Obviously, Nothing is Ever Simple. (6.4)

…

"So, you have a new kid following you around, Hikigaya?" Collbrande leaned against the wall, her arms were crossed against her chest. Are you allowed to act that cool after shelling out half a million Valis to repair Babel? Of course, I didn't mock her aloud. Badmouthing an irate Level 5 is a good way to get into the hospital. I focused gauging my now-limited abilities in my new equipment. "You're getting quicker in training your brats."

"Experience tends to make any job easier." Admittedly, I was only able to talk to her because of Conscienta Strenuissium, but I didn't expect Collbrande to know how difficult it is to go from superhuman to regular human by just activating a single item. I hated not having a cloak on for more than a few days. Nearly three weeks operating at Level 2 made every action I took feel slow and unresponsive. I felt as though I was wading through rigid jelly. Even breathing was more strenuous. Welf did a really good job this time around. "It helps that they're willing to listen to directions instead of running off like an idiot."

"Welf is very excitable and often prone to overextending himself, yes." Collbrande sighed, a faint smile on her face. Augh, what was this aura of bliss emanating from her? It's making my stomach curdle. Is this the rumored 'Joy of a Woman?' You know you're not even married yet, right? Aren't you hedging your bets too early, Hybrid-chan? Again, none of these thoughts left my lips. I did not want to experience being thrown off ten stories. Not happening, even if I can apparently survive it. "Every time we head into the Dungeon I'm always surprised that he doesn't manage to level up, especially since he still tries to move in the same way as Arde and your other students."

"Not my fault, I told him he doesn't have the body for it." That was indeed the case for Welf Crozzo. My many teachings capitalized on speed and either decisive or continuous blows. It's mindful of stamina and the 'proper' methods of killing as many things as possible. Crozzo was all about taking enemies head-on in duels and taking out ranged magic with Will-o-Wisp. Strength and Magic against Agility and Dexterity. In a way, the blacksmith aspirant was too well-blessed by his birth to properly use my techniques. "I gave him several techniques to take advantage of his strength and power, however, so its his own fault if he insists on trying to work on something he shouldn't."

"And here I was thinking you were some sort of extravagant replica." Collbrande gave a light chuckle as she shook her head. The Amazon-Dwarf hybrid recognized my unsaid question and chuckled once again. "When I saw you getting along so well with someone, I thought the rumors about your death were true." The one-eyed blacksmith gave a shrug. "As you said yourself: Orario is an odd place. I'd sooner believe that you've been insidiously replaced than you seemingly enjoying yourself."

"Cranel's… a good kid." I gave a shrug, which was difficult as hell, at Collbrande's voiced curiosity. No point in denying that I was comfortable around Cranel. Ignoring my usual attitude around him, my white-haired student definitely had the air of a Hero surrounding him. I could go ahead and list Cranel's many good qualities, but it's irrelevant. He's the sort of guy that no one can hate, who always got the job done, and that tends to make him likeable to anyone thinking straight. "Talk with him sometime, you'll know what I'm getting at."

"How can I not, with such a glowing recommendation? According to the great, mysterious Hikigaya himself: Cranel's a… good kid." Collbrande rolled her eye. The one-eyed blacksmith pushed herself off the wall and went over to my other purchases. "You know… Welf was ludicrously happy when you came around after going missing for a week. He was… distraught when you were gone." The Amazon-Dwarf Hybrid leveled her gaze onto me. However, I noticed that she was holding her arm against herself in discomfort. This girl really cared too much for Welf. "Hikigaya, can't you make him into your student? Take him along with you? Do more than just throw him towards making you more weapons and armor?"

"Collbrande, you know how dangerous the Dungeon is. It isn't a place for people to go for the sake of spending time with other people." I was far from friends with this Level 5. I knew her through Crozzo. Not only that, but as a blacksmith capable of making Magic Swords, Collbrande had an immense amount of influence outside and within her own Familia. I had to watch my words around her, unlike the case with Riveria. Wallenstein had been a special case since she was around my age and easily flustered. Collbrande? Hah, she's basically the opposite. "Besides that, don't you think Crozzo should be asking me this himself? You know that he'd snoop around if I suddenly brought up bringing him with me to the Dungeon."

"I… you're correct, Hikigaya." Collbrande bit at her lip. Obviously, the one-eyed blacksmith did not like accepting my words. The Amazon-Dwarf Hybrid shook her head once more, gave a huff, and emitted a sigh. She reminded me quite a bit of Hestia, which is by far the greatest compliment I could give to anyone. Oppai Loli she might be, but Hestia went to immense lengths because of her love for Cranel. For a Level 5 to implore for a Level 2 to do something, especially a Level 5 of international renown like Collbrande, was along the same thing as a God bowing to a mortal. The amount of pride they had to swallow is immense. "Don't… tell Welf about this, alright?"

I gave a terse, sharp nod in reply.

Really, there was a part of me that wanted to take Crozzo into the Dungeon, but he reminded me too much of adventurers who had everything to prove, wanted one thing above everything else, and had nothing to lose…

The kind that died if I took them in.

…

After trying out my newest weapon, repacking it into its box, and bidding goodbye to Collbrande, I made my way into the rest of the shop. Crozzo was definitely one of the best upcoming blacksmiths in the city. A full sixteenth of the Fourth Floor of Babel was dedicated to him, giving him a shop and workspace as large as the first floor of a department store. Often, he had a few other Hephaestus Familia members running errands and deliveries while he worked through the day. Starting as a guy who could barely sell a piece of armor, to one of the Hephaestus Familia's best blacksmiths in less than a year. Even if he didn't make Magic Swords, it's no surprise that Rakia would try to 'negotiate' with him into returning to their Familia.

Having an army of Adventurers with very good weapons and armor can be just as good as a valley-carving superweapon.

Less chance to get an entire bloodline cursed by Spirits for being idiots too.

Pride cometh before the fall, indeed.

Heh, it's always fun to remember that fact. Sometimes, this world can be pretty hilarious.

Anyway, I found myself at the storefront with Welf and Cranel present. I placed my purchases by Cranel's. As I expected, he bought some cheap, balanced knives, several extra shirts and pants, and a mace. For a moment, I had feared he'd actually buy a warhammer, but I managed to knock into his head that it was a bad idea.

With all that done, I simply waited for Cranel to finish admiring his new clothes.

"These are amazing! I can move all I want without tearing them!" Cranel gave a few punches, dashed to and fro, and even did a backflip. It had taken a few hours to get him fitted and for his first set of clothes to be made, but Crozzo did good work and made plenty of the clothes I asked for. Someone with less experience making them would've taken a day. Crozzo? Just under five hours. "You must be brilliant to have made these, Crozzo-sama!"

"Heh, I've done a fair bit of tailoring for Hikigaya and his students. In fact, your Sensei helped out a bit making them himself." Crozzo gave a massive grin towards Cranel and gave a nod in my direction. I returned it. We'd spent some time studying the Blacksmithing skill after he attained it. Long-sleeved shirts, trousers, vests and boots were all, oddly enough, in the purview of the Blacksmith skill so long as they were armored in one way or another. Leather, iron buckles, and some thicker cloth around the midsection made regular clothes 'armor.' As far as exploits went, it was rather tame, but having durable clothes is a must. "I've got your measurements all recorded now, so feel free to come along if they're ever torn up! Though, you'll need Arde's permission before I make you a coat!"

"Eh, why? Can't Sensei just give me permission to have one?" Cranel turned to me and I averted my gaze. I know of your powers, my student, and I am unafraid of acknowledging my weaknesses. Now, I don't know how Arde managed to get Crozzo scared enough to give her the license over who gets coats like mine, but I didn't mind having my idea being limited to me and my students. Well, not enough to confront Arde about it anyway. I'm sorry, Cranel, but I have adapted to your puppy eyes and I will not be going through something I can avoid just for you. "Sensei? Please?"

"Don't beg, Brat." I grunted and shook my head. Cranel gave a little huff. Oi. Stop being adorable. I walked forward, until I was at the counter, and handed over the rest of the payment to the short-haired blacksmith. "Good work again, Crozzo." I offered him a handshake and he accepted it. "The coat's in perfect shape, the clothes are better than ever, and my new weapons are exactly to specifications."

"I had some trouble making the Restraint enchantments removable on regular leather, but with something as High-Grade as Dragon Skin it was ridiculously easy." Crozzo, as always, loved to be praised. Needless to say, I did not hesitate to lavish him with compliments. Words are free, after all. Still, with Collbrande's earlier words, I made sure to give them less freely. A Blacksmith and an Adventurer shared a very profitable relationship with one another, but I didn't want to overstep any bounds. "Making another Channeling Blade was easy too, but that new… axe of yours…" Crozzo shook his head. "It's easy to make, and I can see how you're going to use it, but you need to be careful when you do, Hikigaya. One wrong move and you could potentially break a few of your bones or even tear your sides."

"Crozzo, you know me better than to do something idiotic like test out a weapon on the battlefield." I appreciated the fact that Crozzo cared enough to warn me. The short-haired Level 2 winced, but I shook my head and offered him a chuckle to make sure that he knew I wasn't angry at him. Really, for someone who spends most of his time working metal and dealing with adventurers, he's too sensitive. "I'll be working on figuring out how to use it, I have plenty of time since I'll be dragging Cranel and the others into the Middle Levels. If you have any requests for drops, you know how to contact me."

"I'll do that, Hikigaya." As I motioned for Cranel to follow me out and hefted my new weapon, Crozzo gave one final tilt of his head in my direction. For a moment, I remembered Collbrande's words and I was tempted to invite him to come with us despite my earlier words. He'd probably be much better off if he was at a higher level. Rakia would be a lot less intimidating if he was at a higher rank. Before I could ask however, he gave a huff and waved his hand towards us. "Now, go on ahead and kill some monsters for me. Once you guys reach the Goliath, be sure to have me tag along so I can poach a Rank or two."

"…I'll do that." I couldn't help but smile. Hmph, it seems like I've let my ego go unchecked for a while. Seriously, teach one or two brats and you start thinking you have an obligation to help everyone out. In reality, some people could handle their own problems without my help. Really, I should trust some people to not be idiots when I'm not looking. "I'll be back around for some more knives in a few days. Iron, cheap, at least two dozen as always."

"Augh! What the hell do you and your students do with those things!?" Crozzo griped, tearing at his hair. I couldn't help but chuckle, and Cranel soon followed. "Wait, Cranel's going to be one of you as well!" He seemed to pale. Ha. Yes. He has realized that he is no more than a corporate slave whose job is to make cheap, balanced knives for me and my students. Lament, Crozzo! Lament! "I'm going to be making knives for the rest of my life… by the Gods…"

Leaving the blacksmith, seeing Collbrande's sheer affection for Crozzo, and his own determination to solve his own problems as he never once brought up Rakia in my presence, I couldn't help but breathe easier.

It's good to know that I can still help people help themselves without having to compromise.

…