"Chasing a goal with the wrong method is like climbing a tree to catch a fish." Effort misdirected guarantees failure.
In Teyvat, where the world's very fabric differed, seeking forging breakthroughs with otherworldly methods was like fishing in trees or marking a boat to find a lost sword.
The world's differences humbled the cocky transmigrator. Some of his knowledge worked; some didn't. Teyvat's rules reigned supreme.
Luckily, Reisen Riou wasn't stubborn. Realizing his current knowledge couldn't craft fine weapons (2-star), he shelved the goal, trained daily, and awaited Raiden Ei, Inazuma's forging deity.
Only she could mass-produce divine artifacts (5-star). Though, rumors said Liyue's Geo Archon and his vassal, the Geo Dragon King Azhdaha, could churn out divine gear with ease too.
Her Electro Five Traditions—five families, five forging schools—boasted masters (Forging LV6) who could mass-craft exceptional weapons (3-star) and, with billets and blueprints, epic ones (4-star, like Katsuragikiri Nagamasa, forged without a billet but stabilized via reforging—great special effects, by the way).
For crafting and cooking, the system's remnant evaluation had clear tiers.
For smiths:
LV1 Novice (Apprentice): Farm tools only. LV2 Standard: 1-star weapons; most village and town smiths. LV3 Fine: Occasional 2-star weapons; some village and small-city smiths. LV4 Fine: Stable 2-star, occasional 3-star; most small-city and some big-city smiths. LV5 Master: Likely 3-star; supplies regional forces like the Shogunate or Mondstadt's Knights. LV6 Master: Stable 3-star, 4-star with billets and blueprints. LV7 Exceptional: 4-star without billets. LV8 Exceptional: Unknown. LV9 Divine: Recast damaged divine artifacts. LV10 Divine: Forge divine artifacts outright.
…
Raiden Ei returned to Ritou, her presence a storm of thunderous pressure.
First, she checked Anko Kanno, now in secondary growth. Muscle and bone density had surged. Raiden Ei taught her more non-elemental martial mysteries, generous for a mentor.
Then, she turned to Reisen Riou's forging.
"Show me your skill," she said.
"Yes!" Reisen Riou stuck to Forging Basics, avoiding flashy tricks, and crafted a Worn Blade.
"Showy techniques, lots of flair without substance… but it doesn't hurt," Raiden Ei said, expressionless.
Reisen Riou nodded, speechless. Even playing it straight, she saw through him.
"Your issue's in your heart," she said.
"Heart?" He frowned, catching her drift.
"You're diligent, but it's like you're experimenting, not forging with intent."
"I'll adjust my mindset," he said, taking a deep breath.
He'd hit this wall in archery. It was familiar.
Eyes dilated, an aura flared. He pushed his image-data analysis to the background, aiding but not leading.
This was idealism's moment.
Under the hammer, a gleaming katana took shape. Quenching, fitting the hilt and guard, wrapping the grip—all flowed seamlessly.
As it finished, the blade's details flashed in his mind:
Unnamed Inazuma Katana
Type: Katana (One-Handed Sword)
Rank: 2-star
Level: LV20
Materials: Iron Ore, White Iron Ore, Amethyst Ore, trace Geo Archon power (Mora), trace low-grade ore memory (Mixed Refinement Ore).
"Not bad," Raiden Ei said, leaving a book and vanishing.
Reisen Riou's mouth twitched. He named the blade Silverlight Maru.
It was adapted from Forging Basics' Silver Sword blueprint. (Mihoyo's lazy—no low-star Inazuma weapons, so I had to improvise.)
No rush for Raiden Ei's book. He grabbed blank paper, detailing Silverlight Maru's specs, materials, and forging method.
The key? Heart.
He didn't know the heart for higher-tier weapons, but for 2-star, it was a mental state blending ore energy and Mora's divine power, boosting attacks beyond raw materials.
The boost was tiny, nearly negligible—why he'd missed it before.
He shook his aching hand, glancing at his panel: Forging LV3 (8.2/100). Decent. He'd fully digested Forging Basics.
He picked up Raiden Ei's book—Forging Details, Part One. It detailed Inazuma-specific 2-star weapons: Foot Soldier's Kama Lance, Lesser Samurai Katana, Lesser Samurai Nodachi, plus some 3-star blueprints and methods.
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Want to read ahead? Early chapters on: patreon.com/ShadowKage