Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra
Chapter 140 - 140: Anya The Forger

Within the Smithing Hall, students worked diligently at their forges, their faces illuminated by the orange glow of the furnaces.

Among them was a girl who stood out for her medium height and petite body, but what was more remarkable was her strength and resilience. Her name was Anya, Anya Fawger.1

Her hammer, heavier than most students could manage, moved with a rhythmic grace in her small hands. Each swing landed true, shaping the glowing metal with a confidence that belied her size. Sweat beaded on her forehead, catching the firelight like scattered diamonds.

The other students, mostly burly men, watched her with a mix of admiration and amusement. One, a giant of a fellow with a beard like burnt toast, chuckled.

"Doesn't look like it takes much muscle, Anya, but you sure are making that piece sing!"

Anya, her dark hair tied back in a practical braid, winked at him, a spark of defiance in her hazel eyes. "Looks can be deceiving, Bjorn. This fire takes more finesse than brute force."

A chorus of agreement rumbled around the room, punctuated by a few whistles. Her fellow students whispered among themselves, not just about her skill but also about how her petite frame and serious demeanor made her adorably "cute" in their eyes.

Anya, despite her fierce focus on her work, couldn't help but blush slightly under the unexpected attention. They did call her "cute," a fact that always made her feel a strange mix of annoyance and secret pride.

Just then she heard someone calling her. "Student Anya." It was one of the staff who worked in the Hall.

Anya looked up from her work, her hands pausing mid-swing as she acknowledged the staff member with a nod. "Yes?"

The staff member, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor approached her forge.

"Student Anya," The staff member said a touch of urgency in her voice. "There is someone requesting to meet with you."

"What?" Anya frowned, irritation flashing in her hazel eyes. "Tell them I'm working right now."

The staff member, undeterred, leaned closer. "They mentioned something about Moonshadow Ore."

Anya's hands froze mid-swing, her eyes widening in surprise. "Moonshadow Ore?" she echoed, her voice barely a whisper. The rare and highly coveted material among the smiths, it was said to enhance the magical properties of any item forged with it with a 100% percent success rate. She had only read about it in the book and only seen it once when her grandma used it.

She never imagined she would encounter it again.

"Yes, that's what they said," the staff member confirmed, her eyes studying Anya's reaction closely.

Anya quickly set down her hammer, her heart pounding with excitement. "Take me to them," she instructed her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

The staff member nodded and led Anya out of the Smithing Hall, the eyes of her fellow students following them with curiosity. They crossed the courtyard, the cool evening air a stark contrast to the fiery heat of the forge. Anya's mind raced with possibilities. Who could possibly have Moonshadow Ore, and why would they want to see her?

They walked in silence, the anticipation making each step feel like an eternity to Anya. The staff member led her through the courtyard and into a garden near the Smithing Hall. The garden was serene, with neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant flowers, a stark contrast to the fiery, bustling atmosphere of the forge.

In the center of the garden stood a figure wearing the academy's uniform. As they approached, Anya noticed the figure was a boy taller than her, with brown hair and eyes, and a slightly handsome appearance. He seemed to be waiting patiently, his hands tucked into his pockets.

"Here she is," the staff member said, gesturing towards Anya. "I'll leave you two to talk." With that, the staff member turned and walked away, leaving Anya alone with the stranger.

Anya wasted no time. "Where's the Moonshadow Ore?" she demanded, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and impatience.

The boy smiled slightly, his expression calm and composed. "We haven't even introduced ourselves yet," he replied. "It's only polite to know each other's names before we talk business, don't you think?"

Anya frowned, her impatience flaring. But there was something about his demeanor that suggested he wasn't lying or trying to deceive her. She took a deep breath, reigning in her excitement. "Fine. I'm Anya. Now, who are you?"

The boy nodded, satisfied with her response. "I'm Adrian, a first-year student. Nice to meet you, Senior Anya."

"Nice to meet you too," Anya said quickly, eager to get to the point. "Now, about the Moonshadow Ore..."

"You are really as the rumors say, Senior." Adrian chuckled slightly. "I know where you can find Moonshadow Ore, enough for you to become a Four Star Smith. You can choose to believe me or not. And before you ask where it is again, I have something to discuss with you. You may even think of it as a request."

"...Ok, let's talk then." Anya crossed her arms, curiosity now mingled with a healthy dose of skepticism. "Speak, I'm listening. What's this request of yours?"

"Shall we take a seat first? I am sure you must be tired from working all this time."

Adrian gestured to a nearby bench under the shade of a large tree. Anya glanced at him, her impatience momentarily quelled by curiosity, and then nodded, walking over to sit down. Adrian followed, taking a seat beside her.

"I appreciate you taking the time to hear me out," Adrian began, his tone sincere. "I know how valuable your work is."

"Get to the point," Anya interjected, though her tone was more curious than annoyed.

Adrian nodded. "Right. As I mentioned, I know where you can find Moonshadow Ore. But before I tell you, I need your help with something. There's a tournament coming up, and I need a special weapon crafted—one that only someone with your skill, no, with your ability, can make."