Mikella held up the sword Cru graciously lent to her, studying the blade and the overall weight and design. If she was honest, she really liked the feeling of it compared to her enhanced sword.

  Her sword had done wonders for her for the past year, often being maintained by Adam in reluctance from her constantly using it. However, she felt that it was time to move on. While the effects were great, in the end, there was only so much that sword can provide as the challenges would most likely get tougher and tougher before heading towards the next tower.

  If the last tower was anything to go by, she really needed to get her game up. That meant improving her weaponry.

  “Okay, this sword is impressive, but why hide it in the backroom?” Mikella asked, gently placing the sword down onto the counter. “If it’s crafted with ‘genius’ or something, why hide it away?”

  “Ah, well…” Cru shifted awkwardly, scratching her headband-covered head. “It’s sorta dumb when you think about it, but I should’ve figured people wouldn’t like buying weapons that enhance your fighting based on how many skills you got.”

  “Why?” Zeke asked, his head hanging back in disbelief. “This Natural series sounds awesome. I bet you can also add a lot of cool things since the requirement is pretty high too.”

  Mikella nodded, reminding herself of the time Zeke got into enchanting with the help of his runes. Unfortunately, there were some complications trying to mix runes with enchantments, which were entirely different schools of magic despite how similar they sound on paper.

  According to Zeke, trying to enchant directly with your mana is easy. Trying to enchant, for example an iron sword, provides a direct access to the material. That allows the user to directly alter its functions and giving it power that is precisely to the holder’s specifications.

  However, as runecraft can do the same of any magical variety after going through a simple process, that simple alteration of an iron sword becomes a lot harder. It creates what Zeke described as complicated walls to bypass, making his runes more complex to use the further he continued to try to enchant.

  Sure, he could easily create an appliance of sorts that heats up food and store items in a cold environment. However, directly providing a user with features such as enhanced sharpness and increased durability, much less making an iron sword go up in flames, is a lot harder considering it borders on enchantment.

  There were also plenty of other things that Zeke described, such as mana wavelenths and probability spectrums that made Mikella’s mind go ‘womp womp’ and think about what to make for dinner.

  So in other words, runecraft and enchantment are super different to the point where even the system wouldn’t allow it. But he did know that making more and more enchantments onto a single item gets considerably harder.

  The only way to make it usable after one enchantment after another is by making the enchantment harder to access, hence a requirement. One needed to be at a certain level or use a certain skill. A certain Class is needed to use it–all sorts of things that disallows just anyone to use the equipment willy-nilly, much like how the runes and enchantments refuse to work together.

  “You’re right, but you’re forgetting something incredibly obvious,” Cru stated, pointing at Zeke with a finger. “The requirement. One needs to have tons of General Skills. Can you imagine anyone having more than the five needed to pass Journeyman?”

  Zeke and Mikella both stared at each other after she asked. They tried to think, they really did. But they can’t even imagine the reason why.

  “You’re serious?” Cru raised her single brow even higher than before, if that was possible. “Not a single one? Just everyone around you have as many skills as possible? Where the hell did you come from?”

  “Outside of this country, at least,” Mikella stated, and wanted to end it at that. She didn’t want to share anymore information about Eve Glade, since it was becoming a hot spot recently and she prefers not to trouble Cloud and Val any further.

  Apparently, that was enough to get Cru looking at them as though they were actual aliens, which kinda made Mikella tilt her head in irony.

  “Ooh… so you came from outside Arcelot? Now that explains a lot,” Cru rubbed her chin, nodding her head slowly. “Guess you don’t know that anyone who takes up more General Skills outside of the five is looked down upon.”

  “Are you fucking serious?” Mikella and Zeke almost asked in unison, surprising Cru from their shared disbelief.

  “Yeah, believe it or not,” Cru continued. “Personallly I think it’s stupid too, but what can you do? They still think women can’t be compared to men. So this sort of rule is not that surprising.”

  “Who the hell made up these stupid rules anyways?” Mikella shook her head.

  “Probably some old bastards that are too old to still be alive,” Cru shrugged. “Something we all gotta get used to.”

  “So you made these and then just… left them there?” Zeke asked, pointing at the sword. “Such a waste…”

  “But I didn’t get rid of them,” Cru propped a finger up. “Because I knew someone would spot these beauties and see them for what they truly are; Absolute genius!”

  “Well, they’re certainly fantastic,” Mikella crossed her arms. “But let’s talk about the price. How much is it?”

  “For this one in particular,” Cru gestured at the sword. “I’m willing to give it away for… mhh, about 200 gold.”

  The otherworlders looked at her in stunned silence. 200 gold was equivalent to 20 grand back in the old world, and considering everything Cru just told them, warning sirens went off in Mikella’s head.

  “No.”

  “What?”

  Cru looked down on Mikella, her height considerably taller than Mikella by an inch or two. Despite the size difference, Mikella looked up at the blacksmith with resolution.

  “No. That’s what I said,” Mikella repeated, crossing her arms. “That’s ridiculous, and there is no way that this sword can amount to that much.”

  “Well it’s my price,” Cru said, her voice carrying a sharp tone of finality. “Take it or leave it.”

  “Really?” Mikella scoffed. “I know you’re a little dense from all the smoke you’re inhaling while you’re forging, but in the real world, it doesn't work like that.”

  Mikella could practically feel Zeke’s stare boring at the side of her head in shock. She ignored him, knowing exactly what she’s doing.

  Cru, however, didn’t appear to like that comment.

  “You sure got a mouth on you, don’tcha?” Cru said. Her eyes were becoming sharp as her brow rose to her challenge. “And what’d you gonna do about it? Take it off my hands?”

  “Of course not,” Mikella waved it off, a mere trifle to even think about. “I can go for the rest of my life without that sword and be happier knowing I didn’t pay 200 gold on it.”

  “Then why don’t chu fuck off and let me go on with my business then?” Cru replied, scooping the air with her hands at the two. “Shoo off now, and try not to let the swords scratch you on the way out.”

  Mikella could tell that Cru would definitely like that if she had the power to. And she was certain that might happen considering all the crazy inventory she had all around her store. However, Mikella crossed her arms again, but then pointed a thumb over at Zeke.

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  “I could do that. I could also tell the guards that a crazy blacksmith woman assaulted my husband with a hammer when we had nothing to do with this. I’m certain they would love to see the store that’s just chock full of dangerous hazards just waiting to cut someone’s eye out.”

  A look of irritation flashed on Cru’s face before she managed to control it, but Mikella already knew she had this in the bag. However, just lightly threatening her won’t be enough. She knew this from all the times she had to haggle at thrift stores to get a good deal to get some parts for the household fixings back in the old world.

  Cru pointed at Zeke with an accusatory finger. “He doesn't look like it. In fact, he’s standing there looking all ditzy. Maybe he just imagined the pain or something?”

  Before Cru could continue, a sharp ‘whoosh’ shrilled around them. Cru’s eyes widened, barely believing what she saw. How could she? Mikella put in all of her Dexterity’s worth into the blow, and used her attunement to make her actions faster than humanly possible.

  As for Zeke, his head was hanging back for a moment, his eyes widening as a burst of blood poured out from his forehead. Contrary to what the hammer did, the blow did more than Cru ever could. She just watched the poor man with a gaping mouth, her eyes widened at the audacity in front of her.

  “Yeah, it’s pretty bad,” Mikella said, her arms crossed across her chest as she then pointed at the hammer still on the counter. Its front end still dented slightly from the blow Zeke’s head did on it when it collided. “And I’m sure the guards would be more than understanding once they see the evidence sitting right there.”

  Cru looked back at her, narrowing her eyes as though ready to draw a blade. Mikella didn’t falter. She stared right back at the taller blacksmith girl, her draconian eyes flashing bright yellow in excitement from her words.

  A few seconds passed before finally… Cru smiled.

  “Damn, you got me,” Cru shook her head, smiling wryly as she lifted her hands in defeat. “You’re a crazy bitch, you know that?”

  “I know,” Mikella smirked. “But it’s gotta be tough handling all this gimmick by yourself. That’s pretty impressive.”

  “Hearing that from you, I actually feel pretty damn good about it,” Cru laughed.

  Finally, Zeke had enough as he glared at Mikella, blood still dripping from the center of his forehead. “I think I’m missing something. What gimmick?”

  “This is all just fake,” Mikella pointed out, facing Zeke. “This rough attitude, this shitty looking shop–it’s all for some facade she’s playing.”

  Mikella, despite knowing better, felt proud using a word she wasn’t used to using in the proper context. Zeke’s eyes widened in realization.

  “A facade… wait, so all this–she’s just pretending? What for?”

  “Not sure,” Mikella shrugged. “That’s not my business. But I do know one thing–she does all this so that she can spike up the price as much as she could, forcing the customers to either leave or pay up to not deal with her anymore than she has to. That way, she makes crazy bank, and gets to have all the privacy to herself.”

  Zeke just stared back at her, then at Cru, in total silence. She was sure his brain was working overtime to figure out something that, quite frankly, Mikella could only know of because she learned these types of business shenanigans before.

  She made friends with a decent old guy who ran a shop and told her the secrets himself. He and his wife met with all kinds of crazy people while they traveled, and told her about the crazy things they can do while avoiding doing anything illegal. It was something so interesting that Mikella couldn’t help but listen intently to learn how to get a better deal.

  “You’re a whole lot smarter than I give you credit for, dragon girl,” Cru said, her hands on her hips. “And you’re right. But my reason is pretty simple–I just really don’t wanna deal with any nobles that come my way.”

  “Nobles?” Zeke asked. “But wouldn’t that give you a chance to make even more money? I figured as someone who runs a shop, dealing with nobles would be the best thing for you.”

  “Yes, you’d be right. But dealing with nobles as a woman in Arcelot is not. Think about it for a second.”

  Mikella instantly understood, and her respect for Cru increased dramatically. She knew the risks of gaining attention from nobles, and seeing her appearance made it clear that it wouldn’t take long before a male noble came along and took an interest. Seeing how she just met those shitty nobles a day ago and how they behaved, she would do what she can to avoid them too.

  Zeke, despite his confusion earlier, also understood as a frown appeared on his face. “That really sucks.”

  “That happens,” Cru shrugged it off. She then stared back at Mikella. “Alright, alright. I’ll drop it down to just 50 gold. I have to make some cash, you know. It may look simple, but the ore needed to process this beauty to handle my enchantments are pretty costly and time-consuming to get and forge. And as you noticed, I can still put in some extra enchantments if you want me too, just with an added fee like any other weapon.”

  For once, Mikella nodded in satisfaction. Taking off 75% of the deal is always music to her ears, but she can understand that while 50 gold is still quite a lot (5 grand to be exact), the amount of time and care put into the sword is enough to convince her.

  “Deal,” Mikella smiled, and she put out her hand. Cru copied her, taking her hand in stride.

  “So, is that all?” Cru asked. Mikella tilted her head in thought.

  “Mmh… you said you can make more, right? What options do we have…?”

  …..

  The conversation ended up taking almost the entire day, the girls talking ecstatically about the weapons and enchantments they can put in. After putting down that they also knew Alissa, Cru offered to make another discount as she heard how famous Alissa was, and wanted to get on her good behavior.

  Throughout it all, not only did Mikella manage to get a new spear, but also got herself a hammer, axe, bow, and a sword to replace her original. That amounted to a whopping 750 gold in total, pushing down the original 200 gold she scoffed at.

  Still, considering just how incredible these weapons are for her, Mikella took it all with a bit of help from Zeke. Once that was done, the otherworlders left the very happy Cru, expecting to come back to put in the expected enchantments they talked about once she got the materials needed to make the process.

  The day was finally waning to the night, the dark purplish sky painted with bright stars even with all the light and mana pollution given off by the city. As the Studded Star’s light dimmed from the top of the sky, it painted a pretty picture, making Mikella wish she could bring Clara to see this. Hopefully Alissa took her outside to see it for herself.

  And now, the dreaded conversation has finally arrived. She knew she had to do this, otherwise, she can’t consider herself a good person and a good partner.

  “Sorry about the hit on the head back there,” Mikella said, facing Zeke with a forlorn look. “I knew I took it a little too far.”

  “A little?”

  Zeke remarked, his wound from earlier completely gone from his healing. That also got Cru to relax knowing that Zeke was just fine. But that didn’t mean he liked it, his frown deepening and making her guilt worse.

  “I knew you had a plan, but I kinda wish you would’ve told me before. I felt like an idiot after you hit me.”

  Mikella winced. “I know, I’m sorry. Even if it was to make a good deal, I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “I’m not saying you shouldn’t have done that,” Zeke shook his head. “Granted, I didn’t like the slight manipulation… but it was for our sake so I won’t judge. I just didn’t like being… I don’t know, being treated like that, I guess. Taken out of the loop…”

  That got Zeke to pause, staring down at the ground with a steady stare. Mikella sometimes noticed this throughout the year, particularly when Zeke worded it in a way that made him feel slow or dim-witted.

  She wasn’t sure whether this was some pride or ego thing for a mage like Zeke. But she felt it wasn’t really like that. It felt deeper, something that despite spending more than 90% of the time together–she still had no clue on what it was about.

  Remembering the time when he spoke his mother’s name while he was sleeping when they were surviving in the forest so long ago, it was met with shivers and a near cry for help. She knew then and there that talking about his past was a no-go.

  But despite everything that happened between them, they never spoke about it once. She knew it was selfish, but she wished Zeke would just open up already.

  But she also knew just how stupid that sounded, especially when she just treated Zeke the way she did just to get a good deal.

  “I’m sorry,” Mikella said. Her eyes dropped to the clean streets, their footsteps the only thing they could hear outside of the quiet murmur of the city’s night life where they were.

  Zeke let out a breath, shaking his head. “It’s okay. I’m just being a baby, that’s all. It’s fine.”

  “It’s not, Zeke,” Mikella faced him again, this time staring directly at him. “If there’s anything you want me to do, just ask. I owe you that much at least.”

  “Anything… I ask?” Zeke asked. The words felt almost alien to him.

  “Well, I mean,” Mikella cleared her throat, a little too obviously for her liking. “Anything that’s within reason. You know.”

  “Huh…” Zeke furrowed his brow, tilting his head. Then he grinned. “Then, can you make breakfast for us tomorrow?”

  “Breakfast? That’s it?” Mikella asked, hanging her head back in disbelief.

  “By yourself,” Zeke grinned. “I usually like to help, but since you’re asking–You can go ahead and make my meal.”

  Zeke grinned like he just asked the most ridiculous request of all time. He knew it wasn’t anything special, but compared to how he was when they first started to know each other, he was slowly warming up to the point where he can ask her directly for stuff like this.

  She did feel a smidge upset that she was gonna put the work in tomorrow not just for him, Clara, and Zoan, but also for Alissa all by herself–but she did owe him for smacking him to make a deal. She grinned back.

  “Alright, but I'll decide what we eat. And I’m planning on including a lot of veggies.”

  “Ugh,” Zeke groaned, rolling his eyes. “Why veggies? You know I’m a carnivore.”

  Mikella held in a laugh, making a weird chortle sound. “Sure, right. A ‘carnivore’.”

  She worded it out slowly, shaking her head with a dumb look on her face. She received a small tap to her shoulder from Zeke, a grumpy look on his face.