Ulfgar was the Academy's best blacksmith. His skill in the forge was so great, some would call him a legendary craftsman. His work across the academy was so sought after, that some projects had a month long waiting period before they were finished and handed to the commissioner. So it was rare for him to suddenly drop everything and work on another project he just received.
Only two people had the privilege to receive this level of dedication from him. One of them being his mentor, the one who taught him how to forge and craft. The other was Sophia, the one who saved his life.
He would never forget the day he met the young dragon. It was a normal day in the dwarven kingdom. The kingdom was underneath a mountain range and Ulfgar lived here his whole life. Ulfgar was working on a project for a fellow dwarf when the kingdom was attacked from the inside. Someone betrayed them and allowed terrorists to explode the support pillars of the kingdom causing the mountain range to collapse on top of everyone. Some were lucky and died immediately by being crushed under the weight while others were buried alive. Ulfgar was one such person.
Coughing and wheezing he tried to get his bearings but it wasn't easy considering he couldn't see anything. Something moved up ahead and managed to reach him by digging out the rocks around him. This small child used her tail to grab and drag him out of the collapsed mountain. After what seemed like hours, they made it to the surface where the other survivors were and saw this little girl no more than ten who saved his life.
She couldn't be no more than ten. Her dress was red and covered in dirt while her red hair was covered in soot.
He asked her, "Why did you save my life?"
Her tears were falling down her face as she answered him. "Mommy and daddy came here to ask something important for you. But mommy and daddy aren't here anymore. But you were important to them. So I…" Her voice hiccuped as her sobs turned into cries as she collapsed onto her knees and her tears flowed down her face. Her tears cleaned up some of the soot that was on her face.
Ulfgar moved and held her tight as she cried onto his chest. Eventually she collapsed entirely and fell asleep in his arms with tears still on her cheeks. Ulfgar moved his hand and wiped the tears off of her face. He knew immediately what he had to do. He may not know this girl but she saved his life and pulled him out of a collapsed mountain. She just lost her family, so he would raise her as his own. He moved to Maverick Academy and taught her how to craft and forge. He taught her how to take care of herself and spoiled her to no end. But no matter what he did and how well he took care of her, he couldn't get rid of the darkness in her heart. She had nightmares of the day she lost her family. The nightmares were so frequent that she became an insomniac. She barely slept and frequently snuck out. The next day she brought materials for Ulfgar to craft and forge with.
When he asked her, "Where did you get these?"
She responded with, "I need to grow stronger and these will help you. You have done so much for me, it's only fair if I repay the favor."
Over the years, she grew cold and distanced herself from others. She lost her parents to terrorists after all. She lost trust in everyone. Even Ulfgar believes she doesn't fully trust him. Being a dragon, she believed might makes right. And Ulfgar is not really strong. Far from it. What he lacks in strength, he makes up for in creativity.
When it comes to crafting artifacts, he is the second best weaver and best forger in the academy. Very few kingdoms would pass an opportunity to have him work for them. If he did work for a kingdom, however, he knows that he would only be a chain for the kingdom. He would work as a slave for the rest of his life doing commissions and nothing else. They would make him work until he collapsed.
At Maverick Academy, however, they offered him a teaching position as long as he would take commissions not from the staff, but from the students as long as they could afford it. In exchange, they would help him take care of Sophia.
Memories continued to flow through his mind as he swung his hammer down on the heated metal. 'Sophia Pendragon,' he thought as he brought the hammer down on the metal once more. 'My little girl and my savior. You chose this man to help you with your greatest desire. Vengeance against the ones who destroyed your family and robbed you of the peaceful life you should have had. I have always wanted the best for you and will continue to aid you through whatever it is you wish. If you think he will be enough to finish what they began, then this weapon will be the first stepping stone down his path. You both will need the edge it will grant to withstand the coming storm.'
Ulfgar couldn't help but wonder though. 'How did she get this many rare materials? What kingdom did she infiltrate and what beast did she kill to be able to do gather these rare ingredients?' Ulfgar wasn't sure he wanted to know the answers.
All that he knew was Sophia was in class right now and she was still preparing for a war that will shake the world. Whether it will break the world apart or deliver a new age upon humanity, Ulfgar didn't know. All he did know, was that Sophia asked him to craft the best weapon he could and he would not disappoint his little girl.