A full week passed without Kael giving himself any rest.

  He would wake up, eat only what was necessary, and disappear into the courtyard, where he had built his improvised — and very carefully protected — workshop inside the mansion.

  That space was already his kingdom.

  No one could approach his domain. No one could spy on him.

  From the window, Tana and Caria watched him with concern. Caria looked especially affected.

  — The young master hasn’t stopped going there these days… —Tana murmured anxiously—. He goes in clean and comes out completely covered in soot… And he doesn’t even let me help him bathe anymore. He goes into the shower alone and doesn’t allow me to assist him…

  Her eyes shone, clearly on the verge of tears.

  — There isn’t much we can do… —Caria replied with a sigh—. As long as he doesn’t hurt himself badly enough for us to forbid it…

  She didn’t finish the sentence.

  A brutal explosion shook the courtyard.

  The ground trembled violently. A thick column of black smoke rose into the sky.

  The entire mansion reacted as if a war had begun: servants shouting, soldiers running, doors slamming open.

  Laret was the first to reach the workshop.

  Without hesitation, he pulled the door open.

  The first thing he saw was his son lying on the ground, covered in soot, his hair singed, smoke coming from everywhere.

  — KAEL!!! Are you alright!? —Laret shouted, his heart in his throat.

  Kael stood up unsteadily, his face completely black from burned coal.

  He raised his arms with a wild smile.

  — I DID IT!!!

  He jumped to his feet and began running in circles, euphoric.

  — I am absolutely incredible! This is extraordinary!

  — Incredible? —Caria snapped, furious to see him like that—. What did you do, you irresponsible child!?

  Almost everyone who had been worried had arrived by then: Garbard, several soldiers, Tana, Ken, and some curious servants.

  — Boy… —Garbard said gravely—. What did you do to make everything explode like that?

  Kael, still smoking and with his clothes partially burned, held up a blackened paper between his fingers and lifted it like a trophy.

  — I have created two furnaces powered by the force of the stream near the house! A reverberatory furnace and a cementation furnace!

  He stood in front of them, his face still covered in soot, and proudly pointed at the structures inside the workshop.

  — This one —he indicated a long structure with a curved roof— is the reverberatory furnace.

  The flame never touches the metal directly. The heat reflects off the roof and melts the iron without contaminating it.

  With it, I can produce ultra-pure steel… almost surgical steel.

  So clean it can cut flesh without causing infection, and so refined it can bend without breaking.

  Then he moved toward a second structure, more closed, like a large box reinforced with hardened clay.

  — And this is the cementation furnace.

  Here I don’t melt the metal. I only heat it while it’s sealed together with coal.

  The carbon penetrates the iron and makes it harder, stronger, and more flexible.

  It is used to forge swords, armor… real combat steel.

  Ken swallowed.

  — You mean you will make weapons with steel better than what we currently use?

  Kael smiled, soot marking his features.

  — Of course.

  With these two furnaces… the steel revolution begins.

  He turned to the side, where he had installed a wooden system with blades and tubes.

  — The stream moves a wheel.

  The wheel activates a mechanical arm.

  The arm drives these bellows.

  Air enters here, is compressed… and expelled directly into the furnace.

  With greater airflow, the fire reaches much higher temperatures.

  As if responding to his words, the flame roared with a deep, almost living sound.

  — That way we achieve temperatures that common blacksmiths could never reach.

  The cementation furnace transforms iron into combat steel.

  The reverberatory furnace produces pure steel for precision tools.

  — And what is that precision steel for? —Ken asked, still incredulous.

  — To cut materials your current sword could not even scratch.

  Ken fell silent.

  In the middle of the explanation, Caria stepped forward, suddenly picked him up in her arms, and held him tightly.

  — Very impressive furnaces —she said firmly—, but right now you are going to take a bath. Look at yourself!

  — No, wait! I haven’t shown them the sword I left cooling yet!

  — No, young man. You’re bathing right now.

  — Grandpa! Look, my sword is extraordinary!

  But it was too late.

  Caria dragged him out of the workshop while Kael kicked his legs, leaving a trail of soot along the hallway.

  And so he was taken, against his will, to take a bath.

  Meanwhile, Garbard approached the blade that had cooled enough.

  He lifted it carefully, held it against the light, and frowned, impressed.

  Not only had he used new technology… his magic was also noticeable in the tempering.

  The blade was already sharpened, with a perfectly defined steel line and a particular shine.

  — …Impressive.

  The next day, the rank D adventurer team arrived at the Sungley mansion after completing their mission. They finally brought the order Kael had requested.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  — Good afternoon. We have come to see the young master Kael Sungley… —Lyris said politely.

  The guard at the entrance looked at them seriously.

  — Do you have any permission or prior notice? Who are you and why do you wish to see him?

  — Uh… well… he asked us to come and… —Lyris replied, a bit nervous.

  — I’m sorry, but your explanation is too vague. I cannot allow entry with only that.

  Arán stepped forward. He stood in front of the guard with complete solemnity and declared:

  — We have come on business with the young and sensual businessman Lord Kael.

  Everyone fell silent at the statement.

  The guard blinked a couple of times.

  — Well, you should have started with that. Give me a few minutes. I will inform them that you have arrived to see the great monkey boss.

  — Monkey… boss? —Elira murmured, confused.

  The group remained at the gate, waiting for an answer.

  — Arán… what was that? —Bezal whispered.

  — That happens because you don’t pay attention —Arán replied with superiority—. Kael was clear when we met him. He said we were coming to do business with the “sensual lord.” It’s a recognition phrase.

  — I didn’t think he was serious when he said that… —Adriel admitted.

  After a few minutes, the guard returned accompanied by another soldier.

  — The young master was expecting you. Please follow this soldier.

  The five adventurers thanked him and entered.

  As they crossed the gate, they noticed the vast land where the Sungley mansion stood: well-maintained gardens, stone paths, training fields, and structures designed for military practice.

  Finally, they reached the courtyard where a large workshop stood, its doors closed.

  The soldier knocked firmly.

  — Young master! Your guests are here.

  The doors opened.

  Kael appeared… once again covered in soot and with his clothes partially burned.

  — How are you? —he greeted naturally.

  The five looked at him in surprise.

  — Little Kael… what happened to you? Why are you completely covered in soot? —Lyris asked.

  — I was working with steel and some other materials…

  Then he looked toward the bundles they were carrying.

  — Excellent. Did you bring the tin?

  — We also got some iron —Arán added—. Do you think you could do something with it?

  Adriel’s shield, since it was wooden, was destroyed in our last mission.

  — I appreciate the intention, Arán —Adriel said—, but working iron is expensive.

  — No problem —Kael replied confidently.

  The five looked at him expectantly.

  — In fact… if you’re going to rest for a few days, you could leave me all your equipment. I’ll refine it.

  In a week, you’ll have all your weapons and armor ready.

  — You mean our worn-out swords? —Elira asked.

  — Yes. I’ll reforge them and they’ll become extraordinary weapons.

  They’ll be the envy even of rank A adventurers.

  — We really appreciate your enthusiasm —Bezal intervened—, but we don’t want to abuse your generosity. It feels a bit unfair.

  — It may seem that way —Kael admitted—, but consider it a long-term investment.

  When you reach a higher rank, you’ll be able to help me even more with my projects.

  Right now, I need materials, and this load of tin will be very useful.

  — You’re too considerate —Lyris said with a smile.

  — Since you’re here, why don’t we eat something? —Kael proposed—. I didn’t realize it was already lunchtime.

  Leave your equipment here, let’s eat, and you can tell me how your mission went.

  Arán looked him up and down.

  — Don’t you think you’re too dirty to go eat?

  Kael looked at his clothes, then his blackened hands.

  — Ah… yes… you’re right… That’s not good…

  At that moment, a magical aura descended with crushing force over the area.

  The five adventurers felt real danger.

  Kael turned pale.

  — Oh oh… I think I’m going to die…

  Before they could react, a silhouette descended from the third floor of the mansion and landed behind him with overwhelming presence.

  It was Caria.

  Her expression was pure fury as she saw him covered in soot again.

  — You irresponsible child! I bathed you just yesterday and you’re already like this again! Don’t you know how to take care of yourself?

  She grabbed him firmly by the arm to drag him away.

  Then she noticed the presence of the five adventurers.

  Her expression changed immediately.

  — Good afternoon… who are you and how did you enter?

  The five introduced themselves with visible nervousness.

  — F-forgive the intrusion —Bezal said—. We came to discuss a matter related to adventurer equipment… with the young master.

  — Mom! You’re embarrassing me in front of my first business partners! —Kael protested.

  — Good afternoon —Caria said with composure—. My name is Caria. I am the lady of this mansion.

  If you allow me a moment, I will bring Kael back properly dressed. As for his manners… this child still has much to learn.

  — No problem. We’ll wait —Bezal replied respectfully.

  Caria took Kael away without giving him a chance to protest.

  While they waited in the training yard, Enta approached them with calm steps.

  — At the young master’s request, I was told to bring you these snacks so you can rest and eat here, in the garden, next to the training field. Do you need anything else?

  — Great Lord Enta! It’s good to see you again —Lyris replied enthusiastically—. No, we’re perfectly fine like this. Thank you very much.

  A few minutes later, Kael came back running. His hair was still wet, and now he was wearing clean clothes.

  — Sorry for the delay!

  He sat in front of them and took something else out of his backpack to share.

  — I need to ask you some important questions… especially you, Lyris.

  — Me? What is it? —she asked curiously.

  — You mentioned that you still don’t have your own weapon to actively participate in missions, right?

  — That’s right… I still don’t have one.

  — Then tell me —Kael continued with unexpected seriousness—, what type of weapon would suit you best?

  Lyris looked a little confused by the question, but answered honestly.

  — Honestly… I’m not sure what I should specialize in.

  — Your elemental affinity is wind —Kael analyzed—. You need something agile. A weapon that complements your speed.

  — Kael is right —Bezal intervened—. You would fit better in the team if you fight at some distance.

  Your magic would be much more effective from afar.

  — Something like… a bow? —Lyris suggested.

  — Exactly —Kael replied energetically—. You would be great support if you specialize in bows or crossbows.

  — Crossbow? —Elira asked.

  — You don’t know what that is? —Arán replied—. It’s a very powerful weapon that shoots bolts, something similar to an arrow but shorter.

  It has strong impact force, although less range than a longbow.

  — I think the scout from the rank S team, the one with Miss Valeryn, uses a crossbow —Bezal commented.

  Lyris widened her eyes.

  — If someone rank S uses it… then it must be difficult to handle.

  — More than difficult —Kael explained—, a conventional crossbow requires quite a bit of strength to draw the string before each shot.

  But it’s an interesting option I would like to experiment with.

  Still, with a compound bow you could reach exceptional power.

  — That already sounds strange —Arán muttered—. I prefer to see it before imagining it.

  When they finished eating, Lyris looked at Kael carefully.

  — Kael… you’re quite intelligent and mature for your age.

  I wanted to ask you something.

  Besides the materials, why do you insist so much on helping us?

  Kael stayed silent for a moment before answering.

  — Because you were kind to me.

  And because my grandfather always tells me: “The people appreciate us and respect us. Our duty as rulers is to ensure their safety and protect them.”

  Since I can remember, and since I was able to understand many things, they have told me I am a prodigy… and I always think that means responsibility.

  He briefly looked at his hands.

  — By helping you, I also help myself.

  With every test and every mistake, I move closer to my goals.

  Creating weapons, testing different materials, perfecting processes… all of that allows me to develop new technologies that will benefit the people of Cautares.

  I want iron to be so easy to work with that even adventurers who are just starting can, with a few coins, obtain a decent weapon or armor that can save their lives.

  — What a dedicated child… —Elira murmured tenderly.

  She took him in her arms and hugged him affectionately.

  Kael, slightly crushed by the gesture, took a small package out of his backpack.

  — Before you leave… I brought some dessert.

  The five looked at the brown bars curiously.

  — What is that? It looks strange… —Arán said—. Is it mud?

  Kael let out a small laugh.

  — It looks like it, but try a small piece and tell me what you think.

  Each of them took a piece and brought it to their mouths.

  As soon as the flavor melted on their tongues, their expressions completely changed.

  — By the goddess! This is incredibly delicious! —Adriel exclaimed.

  — It melts in your mouth! —Elira added.

  — Where did you buy it? I would spend my entire salary on this! —Lyris said with shining eyes.

  — It’s called chocolate. I made it.

  — I’ve never tasted anything like this —Arán murmured, impressed.

  — Is it an exclusive noble sweet? —Bezal asked.

  — No —Kael replied—. My aunt Jacki brings me the materials and I prepare it.

  — The great mage Jacki? The scout of the Indomitable Forest? —Arán asked in surprise.

  — Yes, her.

  She brings the ingredients from the Indomitable Forest so I can make it.

  The five understood that not even a large amount of money would make it easy to access something like that.

  — You’ll just have to wait a few years —Kael added with a smile—.

  I already ordered one hectare of the tree that produces this fruit to be planted.

  Soon we’ll have a chocolate factory and we’ll sell it to the whole world.

  The three girls declared enthusiastically that they would be the first customers.

  Kael leaned forward with renewed excitement.

  — Now then… tell me how your adventure against the goblins went.

  They spent several hours talking.

  The adventurer team finally said goodbye to return to the city, full of enthusiasm at the idea of seeing their equipment renewed.

  Kael looked at the worn weapons he planned to melt down.

  Then he whispered to himself:

  Kael (thought):

  — It will be a big step to reinforce their equipment and create something better from the old.

  And above all, to improve my technique.

  I did not want to innovate in military weaponry… but with the recent events in the kingdom, they will need good equipment.

  Not only them… all of Cautares.