FLUOOSH!
The flames turned into a red-colored system window, something that I've never seen happen before. It felt as if the System was cooperating with Ignis in a much deeper level.
Ding!
[The Trial of the First Divine Hephaestus Forge has been created!]
[To open the Gates leading to the Ancient Valley, you must first prove your worthiness as the successor of Hephaestus.]
[Show the God of Blacksmiths what you've learned, alongside your own perseverance, dignity, craftmanship, and dexterity.]
[Craft Equipment of the Unique+ Rank and B+ Grade at minimum]: [0/1000]
[Craft Equipment of the Mythic Rank and A+ Grade at minimum]: [0/5]
[Craft Equipment of the Legendary Rank and S Grade at minimum]: [0/1]
[Once you complete all Trials, you will be granted access to the Ancient Valley, and additional Rewards.]
[Rewards]: [EXP] [Gold] [Valuable Items] [Key Items] [Access to the Ancient Valley]
[Time Limit]: [30 Days]
[Failure]: [Lose your Title as Hephaestus Successor]
"I only have 30 Days?!" I was shocked. "W-Wait, I need to make a Legendary Rank equipment too?! W-What…?!"
"That's how it is. My master had originally thought about making it 7 days limit, but he went easy on you." Laughed Ignis. "You can accept this and begin, or wait until you feel ready… Once the 30 days passes and you fail, you won't be able to progress the inheritance anymore."
"Hey that's super rude and ruthless! What the hell dude?!" Rita asked angrily. "Do you really expect her to do all of that in just a month?!"
"Even for my disciple, asking her to make a thousand Unique+ Rank Items and then five Mythic Ranks, and one Legendary Rank…" Ambil was nervous. "I am not sure I could even do the same either!"
"This is ridiculous… Planta, we should wait until you grow stronger and gather more materials I think." Said Brisingra. "No need to hurry."
"…You're really underestimating her. She might have acted a bit surprised but." Mark smiled, pointing at me. "Look how pumped up she is."
"Okay, let's do it!" I nodded, feeling excited about such a challenge.
"Wait, what?!" Acorn cried. "L-Lady Planta, are you sure?!"
"Yes." I nodded. "I do have enough materials, more than enough with Ambil's reserves we refilled just recently. Also I've already crafted a lot of Ultra Rare Rank equipment, and more than five hundred of them. If I use better materials and more Spirit Power… And the might of the Divine Forging Flame, I think I can handle it! The hardest challenge will be the Legendary one, but even then, I am confident I can do this… in around a week or less."
"Around a week or less?!"
Everyone reacted in utter disbelief over my endless confidence, only Mark smiled while nodding, he seemed to have already predicted my response.
"Hoh, how bold of you! I like you more and more, my new master." Laughed Ignis. "Very well, if you can do this in a week or less, the rewards you will get will be multiplied by three!"
"You better not go back on your words, Ignis." I giggled.
"Of course not, the System seems to want to cooperate on your growth as well!" Ignis laughed.
Ding!
[Ignis has challenged you to complete the trial within 7 Days.]
[If you complete it within 7 Days, you will receive three times the rewards.]
[However, if you can't complete it within the 7 Days, you will receive the failure penalty.]
[Accept Challenge?]
"Yes."
Without even doubting it, I accepted it right away.
Ding!
[You have accepted the challenge, within 7 days, please complete the Trial's requirements.]
[You may use the assistance of your allies to make the process faster, but it must be you who finishes the equipment to count as within the trial's requirements.]
"I see, so I can also ask for you guys help." I smiled. "Then I suppose I can leave to you some things, such as smelting the ores into ingots, and make refining some of the metals?"
"Please, leave it to us." Said Nieve. "I shall employ my frost magic to cool down any metal you need!"
"I-I guess there's no helping it…" Acorn sighed. "Hahh… Lady Planta, you're working us to the bone, aren't you?"
"It's not like I'll ask you to do much, and if you don't really want to help, you don't need to." I smiled. "So don't worry."
"Eh? Ah! N-No! I didn't mean it like that! I'll help! I'll help!" Acorn suddenly panicked when he thought I didn't need him.
"Well fine I'll help in something or two." Shrugged Rita.
"Leave it to me! I can also produce some ores out of my body with magic, can that help?" Lily offered her help.
"I'll give it my all too!" Mark said. "Let's do this, Elayne."
"Sure!" I nodded.
"Hmph, such nice and reliable friends…" Ignis sighed, he sounded slightly jealous. "You're really lucky, Planta. Make sure to never disappoint them nor betray them, these people are very rare to find."
"Huh?" I looked back at him. "What do you mean? Were you betrayed before?"
"I-I… No, never mind what I said. I am just a Divine Forging Flame Spirit, nothing more." Ignis seemed to be hiding something.
However, I couldn't just force him to speak, so I let him be for the time being…
"Hey, do you have some history with this guy? Spill the beans already." I asked the Great Spirit.
"T-There's no such thing!" The Great Spirit complained. "…"
"Huh… You Spirits are sure secretive sometimes…" I sighed. "I'm glad at least you guys are transparent and honest with me." I looked at the Dragon Spirits which I just summoned.
"Well, it's not like we have much to hide, we had simple lives." The Viper Drake Queen shrugged.
"I remember having more memories before, but they somewhat dissipated as I became a Spirit…" Sighed the Red Dragon Queen.
"I guess it is part of what we've become now." The Blue Dragon King said, hugging her. "Though, to be able to live on as powerful Spirits is not bad, especially when our children's eggs are waiting back home."
"Yeah… if they can be kept safe there, then we would gladly help as well, Master." Said the Cave Drake King.
"Oh, don't worry! Titania is taking good care of the eggs." I smiled. "Now… How about you help me out in this forging business? I have a few ideas I want to try!"
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