Looking closly from the hilt side, Pheonix noticed that the hilt was worn-out and had some cracks. The crossguard was chipped in many placed and would likely break off if a slight pressure is applied.
However, when he started looking at the blade itself, he felt truely amazed! The dull black sword was as good as new. There was not even a single chip mark or scratch on the nearly three feet long, straight dual edged sword. The edges were as sharp as if it were newly polished. To test the sharpness, Pheonix ran his left index finger over the edge whithout putting pressure and it sliced through the skin like a hot knife slicing through the butter.
His finger started bleeding and he put his finger into his mouth and sucked on it for sometime. He looked around and saw only a few staff at that moment on the second floor. He then walked a bit further from the three others and swung the sword around in a fluid motion executing a series of sword movements and froze with his sword arm outstretched. The sword had the perfect weight. Perfectly balanced. A perfect match for him.
Gavin and the girls clapped, unable to resist the temptation of praising his skills with the sword. It was flawless. It looked like he was dancing elegantly.
"Mr. Richards, I want this sword. Can you please let me have it? I can pay any amount of gold for it."
Gavin was taken aback by Pheonix's sudden request and the girls were also puzzled by his sudden dissicion.
"Lad, are you sure, you want this old and unknow sword? I know its a tough one, but let me be honest with you. We don't even know the origin or the maker of this sword."
"I don't care as long as you are ready to sell this to me Mr. Richards." Pheonix literally begged him.
Sighing deeply, Gavin looked at the teen infront of him and said. "I absolutely have no idea about the value of this sword lad, you can decide its value and pay me."
Without hesitation, Pheonix took out a hefty pouch from his pocket and handed it to Gavin. "There are 500 gold coins, I will inform my father and you can collect 500 no a 1000 more gold from him."
Gavin's eyes bulged in shock and the girls cried out loud at the exorbitant amount Pheonix was offering for an old testing sword.
"Nic are you insane?! You can get a masterpiece in less than 1000 gold why do you want to pay more than 1500 gold for just a sword used for only testing?"
" Exactly lad, 500 gold itself is an unimaginable sum for this old sword. Why are you ready to pay so much for this old sword with no identity?!"
Pheonix smiked and said, "Mr. Richards, since how long are you using this sword?"
" It's been more than 20 year's that I am using it in this store. My father had used it for 5 more years may be."
"And how many time have you sharpened this blad?"
"As far as I know, I never did." Then the eyes of Gavin widened in realisation.
"Exactly. This blad as you saw is as sharp as it was newly made. Why this old sword can be this sharp and prestine even after taking beating from every other sword that passed through this store? I think this is more than worthy of the gold I offered you Mr. Richards."
The girls, also realised what Pheonix told was true, however they still felt he was being reckless about spending his gold.
After almost a minute, Gavin looked at the old sword and then at Pheonix in deep thought. Sighing deeply, he shook his head and smiked. " Lad, It's our greatest negligency that we failed to notice the value of that old sword. It also shows that even at 15, the keen observation and insight you displayed today are truely comendable. The sword would have gone wasted if it was in this shop. I hope it will serve you well."
He took out a pouch and gave it to Pheonix. " I will charge you 300 gold for this sword and there are 200 gold in this pouch take it. Promise me, the sword will be utilizes well."
Pheonix unwillingly accepted 200 gold coins when he fail to convince Gavin to keep the complete gold he had offered as the sword was worth it.
"Mr. Richards, can you guide me to someone who can replace the hilt and the crossguard of the sword."
"Go to the weapons repair shop nearest to the main arena inside the campus. Master Lee is one of the finest weapon smith for these kind of works that you can find in this place."
After that, both girls purchase an elegant 2 feet short sword with a gem studded sheath in the first floor, which costed them 250 gold each. Pheonix however purchase a sturdy but plane black sheath with leather belt to tie it either to his waist or on his back.
"Nic, you are really boring. Such a dull looking sheath. You had got a good deal on your sword, then why not buy an exquisite sheeth." Kate shook her head in disappointment.
"Well, a sheath is just to hold the sword. For me it doesn't serve any other purpose. However let me treat you ladies for a meal today."
Kate grinned devilishly. "Think again Nic, Samantha here eats like a wild Bear." When Samantha gave a murderous look, she hurriedly added, "And as you know I am not a delicate eater either."
"It's fine. Have as much as you can. The treat is mine today."
"Before that, Nic, lets get you some decent cloths. These things you wear are old and worn-out ones. The classes will start from tomorrow." Kate said sternly.
Reluctantly, Pheonix nodded his head and followed the ladies to a near by ready to wear cloth shop.
Knowing how Pheonix would like to keep his appearance simple, Kate started to point at more than half a dozen sets of simple but elegent looking cloths in different colours making Pheonix go speechless. " Kate, please stop. I don't want so many cloths. Two pairs would be enough."
"Just go and try a pair first. If the size is fine then we will discuss about the others later." Kate pushed him towards a room to try out his cloths.
When Pheonix came out in his new clothes, he was looking like a handsome prince and even though the cloths were a tad loosely fit, Pheonix insisted on keeping it as it felt comfortable.
"Please pack all these", Kate showed more than a dozen sets of cloths, half a dozen of tunics in different colour, half a dozens of Pajamas and Five leather belts. "And please, place it in a small trunk and bring it." Kate instructed to the shop assistant.
"And please pack this one too." Samantha handed her a set of cloths with a slight blush on her cheeks. It was a silk white shirt and a black pant with a sleevless silk black coat. The coat had a dragon embroidery on its chest area and it was done in silver thread.
Kate gave an impish grin at Samantha and gave it to the assistant. Pheonix sighed and asked the shopkeeper for the price and got surprised . "The amount is already settled by the two beautiful girls, sir."
"Its our way to thank you for helping us on getting excellent jewelleries and weapon." Kate answered.
"And it's an apology for the way I had behaved with you." Samantha said blushing but with a dull face.
"Both of you are unbelievable." Pheonix shook his head and accepted it.
After collecting the trunk, they decided to keep everything in their quarters first before heading for their meal.
"Nic, why can't we place these items inside that thing?" Samantha asked in exitement.
"I am not yet confidence whether I can place the items successfully for now. Let me try it later at our quarters."
It took them more than 45 minutes to reach their quarters. Then they went to one of the largest and famous Inn inside the Azure campus, " The Silvermoon Inn".