The crash awakened the village.

  Blacksmiths rushed outside, startled, still reeking of beer and smoke clinging to their clothes.

  From inside the workshop, a metallic creature emerged.

  It was no ordinary elemental.

  Its body was made of fused iron plates, creaking with every movement, and in its chest glowed a pulsating rune like an artificial heart.

  — What is that?! — shouted Pikonota, already raising her yakana, eyes sparkling with excitement.

  From the shadows, the apprentice appeared, panting, sweat dripping beneath his leather mask.

  — You don’t understand… Ferrolis needs a living weapon! Something to protect us from invaders!

  Meliora narrowed her eyes, her voice sharp as a blade.

  — You’re playing with forces you cannot control.

  Souta raised the spoon, irritated.

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  — It always falls on me…

  ---

  ### The Battle

  The monster advanced, crushing the ground with each step. The metallic sound echoed like thunder.

  Pikonota struck first.

  — Freezing Scythe!

  Ice covered the creature’s joints, slowing its movements, but the iron groaned, struggling to break free.

  Meliora lifted her hands, light radiating like a rising sun.

  — Solar Light!

  The rune on the monster’s chest shone in response, faltering for an instant, as if dueling against the brilliance.

  Souta sighed, weary.

  — Heavy work, as always.

  He raised the spoon, and a dark wave formed.

  — Swamp Spoon… Distortion of Laments!

  Darkness engulfed the creature. But this time, Souta did not destroy it.

  The spoon vibrated, draining the rune’s energy, absorbing the iron heart into itself.

  The monster groaned as if it had a soul, before collapsing into pieces.

  ---

  ### The Apprentice

  The apprentice fell to his knees, his voice trembling.

  — I only wanted… to protect Ferrolis…

  The master blacksmith approached, his expression stern.

  — Foolish boy. You nearly destroyed everything.

  Souta turned to leave, the spoon still pulsing in his hand.

  — I’m done. I want my payment.

  But the master blacksmith stopped him.

  — Take him with you. Here, he’ll only bring more trouble.

  Pikonota’s eyes widened, thrilled.

  — A new companion? This will be fun!

  Souta sighed deeply, exhausted.

  — No. This will be a headache.

  And so, against his will, Souta and his companions left Ferrolis accompanied by the masked apprentice — a living burden, carrying within himself the power to give life to iron.

  The spoon, in silence, vibrated one last time.