"Impossible! How did this happen?!" Master Clarence stood in shock, his gaze fixed on the empty space on the bookshelf. It took him a few moments to regain his composure and turn to his apprentice.
"Where is the book?" Master Clarence asked, his attempt at remaining calm overshadowed by the strain in his voice.
"I sold the book, Master," the apprentice whispered.
"You sold the book," Master Clarence repeated, his voice still strained. "How exactly did you sell the book?"
"I didn't recognize the book when the customer presented it. It was covered in heavy layers of dust, so I assumed it must be one of the slower-selling titles. When I offered to sell it for three silvers, he bargained it down to a single silver, citing its aged and dusty condition. He only wanted it for his master's collection because it looked old. Thinking that nobody else would buy the book in its current state, I agreed to his offer," the apprentice explained, speaking slowly.
Master Clarence closed his eyes and clasped the side of his head for a moment, then lowered his hands and asked in the same strained voice, "You sold the book for a single silver?"
"Yes, Master," the apprentice replied, already anticipating the outburst that was about to occur.
"YOU SOLD MY LOST TONGUE BOOK FOR A SINGLE FREAKING SILVER?!?!" Master Clarence screamed.
The apprentice opened his mouth to respond, but his words were drowned out by Master Clarence's continued enraged tirade.
"I paid twenty-five gold for that book! You don't just stumble upon Lost Tongue books lying around on street corners, you imbecile! An adventurer risked his life in a monster-infested ancient ruin, lost three of his companions, and even his own arm to retrieve that book for me. So, don't you dare tell me that you sold it for a single SILVER!"
The apprentice now fully comprehended the magnitude of his master's anger and knew that there was no way to compensate for this colossal mistake. Even his dismissal from his apprenticeship wouldn't suffice to atone for what he had done. He could only wait and endure whatever punishment his master would assign.
The bookstore fell into a hushed silence as the apprentices watched Master Clarence pace back and forth along the aisle. After a few minutes, the pacing stopped, and Master Clarence turned his attention back to his oldest apprentice.
"No. No, no, no, no, no," Master Clarence said in a composed voice, relieving the apprentices who realized that their master had regained his composure. "I refuse to let this happen. Did you recognize which shop's apprentice the customer was?"
"No, Master," the apprentice replied truthfully.
"One of your junior apprentices will take over the shop," Master Clarence declared. "You have my permission to spend time near the guilds, taverns, and merchant halls. You have one week to find me that apprentice. I will personally explain to their master that the book was not meant to be sold and arrange for its return."
The oldest apprentice began to speak but hesitated. After a deep breath, the apprentice posed a question, "What if the apprentice who bought the book was aware that it was written in the lost tongue, Master?"
Master Clarence froze, realizing that he hadn't considered that possibility. He started speaking slowly, his voice filled with concern. "Very few people can read the lost tongue. I have spent many years searching for a translation of that very book. It's difficult to find anyone who would admit to reading it due to the trouble it brings from the temple..."
Master Clarence's voice trailed off, and his eyes widened in shock. Suddenly, everything seemed to click into place as he pieced together recent news he had heard around town. He turned back to his apprentice, a sense of urgency in his voice.
"Find out who purchased the book, but do so discreetly. I only need to know their identity. I have to leave and visit an old friend. I'll return later," Master Clarence said, his words carrying a sense of purpose.
With hurried steps, Master Clarence left the shop, leaving his apprentices pondering the mystery of his sudden departure and wondering who he was going to visit.
Back at the Hammered Glory, Lucas finished reading "The Science of Smelting" and placed the book on the counter. His mind was brimming with knowledge about different methods to transform metal ore rocks into purified metal ingots. He had decided to begin with the traditional approach of heating and hammering, considering it the easiest for new blacksmiths. However, he would have to wait until morning as the setting sun signaled dinnertime.
Grabbing his coin purse, Lucas locked the front door and headed towards the Drunken Squirrel. If you were to ask Lucas about the open shops he passed on the way, he wouldn't be able to answer. His thoughts were consumed by the best way to smelt the ore the following day. It wasn't until he entered the tavern and noticed it was a slow night that he could divert his attention.
That diversion came in the form of the tantalizing aroma wafting from Amber's cooking. Normally, the delightful scent of dinner would permeate the street, drawing in customers. However, tonight's aroma was different. It was a mouthwatering fragrance of fruit-infused freshly baked bread, but its full impact could only be experienced upon entering the tavern.
As Lucas hurriedly made his way to his customary spot at the bar counter, he continued to scan the room, trying to catch a glimpse of what was responsible for the captivating smell. Yet, all he saw was John, laughing at him while tirelessly wiping a never-ending stack of glasses.
"Give it up, Lucas," John advised with a chuckle. "She hasn't brought out the new dish yet. We're all eagerly waiting, just like you."
Lucas grinned and relaxed on his bar stool, eagerly anticipating Amber's grand unveiling. Fortunately, it didn't take long before Amber emerged from the kitchen, carrying a massive pan filled with something resembling fruit cobbler. She took a moment to catch her breath before making her announcement.
"As many of you may have already discovered, I have a new recipe that I'm trying out today," Amber announced, eliciting cheers from the crowd. "Anyone who orders the special will receive a free serving, but I ask for your honest feedback so I can make any necessary adjustments to the recipe. Remember, it's not my recipe, so I won't feel bad if it's not perfect."
The promise of free servings and the chance to provide feedback sparked excitement among the patrons. After ensuring that everyone understood the deal, Amber briefly retreated to the kitchen before reemerging with a tray filled with meals. She swiftly distributed the plates and began slicing into the cobbler dish.
Lucas, eagerly anticipating the new dish, enjoyed the special as always. However, he may have devoured it at a record pace in order to have a chance to try the new creation sooner. As soon as Amber noticed that Lucas had finished his meal, she brought him a serving before attending to the other customers.
Lucas's assumption that it was a fruit cobbler proved to be correct, although he couldn't discern which fruit had been used. Nevertheless, the taste was exceptional, and he already knew it would be challenging to find anything to provide feedback on.
Relaxing on his stool and relishing the delightful aftermath of a satisfying meal, Lucas noticed a faint red tinge on the edge of his vision. Focusing on the notification, he opened the system message.
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Blinking in surprise, Lucas reread the message before closing the window. So, food buffs were a thing in this world. He had encountered this game mechanic in his previous world, but it was the first time he had come across it here. Now the question remained: should Lucas inform Amber or keep this newfound knowledge to himself?
Lucas settled comfortably on his stool, contemplating how he could convey the information to Amber without revealing too much about his unique situation. As he pondered, the tavern gradually emptied out as the dinner crowd began to depart. Only a handful of dedicated patrons remained in the booths, enjoying John's skillful bartending.
Once the crowd had thinned, Lucas devised a plan to discreetly convey the message to Amber. He waited until she was free, making eye contact and taking out his purse. Amber approached to receive payment and eagerly awaited his feedback on the new dish.
"So, Lucas, what are your thoughts on the new dish?" Amber asked, anticipation evident in her voice.
Lucas glanced around subtly before leaning forward. Amber picked up on his cue and leaned in discreetly to listen.
"You probably know that I was a street orphan before I started working at the shop," Lucas began slowly, maintaining eye contact. Seeing her nod slightly, he continued, "My status may be lower than some due to not having had proper nutrition when I was young. The reason I mention this is because I can tell that my stats have improved after eating your new dish."
Amber's eyes widened, and she glanced briefly at her dish. Slowly, she turned her attention back to Lucas and asked, "Are you sure?"
"I'm pretty sure it affects endurance and stamina," Lucas replied, nodding. "I'm not sure how you could test it to prove it, but I thought you should know. You might want to inform your dad about it later."
Amber nodded in acknowledgment, then straightened her posture. She made her way down the bar, engaging in conversations with customers. Lucas noticed her seize a lull in the conversation to signal John to step into the kitchen. It seemed that he had done his part, so he headed back to the shop.
Lucas reached the store just as the last rays of daylight were fading on the horizon. He noticed the books he had left out on the counter and decided to tuck them away underneath for reading the next day. With darkness descending rapidly, Lucas quickly made a trip to the bathroom before retiring to bed.
Friday morning greeted Lucas with gentle sun rays, casting a warm glow upon the sky. He rose from his bed, grateful for the restoration of his body's vitality. Excited to resume his blacksmithing endeavors, Lucas planned to smelt some iron ingots today. However, before diving into his work, he needed to answer nature's call and fuel himself with breakfast. In high spirits, he made his way to the bathroom.
A few minutes later, feeling refreshed, Lucas entered the kitchen and set about preparing some rice. As he added vegetables to the mix, a thought occurred to him. He realized that yesterday he had been unable to go out for lunch and lacked the necessary ingredients for a proper meal. If he spent the entire morning engrossed in blacksmithing, he would find himself in a similar predicament. Thus, it seemed like a quick trip to Craving Haven was in order. After finishing breakfast, Lucas locked the front door and made his way to see Rabbie.
Rabbie seemed surprised to see him, as indicated by his raised eyebrow, but greeted Lucas in his usual friendly manner. "Welcome to the solution for all your cravings! What can I get for you today?"
"Morning, Rabbie," Lucas greeted him. "I'm looking for some advice and ideas for lunch. I need something that I can start in the morning and come back to eat later after working in the forge. Any recommendations?"
Rabbie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Now we're talking my language! So, you need a meal with minimal preparation, something you can start and leave to cook while you're busy at the forge, and it should be filling after a session of heavy blacksmithing?"
"Exactly," Lucas affirmed.
"Easiest solution: soups," Rabbie suggested, as he began mixing various vegetables and herbs into a series of bags. "Just combine the appropriate spices, herbs, and veggies in a pot and let them cook until they're tender. Each of these bags I'm preparing for you is enough for a full pot of water, so you'll have ten meals in total. That will be thirty coppers."
Lucas was pleasantly surprised by the low cost for so many meals and handed over the requested coppers. Rabbie tossed them into his register. Just as Lucas was about to leave, Rabbie reminded him of something.
"The only reason the price was a bit higher is because of the cost of the bags. If you bring them back next time, the price will be closer to twenty coppers," Rabbie explained.
Lucas's eyebrow raised in appreciation of the cost-saving opportunity, and he promised to return the bags next time. Saving ten coppers would certainly be worth it. Returning to the store, Lucas stowed away his groceries and set a pot of soup on the stove for lunch later. With everything taken care of, it was finally time for him to pound some iron.