Time passed, and night fell in the blink of an eye.
Having finished a day of testing, Lynn walked out of the Dungeon carrying a bag of magic stones.
After exchanging all the magic stones for money at the front desk, Lynn did not immediately return to the Hestia Familia but took a detour to the Hephaestus Familia.
Due to the War Game, Lynn was somewhat of a celebrity within the Hephaestus Familia.
Coupled with the good relationship between Hestia and Hephaestus, he quickly met Hephaestus with the help of the gatekeeper.
"Long time no see, Lynn."
Looking at Lynn who walked in through the door, Hephaestus took the initiative to greet him.
"I heard from Hestia you've been busy renovating your restaurant lately. What brings you here?"
"I want to change my weapon."
Lynn handed over the weapon in his hand.
"This... is quite severely damaged."
Hephaestus drew the knife from its sheath, examining it carefully from top to bottom.
"Didn't you ask someone to help maintain it?"
"I did have it maintained. I just got this knife back from the Gubnio Familia yesterday."
"Yesterday? Then how did it get this damaged?"
"My magic did it."
Lynn did not hide anything and briefly recounted the magic he had recently awakened.
"An electricity-attribute addition magic... That explains it. Addition-type magic places quite high demands on equipment."
Hephaestus suddenly understood after listening.
When addition-type magic covers equipment, powerful magic power often puts pressure on the gear.
And the lightning attribute of the 'Furious Ostrich Shirt' (one of the Seven Supremes), the pressure that the lightning-attribute addition magic exerts on the weapon is even greater than other types of addition magic.
When Lynn used Current Propulsion for the first time, his control over the magic was not precise, coupled with the weapon's inherently insufficient quality.
With all these factors combined, it was no wonder the blade was damaged this badly.
"I more or less understand your situation, so are you here to order a custom weapon?"
"Mm."
"No problem. Tell me your requirements."
Hephaestus took out paper and a pen.
"I want a weapon that can grow."
"Hm?"
Hephaestus's fingers paused.
Did she mishear?
"Lynn, what did you just say?"
"I want a weapon that can grow."
Lynn looked at the Goddess before him. "Since mortals in this realm can grow stronger through a blessing, shouldn't weapons be able to do something similar?"
"As the Goddess presiding over forging, I want you to personally forge a weapon suitable for lightning-attribute addition magic that can also grow."
"Give it up. You can't afford it."
After confirming she hadn't misheard, Hephaestus stated the reality without reservation.
Gods are sacred and noble.
Even if restricted by rules and unable to use divine power or abilities, Gods remain powerful.
Soma, the God of Wine, could brew divine liquor that only LV2 individuals could withstand using ordinary materials.
Take-Mikazuchi, the God of War, could hold back an LV5 with the physical capabilities of an ordinary person.
And Hephaestus, as the Divine Artisan of the Heavens, was equally transcendent in the field of forging.
To ask her to help forge equipment, the mere service fee started in the nine figures.
Considering Lynn's request, the weapon's cost might even exceed ten figures.
"Although your idea is very creative, your financial means cannot support this creativity."
"The Hestia Familia has only just gotten on track, and you are only LV1. There's no need to pursue such a good weapon too early."
After analyzing the pros and cons, Hephaestus took out a blueprint from a drawer.
"Compared to a growing weapon, I recommend you drop the growing feature and order a Level Two weapon instead."
"Using Mithril and Lightning Pattern Fluid as materials, a Level Two weapon forged from them will be enough for you to use until LV3 or even LV4."
"By then, the Hestia Familia should also be on the right track, and you can afford to design a better Level One weapon."
"That's very sound advice."
Lynn nodded after listening. "But I still want an upgradeable weapon."
Hephaestus was a bit speechless. "Why are you so fixated on that upgradeable trait?"
"Remove that condition, and even forging a Level One weapon wouldn't be so expensive."
"You're right, but an upgradeable weapon is unique. It just sounds cool."
"... Just for that?"
"There are actually some other reasons, but those aren't important."
Being strong is a matter of one version, but being cool is a matter for a lifetime.
Looking at the Goddess before him who seemed hesitant to speak, Lynn paused and added.
"Don't worry about the price. Give me some time, and I can gather the money."
Huh? Is that true?
"You're not thinking of selling off all the assets of the Soma Familia, are you?"
"Not exactly. Even if I did sell everything, I couldn't gather a billion."
Hiss~ Is it really true?
Hephaestus was somewhat confused.
Without liquidating the Soma Familia's assets, where would Lynn gather such a huge sum of money?
Looking at the handsome face of the young man, she fell silent for a moment, then suddenly coughed.
"Lynn, maintain your integrity."
"If you play too big, Hestia will get angry."
"What are you thinking?"
Sensing Hephaestus's underlying meaning, Lynn rolled his eyes at her.
"I plan to open a training class to earn money."
"A training class?"
"Yes, a Ripple training class."
Lynn snapped his fingers, and faint Ripple energy rose from his body, emanating rich vitality.
"This is a special breathing technique I have mastered. When trained to the limit, it possesses numerous effects such as longevity, physical strengthening, and rapid wound healing."
"As soon as I spread the news about opening a training class, people will line up to sign up before long. A mere billion in funds will be easily obtained."
Is he serious?
Sensing the sincerity in Lynn's words, Hephaestus was truly stunned this time.
"Lynn, do you perhaps lack a concept of what a billion means?"
"Even if you spread the Ripple technique, no one would pay that much to learn it."
"Who said that? This morning, Aiz from the Loki Familia paid up—and she paid 43.99 million!"
"... Someone like the Sword Princess is an exception."
Hephaestus rubbed her forehead.
Hearing that specific number with zeros and non-zeros, she could guess Aiz's situation.
That slightly dense girl probably attributed all of Lynn's power to the breathing technique, which is why she paid her entire fortune to become his disciple.
Any normal person wouldn't pay that much money to learn Ripple.
"Goddess Hephaestus, are you interested in signing up for your own Familia?"
"If you agree to waive the fee for me, I can guarantee I'll only teach Ripple to Aiz and the Hephaestus Familia."
"I regret to inform you, but I am not interested in Ripple. You should find another Familia to scam..."
"Ripple can be applied to forging."
"Hm?"
Hephaestus's voice stopped abruptly.
"What do you mean, applying it to forging?"
"After learning Ripple, one can generate Ripple energy through breathing to attack."
"But in reality, Ripple energy can be used in daily life besides combat."
Lynn placed his palm on a nearby chair, and Ripple energy flowed out from his palm.
The next second, the leg of the chair was struck, collapsing silently.
"As you can see, Ripple energy can be conducted through objects to strike other targets."
"If this power is used in forging, it might cause a unique chemical reaction."
"If luck is on our side, perhaps an unprecedented, unknown weapon might appear."
"..."
Hephaestus was intensely moved.
As the Divine Artisan of the Heavens, she loved the moments when children from the lower world created miracles.
If someone could forge an unprecedented, unknown weapon using Ripple...
"Deal."
Looking at the black-haired youth before her, Hephaestus took a deep breath and made a decision.
"Your custom weapon is free."
"A pleasure working with you, Goddess Hephaestus."
Lynn showed a delighted smile.
Not bad luck; he successfully scammed... earned money!
...