Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent!

"Swordsmith, Armoursmith, weaponsmith… They all have something in common, and that is they are blacksmiths! The specific niche doesn't matter to us, the fact that we are all of the same field is all that matters!"

Rothwind went into a short rant about the different types of smith for a few moments, before coughing and bringing himself back out of his delusions.

"Although, you're right, kid."

Rothwind finally admitted, his voice softer now, almost regretful.

"I ain't no swordsmith, never claimed to be. My trade's always been armour. Worked the forge for centuries, makin' sure warriors could walk into battle and come out alive. But Mikhail… he wasn't just a swordsmith to me."

He leaned heavily against the workbench, his eyes distant, as if remembering something from long ago.

"He was my mentor. My inspiration. When I was just a young smith, tryin' to find my place, it was Mikhail who showed me what it truly meant to craft somethin' worthy of an adventurer trusting their life with. He taught me the principles of how metal could be more than just steel — how it could carry a purpose, a soul."

Alex's eyes widened in surprise. "You trained under Mikhail?"

Rothwind shook his head, a sad smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"Not directly. I was never that fortunate. But I learned from his apprentices, his students, anyone who had so much as seen him work. His teaching spread far and wide, influencing every corner of the craft, even those of us who worked in a completely different specialisation."

Alex looked at the sword again, a sense of weight settling over him as he only just realised how special this seemingly ordinary thing was.

"So you're saying… even though you're not a swordsmith, Mikhail's influence still shaped how you craft armour?"

"Aye, he isn't just the greatest smith to have ever lived for nothing." Rothwind nodded.

"It ain't just about swords or armour, lad. It's about understandin' the very essence of what you're creatin'. Whether it's a blade or a breastplate, the principles are the same — craft with intention, with soul. Mikhail knew better than anyone."

He looked down at Virtue's Edge again, his eyes filled with a kind of longing. "I only wish I could have met him before he disappeared. To hold a piece of his legacy in my hands… I never thought I'd live to see the day. Thank you, lad."

Alex, still processing everything, glanced around the shop once more.

"But why here? Why this rundown smithy, on the outskirts of the city? If you trained under people influenced by Mikhail, why isn't your name at least well known?"

Rothwind chuckled bitterly. "That would be because of the politics of you humans. They wouldn't let a dwarf like me into the inner city, let alone spread the word of my craft. This rundown smithy is the best I can do in this place."

Alex furrowed his brow at the blacksmith's words, something about his phrasing striking him as odd.

"You humans?" Alex repeated, glancing at Mira, who seemed just as puzzled.

"What do you mean by that? Why would I treat you any differently? We're both human."

Rothwind stopped what he was doing and looked at Alex like he had just said something profoundly stupid. He blinked, then raised an eyebrow as if waiting for a punchline.

"You can't be serious." Rothwind muttered, his voice dripping with incredulity.

Alex remained unfazed, though the confusion on his face was unmistakable. Mira, standing beside him, shared the same dumbfounded look.

Rothwind shifted his gaze between the two of them, clearly trying to make sense of their reaction.

"You two really don't know, do ya?" Rothwind said slowly, rubbing a soot stained hand across his beard. His tone was no longer irritated; now it was curious, almost cautious.

"Know what?" Mira asked, crossing her arms.

Rothwind stared at them for a moment longer, then something seemed to click in his mind.

His eyes widened briefly in realisation, and he shook his head, chuckling under his breath.

"I'll be damned," he muttered. "You two are from the outside, ain't ya? That's why you don't get it."

Alex and Mira's brows raised in surprise — they had been figured out for the first time since coming to this city.

But feigning ignorance, they continued to question.

"The outside? What are you talking about?"

Rothwind straightened up, leaning against his workbench as he gave them both a knowing look.

"I thought it was odd when ya walked in here like it was the most natural thing in the world, and then even more odd when you didn't even bat an eye when you saw my appearance, but this confirms it. You don't know 'cause you're not from Tenebrus, or even this realm, are ya? You're outsiders."

Mira's eyes narrowed. "And how could you possibly know that?"

Rothwind smirked, the old irritation returning but laced with amusement now.

"Lass, I'm 900 years old. You two stick out like sore thumbs. You walk in here with some of the finest clothing and gear I've ever seen, but you don't even know the basics of this world's hierarchy. Plus, the look on your faces when I said 'you humans'? That told me everything I needed to know."

Alex and Mira exchanged glances, still wanting to know the answer to their original question.

"You still haven't explained what you meant by that."

Rothwind sighed, scratching the back of his head as if trying to figure out how best to explain something that was common knowledge.

"You must have only just come into contact with races other than your own…"

Both of their faces lifted in shock, confirming Rothwind's suspicion.

"The old Primordial Expanse you know is gone. In this place, there's more than just humans walking around. You've got dwarves like me, and a whole lot more. We ain't all the same. You'd probably call us 'Aliens'. Although we may look similar, our races are in no way connected.

You're from the outside world, where I'm guessin', humans are still the majority. Here? It's a bit more complicated.

Mira's arms dropped to her sides.

Continue your saga on M V L

"Wait… so you're not human?"

She was shocked.

Compared to any other aliens Mira had come across or heard of, Rothwind was the most human like Alien she had ever seen.

Rothwind chuckled. "Nah, lass. I'm a dwarf. Sturdy folk, if I do say so myself. We're known for our craftsmanship, though the humans in the inner and mid city don't care much for us. That's why I'm stuck out here in the outskirts."