The World Dragon's Heir

Dominic tried not to laugh at the nervous look on the girl's face as Pops took the bolts from her.

"Light the holes from the back, but don't shine the light in my eyes." He instructed.

Dominic began hammering a few minor imperfections out of the spears, hoping to cover any laughter that slipped through. Shining the flashlight through the holes from the back, without it being in the eyes of the one installing the bolts, was nearly impossible.

The girl was good, constantly adjusting the flashlight, so Pops could see that the holes were properly aligned, but not getting the light directly in his eyes as he moved around to install the four bolts.

In fact, she was doing it better than Dominic did when he was holding his own flashlight.

The girl was a natural.

"What's your name, girl?" Pops asked as he took a wrench from his apron to tighten the bolts.

"My name is Mead. You know, like the breakfast drink."

Pops chuckled. "Aye, I do know the drink. It looks like you learn fast enough that you won't be in the way. How would you like to learn the ways of the forge? Or are you happy at the counter?"

The girl's eyes lit up with joy. "I would love to learn the forge, Master Pops."

"Then we will have to get you an apron. Until then, you can work the counter and help the customers. There are labels on everything, no discounts."

Pops' announcement made Dominic smile. It was very nearly word for word what the old man had said the first day that he worked the counter in the smithy.

With the spears heated, Dominic began the quenching process. He was constantly adding mana to the monster core infused tempering oil, and Mead stood near the wall, intently staring at his work.

"So, that is how it's done." She realized.

Pops shook his head. "Not normally. But if you can do it, then it's the easy way to get magical weapons. Don't go spreading the news around, that's a trade secret right there."

Mead smiled. "Of course not, Master. But does that mean I'll be able to make magical weapons and tools too?"

Dominic winked at her, while Pops smirked at him.

"What he's about to say is stick to tools. Once you start making magical weapons, there will always be some reason that you need to keep making more.

At one point, we even found ourselves drafted into the Royal Forges in Cygnia City because they knew that we could make them.

If you want to have a peaceful life in the forge, make tools." Dominic explained.

Mead frowned. "I thought that busy was good?"

"The forge is always busy, girl. There is no need to worry that you'll run out of work. Just make the best tools that you can, and you will have customers for life." Pops replied.

Dominic leaned another freshly quenched spear against the wall and gestured to the front room.

"See everything out there? All of that sells at least a few units a week.

So, you'll need to learn to make every item on the shelves, and then later, you'll start learning to make the ones that are in the back rooms, and then the specialized tools and other items that come to the forge for repair or custom orders.

There is no need to worry at all that you'll run out of things to do. Instead, you should worry that you'll run out of time in the day to get them all done.

Most of the reason that Pops took me in was because he needed someone to work the counter, so he could actually get his work done.

But even if you're busy most of the day, there is plenty of time in the evening to help him make tools to restock the shelves."

Mead was intently focused as she worked out some calculation, and Dominic laughed.

"There is an Apprentice's room here. You can stay at the forge during the week while you're working. Just follow Pops around, and he will lead you to food at least twice a day."

Pops nodded. "We can't miss too many of Cook Beth's dinners. She might look a bit scary, but she won't turn away my apprentice if I bring her for dinner."

The Cook wouldn't turn anyone away if they showed up ready for dinner. That was just how she was. But she would happily chase you down to the showers if you showed up too filthy to be allowed at her table.

The servant's break room was attached to the kitchen, and that was where common visitors and contractors would normally eat.

Not that Dominic actually enforced it.

If everyone was eating at the same time, they all just ate in the main dining room at the huge table. It was better than splitting them all up, and it let Alexis ask questions about how things were going around the house without anyone being able to lie.

Or, they could lie to her, but there was the distinct risk that someone would call them out if they had been shirking their work or hiding something.

Dominic finished with the spears, then wiped the sweat from his face.

"Going through them so fast is more draining than actually having to hammer them from a block would be. But while they cool, I will go find Mead an apron from the tailor. They should have something available." He suggested.

Pops nodded. "Go ahead then. Get her something from yourself as well, it's traditional for the Journeyman to give the new Apprentice a welcoming gift."

Dominic smiled at the smith. He knew just what to get the girl. She was about to receive a trade skill core, and she hadn't a single spot to equip it so that it would be properly visible.

It would work fine in a pocket of the apron, as Dominic had done for a while, but as a Master's Apprentice, she could proudly show off her status with the trade skill core.