Chapter 1191 A Lucrative Deal
"Can you... huh?" As the man looked at him with a slight twinkle in his eyes, Valyr gave a confused look to the man in response. "Where did that come from?"
Hearing those words, the man looked back at him with a smile that made it seem as if he'd been caught red-handed. Of course, as he had no idea nor clue to the reason behind their current conversation, such a smile only left Valyr more confused than before.
Fortunately, the man picked up on what Valyr was feeling, swiftly giving the latter an explanation behind the reason why he wanted to learn blacksmithing from him.
Though, by the time the man was done with his explanation, the young man still found it slightly absurd.
"So, you're saying that you want to learn blacksmithing from me... just because you watched me forge items one time? Haven't you already learned blacksmithing from someone else?"
"I did." The man nodded, getting the feeling that Valyr was going to reject him from the tone he spoke. "But the way of blacksmithing I learned pales in comparison to the world you showed me that day."
At those words, the man briefly thought back to the time both he and William entered Valyr's shop, only to find the latter forging multiple items at the same time.
Though most of it was a blur due to the massive difference in their stats, the man was more than certain that Valyr had touched upon a realm of blacksmithing he dreamed of achieving in his entire life.
Then again, that was also the reason why he requested to learn how to forge from the young man.
"...Man." Getting the feeling that the middle-aged man in front of him wouldn't stop until he got a yes from him, Valyr briefly pinched the bridge of his nose as he let out a faint sigh.
Then, returning his focus back to the man, the young man faintly let out yet another sigh. "And here I thought you came up to me to talk about the thing with the smithy."
"After all, my shop has been taking away a lot of the attention your smithy would have been getting," continued Valyr, feeling a bit guilty that he was encroaching upon another person's livelihood. "A lot of those guys need equipment, after all."
"Well, you wouldn't be wrong," replied the man, backpedaling for a bit as he continued on the topic Valyr brought up. "I would be lying if I said I was happy about the situation."
"...Then again, I would also be lying if I said I was angry about the situation either."
"All I ask for is for you to manage the shop in my stead whenever I'm away," continued the young man, causing the man to look at him in response. "If possible, I'd also like to get your help whenever there's more people in the shop than I can handle."
"In exchange, not only will I teach you how to forge just like you asked, but also give you a share of the profits for the days you help me."
"How much of a share are you planning on giving me?" asked the man in response, eliciting a faint smile to appear on Valyr's face.
"How much is fine for you?"
"Is 80-20 too much? After all, you'd also be teaching me blacksmithing."
"Nah, that's fine. 80-20 was actually a bit lower than I thought you'd ask for."
"No need to give me more, I already feel guilty for asking this much from you out of the blue." The man shook his head.
"Well, that settles it." Valyr nodded as he extended his hand out. "I teach you blacksmithing and give you part of the profits, you help me tend to the shop from time to time."
"Do we have a deal?"
At the question, the man looked at Valyr for a bit, only to then shift his gaze towards his extended hand soon after.
"We have a deal." Eventually, the man reciprocated the action, shaking Valyr's hands as he began to grin.
"I'm sure you know me more as Ylvar, but I'd like it if you were to call me Valyr from now on."
"Juno. The name's Juno. Glad to be working with you."
"Glad to be working with you as well. To a fruitful partnership."
"To a fruitful partnership, indeed."