Shopping Spree

"Alright! We can start now. So, kiddo, what do you know about the different types of swords?"

"Well, I've seen different people use different types. Teacher Fredrick uses a longsword."

"You're correct. Different people have different talents and affinities, so a sword that suits me may not suit you. That's why it's very important that we try out which type of sword fits you. Alright, take this one for now."

He passed Andrew a longsword that was about a head taller than him. But as Andrew lifted the sword, he found that it was quite easy to swing it around, laughably light compared to its humongous size.

"You're a strong one. Fredrick must've trained you well," the manager said as Fredrick grinned with delight. "That sword was made of the lightest metal we have. Let me pass you a heavier one."

He passed Andrew another sword, and this time it's weight was just right. But Andrew felt that the sword was too unwieldy, and felt weird in his hand.

"I don't think this one suits me."

"Alright, how about this?"

A katana landed in Andrew's hand. Slightly better, but not what he was looking for.

Andrew tried many types of swords, using all the basic sword moves with them. Some felt better than the others, and he was amazed by the beauty of the cold, hard metal and shape of certain swords.

"This is called an arming sword. The most traditional sword form," the manager told Andrew as he passed him the sword.

Andrew took a good glance at the sword. It was adjusted to fit his height, and had a beautiful symmetry across its centre. He tried a lunge. As the sword moved across the air, it parted the air and made a whooshing sound.

"That was beautiful," Fredrick said, looking on with pride.

"I think this one suits me."

"Of course it does! Stay here for a while, I'll get a few swords for you to pick out."

The manager left the room for a while, only to return with a few arming swords - all the same shape, but with different materials, designs and weights.

"These are all suitable for the lowest rank - Sword Novice. You can try them on."

After trying on all of them, Andrew made a decision. His new sword weighed about 6 kilograms, and had its edges made of razor-sharp platinum, while its core was made of refined steel. Its hilt was beautifully adorned with a dragon design, and its grip fit Andrew's hand like a glove. At the end of the hilt, a red gem slightly protruded out, smooth to the touch but extremely tough.

The manager explained, "This is a monster core from a second-rank magical beast. It gives out energy to maintain the sharpness and sturdiness of the sword, and of course, looks good as well."

A second-rank magical beast…that was equivalent to a Sword Apprentice. Fredrick's rank. Andrew wondered how hard it was to kill the beast.

"Young lad," the manager told him, "You have a good eye. This sword is the best of all of these, and you can use it not only as a Sword Novice, but it will do you well in the early stages of Sword Apprentice as well."

"Hahahaha. Of course you had to choose the most expensive one of them," Fredrick bantered with Andrew.

A twinge of guilt appeared on Andrew's face, and he quickly retreated, "No, no, I'm sorry, Fredrick. I can choose another one."

Fredrick waved it off, "I was joking Andrew. The sword that's kept on my scabbard is probably ten times as valuable as this." Turning to the manager, he asked, "So how much does it cost?"

"Seven and a half silvers. On account of our friendship, seven silvers and thirty bronze will do."

Andrew gasped. One must know that one silver coin was enough to feed a normal family for a week.

Fredrick shot his friend the assistant manager a glance. "Sigh…there's not much I can do about it. Monster cores are pretty rare, you know. Seven silvers and thirty for this work of art is the lowest I can go.

Fredrick noticed the growing expression of guilt on Andrew's face, and quickly agreed - "Alright, I'll take it."

After that, Andrew tried on multiple accessories. Guilty for the expensive sword, he picked the most basic set of armour, which cost slightly more than one silver. He tried on a shield but felt that his movement became awkward, and put it back on the rack. "Good choice," Fredrick commented. "Some swordsmen choose to use a shield, but others, like me, feel it restricts their movement. Anyway, choose what suits you best. When you reach the level of Knight and above, you'll find that the sword aura your body generates works much better than any armour, be it sword or body armour, that you wear. But for now, it's better that you wear your thick leather armour."

The manager told them, "Would you guys want to check out the sword techniques section now?"

Both of them nodded their head, and left the vast training room. They climbed up to the second level of the huge store. Facing them were endless shelves of books - they were all sword techniques.

"Our store is one of the most complete depositories of bronze-tier techniques in the Kingdom. In fact, we have quite some silver-tier techniques as well, but they will cost you quite a pinch."

"Bronze-tier techniques are mostly used by Sword Novices and Apprentices, while Silver-tier techniques are used by Beginner to Advanced Swordsman. So I would suggest you go for one of the low-Bronze or mid-Bronze tier techniques," Fredrick advised Andrew.

After walking around and looking at hundreds of books, Andrew had to make a painful decision - Fredrick had only allowed him to choose two. He eventually chose Whistling Sword - a tattered, old book containing an attack technique, and an unnamed evasion technique that involved footwork. Whistling Sword was mid-Bronze tier while the movement technique was low-Bronze. The duo bought the techniques for four silvers. Andrew looked at the most precious technique in the store, a mid-Silver tier technique displayed inside several thick, transparent magic barriers. The plaque beside it described the technique and gave the cost - a staggering, bank-breaking 1200 gold coins. Even the local tyrants would feel their pockets being much lighter after buying it.

The last section in the store was for miscellaneous accessories - healing potions, defensive treasures, storage treasures, and whatnot. Fredrick told Andrew not to buy anything from there, as he would supply these items for him. With that, they left the store, with Fredrick forking out a total cost of about twelve and a half silvers.

Money was hard to make indeed.

It was already night time as they left the shop, and both of them had a nice lunch at a restaurant up the street for another 15 bronze coins. After riding the horses back, the day came to a close. Andrew changed into his nightwear and upon making contact with the delicate, soft bed, immediately fell into deep sleep.