Hearing the direct confirmation from the man's mouth made the three of them even more enthusiastic.
"Uncle, are you really a Dwarf?" Keyzier asked enthusiastically, momentarily forgetting his manners due to his excitement.
The man snorted, though there was a hint of pride in his eyes. "What is with you lot? Of course! I am a Dwarf!"
"Whoa! This is the first time we've seen a Dwarf in person like this, Uncle!" Donovan explained with burning eyes. "Where we come from, we've never seen any race other than humans! We thought Dwarfs only existed in storybooks!"
The Dwarf put down the small hammer he was holding. He looked slightly surprised. Pixa was indeed a trading city, but it was rare to find people this clueless about his race.
"Where exactly are you three from?" he asked.
"We are from Altoria Kingdom, Uncle!" Donovan answered quickly. "We just arrived in this city today and wanted to look around!"
The Dwarf raised an eyebrow. "Altoria? That stiff human kingdom? No wonder. It's rare for anyone from there to want to set foot in my shabby shop."
He wiped his soot-stained hands with a rag. "Alright, since you've come a long way and seem to appreciate my existence, I will serve you. What do you need?"
Keyzier stepped forward. "I want a sword. But not an ordinary one. I need a strong shortsword that can channel my mana."
"And I," Donovan added while patting his chest, "need a greatsword that is strong, heavy, and sharp. Something that can split stone without becoming blunt."
Novalia just smiled awkwardly. "I... I think I'll just look around, Uncle. I am a support mage. My staff is still good."
The Dwarf nodded understandingly. "A battle mage and a destructive tank, huh? Follow me."
He led them to a wall rack on the right side. "This is my best collection for middle-class adventurers."
Keyzier and Donovan looked at all the swords with enthusiasm. The metal gleamed beautifully, the hilts wrapped in high-quality leather.
"Uncle, may we hold these swords?"
"Yes, go ahead and feel for yourselves which one suits you!"
Keyzier picked up an elegant-looking shortsword. He closed his eyes, trying to flow a little mana into it. However, with just a trickle, the sword vibrated uncomfortably. Keyzier shook his head and put it back.
Donovan picked up a sturdy-looking greatsword. He swung it once.
Whoosh!
The sound of wind was heard, but Donovan frowned. "Too light. The balance point is also off."
After holding and trying almost every weapon on the rack, neither Keyzier nor Donovan was interested in any of the swords before them.
The Dwarf crossed his arms over his chest. "Why aren't you choosing? Those are triple-folded steel swords, the quality is above average."
Keyzier looked at the Dwarf seriously. "I feel these are ordinary swords, Uncle. They are good, but they won't be able to last long if we use them. These swords would shatter in a single serious slash of ours."
Donovan nodded in agreement, confirming Keyzier's words. "That's right, Uncle. We need something more than this!"
The Dwarf fell silent for a moment, staring at the two young men with a scrutinizing gaze. Slowly, a wide smile blossomed behind his thick beard.
"Hahahaha! Good! My eyes didn't deceive me. You aren't just random kids. You have keen eyes for judging the quality of steel."
He turned and walked toward an iron chest behind his workbench. He unlocked the chest with a series of complex mechanisms. "I do indeed hide the best for those who are worthy. Look at this."
When the chest opened, two weapons were lifted out. This time, the aura radiating from the swords was vastly different from the previous ones.
One was a shortsword with a blue-black blade, looking as if water were flowing inside it. The other was a silver greatsword with edges that gleamed blood-red, emitting a heavy and intimidating aura.
"This shortsword was forged with a mixture of adamantite and a mana crystal core." the Dwarf explained. "Its mana conductivity is nearly 95%. Meanwhile, this large one is made of pure mythril forged for 40 days and 40 nights."
After holding them, Keyzier felt a sensation of unity with the shortsword. His mana flowed freely like water in a river. Donovan felt the same; the silver sword felt perfect in his hand, heavy yet steady.
"This is perfect!" Keyzier murmured. "How much is it, Uncle?"
The Dwarf grinned. "Quality comes at a price, Kid. The shortsword you are holding costs 150,000 Lyra. And the greatsword your friend is holding is 160,000 Lyra!"
Novalia gasped in shock. "T-that is so expensive!"
The Dwarf shrugged. "Must be too expensive for you, right? That is indeed the price considering the rare materials and my sweat used to make those two swords!"
Without saying a word, Keyzier immediately paid for both swords in cash, without making any comments or bargaining in the slightest.
Naturally, the Dwarf was very surprised. His eyes bulged at the pile of money on the table. He rarely saw a buyer pay such an amount without haggling.
"Who are you people, actually?" he asked suspiciously. "Noble children running away from home?"
"Of course not, Uncle!" Donovan answered while sheathing his new sword proudly. "We are Rank C adventurers from the Kingdom of Altoria!"
The Dwarf was even more surprised when Keyzier stated they were a Rank C party. Especially after they showed their respective license cards stamped by the Pixa Guild.
"Rank C at this age...?" the Dwarf muttered while shaking his head. "Truly terrifying young ones! To be Rank C at your current age, you must all possess terrifying power!"
Keyzier only smiled faintly. "We are still developing, Uncle! Hehehe."
"I like you, Young Ones! You have good taste and thick wallets. Come here again if you need repairs or anything regarding your weapons! The 'Black Hammer' shop is always open for you."
"Of course, Uncle! In that case, excuse us. Thank you for the weapons."
Party Noiver left the blacksmith with a sense of satisfaction. New weapons hung at Keyzier's waist and on Donovan's back, making them feel much more prepared to face challenges in this new land.
They went back to walking along the stone pavement, continuing to tour Pixa City while looking for an inn sign.
"Now we have weapons, we have money." Keyzier muttered while looking at the sky turning orange. "I wonder where we will find new party members? The plan for three additional people is still valid, right?"
Novalia turned, her hair gleaming in the evening breeze. "I don't know, Key. Let's just let things flow. If it is destiny, we will surely meet them! Just like when I met you and Novan in the forest that night."
Novalia gazed at him while smiling sweetly. That smile was sincere, full of trust and warmth that made Keyzier's heart beat a little faster without him realizing the reason.
However, being Keyzier who was insensitive about feelings, he frowned instead, confused by the meaning of that smile. Why is she smiling like that? Is there dust on my face?
Donovan, seeing the expression on Keyzier's face, immediately slapped Keyzier's shoulder hard.
"Key, I know what is in that stupid mind of yours!" Donovan whispered quickly. "You better just shut up and don't ruin her mood! You could destroy a good moment with one silly question."
Keyzier was confused, rubbing his sore shoulder. However, he decided not to comment further. He was afraid it might ruin Novalia's mood as Novan said, even though he didn't understand 'which part' would ruin Novalia's mood.
"Oh well..." Keyzier muttered resignedly.
After they were satisfied exploring the city and it began to get dark, they finally saw a large building with a sign reading 'Moonlight Inn' that looked luxurious and comfortable.
"That looks good!" Keyzier pointed out. "Do you agree to stay at this inn?"
Donovan and Novalia nodded in agreement.
They headed to the inn, entered the warm lobby, and without hesitation booked three of the best rooms to rest for the night, closing their first day in Pixa City.