Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

With Sarah's help, the lives of the hostages were spared, and they were sent back to their families.

People were praising the Saintess for bringing them back and the situation related to security was being discussed. Those who chose to betray the king by disclosing information about the Saintess would be regarded as traitors. However, considering the King's nature, Alex knew they wouldn't get punished.

Alex had no idea what conversation Celestria and Sarah had in the eatery, nor did he try to ask them considering they seemed quite secretive about it. However, what was fortunate, was the fact that they no longer seemed to be fighting anymore.

At the dining table, the three friends, Alex, Celestria and Edric were gathered and were having a meal.

Amanda was having dinner with her family, so naturally, Edric gave her some space.

"It's so unfortunate that you can't survive a date without getting entangled in trouble..." Edric sighed, a sense of triumph in his voice.

Alex rolled his eyes and continued to eat. It was Celestria who answered him, "Our date went fine, the trouble arose near the end."

"Doesn't change the fact that Alex attracts trouble." He grinned, "I wonder if this is a side-effect of being the strongest."

Alex smiled, "I will give you a better one; this is the sight effect of being the most handsome."

The raven-haired snorted, "That spot still belongs to me. Right, Celestria?"

The Princess in question was smiling, looking at Edric with an expression that said, 'If I open my mouth, you will get hurt.'

Edric retreated while he had the time. Celestria is getting more brutal each day.

As Alex was slicing the meat on his plate, the knife reminded him of something that urged him to ask, "By the way, Cela, what happened to that spear I gave you to get it modified?"

Celestria suddenly realized that she hadn't told him about it, "The blacksmith said that he needs to meet the wielder first before making any changes to the weapon. From his perspective, it is already perfect."

Alex heaved a sigh, not like he didn't expect it. There aren't many weapon users in this world who modify their weapons according to their comfort.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Where is his store? I will go and see him."

"Are you talking about Akron?" Edric asked, urging Celestria to nod.

The raven-haired raised his brows before asking, "Isn't he like the best weapon maker? How come he can't forge something for Alex?"

"Right? His swords always snap after every battle as well." Alex complained as he finished his dinner and told Celestria, "Bring me there; I will see if the man is really worthy of his fame."

.....

So it was decided; after dinner, Celestria and Alex were heading toward the forge, which was situated within the premises of the palace.

"Alex..." Hesitantly, Celestria called out, making him glance back at her.

She seemed nervous, clutching the side of her dress, as she asked, "In a few weeks you will be leaving for your-"

"I won't be taking you with me." Just as she said, 'in a few weeks, ' Alex knew what she was going to ask.

Celestria was rendered speechless, she didn't get the chance to convince him before receiving rejection.

Sensing the gloomy atmosphere behind him, Alex explained, "Listen, Cela, I am not going there to have a picnic. I am completely uncertain about the situation and how will I tread once I reach there. With so many uncertain variables, I cannot risk taking you with me."

"...is it because I am weak?"

Alex paused and turned to look at her. Seeing her head leaning down, he cupped her cheeks and told her,

"No, it's because I care about you."

Celestria was not able to remain grumpy anymore as his words brought a faint blush on his cheek. She looked up at him with starry eyes, feeling her heart rate escalating.

"Okay...I will do as you say."

Soon they began walking again, and not so long after, they both reached their destination.

The forge was alive with heat and noise. Flames roared in the stone furnace, casting flickering shadows on the rough walls. The air smelled of burning coal and hot metal.

A blacksmith stood by the anvil, hammering glowing iron with rhythmic strikes, each blow ringing out sharp and clear. Sparks flew with every hit, lighting the dim workshop in bursts of orange.

Tools hung on the walls—hammers, tongs, and chisels—all coated in soot from years of use. The floor was scattered with scraps of metal and ash, a testament to endless hours of hard work.

While pointing at the only guy they could see, Alex asked, "Is he the one?"

Celestria nodded before the silverhead approached the man, "Hey, mister. I sent my spear to get modified."

The hammer halted as the blacksmith turned to look at Alex with scorn in his eyes.

He was a short, bearded man with brown hair and a long beard. His body was coated in water and sweat, proof that he had been working for a long time on the piece of weapon. Your next chapter awaits on empire

"So you are the menace, who has been breaking my stuff!" Saying so, the man suddenly swung his hammer, making Alex's eyes widen as he immediately jumped back and dodged the hammer.

The blacksmith didn't waste a moment. With a growl, he lunged at Alex, hammer swinging with brutal force. The air cracked as the heavy tool whooshed past Alex, missing him by inches as Alex ducked low.

"Whoa, what's your problem?!" Alex shouted, leaping to the side as another swing came crashing down, sending sparks flying off the stone floor.

"You're the problem!" the blacksmith roared, raising his hammer again. "Breaking my weapons and blaming my skill? I'll teach you some respect!"

Alex rolled away from the next blow, his sharp reflexes keeping him out of harm's way. He grabbed the nearest sword off a rack. The weapon felt well-balanced but lightweight in his hands. Without hesitation, he countered, slashing toward the blacksmith's side.

The older man twisted, blocking the strike with the shaft of his hammer. The clang of metal meeting metal echoed in the forge. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed again and again, the intensity of the fight growing with every second.

"Stay still and let me hit you!" the blacksmith grunted, sidestepping Alex's thrust and delivering a powerful overhead swing. Alex jumped back, the hammer barely missing his toes as it crashed into the floor with a deafening boom.

"Stop this tantrum, old man." Alex retorted, pivoting and slashing low. The blacksmith parried with ease, shoving Alex back with sheer force.

Fed up with the nonsense, Alex used 'Linear Slash' and launched an attack that snapped the hammer into two and forced the man to finally stop his assault.

"See, I told you he is strong." Suddenly, a fourth person entered the forge, making Alex surprised,

"Professor Jullie?" The violet-haired lady unexpectedly walked in while wearing a smirk on her face.

"Heh, the brat's not half bad. Got some skills on him, I'll say that much."

Celestria stepped forward, "Do you know him, Professor Jullie?" The violet-haired nodded,

"Yeah, Akron is my half-brother."

Celestria was taken aback and so was Alex as he muttered, "From which angle are you two related..." On one side, a short, plump man stood. On the other hand, a tall and bewitching beauty stood.

"That's rude, Alex." Jullie reprimanded, "Then? Will you prepare the weapon for him?"

The blacksmith scratched his head as he muttered, "He is worth investing my time. However, I first need to know his requirements before I can tell if I am up for it or not."

"I have several requirements. Better if I write it down."

Akron nodded before offering him a short notepad and pen.

Alex sat down and began writing everything he needed from his blade. A weapon that he can use for every stance and that doesn't snap upon receiving a tremendous amount of heat. Something that turns heavy and light on his will and something he can be carried around comfortably.

The other three intently watched how the list continued to grow and grow until it reached the end of the page and fifteen requirements were already listed.

Alex heaved a sigh and looked at the list. Going through all of them once again, he scribbled over a few, deeming them not so necessary.

...then he went ahead and added a few more since he probably wouldn't get any good blacksmith in this world, any time soon.

Once he was done, he handed the list to Akron, and the first thing Jullie asked was, "Can you even afford so many modifications?"

"...." Alex was rendered speechless for a moment before he asked,

"Uhh...can I get EMI for this?"

----------**---------

A/N:- Nah bro, you have a walking bank with you. Anyway, I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. Is this pace okay?

Drop a comment and let me know.