After a few non alcoholic drinks and a bit of bantering to get the conversation going, Ben started to talk business as he noticed the new hammer on Azi's toolbelt.
"So how's that hammer holding up? Is the metal any good?"
"So far I have no complaints, the durability and strength are similar to that of refined steel under certain conditions. After I examined it yesterday for any strains or cracks, I found no issues from the tests I performed the day before. Here. Take a look."
Azi fished through his bag and took out a brown notebook. Before handing it to them with his hammer, he flipped to a specific page to show the notes he took down concerning his observations and experiments.
Ben and Bail looked over the notes and their eyes began to widen as they were amazed by what they read. Bail then grabbed the hammer and began to give it an appraising look.
"Is it true, can it really replace refined steel?" Asked Bail, his voice tinged with excitement.
"Not completely, it makes for a cheaper and easier to make alternative to refine steel but it lacks a few of the qualities of refined steel. For the new metal to be on par with refined steel, the user must be able to manipulate a small amount of magical energies to bring out the latent properties of the new metal."
"Even so, well done lad. You seem to be making a name for yourself already, but with this I think everyone in the Empire will want your new metal." Added Ben.
"Well, that is the plan, which brings me to my next point." Azi then took out the spare spear head he had forged yesterday.
"I made this for you both to test. While the metal works well as a hammer, we need to test the metal when it's made into different weapons and shapes. I'm giving this to you so that you can test it yourself. If you are interested in what you find, let me know and we can come to a deal on how we can sell it."
Ben picked up the spear head and began examining by giving it a few flicks and taps with his thick and callused hands. "I'll run a few tests and I'll let you know when we've come to a decision. But are you sure you want to give this to us? We could steal the credit from you?"
"Not to worry, I plan to inform Kajima about today's conversation. So, unless you want beef with him, I suggest that you don't do anything rash." Said Azi with a grin on his face.
Ben and Bail stiffened up at the grin Azi was sending their way. The thought of facing a pissed off Kajima was something they dreaded and they nodded their heads in agreement. Wanting to change the topic away from their "past trauma", Ben asked.
"So what are you going to call it, you made the dang metal so now's you'r chance before someone else names it for you."
Azi then pondered on what name he should give the metal. Remembering that it took a combination of iron, nickel, gengiri carapace, and beowolf claws. He decided to call it blood steel due to how much blood he had to drain from monsters so that he had enough materials for his experiment.
It was also to represent the tiny crimson red channels in the metal and from his previous knowledge of how iron is found in the blood of most animals.
"Why blood steel? Why not black steel?" Asked Ben.
Suddenly, Bail smacked Ben in the head with an open palm as he admonished him.
"JUST LET THE LITTLE LAD NAME IT. COME ON, HAVE SOME TACK BROTHER."
"OUCH, alright alright I was just making a suggestion. Do not gotta be so aggressive Bail."
Ben sighed at Bail's whining and asked. "So is there anything else you need Azi?"
At his question, Azi wrote up a list of items he needed delivered to Kajima's.
He would need more materials to make a few more items he had in mind for the future but what was imperative was that he had enough material to remake Shizu's weapon.
Using the money he made from doing small commissions from Ben and Bail, such as making knives or doing some maintenance on some weapons. Azi had made a small amount of money for his own personal use.
In the two past weeks, he was able to save up 2000 Minos, which was about 2 months' worth of funds a single peasant needed to live. He used up 3/4 of his total personal funds for materials, so he was left with 500 Minos to use for other items he needs to buy from the market.
After a bit more chatting about business and some bantering about good food and drink found around the village, Azi said his farewells and made his way to his next destination.
After his business with Ben and Bail was concluded, Azi walked to the village markets. He was looking at the goods the variety of shops displayed for sale, he hoped that the shop owners could possibly sell him what he was looking for.
Many of the shop owners recognized Azi not just because he was the apprentice to Lady Shizu but because he had been visiting the markets whenever he could. He would ask the shop owners where they source their goods and chatted with them about their work and personal troubles.
They were sometimes generous and gave Azi a discount if he helped them with a few odd jobs such as playing with their kids to help keep them occupied. Due to his unfortunate youthful looks and small stature, he fit right in with the kids and was playful to bout.
He was like an older brother to the shop owner's kids, but in reality his age made him technically their uncle.
On a less embarrassing topic, Azi had to put the somewhat "short" comments the passerbyers were saying and refocus on his mission. Currently, he was looking for supplies for burn and cut medicines he was using when forging in the workshop. He was still an amateur so getting burns and cuts were common for him until he became more proficient at his work.
This was why Azi was looking for herbs and medicinal plants he could use to make alternatives to the liquid medicines and instead use the cheaper option of salves for burns and cuts. He also needed to obtain a supply of stamina boosting potions.
These potions were used by soldiers during times of war but due to the recent peace the supply has grown while demand has decreased but nonetheless these potions had their uses, so they were quite sought after even with the lowered demand.
The forging process was going to be difficult on his body so to ensure that he was at his best for long periods of time and that he did not get sick from his injuries, Azi felt that these medicines and aptly named stamina potions would be necessary for his success.
Unfortunately, with only 500 Minos, he wasn't able to find a seller who was willing to sell him the amount of medicinal herbs, plants, and stamina potions he needed with what little money he had. Those that gave him discounts were unable to give up their stock of stamina potions as they were being reserved and brought up by village chief Manu.
With the recent increase in monster attacks, came also an increase in the number of injured soldiers. The shopkeepers in Shisayama had all raised their prices which made this another ordeal Azi would have to find a unique solution too.
He thought about which apothecary shops he already visited and narrowed down to the last one he could reliably turn to by the end of the day. When we realized who he would have to talk to, he grimaced a bit but nonetheless bit the proverbial bullet.
Azi had no choice but to go to the last option he had. After a bit of walking, Azi was now looking up at the sign of a shop that had a green 4 leafed clover. This was none other than Elder Sung's shop and while he did come visit from time to time in the last month he would rather not have come. The times Elder Sung and Saki had teased him about the events that took place between himself and Shizu still grinded his gears and he hoped to not go through such an embarrassing ordeal.
Putting on his best business-like expression he steeled himself and walked into the shop. At this point Azi knew of Elder Sung's mischievous personality so he would do his best to not get caught up in her flow.
The ringing of the shop's front door rang out and in response the owner behind the counter turned to see who had come into her shop.
As Elder Sung's sight came upon Azi's business-like expression, her mischievous self in the back of her mind desired to tease the short boy until his expression broke. To ensure that her mannerisms didn't spoil the fun, Elder Sung hid the slight grin in her smile from Azi.
Making his way over to the front counter, Azi asked plainly and was straight to the point.
"Elder Sung, do you have any herbs or medicinal plants that are for treating burns and cuts? And do you have any stamina potions? I need them in these quantities."
Taking out his brown notebook, Azi flipped to a page with the written down amounts he had calculated the day prior.
Elder Sung looked at the proffered page and stated in a mock business-like tone.
"I believe I have enough of what you are looking for in stock. How much can you pay "little" boy?"
Azi's eye twitched at Elder Sung's sing-song like tone at the end of her words but offered through his gritted teeth.
"500 Minos."
"Oh well, that's unfortunate. You are about 500 Minos short."
Sighing heavily, Azi then asked begrudgingly as he knew what was coming next and would not let the conversation diverge.
"What do I have to do?"
He knew that if he could not get what he needed here, Azi would have to spend days visiting other shops to find a possible seller, but Azi had no time left. He told Shizu he would get it done soon and needed to get started tomorrow if he planned to keep his promise.
Chuckling from Azi's expression, Elder Sung capitulated.
"I will sell it for you if you tell me why you need it. How does that sound?"
A bit surprised, Azi nonetheless responded with a bit of caution. "Really? That's all?"
He thought that Elder Sung would force him to talk about what happened with him and Shizu that night a month ago, but to his surprise all Elder Sung wanted was to know why he needed these items.
Not hesitating, Azi answered with resolute eyes.
"I need to keep my promise with Shizu. Her personal weapon broke due to my actions, so I plan to take responsibility by fixing it up. The medicine, herbs, and stamina potions are for me to use to help make the process of forging her weapon easier and with them I will have a higher chance of success."
"I see. You seem really driven to get the job done. Are you sure you aren't going to use the stamina potions for anything else?" Elder Sung raised a brow in suspicion as the number of stamina potions Azi had wanted seemed over the top for one person to use.
"No, they are just for making Shizu's weapon and well." Azi paused to scratch the back of his head with red cheeks as his business-like expression crumbled under Elder Sung's authoritative gaze as he sputtered his reason. "I did make a promise and I would feel bad if I broke it."
"Indeed, your dignity as a man would really take a blow if you failed." Still directing an appraising look to Azi, Elder Sung soon relented as she saw no lie in his words or expression. She was in fact amused by how easy the boy was as he buckled so easily under her gaze.
After clapping her hands together, she made her decision. "Now that I know, I guess I'll give you the discount."
Sighing in relief Azi thanked Elder Sung and gave her the 500 Minos he had left in his money pouch. Accepting proffered coins, Elder Sung exchanged it for a bag of medicinal ointments, creams for burns, and stamina potions.
This surprised Azi as Elder Sung was giving him the more expensive medicines. He wanted to protest that this was too much but before he could he noticed that Elder Sung seemed annoyed.
As she began counting the money, she sighed in a bit of exasperation.
"What's wrong?" Asked Azi.
"Well, I really thought your relationship with Shizu would have advanced when I saw that you were looking to buy stamina potions. But when you said it was for making Shizu's weapon I was a bit disappointed."
"Why is that?"
"Because I thought that you and Shizu were getting it on in bed and I thought you needed it to keep up with Shizu's stamina."
Azi blushed bright red as his relieved expression broke down into a panic as he retorted to set the record straight.
"We don't have that kind of relationship!! We-we are just close friends and umm I am her apprentice. Plus, you know that an unmarried man and woman should not share a bed."
Omitting the fact that he and Shizu did indeed sleep in the same bed, Azi looked away to keep up the act but this was short lived as Elder Sung looked plainly at him in dumbfoundment.
"I already know, Saki told me. When she was spending time with Shizu, Shizu spilled the beans about the fact that the two of you are sleeping in the bed together. So, there is no hiding it from me. Hahahaha."
Feeling even more embarrassed, Azi could only sigh in defeat as his shoulder slumped as he knew that Elder Sung's personality would drive her to start spreading rumors. In response, Elder Sung picked up on his worries and laughed.
"Hahaha, not to worry my boy. It is not a policy of mine to share the personal information of my customers, so you have nothing to worry about."
Feeling a bit better that his secret was somewhat safe, Azi then asked the previous question in his mind.
"Thank you Elder Sung, but why did you give me the more expensive option of medicines?"
"Just think of it as a gift, but since you asked me a question, mind if I ask you one as well?
"Hmm..... sure? What would that be?"
Elder Sung's expression changed to one of serious concern.
"Do you love Shizu?"
Unaffected by Elder Sung's words, Azi actually took a few moments to seriously think about his answer. This was a matter that he was truly trying to understand and he did not know how to interpret the mix of emotions he felt when Elder Sung asked him this question.
He decided to open his heart a little to Elder Sung as he felt that his secret would be safe with her.
"I am not sure. I feel that I want to be by her side, but I can't really understand what love is. Ever since I've come to Shisayama, I have been having difficulties remembering things of my past. One of the things I can't put my finger on is love as it seems like a distant concept to me. That's all I can say for now, but I am sure that I like her as a close friend and that may turn into something else in the future at this rate."
"I see, well then thank you for answering. You can have this as your reward for being so honest." Impressed, Elder Sung then tossed over an extra bag filled with stamina potions.
Catching the bag, Azi was surprised by the weight of the bag, but it soon changed to a smile.
"Thank you Elder Sung."
Waving her hand to shoo him away, Elder Sung got Azi to get going.
"Yeah Yeah just get going boy and don't mess up. For Shizu's sake I hope you succeed."
Azi could only smile as he left Elder Sung's shop with more than he expected to get. When Azi had fully left the shop, Elder Sung spoke to no one in particular.
"It seems things are going well between them. It's a bit worrying due to Shizu's stubbornness and Azi's amnesia, but I think they will work it out in the end."
Chuckling Elder Sung stated in a cheerful tone.
"I can't wait to see how this pans out."
From the back of the shop came another voice.
"Elder Sung is he gone, can I come out now?"
Through her laughing Elder Sung answered the voice.
"Ah Saki, Yes you can come out. Azi left so there is no need to worry."
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(Should I write more with Elder Sung?)