A week of restlessness and anxiety finally passed away, letting everyone heave in relief.
The long arduous journey of giving written exams was finally over. The students were given a week to choose the mission and prepare themselves mentally.
Since Lucas had already registered for the mission, he decided to prepare some things to deal with unexpected situations.
Slouching onto his chair again, Lucas prayed to hear the faraway cathedral's bells chime that continued seven times and then picked a small orb.
James poured two cups of tea. Taking one, he passed the other one to Lucas who seemed too engrossed in studying the small round orb.
"James, tell me."
"Are you sure this thing wouldn't go off if I hold it carelessly?"
James sensed a warning in Lucas's tone.
'Tsk...'
"If that happens, we both are going to die now. I am not that much of an idiot. Don't worry, the safety functions are well-enabled. The button could not be clicked with a simple click."James answered.
"Then, this bomb, is there any chance of misfire?"
Lucas's heated gaze fell on James.
"No, I have done all the checks. Every one of them will explode, believe me. I am putting my kidney on the line."
A grin crept over Lucas's lips.
"Okay, what about the procurement of metals? Did you start making bullets?"
"No"
Lucas retracting his hand, stood up from his seat.
"James, are you messing with me? You have not started working on bullets?"
Lucas's chest puffed in anger.
Two weeks ago, Lucas asked James to buy E-rank metal and make a bullet with it.
"I am not. It's you who is messing with me."James fought back.
"What do you think of me?"James asked fiercely.
"You are my sla...I mean Scientist."
With creased brows, James pointed at Lucas"You know I am a scientist so why are you telling me to make bullets?"
"The previous ones were normal metals so I could get it done in the workshop easily but I can't cut E-rank and D-rank ones into bullets."
"So, why didn't you speak with me?"Lucas asked in confusion.
"I forget," James answered nonchalantly.
"Second thing, why are you wasting time on this? It's useless Lucas."James raised his hand and started to explain.
"See each bullet can be used one time.20 long bullets are enough to make a dagger.20 bullets may not necessarily kill 20 monsters but a dagger can kill ten times this number and can be used countless times. This is the main limitation of guns because of which their development was stopped."
"Can you imagine using SS rank metal to make bullets that may not yield possible results? It's not cost-effective."
Lucas gaping at Jame's solemn expression sighed.
"James, I know this much."
"I am just using guns because I am weak. It's a great weapon for surprise attacks. I will not spend so much on it unless necessary so believe me. We can sell the developed guns. The unawakened ones would surely like this."
"In this case, just look for a blacksmith or gun manufacturer," James made a displeased expression.
"What a great idea!"Lucas exclaimed in joy.
"Pack the bombs. Also, give me that B-rank ore pellet that you brought for experiments. I will see if I can make something of it."
Lucas rubbed his chin, thinking about the blacksmith he was going to visit.
'Knowing about the future is surely great.'Lucas smiled inwardly thanking Frederick.
........
His shuffling of footsteps slowed down to a brisk pace until it eventually stopped.
It was the end of July, the summer heat was over the top. Still, it felt hotter than when he was in the academy.
What lay before his sight, was the view of the outskirts of the Capital.
The place where the soul of Ivane lays.
The street was awash with filthy water and strewn junk. There were sewers but the waste management was too bad in this place where the population was too saturated.
"Potions for 200R."
"Take a look at this fine craft sword just for 150R."
"Hey, mate, I have a good recipe to boost your strength here."
"Muffins with chicken stew, the best combination of all."
"Best vegetables freshly picked from the farms."
"Best ingredients for potions."
...
.....
A variety of mobile hawkers who sold all kinds of things at cheap cost, shouted along the streets as they beckoned the rushing pedestrians.
Some would stop and carefully compare the purchase price along with the authenticity of the product while some carelessly waved off their hands to get away.
Lucas rubbed his nose feeling a bit nostalgic.
This place might be disgusting and dirty for some but he was a bit familiar with this. He often came to busy places like this with his mother to buy vegetables and his mother would haggle over the price fiercely.
"People say, live as if there is no tomorrow. Who knew that one day I would smile thinking about such petty scenes."
The memories of the past did not haunt him anymore. Instead, they motivated him to live a fulfilling life and not die in vain.
He passed through the street squeezing through the crowd.
"Is this the place?"Lucas muttered rubbing his chin.
Taking a few turns, Lucas finally arrived before a run-down, dilapidated workshop.
On top, a dirt-stricken hoarding board named Letitia was hung with a hammer and anvil symbol in it.
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm This place was founded by Frederick when he came for a black market auction down the street nearby. When coming out, he was attacked so he took refuge here.
"Now, that I think about this."
"Frederick visits black market auctions tons of times. There is no particular mention but he is a regular customer. Maybe he is even going now secretly."
The sudden idea makes Lucas consider whether he should also enter. Previously, he lacked money but now he doesn't.
However, for nobles, 100 million is just dust on their palms.
"I will think about it after my business becomes successful."
Without further ado, Lucas opened the dusty door and entered inside.
CREAK!
The door made a creaking sound as if it was about to fall off.
The interior was old and rusty.
Lucas took a whiff of the air that was mixed with both noxious and smells of metals. Waving his hand, he shook off the dust while taking a glance at the weapons on the display counter.
Taking a step forward, Lucas slid his finger over the shield and found a thin layer of dust coating it.
For a moment, he was skeptical about this place. The person working here had a history that was a mystery till the end.
TANG!TANG!TANG!
The hammering sound stopped, as a creaking sound of footsteps echoed.
The door inside the smithy opened and an old man of 150 CM tall walked in.
His face was filled with wrinkles, and he had a long white beard reaching down to his huge tummy.
Because his face was covered with a beard, it was hard to identify his species but Lucas knew this guy was a dwarf.
If one observes carefully, one can even find half Elves in here.
Lucas was gobsmacked for a moment, as he thought about how this guy protected his beard before the forge.
One accident and all the cultivated crops would be gone.
"Kheumm..."
"Hello, are you Sir Bentley?"
"Yeah, tell me why are you here?"
"Don't you polish these weapons?"Lucas asked, pointing at the shield.
Bentley's brows creased and he grunted fiercely.
"Lad, they are not there for sale. They are just for display, I made custom weapons."
"Grandpa chill, I am not questioning your work. I won't be here if I don't believe in your work."
'Grandpa.'
Bentley's ears twitched. Standing on the soles of his feet, he raised his chin to carefully look at the boy.
His face was plain without a blemish and his face looked alright.
A highly sought commodity for slaves in places like this.
If Lucas knew Bentley, thought, he would have already overturned the shop showing his middle finger.
For the first time, someone thought of him as handsome but he became a commodity in the next second.
"Kheumm..."
"Lad, I suggest you check your eyes. I am still quite young."
Lucas waved his hand with whatever expression.
A thick vein bulged over his forehead.
"Just tell me what you want?"
Lucas first pulled out the B-ranked ore pellet and then a ring with some E-ranked ores.
"I want you to forge some bullets with the E-rank ones."
Bentley blinked his eyes and then massaged his forehead.
"Come here."
Lucas following his beckoning lowered his head.
"Have you seen the board outside? What's written on it?"Bentley asked.
"Letitia Blacksmith."
"Correct, I am not a gunsmith for god sake, go there?"Bentley shouted furiously.
"Grandpa, calm down a bit. Did you not know no gunsmith makes bullets using ranked metals? And these things can only be forged."
"Grandpa, please...You forge arrowheads, so please make a bullet."
Lucas pleaded and attacked with his innocent gaze.
Bentley stepped back as he felt starlight showering him coming from Lucas's eyes.
Lucas knew this guy had a weakness against children. If it was any other forge he would have been kicked out already or the price would be too astronomical.
"Okay.."
Bentley coughed embarrassedly.
"Here is a pictorial plan."Lucas passes out a parchment containing details and the configuration of the bullet.
"Grandpa, what is this ore? Can it be used to make a sword?"
Bentley examined the pellet and shook his head.
"This Astariotie, the quantity is too little to make a sword."
"Then can you make a dagger?"
"Dagger...huh..."Bentley caressed his beard.
"I can make four daggers with this amount but that depends on the shape."
"Make me a Rondell point-edge dagger."Lucas started to explain, letting his imagination run wild.
After they sort out the things, he asked.
"What is the price?"
Bentley made a victory sign.
"What 2 million?"Lucas shrieked.
"What nooooo?"
"Do I look like someone that extorts people? I won't be rotting here if that's the case."
"It's 20000R!"
"Oh!Thank God!"Lucas heaved in relief and raised his hands for a shake.
"How many days will it take?"
"6 days for the dagger.10 for the bullet."
"Can't you hurry a bit?"Lucas pleaded.
"Sorry, I have other work. But I can forge the dagger in 4 days but the bullet will take time as I am doing this for the first time."
'I guess, I can't use E-rank bullets. And who knows whether they would perform better or not?'Lucas sighed inwardly.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you old man."
Lucas's gesture of calling him an old man irked him further.
"Get out!"
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