Sid walked through the bustling town, his heart pounding with anticipation. He had never been to this part of town before, because he was so busy in the workshop. As he rounded the corner, he saw a grand three-story building looming before him, bustling with activity.

"What is this place?" Sid asked, gazing up at the imposing structure.

"This is the Blacksmith Guild Branch in Willow Fields. The very place where you'll be taking your exam." Ben chuckled

"It's huge " Sid said

"You will get use to it " Ben patted his shoulder.

As they walked closer to the building, Ben began to explain the rich history of the blacksmith guild.

"Did you know that this branch has been around for over two centuries?" He said, puffing out his chest with pride. "We blacksmiths have been an integral part of this town since its inception."

Sid listened intently, eager to learn more about the guild and its long history.

"The guild was founded by a group of skilled blacksmiths who saw the need to organize themselves and improve their craft," Ben continued.

"They worked tirelessly to pass on their knowledge to future generations, ensuring that blacksmithing remains an important and respected profession in this town."

Sid was impressed by the dedication of the guild members and the importance of their work.

"And now, you have the opportunity to join their ranks and become a member of this esteemed guild." Ben said with a wide smile.

Sid nodded, feeling grateful for the chance to prove himself and become a part of something greater.

Both of them continue their chat to kill time when out of nowhere , a bulky man with blonde hair and blue eyes interrupted them.

"Look who's here. Ben, with his second-rate blacksmith, who's probably not even worth his weight in iron," he sneered.

Sid felt a surge of anger at the insult, but Ben remained calm. "I have no time to quarrel with you, Tom," he replied evenly.

Tom continued to mock them, "Is that your new recruit? He looks so young. Did you pull him out of an orphanage or something?"

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Sid could feel his fists clenching, but he managed to hold his tongue. He knew that he still had much to learn.

Tom continued, "Our workshop is also sending someone. The head blacksmith's son, in fact. So don't even think about getting first place in this exam."

"You always have something to say, Tom. It must be tiring being that obnoxious all the time," Ben shot back with a sly grin.

Tom glared at him, but couldn't seem to come up with a response. Instead, he turned his attention to Sid.

"And you, boy, do you even know what you're getting yourself into?" Tom sneered.

"I know more than you think," Sid retorted, feeling a surge of anger from Tom at his condescending tone.

Ben stepped in before things could escalate further. "Enough, Tom. Let's just focus on the exam, shall we?"

Tom grunted in agreement, and walked away with an ugly face.

"Good luck, kid," Ben said to Sid with a pat on the back. "Don't let these jokers get to you."

***

Inside the examination room , he saw a group of around 20 people, all of them waiting anxiously for the exam to begin. He was surprised to see that most of them were already in their twenties, making him the youngest in the room at just 14 years old.

But his attention was quickly drawn to the young man Tom had been boasting about, the Head blacksmith son. Everyone in the room was talking about him, marveling at his talent and skill. They whispered about the amazing things he could do with a hammer and anvil, and how he could create beautiful works of art with his bare hands.

"He's a genius, I tell you," one man said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I saw him forge a sword in just a few hours. It was like watching magic."

Another man chimed in, "I heard he made a suit of armor that was so light, a child could wear it. And yet it was strong enough to withstand a none star knight's blow."

Sid couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at the thought of someone so young achieving such success. He wondered what kind of person the head blacksmith's son was, and whether he was as talented as everyone claimed.

As he sat waiting for the exam to begin, Sid couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He knew that his skills as a blacksmith had greatly improved, but he also knew that he had been relying on the mysterious object to aid him in his studies. He couldn't take full credit for his success, and that made him feel uneasy.

But then he remembered all the hard work he had put in, the hours he had spent studying and practicing. He knew that the object had helped him, but it was also his own determination and hard work that had brought him this far.

Feeling more confident, Sid glanced around the room at the other candidates. He could sense the nervousness and anxiety in the air, but he was determined to stay calm and focused. He noticed the blacksmith's son, who was sitting a few seats away from him. The young man was known for his genius-level intellect and his incredible talent for blacksmithing. But Sid didn't let that intimidate him.

Finally, the instructor entered the room, he distributed the test papers to each of the examinees.

Sid took a deep breath as he looked at the daunting 500-item exam in front of him. The test was divided into three subjects - Ores Familiarization, Blacksmithing Principles, and Blacksmithing Theory. He had spent countless hours studying and preparing for this moment, and he felt confident that he could pass.

As he began to answer the questions, he found that he was well-prepared for the exam. He remembered the different types of ores and their characteristics, as well as the various blacksmithing techniques and theories that he had learned. He was also able to apply the knowledge he gained from his work at the forge, which gave him an edge in some of the questions.

With every passing minute, he felt more and more confident that he could pass the exam. His determination and hard work had paid off, and he knew that the mysterious object in his possession had played a significant role in his success.

He felt a sense of pride and satisfaction, knowing that he had done his best.