Chapter 17 - Blacksmithing and foreshadow?

Yue hammered down on the scrap metal, 

Clang, 

Clang, 

Clang. 

Sweat dripped from her brow and her arms felt like noodles, her body screamed at her to stop but she continued to hammer down. 

Clang, 

Clang,

Clang. 

Brian watched Yue with a proud smile as he leaned against the wall ready to reheat the metal when it was time.

Clang,

Clang,

Clang.

Yue let her mind wander to how she got to this point in order to ignore her aching body.

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The day started out the same with Yue waking up, then going hunting with her father after practicing archery. Once the morning routine was finished, Yue and her father headed to the forge. 

The Cravaler family have been crafters for generations but only one craft out of them all is always crafted, Blacksmithing. When the heirs of the family learn crafting it is mandatory to learn blacksmithing and if they don’t they are not considered true heirs of the family. It’s because of this that the heirs of the family are almost always men. It is a fact that men are biologically made stronger than women and where in other areas women can make up for it with skill, speed, flexibility, talent, or smarts, in blacksmithing strength is mandatory. Yes, you also need skill and other factors, but without strength the rest is useless. Luckily for Yue she has an advantage that she wouldn’t have on Earth, mana. In order to survive a world filled with stronger beasts humans evolved to use mana and absorb it. Even without training as a human grows older their bodies naturally absorb some surrounding mana allowing them to grow stronger than humans on Earth. And if they train, their bodies will absorb more and become stronger than someone who didn’t train. Because of this, even though Yue is a girl she can become a blacksmith easier here than on Earth, however it will take twice the effort to become strong in comparison if her brother had taken up the craft.

Yue and her father went around the forge lighting it up and preparing the tools needed. Normally a new apprentice would simply familiarize themselves with the tools, work, and forge by simply watching, however Yue has already been doing that for years so her father decided to skip that step and go straight to hands on work. 

After everything was set up Brian turned to Yue and crossed his arms.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Most blacksmiths these days use mana to argument their bodies and add some to the metals they work with. We started to do this when a blacksmith named Filler discovered that it not only made shaping the metals easier but also needed less strength. However, I forbid you to use any mana when you are blacksmithing for a year at minimum and three years at most. It ruins your foundation and causes a crutch. Now for today we will start with a basic part of blacksmithing, Form and conditioning. I want you to hammer a piece of iron until I tell you to stop. I will add some corrections but each person is different and you need to discover the best way for you.”

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“Stop!”

Coming out of her thoughts, Yue cleaned up almost mechanically then collapsed on the floor in a dead faint.

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Brain looked down at his snoring daughter and chucked to himself as he gently lifted her and carried her to bed.

‘She did good’ Brain thought as he went into the kitchen and hugged his wife from behind.

“Yue is sleeping, I don’t think we will be able to wake her for dinner so it will just be you and me tonight.” 

Grace smiled and turned around, “ We where blessed with two wonderful children weren’t we?” Grace’s smile faltered for a bit, “Do you think that Kevin is doing all right?”

Brian softly consoled his wife, “He is fine, we just got a letter last month right? He wrote that he was doing good in his studies and even had gotten a personal master.”

“I know you are right, but as a mother I can’t help but miss him and worry. I will do the same once Yue needs to leave.”

Brian put a thoughtful look on his face then said with a grin, “ Then we should work on creating another bundle of joy before Yue goes to school.” 

Grace blushed then moaned as Brian pulled her into a kiss.

Author Note: So I know it has been a long time, but at first I had writers block and then I was busy with college. (and a bit lazy). But I finally was able to finish this chapter! Anyways I intend to do an enchantment chapter next but chapter 19 will depend on a poll I will post once chapter 18 is posted. And don’t get your hopes up for when I will write. If I am busy or just can’t get into the mood then I won’t write. So a chapter may come soon or in a long time who knows? Sorry. [th_118_.gif]