The bell above the blacksmith's door rang, its sharp clang cutting through the heavy warmth of the room, signaling a customer's arrival. The blacksmith, a stout, rugged man with arms thick as tree branches, was busy in the corner polishing a row of gleaming weapons. Hearing the bell, he straightened and turned, expecting one of his usual clients, only to find **Yoshirata** standing just inside the door. He froze, momentarily stunned by the sight of the young man, a familiar face he never thought he'd see in his shop.
"Hey, Yoshirata," the blacksmith greeted, masking his surprise with a chuckle. "What are you doing here? Are you lost?" He tossed in a grin, trying to lighten the moment with a joke, though his curiosity burned beneath the surface.
Yoshirata stepped forward, his gaze steady. "I came for a weapon," he replied simply, his voice calm and determined.
The blacksmith's smile faded, replaced with shock. He raised his eyebrows, looking Yoshirata up and down as though trying to piece together why a young man like him would be asking for such a thing. "Are you serious? What could you possibly need a weapon for?" he asked, his tone shifting to one of genuine confusion.
Yoshirata met his gaze without flinching. "I got a letter of recommendation from the magic academy. They gave me a list of things I need to bring, and a weapon is at the top."
The blacksmith's mouth dropped open, his rough features softening with surprise. For a moment, he could only stare at Yoshirata in silence, his mind racing to process this unexpected news. After a few seconds, he blinked and snapped himself out of his stupor, clearing his throat as he tried to regain his composure.
"Are you pulling my leg, or is this real?" he asked, narrowing his eyes slightly, still suspicious but also hopeful.
Without a word, Yoshirata reached into his pocket and pulled out a neatly folded letter, presenting it to the blacksmith. The older man leaned in, studying the official seal and the neat handwriting that covered the parchment. He turned the letter over, examining every inch, and finally let out a soft whistle of amazement.
"Wow… it's really true," he muttered, his voice laced with a mix of pride and disbelief.
Yoshirata smirked, unable to resist a hint of pride himself. "See? I'm talented. That's why the academy sent me this." His expression was one of pure satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with the validation he had craved.
The blacksmith chuckled, shaking his head. "Yes, you are. I'm sorry for doubting you." He paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Tell you what, kid, pick any weapon you like. You don't have to pay—consider it a farewell gift from me."
Yoshirata's face lit up with joy as he exclaimed, "Thank you, sir!" With a new bounce in his step, he hurried over to the weapon racks, his eyes roving over the collection of swords, daggers, and axes that hung proudly on display.
He moved from weapon to weapon, carefully considering each one. But as he handled a few, testing their weight and feel, he knew deep down that none of these close-range weapons would suit him. He was well aware of his physical limitations—he was neither built for brute strength nor speed, and the idea of facing an enemy up close didn't sit well with him. He needed something different, something that could allow him to strike without putting himself directly in harm's way.
After a few moments, he turned back to the blacksmith. "Sir, do you have any weapon that lets me stay at a safe distance and still deal damage?"
The blacksmith scratched his chin, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Well, actually, I got some new arrivals yesterday. They're not perfect—defective, in fact—but they're an upgrade from our traditional bows. Hold on a moment. I'll bring one out for you."
He disappeared into the back room, leaving Yoshirata waiting with a mix of anticipation and curiosity. The clinking sounds of metal echoed from behind the walls as the blacksmith rummaged through his storeroom. After a few minutes, he emerged, carrying a medium-sized wooden box with reinforced edges. He placed it down with a heavy thud, the dust rising as it settled on the shop floor.
The blacksmith opened the lid slowly, revealing a sleek, unfamiliar weapon resting inside. It wasn't the standard bow Yoshirata had expected; it was something more compact, with a complex mechanism built into its frame.
Yoshirata leaned in, his eyes widening in intrigue. "What is this, sir?"
"This," the blacksmith said proudly, "is a crossbow. It's an improved version of the traditional bow. With this, you can fire three arrows at once." He pointed to a slot beside the trigger. "Here's where you load the bolts," he explained, demonstrating by placing three arrows into the slot with a practiced hand.
"Wow, this is incredible! It's way better than a normal bow!" Yoshirata's eyes sparkled with excitement, taking in the crossbow's intricate design, the polished wood and metal that seemed to gleam with promise.
The blacksmith nodded, though his tone grew serious. "Yes, it is. But as I mentioned, it's not without flaws. The parts wear down quickly, so you'll need to bring it to a blacksmith for maintenance after every use. Otherwise, it could break on you in the middle of a fight."
"I understand, sir. Thank you." Yoshirata gave a respectful nod, his gratitude evident in his expression.
"Now, do you want me to show you how to use it?" the blacksmith offered, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his mouth, as though he already knew the answer.
"Yes, sir!" Yoshirata replied without hesitation, eager to learn.
The blacksmith chuckled, clearly amused by the boy's enthusiasm. "Alright then. Follow me." He led Yoshirata outside to a small clearing behind the shop where training dummies stood in a row. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the ground, and Yoshirata could feel the cool breeze against his skin as he positioned himself beside the blacksmith.
The lesson was quick but thorough, the blacksmith demonstrating each movement with precision. Yoshirata mimicked his stance, feeling the tension of the crossbow string under his fingers as he lined up his first shot. The satisfying thud of bolts striking the training dummy brought a wide grin to his face. By the end, he felt a growing confidence in his ability to handle the new weapon.
---
Hours later, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, Yoshirata made his way home, carrying a large, overstuffed travel bag on his back. The bag bulged with supplies, almost bursting at the seams, the weight heavy but bearable. In his hand, he held the academy's list, checking off the items he had gathered one last time. Each item marked off brought him a sense of satisfaction and readiness for the journey ahead.
Leaving the heart of the village, he slowed his pace, glancing back over his shoulder to take in the familiar landscape one last time. His grandfather's house lay just on the outskirts, close to the edge of town, nestled among the rolling fields that stretched toward the horizon. He paused, gazing at the village that had been his home, a bittersweet smile touching his lips as he whispered to himself.
"I can't believe I'm finally leaving." He looked around, the faces of his friends and family flashing in his mind, the memories of simpler days filling his heart. "Thank you, everyone. I promise I won't let you down. I'll come back as the strongest human in the world, and I'll make everyone proud."
A tear slipped down his cheek, and he quickly wiped it away, a fierce determination settling in his gaze. With a final look, he turned and began the last stretch toward his grandfather's house,