Chapter 132: Seizing the First Move

“Mentor Lifi’er, are you here?” Ye Tian arrived at Lifi’er’s small courtyard carrying a large box.

“Why have you come?” Lifi’er opened the door and, seeing Ye Tian, asked in surprise.

“I brought you some delicious food. Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Ye Tian smiled.

“Aren’t you always afraid to come here?” Lifi’er opened the door wider, smiling enchantingly.

“I used to be, but now I don’t have the time.” Ye Tian stepped inside. “Close the door, I have something to discuss with you.”

“What is it?” After they sat down, Ye Tian looked at her and asked, “How long has it been since you last went home?”

Lifi’er shot him a displeased glance. “Why do you want to know?”

“Nothing much, I just want to ask you to go home once.” Ye Tian grinned.

“No way!” Lifi’er immediately frowned and refused.

“Don’t be so quick to say no. I’ll go with you.” Ye Tian said seriously.

“Still no.” Lifi’er’s voice softened. “If I go back, I’m afraid I won’t get out again.”

“That’s not necessarily true!” Ye Tian laughed. “Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as you think.”

“But—”

“No buts.” Ye Tian was adamant. “If I could avoid going there, I wouldn’t want to go either.”

“Then why do you still want to go?” Lifi’er asked curiously. “I’m dizzy, what’s the matter?”

“Not that much.” Ye Tian frowned. “When do we leave? Tomorrow? The day after? At the latest, three days from now.”

“Then three days later it is,” Lifi’er said through gritted teeth as she glanced at Ye Tian.

“Okay.” Ye Tian’s smile returned. “Then I’ll accompany you as your steward.”

“Fine.” Lifi’er sighed. It seemed there was no escaping this ordeal; if she had to go back, then so be it.

“All right, I’m leaving now. Remember, we set off in three days. You promised to obey me unconditionally.” Ye Tian turned to leave.

“Gray, you promised to help me too.” Lifi’er pleaded anxiously.

“I will.”

Ye Tian stuffed the box under the bed. He wasn’t worried about others coming by, as he had set up some small traps inside. Don’t underestimate him—any troublemakers who try to cause mischief here would be crying for their mothers in no time.

“So, what now?” Ye Tian thought about his own affairs. He had a lot to do but no clue where to start. Many things couldn’t be done at present. Suddenly, he remembered that Layton and the others at Bruyer had talked about forging weapons.

“Oh, I completely forgot!” Ye Tian changed clothes and dashed out. Approaching the dwarf’s workshop, he saw smoke still rising from the chimney.

“Looks like someone’s here,” Ye Tian smiled and pushed open the door.

“Hey, Gray!” Bruyer put down his hammer and greeted him. “I was just about to forge something, come help.”

“I still have things to do, so I’ll leave first,” Ye Tian scratched his nose, trying to slip away.

“You’re helping your friend forge a staff, and you dare to run off?” Bruyer laughed.

“Alright, I’ll help.” Ye Tian sighed and turned back. “Don’t worry, staffs are much easier than swords. It won’t take long.”

Bruyer cheerfully started preparing.

“You’re just fooling around!” Ye Tian mumbled, then stepped hard on the wooden board.

“Whoosh!” The flames suddenly leapt up.

“Keep it going!” Bruyer casually placed the anvil pot on the stove and continued his work.

Ye Tian kept stomping, the fire blazing. The ore in the pot gradually melted. “Here, hey-oh, this one!” Bruyer happily tossed some ingredients into the pot and stirred.

“Just maintain this firepower!” Bruyer stirred the molten iron, blending it evenly.

“Change pots!” he muttered, quickly pouring the molten iron into another prepared pot and placing it on the fire.

“Molten iron, glowing red, bubbling, bubbling! Let me pour it out and shape it as I please. Molten iron, glowing red, bubbling, bubbling! Watch me craft with skill!” Bruyer suddenly began singing a tune.

“Pfft!” Ye Tian couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny? This song has been passed down through generations of dwarves. It encapsulates the essence of our forging craft. For me to sing it for you is already quite a favor!” Bruyer’s face flushed as he grumbled.

“Okay, okay, my mistake, please continue!” Ye Tian turned away, but his shaking shoulders betrayed him.

“Hmph!” Bruyer grunted in dissatisfaction, stirring the molten iron while continuing his song: “Molten iron, glowing red, bubbling, bubbling! After melting, add the ingredients, don’t forget!”

He then poured in a packet of powder.

“Molten iron, glowing red, bubbling, bubbling! Pour into molds with care, solidify steadily.” Bruyer poured the molten iron into a pre-prepared mold, waited a moment, then carefully opened it to reveal a slender staff before them.

“That’s odd.” Ye Tian examined the staff. It wasn’t exquisitely made, but faint silver patterns ran along its length, giving off an eerie air. There were also several grooves on it. “What are these?” Ye Tian pointed at the silver markings.

“Magic conduction sensor patterns,” Bruyer chuckled. “Though the materials were lacking a bit, it still handles well.” He picked up the still-hot staff and toyed with it carefully.

Ye Tian noticed Bruyer’s hands glowing with golden combat energy as he kept fiddling with the staff, causing many specks to fall off. More and more specks appeared on Bruyer’s hands as he continued until he finally set the staff aside. Ye Tian saw the fully formed staff.

It wasn’t stunning or ornate. The smooth, plain shaft gave a simple impression, but on closer inspection, it felt oddly comforting. Ye Tian picked up the still-warm staff; it felt natural in hand. The shaft wasn’t entirely smooth but had a subtle mesh pattern that didn’t feel unpleasant to hold.

The tip was a four-sided diamond shape, each side with a groove. Ye Tian swung it a few times—it was quite handy. If the wielder practiced martial arts, it could even be used as a spear.

“How’s that?” Bruyer grinned.

“Not bad. I don’t know how your friends will find it, but it feels right to me.” Ye Tian smiled.

“Don’t worry, your friends won’t be dissatisfied. Weapons forged by Bruyer the dwarf always satisfy!” Bruyer beamed.

“Let’s continue then.” Ye Tian said.

“Alright.” Bruyer prepared more materials as Ye Tian stomped to stoke the fire again.

“Why aren’t you singing this time?” Ye Tian grinned.

“No mood.” Bruyer said grumpily.

“Aw, it was quite nice.” Ye Tian encouraged.

“Nope!” Bruyer was truly upset.

Soon, Bruyer poured molten iron into another mold; this time it was a short rod about two feet long instead of the slender magic staff. After finishing, Ye Tian asked, “Why isn’t this one like the other?”

“Oh, this is for a lovely girl. The advantage of this staff is reduced casting time. See, the magic conduction patterns here are more numerous?” Bruyer spun the staff, which glittered with silver lines under the influence of combat energy, looking beautiful.

“I see. Different people use different staffs.” Ye Tian smiled. “For example, that boy has an all-element constitution, so his magic sensing is different. His magic is more volatile than usual, so the conduction patterns are short and thick.”

“Although that lovely girl also has an all-element constitution, her magic is calm, suitable for amplification types. Her staff needs to accommodate various magic sensing, hence the many patterns. As for the fire mage, a simple amplification suffices.”

“Let’s get to work.” Ye Tian stomped the wooden board again, intensifying the fire. Bruyer prepared materials and forged a short magic staff.

“Here you go.” Bruyer tossed the staff to Ye Tian.

“Wow, this is heavy!” Ye Tian felt the weight; it was heavier than the long staff.

“Why’s that?”

“Hehe, that’s a secret. Can’t figure it out, huh?” Bruyer laughed. “I thought you knew everything.”

“Geez, acting like a child.” Ye Tian scratched his face. “Is the staff done now?”

“You flatter me. This is the simplest one. The hard part comes next.” Bruyer scratched his head. “You can’t help anymore. Go ask them for some good magic cores.”

“Got it.” Ye Tian nodded. He was clueless about staffs anyway, so he wouldn’t meddle. Bruyer wanted magic cores, so Ye Tian would just go get them. “The higher level, the better?”

“What do you think?” Bruyer glanced sideways.

“Understood!”

Leaving Bruyer’s workshop, Ye Tian looked around blankly. He had nothing else to do. Might as well go back and rest.

“Hey, aren’t you that butler?” Two lovely girls suddenly appeared before him.

“Hello.” Ye Tian bowed politely.

“I said he doesn’t recognize us anymore. You still want me to say hi?” One girl complained to her companion.

“Miss Karakanna, have I offended you in some way?” Ye Tian scratched his head.

“Oh, you remember me!” Karakanna looked surprised.

“I can’t help it. Among the girls I’ve met, you’re the most special.” Ye Tian said helplessly.

“Really? How am I special?” Karakanna became interested.

“Can’t say, can I?” Ye Tian rubbed his nose.

“You must tell me!” Karakanna demanded angrily.

“Sorry, this is outside.” Ye Tian laughed and then turned to the other girl. “Miss Lati, what brings you here?”

Lati blushed, surprised that Ye Tian remembered her, though they’d only met three times.

“I came to forge a staff,” Lati said softly. “I heard there’s a dwarf master here, so I’m trying my luck. What about you?”

“Oh, me too, to make a magic staff. Don’t be surprised, it’s for Her Majesty the Queen.” Ye Tian smiled.

“Oh, that explains why you’re not serving Her Majesty at her side.” Karakanna pouted, still upset about earlier.

“Well, you two seem well informed.” Ye Tian laughed.

“Of course.” Before Lati could speak, Karakanna interrupted. “I’m from the Kramis family. My father is the Minister of Foreign Affairs!”

“Oh, a big shot!” Ye Tian’s heart skipped a beat. “And Miss Lati?”

“My father is the Minister of Taxation,” Lati said softly.

“Impressive, impressive.” Ye Tian’s mind was racing. “By the way, are you planning to go home soon?”

“Yes, how did you know?” Karakanna asked curiously.

“Nothing, just noticed many young ladies discussing this lately, so I asked.” Ye Tian smiled.

Lati glanced at Ye Tian and whispered, “We’re leaving soon and won’t return for a while, so we came to make a staff.”

“Heh, I see.” Ye Tian looked at her with a grin. “Alright then, you two get busy. I’ll be going.” He bowed and left.

“Lati, you’re acting strange.” Karakanna said.

“It’s nothing.” Lati watched Ye Tian walk away, deep in thought.

“Let’s go. Maybe we can ask the dwarf master to forge a staff for us!” Lati said.

“Gray, where did you go?” As soon as Ye Tian returned, Leila was waiting at the door.

“I had some errands,” Ye Tian asked. “Anything?”

“Yes, Her Majesty is looking for you.”

“Looking for me? What for?” Ye Tian rubbed his chin curiously.

“Let’s go then.” Ye Tian said, heading with Leila towards Reycina’s courtyard.

“Leila, have you been alright lately?” Ye Tian suddenly asked.

“What’s wrong?” Leila was startled.

“You seem low on spirit. Are you sick or…” Ye Tian leaned close and whispered something into her ear.

“You’re dead! What nonsense is that?” Leila’s face flushed as she kicked at Ye Tian.

“Oh, you look much better now, so it’s nothing.” Ye Tian laughed.

“Gray, I’ll kill you!” Leila was almost in tears, furious at his boldness.

“Ha ha!” Ye Tian grinned mischievously, dodging her flying kicks.

“Leila, wait!” Ye Tian suddenly became serious, stopping her attack.

“What’s up?”

“Oh, never mind. I just had a wardrobe malfunction, uh!”

“Gray, I swear I’ll kill you!” Leila’s face burned with embarrassment as she chased after him, claws out.

“I’m telling the truth!” Ye Tian scampered away, realizing Leila was truly angry.

“Your Majesty, how may I serve you?” Ye Tian bowed. Behind him, Leila’s murderous glare made him smile bitterly.

“Miss Leila, I’d like some snacks. Please fetch them for me, will you?” Reycina said.

“Certainly, please wait!” Leila shot Ye Tian a fierce look before bowing and leaving.

“How did you bully her?” Reycina sipped her tea.

“Nothing serious.” Ye Tian scratched his head awkwardly. “Why did you call me?”

“I asked Mora to deliver a letter for me. There’s a reply.” Reycina set down her cup with a pleased expression. “Here.” She handed him a letter.

“Don’t give it to me, I can’t read.” Ye Tian scratched his face awkwardly.

“Geez, looks like the Queen has to serve you herself!” Reycina sighed, then opened the envelope and quickly scanned the letter. “Well?”

“Not bad, worthy of encouragement!” Ye Tian smiled. “Now you have a trump card in hand.”

“Exactly. Though it’s a small card, it can turn the tide at a crucial moment!” Reycina said proudly.

“Yes, yes.” Ye Tian sighed. “Don’t get cocky over a little success—it could backfire. By the way, get some magic cores. The staffs are ready.”

“Really?” Reycina’s eyes brightened.

“Why lie? I’m helping too.” Ye Tian pouted. “Be careful; that old guy is tricky!”

“No worries.” Reycina was unconcerned. “By the way, I’ll be away for a while. Take good care of yourself.” Ye Tian nodded as they prepared for what lay ahead.