Walking down the turning and twisting side-streets of the free city. Making our way along the border of the East hill and west end, towards the south slums.

Huffing in irritation, Madison said, “I can’t believe that old Man was Finrick. My parents were the ones who told me to go there for armor. They couldn’t stop going on about how he’s the best when it comes to making battle armor. I usually go to Thread-Ball for all my clothes, but it’s more towards the north. Plus I’ve never been in a serious fight, so when my parents were all your normal clothes are not going to cut it. I listened, but that doesn’t mean I have like Finrick and his conceited attitude.”

Cutting off Madison’s rambling, squeezing her shoulder, giving her a smile. Alfred said, “Madison, breathe, I haven’t seen you ramble on like this forever, it’s always been your tell when your nervous you start to ramble. We’ve got this, there is nothing to be worried about.”

I’m surprised, I didn’t pick up on her nervousness before. It’s obvious now that she has been acting strange all day. I don’t know what it was, but even the tension. I didn’t realize I was carrying, disappeared from my shoulders, from listening to Alfred’s speech.

Returning his smile, Laughing, Madison said. “Thanks, I needed that, I guess I can get nervous too. Just one more stop than we’re going to be headed straight into the action.”

Making another turn, this time back onto one of the busy Main-streets. I could see a giant sign, across the sea of people bustling about. It was by far the gaudiest sign I’ve seen yet, it looked to be about double the size of the whole storefront. It read, in huge bold golden lettering, Grandais Action.

Coughing, I said, “Is that really the place we need to go? I mean, it’s fine if it is. I just wasn’t expecting that, umm... look.”

Shooting Alfred an awkward look, Madison said, “Yes it is, I haven’t been here myself, but I’ve heard things, from a lot of people across the city. It’s supposed to be a great place to get focusses and the like. But the owner has an absolutely horrid personality. Which, I guess, could be a good thing, maybe?”

Entering Grandais Action, I was shocked again. It’s interior did not match it’s sign at all. Everything was a cold-grey color and almost entirely barren. Besides a circular-counter, in the center of the store. In the center of the counter sat a man with silver-grey hair, wearing wire rimmed glasses and a black apron. Sprawled out beside the grey-haired man, was a row of tools as he tinkered with a silver box that sat in front of him.

Looking up from his project, tonelessly, the grey-haired ManMan said. “Welcome to Grandias Action, but we are sold out right now. So in less, you have a previous order, you’ll have to look somewhere else.”

Looking shocked, Madison said, “What, how can you be out of everything. Are you really trying to tell me you don’t have anything in stock?”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Giving Madison an irritated look, sliding his eye across our armor. The grey-haired man said, “Well, as I’m sure you know, there is an infestation in the south slum. That Eden is using to test its possible students. Everyone wants to be prepared.”

Letting out a sigh, at Madison’s drooping shoulders, the grey-haired ManMan said. “But I do happen to have one or two things left, but they’re lackluster.”

Pulling out a wide black case from behind the counter. Flipping it around to face us and opening it. So we could see its contents, pointing to each object. The grey-haired Man said, “This is what I call my lesser explorers bundle; A deep-water-flask, able to hold up to ten gallons of water. Torch-stick, everyone needs a good fire fire-starter, but why can’t it double as a weapon too. As well as a screecher-bell, keep those pests at bay. An air-ring, for when you want to stay dry and who doesn’t like a little extra protection in battle. A dark-marsh orb, able to trap prey. Plus, one of my two favorites, a cloak of intangibility, for when you just need to getaway. I like to save the best for last. A silver-fish, when you don’t want to get your hands dirty.”

Not looking impressed, even a tad skeptical. Madison said, “I take it we have to buy the whole bundle. So how much is it?”

Smiling, the grey-haired Man said, “I love when I get smart customers. The whole bundle comes out to twenty-thousand gold coins.”

Looking at him in shock, Madison said, “What? That’s way too expensive, How can you charge so much?”

His shoulders tensing in offense; the grey-haired Man said, “Hold on there, missy, I’d usually charge more, but I view these as defective products. They just don’t meet my standards, but they are still fine pieces of work.”

Before She could continue to fight the Man, Alfred stepped in. Staring at the Man, he said, “What’s wrong with them for you to call them defective? We need some of these things, but we won’t pay for things we don’t need.”

Looking put off by the sudden switch, the Man said, “Well, the scorch-stick works like it should, and so does the deep-water-flask. But the others have some unique drawbacks. The air-ring is excellent at keeping out water, but its defense in actual combat is terrible. It barely lasts two minutes before breaking. As for the screecher-bell, it’s the only drawback, is the sound can’t be directed. The Dark-marsh orb needs to be recharged after about ten uses, in a solution of ash and mud. The cloak of intangibility has two sides one for projectiles and the other side for physical contact fazing. The silver-fish is just a failed flying-fish, so it does everything a flying-fish but not as good.

I was standing closer to Madison, so I could literally feel the wave of heat coming off her. Start to build as the ManMan continued listing off his products defects.

Grumbling loudly, Madison said, “Why you little…”

Cutting her off, turning to me. Alfred said, “Madison, stop. Could you take her outside? I’ll handle the rest.”

Shaking my head in agreement, awkwardly, I said. “Sure, come on Madison, how about we go get some fresh air.

Shooting a death stare at the Man, Madison said, “Fine..”