"I think I can help you out," Keita suddenly said, his eyes glowing. He had suddenly had an idea that would blow his brother's mind, as well as opening up opportunities for himself as well.
"What do you mean?" Zukov asked.
"I am learning to forge swords, I could make one for you." Keita offered.
"Yeah right," Zukov said. Naturally, the brother was a little concerned.
"Look at the books I am reading, they are all on forging," Keita explained. It took a little bit of convincing, but Keita finally got Zukov to agree on the plan.
Zukov would challenge his opponent to a sword match, where the boys would compete with their swords. Zukov would use a sword forged by his brother to fight.
Keita promised to forge the best sword for his brother. He would be going against one of the best forged swords in the realm, but the fact was lost on the boys.
Keita found a chance to make a dramatic entry into the world. In his past life, he had been an engineer. The closest thing to this world he could find was forging. This would be his in.
While it was close, and he had a lot of theoretical knowledge, he had no hands-on experience forging steel. In his past life, steel and alloy forging was done by large multinational corporations with proprietary technology.
Luckily, he had extensive knowledge on the history of forging, and the various milestones and leaps made ever since the iron age. Thank God he had been paying attention in the History of Forging class.
From his past, Keita knew how to optimize metallic forges, better remove impurities and harness the power of steel. He also knew which combinations of elements led to strong, durable alloys.
The problem was making these alloys. Fortunately, he could get this information from his clan's extensive resources and outreach.
With a little help from the contemporary methods of forging available to the Rono clan, he could integrate these two knowledge bases and come up with a working prototype.
If he succeeded, then he could bring about new technologies and alloys, which was exactly what Zukov needed.
Once Keita finished reading up on the forging processes, it was time to get some real life experience. With this, Keita turned his eyes to the map he had asked for, and in one of the corners, he saw the town he wanted.
The town of Gonz was in the territory of the Rono family. One thing about this town was that it had grown because of the mining operations, especially the mining of iron.
This town held the clan's largest forging warehouses, with many streams of items coming from it. One of these warehouses was managed by an illustrious figure known as Master Silla, and this was Keita's target.
Master Silla was renown among the various forging masters under the Rono family. While he was a retainer of the family, he held quite a lot of influence and prestige, especially among other craftsmen.
One bright morning, the master walked into the office to find strange people with very outstanding temperaments. Among them, there was a boy who did not look a day older than ten years. However, his clothes and poise instantly betrayed his lofty status.
"Are you Master Silla?" When the master walked in, the boy made his way to him.
Looking at the man, Keita had to admit, the man did fit his description. Tall and Stalwart, Master Silla gave off a charismatic aura. His straight back made one instinctively trust the man. He truly was how a craftsman should be.
From his research, Keita had found out that Master Silla had served in the army as one of the craftsmen who got to follow the soldiers into the war. After leaving the military, he had come looking for employment in the town of Gonz, where he had quickly made his mark as a talented forger.
"Greetings young master, I am he," The man answered, being neither too humble nor too arrogant. Keita could tell that this was a man who was used to dealing with people from high society, but not as a servant. He was also well practiced in propriety and etiquette.
"I wonder if master is willing to impart to me his forging skills," Keita said, "I wish to learn under you as your apprentice."
Hearing those words, Master Silla was shocked. He was no stranger to members of the Rono clan asking him to forge certain items, and he had assumed the same would be true for the young master before him. The last thing he expected was for the boy to show interest in forging.
"Young master, in truth, forging is extremely taxing and menial labor, unsuited for one such as you," Master Silla said, turning down Keita. In his eyes, the peacock scions of the capital should remain as just that.
"Master, I understand how taxing the task is, but I am still very interested." Keita retorted. "I am willing to compensate you for your troubles."
"Young master, look at my hands. See the deep calluses and scars on them. Do you wish to disfigure yourself thus?"
"My mind is already made up. There is nothing that can dissuade me. Master, please don't try to discourage me further." Keita said. "If you are not willing, I shall find myself another tutor then."
"Wait, young master, of course I am willing." Master Silla conceded. "I only worry about the young master's commitment."
"Try me."