Volume 3 Chapter 16 The Sleeping Talent
Brue Anvil often wonders every time he remembers that "pathetic man." Why did his mother pay attention to such a useless person? All the weapons he makes are dull.
They're nothing but trash on the verge of breaking.
He has no skills and no guts.
Just a few harsh words make him tear up; what could she possibly find appealing about that crybaby Blacksmith?
'If you have nowhere to go, I'll take care of you. Make whatever you want in my workshop as much as you like.'
His mother, Kikina Anvil, is known as a rare genius Blacksmith.
She has even won awards at the Sword Beauty Festival in the Petermoss Kingdom, especially praised for her originality.
Her creations are striking yet touch the hearts of many with their beauty.
Not only do they perform well as weapons, but they are also designed with the user in mind, which is one of their charms.
Kikina has won awards 3 times at the Sword Beauty Festival, showcasing her exceptional talent as a Blacksmith.
Normally, it's difficult to even participate in such an event, and just being able to join once in a lifetime can earn a Blacksmith a brand.
No one besides Kikina has won the award 3 times in a row.
Some even say she is a once-in-a-century talent.
Brue respects his mother, at least as a Blacksmith.
'Why did you let that incompetent into the workshop? We already have so many young ones to take care of; bringing in someone with no talent is just a waste!'
'Whether it's a waste or not is for me to decide. And don't be so quick to say that kid has no talent.'
Kikina said this and continued to keep the talentless Flax Ran in the workshop.
When asked where his talent lies, Kikina wouldn't tell him anything.
It seems she wanted Brue to figure it out herself, but no matter how much he looked at Fran's weapons, he felt no hint of talent.
Instead, he only felt frustration.
Why was such a talentless person in the same workshop?
I couldn't understand why Kikina Anvil was being targeted.
The worst part was...
'I, I want to handle a masterpiece and participate in the Sword Beauty Festival someday. I want to earn the title of Legendary Sword and fulfill my dad's dream in his place.'
Hearing Fran talk about such things with the other craftsmen, Brue couldn't contain his anger.
He couldn't accept that someone so talentless could have the same goal as him.
Suddenly, what he had been pursuing felt so insignificant.
The Sword Beauty Festival was not some easy event that a fool could aim for.
Only the chosen talented Blacksmiths were allowed to bring their weapons; it was truly a dream stage for Blacksmiths.
'Just because the old lady is watching you, don't get cocky...!'
Brue had started to be harsh with Fran.
He wanted to hit Fran, who was inappropriately dreaming of the Sword Beauty Festival stage, with the harshness of reality and kick him out of the workshop.
'You're late! Don't move so slowly!'
'I-I'm sorry...'
Every time he yelled at Fran, Kikina would warn him, saying things like, 'Don't ruin the atmosphere of the workshop,' or 'If your bullying stands out any more, I'll kick you out of the workshop,' but that only fueled Brue's anger further.
Brue began to scold Fran when Kikina wasn't looking and repeatedly harassed him.
It was as if his actions were expressing the thought that Fran couldn't be a Blacksmith and should just quit.
One day, the workshop head, Kikina, fell ill.
Kikina, who had always been weak, often needed care from the treatment center, but this was the first time she had a long-term hospitalization that lasted over a month.
As a result, there was a temporary situation where the workshop head was absent.
Kikina had asked all the craftsmen in the workshop to cooperate and protect the workshop.
However, due to Brue's tyranny, they decided to forcefully appoint a temporary head, and Brue, asserting his skills as a Blacksmith, ended up taking on the role.
He found himself in an environment where he could do whatever he wanted, and he accelerated his harassment of Fran even more.
Still, Fran never backed down.
'Enough already, you worthless Fran! A useless person who can't even handle chores has no place in the workshop! Get out of here already!'
And finally, he tried to forcefully kick Fran out of the workshop, using mistakes as an excuse.
Yet...
'I do think that sword you have is quite a fine piece. But I'm strongly drawn to the sword made by Mr. Fran. I would like to request weapon crafting from Mr. Fran.'
Everyone highly praised Fran's sword.
Even the genius Blacksmith Kikina... who gave Fran a reason to stay in the workshop by placing a crafting request...
Brue still didn't understand what it was that drew them to Fran.
So this time, he would prove it properly.
On the stage of the auction, in front of many witnesses, he would show that he had the talent of a Blacksmith.
That the useless, whiny kid could never be a Blacksmith.
With that frustration fueling him, Brue headed to the auction with his finest piece in hand.
* * *
"Now, let's finally begin the auction!"
In the waiting room for the exhibitors, many Blacksmiths were nervously waiting for their crafted weapons to be auctioned.
Since they had already handed over their items to the auction organizers, no one could see what kind of masterpieces they had brought.
But everyone there had calluses and scars on their hands, hinting at the number of items they had crafted.
Skilled Blacksmiths were gathered there.
However, Brue stood out among them, exuding confidence and readiness.
"Hey, isn't that the son of Blacksmith Kikina..."
"Yeah, that's Brue Anvil."
In the town of Hyamars, Brue, following in Kikina's footsteps, excelled in blacksmithing and swept awards at various exhibitions.
Being the son of Kikina, Brue is widely known among the Blacksmiths.
Because of this, he attracts a lot of attention, and many customers participating in the auction were looking forward to seeing Brue's items.
"Yeah, the customers are definitely here for Brue's stuff."
"Yeah. I can only say the timing was bad."
Such voices could be heard here and there, and Brue let out a small laugh through his nose.
When there are items that attract attention, it's natural for customers to aim for those and offer high prices.
As a result, it becomes difficult for other items to fetch high prices, and all the reputation gets snatched away by Brue.
Seeing the Blacksmiths' spirits crushed by such trivial matters, Brue couldn't help but mock their low ambitions.
(...They'll just be my supporting cast at best.)
Just then, Brue's gaze caught a familiar flaxen-haired figure.
It looked almost like a woman.
There was no trace of dignity, just a weak vibe.
Unlike the others, their hands were neatly groomed, and they still lacked the typical Blacksmith aura.
However, it seemed that, in contrast to their previously frail physique, there was a slight increase in the muscle hidden beneath their work clothes.
(...Well, whatever.)
Amidst the attention, Brue called out to Fran, who was standing modestly at the edge of the waiting room.
"You came without getting scared, huh, Fran?"
"..."
Fran returned a steady gaze, unlike before.
Previously, just talking to him would make her look down, avoiding eye contact.
Maybe something changed during the short time she was kicked out of the workshop.
As the surrounding eyes looked on with suspicion, Brue directed a sneer at Fran.
"Did you manage to make a proper weapon? Well, even if you did, it's probably just a shabby piece of junk like before."
He then shifted his gaze to the entrance of the main auction hall, continuing as if to threaten.
"I'll at least praise you for having the courage not to run away from the auction with that kind of talent. But what awaits you ahead is nothing but mockery and humiliation from the customers. If you show off that broken, useless piece on such a big stage, the venue will be buzzing in a completely different way."
That was also Brue's goal.
To make him embarrass himself on this grand stage as a Blacksmith and finally break his spirit completely.
To make him realize clearly that he has no talent as a Blacksmith, and to crush him not just from that workshop but from the entire world of Blacksmiths.
In front of Brue, who was scheming like that, Fran mustered his courage and replied with a trembling voice.
"...I properly brought a weapon."
"Huh?"
"I brought the best piece I can make right now. With this, I will prove that those who recognized my strength were right."
"──!"
In his anger, he almost lashed out.
However, he only clenched his fist tightly, and Brue slowly lowered his raised hand.
Then he frowned and clicked his tongue loudly.
"Go ahead and bark while you can. The moment you see my sword, you'll despair over the difference in talent."
As if to signal those words, the voice of the female host echoed from the venue.
"Next up, the sword from that Blacksmith everyone has been waiting for... it's the new work from Brue Anvil!"
The excitement of the crowd turned into cheers that reached here, and Blacksmith Brue appeared before the audience.
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