Chapter 269: Chapter 269- Workshop

The forge hummed with a low, magical energy, casting dancing shadows across the workshop.

In the center of the room, Aya was deep in concentration, her brow glistening with sweat. Before her, suspended in mid-air by her Blacksmith skill, was a blade of the deepest black. It was not yet a sword, but a raw, sharpened shard of darkness that seemed to drink the light around it.

Her hands moved with precise gestures, coaxing the unusual material into shape, her eyes reflecting the flickering forge-fire as she poured her focus into the enigmatic weapon.

A short distance away, Celestia observed in silence. She sat perfectly still, her sharp eyes missing no detail of Aya’s process. Her presence was like a calm anchor in the room, a silent testament to her support and her own innate curiosity about the creation of a new weapon.

Meanwhile, Julian stood at a sturdy workbench, his demeanor practical and efficient. He wasn’t creating, but inspecting. Laid out before him were several finished items, a handful of pearlescent Energy Bombs that pulsed with contained power, and a line of matte-black Flashbang Orbs.

He picked up each one, turning them over in his hands, checking their structural integrity and energy stability with a critical eye. Satisfied with one, he would place it carefully into a padded case, ready for the field.

He glanced over at Aya’s work, observing the pitch-black blade that seemed to devour the very light around it.

"That material... it’s from the core of the Mutant zombie we defeated last month, isn’t it?" Julian remarked, his voice cutting through Aya’s concentration without breaking it. He could feel the faint, void-like aura emanating from the unfinished sword.

Aya nodded slightly, her hands never stilling as she guided the energy. "Y-yes. It’s... difficult to work with. It resists taking a form, almost like it’s alive." A small droplet of sweat traced a path down her temple. "But its potential to negate energy-based defenses is unparalleled."

From her seat, Celestia finally spoke, her cool voice directed at Aya. "Seeing your skill in practice is always enlightening." She leaned forward slightly, her silver eyes reflecting the dark blade. "I have a request. I need daggers. Exceptionally lightweight and perfectly balanced. They must serve as both lethal points and anchors for my Silverthreads."

She elaborated, her tone analytical. "The connection must be flawless. Any imbalance or drag from the daggers will disrupt the thread’s trajectory and my Phantom Step."

Aya paused her work on the dark sword for a moment, turning to fully face Celestia. She looked at the spool of silver thread Celestia offered, then closed her eyes, her Blacksmith skill intuitively assessing the material and the request. After a moment, she opened her eyes, a look of clear, professional certainty on her face.

"I can do it," Aya stated, her voice firmer than usual, devoid of its usual stammer when discussing her craft. "The thread’s energy signature is distinct. I can forge daggers from Steel and weave the thread’s resonant frequency into their cores during the quenching process. They will feel like an extension of the threads themselves, not separate weapons. The balance will be perfect."

A faint, approving smile touched Celestia’s lips. "Efficient and precise. As expected." She already seemed pleased with the theoretical result.

Julian, who had been listening while organizing his gadgets, added his own practical input. "Good. Make the hilts minimalistic, with a low-profile guard. Anything that can snag compromises the speed of a draw, especially when teleporting."

Aya nodded, absorbing the feedback. "Understood. I’ll start after I complete the primary condensation phase for this blade." She gestured to the dark sword, which now pulsed with a slightly more defined shape.

Julian leaned back against the workbench, crossing his arms as he looked at the case of finished explosives. A rare, appreciative smirk touched his lips.

"Your weapons saved us a lot of trouble," he stated, his voice matter-of-fact. "The energy bombs created perfect openings, and the flashbangs disoriented the larger mutants. It wasn’t a waste, stockpiling so many in my inventory."

She looked up at him, her eyes shining with a mix of pride and humility. "I’m... really glad they helped," she said, her voice soft but clear. "Knowing that my work protects everyone... it makes me want to try even harder."

She fiddled with a tool on her bench, her smile turning a little shy. "So... thank you for telling me that, Julian."

"Yeah, and don’t push yourself. There’s no deadline. Work on it slowly and steadily."

He gestured to the other materials neatly organized nearby. "You still have Emma’s fire-resistant handgloves and Veronica’s defensive bracers to craft. That’s a heavy load."

Seeing the sheer volume of work, Celestia rose gracefully. "I can assist with the preparatory stages. Sorting materials or initial smelting does not require your unique skill."

Aya’s head shot up, a look of mild panic on her face. She waved her hands quickly. "N-no! Thank you, but... I... I prefer to work alone." She clutched a smithing hammer to her chest almost defensively. "It’s not that I don’t appreciate it! It’s just... when I’m in my own rhythm, with my own two hands... I can feel the materials better. It’s... easier for me to concentrate."

Julian and Celestia exchanged a glance. They both understood. A forced collaboration would only disrupt the delicate harmony between her skill and the materials.

A small, understanding smile appeared on Julian’s face. "Understood."

Celestia gave a single, graceful nod. "Very well. We will not interfere." She turned to leave, pausing at the doorway. "But if you find you need anything, do not hesitate to inform me."

"Aya," his voice a low, steady presence in the humming workshop. "Just remember to rest when you need to."

He paused by the doorway, glancing back at her. "I’m going to take Zoe for a short walk. She seemed happy about the idea earlier, and some fresh air will do her good. Don’t work through the entire night."

"I will. Thank you, Julian," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the hum of energy.

With a final nod, Julian slipped out of the workshop.

Aya let out a soft sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing. The pressure eased, replaced by the familiar, comforting weight of her craft.