Order of the Elements-Chapter 84: Village of the Blacksmiths

Ikazuchi's POV

Ikazuchi stood in his black tank top, his yellow hoodie tossed aside. The veins in his biceps pulsed like tiny thunderbolts waiting to strike. Across from his stood a black-haired man – broad-shouldered, smug-smiled, and equally drenched in sweat.

They were in the gym, surrounded by tension and testosterone.

This was one of Ikazuchi's task.

Beat Someone in Arm Wrestling.

Their elbows were planted firmly on the table, muscles taut like drawn bows. Palms clapped sharply in the centre, fingers locking in a grip that felt immovable. Around them, a crowd of gym-goers leaned in, eager to witness the match.

The table creaked under the pressure of their grip.

"You sure about this, boy?" the man grinned, flexing confidently.

Ikazuchi smirked. "Let's hope your wrist is stronger than your ego."

A gym staff member – acting as referee – stood between them, hands hovering over theirs.

The ref glanced at both competitors, gave a subtle nod, then shouted.

"Three... two... one... GO!"

GRNK!

The moment their grip engaged, the tension was immediate. Muscles bulged, the table groaned, and sweat began to trickle down both foreheads.

GRRRRNN!

Spectators leaned in, holding their breath.

"C'mon, Kait! Beat this scrawny yellow kid!" yelled one of the man#s friends.

Kaito – gritting his teeth – pushed with all his might. But Ikazuchi didn't budge.

Instead, he let out a massive yawn.

"Huuuuuuaaahhh..."

I expected a challenge.

Casually, with one hand still locked in the match, Ikazuchi used his free hand to pull out the scavenger hunt list. He glanced down at it with utter nonchalance.

Let's see...

1.Talk to someone with no expression for 5 minutes. DONE!

2.Borrow an umbrella without saying a word. DONE!

3.Find a guitar. DONE!

4.Challenge someone in arm-wrestling.

5.Find a rock shaped like an animal.

Ikazcuhi raised an eyebrow.

A rock shaped like an animal? That... sounds ridiculous.

Still – he looked back at Kaito, whose knuckles were staring to turn red.

"Alright, playtime's over."

And then–

BAM!

Ikazuchi slammed Kaito's hand down aon the table like a judge's gavel.

Gasps echoed. Silence fell. Then–

"N-No way..." Kaito muttered in disbelief.

Ikazuchi rose, slipping his yellow hoodie over his shoulder, also picking up his guitar and umbrella, smirking with satisfaction.

Four down. One more to go.

And that one? Probably the hardest.

But for now, his thoughts were elsewhere.

Can't wait to have Haruto act like a dog around me for a whole week.

Back with Hikaru...

"W-Woah..." Hikaru muttered, frozen in place, eyes wide in astonishment.

He had finally arrived at the village – and he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Each house looked like something straight out of the medieval era. They lined cobblestone streets like a forgotten painting come to life. Thick timber beams, stone chimneys, and steep shingled roofs weathered by decades of fire and forge gave the buildings a rustic strength. All the homes followed this ancient aesthetic – except one.

The air was rich with the scent of burnt metal and coal, clinging to clothes like smoke on parchment. The clang of hammers striking anvils echoed through the valley, rhythmic as a beating hear.

Iron tools dangled from doorposts. Wooden carts rumbled down narrow streets, carrying glimmering swords, horseshoes, and intricately forged armour. Children chased each other around barrels of nails, laughter ringing out beneath plumes of blacksmith smoke.

Most homes had small forges built into their sides. Flames flickered through thick-paned windows, and chimneys puffed like sleeping dragons.

Hikaru stood in the middle of the village, completely awestruck.

"W-What is this place?" he whispered to himself.

Then–

A voice behind him broke the moment.

"It's the Village of the Blacksmith, young man!"

Hikaru spun around, startled.

Behind him stood an elderly man, his clothes stained with soot, eyes warm and wise beneath grey brows.

CHARACTER INTRODUCTION

Name: Ousuke TakumI

Species: Human

Age: 75

Hair Colour: Grey

Eye Colour: Brown

Height: 5'6

Weight: 140lbs

Occupation: Elderly Blacksmith

"Village of the Blacksmith?" Hikaru repeated, blinking in surprise.

"Yes, young man!" Ousuke nodded, stepping closer. "It's a village where all of the blacksmiths in the region live and work."

"I see..." Hikaru muttered, glancing back toward the glowing forges and the smoke-kissed rooftops.

Then – without another word – Ousuke stepped past Hikaru and paused, looking back at him over his shoulder.

"Come. I'll show you around the village."

"Y-Yeah..." Hikaru replied, quickly following Ousuke.

As the elderly blacksmith led him through the village, Hikaru's eyes flicked from one old timber house to the next, absorbing the medieval charm of it all.

"By the way, young man..." Ousuke began, his tone friendly. "What is your name?"

Hikaru smiled warmly.

"My name is Hikaru. Hikaru Nozomi, sir." freёnovelkiss.com

"Hikaru, huh?" Ousuke repeated with a nod. "My name is Ousuke. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Hikaru said, still smiling.

They continued walking side by side through the cobblestone streets. Sparks flashed from nearby forges as smiths pounded iron, their silhouettes glowing in the heat.

"B-By the way, Ousuke..." Hikaru began, his voice hesitant. "I hope I'm not being rude, but... I didn't think blacksmiths still existed in this day and age."

Ousuke chuckled softly, as if he'd heard that before – and understood perfectly.

"It's okay, Hikaru," he said, nodding gently. "I can completely understand your point."

"Ousuke..." Hikaru repeated thoughtfully as they walked on.

"If I'm being honest as well..." Ousuke continued, his voice carrying a trace of wistfulness, "...I didn't expect someone like you to come to our village."

Hikaru raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What do you mean, Ousuke?"

"You see, Hikaru... this village has been isolated for many years."

Hikaru's eyes widened. "Isolated? You mean it's just been you people here this whole time?"

"Yes," Ousuke confirmed with a nod. "In fact... you're the second person from outside the village to visit us today."

Hikaru's brows furrowed. "Second person?"

"It's rare for outsiders to find us," Ousuke said, just as two children dashed past them, laughing as they played. "But it's a pleasure when they do. It gives us a chance to share our culture... something most people don't even realize still exists."

Hikaru looked at Ousuke, his curiosity deepening.

"Ousuke... if you don't mind, could you tell me about the origin of this village?"

Ousuke glanced at Hikaru, clearly surprised.

"The origin of the village?"

"Yeah," Hikaru nodded. "I'd really like to know more about this place."

Ousuke stared at him for a moment as a group of birds flew overhead, their wings slicing across the blue sky.

Then – he smiled.

"Fine, if you insist..." Ousuke said, looking up at the sky as he walked, his hands clasped behind his back. "Centuries ago, there was a man named Gorou Ironhart."

Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Gorou Ironhart?"

"Yes," Ousuke nodded. "Gorou Ironhart – my ancestor. He was a travelling blacksmith. He journeyed across continents, forging weapons for all kinds of people: royal families, farmers, warriors, even humble villagers. He never refused a request, no matter how small."

Hikaru listened closely, his attention fully drawn into Ousuke's story.

"Gorou continued travelling the world until..." Ousuke paused.

"Until?" Hikaru prompted, his curiosity peaking.

"...Until he met a man who changed his life forever," Ousuke continued. "This man and Gorou became the closest of friends. Gorou would forge weapons for him – masterful pieces, each one tailored to its wielder. In return, this man provided rare ores, iron, and metals from the deepest places of the earth."

As they walked, Ousuke led Hikaru toward the heart of the village. There, in the centre square, they stopped before a towering statue.

It was a monument of Gorou Ironhart, carved from obsidian – black stone streaked with glowing ember-like veins. The craftsmanship was astonishing.

Gorou was immortalized mid-strike – one foot planted on a raw slab of iron, muscles coiled with power, his enormous forge-hammer lifted high in both hands. The level of detail was extraordinary. The texture of his weathered apron can be seen, the faint scar etched across his cheek, even the illusion of soot smeared on his arms, all captured in the stone.

His expression was one of calm fury. Not rage – but something deeper: unshakable focus. Wisdom. Resolve.

Behind him, sculpted into sweeping arcs, were stylized bronze flames – rising like wings from his back. A symbol of fire not destruction, but creation.

Hikaru's gaze slowly lowered to the statue's base. A wide, circular pedestal supported the figure, its rim engraved with ancient script. The words glowed faintly under the sunlight:

"To create is to defy destruction. To shape steel is to shape the soul." – Gorou Ironhart.

As Hikaru read the inscription at the base of the statue, a question surfaced in his mind.

Who was the man that changed Gorou's life?

He turned his head toward Ousuke.

"Um... Ousuke," Hikaru called out. "Who was the man that changed Gorou's life, if you don't mind me asking?"

Ousuke let out a slow sigh and turned his head to Hikaru.

"You see... I don't know much about that man."

Hikaru raised an eyebrow.

"You don't?"

"Yeah," Ousuke nodded. "All I know is that there was a man. But nothing else is known about him – his name, his age, even where he came from."

"I-I see..." Hikaru muttered, a bit disappointed but still intrigued.

Ousuke looked back at the statue of Gorou, his eyes full of reverence and pride.

"But... if it weren't for that man, this village wouldn't exist."

Hikaru blinked in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Ousuke turned his head back to Hikaru, a warm smile forming on his face.

"That man was the reason this village exists. He was the one who encouraged Gorou to settle down, to build a community – a legacy. He told Gorou to pass down his skills, to teach the art of forging to the younger generation, and to keep the flame alive for the generations after."

"I see..." Hikaru said softly, absorbing the weight of that revelation.

He turned again to the statue of Gorou Ironhart.

That man must have had an incredible influence on Gorou...

I... I'm so curious about him now. Who was he really?

Then–

TZZZK!

A sudden spark of energy surged through Hikaru's mind. His eyes widened instantly.

That familiar sensation–

An Element was nearby.

Hikaru quickly turned around, his shoulders tensed, eyes scanning the village with sharp focus.

But all he saw were villagers going about their day.

Children playing tag in the alleyways.

Blacksmiths hammering away in their forges.

Nothing unusual. Nothing out of place.

Ousuke turned to him, raising an eyebrow.

"Hikaru? Are you okay?"

Hikaru blinked and forced himself to relax, dropping his shoulders before glancing back at Ousuke.

"Y-Yeah," he said, trying to sound casual.

Ousuke narrowed his eyes at him, clearly unconvinced, but chose not to push it.

"Alright then. Let me continue showing you around the village."

Hikaru nodded with an awkward smile.

"Y-Yeah. Please do."

As Ousuke resumed walking, Hikaru followed behind, still on edge.

There's no doubt about it.

There's an Element in this village.

Meanwhile, in the Dark Alleyway...

A figure stood shrouded in shadow, hidden deep within the alleyway between two stone buildings, where even the midday sun dared not reach. The walls were cracked with age, lined with soot and grime. Damp air clung to the moss-covered stones, and the only sound was the distant clang of hammers striking anvils.

The figure's skin was pale – corpse-like – as if drained of all warmth and colour. He blended into the darkness like a phantom, unseen by the villagers bustling around the square.

His long white hair hung in damp strands, and his jet-black eyes narrowed as he watched from the shadows.

His gaze locked not on the elder...

...but on the younger one.

Hikaru.

A whisper escaped his lips, low and dry like brittle parchment:

"...That's... the Element of Light... isn't it?"

TO BE CONTINUED!!!