The Soldier Mage 16 Chapter 16

After the exams are over, the students are free to go back home for 8 weeks. This allows the academy teachers some time to prepare for the upcoming year and some of the less wealthy students go help their parents during this time. This 8 week break was initially timed with the harvest, allowing extra labor to go into the fields. For the n.o.bility, this is the time they spend learning about the responsibilities they'll have and how to govern.

Packing up his things, Wilfred bid his farewells to the room that hosted him for almost a year now. He would miss the comforts he had started to grow attached to, going back to the quaint family home. It was a better home than most in the city, he should be thankful that he had that much he reminded himself.

Wilfred felt like all this academy stuff was turning him soft. Never would he have complained about a decent bed in his old life, not after all the training he went through and the horrible sleeping conditions on missions. He still regularly exercised and trained, his discipline still being strong but he needed to flex his brain muscles more, due to the way the academy worked. His schedule wasn't as tight as back on earth and there was much less stress. All these things made Wilfred feel like he was losing his touch, becoming less good of a soldier.

That night when he was approached by the two factions, the Leganon Liberation Front and the Mage Corps, Wilfred had went back to meet with Lucius and Lucy. On their side, they were unable to find any information about who broke into Wilfred's room. Luckily, Wilfred already had that information and shared it. Lucy said she would look into it from her end and with her father's connections. They bid each other farewell for the time being, each going their separate way back to their families.

Truth be told, Wilfred was a bit looking forward to this in his own way. They were watched rather closely at the academy and Wilfred did not want to experiment in front of everyone but back home he would have the privacy and the time to do so. Obviously, his parents might want to make him help but with the money he had gotten from the Headmaster, he figured he could give some to them and ask to be left alone for the sake of his studies.

Feeling much more confident in himself, Wilfred left the academy alone, unlike when he first came escorted by his father. All of his possessions stored in a small bag, he left the academy grounds. From all the weapons he had created, only one remained now, the MP5. It was adequate enough for protection and he didn't have the heart to deconstruct it. Also stored in that bag was 18 gold pieces, Wilfred's sole wealth. Feeling a bit out of place walking around with so much money, scared he'd lose it or get it stolen, Wilfred headed towards the market district of the city.

Although stores exist in every district, there was a particular section of the city where all the affluent stores would come together into what would be the equivalent of a medieval shopping mall. The rich merchants would get extra protection in the form of more city guards patrolling near their stores, which increased security and made other less wealthy merchants also set up their stores in that area.

Walking down these streets, Wilfred couldn't help but be reminded that this really felt like one of those role playing games he used to play. Looking at the displays behind the store windows, he could see armor for sale and weapons. Obviously these stores catered to adventurers, Wilfred had even seen some store selling adventuring supplies and potions all under one roof.

He was aware, generally speaking, of adventurers and what they did but not in a specific way.

From what he could gather, there were monsters and threats that warranted use of adventurers, as nations did not want to send their own in case they'd be killed or it being a trap set up by other nations. In that regard, adventurers were a bit like private military contractors. It also helped that the adventurer guild had relations with all kingdoms and it allowed for easy movement. A foreign country could not simply send it's troops across a border to chase down enemies else they'd be infringing on that kingdom's sovereignty and could spark a war.

Continuing his walk while looking at the stores, Wilfred noticed one particular store that advertised having their equipment certified by a mage, curious about it, he went inside.

Opening the door rang a small bell that was tied by a string at the top. The sound brought to attention the shopkeeper, who was resting his head on the palm of his hand and he greeted the potential shopper.

"..huh? Oh, welcome welcome. Sorry, the years are gaining on me and I find myself napping more and more. How can I help you today?"

This being the nicer parts of town, Wilfred, even though his age and stature, was not treated like a child due to the fact that the n.o.bility's children often shopped in these stores. With the extra guards patrolling this area as well, not many shopkeepers were worried about theft.

"h.e.l.lo. I am curious, I saw your sign saying that your items are verified by a mage, how does that work?"

"Ah, yes. We are one of 7 stores in the city that do this. A fellow comes by and [Inspect]'s all the items we want him to and then he writes the description, as you can see. We pay him a commission per sale. Obviously, we only do this for the best equipment. Why do you ask?"

For most people, looking over at a sword for example, they can make out the rough estimate of the item's quality by how it looks and feels when used. However, in a world with magic and skills, things like [Inspect] are invaluable to provide real meaningful information about items and equipment when your life depends on it.

"Ah, I see. Interesting. I'm a student at the academy and was wondering how a mage could certify items."

Leaning closer on one such item, an axe, Wilfred read the description.

[Magic Weapon]

Desolation Cleaver

ATK: 88

DEF: 24

DUR: 42

Effect: Ignores DEF from enemy armor and weapons, cannot be blocked.

"You have a fine eye I see. This is one of our best pieces, crafted by the esteemed smith Forous Duskdelver. Except for a select few humans, magical weapon creation is largely a dwarven trade secret. This would make a fine gift for your father, I'll bring my price down 8% because you seem like a nice young lad and I'll make it 12 gold pieces."

Wilfred's eyes bulged. 12 Gold pieces!? I mean, it looks nice I suppose. The hilt is studded with gems and the blade looks particularly sharp but I've made weapons stronger than this already!

Not wanting to disappoint the old shopkeeper, Wilfred tried to find an excuse.

"...Hmmm. It looks very nice but it's a bit bulky. I think father would have trouble swinging it around. So I take it you don't make most of these yourself? You only sell them?"

"Ah, I see. We do have swords, a bit less high quality of course. Indeed, at my age smithing is too much. I've made a good fortune in my life doing it and now I proudly sell other's work. "

A greedy thought entered Wilfred's mind. He could make hundreds, nay, thousands of gold pieces by selling his weapons. It would be so easy too. But thinking back on the promise he made Primus made him stall. There was another factor as well; how would these weapons be used and by whom? The enticing allure of wealth dangled right in front of him, Wilfred shuffled it deep down within him. It was hard, painful even. He could have had a life of luxury, all his whims fulfilled and not a care in the world. Was this why he was here though? For the easy way out? What would G.o.d think?

He couldn't believe he found himself thinking that way. Wilfred was not a very religious man, not after the scandals that often plagued the religions on earth. But, he had to admit, G.o.d did exist. At least, that was the only thing that made sense regarding his reincarnation here. After all, he couldn't become the very thing he hated back on earth.

He waved goodbye to the shopkeeper who was falling asleep once more and exited the shop. At least he had learnt something from this, a better estimated value for the weapons he could create.

After another hour of walking and checking out shops, Wilfred came to the conclusion that there was no such thing as banks in this world. There must be some kind of mint where all these coins are made, he thought. Ideally, he would have liked to keep his money in a safe place and get some smaller denomination coins for everyday purchases. A local inn or a butcher would not be able to give change on a gold coin.

Exasperated, Wilfred looked around and one of the buildings caught his eye. It was rather tall and seemed to have been built rather recently compared to some of the much older ones in this district. Getting closer, Wilfred managed to make out the small sign hanging in front of the door 'Adventurer's Guild'.

Curious, he stepped inside.