The next day...

After saying goodbye to Nova the day before without taking their relationship to a deeper level, Vicente spent the evening with Eve and Nina, explaining his disappearance the night before and the "trip" he had to take the next few days.

Nina was getting older and, of course, was beginning to understand that her brother needed to be away from her occasionally to deal with his own issues.

Since she had enjoyed staying at her teacher's house the night before, she didn't find the situation too bad and wasn't sad to hear that her brother would be leaving soon.

According to Vicente, she could visit Shelby from time to time, but Nova would also look in on her when he had time.

As someone who was very fond of both women, Nina liked rather than saw any problems with her brother's upcoming trip.

After discussing it over dinner, she slept with her big brother and woke up the next morning to have breakfast with him and go to the academy.

...

After Nina left for the academy, Vicente left home and went to the Association to continue working on his forging skills.

But when he got there, he bumped into an acquaintance and ended up diverting his interest in coming to this place a bit.

When he saw Lukas, he waved to the man leaving the Association building, who was dressed in a cloak similar to his own, with a star on his left chest.

"Look at you! Have you joined the Association already?" Lukas asked with interest, seeing this guy he hadn't seen in days.

Seeing the guy who had already given him good recommendations and even helped him get discounts locally, Vicente smiled and shook his hand.

"We're colleagues now, Lukas." Vicente stopped before him and shook the blond man's right hand.

Lukas had already heard about his sister and her recent meeting with Vicente. Combined with that and some rumors he had heard in the Association, he now had an idea of what this guy could do much better than before.

With that in mind, he said. "Vicente, do you have some time? I'd like to talk to you in private."

Vice narrowed his eyes. "I have 10 minutes."

Hearing that, Lukas motioned with one hand to show the way to the Association building while he talked to this guy.

"I heard you made an impressive entrance into the Association. I didn't expect you to have such a talent for forging."

Knowing that Lukas was Henry's student and that Henry had a history of rivalry with Benson, Vicente wasn't surprised that Lukas already knew everything that had happened that day.

He smiled and said. "I was stimulated by the pressure of my surroundings... I've been under a lot of pressure, haha. But maybe I won't have such quick and promising results when the pressure subsides."

"That doesn't change what you've already done," Lukas commented. "But now that you're a blacksmith and probably know the value of certain things, I have something I'd like to do with you."

"What is it?" Vicente asked as he entered a quieter area of the Association where only a few members had access.

There were several individual rooms along three large corridors that Vicente himself would not have been able to access if he had been alone, even with the benefits he had received by entering this institution with merit.

But that's what he would have had if he had agreed to become the Association's chosen one!

The Millfall Blacksmith's Association wasn't just investing in one young person with a promising future.

The Association existed throughout the Polaris Realm, giving dividends and contributions to its lesser ranks according to their merit. In particular, giving 'birth' to talented blacksmiths who could accomplish great things brought a great return to such posts.

Thus, the local association had a group of chosen ones who received 'n' benefits. Among them, Lukas was one of the young 1st-stage blacksmiths who received the support of this post.

Vicente didn't know it, but Lukas was also a 1st-stage blacksmith capable of producing resources with more than 90% efficiency.

In Lukas' case, he could produce an offensive item with 97% efficiency, enough to earn him the support of this organization.

And as one of the chosen ones, Lukas had access to this special area and information that Vicente didn't have.

He answered the black-haired young man as he entered a special room in that area. "In about two months, there will be an auction in Millfall. On that occasion, among other things, a valuable resource for 2nd-stage blacksmiths will be auctioned off."

Vicente understood what he meant and smiled. "You want to buy that item? I don't think we..."

"No, you misunderstood me." Lukas smiled as he shook his head negatively. "We have no way of defeating the 2nd-stage blacksmiths who will try to buy this item. I don't know how rich you are, but there will be people willing to spend hundreds of gold coins for this item... Even if we united together, we could not afford it."

It must be said that Lukas was richer than Vicente, even without the support of his family!

Lukas already had many customers as a young blacksmith with great talent and more time in the trade than Vice. He delivered about 3 to 4 weapons every week. This gave him a higher monthly profit than Vicente's, even considering all young Fuller's operations!

Vicente already knew this because he knew the value of the items produced by the blacksmiths and how they could profit from their work if they had good talents like Lukas.

But even though they were richer than most of the young men of their level and age, it was nothing compared to the 2nd-stage blacksmiths and nobles.

It would really be impossible for them to win this auction.

What Luke had in mind was not buying but something else.

"We can't buy it, but that doesn't mean we can't have it." Lukas smiled at Vicente. "What I propose is that you join my group to take this material.

My other allies will do so in exchange for my producing weapons for them free of charge in the future. For you, I offer the right to share a portion of this item."

He wanted to steal the item that would soon be auctioned off!

Vicente's eyes glazed over as he had not expected this from Lukas.

Lukas explained himself so as not to look like a common criminal. "But don't misunderstand the situation, Vicente. This item to be auctioned can greatly increase the production efficiency of 2nd-stage blacksmiths.

With something like this, you and I could change a lot about our future in a short period.

And I can assure you that we won't be the only ones trying to steal it from whoever buys it. There will be a hunt and a fight against whoever buys this item, and none of those involved can be considered innocent.

You do not climb the stairs of success with your hands in your pockets, my friend."