Inoue Mie was also surprised to see Motetsu in the building. After greeting him, she noticed the young man standing beside him. After Motetsu introduced his apprentice, Gou, to her, he shot another unfriendly look at Si Shu.
"Little Mie, you two know each other?"
Sensing that the atmosphere between Si Shu and Motetsu was a bit tense, Inoue Mie quickly stepped in to mediate.
"Si Shu, this is Uncle Motetsu, the one who smelted my Tamahagane back in the day. Uncle, this is—"
Realizing Si Shu's identity was somewhat sensitive, Mie pulled Motetsu aside and began to explain in a low voice. During this time, Si Shu walked right up to the Tamahagane and circled it a few times. The closer he got, the more he could feel how extraordinary the stone was. He wasn't sure if it was because he could use Sun Breathing, but he felt as if something within the Tamahagane was faintly attracting him.
Perhaps... that's the sun's energy.
Reaching out, Si Shu intended to pick up the Tamahagane to get a better look.
"Stop!"
Gou, who was standing nearby, saw Si Shu about to touch the Tamahagane with his bare hands and quickly shouted, "The Tamahagane is still extremely hot! It's too much for a human to handle!"
However, Si Shu acted as if he hadn't heard him at all, showing no intention of stopping. Gou subconsciously covered his eyes, seemingly unwilling to watch Si Shu's arm get scorched.
But the agonizing scream he had imagined never came.
Huh?
Slowly opening his eyes, Gou was stunned to find Si Shu casually playing with the Tamahagane as if it were nothing.
"Y-y-you... you..."
His finger trembled as he pointed at Si Shu, his narrow eyes filled with utter disbelief.
"Can't you feel how hot it is?!"
"It's alright," Si Shu replied nonchalantly. "It just feels like a hot water bag." He then turned to Gou and asked, "This piece of Tamahagane, what quality of Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Crimson Ore can be smelted from it?"
Now that the conversation had turned to his area of expertise, Gou's previous shock vanished, replaced by an extremely serious expression.
"Many factors influence the quality of the Scarlet ores. The quality of the Tamahagane is only one of them." Rubbing his chin, Gou finally gave his professional assessment. "On a scale of one to ten, this piece can only reach a four."
Si Shu's eyebrow raised, surprised by Gou's judgment. Although this was the first piece of Tamahagane he had ever seen, the score of four was far lower than he had expected.
Just as Si Shu was pondering the reason, Motetsu and Inoue Mie walked over. It was clear that Motetsu now understood Si Shu's identity.
"I apologize for my earlier mistrust," Motetsu said, bowing his thick neck to apologize.
"There will probably be many things I'll have to trouble you with in the future. I'll be in your care," Si Shu replied, placing a hand on Motetsu's abdomen to stop him from bowing fully. He extended his right hand, his eyes meeting Motetsu's. "From now on, I'll just call you Uncle Motetsu, how about that?"
Looking at the eight-year-old before him, who possessed an inexplicable air of authority, Motetsu was slightly taken aback.
"Hahaha!" he laughed loudly, a helpless look on his face. He extended his own large right hand and shook Si Shu's, a wide grin spreading across his face. "I like kids with personality like you. I've decided to make you my friend."
With that laugh, the barrier between Si Shu and Motetsu dissolved.
"Uncle Motetsu," Si Shu began, "I want to learn how to appraise the quality of Tamahagane. Could you teach me?"
In order to complete his mission, Si Shu planned to learn how to appraise the ore from Motetsu.
"Sure! It's not like it's some secret technique, anyway." Motetsu agreed readily and clapped Gou hard on the back. "But I'm just an old man, and there's probably a generation gap between us. I'll have Gou teach you." He grinned, completely ignoring his disciple, who was now coughing violently. "Don't underestimate him. This guy has learned everything there is to know."
"In that case, I'll be in your care, Brother Gou." Si Shu turned to look at Gou, his expression sincere.
"Brother Gou?!"
Hearing such a respectful title for the first time, Gou felt his head get a little hot. This was Si Shu, a person important enough to have Inoue Mie as an escort and to make his own master apologize, and he had just called him "Brother." At that thought, Gou felt an urge to become sworn brothers with Si Shu on the spot.
A puff of hot air shot from his nostrils, and he looked like an energetic bull. Pounding his chest confidently, Gou readily agreed.
With Gou's help, Si Shu began his studies in Tamahagane appraisal. At first, Gou had thought that an eight-year-old child might have some trouble with comprehension. He never imagined that Si Shu would be like a tireless sponge, crazily absorbing all the knowledge poured into him.
In just half a month, Si Shu had learned everything from Gou. This was the entirety of the knowledge possessed by Master Motetsu, one of the top blacksmiths in the entire village—the very essence of the village's craft.
"This guy is a monster."
After sending off Si Shu, who had completed his studies, this was the last thought the exhausted Gou had before he closed his eyes.
Meanwhile, Si Shu had already arrived at Motetsu's workshop. Seeing Si Shu seek him out again, Motetsu was quite surprised. He had never heard of anyone learning his entire life's work in just half a month. A little skeptical, Motetsu decided to ask Si Shu a few questions to test him.
"Ore from which location is most likely to produce high-quality Tamahagane?"
"Generally speaking, the closer to the summit, where it is exposed to sunlight for longer periods, the more likely it is to smelt high-quality Tamahagane."
"Correct." Wiping a bead of cold sweat from his brow, Motetsu threw out another question. "After the Tamahagane has cooled, how is it refined into Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Crimson Ore?"
"First is..., then second is..."
"Correct again."
No matter what question Motetsu asked, Si Shu was always able to answer within three seconds. His answers were so precise that even Motetsu himself couldn't think of a more perfect response. It seemed he had no choice but to admit defeat.
Waving his hand, Motetsu was now completely and utterly convinced. Not only was Si Shu as powerful in battle as Inoue Mie had said, but he was even a monster when it came to learning. Comparing himself to Si Shu, Motetsu suddenly felt that his youthful title of "Little Prince of Smelting" was worth less than dirt.
Si Shu just smiled faintly, showing no signs of pride. "You're too kind, Uncle Motetsu. I actually have one more thing to ask of you."
"Name it," Motetsu said, sitting up straight and crossing his arms as he looked at Si Shu.
"I heard from Gou that your ore reserves at home are running low. I imagine you'll be heading up Sunlight Mountain in the next few days to mine for new ore, right?"
Motetsu nodded, not denying it. Mining and smelting were the daily life of his family, and indeed, the entire village. When raw materials ran low, they naturally had to be replenished.
"In that case," Si Shu said, lacing his fingers together as he revealed his true purpose, "could you take me with you?"
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