Learning to Forge

I slept very soundly, inhaling the unique floral fragrance and the aroma of hearth fire in the Hearth-Home. 69ᏕᏂᏬጀ.ፈᎧᎷ

Before I even woke up at dawn, Huo Su came knocking on the door. It seemed she was very pleased with me, her new friend.

However, compared to Yasuo, Ezreal's appearance is indeed more likable.

"Are you awake, Ezreal? I'm coming in!"

"Come in, I'm all dressed."

"Come, try my honey flower cake."

"Great! I'm starving!"

Huo Su brought over a whole bunch of honey flower cakes. They were sticky in the mouth, sweet but not cloying, and very delicious!

"I never knew you were such a good cook! How come I've never seen you make this before..."

"Before? I didn't know you before either, haha..."

"Yes, yes, look at me, I'm so excited I don't even know what to say!"

Haha... you're really funny!

As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized I had let something slip, but luckily Huo Su was oblivious and didn't notice.

After finishing the honey flower cake, she boiled some spring water and added a few leaves of a plant that looked like tea leaves. She felt refreshed after drinking it.

No wonder the People of Furnace Village look so young; how can they grow old living like this?

After we finished eating and rested for a while, Huo Su began to teach me casting techniques, explaining everything from controlling the heat to refining metals for quite some time.

Don't tell me I'm not interested; even if I were, I'd feel overwhelmed. "Um... can we take it one step at a time? I can't remember all this all at once!"

"Hmm... that's true. I've always been taught by others, and I've never taught anyone else, so I don't really have any ideas, haha."

"Alright then, I'll learn how to control the furnace fire today, since it's the foundation of casting."

"Alright, the fire here comes from underground. See these valves? To increase the heat, open these..."

Huo Su spoke very seriously, so seriously that I felt embarrassed not to try my best to learn.

However, after actually getting involved, I found that casting things is quite interesting. It's like playing with mud when I was a kid, making things into shapes I like and pouring my feelings into them.

The day passed quickly. Even after Huo Su left, I was still studying the stove until late at night before I finally went to sleep.

For the next two weeks, Huo Su came over every day, acting like a nanny and Teacher, taking care of my food and lodging while also teaching me casting techniques.

She would have even wanted to teach me martial arts if I hadn't insisted on declining.

I already possess enough martial arts skills; it's just that my body limits my ability to cultivate them further.

Through my unremitting efforts, I have mastered the knowledge of casting very well. I even made a dagger by hand. Although it is not very exquisite, it is very meaningful.

"Could you give me this dagger?" Huo Su asked tentatively.

"Forget it, this dagger is too ugly. Once my skills are more refined, I'll definitely get you a beautiful and durable weapon!"

"Okay! Let's continue..." Huo Su immediately became energetic.

Although this kind of life is wonderful, spending so much time with Huo Su means I have no time to find out about the situation here from the people around me.

Even I've come to love this peaceful and tranquil place. Occasionally, I think about figuring out how to leave, but then I want to postpone it, since I'm not in a hurry.

Is this how people gradually become addicted to it?

No, this can't go on. I have to find a way to leave, but before that, I need to explain my thoughts to Huo Su.

It's clear she genuinely considers me a friend, and leaving suddenly would inevitably hurt her.

Several days passed, and I still couldn't bring myself to say it. Whenever I saw her happy expression, I didn't know how to begin the farewell.

Especially after hearing that she had no friends, she couldn't bring herself to speak.

As I lay in bed that night, about to fall asleep, an idea suddenly struck me: I could take her with me and leave Hearth-Home!

If we find Jarvan, Darius, Sivir then, won't we make even more friends?

Okay, let's do it this way. Tomorrow, we'll use the allure of the outside world to entice her!

I had made up my mind, but Huo Su didn't come to find me after dawn. The sun rose and set, but she never showed up.

There's probably something else going on, after all, she's been coming over every day for so many days, she must have a lot on her plate.

However, Huo Su did not show up for four or five days. His silent disappearance must have been caused by something serious.

Despite my doubts, I didn't know where she lived, so I decided to use this time to find out more about the people there!

So, I would practice my casting skills every morning and chat with my neighbors in the afternoon.

After three days of work, I finally crafted a dagger that I was fairly satisfied with. At the same time, I chatted with six different people, and without exception, they all had their own memories and liked this place very much!

Did the People of Furnace Village not control outsiders? Thinking about myself, nothing strange happened to me.

Just as I was wondering, Huo Su finally arrived, but her walking posture was somewhat unnatural.

When I asked her, she told me the reason:

A few days ago, she came to see me as usual, and on the way she ran into a few guys who often mocked her.

They said Huo Su's casting skills were so bad that he could only show off to outsiders.

Huo Su was so angry that she started a fight with them, and ended up getting injured. She just recovered today.

I was also very angry when I heard this, and I wanted to avenge her immediately, but after weighing my own strength, I had to give up.

Huo Su didn't seem to mind. "It's alright, let them talk. Anyway, I've made some friends."

"Um... I want to tell you something."

"What's up?"

"I want to leave here." After a brief silence, I finally said those words.

Huo Su trembled slightly after hearing this. "You... are you leaving me?"

"No, I want you to come with me. Let's go out and see the world. You're sure to make lots of friends."

"Outside world..."

Huo Su hesitated, seemingly worried about something, before finally speaking:

"The People of Furnace Village rarely leave; at most, they'll wander around the neighborhood. Those who go too far never manage to return."

"Why? Is it a rule set by the clan?"

"No, it's just that we can't find our way back."

"Is this even possible? Even our own people can't find their way?"

"Yes, but if you really want to leave, I can help you."

Huo Su seemed to have made a great decision before saying those words, and the forlorn expression on her face was somewhat heartbreaking.

But I can't stay here forever. I have to find Sivir no matter what. "What punishment will I receive for helping me leave?"

"I don't know either. I didn't ask my father."

"I can't let you take that risk. Come, take me to see your father. I'll speak to him myself."

Huo Su initially disagreed, fearing I would get hurt, but she took me anyway after my strong insistence.

I want to talk to him face to face and make things clear. If that doesn't work, I'll force my way in with the Hextech Device!