The sun hung lazily over the horizon as Yoshiya and Omina made their way along the familiar dirt road that led back to Orleaf. The wind carried the scent of fresh grass and distant wildflowers, a refreshing change from the bustling streets of Korvath.
"It feels like forever since we came home," Omina said, taking a deep breath of the countryside air.
Yoshiya nodded with a small smile. "A lot has happened. Exams, class changes, training… It's nice to walk somewhere quiet again."
As they walked, their conversation turned to the new path they were about to take.
"So, for the Crafter class," Omina began, her tone confident, "I'll focus on smithing. It fits me better. I use swords, I should learn how to make them too."
Yoshiya chuckled softly. "That makes sense. Then maybe I'll try something like apothecary work or tailoring. Something supportive. It's closer to my role as a healer."
They both laughed at how neatly their plans aligned, unaware that their day would turn those plans upside down.
---
By noon, they arrived at Orleaf. The village welcomed them with the same quiet charm it always had—wooden houses, cobblestone paths, and the distant sound of hammering from Bren's forge. Without wasting time, the two made their way there first.
The forge was alive with heat and noise. Sparks flew as Bren's hammer struck glowing metal, each blow precise and powerful. The seasoned blacksmith noticed their approach and gave a hearty grin beneath his soot-streaked face.
"Well, look who decided to visit," Bren said, lowering his hammer. "Did the big city get boring already?"
"Not exactly," Yoshiya replied with a smile. "We came back to prepare for the Crafter exams. We wanted to get some guidance on smithing."
"Oh?" Bren crossed his arms, amused. His eyes shifted to Omina. "Lemme guess, the warrior wants to forge her own blades?"
"Of course," Omina replied proudly, hands on her hips. "Who better to make a blade than the one who'll wield it?"
Bren chuckled. "That's the spirit. But let's see if you two actually have the hands for it."
He tossed each of them a small piece of raw iron and handed them basic tongs and hammers. "Shape these into knife blades. Heat it evenly, shape it carefully, and keep your mana steady. Simple test."
Omina immediately plunged her iron into the forge, sparks rising as she pumped the bellows with vigor. Yoshiya followed, but more measured—carefully controlling the heat with a steady flow of mana.
When it came time to shape the blades, Omina swung her hammer confidently, but her force was inconsistent. The metal warped slightly, edges uneven. Bren raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Yoshiya, meanwhile, worked slowly and deliberately. His mana wrapped around the iron like a steady stream, keeping the temperature consistent. Each tap of his hammer was controlled. When he finished, his blade wasn't perfect—but it was clean, straight, and properly balanced.
Bren let out a surprised whistle. "Hah! Looks like the priest's got a blacksmith's touch."
Omina stared at Yoshiya's blade, blinking. "Wait, seriously?"
Yoshiya rubbed the back of his neck, a little embarrassed. "I just… focused."
Bren laughed. "Smithing's all about patience and control. You've got that. With some real training, you'll make fine weapons someday."
Omina crossed her arms, half amused, half sulking. "Fine, I'll just get better next time."
---
Their next stop was Mira's herb shop. The moment they opened the door, the sweet, calming aroma of dried herbs and flowers washed over them. Shelves lined the walls, stacked with bundles of leaves, jars of powders, and vials of strange liquids.
Mira emerged from the back, her apron dusted with green powder. Her face lit up when she saw them. "Well, look who's back! I heard about your exams. Crafter class, huh?"
Yoshiya nodded. "Yes. I was thinking of trying apothecary work."
"And I'm just here to observe," Omina added casually, folding her arms.
Mira grinned. "Observe, huh? Let's see about that. I've got a little test for you both."
She placed several unlabeled herbs on the counter. "Identify these—by scent, texture, and mana. No labels. Just instincts."
Yoshiya leaned in first, carefully sniffing and touching the leaves. He managed to name a few correctly, but he hesitated on the trickier ones, mixing up two that looked similar.
Then Omina stepped up. She picked up each herb with confidence, recalling their properties from their past adventures. She recognized a soothing leaf used for salves, a bitter root that boosts stamina, and a rare flower she once found in the forest.
Mira's eyes widened. "Well, well. Not bad at all. You've got a sharp nose and memory for these. Maybe herbalism suits you more than you think."
Omina blinked, slightly surprised at herself. "I… guess I picked up a lot while traveling."
Mira chuckled and handed her a thin, well-used book. "A beginner's guide. Take it. With your instincts, you'll go far if you practice."
Yoshiya laughed good-naturedly. "Looks like we switched roles, huh?"
---
That evening, back at their home, the two spread their notes and materials across the table. The forge test and herb identification felt like the day had flipped their plans completely.
"I didn't expect to enjoy forging that much," Yoshiya admitted, running his fingers over the small knife blade he'd made. "It's… satisfying."
Omina flipped through the herb guide, a soft smile forming. "And I didn't think I'd be this good with plants. Maybe I should keep at it."
They shared a quiet laugh. What began as a straightforward decision to follow their expected roles had turned into something unexpected—but exciting.
"Let's train seriously," Yoshiya said. "If we're going to take the Crafter path, we should give it everything we've got."
Omina nodded firmly. "Agreed."
The night ended with the two of them planning their new training schedules—a healer who forges weapons, and a blade master who masters herbs.