Chapter 34: Regina(1)
Regina was a 13-year-old Dwarf girl. Dwarfs Can live up to 80 years if they haven't started power leveling.
Regina grew up as an orphan. The girl did not know anything about her birth parents. She didn't even know whether she was abandoned or her parents had passed away. There is nothing poor about the dwarfs. Following the almost extinction of Dwarves in the past, they began to value their bloodline greatly, so they founded a national orphanage for those who were abandoned or, for whatever reason, became orphans.
Regina grew up safely and happily in the orphanage. As she started understanding things, her interest in smithing also started to awaken. Her favorite part in smithing was to create new metals by mixing different metals.
Regina has always been an outspoken girl. She never minced her words, so she wasn't exactly loved in the orphanage, but this didn't matter to her. She loved living in her own world.
Dwarves didn't discriminate on the basis of gender, so there wasn't any particular hate towards Regina. But, no matter how open-minded someone is, they can hear bad things about them once or twice, but not all the time.
Regina lived in the orphanage until she was six years old. She was even more obsessed with smithing than her orphanage teacher. Regina was a genius in the orphanage when it comes to smithing. She failed every single test the orphanage conducted other than smithing, and when it came to smithing she always got perfect scores.
Regina wanted to find a Blacksmith teacher, whom she can ask for an apprenticeship, as she wasn't impressed with the teacher she got in the orphanage. She didn't have to wait for long, as the orphanage announced a smithing competition. The winner of the competition will earn the apprenticeship of one of the major Dwarf blacksmiths. The orphanage didn't announce the name of the blacksmith, as they themselves didn't know, and they wanted it to be only known when the competition ended.
Regina also applied for the competition, as she was the best in the orphanage, and she couldn't stand her teacher anymore.
Khandi was one of the known names of Nehan, where even children knew his name. He was one of the best when it came to smithing. He became the most famous because he was the creator of denwu, the device that changed the communication system of Nehan.
He organized the competition for orphans. Whosoever will win, he will take him/her as his apprentice.
Khandi was one of the strongest when it came to power level. He was a peak Level 3 being. He was also one of the best blacksmiths in Nehan. He could take anybody as his apprentice if he announces, people from all over the world will come to be his apprentice.
But, he chose an orphanage because he wanted someone who can inherit his legacy and become even a greater blacksmith than him without taking help from anyone and achieving everything on their own. He was a Dwarf himself, so he wanted a Dwarf to carry forward his legacy.
Where could he find someone without any family background other than an orphanage that's why he chose the orphanage for the competition and didn't tell them his name. If he told them, he was sure that everyone would know, and then people from all sides would join the competition.
Regina participated in the competition, and she easily won it. The competition was difficult, but not for her. You had to create a new metal from mixing other metals in two tries. The new metal should be better in every area than each metal used in the mixing. This competition judged the knowledge and precision of the participant. It was Regina's favorite thing to do, so she easily won.
She won the competition at the age of six years. Ten years old also participated in the competition. At 11 years of age, Dwarves will be considered an adult.
The announcer of the winner got stunned when he saw the name of Khandi as the blacksmith. From that day, Regina became a household name in Kajiya.
Regina became Khandi's apprentice and started learning smithing from one of the best blacksmiths ever to be born in Nehan. She had no idea who Khandi was. Neither Khandi told her and nor she tried to communicate with the outer world. She only came to know about it in the future when Khandi told her.
As months passed, Khandi started treating Regina as a family rather than an apprentice. Khandi was absorbed too much in smithing, so he never married, and that's why he never had a family after his parent's death.
Regina was very talented when it came to metallurgy and smithing. She has the capability to become the best blacksmith to ever be born in Nehan. Even Khandi was awed by her talent. Khandi started treating Regina like his daughter, as he had found a gem. Regina also had the utmost respect and devotion for Khandi.
Khandi was very pleased with Regina's efforts. He decided to take a big step.
"Is your practice for today done?" Khandi asked Regina, smiling after she came outside from the furnace room.
"No, I just wanted to drink water that's why I came out," Regina answered, and went toward the direction water was stored.
"Are you content with the way things are going on after you got an apprenticeship," Khandi suddenly asked?
Regina was confused by the sudden question. She stopped in her steps, turned around, and asked, "Did something happen? why are you suddenly asking this?"
"As you know, I live alone and have no family," Khandi said. Regina nodded in response.
"I have been thinking about this for a month now. What would you think if I adopt you legally as my daughter?" He suddenly asked.
Regina's jaw fell hearing the sudden question. Even in her dreams, she never expected this question. Khandi also expected this response from her.
To not put pressure on her, he said, "I am fine with whatever you decide. You are already my disciple, so whether you become my daughter or not, you still will carry my legacy."
After thinking for some time Regina nodded. It was the first time when something trumped smithing in her mind. Khandi was very pleased with Regina's response.
That day, the whole Kajiya was adorned to celebrate Regina's adoption.
Regina and Khandi were very happy with each other. Regina was talented and hardworking. Khandi never had any problems with her. Regina also never had any problems with Khandi since Khandi never forced her to do anything. Their life was going great until the day Khandi returned home while being injured. Regina was shocked to see Khandi in such a state, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. She couldn't stop herself from crying.
Khandi was a Peak Level 3 being, so his body would heal faster than others, But as Days passed, Khandi started looking weaker and weaker instead of getting better. Regina had no idea what was happening. Her heart would break every time she saw a weak Khandi. He has always been very strong in her eyes. Regina even stopped practicing smithing after the day Khandi returned home injured.
Khandi didn't allow Regina to call the healers. Regina had no idea of what she should do.
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