(Pov: Asfi)
"Asfi-chan!!" I was so close to finding the final piece of the puzzle that would help me create a magic item I had dreamed of since childhood. And of course, Lydia chose this exact moment to barge in.
"What is it? Lydia. If it is not something important then please leave." Lydia can be very loud and annoying sometimes, but I owe her too much to just ignore her. Besides, with time I have grown to like her as a troublesome big sister.
"No no, Asfi-chan I would never disturb you when you are working on accomplishing your dream. It's just that Loki-sama and Riveria-san are coming to visit Today."
At that, I stopped working and turned my attention towards her. It's been a while since I have met Riveria. She helped me a lot in settling down in this city life. And we quickly became close enough to call each other normally as our background is pretty similar. But her goddess coming with her as well means it's a serious matter.
"And did they mention why they are visiting?" I asked since it might be related to Evilius as they are running around a lot lately causing trouble everywhere. I also have a personal vendetta against them now. Since they almost killed Lydia last year when she fought them to protect some of Ganesha's familia members. If the reinforcement had not arrived at the time then Lydia might not have made it. Ever since then, I wanted to just grow stronger, and that is still the case.
I do not wish to be the princess who can't do anything other than wait for the hero to rescue her. I wish to be strong so I can protect the people I care about.
"No, but they said it is not anything bad."
"I see. Then we should get ready to receive them." I stood up from my chair and made my way towards Hermes' office with Lydia following behind me. Before long Loki-sama and Riveria both arrived.
"So what's the business you have today Loki? Is it about that High Human?" Hermes asked Loki. I have arrived at the same conclusion as well. After hearing about a High Human joining the Loki Familia, and then them arriving here.
"Yes, I will be honest. I want you or rather Asfi-chan to teach him item making." I was internally a little shocked. I thought it would be about providing some kind of information. Since we are one of the best at it. And besides–
"But not everyone can learn item making. They need to have that particular skill." Lydia spoke on my thoughts.
"Yes, and that is where his own ability comes into play." Loki paused, then continued. " One of his abilities is exponential growth. It lets him learn any kind of skill that he wants."
"Such broken abilities. I knew that this High Human race was just too ridiculous for our world. Thankfully they are mostly gone. By the way, where does he come from?" Hermes asked.
"He said that he got involved in some kind of accident and ended up here."
"Accident huh?" Hermes paused.
"So what do we get in return for that?" Lydia asked, despite her carefree nature, she can be quite competent when she wants to be. After all of not for her, I would have still been cooped up in the crappy castle.
"What do you want?" Loki asked. I stepped forward to announce the condition.
"If he learns about item making from us and sells those items in the market we would get a 50% profit from it. In return, we will provide our own sales network. The second condition is that he will help us in some of our missions." I explained all the conditions.
"Sounds reasonable." I was a little surprised, I was at least expecting her to negotiate a bit.
"What? Are you surprised? While the money that will come with his item selling is good. But if you don't teach him then there won't be any in the first place. Besides you who have the mystery skill will be teaching him your craft. It would be really disrespectful if I negotiated with you over some penny." I was a little happy about that. But the way Riveria was looking at her goddess tells me that was her plan rather than something Loki herself thought.
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After the meeting was finished I was having some tea time with Riveria.
"It's been a while since we met like this. Have we not?" Riveria said as she took a sip of her tea.
"Yeah. I guess we both got busy with our work."
"So how is your 'Big project' coming along?" Looks like she still remembers the project I mentioned before that I always wanted to do.
"It is coming along nicely. In a few weeks, I think it will be complete. By the way, what is he like?"
"You mean Arin. Are you curious about your first student?" She said with a little smile intending to tease me. If the people saw her face like this, they would be shocked for sure, especially the elves. But I know that's just how she normally is.
"Yes, I am." That is the simple truth. I wish to know what my first student will be like.
"Well, he is a hard worker for sure. And really talented as well. I am teaching him magic so I know he improves really fast. I also wanted to ask a favor as a fellow teacher. Please look after him so that Hermes and Lydia's eccentricities don't rub off on him too much."
"Don't worry. He will be my student. That means it is my responsibility that he learns in a healthy environment. I will try my best on that front." I assured her after all, she was right to be worried, as Hermes and Lydia can be too much sometimes. Especially Hermes, I have to be careful not to leave them alone.
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I was in my workshop working on my magic items as usual.
*Knock knock*
He is here huh?
"Come in." He entered. His eyes met mine. He was silent for a few seconds.
"Hello, my name is Arin Kael. You can call me Arin. It is a pleasure to meet you." he introduced himself. Hm. Just as Riveria said. He is someone with good manners; most adventurers are crass with their language. I observed him for a little just as he has. He was wearing a white shirt, with brown pants and brown boots. They were simple but clean and ironed. Combined with his handsome visage he appears more than presentable.
"It is a pleasure to meet you too. Arin, my name is Asfi Al Andromeda. Also the Vice-Captain of Hermes Familia. You can simply call me by my name." Since I do not wish to associate myself with my surname.
Before we can converse any longer, Lydia and Hermes burst into the room. Seriously, looking at their behavior, I find Riveria's worries to be spot on. And when I warned them.
"But Asfi-chan, He is a High Human you know!"
"But Asfi, He's a High Human you know!"
Haah… why do they behave like kids? Are they not older than me?
"Yeah, He is, but he is also my student from now on. So If you played any prank on him, I won't tolerate it." I said with a hint of sharpness. After a little more nonsense they calmed down enough.
"Yeah, we just got curious, Asfi. After all that, the abilities Loki mentioned seem too versatile and powerful."
"Besides, He also saved a party from an irregular Infant Dragon." Lydia brought up the information that I had also heard.
"On his second dive in the dungeon, no less," Lydia added.
"Yeah, doesn't it feel like a hero in the making?"
And Hermes brought up the topic of heroes like he always does. I remember admiring the heroes when I was little and even wished to be one someday.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, Hermes, but I do not have the vessel to be a Hero." His words caught my curiosity.
"And why did you say that? Did you not save those people?" Lydia, who dropped her playful attitude, asked curiously.
"I mean, I only saved them because I have the confidence that if I were not able to defeat the infant dragon, I would at least be able to escape it. After all, I am not going to risk my life to save some stranger." I agree with his opinion. When Lydia risked her life for those people I also wished for her to run rather than to die for some stranger.
"That is a very hypocritical way of thinking." Lydia gave her assessment. If that is really true, then I have been a Hypocrite more times than I can count.
"But isn't it fine to be a hypocrite?" I was unable to keep quiet seeing his face with an expression like he had done something wrong. Before turning to Lydia. "If Wanting to live is hypocritical. Then that is much better than just dying for someone, who you might not even know if they deserve to live or not." I may have said it a little too strongly but that is my opinion on things. Perhaps because he is my first student, I am unable to see him being down like this.
Both Hermes and Lydia looked at me. So I tried to divert the topic." Anyway, Arin, this is Lidith Caverna, Captain of our Familia and this is God Hermes. You can just ignore them if they try talking to you." I introduced them normally.
"That's so mean Asfi-chan. We are not troublemakers." Lydia protested.
"Yes yes. Now both of you can leave. If you are not going to explain anything to him." I just wanted them to leave honestly.
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"Then we will take our leave. Asfi will fill you up on the details." Hermes said and started walking towards the gate Lydia also followed him wrapping her arm around his left.
"Are they in a relationship?" Arin asked me. I wish they were. I just want Lydia to be happy.
"No, not yet at least. Lydia likes him but he is avoiding the matter for some reason." That's why I want Lydia to either give up on him to find a better man. Or for Hermes to accept her.
"We will have 2 to 3 hours of item-making practice every day in the evening. And 2 days a week we will spend the entire time on training or go on a mission if we have any." I explained as I took the knife lying on the table, which will help in today's training. "And the time can be extended if we are on a mission that requires a longer time to complete."
I handed him the knife. "Riveria told me you can feel the magic and can move it around. Is that correct?"
"Yeah, but I can't conjure any magic right now."
"That is fine. Before we start our practice. Do you have any questions?"
"Yeah. How does this magic item work, like did they become useless after a certain use time? Or can we use them indefinitely? And do these items use the magic of the user or are they pre-loaded when we make them? And can we upgrade an item? Or is it not possible?" While I was happy that he was enthusiastic about learning,
But he is too CLOSE!
"C-Calm down Arin." His face is too CLOSE! Thankfully he calmed down quickly.
After that little incident, we continued our training. "Is there anything else you want to ask?" I asked him,
"I do. But I guess this information is enough for now. But what do I do with this knife? He said while showing the knife.
"We will start our practice with this. I have intentionally left a flaw in this magic knife. Try passing your magic through it and identify how many flaws are in there." I assigned him his first task, which will help him greatly in the future as well.
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After about an hour had passed, I observed him, and I must say his concentration was on another level. So is his talent, since he seemed to have already found the first flaw in it. I have hidden dozens of these flaws; some are so well hidden that even a first-class item maker will have trouble finding all of them.
After I have explained things to him. I asked about his old world, as it might give me some inspiration to make some good items. So we continued to make small talk, with me mainly asking questions about his old world.
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Before we knew it was already night. We were so engrossed in the conversation that I did not even notice it. As it was late, we decided to wrap up our session for today.
"See you tomorrow, Asfi." He waved his hand.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Arin." I waved back as well. It just came naturally to me. Looks like I found a good first student. He is just as Riveria describes him to be. I am looking forward to teaching him all there is to teach and learn.