Chapter 103: A Favor (1)

"Thank you for aiding my needs for the past days." I bow my head to the beautiful nurses lined up on both sides on my way out. They all bow gracefully in respect. Also, fear was apparent on their faces. I wonder what kind of scolding did they gone through?

It's the middle of the day and the classes are still going, as to why Clara was the only person right beside me.

On the other hand, Professor Eukla remained and shows no sign of leaving yet. I bid farewell to her, but I didn't get any response. For a while, I contemplate whether she's actually ignoring me deliberately or it's Professor Eukla acting like herself, or if it's because of that day.  Because after that day, my chest was filled with anxiety from doing such an obscene thing next to her.

Once I took a step outside, the sun welcomed my eyes by blinding me. I raise my hands up, shading my eyes. Clara then brings out an umbrella, shading the two of us from the sunlight. We're headed to the headmaster's office for our negotiation regarding the rewards that I will receive. Professor Eukla really did help me from back then.

Clara held my hand tight as she exudes a powerful aura of happiness around her. From one's perspective, they would only see her inexpressive face. Yet, in my eyes, I see a sweet maid expressing her affection through this simple handheld.

Arriving at the headmaster's office, after we got lost in this massive facility. I admit I don't have the greatest sense of direction. But with the help of strangers, we were able to arrive at our destination. Clara and I stood in front of a massive wooden door.

Clara opens the door heavily, and behind the door—Headmaster Winster was lying on the ground lifeless. Seeing his lifeless state, I approach him to shake him up. "Headmaster? Uh... Headmaster?"

Headmaster Winster opens his tipsy eyes. "Who are you? Ohhhh! Kiddo! What brings you here?"

"You told us to go here. For the rewards?"

"Ah, yeah, yeah, I completely remember now. Let's discuss it."

Headmaster sat on his seat before turning his head around.  He shrugged it off and acted normal. He didn't even explain why he was on the floor in the first place, leaving me in confusion. Of course, he doesn't have the means to tell us too. However, I'm intrigued by the blood on the floor, yet no signs of bruises or wounds on his face or clothes. I ponder over where they came from.

"About the rewards... Can I get permission to dungeon expeditions? Also... If it's plausible—"

"I can give you that one easily. You don't need to use ask for that because I'll give it to you willingly. However, I can't give you an exemption when it comes to dungeons they are crafted specifically that way. I can't change that. So, ask more. I can give you weapons, armor, or any type of magical gear. Of course, I don't forget the points that I will be given you. So?"

"Hm... Gears embedded with magic? That looks interesting. Can I give it a look?"

"Hoho, okay, follow me then."

Clara and I follow Headmaster Winster somewhere in the building. Then we came across a girl that's about half of my height, she was carrying heavy weapons in her arms. She's so little, but she can carry those weapons by herself. Once we pass her, I quickly pay heed to the symbol engraved on each weapon that she's carrying. It's similar to the symbol from the sword that Master Irene gifted me years ago. The one I lost back from my meeting with Alicia.

"Wait a minute." I tried to stop the girl, but because of the clanking sound. She kept walking.

"Young master?" Clara asked.

"Ah, no... Nevermind. Let's go."

Headmaster Winster led us to a room where the scorching hotness was burning my skin from within. The smell of burning wood filled the air. The smoke bellow from the large flue from afar, restraining our sights. I can't see farther than the end of my nose from the thick smoke surrounding us. A metal light shade hangs from the wall, giving some little bit of light. As we got closer, the clank of steel became louder. Going further, we saw a soft glow of flames on the man's face mask as he swung his hammer with brute force. Embers are flying up from the flames, traveling upward like little shooting stars.

The person responsible for those sounds and flame was a man... That's barely around my waist, like the girl from earlier. At first glance, I would totally say it's child, but seeing his beard—I'm certain that it's a dwarf, like the one from the council and the cafeteria.

"Molin, long time no see. How have you been? I can see that you're still busy as ever."

"What do you want, Winster? Get straight to the point, you know how I hate little chats."

"Still the same as ever, huh? Anyway, we're here to shop some gears for this young lad next to me."

Mr. Molin stops hammering and gave me a quick look. He looks at me closely with interest. "A good-looking, healthy lad. Miss Clara, I see... You're the disciple of the saint, right?"

"Yes." 'Whoa... He knows Clara?'

"Okay. Follow me."

"Whoa, you easily accepted him?" Headmaster Winster said in surprise.

"It's natural. If our king held the Sword Saint with high regards, we also regard her the same. Our king has great eyes for people and knows what's best for our kingdom. And also, I'm quite curious about the person who received our princess' sword."

"The princess? What do you mean by that?"

"Did you not know about it? The sword made from the meteor metal was personally created by the daughter of our Majesty. It's one of the kind. From her own words, the saint gave her a ridiculous request of enchanting it with some unknown runic letters that's not any of our archives. Even I don't understand anything about it. That's why it's one of its kind. She herself said, it's hard to replicate the sword."

"Really? Wow... I didn't it would be that valuable..." Sweats began pouring profusely from my forehead and my throat suddenly became drier than usual.

"Did you bring it along with you?"

"I... Yeah... I didn't... I just got out from my recovery... Ha-ha-ha..."

"That's unfortunate. I got my hopes up. But it's understandable. Well then, shall we?"

"Y-Yeah."

"I'll wait here since I'm prohibited from coming inside." Headmaster Winster said.

"Because you broke valuable assets to the academy last time. I won't let that happen again."

"That's only a one-time and an accident."

"Not anymore."

"So stingy."

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As we follow him from behind, I'm contemplating about the sword that I lost or abandoned. I practically didn't look into it and went straight home. There's no guarantee whether it survive or not. "It's not like I'll meet her or I wanted to meet her, so there's nothing to worry about. I better not think of it anymore." I muttered to myself.

The further we went the more colorful the surroundings got. The bright sunlight going through the gaps of the ceiling shone the metallic armors in the display. At one area, there's this one armor then across it was the weapons. This entire room was filled with fighting gears even cloaks.

"What kind of weapon or armor do you want?"

"I'm not particularly looking for a weapon or armor... I'm thinking of magical objects that I once saw back in the Baal Zone. It would hugely benefit me if could find a perfect fit. Particularly, amulets, a protection amulet."

"Can you be more specific about it? We have different kinds of amulets for protection, but the variety of choices is wide."

"Is that so? Is there like a... Something that could—Wait. Do all this amulet need the use of mana?"

"Oh... Unfortunately, yes. Yours was different, but we can test it out if you want."

"Wait, you know about that?"

"Indeed. I did a tiny bit of help on the creation of the sword, so naturally, I shall know the wielder of the sword. In short, the saint told us about your special case. Fret not, we dwarves are keen on our secrets, especially to our clients. That's how you get customers, hahaha!" Mr. Molin bellows with laughter.

'I see... Then it's worthless to me then I'll just get one for Stephanie.'

We ended up on a glass display of amulets.

"What do you look for? Healing? Protection? Curse?"

"Curse? What?"

"We don't have a curse since you probably understand why, so what do you want? We have different grades of protection and healing. For the healing amulets, you can use them once or thrice, depending on the grade."

"It's basically worthless then? I'd rather have potions."

"That is true, but its effectivity is way better than any healing potions. Plus, it can also cure diseases and purify."

"Wait... How much is one then?"

"If I estimate it in gold, it would be around seven-hundred gold for a piece. Of course, these amulets are not normal amulets because these amulets are crafted by me with the blessing from the saintess of healing."

"Huuuh?" My mouth was left hanging upon hearing the price of a single amulet of healing. Moreover, she even got the blessing from the Saintess of healing herself. According to Master Irene, the saintess of healing had been gone for twenty years. Until to this day, the temple was still searching the whereabouts of the saintess. If I were them, I would think she's dead. However, the pope herself said that she's still alive and well.

"How did you able to acquire her blessing?"

"Obviously, before her disappearance. So, have you picked one?"

"Not sure..." I look around the amulets in the display while holding my chin.

"Do you have soul protection?"

"That... doesn't exist, sadly."

"Then this one then."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, please."