One month has passed since Paul's encounter with Lenna. He's been living on the streets, struggling to survive, but never forgetting the kindness Lenna showed him.
One day, while exploring a new part of the city, Paul stumbles upon a small, mysterious shop tucked away in a quiet alley. The sign above the door reads "Curios and Antiques."
Out of curiosity, Paul enters the shop, and asks the owner, an eccentric old man named Roderick for a job because Paul was homeless and jobless. Roderick takes a liking to him. Roderick offers Paul a job as his apprentice, teaching him about the art of crafting and repairing strange and unusual items. He also offered him a room in his home.
Paul nodded eagerly, eager to learn. Roderick began by showing him the basics of craftsmanship, teaching him how to repair a intricate clockwork mechanism. Paul's hands moved deftly, his fingers nimble as he worked.
As the days passed, Paul learned about the art of trading, how to negotiate prices, and how to identify rare and valuable items. Roderick took him on trips to the city's markets, introducing him to a network of merchants and collectors.
Paul's skills improved rapidly, and he soon found himself handling complex transactions with ease. He developed a keen eye for rare items, and his knowledge of the market grew exponentially.
One day, Roderick handed him a small, delicate box. "Paul, I want you to appraise this item. What do you think it's worth?"
Paul examined the box carefully, his mind racing. He noticed the intricate carvings, the rare materials used, and the craftsmanship. He looked up at Roderick, a confident smile on his face.
"I think it's worth a small fortune, Roderick. This is a rare artifact, perhaps from a distant land."
Roderick nodded, impressed. "You're correct, Paul. This box is indeed a valuable item. You have a keen eye for these things."
One day, as Roderick was busy with a customer, he noticed Paul in the corner of the shop, practicing with a stick as if it were a sword. Roderick's eyes narrowed, a hint of a smile on his face. He remembered his own days as a young man, training in the art of swordsmanship.
The next day, Roderick handed Paul a beautifully crafted wooden sword. "Paul, I think it's time you had a proper weapon to train with," he said, his eyes twinkling.
Paul's eyes widened in excitement as he took the sword, feeling its weight and balance. "Thank you, Roderick! Thank you so much!" he exclaimed, his face beaming with joy.
Roderick chuckled, pleased with himself. "Remember, a sword is not just a weapon, but an extension of oneself. Train well, Paul."
Paul nodded eagerly, already imagining himself as a skilled swordsman. He began to practice in the shop, his movements awkward at first, but gradually growing more fluid and precise.
Roderick's daughter, Venna , who had been watching from the sidelines, smiled approvingly. "You have a natural talent, Paul," she said, her eyes sparkling. "Keep training, and you'll become a formidable swordsman."
Paul grinned, feeling a sense of pride and purpose. He knew that he still had much to learn, but with Roderick and Venna's guidance, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Will his peaceful life continue?