Chapter 18 - The Academy (3)

Shin and Hendrick then went out to actually shop for supplies that Shin would need at his time at the academy.

"Though the academy will provide you with the basic necessities, not all of them are of uh...Satisfacotry quality. It's best to bring your own of what you can." Hendrick explained as he walked.

"Wait, my carriage. I left it ba-"

"It's fine. It had your nametag on it so the academy staff will take it to your room." Hendrick cut Shin off as he pointed. "There, come. That's one of my favorite stores in the city."

Shin watched Hendrick happily walking towards a corner store in the distance as he silently followed.

The shopping district with filled with vigor. Various stores and peddlers with tons of customers flowing to and fro. Proving how much of a bustling cith this was despite its distance to the border.

They soon entered an old and run-down building which had no windows.

Inside, Shin found various things hung up on the wall which mostly didn't catch his eyes.

A chubby and haggard man sat behind the counter and noticed their entrance before shouting in glee. "Hendrick! It's been a while since I saw you! And who might this be?"

"This is Shin, I told you about him in the letter. Shin, meet Naepa. He's my...Friend."

"Hello." Shin bowed his head as Naepa nodded.

"Good, good. What brings you here? You need supplies?" Naepa spoke.

"Shin will be entering the academy, we're just here to shop a little."

"Well, let me bring you upstairs then. Here, follow me." Naepa quickly stood up and led them up the stairs behind the counter.

Shin and Hendrick followed Naepa upstairs to be greeted by a smaller area with a few selective pieces of goods.

"Ten percent off for my old friend, pick anything you need" Naepa smiled as he waved his hands.

"Only ten? Did you already forget how many times I've saved you?" Hendrick frowned.

"Oh please, you've drained enough from me already. Ten percent is already a generous offer, shoo." Naepa and Hendrick bickered and Naepa walked down the stairs again. "I'll be down here so pick out the things you need and bring them down."

"That old fogey... Whatever. Shin, take a look. Don't worry about the prices and just pick out whateve you feel you'll need. It's a gift from me for entering the academy" Hendrick smiled as he gestured at Shin.

Shin gazed around the second floor of the store with curiosity, there were various clothes, armor and even weapons on display. Clearly a store designed towards a warrior or an adventurer.

A small necklace with a blue gem caught his eye as it glinted in the light. Shin walked up to it and read the small note that was placed upon the glass display.

[Frostfire Amulet]

[Made from a strange gem only mined in the coldest abyss of the north. Has gathered a large quantity of water element and can boost one's affinity towards it.]

[Price: 3500 gold]

Shin's eyes bulged out at the cost of the amulet.

3500 gold... His allowance wasn't even 10 silvers a week... Most of which he couldn't even use all of.

Shin glanced over at Hendrick, who had been admiring a pair of boots, before quickly putting down the note and moving along.

But then the more he looked the more he started to get curious about this store.

[Black Steel Dagger - 4000 gold]

[Teleportation Scroll - 3500 gold]

[Drakehide Gloves - 2000 gold]

...

Even the cheapest objects here were 2000 gold at the least. He was starting to wonder if Hendrick even knew about the cost of these. If so, then was Hendrick richer than he thought?

Hendrick noticed Shin's startled expression as he walked over and spoke.

"Have you found anything?"

"Uh...Yeah..No? Umm..." Shin placed the note for the gloves down as he peeked at Hendrick. "These... Why are they so expensive?"

"Huh?" Hendrick stared at Shin. "Ha... Hahaha!"

Shin was confused at the sudden laughter of Hendrick.

"Haha... Right. This is indeed a shocking price for you. Shin, don't think of these items as 'tools' or 'toys'. These are usables and gear of the highest quality that may save one's life. Of course, they are also imbued with various enchantments and effects."

Shin looked down at the gloves before turning around and gazing around the room.

The items seemed to shine more than before after realizing their worth.

"How about this." Hendrick placed his hand on Shin's head. "Don't look at any more pricetags or description notes. Just pick something you want from here."

Shin looked up at Hendrick in a worrisome expression before looking around the room once again.

'I'll get a weapon at the blacksmith at the academy so... Armor? Nothing too large... I know accessories are very expensive so stay away from those... That helmet...?'

Shin's mind was filled with various thoughts as he calculated what he needed the most at the moment.

Thousands of gold... This was not something he would be able to spend lightly. Though it wasn't his money in the first place...

At that moment, a black jacket caught his eye. It didn't glint like the others nor had a flourishing aura but it seemed to suck his eyes in.

Hendrick noticed Shin's gaze and followed it before noticing the black jacket as well.

"... Alright. Let's get the jacket." Hendrick's eyebrows twitched but he quickly walked over and grabbed the jacket before walking down with Shin.

Naepa noticed the item in Hendrick's hands before his eyes opened wide.

"What the... Why are you buying that?" Naepa asked.

"Because, Shin wanted it." Hendrick replied.

"...? Shin, do you know what this jacket is?" Naepa looked down at Shin

"No...? It just caught my eye..."

"Hahaha... It's rather funny to see a man buy back the item he sold to me years ago." Naepa chuckled.

"Huh?" Shin looked up at Hendrick and then back at the jacket.

"..." Hendrick's eyes were fixed onto the jacket as he seemed to be lost in thought.