Elara absorbed his words, a new perspective blooming in her mind. He spoke not of theoretical weaknesses, but of visceral, life-or-death scenarios. "So, a mage should cultivate more than just magical prowess?" she mused aloud.
"A true mage, heading into true wilderness," the old adventurer corrected, his eyes twinkling, "always does." He then set down the dagger and crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. "You, young Elara, for all your prodigious magic, are a leaf in the wind when it comes to the blade. You don't know its dance, its whisper, its bite. Relying on an enchanted knife without the skill to wield it is like trying to sail a ship without knowing the currents."
Elara felt a prickle of embarrassment, but mostly, a keen desire to learn. He was right. Her martial prowess was a mere afterthought compared to her magical might. "You speak with great experience," she acknowledged. "I confess, my physical training has been... less prioritized than my magical studies."
"As is common for mages of your caliber," he grunted. "Why bother with steel when you can conjure fire? But fire can be doused. A well-placed blade, however..." He left the thought hanging, letting it sink in. "How soon do you depart for these Wilds?"
"In two days," Elara replied, the immediacy of the departure suddenly feeling even more daunting after his blunt assessment.
The man's eyes narrowed slightly, a thoughtful expression replacing his usual gruffness. He walked over to a glass display case at the back of the shop, rummaging beneath it. He emerged with two items. The first was a simple, silver ring, unadorned except for a faint, almost invisible shimmer. The second was a plain, dark leather mask, seemingly unremarkable.
"This," he said, holding up the ring, "is a Shield-Ring. It has a minor shield domain enchantment, capable of absorbing a single, sudden impact – a surprise blow, a stray arrow, a beast's lunge. It won't stop a barrage, but it might give you the breath you need to cast a spell or evade." He then presented the mask. "And this is a Cloaking Mask. It's not true invisibility, but it dampens your magical signature and mutes your presence to mundane senses. Useful for avoiding unwanted attention, whether from beasts or... other adventurers."
He held them out to her. "Consider these... a loan. Or a test. They are not for sale. If you return, you can tell me how useful they were. If you do not..." He shrugged, the unspoken conclusion hanging heavily in the air. "Then perhaps you never needed them."
Elara's eyes widened, recognizing the immense value of such items, especially given her current lack of close-combat training. "But... why?"
"Because," he said, his gaze piercing, "a prodigy with no understanding of true danger is just a lamp waiting to be snuffed out. You seek understanding of untamed magic in the Wilds. These might just keep you alive long enough to find it. And if you learn the lesson, young van Hatte, then perhaps Veridian will have another mage worthy of its legends. Now go. You have two days to prepare for more than just conjuring tricks."
Elara nodded, taking the ring and mask, feeling the subtle hum of their enchantments. "Thank you," she said, a profound gratitude in her voice. "I will not disappoint you."
With a final, meaningful look from the old adventurer, Elara turned and left the shop, the jingle of the bell a quiet punctuation to the powerful encounter. The city seemed less vibrant now, the weight of her impending journey and the insights she'd just gained settling heavily upon her. The Blackberry Wilds suddenly felt much closer.