The Exalt [Cultivation Fantasy]

The finished armament in Oscar's hands was a curved saber, white, like the Razor Boar's tusk, with yellow-amber bracket pattern veins, from the amberglass metal, on its surface. Its edge was incredibly sharp that Oscar held it gently so it didn't accidentally cut him, and the curved tip glowed brightly next to the furnace's flames. The unfinished metal grip required a hilt and more modifications, but that was mere ornaments to this powerful blade.

Oscar held it before the proctor and bowed. "Please judge this armament. I am certain it will live up to your expectations."

The proctor looked at the beautiful grade-one armament; even without holding it, he could feel its aura, unique to armaments created for Exalts. He stretched his hands out not to grip the sword but Oscar's hand and held it tightly, bringing it closer to his eyes.

Oscar's glove was charred and nearly burnt off, but the skin and flesh were not in serious condition. There were blisters and boils, but it was wholly intact and not melted off. It was one thing to use Ein to resist a fire-based spell to some extent but to touch the molten mixture of Ein materials was tantamount to self-harm.

The proctor was shocked and asked, "How the hell is your hand this fine? These boils and blisters are nothing compared to how you could have lost your hand. I won't fail you based on this, but make sure you are not being too reckless."

Oscar nodded. "I understand. I had some insurance in that regard."

At the crucial last moments of creating the formation, Oscar touched the molten material to feel it its heat and the swirling energies within it. Despite that, he came out nearly unharmed because of his new technique that became available thanks to his advancements in Adamasreis.

'Edureisclad'

During his time in Abyss Prison, Oscar progressed significantly to completing his hands, feet, and more up his limbs, thanks to Draven's spartan training. By focusing the Reis into his hand to invoke Adamasreis, Oscar hardened the transformed muscles, consolidating the power of Adamasreis into a protective layer beneath his skin.

This was like a touch block of metal that resisted the molten heat of the material long enough for Oscar to figure out the best spots to hit. He was lucky; any further and his hand would have taken more damage. Oscar lamented that he could not use his 'Steel Scales', but that would have rendered him unable to strike.

"If you say so." The proctor took the sword out of Oscar's hands, tapped it with his hammer, and poured him his Ein. "It's nice and sharp, but your formation needs work. It's passable as a grade one armament, but a stronger formation to bind it would have made it more durable in the long run."

The proctor swung the blade around; it whistled across the air as it sliced through its path. "Good balance and a good saber. Congratulations, you have passed your examination."

Oscar clenched his fists, reveling in the success.

"Here you are." The proctor gave Oscar a black badge with the mark of two gold-outlined hammers crossing each other. There was a single gold star on one hammer. "You are now a one-star fabricator. You are a part of the Fabricator's Guild. Congratulations."

"Thank you." Oscar smiled under his helmet. He gripped the badge, his fingers trembling from excitement. "I have some questions."

The proctor laughed. "Of course you do. Ask away; you are now one of us."

"I made a membership with the Fabricator Guild a while ago. Since I am now one of the members, what happens to that?" Oscar asked.

"Show me your membership badge." The proctor held out his hand.

Oscar took out the badge from one of the uniform's pockets, passing it to the fabricator.

"A bronze membership, and you were making progress on it. We can compensate you for the membership fees because you no longer require the badge. But if you have an Alchemist's Guild membership, you should keep that despite how squeamish those idiots are." The proctor gestured for Oscar to exit. "What other questions do you have?"

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Oscar followed the proctor outside. "What are the rules for accessing the facilities and creating armaments?"

The proctor explained, "I was about to get into that. As a one-star fabricator and a student, you must create six armaments per year for the Foundry. You can use your own materials or use the ones the Foundry can provide for you. Since you became one near the year's end, you can start contributing next year."

"Six? That doesn't sound too bad." Oscar sighed in relief.

"Most of our students aren't the best fighters, but they enjoy swinging their hammers, so they are limited in resources. There are a few gems who are gifted and great fighters. They knock out the six armaments like nothing and move on honing themselves and gathering materials." The proctor patted Oscar on the shoulder. "Is that all?"

"What about practice for refinement of materials or formation creation?" Oscar was like a neverending stream of questions, but the proctor understood. Anyone new here always had questions.

"We always appreciate students who refine materials for later use. The refinement hall is where you can go to keep refining. As for formation creation, you can go to the library here and read up on past formations used and the general knowledge for it."

Hearing of a library, Oscar smiled and was grateful for the new chance to read those books. "Thank you. I have no more questions."

The proctor laughed and said in a warm voice. "No need to be so shy. You are now one of us. Welcome to the Foundry."

Oscar returned to the room he was initially in and began to change out of his uniform. He was soaked in sweat from top to bottom but found no shower in this place, leaving him aggrieved that he had to walk back in this condition.

"I can understand the alchemist's hate in some ways. They are the epitome of cleanliness while the fabricators could care less." Oscar pulled back his sweat-drenched hair and let out a huff of air. The next moment, he couldn't stop chuckling to himself. "I did it. Master, I didn't fail."

Oscar looked in the direction of the large lake with a wide smile. He can picture his insane master giving him a thumbs up.

"Time to return. My priority for sure is a cold shower."

After a long strenuous exam, Oscar returned to his dorm with shaky legs and limped into the bathroom. After a long time, he finally emerged with the face of heavenly relief. Washing off all the sweat worked wonders for his body.

"Os!" Frederick barged into the room. His hair was ragged, and he was breathing heavily. "You're back! How was it?"

Oscar looked down at the floor, his face downcast.

Frederick saw this and stammered, trying to figure out what to say. "I'm sorry. It's just an examination, Os. You can try again later, but don't be too down."

"Pass…." Oscar murmured.

"What?" Frederick came closer.

"I passed!" Oscar laughed. "Did I get you good?"

"Bastard!" Frederick punched Oscar in the chest. "I was worried. So you're now a fabricator. Tell me about it after I finish washing up."

Frederick sprinted into the bathroom and came out in a hurry. "So what happened?"

Oscar explained everything that happened and how close he was to failing. He showed his burnt hand of blisters before he applied some medicine to it and bandaged them.

"Here." Oscar tossed over his black fabricator badge. "I can wear it on my uniform if I want to."

"It looks good." Frederick scrutinized the badge, turning it over and looking at it from different angles. "So my friend is now a one-star fabricator. Does that mean free armaments?"

"Double the price for friends since friends should show their grateful support," Oscar stated indifferently. "How was training with Emily?"

"She put me through the wringer." Frederick rubbed his sore arms. "Ever since we came back months ago, she's been much more enthusiastic in training with me. Though, I'm the one who bears the brunt of it."

Oscar smiled and downed a glass of water. "Emily must be really happy. You know she often expresses happiness by fighting or training."

"Hmmm. You're right about that." Frederick sighed. "We'll try for top spots in the next Grand Gathering in a few months. You said you were going to attend the Clash of Metal?"

"Not attend, but watch." Oscar sighed. "Master said he wants me to observe the real talents and prodigies of the Foundry. He's not wrong in saying that; after all, they probably have the most suited Animas."

Oscar plopped onto his bed. "My real priority right now is to enter the Inner Hall."

Frederick's eyes narrowed as he wore a serious expression. "Greater Apprentice Exalts can take the test, but can't you wait until you become an Elite Exalt?"

"Even then, I heard it's harder for lower grades to break through to a major realm. I might require far more to sustain my advancement to the Elite Exalt realm. I've been taking elixirs at a steady rate to make sure I don't ruin my foundation, but I haven't reached the point of advancement."

"You can just go on more missions." Frederick sighed. "But I understand. We are on that same boat, you and I. Then go for it. I'll see you in the Inner Hall later."

"Not now." Oscar chuckled. "That's for later. There's somewhere I have to go first."

"Where?"

…….

Weeks later, Oscar, Emily, and Frederick hopped off the airship, landing in Greenwich City.

"Your village is nearby?" Emily asked.

"Yea. I haven't seen my parents in a while. I should visit them more frequently." Oscar smiled.

"It's good we found a mission in this region." Frederick looked over the mission details.

Oscar led the other two down a dirt road. The city grew farther in the distance until the familiar sight of fields of grains entered into view. The grains swayed as if dancing to welcome them.

Oscar didn't see his parents outside and opened the door to his house.

"I'm back."

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