Three days had passed since Martin's rebirth, and in that time, he had fully absorbed the magical knowledge left by the former Martin. He had also reviewed the information stored in the mind of the hammer, but most of it was irrelevant—like the previous Martin's embarrassing infatuation with the city lord's daughter, Miss Effia, whose portrait he kept hidden under his bed.
Debbie seemed unfazed by Martin's sudden disinterest in his dream crush. Despite her petite stature, her boldness was comparable to that of her massive sword. She often laughed off Martin's secret admiration, recognizing that in Stan City, nearly everyone regarded Effia as an idol. Effia was not only a fifth-order swordsman but also a renowned figure, one whose charm captivated men and women alike. Debbie herself harbored a vague admiration for Effia, understanding why her future husband might secretly idolize her.
In fact, it was amusing to think that Debbie had her own collection of Effia's portraits tucked away under her bed.
As they gazed out the window of their hotel, Martin watched Effia stride through the streets, her confidence and poise evident. He knew she was far beyond his reach now, and the memories left by the hammer had dulled his infatuation. He had developed a certain immunity to the allure of beautiful women, realizing that they often served as mere inspirations rather than attainable goals.
After spending eight silver coins on a hearty meal at the inn, Martin and Debbie stepped out, both wearing satisfied expressions. As they walked along Stardust Avenue, Debbie eagerly chatted about their future. "The magic scrolls you create are incredible, Martin! If we sell them, we could make a fortune. One scroll can earn us forty copper coins, and with a thousand scrolls, that's four gold coins! Can you imagine?"
"The sales of magic scrolls have always been hit-or-miss," Martin replied, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Even if I can create them, will people actually buy them?"
"Things are man-made, Martin! We have a hundred gold coins in our hands," Debbie said cheerfully. "Is there anything you want? You've worked hard today. Let me treat you!"
Martin was taken aback. "You have a hundred gold coins, but you want to buy me something? Aren't you supposed to be saving?"
Yet, he couldn't help feeling a warmth towards Debbie. After three days of companionship, he had grown fond of her, almost viewing her as a family member.
As they strolled along Stardust Avenue, Martin's gaze fell upon a shop. "Debbie, let's buy some magic tomes!"
Nothing fascinated Martin more than magic. He had only mastered five of the thirty-two magic characters, and he was eager to learn the rest. It was like being introduced to a programming language; he was determined to understand every aspect of it. With his newfound abilities, he believed he could create his own spells.
"Magic tomes? Sure! Let's go!" Debbie exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.
Martin was surprised by her eagerness. Had she become so generous overnight? He chuckled at the thought, recalling how she used to skimp on ingredients for their meals.
The bookstore they entered was called Kara's Magic Bookstore, the largest in Stan City, renowned for its collection of magical tomes. As soon as they stepped inside, Martin was captivated by the rows of bookshelves, each filled with volumes on various subjects. The quiet atmosphere suggested that the owner had faith in the integrity of the townsfolk, confident that no one would dare steal from such a reputable establishment.
As he scanned the shelves, Martin's attention was drawn to a large book titled "Agendas: Encyclopedia of the World." He pulled it off the shelf without hesitation. The book was hefty, bound in gilded leather, and filled with countless pages detailing the history, culture, geography, and races of the world.
"An encyclopedia?" Debbie asked, her eyes wide. "Aren't you more interested in magic than history?"
Martin smiled. "I am interested now. Understanding the world will help me with magic."
Debbie nodded, though she was clearly skeptical about his newfound interest. "Do you want more books?"
"I'm heading to the innermost shelf," he replied, pointing toward a secluded area that housed the magic section.
"Okay, I'll check out the swordsman biographies over there," she said, grabbing the heavy encyclopedia from Martin's hands.
As Martin approached the magic shelf, he was met with a dazzling assortment of titles. He carefully examined the books until two caught his eye: "Intermediate Magic Language" and "Advanced Magic Language." He pulled them from the shelf, dust swirling in the air as he did so.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps descending the stairs nearby. He turned to see a pair of slender legs making their way down. They were beautifully shaped, exuding a sense of elegance and confidence. But as his gaze traveled upward, he noticed something peculiar—the legs were green.
Martin blinked in disbelief as he processed the sight before him.