Anomaly of Fate
Chapter 83: An Idiot’s Bargain

Chapter 83: An Idiot’s Bargain

Velren hadn’t expected that question.

So the wyvern heart was already more than enough to cover the cost of the black powder they had lost, yet Dain was asking how much more he wanted. That alone told him just how valuable the organ was.

At first, he had planned to sell it once he returned to Elyndra, or perhaps even here, thinking it would make him a tidy profit. He wasn’t exactly struggling with money, but an extra source of income never hurt. Now, however, he was presented with an entirely different opportunity.

’Am I gonna be rich?’

The absurd thought nearly made him chuckle. He had already gained credit from Harven before, and now he was being offered another deal. Still, he needed to be smart about this. He knew wyvern hearts were valuable, but he had no precise measure of their worth. Asking for too little would be a waste; asking for too much might make him look like an idiot.

Before he could say anything, Dain let out a thoughtful hum. His eyes briefly flickered toward Velren’s waist before he spoke.

"You use a katana, huh?"

Velren, who had been lost in thought, instinctively rested a hand on the weapon at his side.

"You know about this?"

The blacksmith chuckled.

"Kid, it was me who gave Harven the blueprint for it in the first place. It was a long time ago."

’What?’

So this was the man responsible for his weapon’s existence. The katana that had shaped his combat style, that had carried him through countless battles—it all traced back to Dain. And if this old smith had provided the blueprint, then that meant he knew the weapon’s construction inside and out.

Dain smirked at Velren’s silence before continuing.

"How about this—I’ll forge you a new weapon."

Velren’s thoughts snapped back to the present.

"A new weapon? But I already have one, obviously." His fingers still idly resting on his katana.

"Of course you do," Dain said with an amused huff.

"I’m not saying you need to replace it. I’m talking about something that works with it—an auxiliary weapon."

’An... auxiliary weapon...’

Velren narrowed his eyes, he then glanced down at the wyvern heart, then back at Dain.

A second weapon, tailored specifically for him.

"So, how bout’ it?"

He had been prepared to exchange the heart for credit, but this? This could worth far more than just coin.

A slow smirk tugged at his lips. Without hesitation, he extended his hand.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

***

As soon as their on-the-spot business was settled, Velren found himself seated at a restaurant table, his focus entirely on the steaming plates of food before him. His hunger had been pushed aside during their journey, but now that everything was done, his body demanded compensation. And he wasn’t about to deny it.

He tore into his meal with a near-frenzied appetite, shoveling mouthful after mouthful with no regard for pace or restraint. A tender meat, a rich golden broth, and a freshly baked bread—it was all good. Too good to waste time on formalities.

Across from him, Nico stared, his expression a mix of disbelief and secondhand embarrassment. He blinked rapidly, as if questioning whether the young man in front of him was the same composed fighter who had just brokered a deal with a master blacksmith.

Velren grabbed another piece of bread, stuffing it into his mouth without pause.

Nico finally found his voice.

"K-Kid, slow down! You’re gonna choke at this rate!"

Velren barely paused, only giving Nico a brief glance as he swallowed.

"Not my fault the food’s good," he muttered before immediately digging into another bite, his appetite was unfazed by the older man’s concern.

Nico sighed, shaking his head in exasperation before leaning back in his chair.

"Still, you made the right choice back there."

Velren slowed down just enough to raise an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, choosing to have a master blacksmith like Dain forge you a weapon instead of just asking for credits. That was a smart move, kid."

Mid-bite, Velren simply gave a nonchalant "Uh-huh," before continuing to chew.

Truthfully, part of the reason he’d taken the deal was because he had no idea how much the wyvern heart was actually worth. If he had blurted out a number without knowing the real value, he might’ve ended up looking like a complete idiot. But of course, even he understood that Nico had a point. A weapon forged by someone like Dain was worth far more than just money, and a finely crafted blade could save his life in a way raw credits never could.

Velren leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers idly against the wooden surface. His hunger had been sated—at least for now—but there was still something nagging at him.

"So... you and that old smith," he started, glancing at Nico. "How do you two know each other?"

Nico, who had been sipping his drink, set the cup down.

"It’s been years, but back in my younger days, I used to run deliveries between Caelestoria and Elyndra. Weapons, ores, blueprints—you name it. That’s how I got to know a lot of the blacksmiths in both kingdoms."

Velren raised an eyebrow.

"So you were a weapons merchant?"

"Not exactly. More of a middleman," Nico corrected.

"I didn’t make the weapons, I just made sure they got to the right people. Dain, though? He’s not just any blacksmith. He’s one of the best in Caelestoria, maybe even beyond. If he’s forging a weapon for you, kid, you’re in good hands."

Velren exhaled sharply, nodding as he took that in. He had already assumed Dain was skilled—anyone could tell just by looking at the workshop—but hearing it from Nico only confirmed it. A master blacksmith was about to craft him a weapon.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

The thought settled in as Velren finished his last bite, grabbing his glass and downing the rest of the water. A satisfied sigh escaped him as he set it back down with a dull thud.

"Ahhh."

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before pushing his chair back.

"Now then—"

Before he could take a step, Nico’s voice cut in.

"Where do you think you’re going?"

Velren blinked at him.

"Gonna check out the town."

Nico scoffed, shaking his head.

"Not with that look of yours."

Only then did Velren glance down at himself. His Academy uniform was still smeared with dried blood, the fabric torn in places from his previous battles. His sleeves were stained, his boots scuffed with dirt, and his coat—well, that probably had more monster blood on it than he cared to think about.

Oh. Right...