"Can you please stop?"
"What?"
Auction has successfully ended and I got out with 8,550 gold coins in the pocket and an iron ball.
However, there is a slight problem. When I got in the car, Karoline and Caroline sat in the furthest seat from me.
Reason must be because of this ball in my hands.
"Put it somewhere we can't see it."
"Ren, why did you buy it? Didn't you hear what George said about it?"
"No, no, no… Karoline, you don't understand. The more dangerous the material, the better item I can make. And taking in attention that this is the core of a titan, the potential is beautiful."
I already have an idea of what I could make and if it works out, then I'll have the most useful item be it in the world or the game.
"And what if you die? You only made one item, while experienced blacksmiths died. I can't understand where your confidence comes from."
If she were in my place, she would understand. I refuse to believe that this all was just a coincidence.
I have an ultimate skill related to blacksmithing and also the only day I went out, a material that no one could damage showed up. Coincidence? I don't think so.
"Enough about that, take this."
I handed two of them 5 small bags of gold coins. I specifically asked them to change my money in 9 bags that in each one had 1000 coins.
"Why are you giving us so much!?"
"You two helped me a lot, why else? And I already have enough money to survive for a year or two."
What I also learned was that one gold coin is equal to thousand dollars, so basically right now I was left with 3,5 million. Never had I thought that I would hold such a sum of money.
I should also give some money to Polina senpai, but that's for tomorrow.
"T-Thanks, but we can't take that much."
"No, I insist. 100% I will need your help in the future either way. I also am buying a permission to address you informally."
There is no way that I can change the way I am talking to them so easily. I don't even want to do that.
"No, when school starts you'll have to address us formally like everyone else."
"I think that is impossible."
"Why so?"
"Karoline feels like an older sister, while you are a cheeky friend. I can't change my view."
"Who is cheeky here!?"
"Hey! That hurts! Ai!"
Why did she suddenly come over and start to pinch my sides! It fucking hurts!
"Personally I don't mind if you call me sister Karoline."
"See? Sister Karoline understands! Ai! Stop it!"
"Why can she be your sister, when I am just a friend!? I am way older than you are!"
"Older my ass, you are only 7 years older!"
"Huh? How did you know that?"
Oops. And here I slipped. I can't just say that I know the age of Karoline from the game and you are two years younger than her.
"Polina-senpai told me."
"Why would she?"
"I asked about you and she told me that."
"H-Huh? W-Why did you want to know about me?"
That worked? Thank you Polina-senpai! I'll give you more money than I intended!
"I just asked for general information. Nothing much."
"...Is that so?"
"Ai! Why!?"
"You deserve it."
"Ara, please don't flirt in the car."
"What?"
"W-We aren't flirting!"
Why would she think that we are flirting? Is this even considered as one?
"!"
"?"
And what was that just now? We looked into each other's eyes and she turned her head to the side immediately. Don't tell me that she is actually conscious of me.
If I were still 19 in this world, I wouldn't mind, but I am 15 here. No matter how you look, it doesn't work.
"What's this? Caroline, did you become aware of my charm?"
"What?"
Oh no, the face she is making, I am sure it doesn't mean that. I just asked for fun, but to get this kind of gaze back, I am kind of hurt.
"Hey! Why are you looking at me like that! Do you want to say I am not good looking!?"
"The best you would get is above average in looks."
"N-No way! Sister Karoline, she is lying, right? Right?"
"Ermm… I am sure that you'll find someone who will consider you handsome."
"..."
And here goes my dream of getting a girlfriend in high school. Maybe I wasn't meant for it? When God created me, he must have put everything in my talents and forgot about looks.
However, the world spins around only attractive people. It's not fair.
"Don't be sad! Looks aren't the only thing you have. You are talented and you…"
"Me?"
"...you can make your own money?"
"That's all?"
If she tried to cheer me up, she failed tremendously. Am I really just good for my talent?
"Of course not. Caroline, can you tell him?"
"A-Ah… you… you are tall and… strong!"
"Just stop. I already accepted everything. Don't make me more miserable."
"Ahm… sorry."
"Don't mind. Besides, I need your help again. Now that I have the money, I need to buy everything for the academy. Can I ask you for a list or something like that? Oh, also I suppose I need to create a bank account."
I don't know what kind of bank system there is, but I can't just go around with this kind of money in my pockets. I also need a phone or what is used here.
Maybe some change of clothes? Basically, everything for daily life.
"Right, I'll give you tomorrow morning then."
"Oh, no need to, Caroline. Tomorrow we don't have much of a job, so you can just go both and buy everything."
"W-What?"
"That works too."
It would be better too. If I were alone, I'd get lost immediately. Having someone who knows the city by your side would be very good.
"Then it's settled. Come pick me up in my smithy when you are free."
Till the start of the academy 5 days remain. If I spend the whole day tomorrow shopping it leaves 4 days.
I don't believe I can make what I am thinking of in such a short time. If I could turn the core into a material in 4 days, that would be already enough.
Actually, I am very excited for what's to come.
***
Like I asked them, I was dropped by the academy. I also asked Karoline if I can just stay in the smithy, to which she strangely agreed.
I thought she would think just like Caroline, but I was wrong.
As I already was well known among the guards, there was no need to show my temporary access to them. I could just freely go in.
The first thing I did when I arrived in the smithy was to light up the forge. It's already evening and is dark. So, as a real smithy, the forge works here as a light.
It probably would be a hassle to get electricity here.
Anyways, it's not like I actually need it. I can just live with this. Besides, now I want to test my purchase.
No matter how I look at it, it's just an ordinary iron ball. It doesn't have anything special.
How did the blacksmiths die of this? Shit, why did I think about it? Now I am getting cold feet!
What if I also die here? What if everything was my imagination and it actually was just a coincidence?
No, I already decided that I will do this.
"Heavenly Hammer."
As I used my ultimate skill, a hammer formed into my arm. It's made entirely of stone with red glowing cracks covering it.
This is the moment when I will know the truth. If I hit it with my hammer, what will happen? Will I die or will I deal damage to it?
There is only one way to know. It's to hit it.
However, I am not ready yet!
It's been only a week since I got here and I am already possibly dying. Maybe I should postpone it? Now I have a lot of time. I can do it whenever I am ready.
"No. I will do it today!"
Here I go!
"Arrggg!!!"
-Halt
Shit! Why am I afraid again!? No, I am afraid this whole time!
"Alright, give me a coin. Tails, I do it, heads, I don't."
-Flick
Why is the coin so slow? Come on!
-Phwack
"And… tails…"
"Alright! Man will never go against his words!"
Now holding the hammer way stronger than previously, I took a few breaths.
"Calm down… No need to stress… in the worst case you only will die…"
"Arrrggg! Fuck it!"
-PHWACK
From all of my strength I hit the iron ball. I felt the vibration going through my hand and making it numb.
"What the fuck! How did it damage the anvil!?"
Now the anvil had bent a little. How does that even work?
"What is this core made of!? Wait… nothing happened?"
Actually nothing happened to me. So, can I say that everything is alright now?
To be sure I took the ball that fell on the ground and when I saw it, a smile crept on my face.
There was a little crack. It was really small, but it was there. I really did damage it.
"That means… I can do it! I can fucking pull it off!"
I knew it! This core was waiting for me!
"Don't worry, honey. I'll make you into a fine item."
Without a doubt, this will be my best creation. I am getting excited.
"Then should we continue?"