Amy was heading to the weapons shop alone as the majority of her group decide to go shopping for trivial things.
Even before arriving to this island, she could already tell that she is in for an entirely new experience just by hearing their next destination. From afar, she has never seen anything so strangely quaint yet magnificent. Unlike the other islands she has visited, this island is not a small community this time but an entire civilization. The natives all wore clothes that are Asiatic in nature and the architecture, including the far-off buildings, are oriental in design. While she got a few looks due to her foreign traits, no one was generally surprised or put off by her appearance. This particular place is one of the few places that she looks forward to being in. The greatest island out of the existing 47 and one of the most broken systems in the story to exist here.
This is the Island Nation of Ran. The biggest Island out of the existing 47 islands and one of the kingdoms that exist outside the Grand Continent.
This island wasn't in their itinerary for the week but with their newfound wealth, everyone has emerging thoughts on what to use it for other than supplies.
Shamelessly, she took some of the gold to see if she could buy some souvenirs to take back and hopefully to a weapons shop where she could buy some unique weapons.
Professor Wyatt confirmed that this will be the longest stay out of all the islands they visit so far. He did say a couple warnings though and ones she took very seriously. One, she must never eat the food there no matter what otherwise she will not be able to leave by Ran law. Two, when meeting a noble in this small kingdom, they have the right to kick you out of the island if you do not greet them with their signature greeting. Their impression of you could determine your stay and future opinion of travelers later on. The best possible outcome is to not get noticed by one but in the event you do, you have to acknowledge and greet them.
She walked into the first weapons shop she sees and immediately was blown away by the stock of weapons on display. Some already exist on the mainland, others do not.
"This is amazing." she murmured.
"Dear customer, is everything to your liking?"
Amy turned and noticed a dwarf talking to her in Kanji, "Yes, I do like these weapons very much."
"You have the build of a fighter, Miss. You must have trained a lot."
"I do." she replied.
While still looking, she had her sights on what looks like twin batons but the display and depression on the wall shows that it extends to twin swords, staffs or whatever the weapon of your choice is. It is the most expensive product in the store.
"Can I hold this?"
The dwarf grabbed it from the display and handed it over to her. It extends to twin machetes in her hands. She swung it gently at first but continued to test it out a bit more. The weapon is light, too light and it feels like it could fall off. The blade is extendable, but it is extremely thin and easy to break. Hiding the disappointment, she looked at the owner who has a gleeful look on his face. Looking back at the weapon, she then stared at the price on the display. This is a scam if it costs as much as it did. She gave it back to the man with a smile.
"I'll just keep looking around." She said and looked around. In the end, she bought a few shuriken, kunai, a staff, a few daggers, needles and a katana. They are the only decent items she could buy in this store.
Truthfully, she could've bought the whole store if she wanted to, but the owner of the store is fawning over her too much to the point of being suspicious that she had to carefully examine them. The man's stature seems similar to a dwarf and his clothing hides certain features but looking closely, he's not a dwarf. He's just selling out the idea that he is one for his business. In other words, he's just a short human.
"You really bought those trashy items from that store. You must not have a good idea how weapons work, do you?"
Amy turns to the source of that voice and is immediately unimpressed. The man looks like a bum with his dirty hair, untamed stubble and his posture is more or less lazy as he slouches against the wall. However, his aura is mysterious.
"Who are you?"
"Call me Ryota. Judging by your expression, you are not satisfied with everything there. Is it because you have no idea how to use them or is it because none of these weapons are satisfactory to you?"
"I am simply interested in these weapons although I have to admit that I don't know how to use some of these, especially this." She pulled out a three-section staff. "We don't exactly have this in my country."
"You also noticed the quality, right? This story often sells weapons to newbies who cannot understand how to tell the difference between a good weapon and a bad one. You probably just bought these just to know how they work, didn't you?" Amy remained silent though her expression was thoughtful. She grabbed something from her sleeve and threw it at the man but he caught it between his fingers. He stopped to observe the blade. It is dark grey with a tree bark pattern. Upon examining it, he realized what kind of material this is.
"Damascus steel. Rare, beautiful and cold. It is said that a weapon made from this steel is powerful enough to cut through magic in the hands of an expert." Amy said with a business-like smile, "You are definitely not an ordinary man among your people. If you show me weapons better than what this shop sells, this knife is yours."
Then the man smiled back. "I have far more interesting things to sell than the stuff you bought from there. I will guarantee that for sure," He got up from his spot, "If you are also interested, I can train you how to use them as a bonus."
Amy was taken aback how dark his aura is. It is not the creepy imposing aura she felt from Rufus, but his aura is shadowy and thin like water. She could already tell that this guy is no joke.
"Two weeks, that is how long my stay is." she said.
"Really?" the man said in surprise, "You don't look like you carry much on you. You know what happens if you eat the food here, right?"
"By Ran law, I will be stuck here forever." she answered and assured him, "Don't worry. I have ways to fill myself up without eating your food. I just want to see if you're the real deal first. I heard that your people are known for their guerilla tactics. I want to see if you are the real deal."
The man chuckled, "Alright, little girl."
Amy was led far from the marketplace and deeper into the woods. To be honest, she shouldn't trust this man, but he hasn't given her a reason to attack him. He got her attention. She could see the technique he used against her.
"We're here." The man led her to a hut. Shabby but suitable for a man who lives by himself. "It's been a while since I've had guests."
Amy went to a separate wide area and cleared it with her magic and set up a modern campsite. The tent is quite small on the outside but with an extension charm, it is big enough to fit a family of four. Ryota is stunned to see this futuristic and foreign item.
"That is unlike any tent I've ever seen." he murmured curiously.
Amused, Amy led him inside and he was shocked at how big it was. It has a fully functional kitchen, bathroom and a couple living rooms. The reason why she brought her biggest tent is because she suspected that she might have to share but the others are content on staying in an inn.
"It is quite cool here."
"Controlled temperature using an AC." She answered, "Using magic crystals to act as a power source, it can cool or heat any room at any season for comfort."
"In exchange for training me, I can install an AC in your hut so that you can feel cool on hot days and warm in the cold season. All you have to do is install a crystal regularly and you should be fine."
*
While Ryota has gone looking for food, Amy got a spare AC from Alabaster, and she was setting it up in his hut. Luckily since it is one room, she wouldn't have trouble with it. While installing it, she got a vision of an attempted assassination on Nathaniel. She stopped for a bit to process it. He is more or less unharmed though she is concerned for his eyes. No amount of magic or modern knowledge she brought back could fix that if his eyes are harmed.
Amy is admittedly surprised to see how much he progressed, not just his sight though she is also surprised how the assassin got away. After finishing the final part, the AC started exhuming cold wind.
She looked around his dirty hut and used her magic to clean up everything. She might end up upgrading his house in the meantime.
Ryota comes back with a deer and is shocked to see Amy turn his hut into a house. The straw roof has tiles and his walls were replaced. It is like this isn't even his home to begin with.
"Don't worry about the place. I didn't touch your things. I understand your architecture a bit just by looking and had it built to look like it."
"You… didn't have to do that." he stammered.
"It is a pitiful place to live. You might as well get used to it."
"I guess so." he murmured.
"I'll skin and gut the deer." She said while grabbing her things, "You wash up and fix yourself up. Your hair is a mess and your stubble is unpresentable."
"Yes, ma'am."