Iron Furnace Ridge, in the eastern part of the Kingdom of Fiore.
A young man in black and a girl in light clothes got off the train and looked toward several mines that glowed red with scorching flames.
Noah had heard Kana describe it on the way here. Iron Furnace Ridge is the general name for these mines. Because the mine terrain resembles an iron furnace and the temperature is unusually high, it was called Iron Furnace Ridge.
Although the heat is unbearable for ordinary people, the high‑quality iron ore attracts many magical blacksmiths who travel long distances to smelt metal and forge magic items at the foot of the mountain.
Because high‑quality magic items are frequently produced, more and more people come here, and a "magic trading market" has formed at the base of Iron Furnace Ridge.
This was Noah and Kana's destination.
Noah was a little surprised when he saw two teams of fully armed soldiers pass by. "Why are there troops here?"
"They're soldiers from the Kingdom of Fiore, responsible for maintaining law and order," Kana said, giving Noah a look that implied he should understand.
Noah immediately understood: with so many magic items in circulation, the authorities pay special attention. If powerful magic items appear, the kingdom's leaders would be the first to know.
The market was large, and Kana led Noah around several times. They were questioned by two patrol soldiers along the way. Something seemed to be going on, but neither Noah nor Kana got involved.
Finally Kana stopped in front of a shop with no sign.
"Here it is."
Kana opened the door with a bottle of wine in her hand. A flame suddenly rushed out from inside the shop. If Noah had not been quick enough to pull Kana back, she would have been burned, as Natsu might say.
"Damn it, how could I forget that old man's habit..."
Kana scolded herself and glanced at Noah, who looked concerned. He must have been seriously injured if struck head‑on by the old man's forging flame, she thought for a moment.
Kana felt guilty and grabbed Noah's hand. "I know there's a healer at the market. I'll take you right away—"
"Huh?! Noah, are you okay?!"
Noah turned and glared at Kana. "Do you miss me?"
Kana waved awkwardly. "I just didn't expect that besides Natsu there would be someone in the guild who can ignore fire."
Coincidentally, Noah was able to withstand the flames because of the strong fire resistance he had gained from Natsu's prayer commission.
When the flames hit him, Noah felt nothing.
Patting his intact clothes, Noah discovered that the fire resistance affected not only his body but even his clothes.
It seems that the reckless cherry‑haired boy has powerful magic, Noah thought, though he still didn't know what kind.
"Who is it?" A vigorous old man carrying a big hammer stepped out of the shop.
Seeing Kana, the blacksmith put down the hammer. "Little Kana, you brought someone to look at the goods again? How much commission this time?"
"Five percent!"
Kana proudly held up five fingers. The blacksmith's eyes gleamed as he looked at Noah. "Wow! I caught a big fish!"
Kana's face changed. She rubbed her hands at the blacksmith. "Old Dolan, don't forget the head fee I gave you for soliciting customers."
"Really, you little drunkard — you act like I owe you fifty thousand!" Blacksmith Dolan took out 50,000 and handed it to Kana on the spot.
Noah felt like he had fallen into a pit.
While attracting customers for the blacksmith, Kana received a fixed reward of 50,000 for each customer who spent money — and she would also get a 5% commission on purchases.
Kana had it both ways.
Since Dolan the blacksmith seemed generous, Noah expected many zeros on the price tags inside.
"Don't worry, Noah. Old Man Dolan's prices are fair; he never cheats," Kana said, and with her recommendation and Dolan's invitation, Noah stepped into the magic shop.
If things went badly, he could always run.
After hearing Noah's needs, Dolan brought out a large basket of magic weapons and enthusiastically introduced them.
"This 'Guaranteed-Hit Bow' with 'Lock‑On' and accompanying 'Perception' arrows automatically tracks the enemy once aimed. Only 99,800! Includes 20 perception arrows!"
"The Demon‑Slaying Greatsword is forged from starlight ore from Stella Kingdom. It strongly hinders magic. Its only drawback is it requires replenishing starlight magic. Only 99,800!"
"I call these gloves 'Barehanded Blade Catching.' They're made with strong magnets, positive and negative poles. Remember: like attracts, opposites repel — you don't want your hands locked together midfight. Fixed price, 99,800!"
"The powerful sunlight cannon is strong, but it needs 24 hours charging in sunlight before use... only 998!"
...
Noah didn't know whether Dolan was tired after rattling off dozens of items, but if he didn't stop, Noah felt he might be brainwashed by the devilish "99,8—".
Undeniably, these magic weapons were unique and justified the 99,800 price, but their drawbacks were obvious. Noah didn't want such unbalanced weapons.
At Dolan's strange smile, Noah asked, "If I want to see other magic items, how can I be sure they're not defective like those '998' ones?"
Dolan replied confidently, "It seems you're from Fairy Tail. The armor and weapons for your guild's Erza were all made by me personally."
Kana whispered in Noah's ear, "He's talking about Erza, one of our S‑class mages. Her magic is 'Dress‑Up Knight,' and she's in high demand for weapons and armor. I introduced old man Dolan to her."
Noah had never seen Erza's magic, but he knew she was an S‑class mage. He hadn't expected the heroic knight to be a guild member.
"In that case, how can I prove my strength?" Dolan asked.
"I'll say in advance my magic isn't suitable for combat; otherwise I wouldn't be here to buy items."
Dolan still saw a confident gleam in Noah's eyes.
"What an interesting kid."
Dolan continued, "The Black Magic Order has set its sights on the market. The kingdom soldiers will be crushed if they face those unscrupulous creatures."
"Consider it my commission. Get rid of that scum. Afterwards I'll show you my real work and give you a good reward."
The Black Magic Order? Noah hadn't even finished a single guild book before coming here; he knew nothing about the cult Dolan mentioned.
Before Noah could ask, Kana interrupted angrily, glaring at Dolan. "Noah is just a newcomer. You want him to deal with the Black Magic Order? That's too much!"
Dolan was stubborn. "Hmph, it's only a small branch of the cult — not even a priest. If he can't handle them, he might as well play with those 998s."
A priest of the Black Magic Order is equivalent to an S‑class wizard, Kana said, continuing the argument. "Old Dolan, if you want to rid the people of this evil, why don't you do it yourself?"
"Nonsense. I'm a magic blacksmith; why should I fight to the death?"
Dolan's words made Kana furious, though they were practical.
"I'll take this commission," Noah said suddenly.
Kana and Dolan were surprised.
Dolan: "You agree now? No more arguing?"
Kana: "Does his family know he's this brave?"
Smiling, Noah said, "Don't worry. Though my magic can't be used in combat—"
"I'm also very strong."