The Vengeful Extra's Ascension

Chapter 170 - 170: Weapon Testing!

The clamor of the HeartForge roared anew as Branthor's group reemerged into its open expanse, the deafening rhythm of hammers, the rumbling of molten rivers, and the low hymn of chanting smiths filling the ears of all the students once more.After the oppressive silence of the Scrapped Armory, the return to that living heat was almost overwhelming.

Zeus stretched his arms, shaking off the lingering chill from the chamber. "I'll take that tour any day," he said with a wide grin, "But I'm itching to hit something that isn't a pile of dead swords."

Branthor laughed heartily, his voice echoing across the halls like a rolling avalanche, "Then you're in luck, boy. This way."est of flame and precision. The forge accepts you both."

Zeus grinned, slapping Albedo on the shoulder with a gauntleted hand. "Next time, I'll actually land a hit."

Albedo met his grin with a faint, unreadable smirk, "Next time, I won't hold back."

The others gathered around, Miranda shaking her head with a small smile and Lira muttering something about boys and their egos.

The molten rivers pulsed again, casting the chamber in fiery gold. Around them, the smiths had paused their work briefly, murmuring in quiet appreciation of the duel.

No matter what, Smiths always loved to see their weapons in actions, even if these weapons failed to pass the test.

Branthor's booming laughter still echoed through the molten halls when Zeus and Albedo stepped aside, the heat of their clash still lingering in the air.

"Ha! That's the spirit!" the Forgemaster barked, his grin wide beneath the soot of his beard. "Now that's how you test a weapon! Who's next?"

He didn't need to ask twice.

Zeus's defeat had lit a spark in the others. Lira was the first to step forward, already summoning a bestial aura as her new talisman pulsed in time with her heartbeat.

Across from her, Elara tightened her grip on a gleaming staff she'd reforged from scrap and smiled nervously.

"I suppose it's our turn," she murmured.

Miranda drifted past them, her silver hair glinting in the forge-light as she began to channel mana into the sliver of molten crystal in her hand. The shard responded with a radiant hum, streaks of starlight swirling around her fingertips.

Around the chamber, students paired off one after another and dueled with each-other. Sparks began flying all across the testing arena, and the mana auras flared with great intensity during the battles.

The sound of laughter and shouting filled the hall, mingling with the hammer-song of the HeartForge itself.

Ysvara watched it all with quiet pride, her arms folded as the students tested their weapons and showed off their skills, increasing her confidence in this supposed Golden Generation.

Albedo stood off to the side, watching the chaos unfold, the faint hum of his knives still whispering at his belt.

He said nothing, only turned his gaze upward toward the glowing rivers of molten light flowing through the ceiling above.