Chapter 136: The Sword "Itâs... incredible..." he whispered with excitement, almost afraid to touch it. "Grandma, when did you even finish this? Why didnât you tell me sooner?"
Selene smiled affectionately, gently placing the sword into Orionâs waiting hands. "I finished forging this in the afternoon, just before you woke up. I wanted it to be a surprise. You had just finished forming your Affinity Rune, after allâI thought this would be a perfect reward for such an achievement."
Orion carefully examined the blade closely, eyes narrowing as he noticed the intricate details upon closer inspection.
His breath hitched sharply as he saw the staggering complexity of the swordâs internal inscriptions.
There were exactly twenty-three distinct runes carved meticulously along the length of the swordâs blade, each radiating subtle waves of mana.
More astounding, however, was the dense network of microscopic mana circuits and runic language that intricately filled every inch of space between and around each primary rune.
The inscriptions were so minute yet perfectly detailed that Orion realized heâd never observed anything of this complexity beforeâeven within the Thunderpeak Royal Academyâs advanced runic studies.
His voice trembled slightly with barely restrained excitement. "Twenty-three runes... and so many mana circuits. Grandma, just what level is this sword exactly?"
Selene smiled proudly, folding her arms as she admired the blade herself. "Itâs nothing special, only a Tier 7 sword, my dear. But I did use extremely high-quality Obsidian Voidsteel alloy mixed with refined high-grade mana crystals, and then infused it thoroughly with Stardust during the forging process. Once you reach a high enough level in Runesmithing, you can upgrade it yourself."
Orion swallowed, awe-struck. "Voidsteel... no wonder it feels so different. But... isnât Voidsteel incredibly dense and heavy? How am I even supposed to wield it effectively at my current strength?"
Selene gestured encouragingly, a playful gleam in her eyes. "Why donât you hold it and see for yourself?"
Orion nodded eagerly, adjusting his stance slightly as he carefully gripped the hilt with both hands, anticipation building. Yet the moment Selene released the blade into his full graspâ
"Gah!!"
He gasped, nearly collapsing to the ground as the swordâs immense weight pressed down instantly upon his arms, shoulders, and back.
It felt like heâd suddenly grabbed an entire mountain. Eldric, standing nearby, burst into uproarious laughter, clutching his sides as he shook his head.
"Ha! You shouldâve seen your face, lad! Priceless!" Eldricâs booming laughter echoed throughout the smithy.
Orion scowled slightly, lips twitching as he held onto the sword for dear life. "Hey! Itâs way heavier than I expected!"
Selene chuckled softly, quickly steadying Orion by gently placing her hand on his shoulder. "Relax, dear. Old manâs teasing aside, the blade indeed weighs a tremendous amount naturally. Itâs purposely designed that way to channel immense power and momentum into each strike."
Orion frowned in confusion. "Then... how exactly am I supposed to use it properly? I can barely even lift it."
Eldric regained control over his laughter, wiping a tear of mirth from his eye. "Easy solution, bratâjust drip a bit of your blood onto the sword and infuse it with your mana. The runes will activate, allowing you to control its weight with your mind."
Orion gave a relieved sigh, shooting a playful glare at Eldric. "You couldnât have mentioned that earlier?"
Still grinning, Orion carefully pricked his finger against the bladeâs edge, watching intently as his blood was rapidly absorbed into the dark metal.
Immediately afterward, he channeled a stream of his mana directly into the sword.
In response, the blade hummed gently, runes flaring to life one by one, releasing a mesmerizing silver-blue glow across its entire length.
Orion felt an instantaneous connection form between himself and the swordâalmost as if it had become an extension of his own body.
Now filled with confidence, Orion carefully lifted the blade again. Amazingly, this time it felt weightless, balanced perfectly under his complete control.
"This... this is incredible!" Orion exclaimed joyously, easily maneuvering the sword now as if it weighed nothing at all.
Selene smiled approvingly, though her voice grew serious once more. "Yes, but do rememberâthe swordâs true weight and power cannot be fully unleashed at your current level of power. Right now, youâre merely controlling a small portion of its strength through runic manipulation. As your cultivation advances, youâll be able to handle more of its real power."
Orion nodded seriously, knowing what she meant as this was the perfect sword that he wanted. "I will make sure to practice properly to wield this sword."
Eldric stepped forward, patting Orionâs shoulder firmly, pride unmistakable in his gaze. "Precisely, lad. Consider this sword a companion thatâll accompany you through the early stage of your journey until you improve it."
Orion took a deep breath, his fingers carefully tracing the swordâs hilt as his heart finally calmed down from the initial excitement.
The obsidian blade hummed gently in his grasp, sending soft vibrations through his palms, resonating harmoniously with his own mana flow.
A sudden curiosity bloomed in his mind, and he glanced up towards Selene, eyes gleaming eagerly.
"Grandma," he began hesitantly, gently tilting the sword to better catch the faintly flickering glow of the forge. "Does this sword have a name?"
Seleneâs lips curled into a soft, knowing smile, her gray eyes filled with tenderness. "Why donât you turn the sword around and see for yourself, dear?"
Surprised yet curious, Orion quickly shifted the blade, carefully turning it over in his hand to inspect its other side.
There, engraved in elegant, flowing script along the length of the blade, were two distinct words shimmering faintly in a silvery hue: Realm Guardian.
His eyes widened in admiration and awe as he whispered softly, "Realm Guardian..."
"Yes," Selene confirmed softly, her voice gentle yet solemn as she stepped closer, placing a comforting hand upon his shoulder.
Her touch was reassuring, warm, conveying her heartfelt emotions clearly through the subtle gesture. "I named it Realm Guardian because I wish for this sword to become a steadfast companion for youâguarding you through every realm you explore and every danger you face. Let it serve as your protector, guiding you safely through your journey and ensuring your return home."
Orion felt a lump form in his throat, deeply moved by her words and the profound sentiment behind the naming of the blade.
He gripped the hilt tightly, absorbing the weight of responsibility along with the genuine affection emanating from the sword.
"Thank you, Grandma," Orion said quietly, sincerity and determination clear in his voice. "I promiseâIâll grow stronger, and Iâll live up to the meaning behind this swordâs name."
Selene nodded approvingly, pride evident in the warmth of her gaze. Eldric chuckled softly, stepping closer and ruffling Orionâs hair playfully.
"Ha! With that sword, lad, youâve got no excuse to slack off now. You better train seriously, or even Realm Guardian wonât save your hide!"
Orion laughed lightly, gently swatting Eldricâs hand away with a playful scowl. "I know, Grandpa. Believe me, Iâve no intention of slacking off. Iâll push myself beyond limits."
Eldric grinned broadly, clearly pleased by his grandsonâs response. "Good lad! Now go on, give the sword a proper test run. Youâve already rested plenty today."
First Legendary Dragon: Starting With The Limitless System ï¤Chapter 135: Spear?
The Mighty Mage ï¤Chapter 178: Black Lotus Rebirth: Leading Families to Survive in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 476 D City Base Leader "Alright then," Orion agreed eagerly, carefully sheathing the magnificent blade within a high-quality scabbard Selene had crafted. The sword slid smoothly and silently into place, sealing perfectly.