CHAPTER 88 THE SHOP KEEPER
The bell rang and a tall middle aged man with wild pink hair and beards came out from the inner room.
The man was surprised to see Anya still in the shop.
"Anya, you're still here, I thought you were heading to the guild Hall?"
The man said.
His eyes finally landed on Roman.
Roman raised both brows then glanced at Anya. They both had the same pink hair. If one doesn't know Anya, they would assume this man was her father.
"Hey Herald. Yeah I'll leave shortly. This is Roman, my friend and team mate from the academy"
Anya introduced.
"And the stupid squirrel is Fury"
Fury climbed up Anya's head and waved his tiny paws.
"Friend huh?"
Herald smiled "This the first time I'm hearing you say that"
Anya shrugged.
Herald chuckled.
"Well any friend of Anya is a friend of mine. Now tell me, what can I do for you?"
"Roman here is aspiring to be a forger. Luckily I ran into him before he takes his talent somewhere else.....
She glanced at Roman.
"I know you like working alone, but make this acception for me please "
She said.
Herald stared at Anya with bit stunned expression.
"Anya??, standing for a person. Anya hates people and guys expecially. She flows with me because of our matching hair color..."
Herald thought then glaced at the boy beside her.
Same height level, red long hair, undoubtedly handsome with dark skin.
A small grin began to form.
"You're lucky Anya vouched for you. Say..I do happen to need an extra hand currently"
Herald smiled.
"Really"
Roman eyes widen.
"But you're on probation. Impress me and I'll let you stay"
Herald added.
"I won't let you down sir"
Roman nodded.
"Thanks Herald. I'm off to the guild hall now "
Anya said as she turned to leave.
Fury jumped off and landed on Roman shoulder.
"Thanks Anya. See you later "
Anya nodded as she exit the shop.
Roman smiled as he faced the shop keeper, Herald.
Herald stared at Roman with a suspicious grin.
Roman smiled nervously.
"Ummm...do I have anything on my face?"
"Apart from being handsome, hmmm.. what else?"
Roman kept quiet with a stunned expression.
"I'm just wondering what you did to Anya. Are you guys dating or something?"
Herald raised a brow.
"Wait what!!!!"
Roman exclaimed.
Herald couldn't help but laugh
"I'm just messing with you kid"
Fury tapped Roman while throwing a side smile.
"What do you you're a squirrel!"
Roman snapped.
"Come on kid, let's get you started "
Herald said as he turned towards a door some steps away from the desk.
Roman followed behind.
The door led to a storage where materials, equipments and beast body parts were stored.
Roman couldn't help but marvel at the display on both sides.
"Did you hunt these yourself?"
Roman asked.
"Not all of them. I'm also an adventurer. But I prefer to spend my time crafting."
Herald replied as he walked towards another door.
He opened the door and Roman could see a staircase leading down.
He followed Herald behind.
Soon they came out in a wide open area with walls imbedded with crystals for lightings.
It was an underground forge room.
The entrance door was opened, a thick iron door blackened by years of smoke.
Great stone pillars supported the ceiling, their surfaces glowing faintly from the reflection of the flames below.
Iron chains hung from the walls, carrying tools of every shape and size, hammers, tongs, chisels, and strange weapons.
At the heart of the chamber stood the forge.
It was built from enormous blocks of dark stone, surrounding a furnace that burned with an intense orange fire. Flames roared from its mouth, sending waves of heat across the room. Every few seconds, the furnace released a deep growl, followed by a shower of sparks that danced through the air like tiny stars before disappearing.
Beside it stood a massive anvil, scarred by countless battles between metal and hammer. Its surface was covered with dents and scratches, evidence of years spent shaping blades, armor, and weapons.
But strangely the anvil stood like it could still endure more process.
Tables covered the surrounding walls, crowded with metal fragments, glowing crystals, leather straps, unfinished armor and the likes.
Near the back of the chamber was a second furnace, smaller but far stranger.
Pink flames burned inside it without producing smoke. Ancient runes had been carved into its surface, pulsing faintly whenever metal was placed within.
The forge was more than a workshop.
"This is where the magic happens"
Herald gestured with arms spread out.
Roman took the sight in. To him it felt like another world entirely.
But his eyes were mostly drawn to the furnace at the side. The one with the pink flames flowing out of it.
Herald followed his eyes.
"That's my special furnace. It's not hot but trust me, you don't wanna touch it"
"Wait.. how do you breathe in this place?. I don't see any vacuum or space where the heat and oxygen flow"
Roman asked.
"It's thanks to my spirit beast"
Herald pointed at the pink flame furnace.
Roman looked at it to see a small pink creature coming out of the furnace.
Roman's eyes widened.
"Wow.. is that a dragon?"
"Indeed"
Herald said as he walked towards the small dragon.
The dragon was small, a little bigger than Fury. It's scales were pink and it's spiked tail was long. But there was no wings on its back.
"My spirit beast is a wingless dragon. She's small yeah, but not weak. I'm a transcendent after all."
He smiled.
"My spirit beast, Gerald, has the ability of purification. Her pink flames purify anything it touches, including smoke in the air. it can also melt the entire city walls "
Herald explained.
Roman stared at the feminine creature which purred softly while looking at Roman with it's round pink eyes.
Fury smiled on Roman's shoulder and jumped to the anvil.
He waved at Gerald with a smile and the dragon looked at him.
Gerald's hinge legs were larger than her arms but she ducks low on occasion to walk on all fours.
She scanned Fury with her round eyes, humped, then walked back into the furnace.
Fury's shoulders dropped.
Roman chuckled.
"Sorry buddy. You're a squirrel, she's..a dragon "
Fury scoffed with arms folded obliviously ignoring Roman's words.
Herald chuckled.
"Interesting beast you got there"
"Yeah... sometimes his personality doesn't rhyme with his nature"
"What about your spirit beast?"
"Well....I don't have yet"
Herald raised a brow.
"You're an interesting person. Tell me why you wanna learn how to forge"
Herald grabbed a nearby chair and sat down.
TBC