The Ascension Age

Chapter 22: Stellar Smith

Aire couldn't help but ask, "Smith? As in blacksmith?"

Sera nodded, answering, "Well, it's not wrong to think about it that way."

Kymei also added, "The problem with it is the enormous Stellar Energy Aptitude requirement, so it should be a perfect fit for you."

"Does that mean I'll have to hammer metals and things like that?" Aire immediately began to think of the heavy workload that would greet him once he did that.

However, Sera and Kymei shook their heads as one of them said in response, "What the hell are you talking about? Are you perhaps living in the medieval age? Although you will indeed work with metals and other materials, there's no need for hammers. Well, there are hammers, but you won't have to strike metal like some old craftsman in the medieval ages."

Kymei then began to explain, "It's fine that you don't know about it since it isn't a profession that many take on. After all, this is extremely taxing on the Stellar Riser. Not only that, but most of the Risers disdain this job since they're never recognized. Unfortunately, people think there's no point in trying it since it involves nothing more than preparing the materials for someone else to work with."

Sera nodded as she continued in Kymei's place, saying, "High Stellar Energy Aptitude and little attention. That makes everyone think that this is a thankless side occupation for Stellar Risers. No one wants to do something that won't bring them benefits. That being said, the number of Stellar Smiths is very, very limited."

Aire, of course, didn't want to do that either. A heavy workload was definitely something he didn't want to experience. "Sorry...but I don't think this job is a good fit for me."

Altina smiled brightly after hearing that as she soon said, "Great! Since you don't want to do that, you will be my punching ba-cough, cough...my combat practice partner from now on."

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Aire's expression went pale straight away as he hastily replied, "You were going to say punching bag, right?! Right?!"

Altina looked away after that, pretending she didn't hear the question. Nevertheless, the faint smile on her face showed how excited she was to get a new punch bag for free. Not to mention that it was a punching bag with high Stellar Energy Aptitude! How could she not be happy?

Aire, on the other hand, was almost crying. Though, he soon asked the two once more, trying to keep his hopes up, "I-Is there any other type of job worth consideration?"

Sera and Kymei shook their heads as one of them replied, "If you really want to be part of this team, you have to do something worthy of our time. I can design Stellar Suits, Kymei can work on the Stellar Rune Circuits, and Altina can give us all the combat data we need. If we have a Stellar Smith on our team, we will finally have everything to start working on our own Stellar Suits."

Aire still tried to persuade his way out of that idea. "Didn't you say that being a Stellar Smith was a thankless job? Would it be of any use in this year's Resource War? What can we even use it for?"

The others laughed before explaining, "Wrong! What Sera said was that most think it's a thankless job, not that it really is one. I believe you understand that we already have quite a few Stellar Suit Designers and Stellar Rune Circuit Researchers, right?"

Aire nodded and waited for them to continue as one of them soon asked him, "That being said, why are Stellar Suits rare?"

Aire immediately answered, "Didn't you say that it's because they're expensive?"

Kymei nodded as he responded, "Yes, they are expensive. After all...materials processed by Stellar Smiths are always in high demand, but there is always little supply. The law of business. The higher the demand, the higher the price. But, if we have our own Stellar Smith..."

Aire understood even though he didn't want to, asking as he scratched his head while sighing, "So, you want me to be the bridge between money and our team's Stellar Suits?"

Sera, Kymei, and Altina nodded as one of them said, "Yes! As long as you get to do it, we will be a lot closer to creating our own Stellar Suits."

Kymei then mentioned, "You have always been a guy who didn't like attention. With that, this is the perfect job for you. Most don't care too much about the Stellar Smiths even though they're their own lifelines. You will become as inconspicuous as possible. Save a lot of money when you need a Stellar Suit, and help our team."

"Just so you know, although many don't take this job, Stellar Smiths are definitely included in the Resource War," Altina said as she looked excitedly at Aire. "Of course, I would love to have you as my punching bag as well! In any case, the choice is up to you."

Aire's mouth twitched in response as he thought, 'She didn't even try to hide her intentions this time.'

Aire quickly calmed down as she looked at Altina. In the end, between a heavy workload or a heavy workload filled with suffering, the choice was obvious. "Ahem...I think I can try my hand at Stellar Smithing."

Kymei and Sera immediately patted Aire's shoulders as one of them said, "Great! During the aptitude tests tomorrow, all the new students will need to select a side occupation. Of course, there are other occupations, but those occupations are of no concern to us. We want our Stellar Suits."

Aire couldn't help but ask, "What kind of other occupations are there?"

Kymei pondered over the question for a bit before mentioning a few, "Well, you have those related to starships. For example, aiming to be a captain or work at the bridge and things like that. The Stellar Chefs, which is just a fancy name for chefs who cook with Stellar Energy Materials. There's also the Stellar Hunters who go out into the area dominated by Stellar Creatures to hunt for their body materials. There are also a few with little use you can check by yourself later."

Aire immediately understood. There was definitely some much easier side occupation he could choose, prompting him to ask, "Can I select something else other than Stellar Smith and Sparring Partner?"

Unfortunately for him, the group wasn't having it. "No! If you do that, you might as well quit school and not drag us down. Having three team members who want to work is still better than having one in the group that doesn't want to do anything."

By now, Sera and Altina had already noticed Aire's lazy nature.

Without any other choice, Aire could only agree with it, consoling himself through his thoughts.

'At least people won't care about me...'