Chapter 12: Smith's Store once again and Training.

Two days melted away, anticipation simmering within Alex like a forge fire.

Finally, he strode towards Smith's Store, his steps propelled by the promise of claiming his customized arsenal.

Pushing open the familiar door, he was greeted by the tinkling chime of the bell and Sera's warm smile.

"Welcome back, Alex! Not a new customer today, I see," she teased, her voice like wind chimes dancing in a gentle breeze.

"Indeed," Alex chuckled, "I'm here to claim my weapons and unleash some mayhem... responsibly, of course."

Sera's smile widened.

"Excellent timing! Father, your handiwork awaits its wielder." Her voice echoed through the shop, reaching the depths of the workshop.

Moments later, the Smith emerged, his burly frame dwarfed by the weight of three sheathed contraptions.

A gruff grin split his beard as he spotted Alex. "See, lad? Told you they'd be ready."

He presented the items one by one. The first was a knife, its silver blade gleaming like moonlight trapped in metal. The sheath, crafted from an unknown material that felt curiously supple and strong, was ingeniously attached to a versatile belt system. With a flick of his wrist, Alex fastened it around his waist, the sheath nestling comfortably on his right hip. Yet, a touch revealed hidden channels, allowing him to shift it with ease to any position – front, back, or even cross-draw.

"Brilliant, Smith!" Alex exclaimed, awestruck by the innovative design.

"This sheath surpasses anything I imagined. Thank you!"

Smith chuckled, a rumble that seemed to emanate from his very core. "Aye, functionality and style, lad. Now, try the knife and let me know what you think."

Alex eagerly drew the blade, a satisfying **shing** filling the air. The silver gleamed with an almost ethereal light, perfectly balanced in his hand. He practiced a few casual swings, the blade slicing through the air with effortless precision. A name surfaced in his mind, whispered by the knife's keen edge and his own burgeoning skills.

"Razor," he murmured, the word resonating with power and purpose. "I shall call you Razor."

The Smith's grin widened further. "A fitting name, lad. Now, let's see if your throws are as sharp as your blade." He gestured towards the remaining sheathed objects, their identities shrouded in mystery.

With a practiced flick, Alex returned Razor to its versatile sheath. Attention shifted to the remaining sheathed objects. Two leg straps held three throwing knives each, a bonus Smith had generously added to the initial order. "Unexpected generosity," Alex mused, fastening the straps to his calves.

One by one, he unsheathed the throwing knives, their blackened steel contrasting sharply with the polished gleam of Razor. Unlike the nylon cords he'd seen online, these were wrapped in a material that felt curiously cool and resilient. Hefting one in his hand, he felt a satisfying weight, promising a different experience than the nimble Razor.

"Black Betty's," he murmured, christening the set with a name that resonated with their dark elegance.

The first throw was a baptism by fire. With a *foosh!* the blade arced through the air, finding its mark on the wooden dummy Leena had procured. But accuracy eluded him this time – the tip lodged in the dummy's leg, not the intended torso.

"Training is definitely in order," Alex chuckled, the miss not dampening his spirits. He envisioned mastering these throwing weapons, turning them into deadly extensions of his skill.

After another half hour of friendly conversation with Smith and Sera, Alex bade farewell, promising to return soon after conquering his first quest. Stepping into the bustling Adventurer's Guild, he navigated the sea of adventurers, their diverse equipment and purposeful stride painting a vivid picture of a world teeming with danger and opportunity.

Leena, her smile as warm as ever, greeted him.

"Alex! Back so soon? Three days indeed."

"Doing well, Leena. And you? I'm here to take advantage of the training grounds," he declared, eager to hone his newly acquired skills.

Without missing a beat, Leena called over to a colleague, a black-haired beauty named Karen who readily took her place. "Show the newbie the ropes, Karen," she instructed with a wink.

Alex followed Leena down a flight of stairs, anticipation building with each step. The training ground sprawled beneath them – a miniature arena buzzing with activity. Arrows zipped through the air, swords clashed in controlled chaos, and grunts of exertion echoed through the halls.

"What's your weapon of choice today, Alex?"

Leena asked, her voice barely audible over the din.

He grinned, brandishing one of the Black Betty's.

"Throwing knives," Alex declared, ready to unleash his newfound arsenals.

Leena's eyes widened in surprised curiosity. "Oh, I figured nobles often had exceptional Gifts. Maybe something connected to those throwing knives?"

Alex, ever guarded about his abilities, simply shrugged. "Who knows?"

A flicker of apology washed over Leena's face.

"Forgive my inquisitiveness, Alex. It's none of my business, truly."

"No offense taken," he reassured her, though a flicker of annoyance danced in his eyes.

"But just a friendly reminder, not everyone appreciates such probing. Not everyone is as understanding as I am."

Leena nodded, cheeks flushing slightly. "Thank you for the advice. Well, here we are. Training grounds. You want an instructor?"

His stomach clenching with the unspoken truth, Alex shook his head. "No, I'll manage." He couldn't afford an instructor, not yet. Not when survival hung precariously in the balance.

Leena, oblivious to his internal turmoil, patted his shoulder with misplaced cheer. "Alright then, good luck! I'll leave you to it."

With a wave, she disappeared, leaving Alex alone in the bustling arena. He set his target: a wooden dummy fifteen meters away. Taking a deep breath, he unleashed the first Black Betty. It soared through the air, a dark glint against the sun, but narrowly missed its mark, thudding into the ground beside the dummy.

Undeterred, Alex threw again and again. Hours melted away, punctuated by the rhythmic *thunk* of metal against wood. Frustration gnawed at him, but with each throw, his aim crept closer. Finally, as dusk painted the training grounds in hues of orange and purple, a triumphant yell escaped his lips. The blade found its mark, buried deep in the dummy's center.

Exhausted but exhilarated, Alex continued practicing until his throws found their target five out of twelve times. A notification flashed in his mind:

[Throwing Knives Level 1 Acquired.]

A small victory, but a start nonetheless.

With weary muscles and a renewed sense of purpose, he dragged himself back to the Moonlight Inn, sleep promising a much-needed respite. Tomorrow, he would be ready to face whatever challenges awaited, his throwing knives now more than just ornaments – they were extensions of his will, honed by sweat and determination.

Five days blurred into one focused mission: mastering his newly acquired weapons. The training arena became his second home, echoing with the rhythmic thunk of throwing knives against wooden dummies. Fifteen meters became child's play, replaced by the demanding challenge of twenty, then thirty. Each successful throw resonated within him, fueling his determination. By the time a week had passed, his Throwing Knives skill gleamed at Level 3, a testament to his relentless practice.

But Alex didn't neglect Razor. He spent countless hours practicing knife maneuvers, learning to dance with the silver blade, each movement etched into his memory. He wasn't a master yet, but a sense of proficiency blossomed, promising deadlier dances in the future.

Now, he was ready. Ready to finally test his skills, to rise from trainee to adventurer. He yearned to delve into the quests, each a stepping stone on his ambitious path. Tomorrow, the wait would be over. He would claim his first request, his heart thrumming with anticipation.