Chapter 15 - Harvest week

Looking around, he planned out how he was going to set up the inn.

After giving Emma a brief interview, he hired her and let her stay in one on the rooms on the top floor.

Since all the furnitures have been removed, he had to get them from a carpenter. He then posted outside the inn that he was looking for a waiter, housekeeper and bartender.

Exiting the inn, Theo walked around the area. He then found a blacksmith in a small alley near the inn. Inside was a man working on a sword.

Seeing Theo entered, he paused what he was doing,

"Is there anything you're looking for specifically? We have spears, lance, swords, bows and the likes. You can also order for anything to be made as long as it can be done." The man explained.

Looking around, Theo could see a few empty workbench and forge.

Shaking his head, Theo asked, "Is it possible to rent the forge here? I've been taught by a blacksmith back at home and was hoping to make my own weapons."

Surprised by the inquiry, the man replied, "Sure, there's a few emply forge and tools you can pick from. I won't charge too high since there's no one using them anyways. You'll have to get your own supplies though, I can help you if it's inconvenient but I'll be charging."

"That'll be great! I'd appreciate it if you could help me with the supplies. I'm Asher Röthlister, you can call me Ash." Theo said with a smile and hands out.

"Jacob, I'll have someone to clean up the area for you."

Seeing that it's still early, he decided to go back to the inn before returning to the smithy after his workplace is cleaned up.

On the way, he went to the carpenter to get some furnitures and have them delivered when they are done.

After changing into something more comfortable when he blacksmith, he returned to the smithy.

He checked his inventory first,

Inventory (10/30)

- 2 health potion

- High - grade Bow

- 4 High - grade throwing knives

- 1 × 5 High - quality Arrows

- Army knife

- Intermediate - grade sword

Looking at it, he remembered destroying some Arrows during practise as his accurate shootings had spilt quite a few of them. Theo then decided to make a bunch of Arrows for himself.

Theo spent almost the whole day making 5 new Arrows then returned after checking on the inn and Emma.

Not long after, he hired the workers he needed. He informed them to keep their eyes sharp and ears out. He hope that they could help him collect some information he could use. Theo was glad to find that they were all tackful people understanding his intentions.

They were surprised as it was not uncommon to have nobles collect informations from the pubs and inns. They were only slightly shocked about how young their boss was but ignored it after seeing the wages.

Naming his new business Hermes Inn after the Greek God of travel from Earth, he opened it for business.

And so, Theo spent his days between the academy, inn and the blacksmith making a few extra throwing knives and arrows.

The inn was also doing very wall, having most of the rooms occupied whenever he dropped by while the bar constantly full of people. He had the barkeeper buy the best quality alcohol and booze since he wasn't lacking money which helped in attracting many customers.

Emma was a better cook than he realised. As the inn was doing well, he hired an assistant for Emma. Thomas would also help out with the easier chores which Theo paid him for later when he found out.

He paid his employees with high wages as well making them very happy to work for him.

After working at the blacksmith, he would have some booze which he didn't have the chance of having since he arrived in this world with Emma's special of the day while chatting with the customers. Theo in fact enjoyed drinking back on Earth but since he had to be on constant vigilance from work, he could only have them once in a while. Although is only 12 in this world, the Body Strengthening Potion he made Theo's body stronger than his peers, which at the same time allowed him to have alcohol without any permanent damage to his health.

It's Saturday morning,

Theo laid in his bed looking at the ceiling.

"I've made enough throwing knives and arrows for myself. Should I continue practising with the spear today or do something else?"

After completing his Daily Quest, he decided to take a break instead and look around the capital. Max ended up following since he felt like taking a break as well.

Seeing the capital more crowded than usual with decorations everywhere. It looks like a festival happening.

"What's going on?" He asked Max.

"It's the harvest festival to celebrate the bountiful harvest and wish for another successful year which goes on for a week. In the capital they include a sparing contest which is held on the last three days of the week. The winner would then get a chance to meet the king when he presenting the price." Remembering Theo came from a mining territory thus he probably hasn't heard of the harvest week before. Max continued, "The winning price varies every year. It could be high grade healing potions from the alchemist, master grade swords, rare artefacts, etc. Artefacts are magically imbued objects that have different uses."

Ding!

[New Quest: Participate in Sparing contest and win.

Rewards: 10 stats points

Penalty: None]

Theo found the sparing contest very much up his alley, he was already planning to join even without the quest. He could change his looks and participate under a name.

"Is there any requirements for the contest?" he asked.

"Anyone is able to join, from commoners to nobles, once in a while you could find beastsman and elves entering to join the fun. It can be quite dangerous however since it's not against the rule to kill."

"When will the sparing be held?" Theo asked as he wasn't sure how long the festival have been on already.

"From Monday onwards, the last three days of the harvest week is a public holiday as well so the academy would be giving us a short break. Are you planning to come spectate?" Max asked Theo.

"Nah, I'll probably be at the blacksmith or training." Theo lied as he planed to participate instead. Max already knew Theo had found a place to blacksmith which he would go most weekends so he didn't ask much.

The next day, he went out to register himself as a swordsman in the competition. As the disguise skill only shifts the bones slightly, if you were to stare long enough, one might be able to find that his features are similar to his original face. So, to be extra safe, he wore the black mask he got from the mask booth.

Using the disguise skill, he made his height as tall as possible and changed to look like a short 16 year old with black hair and red eyes. Wearing a mask he went to the registration booth which much to his surprise, he wasn't the only one covering his face, he walked past one or two that had used a cloth or a simple mask.

He walked up to one of the workers to register himself,

"Name, age," The man spoke monotonously.

"Choi Han, 16,"

The man looked up and raised his eyebrow slightly, it wasn't unheard of but once in a while they would have rich young masters participating recklessly for the thrill.

"You can choose to use an alias if you want."

After giving some thoughts he decided, "Indra", after the Indian God of war.

Writing everything down, Theo was passed an Iron token with a number, 56.

"The competition starts tomorrow morning, there will be a notice board with your alias and number informing you of the area you will fighting be in." He continued, "You'll be fighting 10 rounds, contestants who have lost more than 3 rounds will be eliminated before they can continue their rounds of 10. 16 people with the most wins will be picked for the finals."

Listening, he found it rather easy to understand.