The morning sun cast warm light across Korvath's guild hall as Yoshiya and Omina walked through its polished stone corridors. The atmosphere felt different this time—not as nervous or tense as before the exams. For Omina, there was a quiet thrill in the air. She had earned her Blade Master title. People nodded at her as she passed, recognizing the fresh insignia pinned proudly on her chest.
"Blade Master Omina," a calm voice called from behind.
They turned to see one of the examiners from the previous day—a man with graying hair tied neatly behind his head, his guild robes edged with silver thread. He approached them with a measured smile.
"Congratulations on your promotion," he said, inclining his head slightly. "As a Blade Master, you now have access to certain facilities within Korvath that are restricted to advanced combatants."
Omina blinked, curious. "Facilities?"
The examiner nodded. "Training halls designed specifically for high-tier sword practitioners. You'll find enchanted dummies that react dynamically to your movements, skill refinement rooms where dangerous techniques can be practiced in controlled conditions, and attunement forges—where Blade Masters can synchronize their mana with their weapons for lasting enhancements."
Yoshiya's eyes lit up. "That sounds… incredible."
"It is," the man replied. "I suggest you visit when you're ready. Many Blade Masters make their greatest strides there, not in the field." With a short bow, he left them to their day.
As soon as he disappeared into the crowd, Omina exhaled softly. "Training halls, weapon attunement… Sounds like we've got a lot to explore."
Yoshiya nodded. "Let's check it out soon. But for now… gear."
The pair spent the rest of the day wandering through Korvath's bustling market and blacksmith districts. The streets were alive with the clang of hammers, the hiss of cooling metal, and the vibrant calls of merchants advertising their wares.
The first stop was an item shop, where neat shelves were stacked with potions, scrolls, and magical trinkets. Omina picked up a vial of shimmering blue liquid, swirling it thoughtfully. "Mana restoration… this might be useful for you," she said, handing it to Yoshiya.
Next was the equipment shop, filled with armor sets displayed on mannequins. Polished breastplates reflected the afternoon sun, while enchanted cloaks hummed faintly with mana. Omina paused before a sleek black cuirass etched with lightning motifs. "This one's nice," she murmured, imagining how it would look paired with her Thunder Strike Sword.
Yoshiya, meanwhile, drifted toward the blacksmith's forge. Inside, dwarves and humans worked side by side, pounding metal and embedding glowing runes into weapons. A craftsman explained different upgrade options: reforging existing gear, inlaying runes for mana regeneration, or altering a weapon's elemental alignment.
They eventually found a quiet corner in the plaza to take stock of their equipment.
Omina's current gear:
Thunder Strike Sword – her primary weapon, crackling faintly with stored lightning.
Red-Gray Sword – sturdy and reliable, serving as her backup blade.
Berserk Necklace – rare, amplifies her strength during Berserk.
Armor – still the basic set they'd found in the coffin of the summoner who brought them to this world.
She exhaled. "My swords are fine for now… but my armor's outdated. If I get hit hard in a real fight, it might not hold."
Yoshiya's current gear:
Barrier Wand – looted from goblins, excellent for defensive spells.
Mana Wand – crafted by Brenn, efficient but limited.
Armor and robes – also still from the coffin, without any significant enchantments.
"I should probably prioritize mana capacity or regeneration," he muttered. "I can keep casting, but I'll run dry too quickly in a drawn-out fight."
They compared prices and upgrade options, quickly realizing they didn't have enough gold to upgrade everything at once. Each shop visit added new ideas but also more difficult decisions.
As the sun dipped below the rooftops, they settled at a small café overlooking the busy street. The aroma of roasted beans and freshly baked bread filled the air as they spread out their collected flyers, sketches, and price lists on the table.
Omina leaned back in her chair, tapping her sword's hilt. "So… armor or weapon first?"
Yoshiya adjusted his glasses, scanning a page listing robe enchantments. "Mana gear or defensive gear… decisions, decisions."
They both fell silent, watching adventurers pass by—some fresh-faced like they had once been, others clad in glittering enchanted gear, laughing and confident.
> Omina: "We can't upgrade everything at once."
Yoshiya: "Yeah. So… what do we focus on first?"
Neither answered right away. The gentle clink of cups and chatter of the crowd framed their thoughtful silence as the chapter closed on the two adventurers planning their next steps—quiet but determined.