The morning sun spilled over Ravenshire, warming the cobblestone streets and drifting into the forge, where the scent of coal and molten metal lingered thickly in the air. Hunnt arrived early, his small hands still tired from the previous day's observations, but his eyes sparkled with anticipation. Today, he would step beyond watching—today, he would begin to feel the forge for himself.
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Inside the forge, the air shimmered with heat, and the scent of molten iron mixed with coal dust. Hunnt knelt on a low stool beside the anvil, eyes wide as he watched Coerl strike a glowing iron rod. Sparks flew like golden fireflies, scattering across the floor in a mesmerizing dance.
"First things first, lad," Coerl said, motioning to a block of iron. "You must learn to feel the metal. It's not just steel; it responds. Temper it, bend it, shape it… all with precision. Your hands and eyes must work together. Observe before you strike. The metal will tell you when it's ready."
Hunnt took a small hammer in his hand, tapping the iron lightly. A vibration ran up his arm, a tiny pulse of life from the heated metal. "Like this?" he asked, concentrating.
"Aye… slower. Listen to it. Feel its resistance. Your hammer isn't just hitting—it's guiding, shaping, teaching. Every strike carries intention. Don't rush, lad. Let the metal speak."
Hours passed in a rhythm of observation, light hammering, and careful corrections. Hunnt's hands grew raw, but his focus never wavered. Each tap was a lesson in patience and observation. Coerl leaned over occasionally, adjusting Hunnt's grip, demonstrating subtle wrist rotations, and explaining the flow of each strike.
"You've got a keen eye, lad," Coerl remarked, wiping sweat from his brow. "Most apprentices miss half of what I teach. You notice… good. Keep that. Observation is more important than strength. Remember this—metal obeys thought, not force."
Hunnt's mind raced as he replayed every motion, every subtle flick of the wrist. Every material reacts differently… every strike tells a story… For a fleeting moment, he imagined not just shaping iron, but creating something stronger, more alive—a weapon that seemed to think with its wielder. He held the thought close, not speaking it aloud.
Coerl noticed the distant gleam in Hunnt's eyes and chuckled softly. "Careful, lad. Focus on what you can touch, what you can shape. But… I see your mind wandering. Curiosity is good, just don't let it run ahead of your hands. One day, if you master what's before you, you'll be ready for more… unusual materials."
Hunnt's fingers itched to strike again. He imagined scales, bones, and hardened claws, things he had only glimpsed in the forest. But for now, steel was his teacher, patience his lesson.
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By midday, Coerl instructed Hunnt to pick up finished blades and hammers, feel their balance, swing gently, and notice how weight shifted. "Every weapon is an extension of the hunter," Coerl explained. "Not just a tool—it's part of them. Observe, adapt, and understand. That's the difference between a novice and a true blacksmith."
Hunnt ran his fingers along a polished edge, the cold metal whispering lessons. "I… I think I understand now, sir. It's not just hammering… it's feeling. Feeling every curve, every weight, every vibration."
Coerl smiled, rare warmth in his eyes. "Aye, lad. Feeling is everything. And judging by your attention, I have no doubt you'll handle more than just steel one day. Keep this focus, and the forge will teach you far beyond what any book could."
As the sun dipped behind Ravenshire's hills, Hunnt worked tirelessly, hammering lightly, repeating lessons, experimenting with the weight and form of every piece. Sparks danced around his golden eyes, mirroring the visions forming in his mind. One day, he would create weapons unlike any the village had seen. Weapons that were not only tools—but extensions of the hunter, extensions of himself.
Outside, the village settled into quiet night. Inside, the forge glowed warmly, alive with possibility, and Hunnt hunched over his work, absorbing every sound, every spark, every lesson—ready to transform knowledge into mastery.