After spending time at the library, they now stood before a sturdy building with masculine architecture. Its sign, made of heavy oak, was carved with the image of a sledgehammer and crossed swords, bearing the name "The Iron Will."
The scent of hot metal, lubricating oil, and tanned leather hung thick in the air even before they pushed open the heavy teak door.
As they entered, the chime of a bell above the door greeted them, followed by a wave of warmth emanating from the hearth at the back of the shop. The shelves in the shop were filled not only with weapons but also with suits of armor arranged in such a way that they looked like rows of soldiers standing guard in silence.
Keyzier stepped forward toward the main counter. There, a middle-aged man with arm muscles as wiry as old tree roots was busy wiping a slender dagger. The man had a neatly trimmed gray beard and sharp eyes that seemed capable of piercing through the quality of metal with a single glance.
"We are looking for equipment!" Keyzier said, his voice calm but filled with a firmness unusual for a youth his age. "Give me the best quality magic staff in your shop."
The man stopped his activity. He set his dagger down slowly, then rested his large hands on the wooden table. His gaze swept over the three of them, from the tips of their hair to their shoes, which were still slightly dusty.
"The best magic staff, you say?" the man's voice was heavy and husky. "Many come here asking for the same thing, but not many are capable of controlling them. So, who will be using it?"
Novalia stepped forward hesitantly, her hand trembling slightly as she raised it slowly. "I-I am, Uncle."
Without warning, the man leaped lightly over his counter and instantly grabbed Novalia's right hand. He gripped the girl's fingers firmly, turning them over, and began to feel the muscles of her palm and wrist with his rough, calloused fingers.
"Hey! What are you doing, you creep! Let her go!" Keyzier shouted instinctively.
Donovan had even drawn his sword halfway from its scabbard, an intimidating aura beginning to emanate from his sturdy frame.
The man looked up, his face flushed with offense, but his eyes remained focused on his work. "Shut up, you brats! Who are you calling a creep? Right now, I am checking her mana circulation capacity through her pores and measuring the width of her palm! I must ensure the staff's weight is balanced with her physical strength so she doesn't get exhausted while casting spells in the heat of battle. If you want trash, go to the flea market! Here, I only sell a perfect match, you little punks!"
Keyzier and Donovan were stunned. They immediately realized that this eccentric method was part of a high-level craftsman's dedication. With faces slightly red from embarrassment, they sheathed their weapons and bowed in apology, allowing the shop owner to finish his unusual diagnosis.
After a few awkward moments, the man released Novalia's hand and nodded with satisfaction. He went into a room locked with a magic seal and returned with a long box wrapped in black cloth.
"This is my masterpiece for the supporting mage category!" he said as he opened the box lid.
Inside lay a magic staff that looked incredibly exotic. The staff was not made of metal but of natural brown wood with a texture resembling the twisted branches of the World Tree. The wood looked alive, as if magical sap were still flowing through it. At its peak, a tear-shaped green gem was perfectly embedded, emitting a somewhat dim but consistent emerald glow.
"Try channeling your mana into it, Little Girl." the shop owner challenged.
Novalia accepted the staff. As soon as her skin touched the ancient wood, she felt a warmth spreading through her chest. She immediately cast a physical reinforcement buff spell toward Keyzier and Donovan.
"Strengthen!"
A fresh green light exploded from the gem, enveloping her two companions in a beautiful emerald shimmer. Keyzier and Donovan gasped. They felt their bodies suddenly become incredibly light, yet at the same time, their muscles felt as hard as steel. The reinforcement effect was much more stable and powerful compared to when Novalia used her old staff.
"This is... amazing! I feel my mana flowing without any hindrance at all!" Novalia whispered in awe. She stroked the smooth surface of the wood. "How much is it, Uncle?"
"The best quality comes with a matching price, child. 40 gold pieces. Not a single coin less."
Hearing the number, Novalia nearly choked. For her, who had been living on the run, 40 gold pieces was a fantastic sum. She immediately shook her head and tried to return the staff to its box.
"I'm sorry, Big Brother Key, this is too expensive. I can't let you spend this much money just for me."
Keyzier didn't listen. Without expression, he paid for the magic staff in cash immediately. "Uncle, take this. This staff is hers now."
"But Big Brother Key!" Novalia tried to protest, but Keyzier's sharp gaze stopped her.
"Nova, a good weapon isn't about luxury, it's about your life and our lives on the field. Don't refuse an investment in our own safety!" Keyzier said firmly.
Novalia could only lower her head, clutching her new staff with a mix of emotions between being touched and a deep sense of unease.
Once the matter of the staff was settled, the shop owner appeared much friendlier, perhaps because he had just seen a customer who didn't haggle over a high price. "Now, for the two of you. If you don't have proper armor, you'll just be easy targets out there. Do you want the best armor?"
Keyzier and Donovan looked at each other and nodded enthusiastically. After passing through the same measurement procedure, the shop owner brought out two sets of armor that looked very contrasting to one another.
Donovan chose light armor made of Mythril. The silver metal was very thin yet known to be impossible for ordinary weapons to pierce. This armor provided maximum mobility for Donovan, who relied on the speed and strength of his greatsword attacks.
Meanwhile, for Keyzier, the craftsman provided an extraordinary piece of magic armor. It was made of premium Black Wolf skin. The surface had a very elegant satin luster jet black yet reflecting light softly, giving off a hidden impression of luxury. Most unique were the natural white lines creeping along the surface of the armor, resembling frozen veins of lightning.
"Those white lines come from the mana crystals absorbed by that black wolf during its lifetime." the shop owner explained. "This armor will glow if you channel your mana, young man."
Keyzier immediately put it on. As the armor clung to his body, his appearance changed drastically. The black color with white accents matched his grayish-white hair perfectly. He looked like a high-level combat mage, cold and mysterious.
Novalia, seeing him, stood frozen, her face flushing again as she realized how handsome the youth, who had been so indifferent to her really was.
"What is it, Nova? Does this armor look strange?" Keyzier asked, turning his body to check the flexibility of the wolf skin.
"N-no! Big Brother Key looks... very gallant in that." Novalia answered nervously, turning her face away so as not to be caught admiring him.
Donovan, seeing this, could only pat Keyzier's shoulder while shaking his head, pitying his best friend's denseness.
Finally, Novalia chose her own body protection. Since the shop owner felt awkward examining a girl's body, he let Novalia try on several magic mantles in the dressing room.
Novalia eventually chose a magic mantle made of Hollow Griffin skin, a material that was light yet had high resistance against magic elements.
After paying a total of 41 gold coins for the three armors, they took their leave.
Stepping out of "The Iron Will", the three of them looked like a completely different group. They no longer looked distressed, but like a group of adventurers ready for battle.
The Antrows sky was now completely dark, yet the city's light of life never faded.
They began to look for a place to stay the night. After walking several blocks, they found a grand inn with a sign decorated with glowing crystals: 'Rising Stardust'.
Without a thought for the cost, Keyzier immediately booked three of the best rooms for each of them. He wanted his companions to rest properly before starting the real struggle.
Inside the quiet inn hall, before they parted for their respective rooms, the atmosphere became a little emotional. Keyzier took out his Rank G adventurer license card, staring at the name "Noiver" written there.
"Starting tomorrow, our lives will truly change!" Keyzier said while looking at his two companions. "Let's do our best and become the strongest adventurers in this world!"
Donovan grinned widely, while Novalia nodded firmly while clutching her magic staff.
The three of them stood there, under the roof of the 'Rising Stardust', gazing at tomorrow with hopes as high as the stars in the sky.