Following Tsubaki, Shirou quickly arrived at her exclusive forging room.
After changing into her forging attire, Tsubaki busied herself with the forge while asking Shirou, "How much do you know about forging?"
"Not much, just some basic knowledge."
Even this basic knowledge he had gained over the past ten days from books in the Loki Familia's underground library.
"It seems you're a complete novice! But that's fine; forging isn't as difficult as it seems, especially for adventurers."
After heating the forge and preparing for weapon crafting, Tsubaki turned back and explained seriously: "The most important thing in forging is your strength. If you can't hammer the iron, you can't do anything. But for adventurers with a Blessing, this is an easy feat."
"Other techniques are simple; you just need to remember the specific procedures. Becoming a forging apprentice is very easy to achieve."
"But going deeper than that depends on individual aptitude. Ultimately, forging is a skill that's easy to learn but difficult to master. The beginning is simple, but how far you can go depends on you."
Taking out some pre-prepared materials, Tsubaki continued, "Forging can be summarized into five steps: pattern making, material adjustment, smelting, casting, and post-casting processing."
"Once you master these five steps, you can become a qualified forging apprentice! Next, I'll demonstrate it for you. Pay close attention."
Shirou immediately focused, putting all his energy into observing the forging process.
Although he had some basic knowledge from books, reading about it was never as effective as hands-on practice.
Watching Tsubaki's refined, almost perfect technique, Shirou gradually became engrossed, as if he was destined to be a blacksmith.
Once a person becomes engrossed in something, time flies.
Soon, the weapon Tsubaki was crafting was finished. Looking at the gleaming dagger in her hand, Shirou's heart grew even more excited.
"May I take a look at this sword?"
"Of course."
Taking the dagger from Tsubaki's hand, Shirou appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly, he was increasingly excited.
After deftly twirling the dagger a few times in his hand, Shirou activated his magic.
"Structural Analysis, begin."
As his magic circuits connected, Shirou gained a complete understanding of the weapon's structure.
"Projection Start!"
With the flow of magical energy, a dagger identical to the one Tsubaki had forged appeared in Shirou's hand.
As the projection formed, numerous experiences related to the dagger's creation were instantly read by Shirou.
When Shirou copied weapons, he could even read the experiences of the original owner.
If it weren't for the fact that he primarily projected Noble Phantasms—which didn't carry forging experience embedded in true holy relics—he wouldn't even need to come to Tsubaki to learn forging techniques.
The experience he gained from the dagger deepened his understanding of forging and resolved many questions he had.
However, at the same time, even more doubts arose.
"Do you have any questions?" Tsubaki, arms crossed, asked curiously.
She didn't ask about Shirou's magic. Tsubaki knew very well it was Shirou's personal secret, and besides members of their own Familia, no one would usually be told.
"Of course!" Shirou replied eagerly.
For the next few days, Shirou continued to learn forging techniques from Tsubaki.
Thanks to his affinity for forging and his almost cheating-like 'Tracing,' his learning progress was incredibly fast. In just a few days, he had graduated and was able to complete forging independently.
Such talent left Tsubaki amazed. If Shirou weren't a member of the Loki Familia, she would have tried to poach him, no matter what.
...
"Finally, it's done. My own equipment."
Looking at the exquisitely crafted light armor before him, made with his own hands, Shirou's eyes were filled with satisfaction.
This was a set of well-made light armor, somewhat similar in style to the light armor Bell first obtained.
However, what was different was that this entire set of light armor was red.
Perhaps influenced by Archer (EMIYA), Shirou also really liked this color.
He chose light armor due to his consideration of the Dungeon environment. The deeper one went, the more monsters there were, and the faster their refresh rate became.
Especially after the twelfth floor, monsters started appearing in groups.
In such situations, without absolutely overwhelming physical attributes, relying solely on skill, it would be difficult to avoid being hit.
And he wasn't yet one of those high-level bigshots who could simply tank monster attacks with their bodies.
Once hit, he would get injured. Therefore, wearing armor became a consideration.
In fact, after he had 'graduated' from his forging lessons, he had already resumed his exploration of the Dungeon. He had ventured into the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Floors and was moving through them with ease.
However, starting from the Thirteenth Floor, the sudden increase in monsters made it difficult for him to cope.
It wasn't a lack of strength, but simply too many opponents.
Although he later successfully dealt with his opponents, he himself suffered considerable injuries.
This was why he changed his armor, also as preparation for future battles.
His basic abilities had now reached their limit.
Unexpectedly, his basic ability cap wasn't the S-rank's 999, but the SSS-rank's 1199.
He could no longer raise his basic abilities now; he needed to level up.
This meant he was about to begin his own adventure.
...
In the morning, after donning his equipment and making all preparations, Shirou stepped out of Twilight Manor.
He had completed all his preparations.
Behind him, on the balcony of Twilight Manor, Loki was leaning on the railing, admiring his heroic figure.
"Is our future hero finally about to begin his adventure?"
"Adventure" is what the people of Orario call overcoming great feats.
To raise one's level, one must adventure, which means defeating dangerous enemies.
These dangerous enemies don't necessarily mean powerful enemies, but rather enemies that are dangerous to the adventurer.
LV.2 monsters are naturally stronger than ordinary LV.1 adventurers. A normal adventurer can achieve a great feat and become LV.2 simply by defeating LV.2 monsters.
But what about those heroic figures? They could already defeat LV.2 monsters when they were LV.1. So, can LV.2 monsters still pose a danger to them or provide them with a great feat?
No.
In simple terms, adventuring means defeating opponents stronger than oneself.
This is why almost half of the adventurers in Orario are still LV.1.
Because they haven't "adventured."
So, for Shirou, what constituted danger, and what would be his great feat?
Loki didn't know.
Therefore, for the battles Shirou was about to face, she could only offer her most profound blessing.
"May your martial fortune be prosperous."
...
Walking briskly down the street, Shirou felt that today's wind was unusually comfortable!
At this moment, he felt no tension about embarking on an adventure; on the contrary, his mood was quite joyful.
Adventure, for others, was extremely dangerous and required extreme caution.
But for Shirou, there seemed to be nothing to worry about.
Adventure? What kind of adventure could compare to his previous feat of clearing the Holy Grail War overnight?
Great feat? What kind of great feat could compare to his previous record of defeating seven opponents in a row?
He was a copy of a Heroic Spirit.
And a magus who surpassed heroes.
A hero, in himself, is a symbol of great feats.
If even he, who had surpassed numerous heroes, could not achieve a great feat, then who else would be qualified?
As a copy of a Heroic Spirit, a hypothetical hero.
Shirou decided to become a true hero.
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter