Grey still didn't know much about his Art of Creation, but he needed to try some things before leaving.
For example, he needed to try whether his Art's power would decrease or stay the same if he were to learn another Art under the Art of Source.
Let's call them sub-arts from now on.
Like Art of Wood, Art of Iron was also a sub-art to Art of Source. Normally, learning two arts would make it so that a person could only use half of each Art's power.
But, it didn't seem to be the case with the cumulative Art. He needed to try it. In the worst-case scenario, his Art of Wood's power would be halved.
If that happened, Grey would simply quit his dream of leaving the village and become a wood chopper in this village.
Even with half of his Art's power, he would be a better wood-chopper than a normal human. So, he was ready to take this risk.
The next day, after he woke up, he left the house and headed for the blacksmith of the village. He had two things to do there.
Also, since Talas didn't ask for the wooden piece, he guessed that it was for him, so he put it in his pocket.
When he arrived at the blacksmith, he saw Ray.
"Grey! What are you doing here?"
"Ray..." Ray was the son of the blacksmith. When they weren't hunting, Ray also worked like others, and he was a blacksmith like his father.
Well, he used to be. It wasn't possible for him to continue as he was. Seeing Grey looking at his sole arm, Ray smiled.
"Don't worry, I am already used to it."
"But, how will you continue being a blacksmith like this?" Grey asked.
"Hehe! Don't you know the answer already? I have another way."
Grey opened his eyes wide.
Of course, there is. That is also why I am here!
But before he could answer, a huge man came from a door behind the smithy.
"Oh, aren't you Grey? You have grown since the last time I saw you. What brings you here?" The blacksmith, Kaiden, asked.
Since they lived in a small village, most people knew each other at least. But Grey sharpened his axe himself, so he didn't need a blacksmith before.
"It has been a long time. I am here to show you this sword." Grey showed him a sword that was wrapped in a cloth.
"Is that..." Ray started, but didn't finish his sentence out of consideration for Grey.
"Yes, it is Mark's... Talas brought it to Mark's family, but they didn't accept it, saying I should have it."
Everyone in the village was thankful to Grey. Without him, all of the people, including the children, wouldn't be able to come back from the forest.
And the Orc Chieftain could even attack the village after killing them all.
So, even though Mark was dead, they were thankful that Grey used Mark's sword to save the others, and left the sword with him.
Grey was here to get the sword checked and maybe get it maintained.
But...
CRACK
TINK–TINK–TINK
"What?"
Grey was surprised. The sword shattered and its pieces dropped to the ground after Kaiden hit it once with a small hammer.
Both Grey and Ray were looking at Kaiden with their eyes wide open.
"Why did you-" before Ray could continue, Kaiden interrupted them.
"Shut it! That sword was trash."
"B-but.. Mark left it behind," Grey said with his head down.
"Are you an idiot? Do you think Mark left this behind so that you would get killed because it broke while you were using it? If I let you go, that was exactly what would happen."
Grey understood what he meant, but was it the only option? He had money, so he could buy a new sword and keep this one also.
But then, he wouldn't be using Mark's sword.
"Don't worry," Kaiden continued. "I will make a sword using some of these pieces."
"Really?"
Grey sighed with relief when Kaiden nodded with an "Hm." This way, he could still use Mark's sword and wouldn't be in danger.
"Ah, I actually have another reason to be here."
"What is it? If you need armor, I don't make those."
"Ah, no, that is not it." Grey hesitated. What he was about to ask wasn't small, but he was ready even to pay.
"Can you... teach me your Art?"
"What? Don't you already have an Art?" It wasn't Kaiden who asked this, but Ray.
This was the method Ray mentioned for him to be able to become a blacksmith before.
His father, Kaiden, had the Art of Iron, letting him see the weak points of iron. Grey knew this because Talas had told him about it before.
Also, his Art of Creation, or the system panel, had told him he needed to have the Art of Iron to see the weakness of iron when he tried the Art of Source on his axe's blade part.
Of course, having an Art was still uncommon, at least in villages like this one. More than three thousand people lived in this village, and there were only three with an Art.
He didn't know if there would be more in bigger cities, but he would see it soon.
In the meantime, he wanted to acquire the Art of Iron. He was even ready to pay for it.
"Yes, I will be learning two Arts."
"Why? It will only make both Arts weaker?" Ray continued to press. But,
"Okay, I will teach you." Kaiden interfered. He accepted Grey's plea without even requesting something in return.
"Father! Why?" Ray couldn't understand the reason behind his father's decision.
"Aren't you also here for the same thing? I can teach you both together."
The real reason Kaiden didn't mind was because he was a good friend of Talas. They had grown up together.
And he knew that if Talas let Grey do as he wanted, he knew better. So, he didn't reject the idea and accepted it. It wouldn't take that long anyway.
But the outcome of this would decide Grey's future.