"You're not planning to fight Saveth in those clothes, are you?"
"W-Well, I guess you're right," Jan said, then turned to Aeris. "Is it okay if we go? You said you were hungry."
Aeris scratched her cheek. "I-I guess I can wait a little."
Sophia's face lit up. "See?! Come on, it'll be fun!" She grabbed Aeris's hand and tugged her forward. "I know some good places—we'll find something great."
Watching that faint smile on Aeris's face brought a smile to Jan's lips too.
'I guess they decided to toss their differences aside and become friends.'
====
A while later.
"How can you be so stupid, Crispy!"
"You're the stupid one, Leaf Brain!"
"He obviously needs to buy a staff! After what we saw today? He's clearly destined to be a mage, you thick-brained barbarian!"
"Mage?! In your dreams! You didn't see him fight—he's a swordsman! Did you miss those muscles?"
"Ooooh, so you have been checking him out, huh?!"
Steam practically shot out of Sophia's head. "T-That's not the point!"
"Look at you—you're not even denying it!" Aeris shot back.
"L-Look who's talking! It was you who stripped him naked in the first place!"
Aeris's ears turned bright red. "S-Stripped him?! You're talking as if I've forced him! He did it on his own."
The two of them bickered furiously in the middle of the shop, escalating into light shoving and flailing hands. Meanwhile, Jan stood frozen—burning with embarrassment.
The shopkeeper, standing nearby, clearly heard every word. He pretended to be busy counting coins, which only made it worse.
"Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!" Jan finally snapped.
The girls froze.
He clenched his jaw, glaring at them both, then glanced at the owner—who was now staring very intently at his ledger.
"You're embarrassing me. I'll buy both—just stop."
"We're sorry," they said in unison.
Jan let out a long sigh. "Is it class you're talking about?"
"Yes, you have to pick one," said Aeris. "And you're really suited to being a mage. Don't listen to Crispy!"
Jan looked at Sophia. She shook her head repeatedly, pointed at her sword, and gave him a thumbs-up.
Jan gave a bitter smile. "Can't I just be both?"
Aeris pressed a hand to her forehead. "Why do you always have to make things complicated?"
"What do you mean?!"
"Technically, you can," Sophia said, trying to explain, "but you'd be splitting your energy instead of focusing."
"Crispy's right," Aeris added. "Trying to be both would leave you good at neither. But if you're really that good at fighting up close, maybe go for a hybrid class—something that blends Mana and Swordsmanship."
"Like you, Sophia?!" Jan asked.
"Yes, like me! A Magic Knight!"
"Or you could be a Battlemage!"
"Or both of you could stop throwing random words at me and actually help."
"Ahem. May I intervene, hero?" came a voice from the side.
They turned to see the man behind the counter step forward. "I'm Archevin, the owner of this shop. I couldn't help overhearing your class discussion. I might be able to help."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Jan."
"First allow me to thank you, Hero Jan, everyone in town heard of your heroism last night."
"T-Thank you," Jan replied, scratching his cheek. Sophia patted his shoulder with a grin.
"As for your class, the girls are right. It's important to focus on one path."
"Exactly," Aeris agreed.
"But many adventurers wait until they start climbing the tower. Those who picked early often changed later. You never know what the tower will reveal. Some warriors find a rare spell book and shift paths completely."
"So you're saying I should wait?"
"Yes. If you're talented in both, just take your time and test both classes. Some hit a wall, others grow in ways they never expected. The girls might agree."
"I guess he could wait," said Aeris.
"I still think he's better suited to be a warrior, but we'll see," said Sophia.
"I'll buy both then."
"And I'll give you a discount—consider it a thank-you for saving us, and for it being your first purchase. But you'll have to pick one first; you have the entire shop at your service."
Jan turned to the girls, who looked really excited to start, and then smiled bitterly. "Who's first?"
"M—"
Before Aeris could utter the word, Sophia leapt forward. "Me! There are plenty of swords in the shop, let's start from this side."
She nudged him toward a shelf lined with various swords.
Each was distinct and polished—some gilded in gold, others in silver, with a few bearing intricate patterns and designs.
Jan picked one, unsheathed it, and then gave it a few test swings.
It looked like a fine sword. Sharp. Balanced.
Jan looked at Archevin, who smiled warmly. Then turned back at Sophia, whispering. "Hey, I don't know why, but these all scream expensive. You think we'll be alright?"
"How much do you still have?" Sophia whispered.
Jan hadn't counted.
But what he did know for sure was this: he had 500g left from his bet against Sophia—after donating his winnings to the guild. The Eclipse Hare had dropped 80g, two hours of wolf hunting earned him 4g, and the guild gave him another 10g for completing his first mission.
He also remembered the System claiming he received massive payments, 100k gold after the attack wave incident—but he never actually received it.
'That's why I can't trust it. It always deceives me.'
Jan groaned, '100k gold would have been nice...'
"What's wrong?!" Sophia whispered. "Did you lose the money?!"
"No, I should have a little under 590g after groceries."
"You scared me! You've got more than enough."
'Well, judging by grocery prices, that is a lot,' Jan thought. Then said, "But is it really necessary to buy a new sword? The one you gave me works fine."
"It's alright, but low on durability. You should always upgrade when you can. Just look at yours, then look at this."
[Identify: Longsword – "Ashfang"]
Type: Weapon – Two-Handed
Tier: Uncommon
Damage: Moderate
Effect: +3 STR | Mild Poison Resistance
Durability: 18/100
Jan used Identify on Sophia's pick:
[Identify: Longsword – "Steelfang"]
Type: Weapon – Two-Handed
Tier: Common
Damage: Low
Effect: None
Durability: 100/100
"Yeah, I can see it now."
"Items looted from monsters usually have low durability. Unless they're rare, they're not worth repairing."
"Got it. But the one I have has some effect—this one doesn't?"
"The higher the tier, the better the effects—some even come with skills. That's why none of these will do." Sophia turned to the shopkeeper. "Don't you have anything better than these shiny scraps? I know you do!"
"S-Shiny scraps?!" Archevin echoed, offended. Aeris giggled.
"P-Princess Sophia, I always have the best gear. Just wait. I'll bring something from the back."
A moment later, he returned with a sword, gleaming.
"This is the best I have. Price is a bit high, but it's worth every coin!"
"Let me see." Sophia grinned. "Hmm, not bad, this would do for now!"
Jan quickly used Identify:
[Identify: Runeblade – "Duskfang"]
Type: Weapon – Longsword
Tier: Uncommon
Base Damage: Moderate
Effects:
• +3 STR
• +5% Critical Hit Rate
• Emits a faint pulse when corrupted creatures are nearby
Durability: 120/120
"Whoa!" Jan exclaimed.
"Right?!" Archevin said, beaming.
"How about the staff?" Aeris asked, slightly annoyed. "None of these look good either!"
"I brought it just in case!" Archevin said, placing it on the table.
[Identify: Enchanted Staff – "Blazewood Scepter"]
Type: Weapon – Staff
Tier: Uncommon
Base Focus: Moderate
Elemental Affinity: Fire
Effects:
• +2 INT
• +1 WIS
• +5% Mana regeneration rate
• Active Skill: Fireball LV.2
Durability: 100/100
"WHOA! It shoots fire?! Can I buy it? Can I buy it?!"
"No." Aeris shook her head decisively.
"Why?!!!"
"It would hinder your learning. Besides, once you learn real Mana Control, that spell becomes useless."
"But I want to shoot fireballs!" Jan whined.
"No, it doesn't suit you. Your affinity is lightning—this one's fire." She turned to Archevin. "Hey, old man!"
"Y-Yes?"
"You got a neutral staff?"
"Oh! Hard to come by... but yes!" He pointed to a staff mounted on the wall behind him, displayed like a trophy.
He carefully took it down and placed it on the counter.
"Miss, I have to warn you though, this one's really expensive."
"Oh? Let's see."
[Identify: Enchanted Staff – "Silverspire"]
Type: Weapon – Staff
Tier: Uncommon
Base Focus: Moderate
Elemental Affinity: Neutral
Effects:
• +2 INT
• +10% Mana Regeneration Rate
• +10% Mana Control
Durability: 120/120
Aeris grinned. "Now that's a good staff."
"But it doesn't shoot anything," Jan mumbled.
"I guess it's settled then, we'll take these," Sophia said. "Now for armor."
"What are you thinking? Light or heavy?" Archevin asked.
"Leather."
"Then the one on your right would fit him well," Archevin said.
"Alright, Jan. Go change. See if it's comfortable."
"Yes..." Jan replied still sulking about not getting the fireball staff.
A moment later, he stepped out wearing a fitted leather vest, dark and lightweight, with reinforced bracers and matching boots.
The armor hugged his frame tighter than expected, creaking slightly with each move.
He looked more like an adventurer now—far less like a lost tourist.
"...Not bad," he muttered. "But it feels a little weird."
Jan looked down at himself—sword on one side, staff on his back. Was this actually common?
'I don't think so!'