I got my list of things the list she gave me called for. A backpack, flashlight, various hygiene items, several pairs of clothes, and cooking stuff. I finish with an hour and a half to spare. I look around the various stores that hold cores, but either I can't afford it, or it doesn't interest me.
I move to armor ally. I could use an upgrade. My leather armor has nicks and scratches covering it and two massive gouge marks running down the side. My chainmail is also on its last legs. I poke around several stores, but none carry the style I wear. This upper breastplate armor is popular in mercenary circles in Calypso, and it's all I've ever worn.
It takes me thirty minutes to find a store that has my style. The halls seem to never end, and they curve slightly. Maybe if I keep going, all three hallways will connect. I shrug. Not that I have time for that. I look around the store. There are regular full-body breastplates that line the left wall. Each one has a different kind of material. Some are made up of scales, while others are made of metal. One even seems to be made of wood.
On the right side is the half-body armor I'm looking for. I inspect them. The craftsmanship is impressive. I can tell a master made these. A man walks up to me wearing a black vest and brown pants.
"Anything I can help you with, good sir?"
I rub my chin as I inspect the armor, "I'm looking for something that will be durable but light. Preferably something with a similar weight to leather."
The man nods and starts bringing armor down from the wall and lining them on a table behind us, "I do not know what your budget is, but these are the pieces that fit your description."
The breastplates are all different. One is made of emerald-colored scales. They sparkle in the warm light. Two are made of metal and don't look unique in any way. The final one has dull black scales. Unlike the other three, this one has two shoulder pads as well.
I point to it, " What's this made of?"
"Those are wyvern scales. They tend to be very durable and heat resistant but require high upkeep. The scales will deteriorate if dirt and blood set on the armor. Most divers tend to avoid armor like this for that reason."
Hmm. I look around until I find the price tag. Two dark shade? I can afford that. "What do you have in chainmail?"
The salesman leads me to another room. Inside are several glass cases holding expensive-looking weapons, and the walls are covered in chainmail, leg, and arm armor. He takes down a silver set of chainmail and hands it to me. It's light.
"That's Coresteel. You won't find anything more light and durable in End City."
I hold it up. So this is the same stuff that's in my sword. What makes it so light? I find the price tag and grimace—ten dark shade. I can afford it thanks to that card Alexander gave me, but I'd prefer not to. I'll probably have to pay back what I spend. Then again, if this armor saves my life, it'll be worth it. I nod, and he takes the chainmail. "Anything you recommend?" I ask. I don't want to miss anything.
He stares me up and down and then nods, "I advise you to get some bracers." He walks to the other side of the room, and I follow. He takes down a pair of dark gray gauntlets and hands them to me. I try them on and flex my fingers. The metal that covers them clinks as I move. I trace my hand up the metal that covers my forearm and ends at my elbow.
I point to a circle in the center of the gauntlets backhand. "What are these for?"
"That is for placing a core into. Not many gauntlets have core placeholders. It can be difficult to put them somewhere the core can't be shattered, but these are made by Micheal. A very well-known armorer that uses a special cover to protect them."
Huh. Well, I can't afford any of the cores for sale down here, but maybe it'll come in handy one day. I take them off and hand them back, "I'll take them."
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The salesman smiles, and I buy them. I had to split it into three payments thanks to the ten dark shade limit on the card. I put the new armor on and nod. These feel fantastic. It's light and easy to move in. I look at the time on my glass. I should probably head to the lobby. I start to leave, but the salesman stops me and hands me a cleaning kit for my armor. I thank him and head up to the lobby. I never got to find out what the White Hallway was, but maybe when I return, I'll check it out.
************
I chose to sit at a table near the entrance. While I waited, I studied on my glass. I hear them before I see them. Zack and Azu Mi approach my table, arguing, both wearing casual clothes. Hearon walks behind them with an irritated look on his face.
"I'm telling you he shouldn't go out there without some experience; he'll just get in our way and die, leaving us without a fourth member again." Zack waves his arms in exasperation.
Azu shakes her head, "Bell said that we are to go into the field immediately. You know what happens when you speak out of line."
They continue to argue as Hearon takes a seat beside me. "They've been going at this since we met this morning."
"What's it about?" I ask, nodding at them.
He sighs, "Alexander wants us in the field tomorrow, but Zack disagrees. He thinks you are not ready yet and still need more training."
I frown, "That's awfully nice of him."
Hearon smiles, "Despite Zacks... brash and cocky demeanor, he cares about his team. He's seen more death than me or Azu combined. Even if you are a secondary and seen as expendable by most, you're part of our team, and he'll do everything in his power to make sure his team survives."
Huh. I guess he's more complex than I thought. I'm sure Zack will never say that to anyone, but if Hearon says it, then it has to be true. Hearon taps his knuckle on the table, and the squabbling couple snaps their heads toward him, going silent.
"Now, you two, it's time to be calm. I agree with Zack. Silen needs more training. When we are called to meet Alexander, I will bring it up to him. For the time being, I don't want to hear another word."
The two glare at each other and sit. Zack turns his gaze to me and glances at my new armor, "That's some good-looking gear. It could use a little color, but it gets me approval."
I stare at Zack. "What? Is there something on my face? Azu, is there something on my face? My beautiful, beautiful face?" She rolls her eyes and visibly cringes.
I motion to Zack, "Alexander-"
"You will call him Sir Bell," Azu says curtly.
Okay. "Sir Bell called you Zacarius. Are you connected to the blacksmith Zacraious?"
Zack curses under his breath. Guess that answers that. "I knew you'd bring that up." He looks around and then waves me toward him, leaning in. I look at Azu, and she doesn't say anything. I lean in.
"Zacarious is my last name. This is secret info, so don't tell anyone. My grandfather, from sixteen generations ago, was the brother of Zacarious. And no, I don't know where the shield is."
I raise an eyebrow, "That's it?"
He scoffs, "I just told you something many people would kill to learn, and all you say is that's it? Wow." He points his finger and wags it at me, chuckling, "You must be fucking with me."
I shake my head, "I don't know too much about Zacarious. I mean, he's a legendary blacksmith who made the most powerful weapons in the last thousand years, but aside from having his name, I don't know why that's impressive."
He looks at Hearon, amused, "Let's keep it secret for now. I can't wait to see his face when he sees my true strength."
Hearon sighs and holds his hands up, "It's your body." I look between the two, kinda pissed some massive secret is being kept just out of reach, but at this point, I'm getting used to the unanswered questions. There's a ding from Hearon's glass, and he nods to us. The other two rise, and I follow as we enter the elevator.
Much like the first time, none of us speak as the elevator accelerates and then stops with a ding. The doors open, and Alexander Bell stands in the exact same stance as last time. The only difference this time is he wears a long white overcoat that hangs off his shoulders. The word "Ruiner" is stitched in gold down the middle of its back, with gold buttons lining the wrists.
We kneel as he turns, "Hearon, are you ready to receive your assignment?"
He clears his throat, "While we are ready, Zack does not believe Silen is. He wishes for him to receive infield practice."
Sir Bell remains silent for several long moments. "Silen, Zack, stand." We both do as he says, and I look him in the eye.
He rubs his chin, "Hmm. I agree with Zacks's assessment. He will just be a burden. Zack, since you are the one who brought this up, you will be in charge of making sure he survives the certification test."
Zack holds his fist over his heart and bows his head, "Yes, sir."
He turns to me, "There has not been a secondary take the test in over one hundred years. Most have died. You, however, have too much potential and too many questions about your body for me to allow you to die within city borders. So Zack will make sure you survive the test. It will give you a taste of combat against real Shells. You will be looked down upon. Many will see this as favoritism. It will be up to you to deal with it."
Sir Bell turns away, face completely blank. Zack bows again, and the four of us return to the elevator. "So what's this certification exam?"
"I'll come pick you up in a week. It'll be explained then." Zack taps his foot against the floor. Guess I'll be waiting... Again.