Chapter: The Forge Master's Terms
The scent of roasted meat and burnt toast lingered in the air as the dining hall buzzed with morning energy. Students clustered in cliques, laughter and chatter echoing off the high arched ceilings. At a far table by the window, Asher, Nick, and Ethan sat together, a half-eaten breakfast scattered in front of them.
Asher leaned back in his chair, balancing on the rear legs like it was a throne. "We're basically celebrities now."
"No," Nick said flatly, not looking up from his cup of tea. "We're not."
"I heard someone say 'Ogreslayers' earlier. That's a title," Asher said, jabbing his thumb at his chest. "Feels legendary."
"That was a joke," Ethan muttered, poking at what might've once been scrambled eggs. "They said we slayed boogers."
"Could've fooled me. Pretty sure I saw awe in their eyes."
Nick sipped his tea calmly. "You fell into a barrel of coal, set someone's apron on fire, and got banned from three anvils."
"Those were minor miscalculations," Asher said, waving a hand. "Genius often looks like chaos."
"You're definitely chaotic," Ethan said.
They lapsed into silence for a moment, their moods dimming slightly as reality settled back in. The thrill of the ogre mission had passed. The excitement of meeting Kael and being promised forged weapons had started to cool. Now, all that was left was the waiting.
Ethan stared at his untouched plate, hands clasped.
"I hate this part," he said. "Just sitting around. Everyone else is already mastering spells, taking missions. We're behind."
"We're not behind," Nick said. "We're just on a different path."
"Yeah, the path of glorious weapon upgrades and heroic comebacks," Asher added, still trying to lift the mood. "We'll be legends by summer."
But there was a weight in Ethan's silence. Even now, he blamed himself for the delay—for being injured, for sending them back early.
Before either of them could say more, a sudden thud jolted the table, followed by a blast of heat and the distinct scent of smelted iron.
Standing beside them, arms folded like pillars of granite, was none other than Kael.
The forge master's eyes swept across the boys like they were half-finished swords. Not worthless… but not ready either.
"Eating again?" he grunted. "No wonder I hear more about your stomachs than your skills."
Asher sat up straight. "You hear about our skills?"
"Mostly how you nearly burned down half the forge."
"Technically it was just a bucket and a very flammable tunic."
Kael slapped a leather satchel onto the table with a weighty clank. The sound made heads turn nearby. Inside, glinting through the flap, were chunks of dark metal, a shattered ogre horn, and a twisted core still humming faintly with dormant energy.
"What's this?" Ethan asked.
"What's left of your kills," Kael said. "Barely enough to forge proper weapons—but enough for now."
"You already started?" Nick asked.
Kael gave a noncommittal grunt. "Sketched a few things. I'll forge when the flames speak. But let me make one thing clear—" His eyes narrowed on all three of them. "I don't work for free."
Asher's hand froze mid-air with a piece of toast. "Wait. These aren't gifts?"
Kael's gaze darkened. "I'm not some sentimental old man handing out toys to hopeful little brats. You brought materials. I'm using them. Fair trade."
Ethan nodded slowly. "So after this…?"
"You want better weapons?" Kael stepped closer, and his shadow seemed to stretch across the table like smoke. "Bring me more. Rare cores. Enchanted ore. Fire essence. Something that doesn't make my forge weep when I hammer it."
"Living fire?" Nick asked.
Kael nodded once. "Or bloodsteel. Or the bone marrow of a sky serpent."
Asher's eyes sparkled. "That sounds awesome. Also horrifying. But mostly awesome."
Kael pointed a soot-stained finger at him. "You joke now. But you three have potential. Raw and stupid, but potential. If you keep chasing glory without training, you'll die fast—and probably take some poor soul with you."
The table went quiet.
Kael stepped back, eyes softer but still sharp. "I'm not doing this out of kindness. I'm doing it because I want to see if you're worth forging for."
He turned to leave, then paused. "Your weapons will be ready in four days. Maybe three, if I don't break my damn hammer again."
"Can we—"
"If you step foot in my forge before they're ready, I will use your bones to reinforce the handles."
Asher saluted. "Got it. Zero visits. Maximum survival."
Kael nodded and walked off, disappearing as quickly as he came.
The boys sat in silence for a few heartbeats. Then:
"Did he say bone marrow of a sky serpent?" Asher asked.
"Yes," Nick said.
"And we're supposed to go find that?"
"Eventually," Ethan said, finally cracking a smile.
"Well… no time like the present," Asher declared, standing up and dusting off his tunic. "I say we hit the forest. If we're getting new weapons, we need to be warriors worthy of them."
Nick nodded. "Agreed. No more slacking. We've lost enough time."
Ethan clenched his fists slightly. "Then let's not waste another second."
Asher grinned. "Ogres? Spells? Sky serpents? Bring it all. I'm fireproof now!"
"You're not," Nick and Ethan said in unison.
They stepped out into the academy courtyard, the light catching in their eyes. Somewhere beyond the training fields and trees, the path to power waited—and this time, they would be ready for it.
" So where are we heading to" asked Asher.
" To the forest" said nick. If we have to become stronger we need more spells and lots of training. We can't keep getting everything from the academy said nick.
Didn't you create an ability on your own once said nick and Asher nodded. Exactly that's what we will do try to master and create new dragon art that is only unique to us he said as the made there way to the forest