The name of the Forging Sect was known throughout Arkhéa.
They were more than just a sect.
They controlled the mines.
They controlled the metals.
They controlled most of the materials used to make weapons.
Even the Weapon Academy had to buy some of its materials from them.
In a luxurious room...
a young man read a report.
"Kael Ardent."
He tapped the desk.
"Broken Sword."
"Grade F."
"First Rune."
The young man smiled.
"Interesting."
His name was Lucian Forgeheart.
He was the son of one of the Forging Sect's leaders.
He was renowned as a genius among the younger generation.
His Weapon Spirit was Golden Furnace.
Grade A.
Lucian looked at his subordinate.
"Take his sword."
"What if he refuses?"
Lucian smiled.
"Then..."
He stood.
"...make him surrender."
Meanwhile, Kael was in the academy workshop.
The Metal Sense Rune changed everything.
For the first time, he could sense metal.
Even without touching it.
Kael walked past the racks.
Iron.
Copper.
Black Iron.
Silversteel.
Then he stopped.
A chunk of black metal.
Kael touched it.
His expression changed.
"This..."
Metal Sense trembled.
That material shouldn't have been in the student workshop.
Kael looked at the label.
Void Iron.
A rare material.
Extremely expensive.
Kael remembered something.
In his previous life...
Void Iron had been the primary material used to forge high-level weapons.
He stared at the metal.
Then an idea came to him.
What if the Broken Sword could be repaired?
Kael picked up a small hammer.
But before he could strike...
a voice rang out.
"Don't."
Kael turned.
Lucian stood in the doorway.
"Why?"
"Because you don't know what you're holding."
Lucian stepped inside.
"Hand over that Void Iron."
Kael shook his head.
"It belongs to the academy."
Lucian smiled.
"The academy uses materials from my sect."
"So?"
"That means..."
Lucian stared at the Broken Sword.
"...I have the right to take it."
Kael gripped his sword.
"Then ask the academy for permission."
Lucian fell silent.
For the first time, his smile disappeared.
"Kael."
"I'm giving you one chance."
"Sell me your sword."
Kael let out a quiet laugh.
"How much?"
Lucian named a price.
Darius, who had just arrived, was immediately stunned.
"Kael, that's enough to buy a house!"
Kael looked at the Broken Sword.
Then he looked at Lucian.
"No."
Lucian smiled coldly.
"Then we'll meet again."
He left.
Kael watched his back.
A new problem had appeared.
And this time...
his enemy wasn't an assassin from the Blood Armament.
It was someone with money, power, and influence.