The Mestre of Weapons

"I believe we have at least ten bronze daggers and fifty bronze-tipped arrows!" Luiz replied, pointing to a nearby sack from which the daggers and arrows protruded, arranged in a gleaming stack.

Johnny flashed a radiant smile, and Luiz felt a twinge of anxiety in his stomach at the boy's happiness.

Luiz turned his gaze to the back of the horse, where a boy was tied up and unconscious. With a curious and uncertain expression, he asked, "Boss, what should we do with him?"

Johnny fixed his penetrating gaze on Luiz, his calm contrasting with the tension in the air. His voice sounded firm and determined as he asked, "Carlos? What fate did the former leader have in store for him?"

Luiz swallowed hard before answering, aware of the seriousness of the situation. He approached Johnny and whispered, his voice tinged with nervousness, "The former leader intended to sell Carlos to the neighboring feudal lord in exchange for a hundred silver coins. It was a promising deal for him."

Johnny looked serious, displaying his concern for the group's finances. With a penetrating look, he questioned, "I see! Speaking of coins, how are our finances?"

Luiz directed his gaze at the child before him, a figure he saw as a small enigma in human form, a presence that starkly contrasted with the typical behavior of a child and that he considered almost demonic. Then, with a mix of calm and determination, Luiz announced that there were exactly twenty Imperial Florins. His face conveyed a mixture of seriousness and a slight touch of apprehension, as if he were sharing potentially explosive information, aware of the serious consequences that this could trigger in the child's heart.

The Imperial coin system consists of three main denominations: the Imperial Crown, the Imperial Aureus, and the Imperial Florin. Each of these coins has a specific value and is used in different contexts within the empire.

The Imperial Florin, made of bronze, is the lowest denomination coin and represents the price of a simple loaf of bread. It is widely used in daily transactions, such as market purchases, payments to artisans, and even the wages of peasants. Its use illustrates the essence of daily economy within the empire.

The Imperial Aureus, made of silver, holds an intermediate position in terms of value, equivalent to a hundred Imperial Florins. It is used for medium-sized transactions and is often used to pay government employees. Its circulation contributes to the fluidity of economic exchanges within the empire.

The Imperial Crown, made of gold, is the most valuable coin, representing a value equivalent to a hundred coins of Imperial Aureus. It is primarily used for large-scale transactions, highlighting its prestigious role in the empire's economic sphere. Notably, it is mainly reserved for use by the nobility and the church, emphasizing the emperor's significant influence in such transactions.

Johnny observes his servant Luiz with a critical eye, scanning every inch of the man, from head to toe. He maintains a silence that seems to stretch indefinitely, a silence that weighs each word to be spoken next. Johnny's penetrating gaze increases the tension in the servant, who is already visibly nervous, manifesting tics of anxiety, like biting his lip and fidgeting restlessly with his fingers.

Finally, breaking the tense silence, Johnny asks with a firm voice, "How much does a bronze dagger cost?" The seemingly simple question resonates in the air, charged with meaning, as if it's about to trigger a series of events with uncertain and potentially significant consequences.

Luiz responds with a trembling voice, his anxiety evident in every word. He informs Johnny that a bronze dagger has an average price ranging between ten and twenty Imperial Florins, while a simple loaf of bread costs only one coin. The tension in the air is palpable as Johnny absorbs the information and contemplates his next actions.

Johnny reflects as he observes the tension on his servant Luiz's face. He realizes that, despite being unpleasant, tension is a powerful tool. Being in the body of a child forces him to assert himself in different ways, and Luiz's nervous reaction is a constant reminder that his power and authority transcend his young appearance.

Johnny fixes his gaze on the servant, fully aware of the value he possesses due to his healing gift. With a calm and firm voice, he commands, "Let's proceed with the training! It's essential for me to enhance my storage ability with the daggers!"

In an instant, several daggers materialize in the air, moving swiftly toward their own arms. The violent impact of the blades against the skin causes horrible wounds, revealing a landscape of torn flesh and exposed bones. Blood sprays in arcs, staining the camp's ground with dark shades of red, while horror unfolds in the expression of his henchman.

However, Johnny, despite the carnage unfolding before his eyes, maintains a calm and serene tone. Commanding with authority, he says, "Heal me! Let's move on to the next round!"

In this way, the cycle of self-mutilation and recovery continued for several hours, in an unrelenting process of overcoming and improvement.

When the daggers were finally exhausted, the determined child did not let himself be deterred. Instead, he started using stones as substitutes, turning the ritual into a challenging and grueling experience. The stones, with sharp edges and irregular contours, proved to be a brutal and relentless alternative to the daggers that had been the previous focus.

The young bandit had eliminated all doubts, and there were no remnants of uncertainty in his mind. It was impossible to deny that what he was witnessing had no resemblance to a child. It was undeniable that something extraordinary and unique resided in that boy. Not even a group of highly determined men would have the courage to persist in such a session of self-inflicted pain. What was happening there was on an entirely different level, transcending conventional understanding and defying deeply ingrained expectations.

Abruptly interrupting the bandit's reflections, the child decides to question. With a sharp gaze and an expression that doesn't match his apparent age, he inquires with determination, "What does this tattoo on my neck represent, and why don't you have one like it?"

The questioning resonates through the air, interrupting the cycle of self-inflicted injuries and recovery. The bandit, surprised by the question, is momentarily silenced. Meanwhile, the distinctive marks on the child's skin, which seem to conceal some profound meaning, are emphasized.