Temple of the Demon Lord of Wishes-Chapter 77: Talkative Blacksmith

The carriage ride to Tharos’s forge was uneventful, save for the rhythmic creak of the wheels and the occasional bird call.

Ivaim stepped down as the driver stopped in front of a modest, smoke-filled forge nestled near the outskirts of Fendral.

The heat from the forge was immediate, and Ivaim found Tharos already hard at work, his hammer ringing against glowing metal.

The blacksmith was a mountain of a man, his arms rippling with muscle, his beard streaked with soot.

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Tharos glanced up as Ivaim approached, his expression unreadable. "You must be the champion."

"That’s me," Ivaim replied, stepping closer.

"The mayor sent me. Said you’d help me get ready for the Regionals."

Tharos grunted, setting down his hammer.

"Halvin told me. I don’t take on jobs lightly, but if he trusts you, I’ll do my part. Let’s start with the basics. What do you need?"

"I need armor. Full-body armor," Ivaim said without hesitation. "Something strong enough to handle anything."

Tharos raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Full-body armor? For you? That’s not happening."

Ivaim frowned. "Why not?"

"Because you’d be a walking target," Tharos said bluntly. "Heavy armor might protect you, but it’ll also weigh you down. You’ve got an agile build, don’t you? Your fighting style is quick, reactive. Full-body armor would ruin that."

"But—"

"No buts," Tharos interrupted, his tone firm. "You need something light. Reinforced leather, chainmail, maybe a breastplate to guard your vitals. Enough to protect you without slowing you down."

Ivaim hesitated. "I guess that makes sense."

’I actually just wanted one because it looked cool... plus I’ve had dreams of becoming a knight when I was seven...’ Ivaim silently added to himself.

"It’s not about looking like a tank," Tharos said, grabbing a piece of parchment and sketching designs.

"It’s about playing to your strengths. I’ll make something that fits your style. You’ll thank me when you’re not dragging a hundred pounds of steel around the Arena."

Ivaim hesitated, rubbing his chin as he considered Tharos’s words.

"I guess that makes sense. I was thinking of something more… protective, but if I’m stuck in heavy armor, I won’t be able to move."

Tharos grunted in approval and grabbed a piece of parchment, quickly sketching out rough lines with his charcoal.

"Exactly. It’s not about looking like a tank or trying to cover every inch of your body in metal. It’s about making sure you’re quick, responsive, and still have enough protection where it counts."

Ivaim raised an eyebrow.

"Quite professional, you make it sound so easy."

Tharos chuckled under his breath, tapping the parchment with his finger.

"It’s not easy. But I’ve been doing this long enough to know what works. You’ve got the build and the style for something light and flexible. Armor doesn’t have to be bulky to protect you."

He started drawing more lines, adding details.

"I’ll use reinforced leather—sturdy but doesn’t weigh you down. A chainmail vest for the chest, maybe a reinforced collar. That’ll cover most of your upper body."

’He talks a lot... despite looking so stern and strict, he’s really passionate about his crafts huh...’ Ivaim thought, quite impressed at the guy’s unique personality.

Ivaim nodded slowly, thinking it over.

"I guess I do tend to move around a lot. It’s not really the ’stand and fight’ type of style."

"I know, I’ve attended one of your fights" Tharos agreed.

"You’re fast, and your enemies will expect you to be a harder target, so don’t give them what they want. We’ll focus on agility. You’ll need the speed to dodge or counter, not just survive."

Ivaim grinned. "Alright. I can get behind that."

Tharos smirked, clearly pleased.

"Good. Now, about the weapon—what are you thinking?"

Ivaim’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

"I’ve been leaning towards a baton."

Tharos froze mid-scratch, his eyes wide with surprise.

"A baton? You mean like… a stick?"

Ivaim shrugged, an easy grin on his face.

"Yeah. I figure it’ll be light, easy to maneuver. I don’t need anything flashy—just something that gets the job done."

Tharos stared at him for a moment, his hand still hovering over the paper.

"I—huh. Never thought I’d hear someone ask for a baton in the Arena. You sure about that?"

Ivaim chuckled.

"Yeah. I’m fast, but I like the idea of being able to block, deflect, or disarm without the extra weight. Plus, I can use it in ways people won’t expect."

Tharos blinked a few times, still processing the idea.

"Well, that’s certainly… unique. I’ll admit, it’s not the typical request, but I get it. It’s about precision, control. I can work with that."

He picked up his sketch again, drawing a slim, sturdy baton with rounded edges for better handling.

"You’d want something that can take a few hits, but still be light enough for fast strikes. Got it. I’ll make sure the balance is right."

Ivaim nodded.

"Thanks, Tharos. That’s what I’m going for."

Tharos ran a hand through his hair, still shaking his head in disbelief.

"Are you serious about the baton...? Well, I guess if you can pull it off, it’ll definitely catch people off guard. I’ll get started on it then. Should have it ready, along with your armor, in a few days."

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Ivaim grinned.

"Thanks, Tharos. I’ll make sure it works just like you said."

"Good. I’ll craft it so it fits your style. You’re going for speed, right? No bulky designs, just something light but strong."

Tharos paused, his eyes flickering with thought.

"I’ll make sure it holds up. Durability enhancements are my specialty. You won’t have to worry about it breaking mid-fight."

Ivaim raised an eyebrow. "Durability?"

Tharos smirked.

"You’ll see. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve. I’ll enchant your baton and armor with protection spells—so they’re practically indestructible. No matter how hard you swing that baton or how rough the battle gets, it’ll hold its own. That’s the least I can do for you."

Ivaim nodded, impressed.

"I didn’t even think about that. So, the weapons at the Regionals... are they usually enchanted, too?"

Tharos leaned back in his chair, folding his arms as if getting ready to explain something he knew well.

"Oh, most definitely. The Regionals Arena is a different beast. Fighters go all out, so the equipment they use is often enchanted with magic—reinforced blades, shields with barriers, armor that can absorb blows. And the weapons? Well, they’re usually reinforced with specific enchantments to improve their durability, speed, or even inflict more damage. The enchantments make all the difference."

Ivaim’s eyes widened.

"So everyone’s walking around with enchanted gear, huh? That’s going to be a problem if I’m the only one without something like that."

Tharos chuckled, shaking his head.

"Not a problem. I’ll handle that part for you. When I said durability was my specialty, I meant it. You’ll have the best protection magic woven into that armor and baton. Nothing’s going to break on you—not unless you’re up against something with more raw power than anyone at the Regionals can throw at you. And that’s saying a lot."

Ivaim let out a breath.

’I have a feeling you just triggered a red flag just now...’