Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 258: Chapter 245: Perfect Level Longsword [Broken Abyss], Seeking the Path of Arcane Magic

After sending off Locke and the two envoys from the Princess, the tranquility of Grent Manor was shattered by the roar of steel.

At Jon’s command, the entire Giant God Workshop went into full production.

Furnaces let out muffled roars, their scarlet tongues of fire licking at the hearths and melting piles of metal ingots into scorching streams. The ceaseless ringing of anvils being struck by heavy hammers vibrated through the air, and sparks flew like a downpour, illuminating the focused, sweat-drenched faces of the apprentices.

This time, the Workshop was not operating to produce goods for sale, but to create high-quality armaments for their own use.

To be frank, the items they’d sold before had largely been practice pieces for the apprentices. They had all passed the Dwarves’ quality inspections, of course, but there was an undeniable gap between them and the new creations being earnestly forged by the now-skilled workers.

But on the edge of this seething din, the scene inside Sutton’s private forge was another world entirely.

In the glow of the forge fire, the shadows of the Old Dwarf and the Elf Mage were stretched long, cast upon a stone wall covered in tools.

”Here, kiddo. You’re heading off to the battlefield, aren’t you? Perfect time to see what I can do!”

The Old Dwarf pulled a simple, unadorned Longsword that glinted coldly from a nearby pile of weapons. He gave it a couple of casual swings, and the blade cut through the air with a pleasing whistle.

”I forged this from those ores you brought me. It’s the best one I’ve made so far.”

Surprise appeared on Jon’s face when he heard this.

”Your research paid off!?”

”Hmph. What did you expect? When it comes to metallurgical research, I’d wager there aren’t many on this whole continent who’ve gone further than I have!”

Sutton snorted smugly and offered the hilt to Jon.

”Go on, try it!”

Jon nodded, eagerly reaching out to grip the hilt.

’A weapon forged with the Old Dwarf’s skill, using ores that contain the power of the Blood of the Earth... its quality has to be extraordinary!’

The sword felt weighty in his hand. A smooth yet unyielding sense of Power spread up his arm, as if a dormant volcano slumbered within the blade itself.

With a flick of his wrist, the sword’s tip traced a bright arc through the air, letting out a faint whoosh.

HUMMM—

At the same time, the sword’s Attributes appeared before his eyes.

—

[Unnamed (Perfect-Level Sword)]

[Attack Power: 255-360]

[Strength Requirements: 30]

[Durability: 600/600]

[Attribute 1: Constitution +10]

[Attribute 2: Power +10]

[Power of the Earth: Attacks with this weapon deal 10 bonus Earth Element damage, and grant +10 Penetration, +10 Crushing, and +10 Impact. This effect can stack up to 5 times.]

[Blade of Fortitude: Weapon Durability is greatly increased. When ’Power of the Earth’ reaches maximum stacks, attacks have a chance to destroy the enemy’s weapon and Armor.]

[Rune Enchantment · Limestone Impact: Active. Consume Magic Power to unleash a wide-area Earth Element Impact. Can be used multiple times in succession.]

[Rune Enchantment · Auto-Balance: Passive. Automatically adjusts the weapon’s Balance by 10%-50% with each attack.]

”The Power of an Ancient God flows within. I can already glimpse a glimmer of hope for breaking through my bottleneck. —Sutton Silverbeard.”

—

’Damn—what incredible Attack Power!’

A Perfect Level weapon! Two innate effects! Two Rune Enchantments!

The Blade of Balance he’d once gotten from Sutton could have been considered a minor Divine Artifact for the early stages of his journey; with an Enchantment, it would have lasted him a long time.

But compared to this as-yet-unnamed blade, it simply paled in comparison!

An Attack Power of 255-360 was something you’d typically only see on a level 50-plus weapon, and even then, only with a perfect combination of materials and Forging techniques!

And that wasn’t even mentioning its additional effects, which were as simple as they were powerful.

The +10 to Constitution and Power was almost equivalent to wearing a full set of Crystal Scorpion Armament. Furthermore, the combination of ”Power of the Earth” and ”Blade of Fortitude” gave the sword the Impact and crushing effects normally found on a blunt weapon.

The active burst and passive handling boost from the two Rune Enchantments were just icing on the cake!

It was a sword that perfectly suited his needs!

After giving it a few more swings, Jon looked back at Sutton and nodded earnestly.

”Thank you, Sutton!”

”The weight, the feel, the Power it holds... everything is just right. I love it!”

”Of course it is!”

Sutton’s grog-blossomed nose twitched smugly.

”I’ll leave the naming rights to you. Consider it my thanks for providing the materials!”

”Right!”

Jon caressed the deceptively simple Longsword, unable to put it down.

The importance of a good sword to a Warrior could not be overstated, and now that he’d advanced to the Official Level, he was in dire need of an upgrade.

”I’ll call you... [Broken Abyss]! The sword that severs the abyss!”

Hearing the name Jon had chosen for the sword, the Old Dwarf couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle.

’That kid always tried to act so serious and profound, but at times like this, his cringey, youthful side couldn’t help but show through.’

Just then, Claudio stepped forward and spoke softly.

”While you were away, I finished repairing the [Crystal Scorpion Armor]. You can come to my Workshop to pick it up later.”

”As for the Demonized Tree Cores you brought back, I will process them as quickly as possible. I’ll do my best to craft a suitable Magic Staff for you before you leave for the battlefield.”

Jon reluctantly sheathed the sword and looked up, meeting the Elf Mage’s gaze.

”Thank you, Mr. Claudio.”

”But please don’t rush with the Magic Staff. I have something more important to accomplish right now.”

He raised his hand, and the light of the [Integration Seal] flickered faintly at his fingertips.

”I have completed the final part of my promotion trial as a Mage and have reached a new stage.”

”I request that you guide me onto the path of [Arcane Magic].”

For a moment, it seemed as if even the crackling of the fire went silent.

Claudio’s silver-gray eyes stared intently at the light on Jon’s fingertip, a glow that held an extraordinary Mystery. One of his eyebrows arched slightly, his thoughts unreadable.

After a moment of silence, the Elf Mage gave a slight, graceful nod.

”As expected of the ’Enlightener.’ The speed at which you break through your bottlenecks continues to astound me.”

”I won’t ask why you’ve chosen the path of Arcane Magic. I trust you have your reasons.”

With that, he turned and headed down the shadowy corridor that led to his Magic Research Room.

”Follow me. I will teach you everything I can that you need to learn.”

Jon glanced back at Sutton, gave him a nod, and then hurried to follow Claudio.

’Arcane Magic was a Domain completely unknown to him; it would require a great deal of his time and energy to learn.’

But he couldn’t give up.

His own strength and the influence of the Giant God Workshop were the very foundations of his existence in this world.

Regardless of what the future held, or what the so-called ”Destiny” had in store for him, he had to keep moving forward.