Chapter 314: A Hammer For All Seasons [Part 2]
"Wow," Alex muttered as he looked at the one-handed Warhammer laid on top of the table.
It looked similar to the hammer blacksmiths used in their craft, which was rather short to be wielded as a weapon.
Made from both Mithril and Adamantine, one side of the war hammer was silver white like moonlight, while the other was as dark as starless iron.
Both sides merged seamlessly down to the center, making it look like a weapon born from the union of good and evil.
"Go on. Touch it and apply some of your magical power through the handle," Magnus said with a smile.
Alex obeyed and grabbed the Warhammer with his right hand.
Immediately, runes glowed faintly within the surface of the hammer as if awakening from its slumber.
The handle of the Warhammer was only a foot long, and the hammerhead’s width and length were the same.
Finding his grip on the handle perfect, Alex was amazed. It was as if the weapon had become one with him.
With a mere thought, the handle extended up to two feet, with the hammerhead increasing its size to make it look more intimidating.
When Alex used his other hand to grip the handle, intending to use it as a two-handed weapon, the length of the handle extended up to three feet, and the hammerhead nearly doubled its size.
The runes continued to glow faintly as Holy Power emanated from the weapon in his hand.
This Warhammer was made specifically for the upcoming Dungeon Expedition, which would be hosted by the academy.
The monsters inside the dungeon were all Undead Monsters, making Alex’s Warhammer the perfect weapon to clear it.
"The handle of that Warhammer can extend up to five feet," Magnus stated. "It will instantly extend its length based on your thoughts and needs. It’s also imbued with Holy Magic, so it would be very effective against Undead and Demons.
"Of course, it also works well against humans and ordinary monsters. I put my back into making this weapon, and frankly, the end product surpassed my expectations!"
Alex nodded. The weapon also surpassed his expectations.
"Sir Magnus, what is the name of this weapon?" Alex asked. He couldn’t see the stats of the Warhammer at the moment, as if a condition wasn’t yet met.
"Sacrament," Magnus replied. "The name of that weapon is Sacrament."
As if waiting for that moment, a blue window screen appeared in front of Alex, showing the information about the Warhammer in his hands.
———
< Sacrament >
"Every strike is a prayer, every blow a solemn vow."
Item Grade: Unique
Type: Warhammer
Stats:
Attack Power (One Handed): 350 - 450
Attack Power (Two Handed): 450 -800
Magic Conduction: +150%
Active Skill: Crusader’s Smite
Passive Skill: Aura of Courage
Special Abilities:
Extending Shaft – The handle lengthens or shortens at will, granting versatile reach in combat. The Hammerhead also increases its size when wielded as a two-handed weapon.
Sanctified Core – Emits a faint holy radiance that weakens undead and demonic foes.
Oathbound Conduit – Increases the effectiveness of magic spells by 150% when cast through the weapon.
Note: Not a relic of gods, but a weapon sanctified by conviction. Its power grows not from the forge alone, but from the Will of its wielder.
———
< Crusader’s Smite >
"With a battle cry of conviction, you channel holy wrath into your strike."
Effect: The next attack deals +150% Attack Power as Holy Damage.
Bonus vs Undead/Demonic: Deals an additional +200% Holy Damage when fighting against Undead and Demons.
Secondary Effect: On hit against Undead and Demonic Creatures, creates a small shockwave of light (1-meter radius) that knocks back weaker enemies.
< Aura of Courage >
— You are immune to spells or other abilities that induce Fear, Madness, Terror, Weakness, and Confusion.
— This Aura extends up to ten meters from the wielder of Sacrament.
———
"A Unique Weapon!" Alex gasped in shock because a Unique Weapon was only a grade lower than the Legendary Grade.
(A/N: Item Ranking Grades: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Super Rare, Unique, Legendary, Divine. )
"Now you see how great I am?" Magnus crossed his arms over his chest and laughed out loud.
Alex couldn’t help but grin as he looked at the Warhammer in his hands.
A Unique Weapon. His very first one since coming to the world of Arcana.
"Thank you, Sir Magnus." Alex bowed deeply, his voice filled with sincerity. "This is more than I could have hoped for."
Magnus waved his hand as if brushing off Alex’s words, but the proud smile plastered on his face betrayed his satisfaction.
"Don’t thank me just yet, brat. That hammer will only show its true worth if you can master it. Sacrament isn’t just a lump of metal you swing around. It is also a newly born sentient weapon. If your heart wavers, so will its power."
Alex tightened his grip on the hammer’s handle, feeling the faint hum of holy energy resonating through his hand. "Then I’ll make sure my resolve never falters."
"Hah! That’s the spirit!" Magnus chuckled. "Put it to good use, and if it ever needs maintenance, you know where to find me."
Alex gave a firm nod.
His eyes remained fixed on the hammer, almost as if he were afraid it might disappear the moment he looked away.
He could already imagine how it would feel smashing through skeletal shields or burning through zombie hordes with radiant light.
"Go on then," Magnus said, motioning to the empty yard beyond the smithy. "Test it. Let Sacrament know who its wielder is."
Without hesitation, Alex stepped outside.
The sunlight glinted faintly across the silver-and-black hammerhead, the golden runes pulsing in quiet rhythm. He raised it high, exhaled, and willed the holy power inside to respond.
The air around him vibrated, and the runes shone brighter.
A faint, solemn warmth spread outward in a ten-meter radius, washing over the smithy yard like a protective embrace.
"Aura of Courage..." Alex whispered in awe. Even without enemies nearby, the oppressive heaviness of doubt, of fear, seemed to vanish.
Then, gripping Sacrament with both hands, he shouted from the depths of his chest—
"Crusader’s Smite!"
Holy light exploded along the hammerhead as Alex unleashed the attack at the magical dummy target at the center of the yard.
A sound similar to a thunderclap reached his ears as the hammer obliterated the magical dummy, shattering it to pieces.
Magnus let out a long whistle. "Heh. Guess I really outdid myself this time."
The dwarf looked at the magical dummy that was slowly re-assembling itself, returning to its original state.
Alex stood there, chest heaving, feeling the afterglow of power still pulsing in his hands.
Then and there, he knew Sacrament wasn’t just a weapon. It was a promise, a burden, and a strength he could never afford to misuse.
"...Perfect," Alex muttered, the corners of his lips curving upward.
While using the strength of his new weapon on the training dummy felt good, he was more eager to test it against a living, breathing human.
Fortunately, he and Prince Garen were scheduled to duel later in the afternoon. He couldn’t ask for a more perfect testing session for his Unique Weapon.
The Warhammer hummed faintly in his hand as if to prove its recognition of the young man as its one and only Master.
"That hammer will serve you well: rain, shine, or snow!" Magnus patted Alex’s waist. "It is a Hammer for all seasons!"
Alex shuddered after hearing the familiar term "Hammer for all seasons".
"That’s right," Alex said softly as the Hammer returned to its original state.
He’d asked Magnus to make him a hammer primarily to practice the martial skill, Hammer for All Seasons.
It was a legacy left to him by Kael during his Trial at the Heracle Mountain.
Although he hadn’t learned the Martial Skill as a reward, Alex believed that he could recreate it as soon as he possessed a suitable Warhammer that could withstand the burden of such a powerful martial technique.
When he synchronized with Kael, the dwarf’s knowledge had been passed over to him, allowing him to also understand how to forge weapons and armor like a blacksmith.
For the same reason, he had asked for his warhammer to be crafted like a dwarven smith’s. This would allow him to practice his smithing skills when the chance presented itself.
For now, Alex understood that he couldn’t rush things, especially learning how to forge.
He must first master the Martial Technique, Hammer for all Seasons, and rely on Magnus for any crafting commissions for the time being.