All rights reserved to the respective authors.
"Dialogue": Represented in double quotes for conversations between characters.
'Thoughts': Represented in single quotation marks, indicating the characters' internal reflections.
[Diary]: Represented in square brackets, used for messages intended for the heroines or entries written by Tenshin.
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As for Xiao Wu's demand to be called "Elder Sister," the only individuals who offered resistance were Tang San and Tenshin. The former had managed to persuade her to grant him a pass, while the latter had already departed the dormitory—precisely when everyone else was still reeling from Xiao Wu's unexpected triumph. Tenshin had lingered just long enough to observe their respective fighting styles. While his past-life memories provided a general understanding of their capabilities, he lacked detailed, concrete data. Even a brief firsthand observation could yield valuable insights into their current strengths and techniques.
His departure, however, was driven by a set of more immediate priorities: the acquisition of bedding, the search for potential employment at one of the city's smithies, and the need for lunch, as the midday hour approached. During a previous exploratory walk through Notting City, Tenshin had identified three distinct blacksmith workshops. The first, situated near the academy, appeared to cater to a more affluent clientele. The second, located closer to the city center and adjacent to a military installation, seemed primarily focused on supplying armament for the army. Finally, the third resided in the southern district, evidently serving the needs of the common populace.
Of the three, the smithy in the southern district held the greatest appeal for Tenshin. Firstly, its location was conveniently close to the academy, a mere fifteen-minute walk. More importantly, he assessed that this particular workshop offered the highest probability of accepting him as an apprentice. The military-affiliated smithy was unlikely to consider hiring a child, for obvious reasons of security and expertise. While the smithy near the academy might have entertained the idea due to his future potential as a Soul Master, Tenshin held a strong suspicion that Tang San would inevitably secure any available position there over the next six years. Furthermore, Tenshin harbored a preference to avoid the potentially pretentious noble clientele that the academy-adjacent smithy might attract.
After several minutes of purposeful walking, Tenshin finally reached his destination. The smithy's structure featured stone walls at the base, transitioning to wood for the upper levels, with a weathered wooden plaque above the entrance clearly depicting an anvil and hammer. Even from the street, the steady, rhythmic clang of metal upon metal resonated through the air. Taking a deep, preparatory breath, Tenshin murmured a quiet, "Let's go," before pushing open the heavy wooden door. A small bell, suspended above the entrance, jingled, announcing his arrival to those within.
The interior revealed a modest reception area situated to the right. Directly ahead lay a spacious courtyard bustling with blacksmiths diligently working at their individual stations, the sounds of hammering and forging creating a constant din. After a brief moment of waiting near the entrance, one of the blacksmiths, wiping beads of sweat from his brow with a calloused hand, detached himself from his work and approached Tenshin. He registered a flicker of surprise—not simply at the sight of a child entering the workshop (as parents often dispatched their youngsters on errands), but specifically at Tenshin's attire. The boy was clearly wearing the distinctive uniform of Nuoding Academy.
"Hello there, little one. Are you here to place an order?" the blacksmith inquired, his tone carrying a friendly warmth. Seeing a child in the academy's uniform at this particular, less prosperous smithy suggested a background of humble origins, something he personally understood and sympathized with.
Tenshin returned the smile with a polite inclination of his head. "Hello, uncle. I've come to apply for a blacksmith apprenticeship."
The man chuckled softly, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "Little fellow, you must be joking. This isn't really a place for children to be seeking work. Judging by that uniform, you must have just enrolled at Nuoding Academy, am I right? Becoming a Soul Master is no small achievement. You should go back, focus on your studies, and diligently pursue that path. It's the most promising thing for you." His tone remained kind but held a note of firm guidance. In Tenshin, he saw a young person likely from a similar working-class background, perhaps facing financial constraints—otherwise, why would a new academy student be seeking manual labor?
At that time on the Douluo Continent, blacksmithing was generally regarded as one of the lowest and most arduous professions. Most individuals, especially those who possessed any discernible talent for soul power cultivation, wouldn't even entertain the thought of such a trade.
However, Tenshin shook his head gently but firmly. "Uncle, I anticipate that my schedule will become quite demanding starting tomorrow, and the meager pay offered to student workers at the academy won't be sufficient for my needs. After careful consideration, I've concluded that blacksmithing is the most suitable form of employment for me."
The blacksmith raised a thick eyebrow, a spark of genuine intrigue now present in his gaze. "Well then, tell me, what makes you say that?"
"It's quite straightforward," Tenshin explained with a mature earnestness that belied his age. "My daily routine will be packed—balancing my studies, the work-study farming duties, and any additional employment. I understand that blacksmithing is a physically demanding occupation, which means it can effectively serve as a form of physical training, something I won't have much dedicated time for otherwise. Furthermore, I possess considerable strength for my age, and honestly, I find the craft of blacksmithing genuinely fascinating."
He continued, his voice gaining a persuasive edge, "If you find my claims hard to believe, uncle, I can offer you immediate proof. Allow me to hammer a piece of raw iron right now. And my afternoons are generally free, given my status as a work-study student."
The blacksmith blinked, momentarily taken aback by the boy's logical reasoning and surprising confidence. What Tenshin proposed did indeed make a certain amount of sense. Forging was undeniably physically taxing—it naturally built muscle mass and increased stamina. A quick glance around the courtyard at the other blacksmiths, with their broad shoulders and sturdy builds, readily confirmed this.
Still, the image of such a small boy even managing to lift a heavy forging hammer, let alone effectively strike a piece of raw iron, seemed almost comical.
"Boss, why not just let the kid give it a try?" one of the other blacksmiths called out from within the forging room, a note of amusement in his voice.
Another blacksmith nodded in agreement, stepping forward and hefting a substantial forging hammer. "Alright, little friend. If you can even lift this properly, I'll be willing to let you attempt a strike."
Tenshin nodded eagerly, his blue-silver eyes gleaming with anticipation. He reached out and gripped the handle of the heavy hammer, lifting it up and down with surprising ease, his small frame displaying an unexpected strength.
"Well now! Look at that, he can swing it comfortably with a single hand," the blacksmith exclaimed, genuine surprise evident in his tone. "Martial souls and soul power truly do make all the difference. A child your age possessing that level of raw strength…"
"He's got the makings of a natural blacksmith, that one," another added from across the bustling room, a clear note of admiration coloring his voice.
"Alright then," the first blacksmith said, a broad, genuine grin now spreading across his weathered face. "I'll take you on as an apprentice. Whether or not you can actually hammer properly at this stage, your sheer strength alone makes you a potentially valuable helper. With some proper training, you'll become truly useful—and if you were to eventually become a Soul Master blacksmith, well, that would benefit all of us. Could even bring more prestigious business to the shop."
From the blacksmith's perspective, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement—a win-win situation.
"Introduce yourself properly. I'm Tie Shan, and this here is my younger brother, Tie Zhu," he said, gesturing to another burly man nearby before guiding Tenshin further into the noisy forge. He then proceeded to introduce Tenshin to the other blacksmiths, each with their own unique appearance and calloused hands. Together, they efficiently adjusted the height of a sturdy forging table, pulling it down from a fixed wooden pier, and securely clamped a glowing piece of raw iron onto its surface.
"I'm Satoru Tenshin," replied Tenshin, his voice clear and respectful as he followed Tie Shan's lead.
"Alright, Tenshin, give this a try," Tie Shan instructed, stepping back to observe. "Let's see what kind of natural aptitude you've got." After speaking, he rejoined the small group of blacksmiths, all now watching with keen interest.
"Understood," Tenshin replied, carefully removing his Nuoding Academy uniform overcoat and folding it neatly. Beneath, he wore a snug, short-sleeved black shirt that revealed a surprisingly well-developed torso for a boy of six. While his arms initially appeared slender, a closer inspection revealed tightly compacted muscles—testament to consistent, long-term physical training. These muscles were the result of years of dedicated effort, a regimen that had intensified significantly in the preceding month.
Tenshin picked up the forging hammer once more. But before bringing it down on the glowing iron block, he began swinging it lightly through the air, meticulously testing its balance and the precise control required—a stark contrast to his earlier, more impulsive action of simply lifting it. Observing this deliberate action, the blacksmiths exchanged subtle nods of approval. Familiarity with one's tools was the fundamental first step for any competent blacksmith, especially when working with unfamiliar equipment.
After several moments of focused practice swings, Tenshin drew a deep breath and began to strike—
"Dang! Dang! Dang!"
The sharp, resonant ringing of metal echoed powerfully from the workstation as Tenshin began hammering the iron block. The rhythm, though initially a bit rough and uneven, quickly settled into a steady and deliberate cadence, each strike landing with surprising force.
"That's it! Look at him go!"
The blacksmiths exchanged astonished glances. Based on Tenshin's earlier statement, this was supposedly his very first attempt at actual forging—and yet, his performance already far exceeded their expectations for a complete novice. A palpable sense of excitement began to stir among them; they sensed they might be witnessing the emergence of a true blacksmithing prodigy, one they had the opportunity to nurture and guide.
Of course, what they didn't realize was that Tenshin's remarkably quick adaptation and steadily improving skill came from two distinct sources—one he was consciously aware of, and one that remained a subtle, unconscious influence. The first was his exceptional bodily control, meticulously developed through years of intense training in strength, flexibility, and fine motor coordination. But even more critically, there was the Foundation Breathing Technique he had developed and diligently practiced over the past two years, a technique that significantly enhanced his fine motor control and precision. The second factor—still entirely unknown to him—was the subtle but growing influence of his Domination Attribute, an inherent aspect of his martial souls that had begun to subtly manifest ever since their awakening.
"Is that kid really this strong?"
Even the few customers present within the smithy—despite their lack of specific forging knowledge—could clearly discern from the blacksmiths' expressions that Tenshin's hammering was something truly exceptional.
Moments later, Tenshin ceased his hammering. He wiped the sweat that now beaded on his forehead with the back of his hand and looked down at the iron on the table. It had visibly cooled and, more remarkably, had shrunk by nearly three-fifths of its original size, a testament to the force and precision of his strikes.
"Tenshin, your hand... are you alright?" Tie Shan stepped forward quickly, his eyes first examining the significantly reduced iron block, then shifting to stare at Tenshin's slightly flushed right arm as though he were observing some kind of extraordinary phenomenon. Such rapid, forceful hammering demanded incredible arm strength—more than even he, a seasoned blacksmith, would typically dare to apply in such quick succession. Yet Tenshin had managed it, seemingly without any significant strain or injury.
Tenshin offered a faint but reassuring smile. "It's alright, Uncle Tie Shan. I just need a little bit of time to recover."
He glanced down at his right arm, noting that the slight redness was likely a result of the unfamiliar variations in his technique, the absorption of the hammer's recoil, and the residual heat radiating from the worked iron. Though he knew he had performed well for a first attempt at forging, he hadn't fully anticipated this level of physical reaction. Silently, he offered a mental acknowledgment of gratitude to his past self for establishing such a solid physical foundation prior to his martial soul awakening—because if he had only begun training afterward, his arm would likely be throbbing with serious pain by now.
While Tenshin quietly pondered his physical response, Tie Shan and the other blacksmiths huddled together in a tight circle, their voices hushed as they whispered amongst themselves about the boy's astonishing and unexpected talent.
'If I were the one to train him, wouldn't that essentially make me his mentor?' Tie Shan mused, a flicker of future pride igniting within him. 'When he inevitably becomes famous one day... I could boast about discovering and guiding him for the rest of my life!'
'Especially considering he's already a Soul Master!' another blacksmith added, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and foresight.
'If I ever get to attend the Blacksmith Conference in Gengxin City's prestigious Association, my name would surely be honored and respected simply because of my connection to him!' a third whispered excitedly.
A wide, genuine smile returned to Tie Shan's face. He stepped forward, extending a calloused hand toward Tenshin, and declared with a hearty tone, "Tenshin, you're hired!"
He chuckled warmly, then adopted a more serious and instructive tone. "Tenshin, while your raw hammering strength and speed are undeniably impressive, your actual forging knowledge is still quite shallow—especially your familiarity with different materials and how to properly judge the necessary force when striking. These crucial skills will naturally come with dedicated practice and experience."
"From this day forward, you'll be learning directly from me and your uncles here. Don't ever hesitate to ask if something confuses you or if you need clarification. As for your initial wages, let's start you off with one Silver Soul Coin per month, the same as the other uncles when they first started. If business picks up and you prove to be a valuable asset, we'll certainly look at including a commission or bonus."
"Thank you very much, Uncle Tie Shan," Tenshin replied, nodding his head gratefully. "However, Uncle, the Nuoding Academy's official opening ceremony is tomorrow. I might not be able to come to work until the day after."
"Tenshin, you're a brand new student?" Tie Shan asked, a hint of surprise in his voice. "So, you're only just starting your first year..." He sighed inwardly, deeply impressed by the boy's remarkable work ethic and his proactive approach to managing his responsibilities. His belief in Tenshin's future potential, both as a Soul Master and now as a blacksmith, grew even stronger.
He nodded understandingly. "That's perfectly fine. Your academy duties should always come first."
"Alright then, Uncle Tie Shan. I'll head back to the academy now."
After bidding a polite farewell to Tie Shan and the other welcoming blacksmiths, Tenshin slipped on his Nuoding Academy jacket once more and stepped out of the workshop, setting a direct course toward the academy grounds. On his way back, the pangs of hunger finally caught up with him, and he made a brief stop at a modest-looking street vendor to purchase some basic bedding supplies, slinging the lightweight bundle comfortably over his back before continuing on at a brisk pace toward the student dormitory. Not long after, he paused again, this time at a small, unassuming restaurant, to finally grab a much-needed lunch.
When Tenshin eventually returned to the dormitory, the space was conspicuously empty. 'They've likely all gone out to eat,' he mused internally. To ensure his assumption was correct, he conducted a swift visual sweep of the room, confirming the absence of any other occupants. Without any dawdling, he immediately set about the task of making his assigned bed and neatly arranging his few belongings. Once his personal living space was organized to his satisfaction, he stepped outside the dormitory once more, a newfound determination to thoroughly explore the academy grounds settling within him. Considering that he would be residing here for the foreseeable future—the precise duration of which remained uncertain—it seemed only logical to become intimately familiar with the campus layout and its various facilities.
The subsequent hour was dedicated to meticulously memorizing the sprawling layout of Nuoding Academy. He mentally cataloged the location of every significant area: the various classrooms designated for different subjects, the communal restrooms, and the teachers' private lounge. The expansive outer courtyard, with its open space and relatively undisturbed ground, struck him as a potentially ideal location for personal training or focused cultivation. Despite its designation as a primary-level soul master academy, Nuoding possessed a surprisingly extensive and somewhat intricate layout. Tenshin had initially intended to visit the academy library, anticipating a quiet space for further observation and perhaps some preliminary research. However, upon reaching its imposing wooden doors, he discovered it was firmly locked and a small notice indicated it would not be accessible to students until the following day.