Chapter 30 – Osland Pure Steel (1)

Possessing ‘one’s own weapon’ at the academy carried several meanings.

First, having the financial leeway to invest in a sword.

Second, being a trainee belonging to at least Class B, who had been permitted to possess a personal weapon.

Third, it being a weapon with a meaning that everyone would acknowledge.

For example, if it were the third?

It referred to cases such as a treasured sword passed down through generations in the family, or the sword of a father who died in a kingdom war.

And in the meantime, there had to be no one else to take custody of the sword instead.

However, it was not that one could only possess a personal weapon by falling into those cases.

Restricted to swords, if there was permission from a specific instructor, trainees below that could possess weapons as much as they wanted.

This was exactly the case Henry belonged to.

‘It worked out well. I was just about to go out and get one.’

Rousseau’s proposal was truly timely.

To the extent that he wondered if Rousseau had overheard his monologues somewhere.

One of the things Henry had felt while training all this time was precisely the importance of ‘swordsmanship proficiency.’

In particular, he felt it even more clearly through yesterday’s events.

‘It wasn’t a mana issue. It was a swordsmanship issue.’

No, in fact, it was a mana issue.

However, Henry had learned techniques through the sponsorship shop, and at any rate, his proficiency was as good as fixed.

The element that could bring variables there was precisely swordsmanship proficiency.

And one of the things that influenced the increase in proficiency was the quality of the weapon.

‘In fact, it seemed that the quality of the weapon had the biggest impact. Even more than things like the environment.’

Of course, the best case would be a spar with an outstanding opponent, but anyway, if he used an outstanding weapon even when sparring, the rate of increase would go up even further.

Rousseau’s intention was merely in the spirit of celebration, but to Henry, it was a far greater opportunity.

“So I have made a decision. I plan to make a sword, and I intend to commission it with the highest quality currently possible.”

Naturally, Henry was conveying that fact on the broadcast.

Since this was also a piece of content.

[Did Rousseau promise to introduce you?]

[But even if it’s outstanding, won’t it be mediocre? It’s not like they are a legendary blacksmith or anything. You can change it later, right?]

[Isn’t it like it lasts for a lifetime? lol saying a sword is one’s life and whatnot lol]

“No. A sword is merely a tool. There are rarely cases where a sword is treated like a companion simply because its quality is outstanding.”

[Then?]

“Only after experiences accumulated while holding that sword do they finally gain meaning. The weapons that knights refer to as their beloved weapons are not only outstanding, but in most cases have spent a long time together with that knight.”

There are many outstanding swords.

But there is only one sword that has overcome adversity together.

Only then would the sword gain meaning as a companion.

[That sounds somewhat profound lol. The bottom line is you can change it anytime, right?]

“Yes. The sword I purchase this time will likely struggle to become a special tool for me. I plan to replace it if an opportunity comes.”

Of course, one never knows.

At the same time, the possibility of that was low.

“At any rate, in making a sword, the quality of materials is as important as the blacksmith’s skill. The smithy likely has stock they’ve secured, but I have chosen a slightly different method.”

[What method?]

[Here comes the build-up again lolol]

[It’s obvious, guys lolol]

[Different method (sponsorship shop)]

The viewers had now grasped perfectly what kind of person Henry was.

“The sponsorship shop is correct. They were selling usable materials for me there as well. This is all thanks to you, the viewers.”

Henry coolly admitted it.

He had recently received Oop Oop’s sponsorships, and the video revenue was also accumulating step-by-step.

He intended to leave only enough to buy a talent bead in case of emergency, and invest all the rest in the sword.

“It is about time, so I should go get an outing pass from the instructor. I don’t know how long it has been since I stepped out of the academy.”

It had easily been over a year.

Because previously, he had neither a reason nor the leisure to go out.

Feeling even a strange excitement, when he arrived at Rousseau’s office.

Henry felt, as always, that the air surrounding him had completely changed.

“Ah, you must be that Henry Camilton. I’ve heard a lot. Chief Instructor Rousseau is inside.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, Henry!”

“…Professor Minerva. Hello.”

“Congratulations. Sincerely. I believed that such a day would definitely come for a hard-working child like you!”

“Thank you.”

People who normally didn’t even show interest came over and offered greetings.

Because it was no longer a secret that the high nobles had shown interest in Henry.

For mediocre instructors or professors, it was a situation where their relationship with Henry could be reversed in an instant.

“Ah, Henry.”

Yet Rousseau was consistent.

He was, after all, the chief instructor.

Even if his skills as a knight fell behind, other knights respected his honor at least.

The only difference was that he now revealed his inner thoughts to Henry.

“Here is your outing pass.”

“Thank… Uh, Instructor?”

“What is it?”

“The date is blank.”

The outing pass Rousseau handed over.

The departure date was written as today, but the space to write the return date was completely blank.

“One never knows if it can be finished in a single day. Fill in the blank fittingly when you return.”

“Then, Instructor…”

“The position of chief instructor can enjoy quite a lot of authority here. And looking at the records, this is the first time in two years you are going out, Henry.”

“Ah…”

“It should be fine to take your time. The achievements you’ve made are not small, Henry. This year won’t be your last anymore.”

He meant for him to enjoy himself and return.

Eating some food, drinking some alcohol, and sightseeing various things.

“Thank you.”

“I was worried you might refuse. That is a relief. Here is a map and a letter of introduction. If you visit and show it to them, they will take good care of you. I’d like to go with you if I could, but my schedule is not very leisurely.”

“Thank you.”

“Stop thanking me. Also, there is an item I left with the gatekeeper on the way out, so make sure to take it.”

“Understood.”

Only then did Rousseau nod as if satisfied.

“Have a safe trip, Henry. Report back when you return.”

***

The cradle of the kingdom’s knights.

The Vallaran Royal Knight Academy was located in the royal capital.

A place slightly away from the royal palace.

It was practically close to the outskirts, but being in the royal capital was enough to give them the feeling of being preparatory ‘King’s Knights.’

Furthermore, it was merely described as the outskirts in terms of distance; a huge commercial area had already formed around the academy.

The professors and instructors positioned at the academy.

Trainees who came out to consume various things on every outing, and families and acquaintances who came to meet those trainees.

Because through them alone, enough consumption occurred for the nearby residents to make a living.

“Indeed, it is lively. Even though it is a time when academy trainees cannot come out… it seems the vicinity of the academy has completely turned into a tourist attraction.”

It was not a tourist attraction where people just came to play.

As it was a ‘knight’ academy, the surrounding commercial area was specialized in businesses related to knights.

For instance, selling weapons or armor, or bookstores selling mysterious swordsmanship manuals and such.

Naturally, if it were travelers with such a purpose, this was a place they would drop by at least once.

“Even if they are currently of trainee status, they include children of noble families like Bane Timothy who appeared earlier. The amount of money they consume won’t be small.”

They would likely open their pockets and scatter gold coins like water.

[If it’s a tourist spot lol. They will 100% rip you off lol]

[A bowl of noodles will probably be 20,000 won lolol]

[But if it’s the royal capital, isn’t it the town with the royal palace? If they try to act tough, they might get in real trouble]

“Correct. The price range of products sold here is rather cheaper than other regions. Because if a report goes in by any chance, the merchant concerned will face quite severe punishment.”

[What kind of punishment?]

[Isn’t it like getting executed?]

“No. It is not that far… they are simply banished outside the royal capital. With all their assets confiscated. In the confiscation process, a Royal Mage steps in, so it is known to be impossible to siphon assets off.”

Giving them a chance to start anew, but snatching away all the capital they had illegitimately accumulated.

If they wanted to enter the royal capital again?

They could obtain entry authority by paying back the confiscated amount.

“By the way… ah, there it is. The smithy Instructor Rousseau told me about.”

Just by looking, it had the most customers.

A crowd bustling at least three times more compared to other nearby smithies.

With that kind of popularity, it would surely proceed by reservation, and it seemed it would take quite some time to receive the crafted product.

For a split second he wondered if he should go elsewhere, but Henry shook his head.

If he could obtain a truly outstanding sword at the end of that wait?

Since that was unconditionally beneficial.

“I will buy this! Th…”

“Wait a moment! I’m busy to death. Can’t you see I’m taking other orders right now?”

“How can you be this rude!”

“If it’s rude, go to another shop! No, get lost! I won’t sell to you!”

The voice of a young man pierced his ears.

Henry nodded in satisfaction.

“It seems the customer is being unreasonable. I can feel the pride. It seems Instructor Rousseau recommended a proper place.”

Seeing that he was still young, he seemed to be the blacksmith’s son or an employee.

Henry calmly waited for his turn and was able to face the young man who had been shouting just now.

“Nice to meet you. We are Black Hand, crafting and selling the most outstanding products in the royal capital. What did you come for?”

The young man had a brighter impression than expected.

To the point of wondering if he was the same person who had been that angry just a moment ago.

“I would like to commission a creation.”

“Commissioning! Ah, but regrettably, because our shop’s quality is originally so outstanding, reservations are incredibly backed up. You’d have to allow at least a month. Would you be okay with that?”

“Are there any exceptions by any chance?”

A cautious question.

The young man’s face brightened up.

“You are someone who knows how things work! Other people just flat out say who they are, whose introduction they got, blah blah, and tell me to bring it out first.”

“…”

“There is an exception. Who are you, and if you received an introduction, whose was it? If there are other conditions as well, please tell me.”

“I am Henry Camilton, a trainee of the Royal Academy.”

“The academy! Nice.”

“The person who introduced me is Chief Instructor Rousseau.”

“…Uh?”

The young man’s eyes went wide.

“You mean Uncle Rousseau introduced you? The one working as an instructor at the academy… Wow, congratulations! You have been included in the exceptions. Ah, where is the letter of introduction?”

“Here it is.”

“Uncle Rousseau’s stamp is clear. Would you wait just a moment? You must be a truly amazing person. For this uncle to even make a recommendation. Anyway, if you wait here for just a moment…”

“Ah, there is one more thing.”

Henry stopped the young man who was about to run off.

As far as Henry knew, there was still an important condition that all smithies here wanted.

“I brought the material myself.”

“Material, ah! You are indeed someone with thorough preparedness. What material is it? If it is above a certain level, that also falls into the exception range… wow.”

At the object Henry took out, the young man gaped.

It was a gaze of sincere admiration.

At the same time, with an expression of having his blacksmith’s desire for work stimulated, he stared straight into Henry’s eyes.

“It is Osland Pure Steel. Right? An amount just enough to forge a sword generously… Good. Really wait just a moment. You can probably expect a positive reply.”

Only then did Henry step back.

The sound of squabbling with customers was heard from the inside again, and soon the young man ran back toward Henry.

“Come in. You do not need to wait, customer! We will help you with the crafting as the top priority!”

BJ Swordmaster