Chapter 590 – Aura Rapier.

The sound of metal striking metal echoed through the stone walls of Roland’s workshop. Sparks burst from the glowing piece of metal as he brought his hammer down again, driving the precise curvature into the steel with the same kind of obsession he reserved only for his finest works. His eyes, shielded behind thick work goggles, remained wide open, focused on an enhanced view.

With each strike, a display lit up, revealing a series of numbers and small diagrams that only he could interpret. Sweat dripped down his brow toward the glowing anvil, but the drop vanished in a hiss of steam before it could land. He kept hammering, faster and faster, as if racing against time.

The weapon he was shaping began to take form, becoming something long, thin, and sharp. His hand moved in a blur as magic crackled with every blow, charging the metal not only with heat but also with raw magical energy. The blade’s final shape emerged, revealing the profile of a weapon typically used for heavy rapiers. Nearby, an ornate hilt sat ready, assembled and waiting for the completion of the most vital piece.

Roland did not pause until he was certain the metal was ready for the final stage. Only then did he stop and turn his head toward his assistant, Bernir, who was waiting nearby. He gave a silent nod, and the ornate hilt was lifted and brought over. This was the most critical part of the process, the fusion of the blade and hilt. The metals used in this project were notoriously difficult to work with. Once they cooled, they could not be reshaped without being destroyed, as the heat required to do so would have to be many times greater than what was currently being applied.

Roland exhaled slowly, steadying his nerves as he placed the newly forged blade onto a specialized setting table. At first glance, the table seemed unremarkable, lacking any visible components to support a blade or a hilt. But as soon as he brought the blade closer, a series of runes began to glow. Tiny threads of mana danced along the surface and soon connected with the blade, vanishing from sight to anyone without magical perception.

The blade began to float in midair, held in place by a magical spell that continued to generate heat and keep the metal malleable. Bernir stepped forward and pressed the hilt into position from one end. His entire body was wrapped in layers of protective material that concealed his form completely. While Roland could endure the heat and magical forces with nothing but his own body, a more common craftsman like Bernir needed protection from the hazardous energy.

Soon, the hilt slid into place with a sharp hiss that echoed through the chamber. The fusion was not only physical but also magical. As the pieces joined, the metals merged seamlessly, and the pre-crafted rune traces aligned and bonded with perfect precision.

Roland remained focused on the task, his hand resting on the charring blade without harm. He guided the mana in the correct direction, ensuring the hilt settled into place exactly as intended. Once satisfied, he gave a nod to Bernir, signaling him to step back.

“It’s stabilized. The hilt application sequence was successful.”

While the two craftsmen focused intently on their work, a voice echoed through the chamber, seemingly coming from every direction. It was Sebastian, observing the entire process and recording it for future reference and analysis. Roland understood that there were always aspects that could be improved. He also hoped to eventually automate these procedures, so collecting detailed data on his custom creations was essential.

“We did it, boss!”

“Not quite yet. It still needs some work.”

“You mean the decorative gems? Don’t worry, I’ll handle that in no time. Just leave it to me!”

Roland nodded as he watched the hilt and blade enter a specialized cooling phase. Unlike other metals that could be quenched in water or oil, this mithril blend was far too volatile for conventional methods. Instead, structures resembling tuning forks emerged from all sides of the bench where the blade had been assembled.

While Bernir could not see much with the naked eye, waves of mana began to strike the sizzling blade from every direction, rapidly cooling it in a controlled and even manner. Once it was finally safe to handle, his assistant grabbed a pair of tongs and carefully moved it to another workstation. Although the blade was now fully forged, it still required ornamental details worthy of the noble who would one day wield it.

As the newly forged blade was set gently onto a padded resting block, its pale silver surface shimmered under the soft glow of the workshop’s runic lamps. To the side, another sword, identical in every measurable aspect, lay on a red velvet cloth. Roland walked over and stood above this other rapier, and picked it up.

Roland raised an eyebrow as he examined the weapon. Originally, it had no set bonus, but now that he had nearly completed the twin blade known as ‘Aura Lord’s Left Rapier’, this one had gained a set effect. Set bonuses were rare, as most weapons functioned as standalone items. However, exceptions occurred when the weapons were designed for classes that specialized in dual-wielding.

What he held was a heavy rapier, though to him it felt as light as a feather. Compared to some weapons that resembled tree trunks in size, this one was sleek and elegant. As he examined it, he had to admit he had come a long way since his last ascension trial. If his creations were now judged purely on style, he was confident his score would be much higher.

“A weapon fit for a Lord.”

Although Roland wasn’t an aura user himself, he could mimic the energy to some extent. This particular weapon had been crafted precisely to enhance Arthur’s aura-wielding abilities. With it in hand, Arthur would be able to fully unleash his power without risking overload from his class’s rarity. While rare classes often granted immense strength, that strength could backfire and overwhelm lesser equipment.

Roland understood this better than most. Even his own armor and runes constantly required maintenance and careful monitoring to prevent deterioration. He had the skills to repair and reinforce his gear when needed, but Arthur did not. That meant the weapon could not fail him, no matter the circumstance, as his life depended on it.

Roland carefully set down the rapier in his right hand, then turned to the newly forged blade that was nearly finished. The aura of heat had long since faded, allowing Bernir to complete the final touches by attaching a large decorative gem to the end of the hilt. Although it resembled a mana stone, its purpose was far less significant, and its durability matched that of the sword itself. Even if struck, the gem would not chip or detach. Roland had chosen the pieces with care to complement his latest creation, which was meant to serve not only as a weapon but also as a symbol of wealth.

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“Don’t worry, Boss. I can finish this by myself. Why don’t you prepare for your trip instead?”

“I’ll leave the rest in your care then.”

The assembly of the two weapons had begun immediately after Arthur completed his class change, although the preparations had started much earlier. With most of the work already done, the final step only required selecting the appropriate runes, shaping the blade, and attaching the hilt to the weapon. The design and appearance of the weapons had mostly been decided by their future owner, who was expected to receive them within a few hours.

Before leaving, Roland glanced at his assistant, who seemed to be enjoying the work. Bernir’s level was approaching one hundred and fifty, and it looked like he would soon reach tier three.

‘I’d rather keep this quiet for now, but I suppose there’s no helping it.’