Chapter 5: Getting Used To Life

It has been a week since I started my life as a spirit blacksmith.

The day started with a vivid sunshine.

The moment I stood up to get a clear view of the city, I noticed Celes was no longer in the room and her bed sheets were properly folded together—as usual.

Although I said that I’d become a blacksmith, I hadn’t spent much time in the smithy. Well, it was more on the lines of my Master cooking up a scheme behind my back. Until he’s finished whatever shenanigans he’s trying to do, I am not allowed to work in the forge at all.

Because of that, I was left with too much free time.

But not so much that it'll give me a leeway on my current responsibilities in this house.

I was charged with washing clothes, cooking, cleaning, and even attending to the guests that visit the shop. Even returning and collecting finished products had been my responsibility ever since I successfully calmed that knife.

And just how that knife described its owner, she did have some protruding melons.

“Oh, you’re Freks’s new apprentice, correct? How cute. Tell your Master I said hi.”

It was then I realized how popular my Master was when it came to women his age. Because of the wink that lady gave me, I had almost forgotten what I came there for.

“Wait. Umm, don’t forget to use that knife for cooking too. Once a week is fine.”

The bombshell lady wondered about my words after I carefully explained why the knife burst with anger. She rested a hand on her face and spoke in an understanding tone.

“Is that so? I’ll try to follow what you just said then. Honestly this knife has been passed down for generations in my family, I didn’t think it'd build its own ego.”

“If that’s the case, please treat it more nicely. Spirits start to gather on things that we people develop an emotional attachment to.”

Or at least that was what my Master had told me.

After that, the lady gave me a wink and softly whispered to my ears.

“Sure. Also, come back once you’ve grown a little older~”

It seems like I was still a child on her radar.

If not, I fear that her carnivorous attitude would’ve already devoured me. I did catch a glimpse of an assortment of whips adorning a certain hall of her house while I was there.

When I asked my Master if they have some sort of relationship, he indifferently shrugged it off.

“It was a mistake on my part. She looked so innocent back then.”

Unlike his usual talkative behavior, he never elaborated further on what happened between them.

After washing my face and donning a short sleeve garment that Celes bought me the other day, I headed downstairs to cook.

Just like back home, it wasn’t anything special.

I simply fried the eggs that had been delivered on our front door, just like every other morning. However, these eggs are no normal eggs. The size of just one of these eggs was even bigger than my fist.

It surprised me the first time I saw them but, after seeing it continuously for a week, I’ve begun to think that it’s normal around here.

The lack of seasoning made it taste kinda bland, but it was better than nothing at least. I guess that was also because my taste buds are used to the convenience of my own world.

I noticed Celes used a lot of herbs when she cooked, but her cooking was an entirely different level altogether.

Once I’m done, the three of us would eat together. Well only if Celes was still around. Most of the time, she disappeared early in the day without mentioning a word and usually returned around dinnertime.

I was curious, but I know she had her own things that she needed to do, so I never bothered asking her about it.

“I’m leaving,” she said, kicking her boots on.

“Take care,” I said with a wry smile.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Nothing. I’m just thinking how a ponytail would suit you.” Of course not. I’m worried about you, dammit.

“Idiot. Stop thinking about pointless things, will you?”

Her voice was warm and it flowed inside me, making me smile. Without realizing it, I was already holding the side of her face, gently brushing her cheek with my thumb.

“Celes… I…”

I can’t seem to say anything. I don’t even know what I want to say.

I didn’t want to know her thoughts and feelings.

Each time I tried to think about it in a reasonable manner, my feelings would take over and turned my mind into a mush.

“Don’t get all serious on me, it’s making me feel uncomfortable.”

My forehead ended up getting finger flicked and I was brought back to reality. Celes smiled cheerfully and picked up her belongings. And just like that, she turned around and left the shop.

I ruffled my already messy hair as I watched her small back slowly disappear.

“Hah, I guess it’s time for me to work now.”

I flipped our signboard and opened the windows around the shop.

I started by dusting the weapons hanging on the shelves and reconfirm the price tags as I pass by. Celes had taught me the basics on how to read the price tags and how money works, that's why I have no trouble identifying these things.

I also made a few listings regarding the weapons around here. Of course, since I wrote it in my language, nobody else can read it but me.

At noon, the shop is fairly populated.

However, even from the large crowd over here, I can still hear the loud clanking of hammer striking the anvil from across the room. Seems like the old man was starting to get rough on that side too.

“Excuse me, can you tell me more about this sword?”

A younger dude approached the counter and placed a sword on the desk.

Judging from his clothes and the guests that had arrived, most of my master’s customers are adventurers. Since the weapons he forges focus on productiveness instead of looks, his weapons are fairly cheap.

Maybe that was the reason why he was so popular around here.

“The blade was forged from the local Taru Silver and as you could see from its a short but wide blade, it’s perfect for beginners.”

I unsheathed the blade and examined it in front of the dude.

Of course, I’m in no way an expert in swords, nor do I even have the knowledge to handle one. If not for my handy dandy note, I would have been left speechless by now. Only because I had combined my gaming knowledge with the old man’s teachings that I could jabber this nonsense.

“Heh, that’s good to know. How much would it be for this sword then?”

“That’ll be twenty-five silver coins for the short sword, dear customer.”

“Twenty-five? Isn’t that a little too pricey?”

“Not at all. It’s the best offer you could grab around here. And I assure you that this sword’s quality will serve you for a long time.”

“Hmm.”

He thought about it for a moment, but ended up buying it.

*Ka-ching!*

“Thank you very much.”

The day dragged on like normal, with me closing deal after deal.

However, at the last minute, somebody entered the shop.

She was quite the mysterious girl with blazing red hair.

By the time she entered, there was only me that was left and the huge crowd of people that accumulated from before had already gone.

“I heard this is a shop that deals with spirits?”

As she said that, the girl looked around left and right, as if she was eyeing everything suspiciously.

Other than her good looks and her robe that seemingly hid everything else from plain sight, there wasn’t anything particularly shady about her—or so I hope.

“Indeed. My master, old man Freks, is a spirit blacksmith. We deal with all sorts of crazy spirits. Be it your pot, your kitchen knife, or even your robe. Just name it, and we’ll take care of it.”

“Hehe, is that so? Is he around?”

The girl put a hand on her mouth and laughed at my joke. Seeing her laugh so innocently blew all of my previous suspicions away.

“He is, just right across the room. Would you like to have a word with him?”

I jerk my hand and point my thumb deeper inside.

However, the girl quickly dismiss my idea by shaking her head.

“No, that’s fine. You call him Master, does that mean you know how to deal with spirits too?”

“Well, I’ve successfully tamed a kitchen knife, if that counts?”

“I see.”

Once again, her eyes darted around the vicinity of the shop, returning the weird doubt in my heart from before.

“Is there a weapon you’d like me to see perhaps?”

I gathered my courage and voice the question that’s been hanging in my throat. But the girl did not reply, or rather she was too busy to reply. She kept on walking around the shop, looking from one halberd to another.

For some reason, I was too terrified to shoo her away. She was emitting an aura so dangerous it was making my hair stand on end.

“Hehehe. I’ll see you again. Until then, please keep on polishing your skills.”

She waved a hand and left the shop in a breeze after leaving me with such mysterious words.

When the girl was out of earshot, I breathed a heavy sigh.

I wonder what that was about?

At night, when Celes returned home, we would study language and some other miscellaneous things together. Since we did not have a table in our room, we fancied doing it in the dining room instead.

“Hey! Are you even listening?”

Celes slammed the table to wake me up.

When my sleepy eyes met hers, Celes pointed to the piece of paper that I was doodling on.

“I am. Sorry, I just dozed off a little.”

“What are you even writing?”

“Oh this?”

I looked at the paper myself.

Unexpectedly, it seems like I’ve written most of it in my native language, giving Celes the idea that I’m playing around.

“It’s nothing.”

“I feel like I’m wasting my time here… You don’t seem motivated at all.”

Celes dropped the feather pen she was using and crossed her arms. Her mouth also curved to that of a childish pout. Because of her unreasonable manners, I tried to please her, by being smart of course.

“So basically, in this region, the highest form of currency is the Xeno gold coin, correct? But it’s mainly used in large transactions because of its large sum. A regular merchant would operate with silver and copper coins while the higher end shops runs on silver and gold, correct?

For example:

The weapons that my Master forges range from tens of silver coins to nearly a hundred. Some fancy ones that are personally requested sells for as high as a few gold coins. But since he has to invest on buying his materials, the deductions are pretty high.

In this city, a single night in the inn ranges from a hundred copper coins to a few silver coins depending on the quality of the room and maybe the type of service involved.”

With all of this said, I could still say that my Master’s pockets are pretty deep.

After hearing me properly explain all of that, Celes peaked an eye out. She then shrugged me off by asking another question.

“So, how many silver coins does a single gold coin equate to?”

“1 gold coin = 1000 pieces of silver. 1 silver = 100 pieces of copper and 1 copper = 10 pieces of iron.”

I explained it all together just to let her know that I was listening. Celes picked up her cup and drank the cup of tea I brewed for her.

“It’s a little bitter,” she grumbled with a sour expression.

I admit that was not the best at tea I had prepared, and for that, I sincerely apologize. And it wasn’t because that your sour face looked so cute that I did it on purpose. Most definitely not.

“Sorry,” I said, concealing the smirk that formed on my lips.

“You keep apologizing you’re making me look bad. That aside, you did good.”

Although she used her high and mighty tone, Celes finally managed to praise me.

I know she was trying to avoid it because of her pride but, at this point, there was really no helping it. I just surpassed her expectations and she knew it.

To be honest, after learning the principles, it was pretty easy learning how the currency worked. After all I had studied some far more advanced math compared to these simple conversions.

Once we wrap up our lesson for tonight, Celes took a bath before heading to sleep. As for me, I grabbed one of the swords inside the shop and then went outside our backyard.

“Haaap!!”

I started to swing, flicking out my wrist just like how I’ve seen it in games.

Whether there was a purpose for me doing this, I do not know.

And just like that, my days in this fantasy world had just begun.

Spoiler : Chapter 5: Getting Used To Life

It's been a week ever since I started my life as a spirit blacksmith.

The day started with a vivid sunshine.

The moment I stood up to to get a clear view of the city, I notice Celes is no longer in the room and her bed is properly folded back together—as usual.

Although I said that I’ve become a blacksmith, I haven’t spent much time in the smithy.

Well, it was more on the lines of my Master cooking up a scheme behind my back.

Until he’s finished whatever shenanigans he’s trying to do, I am not allowed to work in the forge at all.

Because of that, I am left with too much free time.

But not so much that it'll give me a leeway on my current responsibilities in this house.

I was charged with washing clothes, cooking, cleaning, and even attending to the guests that visits the shop. Even returning and collecting finished products had been my responsibility ever since I successfully calmed that knife.

And just how the knife described its owner, she does have some protruding melons.

“Oh, you’re Freks’s new apprentice, correct? How cute. Tell your Master I said hi.”

It was then I realized how popular my Master was when it comes to women his age.

Because of the wink that lady gave me, I had almost forgotten what I came there for.

“Wait. Umm, don’t forget to use that knife for cooking too. Once a week is fine.”

The bombshell lady wondered about my words after I carefully explained why the knife bursted in anger. She rested a hand on her face and spoke in an understanding tone.

“Is that so? I’ll try to follow what you just said then. Honestly this knife has been passed down for generations in my family, I didn’t think it'll build its own ego.”

“If that’s the case, please treat it more nicely. Spirits start to gather on things that we people develop an emotional attachment from.”

Or at least that’s what my Master had told me.

After that, the lady gave me a wink and softly whispered to my ears.

“Sure. Also, come back once you’ve grown a little older~”

It seems like I'm still a child on her radar.

If not, I fear that her carnivorous attitude would’ve already devoured me. I did caught a glimpse of an assortment of whips adorning a certain hall of her house while I was there.

When I asked my Master if they have some sort of relationship, he indifferently shrugs it off.

“It was a mistake on my part. She looks so innocent back then.”

Unlike his usual talkative behavior, he never further elaborated what happened between them two.

After washing my face and donning this short sleeve garment that Celes got me the other day, I headed downstairs to cook.

Just like back home, it wasn’t anything special.

I simply fried these eggs that were usually delivered on our front door every morning. However, these eggs are no normal eggs. The size of these eggs are even bigger than my fist.

It surprised me for the first time but, after seeing it continuously for a week, I’ve began to think that it’s normal around here.

The lack of seasoning makes it taste kinda bland, but it’s better than nothing at least. I guess that's also because my taste buds are used to the convenience of my own world.

I notice Celes used a lot of herbs when she cooks, but that's an entirely different level altogether.

Once I’m done, the three of us would eat together. Only if Celes is still around though. Most of the time, she disappears early in the day without mentioning a word and usually returns around dinner time.

I’m curious, but I know she has her own things that she needs to do, so I never bothered asking her about it.

“I’m leaving.”

“Take care.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Nothing. I’m just thinking how a ponytail would suit you.”

“Idiot. Stop thinking about pointless things, will you?”

Her voice is warm and it flowed inside me, making me smile. Without me realizing, I’m already holding the side of her face, gently brushing that part with my thumb.

“Celes… I…”

I can’t seem to say anything. I don’t even know what I want to say.

I didn’t want to know her thoughts and feelings.

Each time I tried to think about it in a reasonable manner, my feelings would took over and turned my mind into a mush.

“Don’t get all serious on me, it’s making me feel uncomfortable.”

My forehead ended up getting finger flicked in the end and I was brought back to reality.

Celes smiled cheerfully and picked up her belongings.

And just like that, she turned around and left the shop.

I ruffled my already messy hair as I watched her small back slowly disappear.

“Hah, I guess it’s time for me to work now.”

I flipped our signboard and opened the windows surrounding the shop.

I start by dusting the weapons hanging on the shelves and reconfirm the price tags as I go by. Celes had taught me the basics on how to read the price tags and how money works, that's why I have no trouble identifying these things.

I also made a few listings regarding the weapons around here. Of course, since I wrote it in my language, nobody else can read it but me.

At noon, the shop is fairly populated.

However, even from building crowd over here, I can still hear the loud clanking of hammer striking the anvil from across the room. Seems like the old man’s starting to get rough on that side too.

“Excuse me, can you tell me more about this sword?”

A younger dude approach the counter and place a sword on the desk.

Judging from his clothes and the guests that arrived, most of my master’s customers are adventurers. Since the weapons he forges focuses on productiveness instead of looks, his weapons are fairly cheap.

Maybe that’s the reason why he’s so popular around here.

“The blade was forged from the local Taru Silver and as you could see from its short but wide blade, it’s perfect for beginners.”

I unsheathed the blade and examined it in front of the dude.

Of course, I’m in no way an expert in swords, nor do I even have the knowledge to handle one. If not for my handy dandy note, I would be left speechless by now. Only because of combining my gaming knowledge with the old man’s teachings that I could jabber this nonsense.

“Heh, that’s good to know. How much would it be for this sword then?”

“That’ll be twenty-five silver coins for the short sword dear customer.”

He thought about it for a moment, but ended up buying it in the end.

*Ka-ching!*

“Thank you very much.”

The day dragged on like it normally was with me closing deals after deals.

However, on the last minute, somebody entered the shop.

She was quite the mysterious girl with blazing red hair.

By the time she entered, there’s only me that’s left and the huge crowd of people that accumulated from before was already gone.

“I heard this is a shop that deals with spirits?”

As she says that, the girl looks around left and right, as if she’s eyeing people suspiciously.

Other than her good looks and her robe that seemingly hid everything else from plain sight, there wasn’t anything in particular that’s shady about her—or so I hope.

“Indeed. My master, old man Frek’s, is a spirit blacksmith. We deal with all sorts of crazy spirits. Be it your pot, your kitchen knife, or even your robe. Just name it, and we’ll take care of it.”

“Hehe, is that so? Is he around?”

The girl puts a hand on her mouth and laughs at my joke.

Seeing her laugh so innocently blew all of my previous suspicions away.

“He is, just right across the room. Would you like to have a word with him?”

I jerk my hand and point my thumb deeper inside.

However, the girl quickly dismiss my idea by shaking her head.

“No, that’s fine. You call him Master, does that mean you know how to deal with spirits too?”

“Well, I’ve successfully tamed a kitchen knife, if that counts?”

“I see.”

Once again, her eyes darted around the vicinity of the shop, returning the weird doubt in my heart from before.

“Is there a weapon you’d like me to see perhaps?”

I gathered my courage and voice the question that’s been hanging in my throat.

But the girl did not return a reply, or rather she’s too busy to reply.

She kept on walking around the shop, looking from one halberd to another.

For some reason, I was too terrified to shoo her away.

She’s emitting an aura so dangerous it’s making my hair stand on end.

“Hehehe. I’ll see you again. Until then, please keep on polishing your skills.”

She waved a hand and left the shop in a breeze after leaving me with such mysterious words.

When the girl is out of earshot, I breathed a heavy sigh.

I wonder what was that about?

At night, when Celes gets back home, we would study language and some other miscellaneous together. Since we do not have a table in our room, we fancied doing it in the dining room instead.

“Hey! Are you even listening?”

Celes slams the table to wake me up.

When my sleepy eyes met hers, Celes points to the piece of paper that I’m doodling on.

“I am. Sorry, I just dozed off a little.”

“What are you even writing?”

“Oh this?”

I look at the paper myself.

Unexpectedly, it seems like I’ve written most of it in my language, giving Celes the idea that I’m playing around.

“It’s nothing.”

“I feel like I’m wasting my time here… You don’t seem motivated at all.”

Celes drops the feather pen she’s using and cross her arms.

Her mouth also curved to that of a childish pout.

Because of that unreasonable manner, I tried to please her, by being smart of course.

“So basically, in this region, the highest form of currency is the Xeno gold coin, correct? But it’s mainly used in large transactions because of its large sum. A regular merchant would operate with silver and copper coins while the higher end shops runs on silver and gold, correct?”

For example:

The weapons that my Master forges ranges from tens of silver coins to a near hundred. Some fancy ones that are personally requested goes as high as a few gold coins. But since he has to invest on buying his materials, the deductions are pretty high.

In this city, a single night in the inn ranges from a hundred copper coins to a few silver coins depending on the quality of the room and maybe the type of service involve.

With all of this said, I could still say that my Master’s pockets are pretty deep.

After hearing me properly explain all of that, Celes peaks an eye out.

She then shrugs me off by asking another question.

“So, how much does a single gold coin equates to silver again?”

“1 gold coin = 1000 pieces of silver. 1 silver = 100 pieces of copper and 1 copper = 10 pieces of iron.”

I explained it all together just to let her know that I’m listening.

Celes picks up her cup and drank the cup of tea I brewed for her.

“It’s a little bitter.”

“Sorry.”

“You keep apologizing you’re making me look bad. That aside, you did good.”

Although she used her high and mighty tone, Celes finally managed to praise me.

I know she’s trying to avoid it because of her pride but, at this point, there’s really no helping it. I just surpassed her expectations and she knows it.

To be honest, after learning the principles, it’s pretty easy learning how the currency works. I did studied some more advance math compare to this after all.

Once we wrap up our lesson for tonight, Celes continues to the bath before heading to sleep. As for me, I went outside the backyard after grabbing one of the swords inside the shop.

“Haaap!!”

I start to swing, flicking out my wrist just like how I’ve seen it in games.

Whether there’s a purpose for me doing this, I do not know.

And just like that, my days in this fantasy world has just begun.

Thanks to DemonWing for helping me Proofread this chapter! Cookies to him please!