"Lord Carlos, what exactly is it that you wish to show me?"
"Patience, patience! Just take a look!"
In the back of the workshop, Marcos had followed Carlos to the practice area they had visited the previous day. He called out to the blacksmith, who was currently busy tinkering with the equipment shelves.
While Elena chided him with a small smile, Carlos suddenly stopped his frantic clattering against the shelves.
"Alright, that should do it. It’s opening."
"Opening? What do you—!?"
With a heavy metallic thud, the equipment shelves slid apart, retracting to the left and right.
Marcos realized there was a hidden compartment concealed behind the massive array of equipment. When he saw what was housed within that secret space, he caught his breath.
"How is it, Marcos? This is what I wanted to show you."
It was a hidden vault that only opened through a specific sequence of movements. Inside stood a spear.
The weapon was exceptionally long and thick, resembling a lance intended for a mounted knight, yet it possessed a singular elegance and beauty. From the silver shaft extending from the head to the vamplate protecting the grip, and all the way down to the butt spike, the entire weapon gleamed with a brilliant silver luster. It looked less like a weapon and more like a masterpiece of fine art.
However, a palpable sense of power radiated from the meticulously crafted spear. Just looking at it sent a thrill through Marcos's soul.
"It is... beautiful, yet so formidable. I never imagined I would lay eyes on such a magnificent piece!"
"Impressive, right? It’s Dad’s absolute pride and joy!"
Marcos had no intention of disparaging his own pride, the Giga Scissors, but he couldn't think of a single armament that could compare to the spear Carlos had produced.
Swallowing hard, Marcos wondered if this weapon might even surpass the famous katana, Ryuo-ga. He took a deep breath before turning to Carlos.
"You have shown me something truly magnificent. This alone will be more than enough of a story to bring home to my parents and grandfather. If you would permit it, I would like to know the name of this spear."
"It doesn't have a name yet. Elena called it a masterpiece, but... the truth is, it’s still unfinished."
Carlos stroked the length of the spear, which already seemed to possess a level of perfection beyond reproach, and gestured for Marcos to try holding it.
Though surprised, Marcos reached out with a trembling hand. As he slowly lifted the heavy weapon, a gasp of genuine admiration escaped his lips.
"It is heavy... and yet, it feels light. It strikes an exquisite balance between maneuverability and destructive power."
"The finished piece will be a bit heavier. It’ll end up being roughly the same weight as that training load I had you lift earlier."
As Carlos spoke, Marcos gently returned the spear to its pedestal. While he stared at his right hand—the hand that had just gripped a weapon that could only be described as a work of genius—Carlos continued his explanation.
"I’ve been crafting this spear bit by bit ever since the day Elena was born. It’s the culmination of everything I know. Once I add a material harvested from a certain monster, it will finally be complete as a Magic Item."
"Do you have a way to secure that material?"
"Yeah! Poruru should be getting his hands on it soon. He’s almost an adult, you see. Once a Golden Cancer matures, it proves its adulthood by hunting a specific type of monster. That monster happens to be the one that carries the material necessary to finish this spear."
"In other words, the completion of this weapon rests entirely on Poruru’s shoulders. That is a heavy responsibility, indeed."
"Kani! Kani-kani! Ka~ni~!!"
When Marcos offered those words with a smile, Poruru responded by throwing a flurry of shadow-boxing punches, looking more motivated than ever. He seemed to be declaring that he wasn't the least bit intimidated by the task.
"Hehe! Poruru is fired up! You can really see his determination to get the job done!"
"Between that motivation and the fact that his new carapace will grow even sturdier because he molted after a period of intense stress, he should be able to take down a real big one. If he does, the material will be top-grade. The spear’s performance will skyrocket accordingly."
"Good luck, Poruru. I won't be on the island by then, but I'll be rooting for you from afar."
"Kani!!"
Since he had only just molted, Poruru's shell was still soft and unfinished. Attempting the Rite of Adulthood now would be reckless. It was better to wait until his carapace matured to a hardness far exceeding his previous state before he sought out his prey.
Unfortunately, by that time, the school trip would be over and the group would have returned to Luminous Academy. Marcos wouldn't be able to witness Poruru's trial in person.
Even so, as Poruru nodded deeply in response to his friend’s encouragement, Carlos spoke up again.
"Marcos... Truth be told, there’s one more thing needed to complete this spear besides the material. I was hoping you’d cooperate with me on that part."
"Me? Of course. It would be an honor beyond words to assist in the creation of a Magic Item destined to be a legendary spear. I, Marcos Borg, shall assist you in whatever way I can."
"Is that so? Well, that’s a relief."
Marcos gave his consent without a second thought, assuming there was some technical or physical assistance Carlos required. Carlos nodded firmly at the response, looked Marcos straight in the eye, and made his declaration.
"Marcos... I want you to be the one to wield this spear."