I spend the entire day with a pounding headache, the insane amount of information Silus gave me still circulating in my head. I have to acquire the empowered item. Why? Because this is a fantasy world and despite how well I have done so far, if things keep going as they are now I will most likely require some form of magic. Then there is also the economic opportunity if I figure out a way to market runic equipment. I still don't have a full understanding of how the runes work just yet because I'll need the empowered item in order to test some of my theories, until then it's just a possible opportunity.

My day is spent in the library pouring over geography books and merchant ledgers, there are a few items I require that I cannot get ahold of in the surrounding region. I'm sure Duke Hasslerouge would help me get ahold of what I need, if for no reason other than to keep me happy for a little longer because he probably knows I'm pissed as hell about what he did.

I notice that once again the house is surprisingly empty. Hell, even the servants seem far and few between. I don't know the reason but I'm sure it's a good one. Most likely it's that all of the Duke's wives and their daughters went to go visit family or are on vacation or something. The servants are probably with them to make their lives easier.

This is somewhat annoying, while they aren't exactly the most loving family I still prefer some level of household noise to the silence that fills the halls. When everyone was here the massive house felt lively and full, but with it nearly empty the whole building feels cold and uninviting. Maybe that's what they all leave seemingly at the same time? Oh well, it doesn't matter my work must continue.

After writing down my notes it is time for me to work on getting some of this plan in motion. I was told by Silus that an empowered tool, while more durable due to the strange properties of the item, one should use a high-durability material to guarantee the longevity of the tool due to the complications of creation. I know that many modern materials are unavailable to me due to the world being unable to produce things like aluminum and we are well too far away from working things like tungsten.

I will need to upgrade the small smithy they have at the manor. I'll convert the forge they have into a similar type of forge to a frontiersman blast furnace in order to create some form of low-carbon steel. Well sorta, the process even for the frontiersmen is still many centuries behind modern metallurgy but is centuries ahead of the rest of the world it seems because no one else has seemingly figured out how to make an actual blast furnace rather than whatever the hell they use here. My best guess is that the steel here is just iron with coal dust sprinkled into it making super rudimentary steel of sorts, which may be why the quality is very inconsistent and overall very poor.

I head down to the smithy and the old man is taking a break outside while drinking water. He nods at me and I ask him,

"Is it alright if I tweak your forge?"

He stares at me for a moment and then asks gruffly,

"How so? It's an expensive piece I just can't let you go and mess with it. Even if you are the Dukes' kid."

I reply,

"Well... I think I can sorta make it into a furnace as the frontiersmen have. To make good steel."

He rubs his chin for a moment while thinking and then says.

"Go ahead, but if your break it you gotta fix it. Just ask me for help if you need it."

I nod and head inside. I start looking at the simple brick furnace up and down. It's quite well made but doesn't have the ability to heat up beyond enough to make the metal hot enough to work. Hell, it can't even melt iron by itself which is really shitty, but the construction is way to study for the temperatures it is capable of reaching. Unfortunately due to the small size of both the furnace and building I can only make a small amount of any decent steel, but I really only need enough to make a chisel.

I begin my modernization process by first putting out the fire and smashing a hole into the bottom of the furnace. I then brick up the access hole in the front sturdily and then put a ladder on the side. I then begin redoing the billows. It takes me all day but I am able to double the size of the billows already in place by basically strapping them together into a single giant one. While I don't have any coke at the moment I can at least test the capabilities of the current furnace. The next day I restart the fires and get it really roaring with the billows pumping at full capacity. I created a new window into the furnace higher up and it now requires a ladder or step-stool to get to it. Using a rope and pulley I make my job of working the billows easier, pumping the huge object at around 30 pumps per minute. This causes the flames to spew out of the top of the smokestack and I can really feel the heat. I place an ingot of the shitty steel in a ceramic basin and set it inside. After about an hour of constant work, my muscles are screaming and I am breaking hard, but the iron has been made into a very runny liquid. Although a tiny upgrade, it has increased the capability of this forge tenfold.

I spend the next week and a half building a coke furnace. I ordered all the bricks and mortar I could need easily enough but the construction is still problematic for me. I know what is necessary but I am just not skilled enough. What is needed is a high-temperature oven or furnace in which the chamber in which the work is done cannot have any oxygen. This is because the coal refinement process with its high heat would burn the coal which is not a good thing. After that long time, I manage to create something that should work just behind the smithy building.

The old smith seems to like my upgrades to his furnace, he even built a little scaffolding to the now higher access port so it's easier to use. He simply just does his work as usual, but he definitely likes the new higher temperatures because it's much quicker to get the iron to a workable state even without it working at full capacity.

The coke oven I made has a purposeful structural flaw which I have to rebuild every time I use it. This is because I couldn't make an airtight door. Basically, I have to brick it back together every time I use it. The small size is fine because my goal isn't to mass-produce anything just yet. I only have to make a few kilograms of steel. My goal is around thirty just to be safe, but I'll accept anything more than five kilos. From experience, the amount of coke needed per tonne of steel is around 640 kilograms to around 750 kilograms. So per kilogram of steel, I'll need about six hundred plus milligrams of coke. As for coke, about one and a half tonnes of coal is needed for a tonne of coke so one and a half kilograms per kilogram of coke.

I normally wouldn't use metric as I was a red-blooded American, but this is chemistry, and despite the lack of precision equipment to measure out how much I have or need, I want any measurements I can do to be as precise as possible. Luckily a new coal shipment came in for the smithy so I have more than enough to work with. My coke oven can only handle about three kilos of coal so two kilos of coke if it works. I set the fires going and wait...

After another week and a half, I have over twenty-four kilograms of usable coal coke. Despite my hard work I still take notice only me and the Duke are the only family members in the entire manor. We have eaten supper together a few times and I've explained what I was doing to him. It seemingly pleased him and he even threw some more money in my direction. It's strange I haven't seen anyone else but I decided to ignore it and keep up my hard work.

Finally, it was time to make my steel. I decided to try and make a shitty version of weathering steel. This is because I want the empowered tool to last as long as humanly possible, and I just wanna see if I can do it for future economic ventures. I managed to somehow find nickel ore on the market being sold as fool's copper, and I refined it easily enough in the blast furnace. Copper was easy to find. The hardest were manganese and chromium. Manganese was easier to find as some backward island communities used it as an inhalant drug, which didn't work and really only killed them. Chromium technically doesn't exist yet, except as something called false silver. Basically, it's used to create fake silver items and doesn't have any mystical properties or whatever. The hard part was figuring out it was chromium but thankfully some whackjob alchemist has acids at his disposal so I could test it with that. Finally, I have all I need to make fairly modern steel. My first business is making pig iron in the furnace.

I work my ass off keeping the forge hot. I blast the air into the fire through a small preheater which is pretty much a pizza oven surrounding the billows. The flames lick into the sky as the metal is melted and the carbon takes hold. After three full days of work, I end up with only about ten kilograms of pig iron. Sadly it isn't much but it is better than nothing.

I then create a mixture of 80% nickel and 20% chromium which creates nickel steel. Finally, I throw everything I have made so far into a big crucible together and begin blasting it. For four days I keep working the forge, sleeping, and eating little. The old smith helps me where he can as the metals I am working on require very high temperatures to melt and some time to alloy. After the trial of four days is over, we both use a pair of massive tongs to remove the crucible and pour the molten mixture into an ingot mold. After it somewhat solidifies we quickly dump it into a basin of water quenching it rapidly and hardening it considerably. The result is super high-toughness steel that shouldn't corrode ever. Unfortunately, it isn't as high quality as I had hoped, but it is far beyond anything this world has created, even in the frontiersmen, well unless there are some mystical metals I don't know about yet.

After this long work, I decided to set the fresh ingot aside and take a long-needed break. During this time Duke Hasslerouge has slowly ordered and gotten me the other materials needed to empower an item. I still have all the directions Silus gave me memorized and written down so after a day of much-needed rest I get to work once again.

I approach the smithy to find the old smith outside sitting near the coke oven. We both nod at one another and I ask,

"What're you cooking up?"

He grunts and replies in his usual gruff tone,

"I'm making more of that coke stuff so I can make actual good steel. The shit we've been getting from the royal foundries has been shit and inconsistent so I wanna actually use something good. Probably won't copy whatever alloy you made, but I'll do something."

I nod and then reply,

"I recommend mixing a little bit of that metal I call nickel into your steel. Makes it corrode less. The false silver stuff is too hard to acquire but if you could put that in there I recommend it as well. I'd say about a quarter of the whole for both or similar."

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He nods and thanks me and I head into the smithy and approach my large ingot. It's a ten-kilogram ingot so it's quite large and my goal is to break off a chunk and make that into a graver to work as my empowering tool.

I lug the large metal bar into the furnace and get it going, when the metal is hot I drag it onto the anvil where it slams against it with a thunderous clang. I grab the large two-handed axe nearby and cleave through the now softened metal. I then use a pair of tongs to remove the small hunk I cleaved off and then using the handle of the axe I shove the remaining ingot into the water basin where it hisses angrily. I replace the small hunk in the furnace and let it heat up further. I keep pulling the rope making the flames burn higher into the sky.

Once the metal is white hot I remove it from the fire and begin shaping it with a pair of tongs. I work out a sort of long chisel shape with one edge being very fine with the other blunt. I make the sturdy back end into a somewhat comfortable shape and then quench it once I am done. When the tool is cool enough to grab I hold it in my hand to feel it out. It's quite comfortable to hold and I draw in the dirt with it to see if I can write legibly with it. Figuring I can I then begin wrapping the handle in leather to make it all the more comfortable.

By the end of the day, I am satisfied with the graver and hang it from my belt using the small hook I put on the backside of it so I can securely carry it everywhere. Tomorrow it will become empowered.

I return to the smithy bright and early carrying a small crate full of goodies. I move around the smithy and head to the empty lot behind the smithy and begin my work. The materials required are mostly strange arcane powders and chalks. I managed to obtain the bare minimum for this ritual. I create a large magical circle drawing the symbols that flash through my mind as Silus directed. I place some odd crystals at the edges in a certain order and finally set the graver in the center. I then light the powder that I made the circle and symbols from on fire and they nearly explode into purple flames. For the final part, I take one of my throwing knives and draw blood from my hand. The blood hits the flames and they instantly turn bright red and I am forced to step back rapidly to avoid getting burned. The last ingredient which I gave was supposed to be dragon blood. Since the curse effectively, on a purely arcane level, part dragon, my blood now works. The flames climb into the sky and combine into a crimson pillar. Then the pillar falls down rapidly and lightning strikes the ground in a brilliant rainbow of color. When the dust settles the circle and any sign it was ever there is gone, and all that's remaining is the graver which looks no different.

I collect the graver and look at a paper I had in the crate. The paper has the simplest runes on it I could find in the book. It should make the blade incredibly hard if I put it on the small knife I have. As the graver approaches the steel the tip turns white hot and the metal of the small knife is scorched and blown away by the end of the graver. I carefully carve the runes into the crappy steel and when I am done the graver cools down back to normal with no signs of wear or even signs it got that hot. I take a pair of tongs and try to bend the small knife. Considering how soft the steel was that I used to make it a while back the blade should bend with ease, but instead, I find it very difficult to bend. I use all of my strength and it still doesn't bend. I smile and then start cheering and celebrating that it had worked. For a final test, I throw the knife against the stone wall nearby. The blade sticks to the stone but shatters. It appears while the runes hardened the steel it also made it more brittle, I should remember that.

I check the metal after it shattered and it's seemingly back to normal, just cracking the runes makes them useless, I have to remember that. I begin giddily doing a little dance as I feel as if I have done something worthwhile. I am utterly overwhelmed with joy because I did all the hard work and it paid off, now all that's left is for me to research runes even more and then begin actually practicing them.

Eventually, the sun begins to set and I leave the library after putting the large rune book away. I head to the dining area to get some supper before bed. Once I enter I see the Duke sitting at the table with someone I do not recognize standing near him.

The other person is a woman of nearly supernatural beauty. She has a shorter haircut stopping just below the shoulders, it's a dark color but as light reflects I can absolutely see some sort of bluish tint. I ignore this remembring elves and dragons live in this world so maybe bluish hair is natural too. Her skin is porcelain in color, but she has just enough color in the cheeks to not seem ghostly, still full of life. To say she has been blessed with a good body is an understatement and I try to not stare too long anywhere. Then I lock eyes with her and freeze. Her eyes are dark, I can't tell what color but they aren't brown obviously. I notice the eyes are somewhat reptilian in appearance and right before me they suddenly flash and become beautiful blue eyes, matching those of my mothers. She is wearing a maid uniform the same one all the female servants of the house wear except hers is a little lower cut in the chest area. Despite how pretty she is I am instantly on high alert something is off.

I hide my feelings and smile at the Duke before greeting him respectfully. He smiles back at me in a way I really do not like. I go and take my usual seat and the Duke stops me and says,

"No... Isa... sit at the other far end of the table."

Confused I get up and sit at the opposite head of the table. I don't know a lot of the etiquette of this kingdom and culture, but I know the head of the table is like a seat of honor. I then ask,

"What's the occasion, sir?"

He gives me the same unsettling smile and then replies,

"Well... how do I explain it... Let's just say we need to increase your appearance as a noble son."

I sigh and then shake my head. I then say frustrated but still respectful,

"Alright... let's cut the bullshit. You know I prefer to be told outright. Hell, I've killed for you so trust me a little."

He laughs and then continues,

"Alright. I can respect that Isa. Let me put it this way. I'm gonna need you to do something for me, and it will require you to sorta be officially my son. Yeah, you're adopted to fulfill an archaic inheritance rule my family has, but I can make you my son officially and treat you as such.

If you are officially my son and not just... well a consort, then you are my heir... which isn't entirely untrue. If you are my heir then you have some political power and leveraging ability, basically, you are a far better tool.

As the first in line, you sit at the head. Simple as that. I just want you to get used to it all."

I cough a few times a bit surprised by this outcome but it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. There is something he isn't telling me. I let out a long sigh and say,

"Alright. I am your son now. The first in line to the Hasslerouge title and fortune. Now the question is, to what end?"

He smiles and motions for the woman. A letter materializes out of nowhere into her hands and she walks along the table and stands next to me. She lays the letter in front of me. I pick it up and open it. It has already been unsealed showing the Duke has already read it. I then begin reading the letter.

It is an acceptance letter... to some place called the "Alrius Kingdom Royal Academy". Reading through it the person writing seems very enthusiastic about accepting me. Calling me a "Prodigy" and "The heir to one of the most influential families". I feel my mouth hang open slightly as I read this letter. Once finished I set it down and with a sigh ask,

"What do you want me to do there?"

The Duke smiles and then replies,

"Well... at first I simply want you to do well in the classes for me. Nothing too extreme, enough to be in the high marks. I'd prefer it if you weren't top of the class, that's too much attention. Try to be at the top, but keep your head down. Once you are integrated deep enough I'll give you your tasks."

I frown and then say,

"That's too vague."

The Duke laughs and then replies,

"I guess it is. I'm sorry about that but it's what must be done. All of this is a means to an end. Your duty will help keep... our family safe."

I don't like that explanation. While I assume this is all against the Royalists in some way I still don't have a side. I mean I'll support the Hasslerouge family as they do feed and clothe me, but I haven't yet learned anything truly damning about the Royalists other than that they work against the nobility. As for my father's spear that was more the fault of that Black Dragon guy, not the Royalists per se.

I just don't like being used as a pawn in a game I can't watch or even understand... yet. I then reply to him,

"Okay... I'll do it but if I send a request for something will you fulfill it?"

He nods and then replies,

"Anything you need is at your disposal. "

I then ask,

"Now then... how will we be in contact?"

The Dukes then smiles at me and says,

"Well. If you look beside you, you'll see our newest maid. The academy allows for one personal servant per student who will follow you around. Everyone there is a noble so this is the normal situation. She has the ability to contact me directly so you can report to her and she will relay it to me. "

I look over at the woman next to me and she smiles at me gently. I still don't like her. Looking closer her eyes are exactly those of my mother, something isn't right with her. I then ask her,

"What's your name miss?"

She then speaks in a voice I recognize, It's the voice I overheard in the Dukes study that one time. She replies to my question,

"My name is Mekare. It is a pleasure to be serving you, Lord Isa."

I smile and nod at her and look back at the Duke. I really don't like this situation but there is nothing I can do about it. I sigh and ask,

"When do I leave?"

The Duke laughs and says,

"Tomorrow morning, that is if you are to make the orientation which you definitely will need to attend."

I exhale sharply laughing at the suddenness and absurdity. I guess I'm going to school that soon!

Supper is rather boring afterward. I eat my meal with Mekare standing over my shoulder. The Duke does not acknowledge me whatsoever during supper after our talk. This is fine as it gives me more time to think. I think about the positives of this situation. I will get to meet more people, therefore I can make more connections. I will have more academic resources allowing me to learn more about this world, and possibly more about runes and metallurgy. Once supper is over I leave the table silently and Mekare follows me to my room.

While Aelia is unsettling to an extent it's only when looking at her too much. You start to notice inhuman features and whatnot, but aside from that, she is a pleasant lady. Mekare is just unsettling, her eyes are very clearly predatory. She looks at me the same way a lion looks at a steak, plus the thing with her eyes. It still bothers me. Once in my room, I begin setting all the stuff I wish to take into a pile. Mekare stares at my fathers' spear longer than I'd like but I ignore it because it is a badass spear.

Once that is done I plop onto my bed and face Mekare and let out a sigh. I then say to her,

"Man... I've had all kinds of chains and collars... but at least this one is easy on the eyes."

She looks confused and asks softly,

"Whatever could you mean m'lord?"

I shake my head and glare at her. I then say sternly,

"I am not retarded. I heard you talking to the Duke nearly a month or so ago. I remember your voice. I don't know what or who you are but all I know is that you are getting sent with me to keep me in line to an extent. Maybe you'll also be useful, but I am not stupid, I know you are only on my side so long as the Duke decrees.

And will you please change your eyes away from my mothers, it bothers me."

The calm and gentle demeanor of Mekare disappears. The blue eyes of my mother are replaced with dark pits. Her expression is smug and confident and the predatory edge I felt earlier is back. The same feeling of being predated on as I felt with Silus all those years ago.

She then speaks,

"Well... I guess you aren't as stupid as I expected... I thought having the eyes of your mother would keep you calm or at least trust me more. Mixed with my womanly charms I thought you'd be head over heels. I guess humans are a little more... complicated."

I ask,

"Humans?"

Her eyes go wide for a moment, clearly surprised,

"Oh shit... Ignore that part. Looks like I'll have to be a little more careful around you."

I laugh to myself and say to her,

"Let's keep it civil, whoever you are. I just wanna do my thing, and you can do yours. I'll perform the tasks the Duke tells me to and that's it. I much rather prefer to not be chained, but I also understand the potential concerns the Duke has."

She smiles at me smugly and tugs on the low-cut collar of her clothes revealing more cleavage. She then says deviously,

"Well... it doesn't have to feel like a chain..."

I scoff and say pissed,

"A chain of roses, or of iron."

I kick my shoes off and say to her,

"We gotta long day ahead, I'm going to sleep. Do whatever you do at night. Don't Fucking touch me."

I pull myself under the covers. I don't like being this hostile, but I need to keep her distant, mostly for my sake. She is absolutely beautiful and when she tried right there to seduce me I felt my heart leap into my throat. If I keep her distant there is less of a chance of me fucking up.

Slowly sleep takes me and I don't have a dream, just those dark eyes staring into my soul. I really...really... don't like this.