Chapter 31: Caught Red Handed (3)

“Metals with high defense or special properties don’t evolve as well as simple metals. As you learn and grow, so does the weapon. You’d think that using a good metal as a base would be an advantage, but it’s like putting the soul of a child into an adult body. The weapon loses its personality to the metal since it’ll only grow to fit the metal.”

“Then how can it become stronger if it’s only iron?”

“When your shield clashes with other metals, it’ll remember their properties. Then as it evolves, it’ll intergrate some of the metals its come across into its design, resulting in a weapon that fits you perfectly.”

“I understand. What do I need to do?”

“I need some of your blood.” Carson said as he handed Thadius a knife.

Thadius grunted in pain as he sliced open his hand, instantly coloring his palm a dark crimson. He didn’t know how much blood was needed, but he hoped it would be enough.

Carson took his hand and smeared the blood on the shield’s surface. Then he looked at Thadius. “You might want to bite down on something.”

Thadius obeyed, taking a cut of leather from his inventory and shoving it in his mouth. He watched as Carson raised his hammer that now had a pale white glow. With a nod from Thadius, who had braced himself against the counter, Carson struck the first blow.

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Ting!

[-4125hp]

“.......!” Thadius’ bloodcurdling scream had been muffled by the leather. He didn’t think that having his soul forged would feel like his heart was being hammered into an anvil.

“Sorry about that kid. It’s been a while.”

Ting!

[-2654hp]

“.....!”

“There we go!”

Ting!

[-1236hp]

It was less than ten strikes, but Thadius was curled up into a ball on the floor by time Carson was finished. Carson had neglected to mention that he could die before the weapon could be completed, resulting in his health falling below 7%.

“Here. I do believe this is yours now. Take care of it, and it’ll take care of you.”

Thadius spit out the tattered remains of the leather from his mouth as he slowly raised himself to take the shield.

[

The Shield of Thadius

Type: Shield Durability: 1275/1275

Quality: Mid Defense: 980

The shield of the Iron Dragon Thadius. Like a newborn babe, it cries for action and adventure. It’s ready to leave its mark on history at its wielder’s side.

+Always infused with Holy Fighting Aura

]

Thadius was extremely excited by the bonus of his shield. Since it shared his soul, he could increase the defense of his shield by 50% without actually transferring his Aura to the shield. He looked up in joy, only to find Carson collapsed beside the anvil.

“Mr. Carson!” he screamed as he rushed to his side.

“I can hear you just fine, so stop screaming. Soul forging just takes a lot out of me, and I’m not as young as I use to be. Help me up would you?”

Thadius helped the old man to his feet and received a hearty pat on the back.

“I’m think I’m done for today,” he breathed heavily, “Bring the young woman tomorrow and I’ll make her something nice.”

“Yes sir.”

Thadius watched the old man close up shop just in case he collapsed again, but when Carson made his way home on steady legs, he set off for Marshal’s. It was only a couple of streets down from The Needle and Thread, so it didn’t take him long to find it.

It was a lovely two story house. The design reminded him of modern homes but the materials were medieval. The entire house looked to be built from stone, but mud and straw could be seen between the rocks. It was much nicer than the homes beside it, which made it stand out even more. Marshal’s home had an air of nobility to match the man himself.

Thadius shook his head as he knocked on the door. Yuna opened it after the first knock.

“Hey Thadius…” she said as she walked away toward the makeshift sofa.

“Everything okay?” he asked her as she plopped down.

Thadius rested his shield by the door.The living room was the first room upon entering. There was an open doorway leading into the kitchen and a staircase on the opposite side leading to the second floor. Everywhere you looked was mahogany and scarlet. The rugs, curtains, and sofa cushions were all a deep red.

“Yep.” she replied lifelessly. Christina was sitting in the chair by the fireplace that was in the center of the back wall. She was anxiously looking between Yuna and Thadius.

Thadius looked at them silently. He couldn’t explain Christina’s behavior, but knew what he could do for Yuna.

“Hmm, I do believe I hear the sound of rumbling tummies. Must be bed time.”

“NO!” Yuna jumped up from the sofa. Christina nearly jumped out of her skin.

“No? Then what time is it?”

“Cooking time!” she yelled, throwing her head back and raising her arms in victory.

“How could I have forgotten!” Thadius brought his hand to his face in mock anguish.

He recovered quickly. The host was always prepared for Cookin’ Time. Without skipping a beat, Thadius waltzed into the kitchen. Yuna pulled the weary Christina along with her.

Christina had given up on talking to a hungry Yuna since all she would talk about was food. Their trip through the city had actually been a torturous tour of restaurants without ever stopping to enjoy a meal.

Thadius quickly set to work preparing his Shepard’s Pie: consisting of meat, cheese, and mash potatoes. As a new addition to the audience, Christina got to do the taste testing.

“Here, try the mash potatoes.” Thadius said as he held out the spoon. He’d held it so she could take the spoon if she so desired, but close enough so that she could eat it from his hand. It was a subtle technique formed from hours of watching his favorite show on t.v.

Christina blushed as she ate the mash Thadius held out. It was surprisingly tasty. But she was even more surprised when Thadius quickly finished off the rest of the mash she’d left on spoon. She nearly screamed like a fangirl as she hid her face behind her hands.

[+6 Charm]

“Hey! What about me!?” Yuna protested as she slammed a fist on the table. The table groaned in protest with her.

“New members get to taste test.” Thadius replied calmly.

“But I gotta eat! How am I going to grow if I don’t eat!”

The three continued their fun until the food was ready. Christina said that Marshal had left earlier, so Thadius set the table for 3. Needless to say, the meal was spectacular. Yuna ate to her hearts content while Christina savored every bite. She was glad she had left the cooking to Thadius, and made a mental note to let him continue to do so.

After the meal, it really was bed time. Thadius opted to take the sofa while Yuna claimed the spare bed in Christina’s room. Before long, a silence had fallen on the house.

Christina rolled over in her bed towards Yuna. “Yuna? Yuna, you awake?”

“Hmm?” Yuna responded groggily. She was in a lethargic state after the feast.

“How do you feel about Thadius?”

“Thadius is Thadius.”

“Of course he is, but how do you feel about him...as a woman?”

Yuna sighed heavily, she’d never get to sleep with Christina whispering all night. “I don’t care about that ‘stuff’.”

“What stuff?”

“You know, ‘stuff’. The naked ‘stuff’.”

“Oh, okay.” Christina couldn’t help but smile. The first goal had been cleared. Now she just needed to find out if Thadius felt the same way, and she had the perfect plan for it.

She slipped out of bed into the brisk night air, carrying a blanket. She'd hoped to catch Thadius awake so she could talk to him. Unfortunately, when she got downstairs, Thadius was laying still on the sofa. Just like Yuna, he didn't seem to be bothered by the cold. Would he get too hot with the blanket? She hoped not.

She shuffled across the hardwood floor with her feet carefully navigating the dark floor. The only light in the room came from the dying embers in the fireplace. Her one piece night gown fluttered softly as she walked to the sofa. Thadius was fast asleep, breathing peacefully.