Raphaello's eyes shone brightly, his posture was firm, and his gaze was a clear effort to persuade Roger to accept his proposal. Carefully observing the blacksmith's bodily expressions, he couldn't help but notice how interested he was in the skill Raphaello had demonstrated.
- I must say that this ability is intriguing, young man. He would be pleased to hear your proposal.
Roger now saw an opportunity before him. With Raphaello's help in controlling the fire's temperature, he could save on coal usage and significantly speed up his forging process, melting the metal more easily. It was a tempting prospect for a busy blacksmith like him.
Raphaello then thought about how he would negotiate with the blacksmith, but he had no idea what the blacksmith's costs were to produce something. So he decided that what would be most beneficial for him would be to try to find out the price that Roger could pay to launch his counterproposal.
Raphaello, aware that his magical ability could be a great advantage for the blacksmith Roger, decided to begin the negotiation carefully. He observed Roger's expression, noting that the blacksmith was genuinely interested in his skill.
- Roger, I really appreciate the opportunity to talk to you about this. As you saw, I have an ability that allows me to control the temperature. This can be extremely useful to you in your forge, saving time and coal in the process of making weapons and tools."
Roger nodded with a thoughtful look, demonstrating that he was listening attentively and Raphaello continued:
- However, Roger, it is important to consider that magic to control temperature requires the use of mana, which has a limit. I can't work all day because I would exhaust all my mana before the end of the day, I would still need time to cultivate my Qi and increase my mana limit.
Roger stroked his beard as he reflected on this new information. He understood Raphaello's need to manage his mana wisely. The efficiency of the forge was important, but it was also essential to ensure that Raphaello did not become too exhausted to continue working at other times.
- I understand your concern, Raphaello. Let's do this: you will work in my forge for half the day, and the other half you can be free from your duties in the workshop.
Raphaello nodded with a considered look signaling that he was satisfied with the first part of the negotiation. However, Roger intended to obtain the best possible advantage in the negotiation. He thought quickly and made his proposal:
- Given that you will only be available to work half the day, I suggest a fee of one silver coin per day. If you were available all day, I would consider two coins a fair offer.
Raphaello, realizing Roger's strategy to save on expenses, remained firm in his position. He knew that the value of his talent and his magic were priceless. With confidence, he made his counterproposal:
- I understand your concern about expenses, Roger, but a silver coin is not enough. I would accept your offer if it were a silver coin and fifty copper a day's work
Roger considered Raphaello's counterproposal, his eyes narrowed briefly as he weighed the benefits of having the young mage in his forge. He looked at Raphaello, his face showing an internal struggle, but then finally gave in. His shoulder relaxed a little, indicating that the decision had been made. With a nod, he agreed:
- Very good, Raphaello. We have a deal. One silver and fifty copper coins per day's work, half the day.
Raphaello accepted the offer, knowing that even if he didn't get the amount he originally wanted, he was gaining a valuable opportunity to hone his magical abilities while also securing a source of income. He understood that negotiations often involved giving a little to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. With a handshake, they sealed the deal and began discussing the details of what work would be like in Roger's forge. But before they could move forward, Lancer interrupted their conversation.
- Hey Rapha, what about me? Didn't you consider that I was here? Will I still carry bags of grain?
Raphaello carefully observed Lancer's expression of discontent. There was a note of loneliness and sadness in his words. However, Raphaello promised him that he would explain everything later, when they arrived at the shipyard, and assured him that he had not forgotten him.
Raphaello returns to the discussion with Roger discussing some details while Lancer stares at the horizon.
- So Raphaello, how long has he been practicing this magic?
- Well, this is the second time I have conjured her, or, better said, the third. Yesterday, I bought the scroll and, on the first try, I managed to cast her.
Roger's brows furrowed, his arms crossed, and he patted Raphaello on the shoulder with a sarcastic smile on his face.
- You're really funny, kid. It is not possible for someone with an amateur core Qi to be able to cast a spell just by opening the scroll and casting it on the first try.
Roger's words deeply intrigued Raphaello. His knowledge of magic was quite superficial, and his previous experiences with the scrolls had led him to believe that simply following the tutorial steps was enough to learn the magic.
- Mr. Roger, it's true, this is the third time I've conjured her. The first time, I threw it on a cutting board and needed to increase the temperature for about a minute after the moment it started smoking, so I stopped. On the second attempt, I tried to use it with my advanced core, but I ended up fainting.
Roger began to reflect on what Raphaello was saying, resting his chin on one of his hands and crossing his arm over his chest. His eyes flickered downward for a moment as he considered the possibility that something more was going on with the young mage than he initially thought.
Raphaello quickly captured the confusion in Roger's reaction and, taking advantage of the moment, took the parchments from his waist, where they were stored, with the aim of clarifying some doubts with Roger. Upon opening the scroll, he noticed something strange: he had learned the Ignis Frigoris spell, but the text on the scroll had not yet disappeared.
However, he considered the possibility that in order to fully master a spell recorded in the scroll, it might be necessary to learn all of its possible forms. The scroll still contained information on how to cast it in the Advanced Core, which would explain why the text hadn't disappeared yet.
- Roger, could you explain to me why, after learning a spell on a parchment, the writing inside it disappears?
Roger received the parchments from Raphaello and opened the Ignis Frigoris, finding the information still intact.
- Parchments? These things are very old; Wizards haven't used these scrolls to sell spells for centuries. I didn't know that scriptures disappeared after the magic was learned, but this is quite strange, I've never heard of a white seal on parchment. Where did you get it?
- Well, I bought these parchments from Bugree's store. It's a basic level one spell, called comprehensio. However, after reading what was written, the writing inside it disappeared.
- You were probably deceived. Bugree is a very smart guy. He sells basic spells because the Baron banned the sale of combat spells. The basic level one spells it offers are almost useless, avoid buying them, some wizards consider that these types of spells can be learned in other ways. But I hadn't thought of Ignis frigoris in the way you used it, that was very smart of you.
Many doubts intrigued Raphaello. Roger had stated that spells did not disappear from parchments, which made sense, considering that there were much more complex spells recorded in books that did not disappear after being read. However, the realization that the Comprehensio scroll had disappeared left Raphaello with a feeling of disappointment, at having been deceived.
- I understand. It seems that knowledge about magic is really scarce around here.
- Boy, you seem to know very little about our kingdom, don't you? Baron Jericho's territory is the last place anyone would want to be. Here, we are despised, and only outlaws, slaves, and the dregs of the Kingdom of Lyssandria's society meet. From what I've seen now, you have potential. I'll give you some advice: do everything you can to get out of here.
After Roger's words, Raphaello felt more and more intrigued. He realized how challenging the lack of access to centralized and distributed information, as in his memories of the previous world, can be. However, this new information about the Baron's lands awakened a sense of determination in Raphaello. He began to imagine that the capital of the kingdom must be a much more pleasant place than this small and poor village that constantly offended his eyes with its lack of architectural beauty.
- Now, if you allow me, Raphaello, I need to get back to work, as I have some orders to deliver. I'll see you tomorrow early to start work, and I'm not going to take it easy on you.
Raphaello and Lancer set off again, having completed the first step of their plan. However, Raphaello felt that no matter how hard he tried, he was stuck in an endless cycle, as if he was swimming in the sea but couldn't reach the beach.