Now that I had acquired new clothes, my next task was to purchase a weapon. Before leaving the inn, Swen recommended a reputable weapon shop, and I decided to follow his advice. After all, he was likely well-informed about such matters.

As I walked towards the recommended shop, I found myself pondering my earlier suspicion about my ability to read the signs. The shop's sign displayed a sword symbol, and the words "Smith's Smity." I should really check my teory after this.

Upon entering the shop, I was greeted by a spacious interior. Various weapons were on display, ranging from bows and swords to whips and lances. The shop resembled the clothing store with a balcony leading to a door, but in this case, it likely led to the smithy rather than a sewing room.

I perused the weapons carefully, taking in the variety available. While I didn't have to consider the weight of the weapons since I could easily lift any of them, I had to think about my style. As someone with the Hercules Blessing, my physical attributes leaned towards speed and agility, making a lighter sword the more suitable choice for me.

I examined several swords, picking them up to get a feel for their balance and weight. None seemed to be the perfect fit until my eyes landed on a particular sword that immediately clicked in my mind. The hilt of the sword was golden, complete with a handguard. The weight felt just right, and while the length might have seemed a bit much for my current size, I knew it would be perfect as I continued to grow. Without a doubt, this was the sword for me.

https://i.imgur.com/PiFItbk.jpg [https://i.imgur.com/PiFItbk.jpg]

Footsteps echoed from the balcony, and a shorter man emerged from there. He stood at around 1.50 meters, possessed a muscular frame, had a headscarf wrapped around his head, and sported a beard.

"That's a Mond saber," he commented. "It's the weapon used in their army, but what does a kid like you want with that?"

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I replied, "I was looking for a weapon, and this one caught my attention."

The man nodded and began to explain the sword's qualities. "Well, it's indeed a good choice. This type of sword is excellent due to its cutting power without being overly heavy. This one weighs around 0.8 kilograms, and the blade is made of carbon steel, measuring 89 centimeters in length, which makes it very durable. However, in terms of mastery, if you intend to adopt a more aggressive fighting style, it might be better not to choose this type. This sword's true power shines when used with discipline and delicate technique... Sorry, I got carried away discussing the sword and forgot to introduce myself. I'm Smith, the owner of this shop."

I responded, "Pleasure to meet you. My name is Allen, and I'm an orphan who's recently had some good fortune."

Smith's expression shifted briefly to sadness before returning to a smile. "So, how can I help you, Allen? Are you planning to buy this sword?"

I explained my intentions, saying, "I do intend to buy it. I believe I can master a disciplined and delicate technique with this sword."

Curious, Smith asked, "What do you plan to use this sword for?"

I replied, "Well, if I'm able to awaken my mana, then I will use it to hunt monsters and train for the partial entry exam at the academy."

Smith chuckled and said, "The academy! Hahaha! You certainly dream big, boy, but for some reason, I think you can achieve it."

I thanked him, and he continued, "Well, the academy is one thing, but I don't think you should hunt monsters just yet. While you can lift the sword, I doubt you can use it practically. First, you should build some muscle."

I agreed, saying, "You're not entirely wrong about that. I should work on building some muscle, and I will. However, I don't have any problem with wielding the sword."

To demonstrate, I effortlessly performed some sword movements. Smith seemed impressed and asked, "For a small and skinny boy, you sure are strong! Do you perhaps have a Hercules Blessing?"

"Yes," I confirmed, "though I don't know how strong it is."

Smith assured me, "Well, I can tell you it's strong enough to use this sword. Would you like to buy it?"

I inquired about the price, to which Smith responded, "I'll sell it to you for 900 Loris. How does that sound?"

I agreed, handed him the money, and now had 640 Loris left.

"Feel free to come back for maintenance; I'll give you a discount," Smith offered.

I thanked him and left the shop, heading back towards the inn.