"Are you sure?" Robert's eyebrow rose. A faint expression of surprise was visible on his usually calm face.
"Yes." Fyar grabbed the longsword from its rack. He drew the blade slowly from its black wooden sheath. A soft sound was heard as metal met wood. He turned the weapon over in his hands, feeling its strange yet perfect balance. The reflection from the shop's lamps danced for a moment on its sharp surface before he gripped it with both hands.
The atmosphere around Fyar seemed to change. From an ordinary customer, he now looked like a warrior who was one with his weapon.
"You two should step back a bit," Fyar said in a low voice.
Without question, Robert and Rasie took several steps back, giving him enough space. Fyar lowered his body. He settled into a stance that was completely foreign to them, one foot forward, knees slightly bent, with his gaze fixed straight ahead as if facing an unseen enemy. Robert and Rasie exchanged a brief glance. They had never witnessed a stance like that in their entire lives.
The air around them hissed sharply as Fyar swung the sword. Three movements flowed without a pause. A vertical slash, followed by a lightning-fast thrust, and ending with a horizontal swing that stopped a fraction of an inch from a weapon rack. Each movement cut through the air with frightening precision. He then returned to his initial stance, his breathing still even.
The sharp hiss was heard again. This time, he launched two swift swings using only his left hand, demonstrating incredible strength and body control.
After he finished, Fyar lowered the sword and let out a long breath. He turned around, looking at Robert and Rasie who were still silent, frozen in place.
"Did you feel your magic energy being drained?" Robert asked first, his eyes still fixed on the sword in Fyar's hand.
"I didn't feel anything," Fyar answered flatly.
"Maybe that's because you don't have any magic," Rasie interjected. Her gaze shifted from the sword to Fyar's face, her look now sharper and more probing. "I've never seen a sword style like that before. What style is it?" She then turned to Robert. "What about you, Robert?"
"I've never seen it either," the old dwarf answered, stroking his thick beard. "I've lived and traveled for eighty years, and this is the first time I've seen such a technique." He paused for a moment, his eyes studying Fyar intently. "Your style is a perfect match for that sword, Fyar. Do you recognize the weapon? And also, where are you actually from?"
Robert's curiosity was plain on his face. Fyar's strange clothes, his unique sword style, and his knowledge of 'bullets' which he had never seen before all of it felt out of place.
Fyar was silent for a moment. He looked away, his eyes a bit distant as if he were trying hard to remember something long lost. "I forgot," he said then. He made his tone sound a little melancholic.
"You forgot?" Rasie narrowed her eyes, not believing him so easily. "But you can use that sword as if you've been training for years. If you truly had amnesia, your body's movements wouldn't be that fluid."
Fyar knew Rasie's objection was valid. He had to cover his lie with another, more plausible lie. After a split second of thought, he found his answer.
"There are some things I remember, and many that I don't," Fyar explained. He looked down at his hands holding the sword. "What I remember is how to use weapons, my name, and a little about my culture." He sighed again, this time making it sound heavier. "What I don't remember is where my hometown is, why I suddenly woke up in the forest, and how I lost my memories and my powers."
Is he lying? Rasie wondered suspiciously. If he is, why is he hiding everything?
However, she decided not to press him further for now. "I see. Alright," Rasie finally said, though her eyes still showed deep skepticism.
"Yeah, that's how it is," Fyar confirmed, feeling slightly relieved.
He quickly changed the subject before they could ask anything else. His gaze shifted to Robert. "Mr. Robert, Miss Rasie, I also found an artifact on one of the bandits I killed." Fyar reached into his pocket and showed them a small, oddly shaped object. "I want to know, what is this thing used for, and what are its side effects?"