"One more thing, Eira," I said, pausing at the door. "Have you considered making weapons?"

Eira perked up at this, abandoning her tools to face me fully. "Weapons?" she echoed, her tone thoughtful. "I've considered it, but never really made an attempt. I guess now that we have more resources and time, it's a viable project. But I'm not too sure what to create."

"What about a ranged weapon that can be used by anyone? As you know, archery is a skill that's difficult to master, and it's not effective against all creatures. Perhaps you could create a ranged weapon that's powered by mana stones. It could be used by simply aiming and pulling the trigger." This world was diverse when it came to technology, with some aspects being more advanced than others. Because of the existence of magic, traditional weapons like guns were never created. Most people relied on swords and bows, with adventurers and merchants using magic and magic items. I was confident in Eira's genius; creating some sort of gun-like weapon would be extremely helpful.

"Hmm, that sounds a lot like a crossbow with extra steps. How is it any different?" Eira questioned, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion.

"Crossbows are too slow and they require a lot of management and space when traveling. What I'm suggesting is creating a weapon made out of steel that can shoot small steel balls at high speeds. The mana stone could enhance it. Not only would it be easy to use, but the size of the weapon could vary depending on the firing rate, the size of the steel balls, and the mana stones people decide to use. Think about the market we could create, all the money we could earn, all the fame you could gain," I explained, seeing her interest piqued.

Eira's eyes widened, "Money? Fame? How much are we talking about here, Kael?"

"Hmhmhm, we're talking about hundreds of thousands of gold coins. How about it, Eira? You think you can make it?"

"Hahaha, who do you think I am, Kael? I'm a goddamn genius! Of course, I can make it. Just the thought of a mountain of gold~"

"Alright, alright, I get it. Wipe your mouth, you're drooling. Anyway, I'll leave you to it," I said, chuckling as I left her workshop, her energetic laughter echoing behind me. It was good to see her enthusiastic about a project again, and I had no doubts she would exceed expectations.

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

The following day, I found myself sitting across from Ash's sister. The situation unfolded exactly as I had anticipated. Seraphina Dawnrider was an imposing figure. Her black, wavy hair cascaded down her back like an untamed waterfall, framing her face in a wild, captivating beauty. Her smooth, flawless skin seemed to glow softly under the warm cafe lighting, accentuating the intensity of her hazel eyes that locked onto mine with a piercing gaze. Her regal demeanor was in sharp contrast to Ash's more innocent mannerisms. Despite the casual setting of the cafe, she exuded an air of extreme caution.

It is clear that she possessed remarkable talent with the blade, evident in her confident posture and the subtle grace of her movements. Her focus and determination were palpable, manifesting as a quiet power that commanded respect. However, the situation felt off. In the original story, she never attended the academy and tragically met her demise while adventuring - an event that propelled Ash into becoming the king of thieves. It seemed she was every bit as talented as her younger brother.

I needed to tread carefully around her. It would be best to transform Umbra into a glove, just in case. "Hello, my name is Kael. Ash has told me a lot about you, but I must say, you're completely different from his descriptions."

"Cut the crap!" she retorted, unsheathing her sword with a swift, practiced motion. "Who the hell are you to force my brother to work so hard?!"

Ash, noticing the hostile glint in his sister's eyes, tried to intervene. "Sis, wait! Don't fight him! He's not a bad guy!"

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"And how would you know that? You're just a child. Stand back and let your big sister handle this!"

"Sis, stop it," Ash pleaded, his voice strained. "He's here to talk to you, and I don't want you to get hurt trying to fight him. I think he might be stronger than you."

What? Who said I'm stronger than her?! She's clearly been training longer than me. Is Ash trying to get me killed? I blinked, bewildered by the sudden escalation. Why was she so aggressive? I needed to remain calm. "Please calm down," I said, maintaining eye contact. "I promise you, I have no ill intentions. This sudden meeting is in regards to the upcoming admissions for the Academy of Equinox."

"Ash, you little brat!" she exploded, turning her glare on her brother. "What did I tell you about dealing with strangers? Why can't you just listen to me and go to school? You're going to end up dead one of these days! And you!" she swung her gaze back to me, her eyes blazing with fury. "How dare you manipulate a child. You're nothing but a shameless bastard!"

I sighed, leaning back in my seat. I hadn't expected a cordial discussion, but her hostility exceeded my estimations. Still, I couldn't fault her for being protective of her younger brother. It was clear that she cared deeply for him and was wary of those who could potentially harm him. "Ugh, this is problematic. Ash, could you go back to the shop and bring Desolara here?"

"Desolara? Why would you need that mean girl?"

"I need to talk to Sera - that is, Seraphina - without Ash. This is the only way I can think of. I need to take her somewhere when I'm done talking to your sister, so just bring her here."

"Hold on a minute! Who said you could leave, Ash? You should be at school right now, to begin with," she said. But before she could even finish her sentence, Ash was already darting off.

"Hahaha, that boy is indeed fast. It must be difficult to keep him under control," I remarked.

Seraphina's demeanor changed entirely. She was now emanating a cold, ruthless aura devoid of any emotion. "You crossed a line you shouldn't have. To attempt to manipulate my brother when I'm watching him is a death sentence," she declared.

Seraphina unsheathed her blade again. This time I got a proper look at it. It was very old and dull. It appeared that she was struggling to keep herself and Ash sheltered, reinforcing what Ash had told me - she refused to commit any crimes and was dedicated to earning money legally.

Perhaps it was because I had spent time around Zeke and Eira that Sera's intimidation didn't scare me. "Aren't you tired of it?" I asked. "You try so hard, yet you can never make enough money. Your brother used to bring you stolen jewelry, yet you knew it was stolen and so you turned it in to the authorities. Is it your pride? Your kindness? Or are you trying to set a good example for your brother? I know you're lying to your brother. You claim to be saving up, however, you're in severe debt, aren't you?" No matter how I thought about it, it was odd that she didn't possess at least a decent sword. The only explanation that made sense to me was debt.

An uncomfortable silence fell between us. Seraphina's hazel eyes bore into me, her grip on her sword visibly tightening. I could feel her hostility spike as if I had crossed some unspoken boundary. Her face remained impassive, but her eyes— those turbulent eyes of hers, were stormy.

"Who are you?" she asked again, her voice barely above a whisper. It was not a question, it was a demand - a demand for the truth.

"I've told you. I am Kael. I run the 'All Goods' shop. Have you heard of it?" I restated, maintaining unwavering eye contact.

"Lies!" she spat vehemently, slamming her free hand on the table. The unexpected impact caused our coffee cups to jitter in their saucers, but I remained unmoved. "You know far too much, infinitely more than any stranger should. Ash is too naive to grasp the circumstances I'm dealing with. So tell me, are you in league with the scoundrels I owe money to?!"

"Your brother didn't need to enlighten me about anything. The evidence is clearly visible if one knows where to search," I answered, my tone level despite her escalating anger. "The worn condition of your sword, your hesitant step to enter this cafe, even the undeniable fact that you two reside alone... These are all tell-tale signs of financial hardship. When Ash mentioned the extent of your hard work, it wasn't difficult to piece the puzzle together."

The cafe fell eerily silent. Patrons stared openly at our table, their eyes wide with shock, their expressions a curious mix of interest and trepidation. The waitress, having sensed the growing tension, had discreetly withdrawn behind the counter, her worried gaze fixed on our escalating confrontation.

Seraphina's jaw clenched tightly, her simmering fury barely kept in check. Her hand visibly tightened around the hilt of her sword, her knuckles whitening under the strain. It was evident that she was considering whether to launch an attack right then and there, torn between her protective instincts and the need for discretion. The air was thick with unspoken tension and unresolved anger, threatening to erupt into a maelstrom at her slightest provocation.