Chapter 88 True Prodigy

'[Flow]… Isn't this a skill only given at the higher class ranks?' Although left at a loss for words, Valyr was ecstatic to find out that he had obtained the skill before even ascending to his Rank 1 class. Though he was more than satisfied with the class he was planning to ascend to, the fact that he had [Flow] meant that he had access to classes far stronger than the one he had chosen.

In fact, the weakest among those was considered an Epic class!

With that in mind, he went ahead and commanded the system to bring up the description of the skill, wanting to see if the skill he had obtained was truly the prerequisite skill for those higher tier classes. Hearing the notification sound resounded in his mind, Valyr read the contents on the screen that had appeared in front of him, inwardly letting out a sigh of relief as he had confirmed that it was indeed the same skill he knew.

Ding!

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[Flow] (Lv. MAX)

Rarity: Uncommon

There are times when people put their focus towards a certain task, increasing the quality of the eventual result. Then, there are times when people place their undivided focus, allowing them to tap into the full potential of their mind as they ignore everything that occurs around them. This phenomenon has multiple names, but it is commonly known as Flow.

While in the state of Flow, the effectiveness of one's stats increases by 20%, allowing unprecedented feats to be achieved by the user. Once one harnesses the ability to achieve the state of Flow at all times, a larger gate shall await them.

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Just as he had closed the screen in front of him, Tristan called his attention, prompting Valyr to look at the latter and noticed the man's expression of immense disbelief. Raising up the dagger given to him, he asked Valyr, "What the hell have you gone through to forge something like this?"

"What do you mean?" Of course, Valyr was oblivious to what Tristan was trying to say. Aside from the fact that he had entered the state of Flow while forging the dagger, he did not know anything else.

Seeing Valyr that was confused, Tristan could not help but let out a sigh, giving the dagger Valyr had forged back to him. "Take a look at it with [Analysis] and you'll see."

"Okay?" Raising his eyebrow in curiosity, Valyr went ahead and activated [Analysis] on the dagger, the details of the weapon appearing in front of his screen soon after. Thankfully, that alone was enough for Valyr to realize what Tristan was trying to say, letting out a small gasp in surprise.

Ding!

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[Refined Copper Dagger] (Level 5)

Rarity: Common+

Attack: 9 - 15

Originally a normal copper dagger, the person who has forged this dagger placed great care and attention to the overall detail of the weapon, increasing the latent potential of the weapon to a higher level. As long as the wielder of the weapon finds a way to realize this potential, this weapon shall accompany them till the very end.

Remarks: What a surprise. For your first attempt, you actually crafted something decent.

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At that moment, it was only then did one of the notifications Valyr received earlier finally dawn on him. Recalling the original name of the blueprint Tristan had given him, he should have already noticed that something was off when the word 'Refined' was attached to the beginning. However, not only that, but the system had given it a rating of Exceptional!

There were five ratings one could obtain when crafting an item: Substandard, Average, Great, Exceptional, and Transcendental. For a being at Rank 0 to be given an Exceptional rating on their first successful attempt at forging a weapon… it was simply unheard of!

Calming down from the shock both had experienced, the two looked at each other for a moment before letting out a bit of hearty laughter. After a while, Tristan gave Valyr a thumbs-up, proud in the progress Valyr had achieved. "Though I haven't really taught you much about forging except for the Technology Tree, I'm still incredibly proud of what you've done."

"To think I'd teach someone who'd forge a Common+ grade dagger on their first successful attempt… it definitely feels weird." As a smile continued to adorn his face, a screen opened up in front of Tristan, prompting him to interact with it before shifting his attention to Valyr.

Ding!

"Well, you've went above and beyond once again, Valyr. Unfortunately, there is nothing else I can instruct you on, considering what you've shown me today." As a notification sound resounded in Valyr's mind, Tristan spoke to him, his expression somewhat somber. "However, if you need new blueprints or some Technology Points if you still haven't ascended to Rank 1 yet, then I'm your man."

"Why are you making it sound as if I'm leaving?" Valyr could not help but joke, feeling that the atmosphere around them had taken on Tristan's current expression. "Unless… you want me to leave?"

Hearing those words, the somber expression on Tristan's face quickly changed into that of fury as he shooed Valry away from the smithy. Though, seeing Valyr chuckle in response as he thanked Tristan while he made his way back to the barracks, Tristan could not help but lightly sigh before shaking his head with a light smile, turning around to head back to the anvil and get back to work.

"I have a feeling I'll have to forge a new anvil for someone."

"I wonder when that day will come."

…

After being shooed away from the smithy by Tristan, Valyr leisurely made his way back to the barracks, continuing to greet some of the people that he passed by as he took a look at the list of rewards he had obtained from the now completed quest.

'Tristan multiplied the rewards yet again.' Valyr inwardly muttered, shaking his head as a knowing smile appeared on his face.

[You have completed the quest: An Experienced Blacksmith's Suggestion (2).]

[Your affinity with Tristan has increased by 160 points. Current relationship: Close Friend.]

[You have received 10,000 XP.]

[You have received 50 Technology Points.]

[You have obtained the blueprints for 'Astarto Defense Armor (Set)' from Tristan Melphon.]

'Well, even if he hadn't multiplied the rewards, I would've still had more than enough Technology Points to max out the advancements of the Production Technology Tree. Though, I am quite curious as to what Astarto Defense Armor is.' With this thought in mind, Valyr hastened his steps, arriving at the barracks a few minutes later.

'It'll have to wait until after I ascend, though.'

…

Arriving at his dormitory room, Valyr took off the spear on his back and placed it on the ground. After that, he headed into the bathroom and took a long shower, only realizing at that moment how long he had gone without a shower. Feeling a hint of embarrassment at the thought, he eventually got out of the bathroom, changing into a new set of clothes.

Sitting on the edge of his bed, Valyr went ahead and opened up the Technology Tree. Heading into the Production section, he allocated all of the Technology Points he could towards the advancements in that section, being left with around 40 points or so as a string of notifications resounded in his mind.

[You have upgraded the advancement <Basic Understanding: Blacksmithing> to Lv. 5 (MAX).]

[You have upgraded the advancement <Basic Fire Control> to Lv. 5 (MAX).]

…

[You have unlocked the following advancements: <Intermediate Understanding: Blacksmithing Lv. 1>, <Basic Blacksmithing Essence Lv. 1>, <Basic Refinement Lv. 1>…]

'Though I do have enough points to unlock more Basic level advancements and max them out, none of them are a prerequisite for any of the Rank 1 classes I want.' With that, Valyr went ahead and closed the Technology Tree, opening up his skill list as he briefly looked at how much XP he had to set aside for the ascension.

Eventually, he decided to upgrade all of the blacksmithing skills in his skill list by one level, nodding in satisfaction as he soon told the system that he wanted to ascend.

Ding!

[17,443 XP has been allocated. You are now Level 11.]

[As you have ascended to a higher class, your VIT to HP coefficient has changed from 1:10 to 1:12.]

[As you have ascended to a higher class, your INT to MP coefficient has changed from 1:10 to 1:12.]

[Please select the species and class you would like to ascend with.]

Just as he was about to read through the notifications he had received, two screens soon appeared in front of his field of vision, with the left one containing the species he could transition to, and the right one containing the classes he could take as his Rank 1 class.

Having already decided on what species to transition to, he focused his attention on the list of classes he could take, ignoring the initial six on the very top of the list. 'Here we go. Let's see what kind of blacksmith classes I could take.'

Whoosh!

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Please select the class you would like to take as your Rank 1 class:

…

Blacksmith

Dexterous Blacksmith (Uncommon)

Defthand Blacksmith (Rare)

Intelligent Blacksmith (Uncommon)

Talented Blacksmith (Epic)

Erudite Blacksmith (Rare)

…

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Unsurprisingly, with how much preparation he had done in order to obtain the ideal Rank 1 class, it was no surprise that Valyr was given a myriad number of options when it came to the Rank 1 blacksmith class he would take. Some of them were based off one of the skills he had, while some leaned into the weapon he had specialized in. Of course, some combined the two together, allowing for the class to be of a higher tier.

However, it did not take long for him to choose his class as his eyes was soon fixated on the name of a certain class. Checking its description, a grin soon adorned his face as he finalized his choices. And then…

Thud.

Within seconds of confirming his choices, Valyr fell on his back on the bed as he fell unconscious. A few seconds later, a notification sound resounded throughout the four walls of his dormitory as a string of notifications appeared in his mind. Though, with him unconscious, it was only when he woke up would he be able to see it.

Ding!

[You have ascended to Rank 1.]

[Your species 'Human' has been changed to 'Human (1st Unsealing)'.]

[Your class 'Civilian' has been changed to 'True Prodigious Blacksmith (Mythic)'.]

…

…

…

[You have obtained the passive skill '?4E$%6!F42.6C45-20#4#26!C4?F6?F!4$4'.]