Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Welf stared at the hammer in Vahn's hand with an incredulous expression on his face. "Where did you get that hammer?" Though he expected the answer, he couldn't help but ask the question to confirm his suspicions.Vahn could see Welf's aura, which had been a mixture of reds and blues, suddenly turn a mild yellow tinged with green along the edge. With how Welf looked at the hammer gifted to him by Hephaestus, Vahn began to feel annoyance and anger. He felt a possessiveness in Welf's expression like he would try to steal the hammer if he could.Vahn grimaced before saying, "I see no reason to tell you. Worry about your own equipment before you start eyeing that of other's." His words seemed to awaken Welf, who quickly made his way towards Vahn.The two glared at each other, separated by only a few feet. Welf looked down at Vahn and, with an ordering tone, asked, "You're saying that hammer belongs to you? Then explain the maker's marks. Why do you possess an item forged by Hephaestus, and who does the other symbol belong to!?"Vahn was confused by the question as he had never paid much attention to the markings on the hammer. He knew blacksmiths often marked the items they made for recognition, but he hadn't realized Hephaestus had left the same mark as his sword on his hammer. He noticed the neck of the hammer had both marks side-by-side, and he somewhat understood why Welf was angry. But, he still didn't like how Welf, who was weaker than him, was trying to intimidate him.Vahn squinted his eyes and simply stated, "That's my business. Who are you to ask?" Welf grit his teeth and balled his hands into fists. He stepped forward to grab Vahn by the collar as Vahn prepared to break his wrists for the attempt. Moments before Vahn grasped the soon to be broken wrist, they were both knocked to the ground by a fist from above."Nice passion, but no violence in my workshop! If you want to fight, do it in a more productive manner." Tsubaki was standing over Vahn and Welf who were both twitching on the ground with giant lumps on their heads. For the first time since their meeting, they both had the same thought going through their mind: (You're the violent one!)---Four people now sat around a low table drinking tea. They were Tsubaki, Vahn, Welf, and Lili, and the atmosphere was tense due to the earlier conflict. On Vahn and Welf's head, there was still the evidence of a lump which made the tense atmosphere seem almost comical. Tsubaki, noticing this, began laughing out loud while they each gave her a sidewards glance.After some time had passed, Tsubaki was finally able to stop laughing. She smiled after seeing how the tense atmosphere had subsided quite a bit. "Okay, I'm going to explain a few things since the two of you don't seem to be able to talk without pissing each other off." She gave them both a look using her eye, and they each nodded as a result of the pressure."Heh, you two are cute when you're obedient." They both flinched after hearing her words. "Anyways, let's get some things out of the way. Welf, Vahn is a lot stronger than you. If I didn't step in earlier you'd be nursing a broken wrist for the next few months. You'll have a hard time doing any blacksmithing if that happens, so pull back on the aggressive behavior."Hearing Tsubaki mentioning that he was weaker than Vahn, Welf was dissatisfied. He looked towards the 'small' kid and couldn't see how he could be considered strong. While he was thinking, Tsubaki continued. "It's true. Unlike you who likes to sit around boasting about becoming a great blacksmith, Vahn here ventures into the dungeon to improve his skill. Even though you're the same age, he is already Level 2 and capable of fighting weaker Level 3's."Welf was surprised to hear Vahn was already Level 2. Though it wasn't unheard of, it was very rare for people in a production Familia to increase in level quickly. However, his surprise turned into utter disbelief when she continued."Vahn also possesses the [Blacksmith] development ability and, even though he is a novice at forging, he has managed to earn the approval of Hephaestus. That hammer is probably something she gave him to represent her trust and encourage him to improve, isn't that right Vahn?"Vahn nodded his head but was mildly distracted seeing the gloomy aura around Welf. He had an incredulous expression and seemed to be repressing a lot of pent-up frustration. Vahn remembered that Welf, even though he was an excellent blacksmith, was severely restricted by his own stigma. Due to his 'bloodline', he was adamant in not forging magic swords and this mentality prevented him from growing.In some ways, they were similar. They were both victims of their 'bloodline', though Vahn's was in a far more literal sense. While Welf was able to run away, Vahn was forced to suffer for fourteen years. However, unlike Welf who continues to run away even now, Vahn has accepted his 'heritage' and works towards becoming strong enough to not be exploited by others. He didn't know why, but Vahn was very annoyed seeing Welf's actions."You're a coward," Vahn spoke directly, interrupting the conversation that Tsubaki was going to continue. At first, she was going to reprimand Vahn but decided to see how things played out. She knew well of Welf's past and wondered if Vahn had noticed something with his unnaturally high perception.Welf, who had still been struggling internally all this time, turned towards Vahn before slamming his fists onto the table. Tea spilled as cups were knocked over and Welf shouted at Vahn, "What did you say!? Who is a coward!?" Hearing this boy he had never met call him a 'coward', Welf was understandably pissed off."If you're not a coward, then why are you struggling so much with your own thoughts? When you heard Tsubaki say I was stronger than you, you didn't believe her. And after you heard I had the [Blacksmith] development skill, you started acting like it was impossible. Your actions are like saying you can't believe I'm better than you, but whatever made you think you were comparable to me in the first place!? What are you doing to set yourself apart from others!? What gives you the right to look down on their determination and efforts!?"Vahn shouted out, each sentence louder and more fierce than the last. For some reason, he just hated how Welf acted like he was a victim when he is able to live a free and happy life surrounded by kind and gentle people.Welf, who was on the receiving end of the shouting was in a cold sweat. Though Vahn hadn't realized it himself, his out of control emotions had activated his [Will of the Emperor] and were suppressing the Level 1 Welf. Every word Vahn spoke made him feel an increased pressure, and each one struck deeply at Welf's self-consciousness and anxieties."Calm down Vahn! You need to control your power!" Tsubaki was thinking she let the situation get out of hand. Though she agreed with Vahn's statement, she couldn't allow him to press any further or it might shatter Welf's pride. Though he was unwilling to create magic sword due to his past, he was still a very capable and talented blacksmith. It would be a big loss for the Familia if he gave up trying to improve.Hearing Tsubaki shout, Vahn realized he had been using his skill to pressure Welf, so he quickly calmed his breathing and sat down. "I'm sorry...I just can't stand to see someone act so arrogant when they have no idea how hard others work."Welf, who was still in a cold sweat, wanted to retort after the pressure eased. However, no matter how much thought he put into it, he wasn't able to refute Vahn's words. In his heart, he knew Vahn was right...he really was a coward. Once he awakened his bloodline and was pressured by his family, he ran away from home to avoid becoming something he hated.He fled all the way to a City where his family had no influence and then joined a powerful Familia using the reputation of 'Crozzo' in conjunction with his own talent. Even though he worked hard to become a blacksmith recognized by Hephaestus, he was entirely reliant on the Familia for his livelihood and wellbeing. Without their help, he never would have been able to establish himself when he was just 10 years old...(A/N: Welf ran away from home at age 10 and joined the Hephaestus Familia shortly after.)He looked at Vahn, a boy similar in age to him. Even though he was jealous that Vahn was Level 2 and possessed the [Blacksmith] skill, it wasn't like he didn't earn it. Vahn must have put in a lot of efforts, and since he was still young it meant he was pressured into doing so by circumstance. Otherwise, there would be no reason for such a person to join a production Familia specializing in blacksmithing while also making a living in the dungeon. If he only recently joined, that means he previously spent all his time hunting monsters to get by...It was at this point that Welf took note of the girl who had been sitting quietly all this time. He remembered she was called Lili, and she seemed very concerned with Vahn. Welf saw in her eyes a deep reliance on the boy, unlike how she looked at Welf in disgust. He could infer that she was in a similar situation as Vahn; someone that had to work hard to earn a living by putting their life on the line. The fact she was doing such a dangerous job when she was so small made Welf feel guilty at how leisurely he spent his time.Welf had calmed down by now, and he made eye contact with Vahn who was still grimacing. Welf sighed, "You're right Vahn. I shouldn't be envious of someone because they possess something I lack. I will work hard, and one day, I'll surpass you using my own efforts." Seeing how far Vahn was able to get at the same age, Welf solidified his convictions and intended to double his own efforts in the future.Vahn noticed that Welf's aura had stabilized and was showing a mellow orange with blues around the edges. Even though he was still angry, he knew Welf wasn't a bad guy from seeing his interactions with Bell in the manga. Vahn decided to reconcile as well saying, "If you want to surpass me, you can't hold anything back. Don't expect me to slow down my own progress while you're stuck trying to overcome yourself."The two stared into the other's eyes, each with their own convictions. Lili, who was spectating at the side, was completely confounded by the sudden change. The two boys, who were previously moments away from fighting, were now gazing passionately into each other's eyes! She had no idea how to interpret the situation and decided she needed to protect Vahn from Welf in the future.Tsubaki suddenly started laughing, causing the other three at the table to look at her with confusion. "Good! So manly! The best way to settle things is to both become stronger and more capable. Let your actions and accomplishments speak for themselves!" She smiled, nodding at the change in atmosphere. Feeling thirsty, she reached for her cup but found it had been overturned since earlier.Tsubaki felt a vein bulge in her head and she threw the emptied cup at Welf's face. The cup bounced directly off Welf's forehead and continued its path towards Vahn who managed to catch it out of the air. "Don't go into other people's houses and make a mess! Next time you knock over my drink you'll be replenishing the entire Familia's quench tanks for a whole week!(A/N: Alternate Title: Hot-blooded Men Within The Cyclops' Den!)

The atmosphere within the room had improved considerably. Tsubaki scooped up Lili and left Vahn and Welf sitting at the table as she went to prepare dinner. Though Lili tried to struggle at first, Tsubaki was easily able to carry her light body without being affected. Vahn gave a glance at Lili but didn't say anything as she was tearfully pulled into the kitchen.Welf laughed awkwardly before trying to restart the conversation with Vahn. He knew he made a bad first impression, so he wanted to try and patch things up between them. The two talked a bit about each other's past. Vahn gave his standard story about growing up the forest, while Welf mentioned he came from the neighboring country Rakia.When they were discussing why each came to the City and how they had been living, Welf was surprised to find that Vahn had only recently arrived in Orario. He found the fact that Vahn had been able to reach Level 2 within a month terrifying and began to suspect there was more to the story that he wasn't made aware of. Welf suspected the reason Vahn had been entrusted to Tsubaki, who was the current captain of the Familia, was likely due to some kind of secret.Though Vahn knew about Welf from the story, he still tried probing the reason why Welf came to Orario. Welf hesitated for a moment before saying it was to escape having to create weapons that indiscriminately take innocent lives. He told Vahn about his unique skill [Crozzo Blood] which his family had used to create weapons of mass destruction for Ares's army. He swore that he would never take part it such a cruel process and even took a vow to never forge magic weapons.Vahn nodded, showing that he understood Welf's plight with the seriousness of his expression. Welf was able to see that Vahn didn't simply acknowledge his words but genuinely empathized with his situation. He began to respect Vahn even more and began acting more casually while they talked. That is until Vahn said something that completely caught him off guard."The longer you deny your own capabilities, the less progress you'll make in the future. You'll never be able to move forward unless you overcome your past. Your fear of magic items and the damage they can cause is baseless because the only fear you have is in regards to damage others have caused, not yourself. Even if you refuse to make magic weapons, it won't prevent the people that use them to indiscriminately kill from doing so anyway. The only difference is they'll use an even crueler method to achieve the same result." Vahn slowly spoke the words, even though he could see Welf begin to get upset. Towards the end of his statement, Welf was even gritting his teeth while trying to keep down his emotions."Welf, I understand better than you think, I'm not simply empathizing with you. I know how blood can be used as a powerful tool at the convenience of evil and cruel men. But, you aren't proving anything by restricting your own power while they continue performing their deeds. If you truly understood the burden of your blood, you would use it to deny those that would exploit others."Welf looked towards Vahn with hate-filled eyes, though the hate wasn't directed at him. Welf continued taking deep breaths, trying to calm himself. Once he recovered enough rationality, he spoke, "So you're saying I should make weapons and use them to kill the people that wanted to use them? How does that make me better than they are; because I'm the one choosing the targets!?"Vahn shook his head and responded in a serious manner. "I'm not saying you need to use the weapons or even let others use them. I'm saying you should research and study their power...so that you can create countermeasures against it in the future. Who else better than the creator knows how to prevent the damage caused by their use? Lastly, as long as there is a desire for your weapons, the people that would use them to cause harm would stop at nothing to get their hands on them. As you are now, there is any number of things that could force your hand and lead to the very event you're trying to avoid."Welf grits his teeth even harder and was visibly shaken by Vahn's words. He knew best what kind of people his family worked with. If they found out his location, even with the protection of the Hephaestus Familia, they would try to force him to concede. When that happened, he would be taken back to Rakia and be forced to make magic weapons until he either killed himself or lost his usefulness and they did the job for him.Vahn continued, "There are more than just offensive spells. If your blood allows you to infuse magic into an item, why does it have to be for attack? Why not create a shield that can generate barriers or a staff that can cast recovery magic? Don't tell me you think the only use for magic is to cause harm? Look-"Vahn used a dagger and drew a line of blood across his forearm. Welf started in shock at the self-inflicted wound, but his eyes became completely round when he saw Vahn close the wound simply by tracing his finger across it. After the wound was completely healed, Vahn looked into Welf's eyes and spoke. "Magic has many applications, why are you so obsessed with killing?"Hearing the words, Welf's mind was completely blank. He just stared at where the wound previously existed, unable to form any thought for several seconds. After some clarity was restored, he began to ponder the question Vahn asked. Once again, the words Vahn spoke hit to the core of the matter that he had avoided for so long. There was, in fact, no reason for him to create magic swords to bring harm. As long as he had a proper understanding of the magical circuit, he could infuse any type of spell into the equipment...While he was lost in thought, Vahn was browsing through his system shop. He wanted to find an item that would help demonstrate his point even better than his previous action. Vahn found that looking for equipment that could heal was actually rather difficult due to the cost of such items. The cheapest one he could find was something literally called [Heal:C] that cost 2,000OP. He decided to purchase it and then pulled it out using his 'storage magic'.Welf was surprised seeing a staff appear in Vahn's hand. He recalled that Vahn had previously pulled his hammer out of nowhere, and assumed it was likely a rare skill like storage magic. The staff in Vahn's hand was made of wood which spiraled until coming to a red crystalline gem at the head of the staff. Welf was curious why Vahn would have a staff, as he didn't seem like the type to use magic based on his build and demeanor.Vahn was reading the description and use of the new item and realized he had hit the jackpot. He once again cut his arm, which caused Welf to grimace. He then channeled his energy into the staff and activated its ability. The red orb glowed with a gentle luminance and a white light emitted from Vahn's body. After the light had faded, any evidence of the wound had completely vanished.Welf was in awe of the demonstration because he could tell that Vahn hadn't used any actual magic due to the lack of a chant. It was nothing like his small demonstration from earlier. From his perspective, he was able to see the staff create a magical circle around Vahn which covered him in white light and healed the wound. It was the first time Welf had ever seen a magical staff with the inherent ability to heal.Welf swallowed heavily before asking, "That staff...did you make it?" Seeing Vahn shake his head, he released a sigh of relief. If Vahn had the skill to make such an item there would be no end to the people lining up to purchase his equipment. "Can I ask where you obtained it? How does it function?"Vahn shook his head. He couldn't tell Welf about the system, but he didn't want to lie. "Sorry, it's a very important secret that I can't tell others. It's dangerous even exposing items like this, but I wanted you to know that your blood didn't always lead to a bloody end. If you put in the effort you could save countless lives. You don't have to create items that cause harm."Welf nodded but continued staring at the staff. He never even considered Vahn's approach, but now that he thought about it, Vahn was completely right. There had been so much pain and death caused by his family's [Crozzo Blood] that he completely avoided trying to find a solution on his own. Instead, he just focused on trying to become a great blacksmith without creating magic weapons. He realized that he had been terribly wrong this entire time...Welf released a long sigh while giving Vahn a gratified look. If he hadn't met Vahn today, he may never have overcome the fear within his mind. He would have kept trying to forge a path that denied an integral part of himself until the very thing he was trying to escape caught up to him."Thank you Vahn. You've taught me something very important today. I'll prove that your words aren't wasted, count on it." Welf looked into Vahn's eyes while making his claim with a renewed passion. He now owed a great debt to this boy he had just met and wanted to prove that he wasn't the coward that fled from his home long ago. Welf decided he would find a better path...one where when people spoke of the name 'Crozzo', it would be in adulation and not contempt.Vahn could see the aura of Welf blazing like the sun. He was literally radiating confidence and determination, so Vahn gave him an appreciative nod. "You can do it Welf. As long as you continue to believe, there is nothing that can stop you."The two smiled at each other before nearly having a heart attack when a loud clap sounded from the doorway. Tsubaki, who had been watching the two in their own world for some time, started laughing loudly. Her decision to leave Welf to Vahn paid off, and she was happy to see a renewed flame burning within Welf."Foods ready you two. Come and get it before it gets cold. We made a buttload, so prepare to stuff yourself or face the consequences~!" As she spoke, she grabbed both of them by the back of their collars and dragged them towards the dining room.As they were both aware of Tsubaki's behavior, they didn't put up much resistance as it would only make matters worse. Instead, they just gave each other awkward smiles and laughed along with the Cyclopian woman treating them like luggage.---Lili, who had been forced to cook with Tsubaki, was beside herself after seeing the violent woman drag in the two boys. She really wanted to shout at her for treating Vahn so poorly but knew nothing would be able to protect her if she opened her mouth. She resolved herself to become stronger as soon as possible so they could both escape the grasp of their one-eyed demoness.Tsubaki dropped the two off near the table and everyone sat down to enjoy the meal. Vahn noticed that, though there was a slight variation, the meal was once again fried rice. Just like lunch, it was delicious and he enjoyed several bowls while making conversation. He had been focusing primarily on Welf for a while, so he made sure to ask Lili about her training earlier in the day, a topic he would regret bringing up.Hearing Vahn mention training, Tsubaki started regaling everyone with the tale of Vahn's valiant attempts to spar against her. She spoke about how he was able to improve at a fast pace, but no matter how hard he struggled he still ended up eating dirt ninety-nine times in a row. When she got to here, Tsubaki paused and gave a massive grin while looking at Vahn. She could see him sweating to the point he was unable to even chew his food.She looked towards Lili who had been frowning during the recounting of events. "Nee~, Lili, what do you think happened after the ninety-ninth time?" Lili looked towards her with confusion, unable to understand why she would ask the question. "Did he block the attack?" She uttered the only words that came to her mind, missing the fact Vahn nearly planted his face into the table as she asked.Tsubaki hefted up her large breasts before loudly proclaiming, "Hahaha, he managed to react in time, but the thing he blocked wasn't my hand...it was my breasts!" She continued laughing while Vahn shrunk in his seat, Lili became flustered, and Welf just stared towards Vahn with a horrified expression.(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Bromance', 'Why you attak wen u can protec?', 'Magic swords aren't even unique to [Crozzo Blood]', 'Cyclops with surprisingly high EQ', 'Liliruca Arde, Benchwarmer')

Vahn and Lili continued towards the inn with low spirits. Lili was very concerned for Vahn, while he was still focusing his attention towards the dangerous feeling that had penetrated through him. He needed to get stronger, and it seemed as if he was running out of time.On the route, Vahn also diverted some of his attention towards his stats and resources. Luckily, he had managed to obtain a decent amount of OP for completing the heart's desire quest with the 'eternal flame'. His pool of OP had been running low as of late due to his interactions with Lili and other expenses.He needed to do his best to earn points to prepare for the worst-case scenario where he and the people he wants to protect are endangered. He started to compile a list of potential life-saving items and resources he could use in conjunction with his skills to protect himself and others. One of the items he desperately wanted to purchase was another [Effigy of the Hero], but they were priced at 100,000 OP each.After another twenty minutes, they arrived at the inn. Yesterday was Vahn's final day, and as he expected Tina was waiting in the dining area for their arrival. Seeing the two enter with in low spirits, she took a deep breath like she wanted to cry, but managed to swallow her emotions and approach them. She thought they were both feeling down because they were leaving the inn today."Are you leaving?" The young girl gave a cursory glance at Lili before staring into Vahn's face. She saw the boy nod his head, and even though she was trying her best to hold back her emotions, she couldn't help but feel her eyes water.Vahn, perhaps out of habit due to his interactions with Lili, reached out his hand and started gently patting her head. He continued to console the girl until she was able to calm herself. She then moved away from his hand with a blush and gave him a 'mean' look. "My mom says that if a guy ever touches my ears, he has to take responsibility or he isn't a man...so you can't forget~nya!"Though he felt helpless about the situation, he just nodded away and said he'd do his best. Hearing his response, she gave a happy nod before scampering away. From the side, Lili whispered into his ear, "How many times have you touched my ears Vahn? Does that mean you're going to take responsibility, hmmm~?" Vahn began to sweat while thinking it may be best to interact with fewer women in the future.---After they collected all of Lili's belongings, they made their way downstairs and were intercepted by both Milan and Tina. Milan was holding a long wooden container loosely wrapped with a ribbon, while Tina held a large embroidered cloth which held various baked goods. Milan had a gentle smile on her face, but Vahn could see a hint of melancholy in her eyes as she cradled the container in her arms."I wanted you to have this Vahn..." She handed him the container somewhat reluctantly, and Vahn received it in a reverential manner. He understood it was likely very important to her, and just holding it began to make him feel nervous. Looking towards Milan, he saw her give a gentle nod so he opened the container. Inside he saw a stylish bluish-blake straightsword with the motiff of a golden lion creating a flame-like pattern along the blade."It's made of mithril, and is a memento of my late husband. I hope that it is able to protect you from harm so you don't leave painful memories for those you leave behind. Always remember to return to them, and if things get difficult you'll never be turned away from our doors." Each word she spoke directly impacted Vahn's heart. He took the blade from the container and noticed that it was much heavier than he expected...Tina, who had been standing with her head down hugging the cloth in her arms, walked forward after her mothers urging. Vahn looked towards the girl and saw that her ears were folded down on her head as she refused to look direclty at him. He felt very bad for the girl and slowly reached out his hand...and paused after remembering her earlier words.Tina looked up slightly after feeling the presence and saw the outstretched hand a few inches away from her head. Without waiting for Vahn to make up his mind, she nuzzled against the hand on her own. Vahn was surprised at her sudden action, but chose not to pull his hand away. He made eye contact with Milan who was behind her daughter and she gave him a mischevious grin that made his heart tickle.---After exchanging a few more words and leaving his contact info with the mother-daughter duo, Vahn lead the way out of the inn. He noticed that the cold night air created a chill that caused his body to feel slightly numb. From behind, the yet to close door of the inn seemed to contain an infinite warmth that he was reluctant to part with.He looked back and saw Milan lightly comforting Tina who was hugging her waist and stiffling tears.As if noticing his gaze, Milan looked towards him and gave an awkward smile before shooing him away with her free hand. Vahn nodded slowly, and turned away with his hand raised. Lili, who had been watching the situation from start to finish continued to stay behind for a few moments before speaking to the crying Tina."If you want to be able to follow him, you'll need to become a lot stronger. I'll do my best as well, so make sure you don't fall too far behind..." She said the words in a low voice, but Tina who was still hugging her mother nodded her head in response.As she turned ot leave, she heard the young girl respond with a sobbing voice,"You have a head start, but I will become stronger than you one day." Turning her head, Lili saw the resolution in Tina's eyes. She nodded and then turned to leave, following the path Vahn had set out through the night.---It was nearly 8 PM by the time they arrived outside Tsubaki's courtyard, and the two stepped through the threshold of the door and heard laughter coming from the inside. Hearing the shrill noise, Vahn flinched slightly before hestitating. Lili, who was at his side had a confused expression on her face after seeing him hesitate just outside the door.After a few seconds, Vahn released a pent-up sigh and slowly opened the door. Inside he could see Tsubaki holding a red-haired boy in a headlock while he struggled to break free of her grasp. The boy seemed to be around his age and had a somewhat lanky build with unkempt wirey hair. He was trying his best to remove Tsubaki's arm from around his neck and seemed to be a few second short of collapsing if his purple face was any indicator.Tsubaki noticed Vahn and a small girl enter, and she ceased her wild laughter and released the boy she had been tormenting. She plopped up from the ground, leaving her victim struggling for air on the floor. "You're a bit earlier than I expected Vahn! Tell me, is this the little girl that you were talking about earlier?" As she spoke Tsubaki rapidly approached Lili who, in response, tried to hide behind Vahn."Good evening Tsubaki...And yes, this is Lili, the girl I told you about earlier." Vahn was beginning to sweat at the fact Lili was hiding behind him. He had a terrible premonition that things weren't going to be as smooth as he expected.Tsubaki grinned as she continued staring at the hiding Lili. She looked towards Vahn before speaking, "Hahaha, she seems to think you'll be able to protect her Vahn~" Before either of the two could respond, Tsubaki quickly managed to subdue Vahn and planted him squarely on the ground. The panicked Lili tried to react, but before she could utter a word she had been seized by the overbearing Tsubaki.Tsubaki, for the second time that day, was now sitting on the collapsed Vahn while holding Lili in her arms and rubbing their cheeks together. "Aren't you super cute!? You're like a tiny animal~ It's no wonder Vahn wants to protect you so badly! Hahaha!"The red-haired boy who had been released earlier looked towards the trio with a sceptical look. He had never seen the two strange children before, and it was strange seeing Tsubaki act so closely with others. Yes, she hade a very forward and open personality, but she wasn't the type that would force herself on people she wasn't familiar with.Seeing that their play wasn't going to end any time soon, he lost his patience before speaking up. "Hey, Tsubaki, who are these kids? Isn't your place supposed to be closed right now?" Tsubaki seemed to remember his existence as she looked toward him with her uncovered eye. She gave a big grin which caused the boy to sweat buckets."This is Vahn Mason and his friend Lili. They're going to be living here from now on and receive training. Vahn, Lili, that red-headed brat over there is Welf Crozzo. Make sure to get along, as the two of you may be rivals in the future!" Tsubaki released Vahn and Lili while introducing everyone. Vahn was annoyed how easily she was able to get the better of him, while Lili was very startled at everything that happened. As they were collecting themselves they heard a loud shout."What do you mean they're going to be living here!? Since when do you train people? What makes you think these brats can be my rivals!?" Welf seemed to be annoyed at the idea that Tsubaki, one of the people he swore to overcome, had taken in two brats at disciples. Even though he had known Tsubaki for four years, she never taught him anything personally.After hearing Tsubaki mention his name, Vahn was able to tell that the aggressive young boy was the same Welf he knew from the manga. He was much shorter than expected, around 163cm, and he seemed a lot less laid back the Welf from his memories. Hearing him call both he and Lili brats when they were around the same age irked him a bit. Before he could say anything, Tsbubaki spoke to Welf."Silly brat, what makes you think you're better than other people? Vahn was entrusted to me directly by Hephaestus-sama herself. Why not try complaining to her if you're disatisfied!" Hearing that Vahn was brought here by Hephaestus, Welf was shocked at first, but his shock quickly turned to anger as he glared direclty at Vahn.He could see that the boy was handsome with tanned skin. Though he looked small, Welf could see he actually had well defined muscles and a strange aura that made the hair on the back of his neck stand. "You, Vahn was it? Whats your relationship with Hephaestus-sama!?" Because of the help she had provided for him, Welf had made Hephaestus his goal. He, like many others, also dreamt of one day crafting a piece of equipment that could impress the aloof goddess and steal her heart.Vahn didn't like how Welf was treating him in such a hostile manner. He pulled out the hammer Hephaestus had formed for him and pointed it towards the glaring boy. "My relationship with Hephaestus doesn't matter. The only thing you need to know is, you'll never be a rival to me. You aren't even qualified!"Though he heard Vahn's abrasive words, the only thing Welf was focused on at this moment was the hammer in front of him. He could see that it wasn't something that had been forged by an ordinary blacksmith. The untarnished head and the stylish body were things that could only be made by someone with the abilities of a Master Smith.The most important thing that caught his eyere were the two marks engraved on the neck of the hammer. The first was a subtly glowing seal used to denote an item had been personally forged by Hephaestus herself. And next to it, against all reasoning, there was a second mark in the shape of two winged snakes coiling around a scale. Items typically only possessed a single maker's mark, that of their creator itself. The fact this hammer had two marks indicated it had not only been forged by Hephaestus, but in conjunction with another blacksmith!Title: Welf Crozzo(A/N: Alternate Titles: Raging hot habanero!, Burn, flames of youth!, etc)

Chapter 57: Cowardice : Reconciliation