Magic swordsman of Orario

"...What?"

It was Loki who exclaimed due to her surprise, she finds it unbelievable. Her two slit like eyes we're open wide, looking at Hephaestus as if she was crazy or something.

Gods and Goddesses can sure be whimsical sometimes or even most of the times but this is still a little too much!

Hephaestus and Loki have descend on mortal world long ago and they have pretty much grasp of each other's personalities.

They may not interact with each other much but it's still enough for Loki to learn some important things about Hephaestus Familia since Hephaestus didn't really hide anything to anyone.

Loki knows how valuable this sword was for Hephaestus, no not only her but also her Familia.

In Hephaestus Familia, all smiths are required to go through a rite of passage before they can join like a ceremony.

Every single one of them had to experience the same without exception.

All of them are shown this one sword. Then Hephaestus will ask them question. Only when they passed, than they will be allowed to join her familia.

A single sword on top of a pedestal connected to the wall.

The sight of this one weapon alone had sent chills down the spines of all the members of Hephaestus Familia the first time they saw it. It inspired them and also at the same time had crushed the arrogance inside them.

And now here she is, offering that sword to her child, Arthur. To a boy she only had met today or to be precise moments ago. Not to forget, he isn't even a child of her own Familia!

Loki can even somehow digest it, if it is one of the items below but giving away her own foundation of her Familia....

For a moment, Loki even doubted her ears are malfunctioning. It's either she heard it wrong or Hephaestus have gone crazy.

Hephaestus didn't know what's going on inside Loki's mind and even if she did, she might not care much. Right now she's more interested on what Arthur's answer would be. She is full of anticipation for some reason.

"Hmm....." Arthur fixed his gaze on the sword as if tried to communicate with it but then he bit his lower lip and stared even more closely to the sword.

He would be lying if he will say that he didn't want this sword at all. After all beautiful girls, cool cars and also excellent swords are every mans dream.

He stayed like that for a while before he finally spoke.

"You jest, lady Hephaestus. I of course want that sword but... It's not like I'll be able to...sigh... That sword was nothing more than a decoration or to be blunt a useless weapon for me."

"Arthur, what are you saying...!!" Loki felt like she was about to get crazy because of these two people.

Just what's wrong with these two? Why are they both acting weird?

First it was Hephaestus trying to give away the most precious treasure of her familia to a stranger and now, here's Arthur rejecting it. He even called the sword 'useless' nothing less.

Loki then looked at Hephaestus afraid that Arthur's words might have offended her but what she saw was the exact opposite.

She's smiling. Hephaestus's beautiful face was beaming with joy. Like as if she's waiting for Arthur to say something like that.

Did she really had gone crazy? Loki thought, after all she never left her smithy and office so it was not impossible.

Still having that satisfied smile, Hephaestus continue looking at Arthur waiting for him to continue. It's obvious that she didn't plan to say anything yet.

Arthur let out a tired sigh. It seems like this goddess wasn't done testing him yet. How troublesome.

"That sword.... It rejects me. No, to be exact, it's rejecting the Falna on my back so I really can't use it. That's why I said that it's just piece of decoration for me Or to be blunt, useless."

"That sword has a similar aura to you, lady Hephaestus. You must have used your own blood in the process of making it also I didn't read those hieroglyphs imprinted onto it, I can at least tell that only the children of your familia are allowed to use that sword, but only if they are strong enough to wield it."

Honestly speaking, Arthur actually doubted that there will be someone in Orario that can really use this sword at all. That's how insane this sword was. Though it's looks very small and harmless as it hangs there on the wall, it definitely wasn't the case.

With his keen insight, Arthur can tell how heavy that sword was without actually lifting it. The reinforced wall and the high quality metal that was supporting the sword was then huge proof of that.

Perhaps the only known level 7 adventurer in Orario, Ottar can do that but he's already a member of Freya Familia so he is out of the question too.

As for Arthur, there's no need to even think about it because if compared to Ottar, the way he is right now can't hold a candle or put it bluntly, he is no different from a weak helpless chicken.

"Hehehe- hahahahaha!" Hephaestus suddenly began laughing merrily

Seemingly finding the notion truly amusing, she placed the plam of one of her hands over her mouth trying to contain herself.

He's really a real deal.. Sigh... If only he's also a Smith in my familia... She thought to herself as she appreciates Arthur.

Hephaestus was actually still testing Arthur's abilities and how sharp he was when she offered him that sword. She never plan on giving him that sword because she knew that he cannot use it. But as expected, he's able to see through it completely which made Hephaestus feel a little bit embarrassed but also very happy at the same time.

"You really are sharp, Arthur. Seems like I had disgraced myself in front of you by trying to test you like that. I'm sorry.." She then poured herself a cup of tea.

She took a sip then said "are you sure you haven't forge anything before? Your insight alone was already in master Smith's level."

"You flatter me, lady Hephaestus."

"Hehe.. Of course! Arthur is awesome. That's my children for you." Loki said very proud of her children. "So Hephaestus... About the deal earlier..."

Before Loki could finish her words Hephaestus said "Mn, but since your child didn't want that sword then, let me offer him something different instead."

"Dofferent?" Loki was about to say the deal between familias about disposal of drop items and joint mining expeditions, but seeing the conversation going into another favorable direction for her familia, she also changed the topic.

"That's right. As your child have answered every single of my questions genuinely and truthfully, I will also keep the promise from my side of course."

Hephaestus then looked at Arthur and said "Arthur, you can either choose a piece of weapon or equipment displayed below or I'll make you a customized weapon. I will leave it all for you to decide.

"..."

"And of course, it will still be free of charge. Consider it as a gift for answering my questions excellently."

Anyone could tell that she's in very good mood just by looking at her. And that's all because of Arthur so Hephaestus decided to reward him instead or to give him something in return. She can also use this chance to help this promising child that she approved.

As for Loki, she was delighted for gaining something for nothing. She can see the desire in Hephaestus's eyes for Arthur but because of her noble character, she have restraining it pretty well. She was sure Hephaestus won't make any kind of moves towards Arthur, Maybe.

"Arthur why don't you show the weapons you use currently to Hephaestus so she can gain insight of what to make for you." Loki suggested.

Arthur took out his dual swords made by Welf from storage, then showed it to Hephaestus.

"Space magic! Loki you really have won the jackpot this time!" Hephaestus envied Loki at the same time her intrest towards Arthur increased even further.

"All right! Riveria you can go with Arthur. Let me discuss the Co-operation between familias myself. And don't worry I'll talk with her about your favorite Smith for your commission." Loki send Arthur away from Hephaestus's sight and also send Riveria to keep an eye on him.

But for sake of keeping Arthur at her familia, Loki decided to send him away. She didn't want Hephaestus to gain intrest towards Arthur any more than she already has.

Arthur then said his thanks to Hephaestus and the two of them came out of Hephaestus familia's headquarters.

By the time they came out it's already eleven in the morning, so they went towards dungeon and Arthur continued his usual monster grinding.