Tael and I have arrived at the equipment shop that I went to before to get my own items. Tael needs to get his own sleeping bag and, preferably, a rucksack as well. Unfortunately for me, he is making this difficult.
"Come on. You need to buy equipment!"
"But it's gonna be expensive! We did just fine last time!"
"I did just fine last time. You mooched off of me."
"Well that worked out just fine too! Please stop staring at me angrily like that! Okay I apologize. I APOLOGIZE!"
I turned back around after giving Tael a good shaking. Since there are people around, I'd rather not draw a crowd.
We entered the shop and were greeted by the sound of the front door bell ringing. Inside we saw a multitude of items from rucksacks, cooking supplies, and various camping tools which resided on the walls and shelves.
"Oh! Hello there! Hey… You're that guy that bought everything at once the other day! Don't tell me something was damaged?"
"No, the stuff you sold me worked great. I just need you to help this guy right here with getting his own supplies."
Upon being introduced, Tael struck a minor pose and made a declaration.
"Hello! I am the level 3 wizard, Tael! I require your cheapest equipment!"
"..." x2
Both the shopkeeper and I stared at this troublesome half elf.
"W-Well? What say you? Come on! Show me your stuff!"
"A-Ah, yes. Here, let me show you around."
The shopkeeper waddled out from behind the counter and began to show Tael around.
"This rucksack is the same type that your friend over there uses! I guarantee its quality!"
"But can you guarantee its low price?"
"Excuse me just a moment, Shopkeeper-san." I said as I dragged Tael into a chokehold off to the side.
"Hey! You need good equipment! Why are you trying to get cheap stuff?"
"B-Because I don't want to spend a lot of money! Come on, Kenji! You don't understand what it's like to be poor!"
"And YOU don't seem to understand what it's like to depend on low value equipment! Just get some decent gear. You don't need a bunch of stuff, just a sleeping bag and a rucksack to carry your stuff. That's all I ask. I already have the cooking supplies and dinnerware so we don't need those. Just… Please get some good equipment."
After grumbling for a moment, Tael finally acquiesced to my request.
"Fine. But only the rucksack and the sleeping bag."
"Only those."
"'OnLy ThOsE!' He says."
Despite my frustration with him, Tael walked towards the shopkeeper once more.
"According to my hostage taker, I need to buy this rucksack and a good sleeping bag."
"Hostage taker?"
"Alright my boy! I'll grab the same rucksack that your friend uses and the same sleeping bag! I guarantee you won't regret it!"
After Tael's items had finally been selected, we approached the counter.
"Alright! Tallying your total it will be... 200 juns!"
"Ugh."
"Tael, pay him."
"But that's so much money, Kenji! That's a third of the reward money from the quest!"
"And it's also necessary equipment."
Tael merely grumbled as he slowly brought out the 200 juns.
"H-H-Here you go…" Tael said as he handed over the money. It looked like this action was bringing him physical pain.
"A-Ah… Thank you for your purchase." The shopkeeper said with a pained expression.
Tael took his new items and we left the shop. Tael looks somewhat depressed now.
"Hey man, it might suck now but it's an investment!" I decided to console Tael with the same logic that I used for myself.
"Yeah… I guess… It's just…"
"Just what?"
"Don't worry about it. It's not your problem."
Though I want to know what's going on, I get the feeling that this is something that I shouldn't poke into too much.
"...Whatever, let's just head to the guild."
"Alright."
After some walking, we returned to the guild hall to find Erana and Kany deep in discussion.
"So then we'll use your spell and my new skill in tandem! It'll make things way easier!"
"I hope you're right, Kany."
"Hey you two. What are you discussing?"
"Ah, Kenji-san, Tael-san! We were just discussing a combat strategy!"
"Does it revolve around your new spell?"
"Perhaps."
I turned over to Kany and lightly grasped her hands.
"Kany… Would you be so kind as to tell me what her new spell is?"
"U-Um… Onii-san, Erana said it's a secret that she'd only tell me for now…"
I shot a death glare at Erana who responded by looking away.
"Fine! Whatever! I'll find out eventually! I doubt it's gonna matter that much anyway!"
"Haha! Kenji, if you're this excited for her one measly spell, you're going to lose your mind at my TWO new spells!"
"Measly?"
"You learned two new spells? What are they?"
"I'll show you outside of town, but one is for combat while one is utility!"
"Utility? I thought you said that wizard is a combat class. Why would it give utility abilities?"
"Utility stuff can be used in combat too! There's a whole big world of stuff you don't know about, Kenji. Don't worry, I'll take pity and educate you."
"Fine. I need you to teach me how to cast spells anyway. I gained a level in wizard so I should be able to cast a spell now."
"That's right! I'll show you when we leave the city."
"Why don't you just show me now?"
"You can't cast spells in the city, Kenji-san." Yimmie butted in.
"Hm? Why not?"
"It's to prevent low level wizards from setting things on fire or destroying stuff."
"Oh, I see..."
That makes sense. Considering how Tael felt about the forest, I can't imagine how bad it would get if we had a thousand wizards like him running amok with no limitations.
"Oh, Yimmie-san while you're here I need to extend my stay at the inn."
"Really? I thought you were heading out to a quest."
"I am but I need some place to keep my stuff."
"The guild offers a storage service for people on quests. It's free of charge for adventurers."
"That exists?"
"Y-Yeah. Why would I say it existed if it didn't?"
"I'll take that option then."
"Alright! let me just get the form for you."
With that, Yimmie left.
"Once I put my stuff away let's head out. It's almost noon so we need to move out."
"Roger that, Onii-san."
"Understood. I'm looking forward to camping with you all!"
We parted ways for a moment while we all gathered our supplies for the road ahead. Meanwhile, I went up to the booth with a certain birdbrain in it.
"Ah, Kenji-san. I'll take your stuff from your room to the storage space. Just sign this form and hand over your key."
"Thank you, Yimmie-san."
"Stay safe on your travels."
With that, I left the guild hall with the rest of my party and we began to depart for our next quest.