Chapter 8

"Drinking party? Tonight?"

An unusual invitation came from Buschar. I thought he had become a full-fledged union member, but it seemed he still intended to contribute to his own shop. My work was a bit more relaxed, and I didn't dislike alcohol, but I wondered what he was up to all of a sudden.

"No, I met an old acquaintance today. I thought you might know them, so I wondered if you'd like to come along."

"Who is it?"

"Do you remember Felis?"

The familiar name made me catch my breath for a moment.

A child I was once asked to take care of by a friend, but I couldn't manage to look after them properly. They were a good kid, but they left without a word. Just before they disappeared, I heard that some unfamiliar people were coming in and out of the room, so I had to give up and assume they were taken back home.

It's been a while since then, but I wondered if they were doing well.

"I remember. Vesel asked me to guide someone for the first and last time. ...How is that person doing?"

"They seemed to be doing well. They finally left home and are standing on their own."

"Ah... They're that age now, huh."

Right. The first time I met them, they were twelve. They've grown up and are making their own way in life.

It might be a bit late to start learning as a craftsman, but I'll believe they've been working hard these past three years.

"Alright, I get it. Let's go see that face after so long."

"Come on, come on. We have some good stuff today."

"Alright. Since I have no choice, I'll pay for the drinks."

If Buschar is inviting me, it can't be that bad.

It's going to be a good drink.

/

With a slightly fluttering heart, I awaited the appointed time. We agreed to meet just before Buschar's shop closed, as drinking while cooking wouldn't work.

I waited at a table in the back of the shop for everyone to gather. Buschar, being considerate, left a bowl of salted beans to keep me occupied. I chewed on them to calm my nerves.

When about a third of the beans were gone, a face not much different from back then sat across from me.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No, not at all... It's been a while, Akim. I'm sorry for what happened back then."

I bowed my head. At the same time, I heard a sigh and felt a tap on my head.

Ah, this is something that used to happen. The dull pain brought a wave of nostalgia.

"You'll make the food taste bad, kid. Well, let's start with a toast."

"Sure."

Akim raised his hand and ordered three drinks from the server. I pushed the salted beans towards Akim, realizing it was the first time I was drinking with this body.

Soon, a server carrying drinks and Buschar with a large platter arrived at our table. The server placed the drinks, greeted Buschar, and left the shop.

Before I knew it, we were the only ones left in the shop.

"Alright, let's toast to our reunion. Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers."

We raised our glasses, filled with a sweet, cold, and easy-to-drink wine, and drank it in one go. The warmth spread to the depths of my stomach.

"Alright, tell us what happened back then."

"Sure."

Encouraged by Akim, I began to recount the events from that time.

About my grandfather's death. How Jito came to pick me up and took me back home. How I couldn't leave the territory after that.

After hearing the story, the two of them nodded with understanding.

"We would have liked an explanation, but... given the circumstances, it couldn't be helped."

"Maybe it was more about your brother being in a hurry?"

"I think that's true."

The conversation continued.

How my master, feeling sorry for me, taught me the basics despite it being outside his expertise.

Because of that, I couldn't give up on the path of a craftsman and, upon reaching adulthood, fought a duel to win the right.

When I got to this part, both of them tilted their heads in confusion.

"Wait, what do you mean by a duel?"

"Kid, I don't understand what you just said."

"What do you mean?"

Akim, wetting his lips with the alcohol, asked.

"Why did you have to fight a duel?"

"To be honest, I don't fully understand either, but it seems to be a rule among the nobility. I don't think it makes much sense, though."

"Nobility? Who?"

"Me... Didn't you hear this from Master?"

Buschar coughed, and a drop of alcohol dripped from the corner of Akim's mouth. While Buschar might not have known, Akim had direct communication with my master, so I assumed he was informed.

Well, it's better to be treated as a regular aspiring craftsman rather than as a noble. Unfortunately, this made the atmosphere a bit awkward.

I regained my composure and continued.

"Technically, I'm the second son of the Crowren family. However, my older sister and brother are excellent, and I've given up on inheriting the family from the start."

"The Crowren family is one of the most prominent martial families in the country, right? Felis, you're part of that?"

"I do train a bit as a matter of course, but think about it. What could they possibly want me to do in such a martial family?"

"What they want you to do is fight, kid. ...It doesn't suit you."

I'm aware of that. I don't have confidence in my skills, and I have no intention of putting myself in the front line.

I've hunted some magical beasts, but I've never fought for anything other than food or self-defense.

"I don't deny that I lack the talent for fighting. But originally, I wanted to make things. In that sense, my lack of talent had its own meaning."

My decision to become a craftsman was largely due to my family's kindness. However, my inferiority compared to my siblings was a decisive factor.

The territory is new and has many enemies. Whether the opponent is human or a magical beast, you need to be incredibly strong to protect your position. While I might not be as strong as other nobles, I don't have the ability to lead the territory. So, I decided to create something that could support that strength.

I do enjoy making things. But the reason I chose to be a craftsman is that I had nothing else to return.

Buschar looked at me and moistened his lips with a serious expression.

"Well... I understand that nobles carry different burdens than ordinary people like us. So, what are you going to do from now on?"

"Right now, I'm with my brother and a vassal. I plan to help them for about a week. After that, I'll spend a month broadening my knowledge in the earldom and then set out on a journey again. I heard that one of my master's fellow apprentices lives in the southern part of the kingdom, so I'm thinking of heading there."

"I see. If you need a short-term job, I can introduce you to the guild. It's important not to let your skills get rusty. Akim, don't you have any sharpening jobs for beginners?"

"Hmm, I can give some of the jobs I usually delegate to the young ones... It depends on your skills. Do you have any recent work to show?"

Since magic cores can be processed with magic to enhance sharpness, I don't have anything that can demonstrate my sharpening skills... If I go back to the inn, I have both magic cores and whetstones, so it would be faster to make something new.

Maybe I should make a knife when I get back.

"I don't have anything on hand right now... I have a hatchet I've been working on since I started processing magic cores, but that might not fit the purpose, right?"

"I'm curious about it, so show it to me."

I handed over the hatchet I had at my waist. My partner was in top condition as always.

The two of them examined the blade from various angles, and after a thorough inspection, they sighed.

"It's a rugged, no-frills design. Did you form the edge using only magic shaping without sharpening? It's beautiful, considering the effort you put into it."

Akim praised my partner while tapping the blade lightly with his fingernail. The clear, solid sound proved there were no flaws.

"This is great, it must cut well. I'd love to use this to butcher a tough one."

"I've made it tough enough to cut through bones without damaging the edge. If you want a large blade for butchering, I can make one for 300,000 bells. It'll take ten days to complete."

"I'll pay for it!"

"I want one too. I'll customize the edge to my liking."

"Leave it to me. ...It looks like I've found work for my stay here."

After a brief pause, the three of us looked at each other and laughed.

It felt genuinely good to have my work praised by another craftsman.

Ah, the drink is delicious.

I think I'll have a good time getting drunk tonight.

That's it for this time.

Thank you for reading.