Bear School Astartes

Lann drew a dagger from his lower back, startling Belengar.

Though their relationship was, according to the old Demon Hunter himself, quite harmonious, anyone sitting at the same table with someone like Lann would be understandably nervous when he drew a blade.

Fortunately, Belengar was born a Demon Hunter. He quickly overcame that slight fear that arose from the massive gap in power.

He focused on the blade on the table.

With patterns like water ripples, the black streaks like deep smoke on the blade deeply attracted Belengar.

"The hilt is the same dragon bone you brought back, but the blade... Three layers forging technique? No, I've never seen this kind of pattern made by layering and forging."

Belengar looked up at Lann.

"Can I handle it?"

"Suit yourself."

Belengar immediately picked up the dragon bone dagger, examining it closely, occasionally using the soft pads of his fingers to scrape the blade.

"Light, and the toughness is excellent..."

The old Demon Hunter looked down at his wolf-head necklace.

"These properties show no trace of magic... Did you bring this from another world? What kind of steel?"

Belengar was completely intrigued now.

In the Wolf School, he was the most gifted in forging. The harsh and dangerous training of a Demon Hunter made him use forging as a way to vent stress and fear.

As a result, the more he trained, the more addicted he became, and his skills advanced significantly.

"Valerian steel, the best steel in that world. I hear it's infused with magic during the iron ore's original block stage, creating something that naturally turned out like this."

Lann tapped the dagger's edge on the table, producing a crisp "ding ding" sound.

He then pulled out the high-grade Bear School steel sword from his back and also placed it on the table.

The originally clear sword, like autumn waters, had an unobtrusive nick that Belengar's keen eye immediately noticed.

"You clashed this dagger with the steel sword?"

"I wouldn't even call it a clash; I just twisted the blade a little, and it ended up like this."

Lann's explanation made Belengar click his tongue in wonder.

According to Lann's introduction, the dagger did not include materials such as monster organs that could significantly enhance steel strength.

Just ordinary steel infused with magic at the start of forging was able to surpass a Demon Hunter's high-grade steel sword in toughness... This level of strength was a bit frightening.

In the Demon Hunter's school equipment ranking, [High-grade] is already quite substantial. Above it is only [Superior] and [Grandmaster].

But finding a complete set of Demon Hunter equipment of these two levels across the entire school is nearly impossible. To be frank, finding even a blueprint is considered a stroke of luck.

[Enhanced], [High-grade] gear are the mainstay of all school equipment.

Demon Hunters wear this gear to hunt griffins, eliminate Demon Spirits, and fight out-of-control golems... As you can imagine, the strength of this gear far exceeds the ordinary stuff for human skirmishes.

The disparity in strength between this equipment is jointly caused by the opponent's strength and the cost of gear.

So when Lann faces a full-armored knight, although the longsword isn't suited for armor-breaking, there's no worry of it giving out when striking hard.

"It really is a rare item from another world."

Belengar, touching his chin with interest, immediately saw through the young man's intent.

"You want me to see if I can replicate it?"

Lann nodded openly.

"Valerian steel has great potential. I think if we can replicate it, it'll be incredibly useful. And who knows, maybe we can even add some flair to the existing school blueprints."

"I could give it a try, but you'll have to pay me, and also provide funds for trial and error."

Lann indicated it as a matter of course.

His arrangement with Belengar, ever since the start of supplementary Demon Hunter knowledge, was an employment relationship. Their relationship improved, but both sides felt that this model was quite good and saw no need for change.

Lann had heard too many stories in his homeland about good brothers and good friends falling out over money. He didn't want to step into that pit.

We're friends, but payments should be duly made.

Anyway, he already had nearly twenty thousand gold coins on him now, so covering a blacksmith's expenses wasn't a concern.

Having agreed on the payment, Belengar gestured towards Margaret with a tilt of his head, signaling Lann to have a word with her.

"Valerian steel involves magic, we need a professional."

In other words, a Warlock.

A slightly hoarse, seductive voice cut in before Lann could speak.

"I can help."

Lann looked in surprise at the blonde beauty beside him.

"You're coming personally? Won't it affect your work?"

Margaret smiled slightly. Tishaya, having already stepped down as headmistress, would truly hope that Margaret had work that could indeed be affected.

Because at least it would mean that this female Warlock still had work to do!

"No, it won't. The forging concept of Valerian steel is very different from ours. Here and at Ban Aide Academy, we generally acquire pre-made sword and dagger products and sell them at high prices after enchanting them. We've never had Warlocks involved in the ore smelting phase. Perhaps in replicating Valerian steel, I can gain some insights too."

I think the reason no Warlock ever puts their sight on the smelting phase is mostly because they dislike getting dirty and fear the heat...

Lann grumbled internally.

"Oh, right." Belengar suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly downed his beer, standing up.

"It's getting late, I need to rest swiftly."

Saying so, he turned to head to his room in the inn.

Lann puzzledly looked at the windows opened in the wooden wall, with the clear skies and bright sunlight outside.

You're telling me it's getting late at noon?

Soon, he felt a gentle hand tugging his collar, dragging him firmly towards the inn's room.

"Indeed, it's getting late, Lann."

The pull wasn't strong, but the stance was firm, so Lann had no choice but to comply.

"Rita, that's not my room."

"Correct, there's no room here with your name." The Female Warlock replied calmly. "Aside from the old Demon Hunter, I've reserved all the remaining rooms."

Lann opened his mouth but had nothing to say.

A mage is a lord wherever they are!

Once in the room, Lann found that the ordinary inn room in the village had dramatically changed. Animal skins, a soft bed, paintings...

There was even a large dressing table placed against the wall!

The hand on his collar pressed his shoulder, pushing him onto the soft bed.

With her full, rounded body pressing on Lann, Margaret drew close enough that they could feel each other's breath.

"It's Airetusa that sponsored your actions, Lann. You don't think selling a favor to Merigold in front of the kingdom counts as repaying, do you? She graduated decades ago."

It must be said, Margaret genuinely suited rich and vibrant makeup, which made her allure multiply tenfold.

But on that delicate, striking face, the ambiguous smile made Lann feel like a respectable girl being coerced into submission by a rich playboy.

This role reversal made Lann uncharacteristically anxious.

"But we didn't include this matter in our contract back then!"

Lann's eyes glanced downward, then quickly away.

Too fierce, too fierce!

Seeing this, Margaret chuckled even more delightedly, like a fox having stolen a chicken.

Her fingers traced Lann's temple.

"Though I've seen your image, I didn't expect you to truly become so... enticing!"

The golden-haired beauty leaned closer, and Lann could even feel the intimidating weight pressing against his chest!

Finally, the fiery red lips approached Lann's earlobe, letting out a villainous tease.

"Never heard of a Demon Hunter having an upper hand in a contract, Lann. Let me teach you a truth, from now on..."

"Demon Hunter must heed their employer. Ha!"