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Chapter 5.2

Author: Nitramy
last update Huling Na-update: 2025-09-17 02:27:31

Legacy 1.2

***

I don’t know why this victory left me empty.

Maybe it’s because I finally cashed the check my grandfather and Jaric asked me to.

Or because whatever it was that caused me to literally smack the darkness out of North Point’s Severino Palparan had run out, leaving me standing there looking like the conquering hero, when a slight breeze could push me over.

When my teammates and coaches rush the stage in embracing me in my triumph, that’s when I let go of the pretense: my arms finally start shaking, and my vision starts to sway.

“You stuck it, Max!”

“Knew you had it in you!”

“Way to knock that sumbitch out!”

As my coaches lift me into the air, I can’t help but laugh as I hear Jaric swearing.

Meanwhile, Miss Salve’s dabbing at the corner of her eyes, and I caught a bit of Dr. Harry looking calculating before he continues in the celebration of my victory.

Some distance away, my opponent looks just as relieved as I am… or is it him looking a bit lost, like everything that had
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  • The Ironsmith's Mandate   Chapter 5.2

    Legacy 1.2***I don’t know why this victory left me empty.Maybe it’s because I finally cashed the check my grandfather and Jaric asked me to.Or because whatever it was that caused me to literally smack the darkness out of North Point’s Severino Palparan had run out, leaving me standing there looking like the conquering hero, when a slight breeze could push me over.When my teammates and coaches rush the stage in embracing me in my triumph, that’s when I let go of the pretense: my arms finally start shaking, and my vision starts to sway.“You stuck it, Max!”“Knew you had it in you!”“Way to knock that sumbitch out!”As my coaches lift me into the air, I can’t help but laugh as I hear Jaric swearing.Meanwhile, Miss Salve’s dabbing at the corner of her eyes, and I caught a bit of Dr. Harry looking calculating before he continues in the celebration of my victory.Some distance away, my opponent looks just as relieved as I am… or is it him looking a bit lost, like everything that had

  • The Ironsmith's Mandate   Chapter 5.1

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  • The Ironsmith's Mandate   Chapter 4.6

    Perception 4.5***There were pictures of him, during his wedding to Grandmother.Which was why I was able to recognize him, even in a dream.This wasn’t the slow, dignified old man who had kept the town’s patrimony like a locked drawer in his voice, but quick-wristed and bright-eyed, with all the charisma of a hero straight out of legend.I know this, because he showed flashes of his legend even as he trained me into the ground to succeed him.For what purpose, I did not know.I saw him at the workshop, brushing his fingers against his tool boxes, plastic containers for screws, wrought-iron monsters that served as clamps, tables, assemblies… and the metal that he worked on after he had forged it in the furnace some distance away.They say that he closed down the furnace for good the day after I was born.He wore a cornflower blue shirt with the sleeves rolled to the shoulders, as was his wont when he was working with his hands, muscled arms rippling with strength even as he delicatel

  • The Ironsmith's Mandate   Chapter 4.5

    Perception 4.5***Contrary to popular belief, the fighter’s high doesn’t go away quickly.It leaves in waves, like you’re standing in knee-deep water on the beach and before you know it, you’re up to your neck in seawater thanks to the undertow.I was already in the waiting room with Dr. Harry running some after-match checks on me, and after handing me a bottle of water to chug, told me that they’d be at the second semifinal.After I gave a nod and left, it was like getting pulled into deeper water as the adrenaline rush rapidly wore off my system. As it did, I took notice of the gym’s waiting room.It smelled like clean work and honest fatigue: the sort of odor that tells a town you’ve earned your living in it.This wasn’t just the sweat of prize fighters: these were points, bragging rights, accomplishment. The row of white monobloc chairs lined up silently spoke of not just holding people: they held decisions, motivation, even power.The towel draped on my shoulders felt like a win

  • The Ironsmith's Mandate   Chapter 4.4

    Perception 4.4***I took a few two-handed practice swings right before the last match, right before taking a seat on the bench, with last-minute advice from Dr. Harry in my ear.Seems like my enthusiasm has rubbed off on my opponent.“Max, are you playing with your food?” Dr. Harry asked, his expression solemn as I’m still eyeing the ringer on the opposite side of the arena, a confident smile still plastered on my face. “You’ve lost your off-hand stick, and the way you’re holding that stick – you’ll be two-handing the rest of the match?”“Yes, sir.”I spared a glance back at Dr. Harry, his face was unnaturally serious. Well, more serious than when he’s normally serious.“Max. You are going to lose. You haven’t trained in two-handing as extensively.”“I’ll finish the match in two strikes,” I said, while still focusing on my opponent, the smile still on my face. “The strength of his arms are great. The strength of his will is not. Two strikes, and the match is mine.”I saw Dr. Harry’s e

  • The Ironsmith's Mandate   Chapter 4.3

    4.3 Perception***From there, everything seemed like a blur as we went from watching Jaric practice to making our way to the arena.I don’t know… for some reason or another, I was a lot more locked in than usual.Was it because of my birthday? Probably.Were there any other reasons? I could look into them, but right now, I’m looking Joachim Carlos dead in the eye, and the bout is about to start.If I had been my normal, introspective self, I would have seen him flinch when I sized him up.He has me beat in all statistical categories: he’s taller, longer reach, more experience… but when I saw him, he was acting like he was caught between a rock and a hard place.At that moment, everything in my peripheral vision turned to a gray haze: there was nothing in the world except me and my opponent.And as I saw his fear, my reflexes only sharpened as my body went to combat readiness.Gramps had told me once, during a hunting trip: “an animal fights harder when cornered; they have nothing to l

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