While all the commotion was happening, Daishi was wandering through the streets of Ramiya, looking for a job. He found himself on the road to AMO, one of the busiest towns in Ramiya. Shops of all kinds, big and small, lined both sides of the street. Among them, a fancy magic shop caught his eye.
Daishi entered the shop and asked if they had any job vacancies. Not only did they reject him, but they also chased him out because he was half-dwarf and small.
Dwarfs were renowned for their unique and unparalleled skills in crafting weapons and magical items. Their methods were highly sought after, known only to their kind and protected by blood oaths. Even if the techniques were leaked, they were so intricate that mastering them was almost impossible for other races. This exclusivity made dwarf-made goods highly valuable and in great demand. However, human weapon makers resented dwarfs because, despite the occasional lack of craftsmanship compared to human-made weapons, dwarf products fetched higher prices due to their rarity and mystique. This deep-seated resentment fueled prejudice against dwarfs.
After an hour of wandering, it was almost noon. Daishi, feeling disheartened, walked down a less crowded street. Amid his dejection, he noticed an empty plot of land with grass growing wildly. On the other end of the lot stood a small shop that seemed utterly neglected. A broken wooden fence surrounded the area, and a half-shattered signboard hung precariously in front of the shop. It read: "Magic Shop." The building itself was about 4 meters wide and 7 meters tall, with two windows on either side of the door.
Curious, Daishi approached the shop and touched the door. It creaked open, revealing an astonishing sight inside.
Daishi was mind-blown. "Holy shit! Is this space magic? No way! The shop is so much bigger on the inside."
A portly man with brown shoulder-length hair greeted him. The man looked to be in his mid-forties and wore small, professional-looking glasses with a gold chain attached.
"Welcome, sir," the man said warmly. "My name is Winsant, and I am the owner of this shop. Did anything here catch your interest? It's rare to see a customer these days. People are so obsessed with destruction and violence. But I believe magic should be used to protect ourselves, make life easier, invent new things, and explore the limitless potential of the unknown."
Daishi thought to himself, This is my dream. I never thought I'd meet someone who shares my interests. He stepped forward and asked Winsant to get off his chair.
Winsant chuckled and stepped down. "Alright, kid. What do you need?"
"I need a job," Daishi said earnestly. "I want to assist you in inventing new things, and I need to learn from you."
Winsant adjusted his glasses and studied Daishi. "I can see the fire in your eyes. But it's not as simple as you think, kid."
"I'm ready for any challenge," Daishi replied confidently. "Here, let me show you something." He pulled out a small invention. "I registered this tech with the MMM."
Winsant's eyes widened. "Such an achievement at your age? You're talented! And a dwarf…"
Daishi hesitated. "Is it a problem that I'm half-dwarf?"
Winsant laughed. "Why would it be? That's the best part! Dwarfs have a unique talent for crafting magic items. You'd make the perfect apprentice. I can pay you 10 copper daily. That's all I can manage for now. You can stay here, and I'll provide food as well."
Daishi's face lit up. "I'm delighted, my second master."
"Second master?" Winsant asked curiously.
"I had a master who helped me create this invention," Daishi explained, showing his device.
"Oh, I see. Well, welcome aboard," Winsant said. "By the way, this place may look old, but the space inside is thanks to some incredible magic."
"Is it your magic?" Daishi asked.
"No," Winsant replied. "This shop belonged to my master, and before him, his master. My grandmaster created this place using a 7-charter rune magic system. The rune core was gifted by a dwarf to my grandmaster centuries ago. Even I don't know some of the shop's secrets."
"Seven-charter rune magic? That's amazing!" Daishi exclaimed.
Winsant smiled. "What's your name, kid?"
"Oh, I'm sorry for the late introduction," Daishi said. "I'm Daishi, a half-dwarf, half-witch inventor."
"Nice to meet you, Daishi. Now, about this device, you showed me…" Winsant inspected it closely. "This is great! With your talent and my experience, we can work on crafting magic items that have never been invented before. We'll usher in a new era."
"The era of invention!" Daishi said with determination.
Winsant chuckled. "Let's discuss this further at my wife's shop. Come on."
"Is it a magic shop?" Daishi asked.
"No, it's a bakery," Winsant said proudly. "One of the best in all of Ramiya. We're famous, you know. You can help my wife in your free time."
Daishi smiled. "I'd be happy to."
The two walked for five minutes before Winsant pointed ahead. "Here it is…"
It was so crowded, with at least 50 people in the queue.Daishi: "How will we get in? Every way is packed!"
Wincent: "There's a back door. Follow me."
They both slipped through the back door.
A slim, beautiful lady wearing a turban approached them.
Fumiko: "Honey, you're late today. Ah..! Who's this kid?"
Wincent: "He's my new assistant. He'll help you out in his free time."
Fumiko: "What's your name, my new assistant?"
Daishi: "I'm Daishi, ma'am."
Fumiko: "That's a cute name. You don't have to call me ma'am—just call me by my name. I'm not that old, you know. I'll bring you something to eat; I can hear your belly crying."
Daishi (whispering to Wincent): "Is that your wife? She's beautiful."
Wincent: "She's my queen. Look, that's our wedding picture on the wall."
Daishi: "You were so skinny then. How did you get this... round?"
(Fumiko returned with a tower of cakes and other foods)
Fumiko: "He's not fat; he's thinner than yesterday."
Daishi: "That's a lot, Mr. Wincent."
Fumiko: "I'll bring some sweets I made recently."
Daishi: "Are you going to eat all of this?"
Wincent: "How can I say no when she specially makes her best cakes for me, with lots of love?"
Daishi (thinking): Your huge tummy says it all.
Meanwhile, at the Ramiya Guild:
Sakura was unconscious.
Guild Master: "It seems she has internal injuries, and mana well cracks. We must take her to the church. Only the church healers can use High Purification and High Heal, and only that can save her."
(It would cost two big gold coins for both High Heal and High Purification.)
Kiyoshi: "Where is the nearest church?"
Guild Master: "In Ramiya, around two to three hours away at top speed. I'll arrange the fastest horse."
The Guild Master arranged for the fastest horse they had and sent both of them to the church with a letter and enough money.
Kiyoshi: "Thank you. I'll never—"
Guild Master: "Don't waste your time. I'm the one who should apologize. I'm the one who sent you on a quest that I thought was a B or A rank, but it turned out to be an S or SS rank. Now, get moving!"
Kiyoshi carried Sakura to the carriage while the rider drove the horse at full speed.
Sakura's head rested on Kiyoshi's lap, her eyes closed like a small child sleeping. Kiyoshi's eyes filled with tears of regret that he couldn't do anything. He hugged her tightly.
Kiyoshi: "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I'm this useless. I will save you, no matter what."
He kissed her.
(A sudden automatic activation of healing magic occurred.)
It revived her slightly; she touched Kiyoshi's face with her cold hand and smiled faintly before falling unconscious again.