'2nd-grade items?' Vicente immediately noticed the hammer's weight and the magical fluctuation from the silver bracelet.

Benson said. "I want you to save this hammer for when you reach the peak of the 1st stage. You're not far from reaching it, so it will be useful to you soon."

The importance of artifacts in everything in Polaris Realm was gigantic. A good artifact could make the manipulator's job much more manageable.

But good artifacts wouldn't turn poor talented people into experts. In a way, having a good artifact or tool was like having a good car.

Some good drivers did impressive things on Earth in simple, ordinary cars. However, some individuals had access to very rare cars with the best technology and features for a racing car. But with bad drivers behind the wheel, they could lose even to those with less impressive vehicles.

When it came to the artifacts in Polaris Realm, the relevance of the talent of the one who controlled such items was the same as that of the driver of a car in a race on Earth.

In the case of the hammer in Vicente's hands, it could help him produce resources of quasi-2nd-grade quality while he was still in the 1st stage.

With it, he could more easily understand some of the rules of forging and more quickly advance to the next level by preparing his mind and body.

Not only that, but he could produce 1st-grade items with it more easily than he could with his 1st-grade hammer.

Benson said. "As for this bracelet, it has a similar effect to a magic stone. But it's a support item specifically for blacksmiths. It only works when you are practicing your craft, and it only activates when you are close to exhaustion.

In any case, it can give you an extra 20 to 30 minutes of training, which will help speed up your understanding of the forging."

Just as mana increased with each level or magic level, the understanding required to create higher-quality items also increased exponentially with each tier.

As a result, any support item could make a massive difference in the lives of magicians like them.

Vicente heard this and immediately put the silver bracelet on one of his wrists, adjusting it so that it would be almost impossible for anyone to see it when he wasn't wearing it.

After thanking his master, he saw him lead the way to the Association. He just followed Benson, eager to get his license to buy the ores and metals he needed to arm his entire group with weapons with 100% efficiency.

...

Ten minutes after leaving the previous estate, Vicente and Benson were already in front of the Millfall Blacksmiths' Association building in the town center.

They stopped in front of the beautiful building of the Association, an organization present in practically every state of Polaris Empire, and got out of the carriage they had come in.

Benson's metal dummy drove the blacksmith's carriage into the building's parking lot while its creator walked alongside Vice to the main entrance.

As Vice walked alongside Benson, the man told him about the Association.

"Vice, the Association is one of the largest institutions on the continent. You can accomplish a lot here, even if you're not interested in becoming a well-known public figure.

By becoming a member of the Association, you will not only be able to work as a blacksmith anywhere on the continent, but you will also have access to resources, techniques, spells, and much more. You can even contact other high-level blacksmiths who can change your life.

As much as I am respected and considered an expert in Millfall, there are even 6th-stage blacksmiths in the association. If you can develop your talents to the peak, even hiring someone like that or getting advice from them is possible.

So don't underestimate this place. It may not be an influential post in the Association, but it will allow you to reach faraway places. You just have to worry about taking one step at a time here."

"I'll keep that in mind, master," Vicente said as he listened to Benson's introductory speech while he saw the people in the building looking at him and his master with interest.

Benson was one of the few 3rd-stage blacksmiths in Millfall. He was a member of the Council but also one of the most difficult men to see.

The moment he and Vicente passed the entrance to the Association, the guards in the area and the blacksmiths coming and going stopped to observe them.

'It seems that the old King is teaching a new student...'

'This young man has an extraordinary Magic Gem... But his talent is not impressive. Does he have a secret? Benson doesn't accept teaching ordinary people.'

Some level 4 and 5 Acolyte blacksmiths in the area looked at Vice with curiosity, knowing that this young man was not registered at this post.

There weren't many blacksmiths in Millfall. If one counts the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stage blacksmiths, there should be less than 200 professionals in the city. Therefore, most of the members of the Association knew the blacksmiths registered at this post.

While the 1st-stage blacksmiths looked at Vicente with envy because most of them would like to be in his place and be a student of a 3rd-stage blacksmith, one of the council members in another part of the building sensed Benson's arrival.

"It looks like I'm going to see a disciple of our friend Benson King today." He commented in a low voice to another council member who was there today to handle some of the Association's day-to-day bureaucratic matters.

The other blacksmith, Henry Woodward, Luke's master and the first elder of the Millfall Blacksmiths' Association, heard this and said. "Would you like to accompany the Elder King? I have some business to attend to in my shop."

"Are you sure? Didn't Benson King challenge you a few years ago after that trouble?" The other 3rd-stage magician asked.

"I'm not interested," Henry nonchalantly said, confident that Benson would never surpass him and reach the 4th stage, as he had said on that fateful day when they had almost fought over a disciple.

"All right, I'll accompany this boy's test. After all, Benson always brings good talents to the association."

Meanwhile, Benson and Vicente arrived at the area where new blacksmiths registered with the institution, where tests were held every day in the early evening to issue new blacksmith licenses.