Runic Forge Anvil. The name appears in my mind as if it had always been there. And with it, a torrent of information I can’t process. The headache is so intense that I collapse to the ground, and the world fades around me.

  When I wake up, the day has advanced. I go outside, relieved that the headache has passed, to estimate the time. A couple of hours unconscious, I figure. I decide to look for the books that should be inside. I find them in the chest in the room. There are three in total: “Fire Control in the Forge”, “Materials for Smithing”, and “First Steps in the World of Blacksmithing.”

  I’ll have to read them all, but right now the materials seem less important, so I choose the one on fire control, thinking it will be the first thing I need. I consider going back to the mansion to get something to eat, but it would take too long, and I want to get everything running as soon as possible.

  However, my current priority is controlling what happened with the anvil. I can’t keep passing out every time I touch an object. I search the house until I find the simplest object possible. A nail. It’s old and rusted, but the worst that can happen is that nothing happens.

  I focus on it, and almost immediately my efforts are rewarded. I feel as if the recipe is being engraved in my mind. The material is iron, as simple as it gets. I sense that it contains more materials, but they are probably slag and impurities. I also understand how it was forged, although I probably could have known that without a recipe.

  I try the same with one of the door hinges. The result is similar, but the forging method is more complicated and not as clear as with the nail. Just analyzing these two objects leaves me tired, but it’s nothing like what happened before. Maybe the complexity of the object influences it.

  I feel like this could be an incredible skill—or completely useless.

  “Ter—” I hear my sister’s voice calling me from outside.

  “I’m coming out now,” I reply. I don’t want her to get dirty.

  “Ah! You’re all dirty,” she says when she sees me. “Come here.”

  She pulls out a handkerchief and starts cleaning my face. Her silver hair is tied back in a ponytail, and she wears a simple yellow dress.

  “I’ll talk to Dad later. What was he thinking, sending you here alone?”

  I can’t help but smile at my sister’s attitude. Since our mother passed away five years ago, she’s been very protective of me.

  “Lisa, don’t worry. It’s in better shape than it looks. Besides, you know Dad tries to help me in his own way.”

  An awkward silence falls, but I want to enjoy this moment with my sister, so I decide to change the subject.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Did you bring me food?”

  “Is that what matters to you?” she asks, pretending to be offended. “I don’t know, I don’t know.”

  “Come on, what did you bring me?”

  “Come.”

  She takes my hand and leads me under a tree, pulling a cloth out of the basket she’s carrying. We sit on it, and she pulls out several sandwiches.

  “Do you already have a dress for the presentation?”

  “Yes, although they’re still finishing the adjustments. There’s still a month to go.”

  “But you’ll have to leave for the capital earlier.”

  “Oh, is my little brother going to miss me?” she asks playfully.

  “Of course. Imagine how fun this is going to be with just Dad, Fre, and Rob around. I’m sure the guards will come to arrest us for having too much fun.”

  We laugh together and continue chatting for a while.

  “Well, I have to go. Tomorrow they’ll have something ready so you can bring it to eat, but I’ll come see you when I can.”

  The rest of the afternoon I spend reading the book until the sun begins to set. At this time of year it’s still warm, but I need light to read, so I return to the mansion.

  On the way, I think about what I just read. The first chapters were about how to ignite and control fire. My biggest concern is charcoal—I don’t have an oven to make it myself, and I can’t create my own oven either. Buying charcoal is pretty expensive for the quantity I need, and mineral coal contains many impurities, so I’d have to treat it first.

  It seems I still have a long way to go.

  Dinner at the table is a bit tense. If it were up to me, I’d eat alone, but I’m still a family member. At least for now.

  The only one who treats me as usual is Porten. Even the maids act as if I have some kind of disability. It seems absurd to me. My class may be unworthy of a noble, but blacksmiths are usually highly respected among craftsmen and even have contracts with nobles to arm knights.

  I escape to my room as soon as I can to continue reading. I finish the chapter on how to read the temperature of fire. The next one deals with the color of metal and its temperature, but I get bored quickly.

  I’m not ready to sleep yet, so I wander around my room until I remember the short sword I was given a couple of years ago. It’s more decorative than a weapon, but it’s perfect for testing my skill. I draw it from its sheath and focus on it. The information appears more structured than before.

  Material: steel, sulfur, ****

  Stats: attack: 5

  Durability: 85

  Effects:

  It seems I can see many more details than before. Maybe because it’s a weapon. I should try armor next to check. I still don’t understand how it works. I debate asking one of my brothers, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. My body still hasn’t adapted to analyzing objects, because my eyes start closing, and sleep overtakes me.

  Sleeping with a sword in hand is not the best idea. I haven’t cut myself, but it could have easily happened. I quickly get dressed to have breakfast and look for Fred. I want to ask him about my talent, and of my two brothers, he’s the most approachable.

  “Good morning,” Fred greets me as I enter. “You got up early today.”

  “Yes, I fell asleep right away yesterday. By the way, where are Dad and Rob? I haven’t seen them this morning.”

  “Seems they had to go out with the knights. They’ll be back tonight.”

  “The knights maintain order and eliminate monsters outside the dungeons. Did something happen?”

  “Nothing serious. I have a gift for you,” he says, trying to change the subject.

  “Really? What is it?” Even knowing he’s hiding something, I can’t help taking the bait.

  “Come. Let’s finish quickly, and I’ll show you.”

  I urge him to eat quickly. He guides me across the training yard to the side of the mansion. My brother has a satisfied smile as he watches me, waiting for my reaction. In front of us is a pile of... trash! Everything is broken, rusty, and useless.

  And then I realize it’s not trash. It’s material.