Tsubaki opened the Guild's doors stretching herself and yawning once she took a step outside. "Man, that sofa was comfortable I was about to fall asleep when you guys came back, I thought that cashing in that many magic stones would take forever"
"I thought so too, fortunately, they had this" Calvin took out the card and showed it to her.
Tsubaki looked at the card, intrigue filling her face "This is new… but how can you buy stuff with this?" handing the card back to him.
He took the card and was struck with the same question, "I don't know the workings but you should be able to use it on almost every store in Orario, maybe we could go somewhere and try it out"
Hearing his words, Tsubaki's lips formed a smirk as the lifted an eyebrow "Oh…? Are you asking me out?"
Calvin was taken aback for a moment before he thought about the words he said 'Oh… not the best choice of words… I meant everyone, not just us… but…' quietly glancing at her body and face 'She's pretty good though'
Suddenly, he felt a light sting on the back of his head making him think about his next words more carefully "You can't take it however you want"
Hearing his answer, Tsubaki chuckled and walked in front of the group with her back at them "Heh, Anyways, we still have a deal to complete, come I'll lead the way"
Calvin looked at her strangely as [Like a Book] told him that she was mildly annoyed 'She sure didn't like my answer' he then felt something on his arm, it was Wiene trying to get his attention.
After getting his attention Wiene Looked at the card in Calvin's hand "Big brother, Can I have a look at that?"
And of course, he couldn't resist her, handing the card to her as she examined it.
Wiene's eye magnified through the glass-like card as she looked at the numbers and letters inside "It's really pretty" handing the card back to Calvin.
Calvin took the card and glanced at it for a moment "Quite handy too, now we don't have to bring a sack of coins everywhere"
However, contrary to his words, he wasn't happy as the numbers on the card were way lower than he had expected '13 and a half million Valis for around 500 monsters killed, not worth it at all. It'll take too long to reach 250 million, I'll have to search for another way of making money'
Pocketing the card, he let Tsubaki lead the way to her home.
>>>>
Reaching Tsubaki's home, he saw a relatively big house of which's design didn't belong to Orario.
Walking past the front yard she opened the door and lead them to a room on the back which was full of metals and minerals, all neatly stacked and organized. "You can put the Damascus over here" she pointed at one side of the room which had a small light blue rock "I was running out of that, thanks for helping me out"
Learner emptied the bag on the spot that Tsubaki told her.
After Learner was done, Tsubaki led them to another room one that had smooth stone on the walls and was pretty dark aside from the candle hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the room.
Calvin looked around the dim room, there was an anvil in the middle, some swords and spear tips hanging from the walls, various buckets, and a metal table with various metal tools on top of it.
Calvin was quite interested in the room, after all, he had never seen a blacksmith's workplace "Is this your…"
Tsubaki stole the words from him "Workshop? Yes." She sat on a wooden stool beside the Anvil and lit up the big furnace in the wall "Now, let's talk about business"
Calvin instantly took out the Red Metal bar on his scabbard, seeing how Tsubaki's expression changed "Before you say anything, I know it is cursed and I know that the Hephaestus Familia doesn't work with curses but I need a weapon and the effect of this curse is exactly what I'm looking for. And… I already went to Hephaestus and she obviously declined"
Tsubaki's eyes narrowed at his last words "I wonder how that went, but… you know that we don't do Curse stuff and yet you came here? What made you think that I'd accept?"
A smirk came to Calvin's mouth "Of course because you are the 'oh so prideful' captain of the Hephaestus Familia who doesn't go back on her word" Emphasizing the last of his words.
Tsubaki's eye frowned ready to lash out in anger at such blatant manipulation. "You…!"
Calvin held out his hands as if giving up "But… I knew that it wouldn't change your mind, so, what if you take it like a challenge?"
Her eyebrows arched at the absurdity of the concept "What do you mean?"
Calvin held out a finger "First, what do you think about Hephaestus?"
Tsubaki rolled her eyes with a chuckle "heh, of course, that she's the best, most talented, and most amazing Blacksmith. The absolute peak of what it means to be a blacksmith"
A shady smile crept up Clavin's mouth "Then, don't you want to be like her?"
Tsubaki nodded "Of course, but that's impossible, I can however keep improving my skills"
Calvin's grin grew even wider "Then what better way than doing something you've never done before? Something that not even Hephaestus herself is willing to do!"
Tsubaki's eyes grew wide. 'How could I not think of that? My skills have also been unchanging for a while now… and it is true that I'd get closer to the level of Hephaestus-sama if I do something that she isn't willing to do,
But Hephaestus will be really mad if she finds out, which she totally will…
But I don't want to lose face after giving my word'
Those thoughts keep circling her head until she grabbed the red metal rod and shoved it into the flaming ambers of the furnace "Ah…! To hell with it!"
She grabbed Calvin by the neck of his shirt "I'll make you a sword, but should Hephaestus get mad at me you'll have to fix it"
Calvin took her words with calm "The deal is sealed then?"
Tsubaki looked at his unwavering eyes and realized something 'This guy… he manipulated me again!' she sighed at her own stupidity for letting him get in her head, but there was nothing to do now, she was already knee-deep in the murky waters that were the man in front of her, and if she was frank with herself, she also wanted to see the outcome.
Loosening the grip on his shirt she let go of him and held her hand out "Yes, the deal is settled"
Calvin answered with a chuckle and a firm handshake.