Combat training started as usual—
Only now, “usual” had changed.
---
“Hah—”
I took a deep breath, adjusted my stance, and slowly raised my fists.
Nox stood not far away, as calm as ever, his sharp gaze tracking even my slightest movement.
But now, I was no longer just his student—I was his opponent.
---
2:8.
That’s my current record.
I still lose more than I win, but compared to the 0:10 at the beginning, I now manage to land at least two hits in every session.
But—
“Bang—!”
A shockwave exploded in my chest, sending me flying back. I crashed onto the ground, pain spreading through my back.
Damn it, I was tricked again.
…Even though I had a chance this time.
---
“10 minutes 24 seconds.”
Nox stood above me, looking down. Calm, not even out of breath.
“Not bad.”
He reached out and pulled me up.
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I gasped for air and frowned at the bruises on my arm.
I had improved—both in technique and in psychological strategy.
But I still couldn’t beat him.
And more strangely, Nox never seemed tired.
—
Does he even get tired?
---
Nox noticed my gaze, smiled, and ruffled my hair.
“Today’s training ends here.”
He turned to the medicine cabinet and fetched the familiar ointment, tending to my injuries with his usual swift precision.
But today, he suddenly said—
“Vera, come with me somewhere.”
I blinked.
“Where?”
Nox’s lips curved slightly, his gaze deep and unreadable.
“A forge.”
---
“Unfinished.”
It was a shop that didn’t fit into the city at all.
In this age of high mechanization, there was still a traditional forge?
I stood at the entrance, staring at the old wooden sign, confused.
Inside, heat radiated and the sound of hammering echoed.
Unlike the city’s holographic displays and automated prosthetics stations, this place had a stubbly man sweating over a hammer.
His left arm was a prosthetic, but his right was human.
It made him stand out in this era.
---
“Welcome—!”
The shopkeeper looked up, saw Nox and me, and grinned. He wiped his forehead and greeted us warmly.
But soon, I noticed something even stranger—
This place had bizarre rules.
---
“To request a commission, no matter what it is, you must bring your own materials.”
“Pick-up is 49 days later.”
“If you don’t come on that day, the item goes into the display case.”
“I don’t set prices or take deposits.”
“On pickup day, you pay whatever you want.”
---
…What kind of business is that?
I frowned and looked at the display case.
It held all kinds of creations—
Weapons, prosthetic shells, hairpins, shoulder guards… everything.
Each item was exquisitely crafted, more refined than even the best shops in the city.
But what caught my eye most—was Nox.
Since entering, his gaze had stayed fixed on the blacksmith’s hammer.
---
A hammer glowing faintly with blue light.
—
Nox had never seen it before, yet his eyes were as if confirming something.
The blacksmith noticed Nox’s gaze and grinned.
“Interested in the hammer?”
Nox shrugged, saying nothing.
The blacksmith casually shook the hammer.
“It’s my ‘certificate’.”
“A gift from my master.”
Then he pulled out some shiny black iron blocks from under the counter and tossed them onto the table.
“These too are from my master.”
He sighed, smiling bitterly.
“When I was a kid, this iron almost drove me mad from how hard it was to forge.”
“But I know—someday, my apprentice will go through the same.”
“When they master this black iron, I’ll pass the hammer to them.”
—
“Because—”
He gently stroked the handle, his voice soft.
“Anyone who can forge this iron must truly love forging.”
—
Nox listened quietly, his expression unchanged. Then he simply said:
“Congratulations, boss.”
Then he placed a cloth bag on the counter.
“This commission is a gift for this little girl.”
“The iron is already here.”
“I’ll return in 49 days to collect it.”
—
A gift?
—
I was stunned.
But Nox had already turned and left with me.
I couldn’t help but look back. The blacksmith was staring at the bag of iron, wearing a meaningful smile.
—
What… was going on?
—
That night, Nox and Luma came into my room.
This time, Luma wore a gentle, expectant smile. Nox…
His gaze was deep as night, impossible to read.
He sat on the edge of the bed and asked softly—
“Vera, what do you think can defeat time?”
