The sun was high in the afternoon sky when Sellas stepped out of the Adventurers' Guild, his pouch jingling with copper coins. He kept the lesser coins in the pouch, while silver and gold were safely stored in his inventory. The gold coins, a gift from his so-called father, were his true asset. The silver ones he had earned from a merchant as a reward for killing a bandit.
He was saving the gold for future investments, though today, he had a strange feeling he might actually spend some of it.
As he looked out over the bustling town, his thoughts turned to his next goal: learning about Runes. But even before that, he needed to earn Magic Coins—and to do that, he had to create a product he could sell.
To create something, I need to learn how to forge, he thought. I can only rely on my mechanical knowledge to make anything worthwhile.
Starting as a blacksmith seemed like the most practical option for now.
An idea sparked in his mind, prompting him to turn around and head back into the guild. At the front counter, he noticed the previous lady clerk had been replaced—once again—by the same bored-looking one from before.
"I've got a question," Sellas said. "Where can I find tools or place to learn about forging stuff? Blacksmith basis, that sort of stuff."
The clerk raised an eyebrow. "Already tired of being an adventurer, are you?"
Sellas offered a half-shrug. "I like working with my hands"
The clerk leaned back and jabbed a thumb toward the northern hill beyond the plaza. "Arcane Guild's your best bet. Public showrooms are open to everyone, even if you're not a member. You'll find all kinds of shops in that guild. You can even find tools, enchanting materials, basic guides, and occasionally a bored apprentice willing to answer dumb questions."
"Arcane Guild?" Sellas was surprised as he hadn't read anything about that kind of guild.
"Anything that is related to craftsmen, you will find inside the Arcane Guild. And one more thing," the clerk added. "Don't act like you know more than them. They hate that."
"I will keep that in mind," Sellas thanked him once again, as he left the guild and headed toward the North, his destination, The Arcane Guild.
The Arcane Guild? Anything related to craftsmen should be Craft Guild or Forging Guild but Arcane? I wonder what they were thinking when choosing that name.
The Arcane Guild of Falrem was hard to miss. Its tall, rune-etched spire loomed over the rooftops, and the annex buildings around it thrummed with quiet energy. Arcane lamps glowed along the path leading up the slope. A pair of guards flanked the wide entrance but didn't stop him.
Inside, the air smelled of parchment, iron, and strange oils. The public gallery resembled a showroom and open market—glass cases lined with minor enchanted trinkets, potion shelves labeled in perfect handwriting, and racks of tools gleaming under magical light. Tables displayed kits for aspiring enchanters: carving needles, mana chalk, etched copper tablets, blank tags for binding runes.
Sellas wandered through, slowly marveling at the dazzling refined works of the craftsmen. There were numerous runic items behind the glass counters, as he used his analyzing skill to learn about their properties. He even saw a particular product that caught his attention.
Beginner's Inscription Kit
"2 Gold coins? So expensive. Looks like it is a money demanding job and not an easy one," Sellas exclaimed looking at the price of the Kit, but he decided not to buy for the time being.
His next stop was less certain. Forging was something he knew little about, even back on Earth. But if he wanted to create magical items, enchanted tools, or rune-powered mechanisms, blacksmithing was the frame beneath the magic. He couldn't avoid it.
He asked a few questions around the marketplace, earning directions and a few odd glances. Most pointed him toward Forge Row, further inside the guild building.
As he headed inside, the rows of shops came into view, Potioneer, Enchanters, Tailors. He passed by them and finally found the area with smoke and ringing hammers. As he passed by that place, the air grew warmer.
Sparks flared like fireflies above stone chimneys, and the rhythmic clang of hammers echoed from multiple open workshops. Apprentices swept soot, smiths wiped sweat, and thick-armed men and women pounded metal into purpose.
Sellas walked slowly, looking for somewhere approachable. Most smiths ignored him or gave curt nods before returning to their work.
Then he saw it: a modest forge tucked between two larger workshops. The sign above was faded, but he could still read it, Embersteel Forge.
The steelwork displayed outside was neat, precise, and almost artistic. No crowd, no shouting—just steady clanging and soft flame.
He stepped inside.
A woman in her early thirties stood at the anvil, her auburn hair tied back, arms toned from work. She glanced at him once, then twice.
"You're not here for a sword," she said flatly.
"No," Sellas said. "I want to learn."
That made her pause. "Learn? Blacksmithing?"
He nodded.
She set the hammer down. "Most come asking to be enchanted. Not many want to start with sweat and steel. What's your reason?"
Sellas hesitated for a second and then spoke, "I want to build things- devices that no one has ever seen." He gave a sheepish smile, "But I can't do that unless I understand the foundation."
The woman studied him carefully, then exhaled.
"Name's Lyra Kael, master smith—sort of. I don't take apprentices. Don't have time to babysit."
"I'll work without pay. Just let me observe."
She smirked. "That's worse than an apprentice. But fine—stay out of the way. Clean that table first then just observe my work for the time being. I aint letting you touch this sacred hammer any time soon"
"So, what's your name?" Lyra asked.
"Sellas"
"Hmm. Nice name. Ok. Start cleaning."
Sellas got to work without complaint. After cleaning the table, he glanced toward Lyra, who was waiting patiently for him to finish.
"Since it's your first day, I'll show you how things work," she said, pointing toward the forge. "This is the heart of a blacksmith's craft. We need this heat to shape metal. Only with intense heat does the metal soften enough to be molded into the desired shape."
"I'm a 3-star Fire Mage," she added proudly. "I use my fire magic to adjust the furnace's temperature and heat the metals precisely. By the way, have you awakened an elemental affinity?"
Sellas hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell the truth. Lyra simply nodded in acknowledgment, saying nothing.
Without further comment, she began her work, demonstrating how the furnace operated. The process was deliberate and unhurried, but Sellas watched intently, carefully observing every movement she made. Lyra heated the iron until it glowed red-hot, all the while explaining the importance of precision and safety.
Using tongs, she carefully lifted the heated metal and placed it on the anvil. Then, she began shaping it with measured strikes of her hammer. She worked steadily, taking her time to form the piece of iron, and only after she was satisfied did she set the hammer down.
As soon as she placed the hammer on the table, Sellas noticed a notification appearing before his eyes from the system.