about the world of knights and blacksmiths, he began to see the vast differences between them. While one-star knights were certainly powerful, they were still only at the infant stage of their potential , with much to learn before they could truly become grand knights. In comparison, the blacksmiths he worked with possessed a strength and skill that came from years of experience and practice.

He also discovered that the two knights who had come to his village to help defend against the raiders were not even one-star knights, and the gap between them and the blacksmiths was much wider than he had ever imagined.

Sid realized that he had much to learn if he was to become a skilled blacksmith like those he worked with. But with their guidance and the aid of the mysterious object in his pocket, he was sure to reach his goal.

***

Sid spent every day studying tirelessly, pouring over books and learning as much as he could about smithing. He found the subject to be fascinating, and was amazed by the many intricacies and nuances of the craft. The more he learned, the more he realized how much there was to know.

Despite the daunting amount of information he had to absorb, Sid was undaunted. He had a singular focus, and was determined to pass the exam and become a blacksmith.

Fortunately, the mysterious object seemed to be a source of incredible power, helping Sid in ways he couldn't explain. It seemed to accelerate his healing process, allowing him to recover from even the most strenuous physical activities and mental fatigue in a matter of hours rather than days.

Thus, he was able to improved faster than normal