Chapter 246 - Negotiation

While Zaos didn't know what to do with his life. Four months passed in the blink of an eye. The other day, he became fifteen years old, and while his father asked if he wanted a party, he just said no. He was already thankful for receiving some congratulations from a few people. Regardless, Ameria's birthday was fast approaching, and now that the day where Zaos would finally receive his reward had arrived. He was putting on his ceremonial clothes with an annoyed expression because of it.

"I hate these events…" Zaos said and then sighed.

The capital was bustling with people since many people had been invited to Ameria's birthday. Even the Ojala family showed up the other day, and Zaos greeted them as well. However, since they were guests at the castle, he didn't see them many times. He also disliked the serious atmosphere of the court, after all.

The sun was already setting when Zaos left his home. Since his father was part of the royal guard, he stayed and stayed at the castle for the whole week and was fully armored. Despite so many people being around, there was a chance that someone might try something against the royal family or against the hundreds of important guests of all over the kingdom. 

Even before Zaos could arrive at the capital, he found many people. These people were watching his house for some reason… probably because they lived far away and would never have the chance to return. Zaos heard some whisperers and his name being mentioned with some awe, but if anything, he found fame troublesome.

"Come to think of it, since the king is rewarding us… why aren't allowed to go with armor on?" Zaos frowned. "That would be much more comfortable and would make a lot more sense."

The ceremony wouldn't just end after they receive their rewards, so Zaos assumed that they had to stick around for a while to talk with the people who wanted to meet them. That was another very troublesome thing…

"Hey, look who arrived early," Erean said while accompanied by his whole family. "It has been a while, kid."

"It has been a while, Captain," Zaos said and then smiled. "Or should I say future lord of some beach?"

"Ha-ha, that was funny," Erean said. "Still, you look so out of place in those formal clothes."

"You are to talk. I can see that you are always trying to touch the pommel of an invisible sword," Zaos said. "Anyway, I can imagine that you counted the days to receive this reward, huh."

"Between us here," Erean whispered. "His Majesty already granted me the lands three months ago. Today we are just making it official."

"Good for you," Zaos said.

"Well, see you some other time," Erean said. "I imagine this ceremony is to make us meet all kinds of people, so things will be very noisy if we stay together in a single place."

Zaos nodded and then let out a sigh… those will be some very long hours. He couldn't hide in the corner, and he had to be courteous enough since that was a party organized by the royal family.

Soon entered the castle, and he got the attention of many people. Although he had few acquaintances, he noticed that many people stop doing their usual activities to look at him. At the same time, he walked around the capital in the last weeks. It was probably because the king promoted his and the other three names. Of the twelve guards that were supposed to escort Ameria, only four survived. Still, Zaos didn't interact much with the other guy, so he had forgotten who he was.

In any case, Zaos's usual modus operandi couldn't be used in that party, so he moved around and greeted the few people that he knew there. Drannor's family, Merkin, the tanned blacksmith.

"Oh? I knew that you weren't just a random rich kid…" The tanner blacksmith said. "Who could have thought that you were Zaos Sielders, one of the two most promising soldiers of the kingdom?"

"Now you know my name. What is yours?" Zaos asked.

"You didn't know?" The tanned blacksmith said. "I guess the rumors that you weren't that friendly are also true. I am Halamar."

"I guess now we are true acquaintances," Zaos said and then accepted the handshake Halamar extended to him.

"Have you been using my products?" Halamar asked. "Since you didn't return to complain, I assume they are serving their purposes well."

"Yeah, they are doing fine," Zaos said. "As for the armor, I need to grow in a little bit more to be able to make good use of it."

"Why don't you wear it during the tournament? That will be great advertisement for my shop," Halamar said.

"Let's see… what will I gain if I do that?" Zaos asked.

"Well, well, who could have thought that you would be quite the negotiator?" Halamar smiled. "Let's see… how about a shield of black steel?"

"Nah, shields don't fit my fighting style," Zaos said.

In the end, Zaos ended up talking with Halamar for quite a while since the blacksmith could see in Zaos an excellent chance to boost his business. With a young hero wearing his merchandise around, he would make a fortune in no time.

Health: 930/930

Mana: 2370/2370

Stamina: 2390/2390

Strength: 465

Magic: 1185

Endurance: 1190

Resistance: 1185

Focus: 08 + 01 

Sorcery Lv 68 (+ 03 UP), Meditation Lv 38 (+ 03 UP), Magic Perception Lv 18 (+ 02 UP), Magic Swordsmanship Lv 41 (+ 02 UP), Magic Spearmanship Lv 14 (+ 03 UP), Magic Archery Lv 18 (+ 03 UP), Magic Martial Arts Lv 11 (+ 02 UP), Alchemy Lv 09, Magic Resistance Lv 16, Swordsmanship Lv 58 (+ 02 UP), Axemanship Lv 16 (+ 02 UP), Spearmanship Lv 18 (+ 03 UP), Archery Lv 34 (+ 06 UP), Martial Arts Lv 14 (+ 02 UP), Assassination Technique Lv 07, Throwing Technique Lv 06 (+05 UP), Shield Mastery Lv 22, Pain Resistance Lv 39 (+ 05 UP), Poison Resistance Lv 09, Blacksmithing Lv 15