Chapter 4: New Inspirations
The city's bustling market district was alive with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares, the clatter of carts over cobblestone streets, and the constant chatter of people haggling and bargaining. It was a lively place that Reyn always enjoyed visiting, especially when it meant buying new materials for the forge. Today, his father had brought him along to restock on basic supplies—iron, steel, and coal. These trips were becoming a regular part of Reyn's routine, but this time, there was a special excitement in the air.
As they moved from stall to stall, Reyn's father stopped to chat with the merchants, his deep voice booming with familiarity as he made deals and selected materials. Reyn, meanwhile, found his attention wandering to the shop windows that lined the streets. His gaze lingered on displays of beautifully crafted weapons and enchanted items that were far beyond his current abilities. There were gleaming blades that shimmered with faint magical auras, staves crowned with glowing crystals, and ornate armor inscribed with intricate runes.
One shop, in particular, caught Reyn's eye—a specialty store dedicated to magic materials. The window was filled with shimmering stones, metal ingots that seemed to hum with power, and vials of rare alchemical substances. Reyn approached the window, his breath fogging up the glass as he peered at the items. There was auracite, a pale blue crystal said to amplify the magic channeled through it; dragonsteel, a rare alloy that could absorb heat without melting; and phoenix feathers that glowed faintly, reputed to grant healing properties to any item they were woven into.
Reyn's fingers itched with the desire to touch these materials, to feel the magic flowing through them and imagine the incredible things he could craft. The sight of these treasures made his current work with iron and steel seem plain by comparison, yet it also fueled his determination. One day, he vowed silently, he would be able to afford these materials and use them to create the kind of legendary weapons that were worthy of the heroes in his dreams.
As he turned away from the window, his father approached, carrying a burlap sack filled with fresh supplies. "Caught your eye, did they?" his father said with a knowing smile, following Reyn's gaze to the magical materials behind the glass. "One day, lad, when your work is good enough and you've earned the coin, you'll be able to buy the finest materials the city has to offer."
"I know," Reyn replied, still staring longingly at the shimmering items. "I just… it feels like I'm so far away from that. I want to work with magic materials like these, but right now, I can barely afford iron."
His father chuckled, ruffling Reyn's hair. "Every great smith starts somewhere, Reyn. You're already doing well for your age. But I'll tell you what—" He reached into his coin pouch and pulled out a few extra coins, handing them to Reyn. "How about you buy yourself a little something? Not the fancy stuff just yet, but maybe there's something in one of these shops that'll help you learn more about magic materials."
Reyn's eyes lit up at the gesture, and he eagerly accepted the coins. "Thanks, Dad!" he said, already scanning the nearby stalls for anything interesting. As they continued walking, they passed by another intriguing shop—a pet store that specialized in magical familiars. The window was filled with magical creatures in glass enclosures—tiny flame foxes that danced with fire, crystalline birds with shimmering feathers, and even small stone golems that moved with surprising agility.
But what really caught Reyn's eye were the rows of variously colored eggs displayed on a bed of soft hay. Each egg was marked with a different rune, indicating the type of familiar that could hatch from it. Reyn stopped in his tracks, staring at the eggs with wide eyes. He had always thought it would be amazing to have a magical familiar—a loyal companion that could aid him in the forge or help him with his enchantments.
His father noticed him gazing at the shop and let out a low hum. "You fancy one of those, do you?" he asked. "A bit pricey for a magic pet, but…" His eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. "How about we go inside and take a look, anyway?"
Inside the shop, the air was warm and filled with the faint smell of hay and something magical—like the scent of a summer storm. The shopkeeper greeted them with a friendly smile and began explaining the various types of familiars, from fire-aligned creatures that could help with heat-based enchantments to water-aligned pets useful for potion-making. Reyn couldn't keep his eyes off the eggs, wondering which one would hatch into a familiar that would complement his growing skills as a smith.
After a bit of browsing, Reyn's father pulled him aside and handed him a small, leather-bound book. The cover was adorned with silver lettering: An Introduction to Magic Materials. "I think this will be more useful to you for now," his father said. "You'll learn about the different types of materials and how they interact with enchantments. But… I've also got a little surprise for you."
Reyn looked up in surprise as his father reached into his coat pocket and produced a small, speckled egg. It was one of the cheapest in the store, much smaller and less colorful than the others, but it still radiated a faint magical aura. "It's not one of the fancy familiars," his father admitted, "but every magical pet has the potential to be useful. Besides, there's something to be said about raising one from a simple egg—it builds character."
Reyn's face broke into a wide smile as he took the egg in his hands. "Thank you, Dad!" he said, holding it gently as if it were made of glass. "I'll take good care of it, I promise."
"I know you will, lad," his father replied, patting him on the back. "Now, let's get back to the forge. You've got some reading to do, and I'm curious to see what kind of familiar hatches out of that little egg of yours."
As they made their way home, Reyn felt a mixture of excitement and anticipation. The book on magic materials would give him a deeper understanding of the craft he was so passionate about, and the egg nestled in his hands represented the promise of a new companion—one that would grow alongside him as he continued on his journey to become a legendary mage-smith.
That evening, Reyn set the egg in a small, warm nest of straw in his room and opened the book his father had given him. He lost himself in the pages, learning about the properties of different magical materials and imagining how they could be used to enhance the weapons and tools he would create. The future stretched out before him, filled with possibilities, and Reyn felt more determined than ever to reach for it.
Time continued to pass, and Reyn had grown older and taller, his frame carrying the beginnings of a young man's strength. The calluses on his hands were thicker, earned from hours at the forge and practicing his enchantments. Liora, too, had grown, and together, they often ventured to the Adventurers' Guild. It became a favorite haunt of theirs, a place where they could listen to stories of battles with monsters, daring quests, and the discovery of ancient relics.
The guildhall was a lively place, always bustling with adventurers preparing for their next quest or celebrating a recent victory. Reyn loved the atmosphere, the camaraderie, and the endless tales that filled the air like the warmth of a roaring hearth. He and Liora would sit at the tables with some of the younger adventurers, sharing a meal and listening as they recounted their exploits. Reyn's eyes would gleam with fascination whenever someone spoke of a rare magical item or a legendary weapon discovered in the depths of a forgotten dungeon.
The adventurers, in turn, had taken a liking to Reyn and Liora. The two kids had become something of regulars at the guild, and the adventurers were more than happy to share their tales with the pair who listened so intently. Reyn often brought small weapons he'd forged—kunai, shuriken, and other ninja tools inspired by the stories he loved from his past life. They were simple items compared to the enchanted gear many adventurers wielded, but they were crafted with care and precision.
Reyn began selling these small weapons to the adventurers who appreciated his craftsmanship. While they weren't enchanted, the tools were well-balanced and had a certain style that made them stand out. He'd even started taking custom orders, adding small details or inscriptions for an extra fee. The money he earned went into a small savings fund for his future academy tuition. Every coin he collected brought him a step closer to studying magic formally, and he felt a growing pride in being able to contribute to his own education.
One day, while Reyn was showing Liora how to sharpen a kunai at a grindstone set up near the back of the guild, a tall adventurer with a mess of blond hair walked over. He wore a leather vest over a chainmail shirt, and a massive greatsword was strapped to his back. His eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and amusement as he watched Reyn work.
"That's a fine blade," the adventurer said, nodding toward the kunai Reyn was sharpening. "You make it yourself, kid?"
Reyn looked up, surprised. "Yeah, I did," he replied, pausing his work. "I've been making and selling these for a while now. You interested?"
The blond adventurer chuckled, crossing his arms. "I'm not much for throwing knives, but I can see you've got some skill." He unslung the massive greatsword from his back and set it on the nearby table with a heavy thud. "What do you think of this?"
The sword was massive, nearly as tall as Reyn himself. It was a simple blade, with some nicks and scratches along the edge that spoke of many battles. Reyn's eyes widened as he recognized the style—it was similar to the oversized swords wielded by some of his favorite characters from video games in his previous life. His mind instantly jumped to a vision of the Buster Sword, the iconic weapon from Final Fantasy.
"It's impressive," Reyn said, examining the blade closely. "But… if you want, I could forge you something even better. Have you ever heard of the Buster Sword?"
The adventurer raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Can't say I have. What's that?"
Reyn's excitement bubbled over as he explained, "It's a legendary blade from a story I know. A massive sword, almost as tall as the wielder, with a thick blade that can cleave through nearly anything. I've always wanted to make one." His eyes gleamed as he added, "I could craft it for you. It would take some time and the right materials, but I think it'd suit you well."
The blond man grinned, clearly interested. "You've got guts, kid. Making a weapon like that is no small task. But I'll tell you what—if you can pull it off, I'll gladly be the one to wield it." He extended a hand toward Reyn. "Name's Garret, by the way. I'll bring you some materials next time I'm in town, and we'll see if you're up to the challenge."
Reyn shook his hand eagerly, his heart racing. "It's a deal, Garret. I won't let you down."
As Garret left to rejoin his companions, Liora nudged Reyn's shoulder with a grin. "You've really gotten yourself into it now," she teased. "A legendary weapon for a real adventurer? You sure you can handle it?"
Reyn grinned back at her, his excitement undimmed. "I'll find a way," he said confidently. "I'll start by studying that new book Dad got me. There might be something in there about materials that can make the Buster Sword even more special."
Over the next few weeks, Reyn devoted himself to the project. Whenever he wasn't working at the forge or listening to stories at the guild, he was buried in his father's book on magic materials, looking for anything that could make Garret's sword more powerful. He even took a few trips with Liora to the local shops, searching for materials that he could afford on his limited budget.