When Max exited the simulation and went to get some breakfast, he saw Derek sitting there all by himself, depressed. Max peeked a couple of times at his training and saw that Derek had some progress but if was not enough. It would take him some time until he could really defeat his copy. Max was not sure about the amount of time it would take but he was sure that Derek will get there eventually. After finishing the meal Max and Derek went out to the city again. Max wanted to see the level of his equipment compared to the blacksmith pavilion level. He knew that the products here were generally low quality because of the low level of the empire and the low level of the country they were situated now from Derek's information that he got before. It was still fun to look what he could get here. Max could just sell equipment for high prices. He really had the ability to provide a high amount of products. It was very easy money to make. The blacksmiths in all the countries had high status. A good blacksmith could be followed by a high-ranking knights or even grand knights to get provided by a good equipment. Good gear could boost the power of a fighter by a large amount. Because of that a lot of blacksmiths even of a low rank had their head raised high and sometimes had some arrogance. Max and Derek checked where the blacksmith pavilion was located, and they were pleasantly surprised. It was not too far from the adventurer's guild. It was logical. A lot of adventurers needed equipment, so the location of the pavilion was comfortable for them visit after starting or finishing a mission.
When Max and Derek got to the pavilion, they were both pleasantly surprised. There were a lot of people here. Some of them sold weapons, others just looked around or tried to bargain for a better price for themselves. The funny part was that it was not even inside the pavilion itself. It must be a lot of different low-level blacksmiths that are not recognized by the blacksmith pavilion yet try to earn a name for themselves. Max liked the fact that those people were not abstracted. It seemed that they do not interfere in the pavilion business. Max looked at the different equipment and it was not good generally. He expected that. The highest damage of the equipment he saw was +3 attack damage and it was sad. It was not even at the level of a bronze weapon with no enchantment. After walking outside between the different shop spots Max saw nothing better. Derek was looking with interest at the weapons but when he saw the look on Max's face, he changed his mind. The distain was not hidden at all in the looks of Boss Mag. Derek got used to be around this man and he understood that those weapons were, most likely very bad. Soon the due entered the blacksmith pavilion. Max looked around with a strange look. Derek could not read what was on the mind of his boss. Max had complex feelings. The weapons quality did not change much. The highest one was at a +5 attack damage. It was lame. Also, Max saw that his appraisal skill showed him that most of the people in the hall of the first floor were blacksmith apprentices. An increase from +3 to +5 should be pretty big but even compare to the bronze level weapons it was really bad. Also, the prices were insane. Some of those swords could cost up to 10 silver coins. It was a daylight robbery. Max saw an insignia with a hammer on the robes of the man selling the different equipment. If must be a sign that shows their level as blacksmiths. Also, Max understood that there should be few floors that show different levels of equipment. He asked Derek where is the floor with the better equipment and after some surprise Derek started leading him there. Derek was in this place a couple of times before, but he never went to the second floor. Only nobles or people with the level of knight, mage apprentice and their followers could go on this floor. Derek hesitated a bit when they got to the stairs. Two bulky guards stood near the stairs checking the document of the different people that wanted to get to the second floor. The guards saw the due and made a move to stop them.
"Halt!" The guards spoke while crossing their spears to close the passage of the two incoming unknown people. They knew most of the honored guests that were allowed to enter, and this duo was not one of them. Both Max and Derek wore plain looking clothes, not looking like a nobles or high-level adventurers.
"Hello there. What should we provide to get to the second floor?" Max asked with a smile.
"A noble status is needed or a level of at least apprentice knight or mage." The guard said passively. He did not believe the duo can be at such level. People at that level were pretty rare and they were known in town.
"Is a document from the adventurer team is sufficient to prove my identity and level of strength?" Max asked.
"Yeah." The guard answered.
Max took his identification document and gave it to the guard. The guard did not think much of it but still took a brief look at the documents just to make sure before declining the entry of the duo upstairs. When he saw the data, a cold sweat ran down his spine. This guy before him was a knight and a mage. The scary part was that he was not an apprentice but a real knight and mage. This guard had never seen such level of strength. After getting back to reality the guard quickly gave the documents with a bow and humbly said: "Sir, I'm sorry. I did not recognize your excellency. Please go upstairs to the second floor. If you need anything, please let me know."
The other guard was very surprised by the change of character of his partner, but he did not say anything and let the duo pass. Max and Derek went to the second floor slowly. The other guard asked his partner: "What happened? Why did you let them pass? Is this guy that formidable?"
The guard that saw the documents scoffed: "What do you know? This guy is a monster. He is a mage and a knight level fighter. Not an apprentice. A real mage and knight. Do you want to not let him pass? He gave us a lot of face already. He could blast both of us to death and no one could really do anything to him. He must be from the capital or something like that."
When the other guard heard such things, his face became pale. He knew that people died for less offence towards people with power. Meanwhile Max and Derek arrived at the second level of the blacksmith pavilion...