The Lies We Choose. [How to survive in a world of magic as a smith]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

We all lie—and every lie demands a price.

Each falsehood shapes our fate and echoes through the lives of others.

Eventually, you must pay for all your lies.

So, what’s the price of lying and refusing to become a hero?

...

Harv Livar is a promising smith apprentice who's just about to complete his education and start a new life. But neither his past nor the state of the world will let it happen peacefully. Harv will have to learn a lot and find his place in this huge and violent world of magic.

…

Special thanks to my longtime Editor/Proofreader/Supporter@Cereal On Toast

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2025
Author: vagen

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 50
Views: 25,508

Chapters(52 total)

What readers say about The Lies We Choose. [How to survive in a world of magic as a smith]

“Style Score (10/10) The writing is clean and confident. It doesn’t try too hard, but it delivers. The tone is steady, and the pacing works well. It’s rare to find something this consistent and grounded nowadays. Story Score (10/10) This isn’t your usual her…”
humblepotatoRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“i really like these story. main story is about our mc who told quite big of lie which changed whole trajectory of his life and then his attempts to deal with it. world building is also quite strong and there are quite few interesting mysteries. i also like…”
maroder123Royal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(5)

humblepotatoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Style Score (10/10)
The writing is clean and confident. It doesn’t try too hard, but it delivers. The tone is steady, and the pacing works well. It’s rare to find something this consistent and grounded nowadays.
Story Score (10/10)
This isn’t your usual hero origin story. It goes deeper than that. The plot has weight and meaning, and it’s not just about action or power progression. There’s substance here if you’re paying attention, and the themes hit in a quiet but strong way.
Grammar Score (10/10)
Grammar is solid throughout. No weird phrasing or obvious mistakes. You can tell the author puts care into the polish, and that makes the reading experience smooth and enjoyable.
Character Score (10/10)
The MC is a struggling human, though he doesn’t really see it himself. Some might think he’s spoiled or needy, but he just feels real to me. What stands out even more is the side characters. They feel like actual people with their own lives and that makes the world feel alive.
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10/10!!!
Trust me. Just read it!
200 words huh? What a despicable minimum requirement.
TLDR:
The style, story, grammar, and character? 💯 💯 💯
Just read it!!! Its so good!!!!
maroder123Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
i really like these story.
main story is about our mc who told quite big of lie which changed whole trajectory of his life and then his attempts to deal with it. world building is also quite strong and there are quite few interesting mysteries. i also like side characters which is always plus.
SvelteRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
A steadily paced, well written story that weaves classic fantasy and slice of life together in a satisfying package. Critically, in my opinion, the author steadily builds a genuine and fleshed out world chapter by chapter without over-reliance on 'telling' the reader what's what. This leads to a much better sense of immersion within the story and allows for a more enjoyable reading experience.
On top of that, the characterization is not lacking. The main characters' POV is consistent to his character, each interaction and conclusion reflecting a limited perspective that changes in response to his growth as an individual without feeling narratively contrived or coerced. Supporting characters reflect this as well with rare exception and it's interesting to compare your own impressions of them as the reader with the main characters'.
The story is mostly what I would consider to be 'slow, but appropriately paced'. While this may not be to everyone's preference, the author, in my opinion, is doing a good job of building up a sense of greater threats on the horizon while staying true to the MC's growth. After what I would describe as a brisk prologue we're treated to a steady story of self discovery and personal development as a smith, a warrior, and most importantly as an individual. This is interwoven with meaningful moments of action and adventure that result from the MC's choices, perspective, and further into the story as part of the slowly unfolding mystery of what the MC's 'class' truly is. That mystery being particularly compelling as an exploration of what it means to have a class in a world where many do not. An exploration of the difference between talent, effort, and the walls that seemingly innate 'skills' can create between those who have them and those who do not. This story in particular does not set the protagonist up as someone who lacks any of the above, but rather puts him in the position of finding out what it means to choose your own path. To learn w
Kimbrough7Royal Road
★★★★ 3.5
This book is about an autistic and clueless MC who runs away from his family and duties to try to live on his own terms as a blacksmith.
It's a decent story but it's repetitive at times and it's been chapter after chapter of the MC being clueless and refusing to ask anyone for help. It's decent to pass the time but it's nothing to really follow. I binged it to this point but won't be continuing. I hope the author rewrites some of it because it has potential but the MC ruins the story.
The world building is good, the side characters are good and the action is good but the MC's autism and cluelessness ruin it. He never learns until things are pointed out to him and never asks questions, but instead makes a judgement based on limited facts and takes it as true and runs with it until proven false and then repeat.
TLDR: decent fic if you're bored but not something to follow.
Jim230874Royal Road
★★★ 3.0
Ok story starts well but this jarring contrast of a main character has me stumped.
The way the MC keeps changing, leave me wondering if even the author knows what’s going on. From strong to simp and back again in less than a chapter, just has me confused and scratching my head.
Regards
Jim