Chapter 12 - Suspension Sunday

We entered the guild carrying the metal baskets filled with crabs. The crunch of the shells and the faint squeaking of the crabs that were still moving in the baskets echoed in the air as we crossed the entrance. The place was busier than usual, with adventurers chatting loudly and sharing their stories of the day.

Beside me, Tesline carried a metal basket full of crabs, her face illuminated by a mix of pride and satisfaction.

"I hope Aldwyn appreciates the amount."

"I hope so too; we're just a little short of the money we need to buy the rest of the things for the house."

Aldwyn, as always, was behind the counter, going through some documents. Seeing us arrive, he looked up, and a smile spread across his face.

"I see you've been successful once again," he said, setting the papers aside and approaching us.

"It was nothing out of the ordinary," I replied in a nonchalant tone, though the image of the giant crab was still fresh in my mind. Tesline nodded, standing next to me with a beaming expression.

Aldwyn leaned over to inspect the baskets, observing the quantity and quality of the crabs. I noticed his eyebrows raise slightly, impressed.

"Good job. Here is your payment." He handed us a small bag of gold coins, and the jingling of the metal made us both smile.

"Thank you, Aldwyn." Tesline took the bag and opened it to count the coins. Her eyes sparkled at the amount, and I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.

I put the coins in my pouch, noticing the extra weight I now carried. We said goodbye to Aldwyn and headed to an empty table at the back of the guild. Tesline dropped into the chair with a sigh of relief, while I sat across from her, enjoying the smell of food floating in the air.

We could still hear the distant noise of other adventurers arguing about something that had happened in a nearby kingdom. As we sat down, we ordered a simple breakfast.

The aroma of bread and oats enveloped us, and for a moment, we allowed ourselves to enjoy the taste before talking about what really worried us: how would we spend our money?

"What do you think we should spend this on?" Tesline asked, resting her chin on her hand while playing with a coin between her fingers.

I thought for a moment, watching the bustle of the guild. There were many things we could do with the money; all of them could improve our productivity, but one idea stood out in particular.

"I've been thinking about getting a charcoal stove," I said, remembering that so far, almost all our meals had been at the guild. "We could prepare better food at home and save some coins."

Tesline laughed, nodding enthusiastically. "That sounds amazing. And with what's left over, we could buy new gear for hunting monsters. It's clear we need to replace our weapons as soon as possible."

I nodded as I looked at my rusty axe. "Let's make it a good investment."

We spent a while longer at the table, enjoying the food we had ordered and discussing the details. After paying for breakfast at the guild, we headed out into the bustling market. The streets were full of people, and merchants shouted their offers, each trying to catch our attention. The morning sun shone high above, giving the bazaar a vibrant air.

"Let's go find that stove," I said as we walked among stalls full of fresh produce, colorful fabrics, and tools.

We took our time, wandering around and exploring every corner. Tesline was particularly excited, looking at things with curiosity, while I kept my eyes open for what had really brought us there.

Finally, we found it. In a corner somewhat removed from the main chaos, an older man was sitting next to an old charcoal stove. The iron surface was worn, but still solid; it would work well until we eventually got another when money wasn't an issue.

"How much for the stove?" I asked, approaching the man with the intent of not showing too much interest.

The man looked at us with experienced eyes, as if he could read our intentions. "Twenty gold coins," he said without hesitation.

I raised an eyebrow. I knew I could negotiate a better price. "That's a bit high, considering its condition," I replied, keeping my tone casual. "I'll offer you ten gold coins."

The man smiled, clearly enjoying the game. "It's true that it's old, but it's also very sturdy. I can lower it to fifteen, but not a coin less."

Tesline looked at me, as if waiting to see what I would do next. I couldn't let the opportunity pass. "Alright, fifteen coins," I finally said, "but you include those pans and pots you have there. Plus, we need something to transport everything."

The man frowned, thinking. After a few moments, he nodded. "For twenty gold coins, you can take the pots, and I'll give you a wooden cart as well. That way, you can carry everything without a problem."

I considered it for a moment before shaking the man's hand. "Deal."

After paying him, the seller helped us load the stove, the pans, and the pots onto the cart. I tried to move it, but as soon as I put in the effort, I realized I had underestimated the weight. The cart was much heavier than I had anticipated; while my strength had increased, it was still insufficient to achieve feats like those of someone with a high strength stat.

Tesline, noticing my struggle, chuckled and stepped forward. "Let me," she said, taking the cart easily.

She lifted it as if it were no more than a bag of feathers, her strength far surpassing mine in situations like this. I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy for her better-distributed stats.

"Thanks," I muttered, surrendering to the obvious.

I stepped aside, a bit embarrassed but grateful. As Tesline pushed the cart, we continued our way through the bazaar, now heading toward the weapons shop.

Upon arrival, we immediately noticed a wooden sign hanging over the entrance, with a crossed axe and sword carved in the center. The door creaked as we pushed it open, and upon entering, we were greeted by the metallic sound of weapons being placed and moved within the shop.

The interior was filled with shelves and walls covered with swords, spears, axes, and all sorts of weapons. The light streaming through the small side windows made the polished metal shine, creating reflections that danced across the stone floor.

Behind the counter, a sturdy-looking dwarf woman, yet in a certain way sensual, had a serious expression as she watched us with interest. Her reddish hair was tied in a thick braid that fell over her back, and her calloused hands revealed years of experience in weapon forging. She approached us, taking off the leather apron she was wearing and hanging it on a nearby hook.

"Welcome to Rynras Bhaldar's Weapon Shop," she said in a deep, firm voice. "What can I do for you today?"

I exchanged a glance with Tesline before speaking. "We don't have much money, but we need weapons that are functional and won't leave us broke."

Rynras nodded. Her expression didn't change, but her eyes shone with a glimmer of understanding. "I see. It's not uncommon for adventurers to seek quality without spending a fortune." She gestured for us to follow her and led us to the back of the shop, where a less eye-catching section housed weapons that had clearly seen better days.

"This is where I keep the discounted weapons," Rynras said, pointing to the shelf. "They may not be new, but they still have a lot to offer. Now, tell me, what kind of weapons do you use?"

Tesline let me speak first. "I use an axe. It's easy to handle and effective for what I need," I replied, remembering how the axe had served me well in previous missions. Rynras nodded again, seemingly pleased with my choice.

Then, the dwarf turned her gaze to Tesline. "And you?"

"I don't use weapons," Tesline replied. "I'm more into hand-to-hand combat, using martial arts."

Tesline's statement caused Rynras's eyebrows to rise in surprise, although only for a moment. The dwarf watched us both in silence, her calculating eyes analyzing our words and appearances. After a few seconds, a smile appeared on her face.

"Wait here a moment," Rynras said before heading towards a door behind the counter and disappearing into what I assumed was her storage room. Tesline and I were left looking at the weapons on the shelf while we waited, though it was hard not to wonder what the dwarf was searching for.

Shortly after, Rynras returned, and in her hands, she carried two objects. First, she approached me and extended a war axe. The weapon, though somewhat dusty, was well-balanced, and its blade, while not shiny, still showed a dangerous edge.

"I made this axe a long time ago," Rynras said, almost reverently. "It's been around for a while, but it will surely serve you well."

I took it, noticing how it fit well in my hand. Despite the dust, it felt like an extension of my arm, and I couldn't help but feel some respect for the work Rynras had done with this weapon.

[System]

[Item - War Axe]

[Damage: 155]

[Requirements]

[Strength: 5]

[Dexterity: 3]

Then, Rynras turned to Tesline and handed her a pair of gloves that had seen better days but still had an air of danger. The gloves were equipped with large wolf claws that protruded slightly from the knuckles, sharp and ready to tear.

"These are wolf claws," Rynras said. "They were designed for close combat fighters. If you prefer using your fists, these will give you an advantage your enemies won't see coming. They're fast, lethal, and perfect for someone like you."

[System]

[Item - Wolf Claws]

[Damage: 275]

[Requirements]

[Strength: 10]

[Dexterity: 12]

Tesline took the gloves and put them on, flexing her fingers to test their comfort. The claws reflected the shop's dim light, and her smile widened as she looked at the weapons in her hands.

"I like them."

"Good, you've both made a fine choice. I'll give you a fair price for all of this."

After negotiating the price and paying Rynras, I stored the axe on my belt while Tesline admired her new claws. The dwarf saw us off with a nod and a satisfied smile.

Before leaving the shop, I paused for a moment, looking at the axe in my hand. While I was satisfied with the purchase, I couldn't help but wonder why such a useful weapon had been gathering dust.

"Rynras," I called out to the dwarf, who stopped on her way back to the counter and looked at me with curiosity. "Why were these axes and other weapons so dusty? They seem good, but... no one has bought them in a long time?"

Rynras crossed her arms, letting out a soft laugh with a somewhat resigned tone. "That's because in this kingdom, most adventurers prefer swords. War axes aren't as popular, even though they're just as effective, if not more, in the right hands."

"Swords?" I asked, surprised. "Why do they prefer them so much?"

"Swords have an air of nobility and elegance," Rynras explained. "Plus, most hero stories in this kingdom feature them with shiny swords defeating monsters and saving kingdoms. So most young adventurers come looking for those weapons, wanting to emulate the heroes of legends."

She paused, looking into my eyes. "But a true adventurer knows that the weapon doesn't make the warrior. Axes, like the one you have now, are powerful tools in the right hands. It doesn't matter if it doesn't shine like a sword, as long as it does its job when you need it."

I nodded, appreciating her words. There was some truth in what she said; in the end, what mattered was the wielder's ability, not the weapon itself.

"Thank you, Rynras," I said, smiling.

She nodded firmly, satisfied to have shared her wisdom. "Good luck with that axe, boy. May it serve you well in all your battles."

With those words echoing in our minds, we left the weapons shop. All that remained was to return home to store our gear.

As we walked back home with the loaded cart and our new acquisitions, something caught my eye at one of the market stalls. Among a pile of old and worn objects, I saw a mage's staff. Though the wood was cracked and the paint had started to fade, the staff still emanated a sense of latent power.

"Wait a moment," I said, stopping as Tesline continued pushing the cart while I approached the stall.

The vendor, an old man with a graying beard and lively eyes, looked at me with curiosity as I neared the staff.

"Interested in the staff, young man?"

"Yes," I replied, picking it up to examine it more closely. "It's a bit worn, but it seems like it could still be useful. How much are you asking for it?"

The old man scratched his beard thoughtfully. "To be honest, not many have shown interest in it for quite some time. I'll let you have it for cheap—two silver coins."

I nodded, surprised by the price. It wasn't a significant amount, and something told me this staff could still be put to good use a few more times.

"Deal," I said, handing him the coins.

The old man accepted the money with a smile, and after thanking him, I rejoined Tesline, holding my new acquisition.

"Another find?" she asked, noticing the staff.

"Yes, something cheap but useful," I replied, smiling. "It might not last long, but I think it will serve me well."

As we continued on our way home, I couldn't help but think about learning a new spell.

　*・・*・・*・・*・・*・・*

Back at our home, we settled into the main room, which still smelled of freshly carved wood and the last pieces of furniture we had placed. Tesline and I were sitting in a couple of wooden chairs in front of the table we had built by hand.

"Tomorrow we'll be heading to the academy," Tesline commented, with a slight smile. "I hope everything is ready for my first class and for your return from exile."

"It wasn't an exile, I think," I said, glancing at the staff I had acquired.

I was wondering what kind of magical skills I should study next. I was considering expanding the elements in my spell arsenal. I had to keep in mind that each enemy had its own weakness and resistance to certain elements.

Suddenly, I decided to bring up a topic that had been on my mind. "Hey, do you know anyone at the academy?"

Tesline frowned, giving a small tap on the table as she paused to think for a moment. Her eyes dropped to the floor as she weighed the question. A few seconds later, her expression changed noticeably, and a shadow of displeasure crossed her face.

"Are you okay?" I asked, noticing her change in demeanor. "Is it someone you don't like?"

She looked up, her expression hardening. "Yes, I know someone at the academy. His name is Darius Thorne."

My surprise was evident. As far as I knew, Tesline was introduced as Darius's childhood friend. They had grown up together, sharing many adventures and challenges. If I recalled correctly, it was implied they had a solid friendship. I didn't understand why Tesline seemed so displeased at the mention of him.

"Darius Thorne... But weren't you...?" I asked, but I stopped myself before revealing that I knew more than I let on. "What happened between you two?"

Tesline sighed deeply, and I could see the disgust on her face growing more pronounced. "We were friends. We were very close. But something changed. Suddenly, he started acting completely differently. He became distant, condescending... almost like he was a different person."

Her words intrigued me. What could have caused such a radical change in his behavior? Was this happening in the game? My curiosity intensified, and I decided to press a bit more to better understand the situation.

"Was there any incident that triggered this change?"

Her eyes grew more intense as she continued. "I'm not sure, it all started to change gradually. At first, he just seemed a bit busier or distracted. I thought it was just a phase, something that would pass, but then things got worse."

"What exactly happened?"

"He became increasingly unbearable. He started ignoring my achievements and dismissing my skills. He acted as if everything depended on him. He kept insisting that I stay out of the way of adventurers."

"That doesn't sound good at all. What happened next?"

"There was a day when he asked my father to exclude me from training and to train him instead. He said that the best thing for 'me' was to not get involved in the world of adventurers."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That sounds... pretty serious. And what did your father do?" I asked, eager to know how they handled the situation.

"My father tried to stay calm and asked me what I thought," Tesline continued. "I was hurt, but I decided to confront Darius. I asked him why he was acting that way and why he felt the need to put me in a lower position. What he said left me completely baffled. He said it would be best if I stayed away from the world of adventurers, that it wasn't for me. He said if I continued down that path, I would end up suffering, and he wouldn't be able to save me."

"He seemed concerned about your future," I said, trying to resolve what I thought might have been a misunderstanding.

Tesline sighed as if she already knew that. "The discussion got heated. We said things we shouldn't have. I tried to apologize and make things right, but I only got condescending responses, while he continued to act as if the existence of this world depended solely on him."

"That sounds incredibly painful," I said, feeling a wave of empathy for her. "How did you react to that?"

She continued speaking, the pain in her voice evident, and I could see how those words continued to affect her. "After that, I decided it wasn't worth insisting. I no longer see him as a friend. He's just someone I know, but someone I prefer not to spend much time with."

Silence settled between us as I processed what Tesline had shared. The story was much more complex than I had imagined. The transformation of Darius from a close friend to someone so distant was hard to grasp. It was clear that the experience had left a deep mark on Tesline.

"I'm really sorry, Tesline," I said softly. "It seems like it was a really tough situation. I can't imagine how painful it must have been."

She nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Yes, it was. But I've learned to live with it. Now, I just try to move forward and focus on what's in front of me."

I looked at the magic staff on the table, thinking about how our stories and our battles intertwined in unexpected ways. Even though in the game, Tesline's fate with Darius was intertwined, what lay ahead was a situation I wasn't sure could happen in any of the game's routes.

"Well, at least we have something positive to look forward to," I said, trying to lift the mood. "Tomorrow will be a new beginning for us at the academy. Maybe we'll find something to help us move past what we can't change. Or we'll simply fail, but we'll do it with grace and style."

Tesline nodded, a small but genuine smile appearing on her face. "You're right. The academy is a new opportunity to learn and grow. Let's make the most of it."