"Frantoch? We're actually going to a city, not a small town?!" A spark of excitement ignited within Jash's gaze. "We're–"
"Yes. That's where we're going," Bil stated. "I'll explain more later, so focus on shopping for now. By the way, do you know what style of armor you prefer?"
Shaking his head, Jash answered, "I don't. I've always wanted to try on different kinds…"
Immediately noticing his customer's weak point, the shop owner hurried to the young man. "In that case, please follow me. We have a few sets, as well as partial sets that you can mix and match as you wish. Why not select a few options and I'll help you try them on in our changing room?"
"I-is that–" Jash stopped himself, noticing the loving smile on Bil's face. "Okay.. I'll try those two first."
"Excellent choices, sir!" The shopkeep swept Jash away and eagerly helped the boy with the two most expensive armors without any mention of a price.
Hearing familiar footsteps approaching, Bil shouted, "Jash, I'll be right back! It seems Nelphy found what she wanted."
"Okay!" Jash replied, already enraptured in the feeling of his first-ever set of armor.
Nelphy smiled wide, realizing that Jash had finally loosened up. "Hurry, Bil. Before someone else buys it!"
Bil gladly followed Nelphy as they weaved through traffic. Not even five booths away, they stopped as Nelphy shouted, "I'm back! So, please don't–"
"I'm sorry, Miss, but they've given me an offer I can't refuse," stated the man at the shop.
Stepping forward, Bil asked, "What's the item? And what's the offer?"
"Hey! It's mine! You can't–"
Interrupting the rude customer, the shop owner answered Bil, "It's a spatial pendant, a rare find! With it, anyone can store items of all sorts without worry or burden. And the woman has graciously offered one gold drit!"
"Hmm, and what's the capacity?"
"Huh?"
Shaking his head, Bil repeated, "What's the pendant's capacity? How much space is there within the pendant? Don't you know?"
Both Nelphy and the woman were startled by the question. But they looked at the shopkeep awaiting an answer.
Frowning softly, the keeper shrugged. "I'm sorry, but I'm not sure. It was by luck that I managed to get this one at an auction in Frantoch. So–"
"If you had bought it at auction, then you would know. Every item is announced and described with care." As Nelphy and the woman were stunned by Bil's unexpected knowledge, Bil continued, "If you're unable to tell me the capacity, then allow me to test it personally."
"See!" The shopkeep picked up a random trinket off the table, supposedly activating the pendant to store and retrieve the trinket. "Despite not knowing the capacity, a single gold drit is a wonderful price for even the lowest quality of spatial accessories."
"Let me test it personally, please," insisted Bil, getting the shopkeep to frown a little deeper.
Shaking his head, the man replied, "I'm sorry, but I can't do that in good conscience. There's a chance that–"
"Then hold this." Bil flicked a gold drit into the air, catching the eyes of people walking by. As the man happily accepted the coin, Bil added, "But if I'm not satisfied with the pendant, I want a refund."
"I'm sorry but there are no–"
"I never said I was purchasing the item," Bil remarked, unnerved. "I asked to test it and you were hesitant because I might steal it. This way, I can test it and you can keep the payment should I run off. Now, allow me to test the pendant."
"B-but sir, I already agreed to sell it to her for–"
Two more gold drits flipped through the air. The thin, rectangular coins clattered on the table, attracting even more people to the booth when paired with Bil getting louder and louder. "There! Now, if the item is as promised you'll keep all three gold drits! So, I ask once more, let me test the pendant?"
Now, a small crowd had gathered around them. The woman interested in the pendant didn't seem disappointed or mad, only curious as to why the shopkeep had suddenly become so hesitant. The woman questioned, "Hurry up, or were you trying to sell me a fake?!"
"Sir, Madam–"
"I'll give you three seconds to pass me the pendant. Otherwise, I'll be taking my gold drits to the barracks," stated Bil, dropping all sense of cordiality.
Albeit reluctantly, the shopkeep grinned and passed over the pendant as he pocketed the gold drits. "Here you are, sir! I'm sure you'll be more than satisfied!"
"Wait." Bil grabbed the man's wrist, not letting him back away. "If you dare make a move to exit your stand before I can test and confirm this item, then I'll be taking your hand in exchange for my money."
"I-I would never!" blurted the shopkeep, not daring to move unnecessarily.
Transparent energy surrounded the pendant, but nothing else seemed to happen.
"Interesting…" Without a word, Bil tossed the pendant back to the shopkeep with a gentle grin.
Heaving a sigh of relief, the shopkeep asked, "So? Was it not to your liking?"
"I'm still unsure, so can you demonstrate once more?" Bil asked softly, getting a strange look from Nelphy. "One more demonstration and I'll add these to the price."
Spotting two more gold drits in Bil's fingertips, the shopkeep nodded with excitement. "Of course, sir! It's a tricky item to use at first, so allow me to demonstrate and explain things properly!
"One must first bond to the pendant, giving this particular accessory an extra layer of security!" announced the man, easing the hearts of the gathered crowd. "Bonding takes an entire day, so of course, you were unable to use it properly. But I've owned this item for more than a week, so allow me to demonstrate again."
All smiles, the man picked up the same trinket from before and waved it in front of the crowd, as if performing a magic trick. "First, select the item you wish to store. Also with your mind, you'll be able to feel the contents of the pendant for easy access as well. With that in mind, you then add just a touch of veita.. And, voila! …"
"Having some trouble?"