Chapter 481: Accepted as a Disciple
Chapter 481: Accepted as a Disciple
Sun Luguo picked up the small blade.
He examined it from both sides, slowly turning it so the light struck it from different angles.
He ran his finger across its surface, feeling every imperfection, every tiny irregularity.
Then he closed his eyes for a few seconds. His thumb traced along the blade’s edge, evaluating its thickness. His mind recorded every detail.
The entire square waited for his answer.
Countless thoughts arose in Sun Luguo’s mind.
’He’s telling the truth.’
’He has never forged before.’
It was impossible to deceive him. He had observed every movement Kyrian made from the very first moment, and every detail confirmed the young man’s inexperience.
All the small mistakes. The slight hesitations.
The way he held the hammer was too close to the head, reducing the reach of each strike.
The way he positioned the tongs was slightly crooked, making the metal harder to control.
The stiffness in his shoulders, his uneven breathing, the flow of Qi that occasionally scattered.
Everything revealed someone completely inexperienced.
But... It also revealed something else.
Talent. Frightening talent.
Kyrian possessed no true understanding of forging. He lacked the deep intuition that comes with years of practice, the instinctive understanding of how metal behaves.
He was merely copying. Replicating.
His movements were almost an imitation of the blacksmiths he had observed. The strikes, the stance, the rhythm, everything came from observation and repetition, not experience.
It still lacked soul. It lacked a true connection with the material.
It lacked the understanding that cannot be learned from books or observation.
But... Even though it was only a copy... He had forged a real blade.
On his very first attempt.
Sun Luguo had never seen anything like it. Not even his finest disciples had achieved so much. Most required weeks, even months, to produce a functional weapon. Kyrian had done it in less than an hour.
His heart began to beat faster.
An excitement he had not felt in many years filled his chest. The emotion was almost physical, an energy coursing through his body like an electric current.
Then...
A huge smile appeared on his face. Perhaps the biggest smile he had worn in decades. A booming laugh echoed across the square.
"Hahahahahaha!"
Everyone looked at him. The spectators, the blacksmiths, the apprentices, and the merchants, every pair of eyes were fixed on the giant laughing as though he had discovered a priceless treasure.
The giant raised the small blade.
"Boy."
His voice was like thunder, echoing against the stone walls surrounding the square.
"You passed."
The entire square fell silent.
The spectators’ eyes widened.
Even the blacksmiths themselves looked incredulous, their expressions frozen in shock.
"He passed?"
"He really passed?"
"On his first attempt?"
"That’s impossible..."
"Master Sun has never accepted anyone so quickly."
Sun Luguo completely ignored all those voices. His eyes remained fixed solely on Kyrian.
"From this day forward..." His voice was deep, filled with authority and promise.
"I will teach you how to forge."
Those words fell like a stone into a still lake. The shock spread through the crowd at once, waves of surprise and disbelief rippling outward.
"He accepted him!"
"Master Sun accepted a disciple!"
"How long has it been since that happened?"
"More than thirty years!"
"That boy... who is he?"
Sun Luguo walked over to Kyrian. He stopped in front of him.
His enormous body resembled a mountain, casting a shadow that completely covered the young man. Yet there was no intimidation in his posture, only presence, the certainty of someone who knew exactly where he belonged in the world.
"What is your name?"
"Kyrian."
The giant nodded slowly, as though tasting the name on his tongue.
"Good."
His smile remained broad, brightening his weathered face.
"Then listen carefully."
"From this day forward..."
"...you will call me Professor Sun."
Kyrian looked directly at the man. His violet eyes met the blacksmith’s dark eyes, and for a brief moment, something passed between them, a mutual recognition.
Then he gave a slight bow. The gesture was simple but respectful, lowering his head just enough to show deference without bowing completely.
"Understood. Professor Sun."
Sun Luguo laughed again.
"Hahaha!"
"Excellent!"
He gave Kyrian’s shoulder a firm pat. Even while controlling his strength, the impact was enough to make him take half a step backward. The giant looked immensely pleased, his eyes shining with genuine joy.
At last.
After so many years...
He had found someone who truly sparked his interest.
Someone with the potential to become something extraordinary.
Meanwhile, around the square, the spectators looked at Kyrian with expressions completely different from before.
The disdain had vanished.
In its place remained only surprise... curiosity... and a strong hint of envy.
After all, right before their very eyes, a young man who had never held a hammer had just become the disciple of the greatest blacksmith in the entire Sky Caravan.
Kyrian, however, did not seem particularly excited. His eyes remained calm, his expression serene. As though the outcome had been nothing more than natural.
As though he had expected it all along.
As though, deep down, he had never doubted he would succeed.
Sun Luguo observed that calmness, and his smile widened even further.
’This boy...’
He thought, the words echoing through his mind with admiration.
’He truly is special.’
Sun Luguo continued looking at Kyrian for a few moments, the broad smile still spread across his face. Then, suddenly, he seemed to remember something.
’Hm...’
He stroked his beard thoughtfully.
’I heard earlier that one of tonight’s auctions will be selling a rather interesting forging hammer. They say it once belonged to an ancient Master Blacksmith.’
His eyes lit up.
’It might make a fine gift for my new disciple.’
He looked back at Kyrian.
"Tell me, boy. Do you have anything important to do today?"
Kyrian shook his head.
"No."
"Excellent!"
Without waiting for another answer, Sun Luguo draped his enormous arm over the young man’s shoulders and began leading him across the square.
"First, we’re going to fill our stomachs. I know an excellent restaurant."
His laughter echoed as they walked through the crowd.
"Then we’ll head to the auction."
"We’re going to hunt down your first hammer."
Kyrian offered no resistance. He simply walked beside his new teacher, allowing himself to be led as hundreds of gazes, filled with surprise, envy, and admiration, followed them until they disappeared into the bustling streets of the Sky Caravan.