Danmachi: Hephaestus is my Wife

The skill "Quick Slash LV1," an active ability, was activated as soon as I said its name. When I activated it, my arm moved automatically.

I swung the sword toward the dummy at an unbelievable speed. It was so fast that I even felt pain in my arm.

'This skill is only at level one!?'

It doesn't make sense. It's too powerful.

What's the maximum level of this skill? Can I improve it?

"Hey, what was that?" Mikari, who had been watching, rushed over. "Why was your movement so fast? I couldn't follow it with my eyes, and that doesn't make sense! Don't tell me it's because of the sword?"

"That's right."

Mikari's eyes sparkled. "Can I try it? Please?"

"Go ahead." I handed her the sword, and as she held it, she inspected the blade.

"I don't get it. The blade changed suddenly when you finished forging it. What kind of trick did you use?"

"It's a secret."

"Urgh! Now I'm dying of curiosity! So, how do I do it?"

Mikari swung the sword at the training dummy. Her movement was fast, but not as fast as mine. She didn't activate the "Quick Slash" ability embedded in the sword.

"What? Why didn't it work? This is just my normal speed. Hey, tell me how it works!"

"Give it to me." I took the sword back and got ready. "As soon as you swing it, try saying the words 'Quick Slash.'" I demonstrated again, swinging the sword at a terrifying speed.

But then…

"Urgh!" I suddenly felt exhausted. It was a weariness accompanied by a slight headache. What's happening? Is it because I used too much magic? So, the sword's skill consumes magic?

I should have suspected.

I'm a total failure. Just using this skill twice was enough to wear me out!

"Hey, are you okay? Want a glass of water?"

"I'm fine. Just do as I said."

"Alright." Mikari took the sword and prepared to attack.

As before, her posture was flawless. Even though I don't know much about swordsmanship... I can tell she's 1,000% better than me. Then, Mikari swung the sword and said, "Quick Slash."

SWOOSHH~~

The sword sliced the training dummy in half at a terrifying speed, creating a massive shockwave that sent the other dummies flying, crashing to the ground.

I stared, stunned, for several seconds.

That attack was terrifying.

But at the same time, it was incredible.

I want to reach this level. No! I want to surpass this level!

"That was amazing! How is this possible? What did you do? What are you? My movement was so fast that my arm is in pain now," Mikari said, her eyes sparkling and with a broad smile.

"..."

"After testing this sword, I've concluded… I don't need to train you! I need to talk to Hephaestus about this sword right now. We need to make better use of your talent!"

"Hey, you're exaggerating. It's just a mid-tier sword. It's not as good as the ones made by other Familia members."

"Are you kidding me? This sword is better than most of the ones I've used

forged by level two blacksmiths!"

"Are you serious?"

"Of course I am. Are you really level one? Has Hephaestus been hiding your talent all this time?"

"Obviously not. Maybe I had some hidden talent I didn't know about."

"...Suspicious. Very suspicious."

"..."

"Whatever. I need to show this sword to Hephaestus. I'll be back. Keep forging."

"You're really leaving just to show her the sword? You don't need to do that now; she'll be back tonight."

"Oh, right. Fine, then. Keep forging—I'll watch." Mikari gently set the refined-rank sword aside, and I resumed my training.

####

I followed the same process, feeling extremely hopeful since I had forged two refined-rank swords. As I began polishing and sharpening the blade, excitement bubbled within me.

'Could this be another refined-rank sword? Maybe even a rare-rank sword!' With a smile, I finished the process and waited for the sword's appearance to change.

But even after several seconds, nothing happened.

"Hm? Something's wrong. Is the blade warped and damaged?" Cold sweat ran down my back as I inspected the sword.

Then, a system message appeared.

[You have forged a "Failure"]

When I read the word "Failure" in the system window, my heart stopped momentarily. "How could I be this unlucky?"

'2% chance of failure… and I failed.'

Well... From the next rank onward, forging a failure will be impossible. I'll have a 100% chance to forge a common or better sword.

When Mikari saw the sword in my hand, she barely managed to contain her laughter.

"Pfft… What is that? You just forged that amazing sword earlier, and now you made this trash?"

"Don't say anything—I'm not in the mood." I tossed the damaged sword aside and prepared to forge the next one.

I'm not leaving here until I forge at least another refined-rank sword.

####

Read more chapters on my patr eon: patr eon.com/parodygirl

I posted the first chapter of 1500+ words today on patr eon. From chapter 26, all chapters will be 1500+ words.

Next chapters: Chapter 16 - Was Hephaestus hiding your talent? / Chapter 17 - I'll explain everything later. / Chapter 18 - Capacity to evolve infinitely. / Chapter 19 - Rare Rank Sword. / Chapter 20 - It consumes a lot of magic. / Chapter 21 - Babel. / Chapter 22 - Adaptation. / Chapter 23 - It's frustrating. / Chapter 24 - Rank G. New probabilities. / Chapter 25 - Excited to explore the dungeon. / Chapter 26 - A mission?