The streets of Serenwyn were alive with the evening bustle, lanterns flickering along cobbled roads as hunters, merchants, and adventurers filled the city's heart.
Among them, Ronan strode toward the Hunter's Boutique, a well-known establishment catering to warriors and monster slayers.
His steps were steady, his expression calm but resolute. The past two months had been gruelling, intensive training under Mr. Alden's watchful eye, followed by a month of solitary monster hunting. Now, it was time to reap the rewards of his efforts.
As he stepped inside, the familiar scent of aged leather, steel, and faint traces of alchemical concoctions filled his senses.
The boutique was packed as usual, with adventurers bartering, browsing, and discussing their latest hunts.
Ronan, uninterested in the crowd, made his way straight to the reception counter. A young woman, unfamiliar to him, stood behind the desk.
Her hair was neatly tied in a bun, and her uniform, though pristine, showed signs of inexperience. Her nameplate read Elira.
"Ma'am, I want to buy a high-grade fire elemental sword. I want to exchange monster materials for them. Could you check if these materials are sufficient?" Ronan said, extending his hand to reveal a storage ring resting on his palm.
Elira hesitated, glancing at the storage ring before shaking her head. "Yes, sir, but you need to appraise those monster materials before exchanging."
Ronan replied simply, 'Okay.'
Elira nodded, gesturing to a long queue of hunters waiting for appraisal. "You'll need to line up for the appraisal process."
Ronan sighed, glancing at the seemingly endless line. "This is going to take a while," he muttered to himself. The thought of calling Ms. Amara or Mr. Alden briefly crossed his mind; either of them could bypass this ordeal effortlessly. But he quickly dismissed the idea. No, he resolved. I can't always rely on them.
As he resigned himself to waiting, a familiar voice called out. "Young Master Ronan, it's been a while."
Turning, Ronan saw a receptionist approaching with a warm smile. Marienne, a woman with silver-threaded dark brown hair, had been working at the Hunter's Boutique for years. Unlike the recruit, she recognised him instantly.
"How have you been?" she asked.
"I'm well, Marienne. And you?"
She smiled. "Busy as always. Are you here to buy or sell today?"
Ronan motioned to the queue. "Sell and buy."
Marienne's pleasant expression darkened as she cast a brief, displeased glance at Elira. "She's new. She doesn't know who you are yet. I apologise on her behalf." Without waiting for a response, she gestured for Ronan to follow. "Come with me, please."
Ronan hesitated for a moment before walking alongside her. As they ascended the stairs to the private offices, he frowned in confusion. "Marienne, why am I being treated like this?"
She chuckled. "The shopmaster gave strict orders. If you ever visit, we will bring you directly to him and treat you with the utmost courtesy."
Ronan's mind flickered to a memory, his first visit here, alongside Ms. Amara and Mr. Alden. Ms. Amara's hand ignited with a controlled but ominous flame.
"If I find that you've deceived him in any way, I will personally burn this place to ashes," she had said coolly.
Ronan asked softly, "Is this treatment because of Ms. Amara's threat?"
Marienne chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "You could say that. Master Garrick, Ms. Amara, and Mr. Alden go way back. Once, Ms. Amara nearly burned this entire shop down. Naturally, we're all a little wary of her."
Ronan's expression stiffened, a flicker of unease in his eyes. "Then I should be careful not to ever draw her wrath."
Marienne laughed again, this time more warmly, clearly entertained by his reaction
The shopkeeper, Gaarrick Vale, had paled and immediately sworn that Ronan would always receive a fair price. Now, Ronan couldn't help but smile slightly at the recollection.
As they reached the office, Marienne knocked once before stepping inside. "Master Vale, Young Master Ronan has arrived to sell materials. However, the new receptionist directed him to the standard appraisal queue."
The shop owner, a robust man with sharp blue eyes and a well-groomed beard, sighed. "Let him in. And in a few minutes, bring the new girl as well."
Marienne nodded and gestured for Ronan to enter before stepping aside.
Inside, Garrick Vale greeted Ronan with a polite nod. "I apologise for the inconvenience caused by my employee's lack of awareness."
Ronan shook his head. "No need to apologise. That's the normal procedure for most customers. Besides, I can't always rely on Mr. Alden and Ms. Amara. There's no need for special treatment; I can work with the normal procedure."
Garrick raised an eyebrow, impressed. Most nobles or influential figures would throw a fit over such an incident, he thought. But Ronan was different.
Extending his hand, Ronan presented the storage ring. "I originally wanted to exchange these materials for high-grade swords. Can you check if selling them would cover the cost?"
Garrick took the ring and activated its spatial storage. His eyes widened as he examined the contents. Two Rank-Three Tailed Fox Flame Cores, six Rank-Two Tailed Fox Flame Cores, five Rank-Three Monster Cores, and ten Rank-Two Monster Cores..
Ronan sighed. "Is this not enough?"
Garrick let out a hearty laugh. "Yes, yes, they are enough. Did you hunt these yourself?"
"Yes. Mr. Alden took us near Eldergrove Village, where I hunted them."
Before Garrick could continue, Marienne reappeared with Elira in tow. The young receptionist's hands twisted in her uniform as she dipped her head. Her voice wavered. "I… I didn't realise. I'm sorry if I caused trouble."
Ronan studied her trembling posture, then gently shook his head. "You didn't do anything wrong. Follow the rules—that's your job. Don't be afraid of doing it."
Relief softened her face, though she still bowed respectfully. Garrick nodded approvingly at Ronan's words.
Elira bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master Vale. Thank you, Young Master."
Marienne returned with the sword, the fire-elemental sword, 'Eclipse Edge', which was dark silver with a smooth yet resilient surface.
Garrick smiled. "The four rank-three monster cores will suffice. As for the flame cores, consult Ms. Amara before selling."
Ronan nodded, accepting the sword. "Thank you. I'll be taking my leave."
Garrick walked him to the entrance. " Will you be heading back to the academy?"
"Yes." Ronan then asked, "Will Elira be punished?"
Garrick smirked. "Not if you don't want her to be."
Ronan nodded in gratitude before disappearing into the night.