Volume 14 Chapter 24: 

Volume 14 Chapter 24: 

"Good afternoon, Mr.Skar." He greeted the dwarf at the counter. 

“Sup, Kid. What do you need help on?” Like Helm, who was headhunted by Dalen and the dwarves, Arlo was the same. Staring at his weapons, Dalen had asked him to learn from him. 

Arlo walked over with an ore in his hand, “I was wondering if you could give me some tips on how to deal with this Aegirite .” Whenever he had problems with the ores, he would go to Skar and the dwarves to ask for advice. 

“Hmm, you need to handle it this time?” Skar was surprised. Cobalt ore was one of the common materials used in the workshop. However, it was quite a difficult and tricky ore to smelt and refine. 

Arlo nodded and explained, “I need to be able to refine it and make it a strong shield for the others.” Most of Herrick and Melor's equipment came from Arlo. They were pretty excited about this since his weapons and the other armor he made were quite good. 

"Hmm, how well are you refining it?" Refining the metal was quite significant. Depending on the percentage, it could double or triple the defensive capabilities of the material. 

"I'm only able to do so at 20%." It was not great. 

"...It's more about rinse and repeat. Just keep refining it." 

“...I know.” Most of the time, it was an error-and-learn concept. Only by getting a feel of things was the only way to increase their abilities. 

“Take your time to do something,” Skar muttered, and that caused the young blacksmith to get to work. As he started to hammer it down, Skar nodded. He's quite the talent. For him to handle Aegirite. They were able to handle it because they were experienced blacksmiths. But Arlo was 15 years old. He just became an adult, yet he was handling things like this? 

They're growing way too quick. It wasn't only Arlo; Helm, the most recent recruit they obtained, was also the same as well. 

...

While that happened, in Knight class, Keith was blocking the blows that were raining down upon him by Krystal. She was swinging her sword at a rushed speed, and it was going to try and gut him. But as she was doing this, Keith took the chance to blow her away with his shield. That only caused her to kick back with great force, sending him into the bleachers.

"...He's alive, right?"

There was no need to ask this as Keith popped out of the ground and was prepared to fight against Krystal again. 

“...Are you sure we should allow this to keep going?” The way the two were fighting made it seem they were out for blood. Jack shook his head, “Those two are going to be like this.”

“...But doesn't she like him?”

“This is another form of love.” 

“Jack, when I'm done, you're next.” Krystal could hear all of those words he had been saying. But Jack raised his hand, “What did I do?!” He did nothing wrong in this situation! But there was nothing to say about this as Krystal went berserk and started to beat him up as well.

“That's what you get for running your mouth.” Keith shook his head as he watched how the man had returned with a bruised-up face. But that caused him to glare, “This is your fault! Go deal with your wife.”

“WIfe?!” Krystal's cheeks turned red before pounding Jack back into the ground again. Tennol shouted at them, “Everyone, I want you guys to be clear about the finals we will have for our knight class.” Everyone shut up and quickly lined up when they heard that. 

Tennol explained, “The exam is going to be sooner than the rest. Prepare at least a week's worth of materials, as you guys will be staying out there for so long. However, we will also check for any contraband that won't be needed as well.” It was going to be essentials only and nothing more.

“Understood!” 

“What are we going to do?” Coen and the others tilted their head. Keith was the only calm one with Krystal and Jack as they yawned, “So we're going to be out for only a week.” 

“That's normal.” For people like them who always disappear for a week's end going to the dungeon. There was nothing to say about it. Keith stretched his hand and then headed to the island. “Papa!” Eri quickly ran over and hugged him. Keith smiled as he hugged her.

“Hugs are the best.” Keith snuggled with the fox girl, who happily hugged him as well. While they were doing this, that was when Eri walked over and hugged Krystal as well. Carolyn couldn’t help but pout, “Aww, and I want to hug her as well.” There were only three people Eri would get close to: Keith, Diana, and Krystal. Those were the only three that were allowed to hug her. The rest were not allowed to do this. Keith laughed as he stroked Carolyn’s head, “Then play with her some more.” 

Later, when they were having dinner, “So me, Krystal, and Jack are not going to be at home for a week. The final has something to do with us going outside.”

“For that long?” A week outside was something. But Keith shook his head, “But yeah, going to be out for quite some time. I need to pack the essentials.” “But what did they mean with things that we can’t bring?” Tennol said something that caused him to pause. Essentials? There could be a lot of things that would be considered essentials. 

“...” 

“Who knows what they want us to do with it.” Keith shrugged as he started.

“But a week.” Herrick and the others pouted when they heard that. That was quite a long time. That was when Alfia wondered, “Why did you not choose general studies as your elective?”