Lisa requested that I skip Lumenmancy class for the next few weeks so that she could 'prepare' Aaron.

How exactly she was preparing him, I have no idea, nor do I want to know.

Thus, I decided to at least go home earlier today instead of hanging around school just in case I ran into them and made things even more awkward.

I didn't want to admit it, but that Iatromancy class where I had to constantly run around and heal everyone was quite tiring to be honest… It almost felt like they were injuring themselves on purpose for some reason.

Well… I guess they were still beginners so they got a little overexcited about the class.

Since everyone else was still in class at this time of day, I was the only one who was walking out of school right now.

And since this wasn't my first time doing it, it didn't feel weird for me.

What was unexpected, however, was the fact that Katsuki was outside waiting for me as though she already expected me to show up at this time.

"I have come to pick you up, Mistress," She bowed.

"Katsuki? What are you doing here? I don't think I told anyone I was leaving early today?"

"You did not, but Miss Lisa has told me what she told you and I assumed that Mistress would choose to leave school after your last class is over."

Ah.

"But you didn't really need to come pick me up though?"

"Indeed, but I wanted to, Mistress."

Awww… Is she feeling a little jealous that Lisa and Delmare got to spend time with me alone while she had to share me in the Dungeon with Odeta?

I giggled, "Ehehehe~ Thank you for coming to fetch me Katsuki~ Shall we go home together?"

"Of course, Mistress."

She went to take up position behind me until I cleared my throat to get her attention. Only then did she move up to join me by my side.

"Forgive me Mistress, that was a force of habit."

She's so cute~

"Actually, I don't really feel like going home yet, is there somewhere we could go first?"

"What does Mistress have in mind?"

I played with my hair idly, "Umm… I'm not really sure. Does Katsuki have any suggestions?"

"Does Mistress wish to visit a sweets shop?"

I almost said yes instinctively but I remembered the incident with that Aruule Laruule guy and thought that it might be a good idea to stay away from sweet shops for a while at least.

I can always just eat Mary's and Katsuki's sweets at home instead anyway.

Thus, I shook my head, "Mmm… I'm not really in the mood for sweets now. Maybe something else?"

Katsuki took a moment to think, "In that case, Mistress might want to visit either an auction or a blacksmith to sell off the equipment that we took from those Mercenaries back in the Dungeon."

Oh yeah, I actually forgot about that.

I don't really want to spend half a day in an auction again so I suppose I would have to choose to go to a blacksmith shop instead.

I told Katsuki my plan and she nodded, immediately guiding me towards a blacksmith that she claimed was trustworthy enough for me to sell my loot.

The shop was located in the first level of the Merchant district and it consisted of a shophouse on one side and what looked like the workshop beside it.

Katsuki brought me to the shophouse without hesitation, as if she had been here multiple times before.

She pushed open the door and a bell chimed, signalling our entry and prompting the shopkeeper to turn towards us.

Incidentally, he was a male Rejmar, or else known as the dwarves of this World.

The shop itself was really classy with its glass display cabinets that were filled with weapons of different kinds and various armour sets hung on the walls and on mannequins that dotted all around the store. As expected of a shop in the first level of the Merchant's district.

The Rejmar raised an eyebrow at Katsuki, "What's this? Don't tell me you need more throwing knives again, miss Katsuki? I told you that I have other orders backed up all the way until next month!"

My Inugami maid shook her head at him, "I am not here for that today, Gunther. It is my Mistress that has something that needs your attention today."

Gunther shifted his gaze to me in surprise, "Oh? You should have told me someone important was coming today! At least give me some time to properly receive her!"

I quickly waved my hand, "Ah. you don't need to worry about that. It was an impromptu decision on my part to come here today so you don't need to worry! I just got some equipment from a Dungeon I recently went to that I want to sell."

The Rejmar's ears perked up, "Oh? Equipment you say? In that case, come right over here and I'll take a look at them for you. Don't worry, I'll give you a fair price since you are Miss Katsuki's Mistress."

Hmm… I'm guessing he doesn't know that we were from the Nilm family though I'm not sure if he knows Katsuki is a maid trained by them? At least he doesn't look like he knows who I was.

I went to the counter that he directed me to and I quickly brought out all the equipment I got from those Mercenaries I killed as well as the useless gear that I didn't need.

Gunther barely batted an eyebrow at the number of things I placed on the counter, even though everything I brought out was enough to equip a full party and more.

"Ah, quite a haul you've got here I see. I take it you wish to sell everything here?"

"Umu, I don't intend to use any of this so yes," I confirmed.

He then started organising them, shifting them into separate piles where the weapons were displayed neatly in rows while the armour sets also received the same treatment on the other side.

Since I basically stripped those Mercenaries clean, there were quite a lot of things on the counter including some chainmail shirts and an assortment of hidden weapons. They were a really well equipped party after all.

Gunther took one look at the pile and shook his head, "A little bit of problem here Mistress… Even if I knew what price to pay you for all this, I don't have the necessary funds for it right now. Are you fine with waiting here for me to go and gather my funds or coming back another day for it?"

"Umm… How long would you need to gather this? And what's the estimated price for all this?"

The Rejmar thought for a moment, "If you want to wait, I would need to head towards The Guild to get some of the money I stored there and it might take around two to four hours. As for the price… Probably forty or fifty Creas, give or take. I'm not done appraising them and these look to be of good quality."

Oh, that's not too bad. Since Katsuki is recommending  this guy, I believe I should be able to trust his judgement on the prices.

"I'm not in a rush so I'm ok with waiting for you here. But could I perhaps see your workshop or something while I wait?" I suggested.

He raised an eyebrow at me, "Does the young mistress wish to learn about the art of shaping metals?"

"Oh?! Are you willing to teach?! I want to learn how to smith too!"

"Hmm… An ambitious Young Mistress I see. But as much as I would not mind that, I'm afraid I have my hands full at the moment and I won't have time to teach you how to craft on top of that. Best I can do is let you see my workshop and the apprentices working."

"Ah! That's great too! Could I watch?!"

"Of course. Follow me."

He led us out of the store through a side door which led directly to the workshop.

Unlike the store, this place was not as fancily decorated since this was pretty much a work room where customers were not supposed to go. There were two large furnaces at the back and several smiths were busy hammering away on the anvils around the room.

There were not only other Rejmars here but also quite a number of Mahuns too.

I guess that makes more sense considering this was Mahun territory after all.

"If you need anything, Young Mistress, just go ahead and call out to any of them, you don't need to hold back," Gunther told me gruffly before leaving.

I guess he's the type of guy who prioritises work over personal relations and lets his work speak for itself. At least… That's the feeling I was getting with how straightforward he was being.

Putting that aside though… This place is so cool!! It's my first time in an actual forge!! Wooooow!! I wonder what does that button do?!