Chapter 99.1 - The Second Year at the Academy - Distant Mentor (1)

Chapter 99.1 - The Second Year at the Academy - Distant Mentor (1)

Two days after completing the ranch request, I spent a full day of rest before heading into town wearing leather armor.

My goal was to repair the leather armor.

In hindsight, the leather armor didn't prove very useful in this recent battle.

Any armor is weak against piercing attacks.

Under the influence of Laniel's [Earthen Breath], my beloved leather armor suffered significant damage to the arms and legs.

However, unless there's a good reason, it's dangerous to remove armor, as you never know what might happen.

I had to accept it as a consumable item.

Also, the reason I didn't immediately take it for repair wasn't due to fatigue.

It was because I lacked the motivation.

Throughout the previous day of rest, I pondered on this reason.

Truth be told, when Klaus cleanly sliced through my armor, I experienced a similar sensation.

Afterward, I took the damaged sword to the Larsen Trading Company, where I had purchased the armored rhino, and entrusted its repair to a skilled craftsman even superior to Selene.

It eventually got restored, but for some reason, I felt dissatisfied.

Wearing it didn't feel uncomfortable.

And at the time, I thought it was just my imagination.

And now, with it damaged again, suspicions arose.

While lounging in the living room, I suddenly realized.

It was the finish and the repair costs.

It wasn't that the Larsen Trading Company charged exorbitant fees.

The prices were fair, and the repairs were flawless.

The disparity lay with my acquaintance, the decorative artisan Katie.

I had seen her take on repairs before, and her prices were unusually low.

However, compared to the craftsmen at the Larsen Trading Company, there wasn't much difference in skill to justify the gap in cost.

After realizing this, I deliberated for a while and decided to entrust Katie with the repairs.

Even if slightly inferior, she was a skilled craftsman.

"Oh, Altair-kun. It's been a while."

As I entered the workshop, Katie greeted me with a smile.

I nodded lightly and returned the greeting.

"Long time no see. Are you organizing documents?"

"Yeah. It's a pain, but if I don't do it now, I'll regret it later."

Katie glanced through the parchment and sorted them.

"So, what brings you here today? Another workshop――don't even say it, okay?"

"No, I came for a job request."

I placed a large bag on the counter.

Katie set aside the documents and inspected the leather armor.

Katie came to a sudden stop.

"Even if you go, finish your current work first. And Rag is quite skilled. You won't even get a hearing until you prove your abilities."

"Ugh... that's true. I don't have skills surpassing his teachings..."

Katie slumped.

She had been deified quite a bit.

I'd like to see Rag's reaction.

"Anyway, please repair the leather armor for now. Feel free to observe as much as you want during that time."

"Oh, right!"

Once again, Katie pounced on the leather armor, inspecting it closely.

"By the way, there are also a sword and a cape that Lag worked on."

"Will you sell them!?"

Katie's head turned around. A bit creepy.

"No, you can't. They're precious items. But I can lend them――"

Hold on, lend?

I gazed at Katie with dilated pupils.

Well, it could be mutually beneficial.

"Actually, during lectures, I've left valuables at the guild. If you're willing, could you take care of them all at once?"

"Of course! Please bring them to me right away! No, I'll go get them now!"

I restrained Katie as she tried to dash out again and headed to the adventurer's guild to pick up the Kousei Sword and the Stiletto.

I hadn't planned to go outside for a while, so I left them there for safekeeping.

I also stopped by my home to collect the Azure Mantle.

As I arranged them together, Katie had a blissful expression.

If Battle Axe of Destruction was still with Selene, the Azure series would be almost complete.

Katie looked like she was about to faint.

That side seems more outstanding as a work of art.

I was worried about whether she would properly fix the leather armor, but after emphasizing the importance, I left the workshop.

On the way, I passed by Narubano's blacksmith shop.

Many top-notch artisans I had encountered so far were eccentric.

Katie, being of the same kind, might become one of Selene's top artisans in the future.

As I glanced at the blacksmith shop, I recalled the encounter with Narubano. When he saw the Kousai Sword, he flatly refused to handle it with all his might.

If it were Katie, she would have had the opposite reaction.

Even if I refused, she would have begged to see it.

The sound of the hammer striking the metal resonated peacefully.

Perhaps Narubano should become more greedy.

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