Abe the Wizard

Chapter 14 Master Bensum

The blacksmith shop was not located inside the castle but rather near the iron mine. Marshal Knight and Abbe rode in a carriage and reached the place in about twenty minutes.

From a distance, they could already hear the sound of hammers striking iron blocks. Following the sound, they saw a row of neatly built stone houses, each with a huge chimney on the roof. Among the six chimneys, four were emitting black smoke.

Seeing these stone houses, Abbe also realized the importance Marshal Knight placed on the blacksmith shop. The giant stones used in both the houses and the castle were transported from distant mountains, incurring significant expenses even before considering their inherent value.

"The master Bensum here is someone I invited from Harvest City. When you meet him, you must show him respect. His craftsmanship is the finest in Harvest City. If it weren't for his son growing up and him wanting to pass the business to his son, I wouldn't have been able to persuade master Bensum to come," Marshal Knight explained carefully to Abbe.

"Marshal, welcome to your arrival."

Standing at a towering 2 meters tall, with a robust build and a full beard, the fifty-something-year-old master Bensum had already come out to greet the lord's carriage as soon as he saw it, showing his respect with a nod.

Ignoring this, Marshal Knight returned the gesture with a smile and said to master Bensum, "Today I've brought a young man to be your apprentice."

Master Bensum turned his gaze to Abbe and asked with some hesitation, "Are you referring to this boy? Marshal, don't think I can't tell the difference between a young man and a child. This little guy is just a child, no more than 14 at most. You should know that learning forging here requires a strong apprentice, not an underage child."

Due to master Bensum's reception, many people in the vicinity gathered around.

"Master Bensum, this is my foster son, Abbe. He is an aspiring knight and needs to learn forging from you to strengthen his grasp on strength."

"The idea is good, but it won't work. I won't take him in. For a noble lad, forging is an extremely arduous task, and I don't believe a young aspiring knight of his age has the strength to wield a hammer," master Bensum stated seriously. "Abbe, in two more years, when you're 15 and have grown taller and stronger, if you still want to learn forging, I will teach you," he added patiently, acknowledging Abbe as Marshal Knight's foster son.

"How strong does one need to be to meet your requirements?" Abbe asked.

Seeing the determined look on Abbe's face, master Bensum said, "Come with me."

Marshal Knight led Abbe to follow master Bensum to the backyard of the stone houses, with the onlookers following along.

"How many do you think this kid can lift?"

"If he can lift one, that would be impressive."

"He's just an aspiring knight. I bet he can lift the second one."

"I bet he can only lift one."

"I bet he can lift two."

The voices of the crowd murmured and debated loudly.

Neither Marshal Knight nor Abbe paid any attention to these discussions as they followed master Bensum to the backyard. There, they saw a series of iron devices arranged from small to large, each consisting of a bar with iron weights attached at both ends.

Abbe found these devices familiar; they were similar to barbells, albeit much rougher than the ones he was accustomed to. Despite the differences in cultural background, the understanding of how to maximize strength was largely the same.

"These iron locks are what I use to train apprentices' strength. They range from 50 pounds for the smallest one to 400 pounds for the largest, increasing by 50 pounds from left to right," explained master Bensum, pointing to the devices on the ground.

"Garth, come over here," master Bensum called out to a burly man in the crowd, nearly as strong as the master himself.

"Master, I...I...I wasn't slacking off. I just finished dumping the slag," Garth stammered, sweat beading on his dark face due to nervousness.

The onlookers chuckled. Everyone knew Garth; he was a new apprentice that master Bensum had recently taken in due to his earnestness and diligence. Apprentices had to do a lot of hard labor, such as chopping wood every day at the blacksmith shop, and this work was unpaid.

In contrast, disciples were different. They could learn the master's skills first and receive a monthly wage matching their skills.

"Garth, I called you here to demonstrate to Abbe how to use the iron locks and let him understand the strength required to become a blacksmith," master Bensum praised his apprentice, appreciating Garth's honesty, hard work, and eagerness to serve Marshal Knight after the master grew old and frail.

"All right, master," Garth smiled innocently, rubbing his hands on his body and walking to the third iron lock. He then turned to Abbe and said, "Abbe, watch my actions closely."

With a loud shout, Garth effortlessly lifted the 150-pound iron lock from the ground and easily raised it over his head, making it seem as light as a straw.

"Good!" amidst the cheers of the onlookers, Garth dropped the iron lock onto the ground.

Glancing at master Bensum, who nodded at him, Garth continued to the fourth iron lock, effortlessly lifting the 200-pound weight. Next was the fifth iron lock, where Garth struggled a bit but still managed to raise it above his head.

At this point, everyone held their breath, watching as Garth approached the sixth iron lock, weighing 300 pounds. It was a difficult task for most people, let alone lifting it.

This time, instead of immediately lifting the lock, Garth stood in front of it with closed eyes, adjusting his breathing. After a while, he opened his eyes, let out a loud yell, and raised the 300-pound iron lock off the ground, his face turning red from exertion as veins popped on his neck.

As Garth eventually lifted the iron lock over his head, the onlookers erupted into cheers, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Garth, your strength has increased again. In a few more years, you will surpass me," master Bensum looked at Garth with satisfaction.

"I'm still far behind you," Garth blushed with embarrassment, scratching his head.

"Abbe, it's your turn," master Bensum said, looking at Abbe, expecting him to back down. However, Abbe had already walked up to the third iron lock without hesitation.

Having watched Garth's demonstration, Abbe had to admit that he was impressed by Garth's strength. However, the sheer lack of technique in lifting weights made him unable to accept it.

As a fitness coach, barbells were one of the most familiar pieces of equipment to him. With Garth's strength at 300 pounds, if Garth knew proper weightlifting techniques, he could lift 350 pounds. Moreover, Garth's posture had many errors, but his body was so strong that it didn't cause any harm. However, using such incorrect weightlifting methods for a long time would inevitably result in injury.

"Is he going to lift the 150-pound iron lock directly?"

"Oh my goodness, he definitely won't be able to lift it."

"Is he insane?"

The surrounding discussions echoed again, causing Abbe to furrow his brow. He didn't like being watched by others as if he were a circus act.

"Everyone, leave this place," master Bensum, seeing that Abbe didn't appreciate being watched by others, thought that he was embarrassed to show his inadequacy in front of the crowd, so he stepped forward to drive away the onlookers.

Seeing master Bensum getting angry, the crowd dispersed.

"Don't force yourself. Just do your best," master Bensum advised Abbe.