Chapter 103: Four in a row
"Are you serious? Look at the speed."
"Quiet, let him focus. He is close…"
"He failed the previous time!"
Irwin ignored the whispers behind him, staring at the card before him. Twelve days had passed, and he'd managed to get to a chain of four one hundred percent cards twice. This was the third time, and as he swung down, his movements were smooth and sure. The resonating cards inside him were creating a hum that he could only describe as transcendent, and he let out a constant, deep, and rumbling hum that seemed to hold it all together.
Even if I fail again, I have found it, he thought as he smiled happily.
There had been a tiny flaw in his reforging. A small inconsistency in how he struck at critical moments. Not enough to be a major problem, except when you aim for perfection. Even if he failed now, with some more practice, he now saw the path forward.
This has to be why Ambraz said the smiths all learn metal purifying from a young age, he thought as he struck down.
As his hammer pounded on the card, the image of the fishing spear before him shimmered and became clearer. Then, a clear chime rang out, and he stopped staring happily at the card as it vibrated on Ambraz's surface. He knew right away that he'd succeeded, and as he picked up the card, he gazed at Balarn and Yogog.
"So? Finally managed it?" Yogog asked, arms crossed.
Irwin didn't respond but moved to the gray crystal slab and put the card on it. A cool, methodical voice rang out.
"Amethyst ranked card, reforged by Irwin. Quality, one hundred percent. Perfect."
"Bloody incredible! Is this what's required to get up to Ruby Rank? Some ridiculous ability?" Yogog snapped out as he stomped down.