A Waste of Time

Chapter 37: Stagnant Tide

Holy shit! Ippo’s training is really starting to show results. Daemon swung the Hammer once more before setting it gently on the worktable. The sweat on his brow wasn’t from strain—it was from excitement. I don’t feel like a complete noob anymore. But the ones that feel natural in my hands are still the Sword and the Axe. I should get Nie Leixu’s advice about the Hammer.

He flexed his shoulders, rolling out the phantom ache of six limbs reduced back to two as Asura’s Buff faded. His single head bobbed when he caught Nie Leixu’s curious stare.

“I don’t see any problem with your craftsmanship. The balance, the edge, the grip—perfect,” Daemon said, tapping the Hammer’s wrapped handle. "But I need lessons. I don’t know how to swing a Hammer properly."

The old Blacksmith blinked. Then he laughed—a deep belly-laugh that rang off Steel walls still warm from the forge. His ego, dented by losing to Da Wei’s brat, puffed up again at the thought.

“You’re serious?” Nie Leixu asked, scratching at his beard with disbelief.

“Why would I joke about something like that?” Daemon tilted his head, eyes wide and almost innocent. "Is there a problem?"

The old man squinted at him, then barked a short laugh. "No problem. Just don’t whine when I break your back putting you through my drills."

"Your shop, your rules." Daemon shrugged. He tossed the Hammer onto the table with the rest of the weapons—Sword, Axe, Blade, Spear, Shield—then raised his arms for Jia to pull his shirt back on.

She obliged, smoothing the cloth over his shoulders, her fingers lingering a second longer than necessary.

Behind them, Nie Leixu was already scheming—imagining the cruelest lessons he could cram into a single day.

Jia unfastened the Space-Pouch at her hip. One by one, she made the weapons vanish—Sword, Axe, Spear, Blade, Hammer, Shield—gone into silk and runes. Nie Leixu’s six sons watched with dull envy, not daring to drool openly at her curves as she worked.

Daemon lifted a hand in casual farewell. "See you tomorrow, old man. Be ready."

Nie Leixu raised a calloused hand in return, that grin still splitting his bearded face. "Be ready yourself, brat."

They left the Smithy behind. Sunlight and stray embers flickered like heat haze in the warm afternoon air. Back at camp, Daemon caught sight of Mei running up, cheeks puffed with indignation.

“You’re finally back!” she huffed. “Your twin brother is a complete jerk. What’s his problem?”

Daemon nearly reached out to pinch her cheek, but Jia beat him to it. She seized both of Mei’s plump cheeks in her hands, smushing them until the girl squeaked.

“Too cute,” Jia cooed.

“L-let go!” Mei slapped at her wrists, only to find herself scooped up in a twirling hug that left them both dizzy.

When her feet touched ground, Mei glared half-heartedly. Then she giggled, leaning into Jia’s side as they stumbled back to the firelight.

Daemon settled at the head of the table. He whistled low at the spread—bowls brimming with meat and broth, plates piled with dumplings, steamed greens, and pickled roots. A proper feast.

“Everyone, sit. Eat,” he ordered, voice soft but final.

Xia hovered at the edge, hands wringing her apron. But Daemon caught her eyes and smiled, nodding to an empty seat.

“Ms. Xia. Please join us. It’d be my honor.”

She sat—spine straightening under the unexpected kindness. Even Mei stopped pouting long enough to beam at her.

“What about Ippo?” Mei piped up. "He’s been training non-stop since you left."

Jia ruffled her hair. "Little Mei, that boy has been like that since the day before yesterday."

Mei’s eyes widened comically. "Impossible!" she squeaked, shaking her head so hard her pigtails slapped her cheeks.

Jia only laughed, hugging her close. "You’ll understand more soon. Stick with me—I’ll teach you all you want to know."

Mei peeked over at Daemon. Her lips pursed when she caught Xia sitting taller, shoulders back, chest out like she suddenly remembered she was a woman and not just a cook.

Hmph! When will I grow like that? Mei glared at her own chest, then at Daemon, then back at Xia—plotting.

Dinner finished in warmth and chatter. When the last bowl was scraped clean, Daemon lifted his cup in salute. "Thank you, Ms. Xia. Perfect meal. Ru will help with anything you need. Rely on him."

The woman bowed her head, hiding a shy smile. When she straightened, something bright flickered behind her eyes—a pride she’d not felt in years.

As they cleaned up, Daemon leaned back with his tea, watching Ippo in the clearing by the camp. The Spear spun in his brother’s grip, blurring under the afternoon sun.

Good, Daemon thought, draining his cup. Time to see what the dice roll gave me tonight.

He stood, slipped into the tent, and left the warm glow of sunlight behind him.

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