I Ascend to the Divine Throne through Arcane Means

Lonely Mountain City, Iron Hammer Workshop,

"Come on, esteemed workshop master."

Tomun, upon hearing Patterson's decision, instantly lost his happiness.

At their age, who would want to fight?

If he didn't care so much about Lis, would he bother to lift a finger?

Punishing him over such a small matter, this made Tomun quite uncomfortable.

Most importantly, if it was just punishment, Tomun was already mentally prepared.

But he really didn't expect that Winter Son would decide anyone could teach Lis.

Didn't that make all his previous efforts a waste?

"You can lock me up now, but Lis is my apprentice!"

Though a bit daunted by Patterson, Tomun still plucked up the courage to say.

"Even if you're the workshop master, you can't be unreasonable?"

Faced with the insistent Tomun, Patterson wasn't angry; rather, he found it somewhat amusing.

Never before had he seen Tomun care so much about anyone.

But indeed, even he was extremely surprised to learn that the young Lis successfully forged a Legendary Long Sword [Red Flame Dragon Spine].

This wasn't just any ordinary talent!

To succeed in forging a legendary weapon in those few days, Lis' ability surely wasn't just at the level of a newly minted Forging Master.

Even he couldn't help but feel the thrill of a hunter's excitement, wanting to take Lis on as his apprentice.

But if he did that, Patterson suspected Tomun might directly clash with him.

If it were anyone else, it would be fine, but Tomun's relationship with him was somewhat special.

Before he broke through to become a legend and took over the Iron Hammer Workshop, he and Tomun were both apprentices there.

They were quite familiar with and helped each other.

In fact, their relationship was quite good, almost like that of biological brothers.

Many things were entrusted to Tomun when Patterson wasn't at the Iron Hammer Workshop.

Patterson was quite at ease with this.

Otherwise, no matter how bold Tomun was, he couldn't make such demands in front of Patterson, a legend.

What of being a Forging Master?

Was he not one himself?

So, Patterson didn't say much more before Lis and Tomun, instead pulling him aside directly.

"What's the matter, old buddy, do you really want to take Lis as your apprentice that much?"

Patterson asked, looking at Tomun with a smile, raising an eyebrow as he spoke.

Seeing Lis and Nidir not nearby, Tomun didn't hold back with Patterson and directly said:

"Of course, this is the apprentice I have set my sights on. If you don't help me, fine, but how can you let others fight me for him?"

After a moment of silence, Tomun sighed and said with a somewhat forlorn expression:

"Patterson, you and I are about the same age, but I am almost unable to wield the hammer now."

"I'm unwilling, but what can I do about it?"

"I don't want my skills and knowledge to have no successor, but the apprentices I've taken before aren't that great, with almost no hope of becoming a Forging Master."

"And then suddenly, at this time, a genius like Lis appears before me."

"Can you understand how I feel?"

Patterson originally intended to joke with Tomun a bit more, but seeing his friend's dejection, he too felt a bit sad for a moment.

Even though he seemed old, his life, as a Dwarf, was still relatively long.

But now, his best friend was already aged and frail, how could he come to terms with this?

In fact, he had long known a day like this would come, but when Tomun candidly spoke to him about it, he still felt a bit troubled.

After a moment of silence, Patterson shook his head, patted Tomun on the shoulder, and said:

"Alright, old buddy, I understand what you mean."

"But, what I said earlier wasn't directed at you, nor was it an attempt to snatch your apprentice."

"In fact, I think that's the best way for you and Lis."

"How so?"

Tomun asked, somewhat surprised, looking at Patterson.

"You understand Lis' talent, don't you?"

"To be honest, if what you said is true, then Lis' talent is enough to compare with those Divine Sons in the history of the clan, like that Master Matteus."

Being the Dwarf Clan who excel in forging, there have been numerous outstanding forging talents throughout history, most of whom were Divine Sons of the Dwarf Gods or Seat Saints.

Of course, some were natural forging talents, relying entirely on their innate gifts.

For these Dwarf talents, Divine Son is also a compliment to them.

It signifies that their talent is akin to a Divine Gift.

"Of course, otherwise why would I care so much?"

Tomun shook his head, speaking with conviction.

He was once a forging talent of the Dwarf Clan himself; otherwise, how could he become a Forging Master?

A mere ordinary talent wouldn't be worth such attention from him.

"Have you ever thought... Lis could go one step further?"

Patterson said, looking at Tomun, word for word.

"You... you mean?"

Tomun was a bit surprised, seemingly realizing what Patterson was trying to say.

Lis was undoubtedly a Forging Master now.

To go one step further, wouldn't that mean becoming a... Master Forger?

This was something Tomun hadn't thought about, nor dared to think about.

But with Patterson's reminder, Tomun suddenly realized his old friend was absolutely right.

Lis, at such a young age, had nearly reached the achievements he spent most of his life achieving.

It only represented that Lis' talent exceeded his imagination.