A BLACKSMITH CAN MAKE MORE THAN WEAPONS?!?!
no duh dude, ever heard of horse shoes, nails, pots and pans? Who do you think makes those bro? I really want to enjoy this, but god, this worldbuilding feels really lackluster.
The summary really does not do this one justice. No, it's not the most original concept or plot, but the execution and character work is excellent. Sure you might have already seen an OP protag at a magic school who is hiding his true abilities, but you might not have seen an supporting cast...
So to summarize...
MC never went on vacation and had a tragic childhood.
ALSO
THE WHALE SHARK IS GOING ON A RAMPAGE ITS CRACKING THE GLASS AND NOW IT HAD TEETH LOOK OUT MC ITS GONNA EAT YOU AND THE CONVENIENT HELPLESS CHILD YOU GRABBED BUT NO YOUR BROTHER LOVER HAD STABBED IT WITH HIS EQUALLY...
I love that his conclusion wasn't -I MUST BE STRONGEST EVER ALL ALONE AND WITH NO MERCY- But instead was an acknowledgement that living in a ruthless, self-centered way still led to death in the end. This resolution to be more selfless reminds me a lot of the Stormlight Archives, my favorite...