Ashen Ascension: The Divided Flame-Chapter 80: A Gift

Ivor stuck to the same schedule for four days because it was effective, even if uncomfortable.

He trained every morning before the forest was fully awake, when the Scar was quiet. He practiced Edge Compression with his sword, sitting then standing, forming a thin mana band along the edge. He often failed, but the failures were less significant, the line held longer, and the density was steadier. For brief moments, the blade felt like more than just steel, confirming the skill’s reality.

When his arm got tired from trying to be too precise, he switched to using Umbra reinforcement.

He tried weaving shadow around his arm and fist, making it feel tighter than a simple mana shield, even though he hadn’t mastered Shadow Weave yet.

He hit trees and rocks gently to see if the shadow would hold. Sometimes it failed instantly, but other times it stayed put, making the impact feel softer, as if the shadow absorbed some of the force before it hit his bones.

He ate only when he was very hungry, then went hunting. He sometimes hunted skeletons or lonely humans who strayed from their groups. He left quickly after a fight with what he needed before others arrived. When he got tired and clumsy, he went back to his tree to rest. Being tired meant mistakes, and mistakes meant death.

After resting, he only went out at night. The dark helped him, making his "Soul Sense" work better when the forest was quiet. He kept up this routine, focusing only on his steady progress, day after day.

By the end of the fourth day, he had attuned a second mana node, making his mana circuit stronger.

He had also collected nearly three hundred mana crystals by hunting and stealing, but he hadn’t used any for attunement. Instead, he used the surrounding, cleaner mana, drawing it through Soul Sense despite the resulting headache and soul drain, because it produced less waste.

Two problems grew alongside his gains.

The first was that people were searching for him.

It started small, with a few angry kids sharing stories of being robbed. Soon, it grew to large groups and patrol teams.

By the fourth day, he estimated over fifty boys and girls had been robbed. Many knew someone was targeting the careless, striking quickly and cleanly. Groups began moving together, looking for ambushes and setting up ’bait’ targets.

Ivor adapted by being more selective. If a target seemed like a trap or a group was too close, he moved on. He only needed to steal enough to get by.

The second problem bothered him more than it should have.

Nara never came.

Ivor waited every morning and evening at the meeting spot, hiding in the trees, but Nara never showed up. At first, Ivor thought Nara was being careful, then that there was trouble. Soon, he worried about his plan, as Nara’s disappearance meant losing crucial knowledge and contacts.

By the fourth day, food was a major problem. Ivor finished Nara’s week’s worth of mana-infused food in four days. His training and hunger were making it worse. He could steal regular rations, but only the special food made him feel strong. Without it, he was starting to feel weak again.

On the fifth morning, he moved toward the clearing again, faster than usual. His patience had limits, and he didn’t like waiting for someone who might be dead or might be lying.

Ivor’s hair was tied back with a black cloth. He had a sword and a dagger. His black robes, brought by Nara, were now dirty and stained from his time in the Scar. He moved quickly and quietly, watching the trees.

He found Nara in the clearing, sitting by a tree with a bag. As soon as Ivor appeared, Nara stood up quickly, showing his nervousness. Ivor stopped and put his hand on his sword, ready for anything.He quickly looked at Nara and saw he’d changed. Nara was thinner, with dark circles and a tired, sharp look. His usual two daggers were replaced by a sword on his back.

Nara moved forward, but stopped when Ivor’s eyes narrowed and he gripped something tighter.

"What’s wrong?" Nara asked, trying to sound casual. "Don’t you trust me? I thought we agreed."

Ivor ignored him, his voice flat. "Where were you?"

Nara hesitated, then sighed and forced a smile.

"Well, I working on something for you," he said.

He pulled the sword from his back, turning the sheath forward. Ivor stared at it.

The sheath was plain black metal, with no design. The visible hilt was also plain black, tightly wrapped, with no hand guard.

Nara slowly pulled out the sword. The blade was straight, dark, and simply made for use.

"I forged this for you," Nara said.

Ivor’s eyes stayed on the blade. He didn’t take it. He didn’t step closer.

"It’s the seventh sword I’ve made," Nara added, sounding proud despite his tiredness. "My best so far. It can handle mana much better than your current sword and won’t break unless an Initiate hits it."

Ivor finally looked up, clearly surprised. "You forged this."

Nara nodded, and the pride in his eyes was clearer now, because this was something he wanted to be seen for.

"Yes," he said. "I told you right. My father is a forger, and I want to become one as well."

He spoke, finally saying what he’d been holding back for years.

"I started forging when I was seven, which is why I’m a weak fighter," Nara explained. "I spent most of my time practicing. Luna fought; I learned other things."

Ivor listened. This was the first clear answer he’d gotten. It made sense based on what he’d seen. It also explained the dark circles and weight loss; forging is hard work, and doing it in hurry would mean less sleep.

"This particular sword is the best I can create for any awakened," Nara said.

Nara approached Ivor slowly, like a wary animal. When Ivor didn’t back away, Nara sheathed the sword, offering it with both hands.

"This is my first gift for our partnership," Nara said. "It’s free. Just take good care of it."

Ivor stared. In his world, gifts came with strings. But a better sword meant better training and less risk. It also showed Nara was personally invested.

Ivor took the sword. It felt better balanced than his old one, built to handle mana.

He didn’t thank Nara or act uncaring. He simply accepted the gift.

"I will," Ivor said.

Nara’s shoulders loosened slightly, as if that single promise mattered more than praise.

Ivor’s gaze moved back to Nara’s face, taking in the exhaustion again.

"You look bad," Ivor said, blunt.

Nara gave a quiet, tired laugh. "I lost some sleep."

Ivor didn’t believe Nara but didn’t argue. He checked the new sword. His eyes then focused on the real issue.

"You missed our meeting. I guess you were working on the sword." Ivor said. "Four days."

Nara looked worried. "I know. I couldn’t come. Mostly because of the sword but I had some other work as well."

Ivor accepted the vague answer because the sword proved Nara hadn’t abandoned their agreement. He adjusted the sword and looked at Nara’s small bag.

"What else," Ivor asked.

Nara looked like he expected the question. "I brought what I could," he said. "Manuals will take a little more time. Refinement too. But this," he tapped the sword lightly, "this was urgent."

"Also, I have some other plans as well. Let me work on them, and I will definitely surprise you later," Nara said proudly.