A Little Test

Kaela led Alex through the bustling streets of Avarra until they reached a modest shop tucked away on a quieter corner. The sign above the door bore an emblem of crossed swords and a shield, weathered but still distinct. The scent of oiled leather and polished steel greeted Alex as he stepped inside.

The shop was humble, with rows of weapon racks lining the walls and barrels filled with smaller tools and accessories. Despite its simplicity, the array of weaponry caught Alex's attention—blades of varying lengths, sturdy wooden staffs, and bows and arrows. Shields leaned against the walls, and a small corner displayed basic leather armor.

The shopkeeper, a burly man with a thick beard and a missing tooth, glanced up from a grindstone as they entered. His eyes lingered on Alex briefly before turning to Kaela with a nod of recognition.

"Hello there," the shopkeeper greeted, his voice gravelly rumbled. "Bringing in a new recruit, are we?"

"Something like that," Kaela replied smoothly, gesturing toward Alex. "He needs something simple but reliable. Preferably something that won't break when he tries to use it."

The shopkeeper smirked, wiping his hands on a rag as he stepped closer. "You've come to the right place, then. Nothing fancy here, but they'll get the job done."

Alex scanned the weapons, feeling a strange mixture of excitement and apprehension. Wielding a weapon felt foreign, but he knew he couldn't rely on his bare hands—or luck—against a group of bandits.

Kaela nudged him forward, her tone teasing. "Go on, Alex. Pick something. You can't fight bandits with just that tunic and your fists."

The shopkeeper raised his eyebrows, setting down the dagger he had been inspecting. "Bandits, you say?" His gaze flicked between Alex and Kaela, skepticism plain on his face. "You're planning to go after them?"

Alex hesitated, but Kaela stepped forward, her tone casual yet firm. "That's the idea."

The shopkeeper let out a low whistle, crossing his arms as he studied them more closely. "I'll give you this much—you've got guts. But let me tell you, those bandits aren't your run-of-the-mill troublemakers. Plenty of folks have tried to deal with them before, and most of 'em didn't come back."

Alex felt a knot form in his stomach at the man's words, but he kept his face neutral. "What makes them so dangerous?" he asked, his voice steady despite his nerves.

The shopkeeper shrugged, leaning against the counter. "For starters, they're not just some ragtag group causing trouble for kicks. They're organized—too organized for what you'd expect from common bandits. Their attacks are coordinated, almost like they've got someone leading them who knows what they're doing."

Kaela's expression remained calm, but Alex could feel the weight of her gaze on the shopkeeper. "Organized how?" she pressed.

The man scratched his beard thoughtfully. "They target caravans at just the right times, hit the most profitable routes, and vanish before anyone can catch 'em. It's like they've got eyes and ears everywhere. They even have a proper hideout, not just some camp in the woods."

Alex exchanged a glance with Kaela, his grip tightening on the counter's edge. The shopkeeper's description painted a picture far more intimidating than he had expected. Still, it also solidified one thing in his mind; this wouldn't be easy.

On the other hand, didn'tKaela seem fazed by the shopkeeper's grim account of the bandits. If anything, she appeared almost amused. A sly smile tugged at her lips as she leaned casually against a display rack.

"Better for us, then," she said, her tone light yet carrying a certain edge. "Alex needs to face a tough situation sooner rather than later. The faster he's exposed to real challenges, the faster he'll grow."

Alex's eyes widened, and he felt his stomach drop. He stared at her in disbelief. "You… you want me to go through this to grow?"

Kaela shrugged, her smile widening just slightly. "What better way to learn?"

Before Alex could respond, the shopkeeper burst into hearty laughter, echoing off the wooden walls. He slapped his knee, clearly entertained. "She's not wrong, lad," he said, wiping his eye as the laughter subsided. "A man can't be coddled too much. Too much comfort, and you'll go soft. This world doesn't have patience for soft men."

Alex gulped, trying to find words to protest. Still, before he could, the shopkeeper straightened up, his expression more serious.

"Alright, then," the shopkeeper said, folding his arms and nodding toward Alex. "What kind of weapon are you familiar with? Sword? Spear? Bow, maybe?"

Alex rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Actually… none," he admitted, avoiding the man's gaze. "I've never used a weapon before."

The shopkeeper's expression didn't shift to ridicule or disdain as Alex had feared. Instead, his lips curled into a mischievous grin. Without a word, he suddenly lunged forward, throwing a swift punch at Alex.

Alex's instincts kicked in, his reflexes sharper than even he expected. He dodged the punch just in time, his body shifting to the side almost effortlessly. But before he could question what was happening, the shopkeeper followed up with a low kick aimed at his legs.

Reacting quickly, Alex caught the kick with his hands, stopping it mid-air. He stood frozen, gripping the shopkeeper's leg, his heart pounding.

"What—what was that for?!" Alex exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and confusion.

The shopkeeper adjusted his tunic and grinned, clearly impressed. "Relax, lad. That was just a little test," he said, patting Alex on the shoulder. "I wanted to see what you're capable of before handing you a weapon you can't handle. You've got quick reflexes, and you're pretty nimble. That kind of movement screams for something light and fast."

Alex tilted his head, still catching his breath. "Light and fast?"

The shopkeeper nodded, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Daggers. Perfect for someone agile like you. They're small, quick, and deadly in the right hands. Good for close combat, and they don't weigh you down."

Alex blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. "Daggers? Are you sure?"

Before the shopkeeper could answer, Kaela spoke up, her arms crossed as she leaned against the counter. "That's exactly what I was going to suggest. A blade that suits your speed. Besides," she added with a faint smirk, "they're a good starting point for someone who's never held a weapon."

The shopkeeper nodded in agreement, then turned to a shelf behind him, rummaging through a chest. After a few moments, he pulled out a small but well-made set of daggers. 

The twin blades gleamed faintly under the shop's dim light, their polished steel edges curving slightly for precision. The handles were wrapped in dark leather, with intricate etchings along the metal pommel that gave them a subtle, elegant touch.

With a thud, he laid them on the counter, gesturing for Alex to look closer. "Here. See how they feel in your hands."