The Elixir is an extremely precious potion, and the number of alchemists in Orario capable of brewing it is very few, making it often scarce despite its high price.
Fortunately, the Dian Cecht Familia has a long-term cooperative relationship with the Loki Familia, so they frequently supply Elixirs and offer discounts. Members of other Familias would have to spend at least 600,000 Valis to buy a single bottle.
After stocking up on potions, Eiji asked Tiona to take him to a blacksmithing Familia.
"That's easy! Our Loki Familia has good relations with a blacksmithing Familia!"
Tiona proudly raised her head, then asked, "But are you planning to forge a powerful weapon for yourself?"
Powerful adventurers all have their own dedicated weapons.
For example, Tiona wields her massive Great Double-Edged Blade, said to be forged from ultra-hard metal mined deep within the dungeon. Its hardness and sharpness are top-tier, and its value exceeds 120 million Valis.
"Not exactly a powerful weapon... You'll see when we get there."
***
"Such a gloomy place."
This was a street located between the North and Northwest districts, deep within an alley.
The buildings along the way were uneven, and the path was very narrow, with even sunlight reluctant to shine through. The air carried a strong, damp, musty smell.
While the saying "Good wine needs no bush" sounds cool, shops located deep in alleys truly struggle to attract new customers.
However, the Goibniu Familia doesn't really need new customers.
Unlike Hephaestus, a blacksmithing giant that provides indiscriminate services to adventurers of all levels, the Goibniu Familia has always served upper-tier adventurers. The quality of their equipment is in no way inferior to that of the Hephaestus Familia, so they have a lot of regular patrons.
"Uwah! It's the Crusher! Why is she here again!"
At the end of the alley was a stone-built bungalow, with a sign hanging by the door depicting three hammers, the emblem of the Goibniu Familia.
As soon as Tiona entered the bungalow, she caused a panic among several blacksmiths.
"Hey, can you not scream and call me by that nickname?"
"W-What do you want?"
"I brought a companion to forge a weapon."
"It's not for you? That's great! Who knows how much effort we put into forging your Great Double-Edged Blade..."
The blacksmiths were overjoyed to the point of tears.
Ultra-hard metal seems to be very difficult to forge, and once started, it couldn't be easily stopped. The blacksmiths of the Goibniu Familia apparently worked day and night, collapsing from exhaustion multiple times before finally completing the Great Double-Edged Blade. So, even though they knew Tiona's visits meant a lot of valis, they were still terrified of her.
"What kind of weapon do you want to forge?"
"Sword blades."
"?"
Eiji stepped forward and described what he wanted to the blacksmiths.
No hilt, not too long, pointed at one end, double-edged, and in large quantities.
"Basically just double-edged blades, right?"
"No, sword blades!"
If I say they're swords, then they're swords!
Eiji was very stubborn.
"...Another weirdo."
"I knew someone brought by the Crusher wouldn't be normal!"
The blacksmiths muttered under their breath as they prepared the furnace.
Blacksmithing Familias and alchemy Familias overwhelmingly rely on adventurers for their operations. If adventurers didn't exist, these Familias would lose their purpose.
Therefore, these Familias usually maintain good relations with exploration-type Familias, and blacksmiths generally don't refuse requests or commissions from these adventurers.
If they were to antagonize these Familias, causing a significant drop in orders and leading to financial difficulties or even bankruptcy, it would be their fault.
And the Loki Familia is a top-tier Familia in Orario, a major patron among major patrons. Many Familias in Orario want to sign long-term contracts with the Loki Familia, so they have no reason to let such a big client go.
Thanks to this, the blacksmiths were easily persuaded to forge "sword blades" for Eiji.
Fortunately, Eiji didn't demand high quality; ordinary metal would suffice. The only issue was the quantity, but it wasn't too difficult. With full effort, they could finish in a few hours.
"We'll leave first and come back later to pick them up."
Tiona paid half the amount upfront, then left the Goibniu Familia with Eiji.
"Is there anything else we need to prepare?"
"Hmm... If we're going to the middle floors, we must buy Fire Dragon Armor!"
"Then let's go buy that."
After a whole day, Tiona accompanied Eiji around nearly half of Orario, spending close to two million valis.
But the Amazoness girl was completely content, feeling very happy to spend money on Eiji. Occasionally receiving a compliment from him made her heart even sweeter.
She even felt like she might have been brainwashed, but if this was the kind of brainwashing it was, she thought she could use more of it.
***
Early morning the next day.
"Haa..."
After finishing his sword practice, Eiji let out a long breath.
The improvement in his physical strength made his sword practice more effortless. Some sword techniques that previously had limited power could now be executed more effectively.
Physical strength is the foundation of all movement.
And with strong physical strength, any movement naturally becomes easier.
"...Good morning."
Just as he finished his sword practice, a golden-haired girl quietly appeared beside him, her eyes slightly flickering as she murmured a good morning.
This was the first time Ais had greeted Eiji since they met.
"Good morning."
Eiji glanced at her and calmly returned the greeting.
The golden-haired girl also drew her sword, a slender silver-white blade with a flowing light. Just by looking at it, one could tell it was an extraordinary sword.
Under Eiji's gaze, she raised the thin sword and then launched a fierce, storm-like assault on the air in front of her, causing the airflow to tremble. The speed of her sword was so fast that it was impossible to see with the naked eye, leaving countless afterimages.
"...How was it?"
"?"
"My swordsmanship."
"...Were you practicing your sword?"
"?"
"I thought you were trying to kill someone."
"...Why do you say that?"
Ais silently sheathed her sword, standing there, her gaze fixed on Eiji. Her golden pupils reflected his image, her expression very serious.
A social anxiety sufferer, huh?
It must be hard for you to talk to me so awkwardly.
"You're in a hurry to improve, aren't you?"
Eiji said casually, as if it were nothing.
It felt like an arrow had pierced her heart.
With just one glance.
He had seen through her intentions from her swordsmanship.
"People's thoughts are easily reflected in their swordsmanship. For example, someone with a steady personality would focus more on defense in their sword techniques, paying more attention to blocking or dodging, and wouldn't easily launch strong attacks. But your swordsmanship is like a storm, as if you want to pour everything into your sword, to quickly defeat your enemy, to grow stronger rapidly... This mindset is exposed through your swordsmanship."
This boy.
He's really amazing.
***
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