SWNOVELXO Chapter 29: Guns & Roses
"You even sell Mana guns?" Kaiser asks, his voice filled with curiosity as he observes the shop displaying an array of unusual weapons
Lana, busy fixing a large scythe on the workbench, doesn't look up and replies immediately
"Yes, I do. They're not our main product, but plenty of people ask for them. Are you interested?"
Kaiser glances around, his eyes stopping at a display rack where shiny pistols rest silently "I heard they're really powerful"
Lana sets the scythe down on the table and wipes her hands with a cloth "They are powerful, but only for those who know how to use them. If you can't control Mana well, they easily overload and... boom!"
Kaiser raises an eyebrow, his expression suggesting he's considering something "Seems like they're not for the inexperienced"
"Exactly" Lana nods in agreement. He picks up the scythe, now perfectly adjusted, and hands it to Kaiser "Here's your scythe. Give it a try."
Kaiser takes the weapon, feeling its flawless balance in his hand. He swings it lightly, every movement smooth as if the scythe was made just for him "Perfect. Thank you, Lana"
"No problem. Use it well" Lana says with a satisfied smile, his eyes gleaming with pride in his craftsmanship
As Kaiser heads toward the door, his expression pensive, he suddenly stops and turns back, calling out
"I've changed my mind. I'll take a Mana pistol too"
"Really?" Lana raises an eyebrow, a little surprised
"I think a pistol would make a good backup weapon for me"
Lana nods and walks over to the display rack, his hands searching for a suitable gun. A moment later, he returns with a beautiful Mana pistol. The body is made of silvery metal with a blue sheen, etched with glowing runes. The grip is wrapped in polished black wood, adorned with a hexagonal purple crystal at its base
"This is the most powerful pistol I have" Lana explains, placing the weapon on the table for Kaiser to examine. "But I must warn you, Mana guns aren't ideal as backup weapons. They require intense focus and excellent control, usually making them better suited as primary weapons"
Kaiser picks up the gun, turning it in his hands to inspect it "I know that, but I have my ways of managing it" he says confidently.
Seeing Kaiser's determination, Lana shrugs slightly and nods "Alright, that'll be 5 Golds and 40 Cols"
"Why is it so expensive?!" Kaiser exclaims, eyes wide
"Of course it is. Its structure is very complex, and the materials aren't cheap" Lana replies, his tone calm but firm
"O-Okay..." Kaiser reluctantly pulls out the money, feeling like his heart just got squeezed
'54,000 Cels... Unbelievable' he thinks to himself, his face darkening as he calculated the amount - equivalent to five scythes or more than 2,000 of his favorite ice creams
After paying, Kaiser leaves the shop with his new scythe and Mana pistol, accompanied by Inky. However, wanting to walk around the market without drawing attention, he decides to return to the dormitory first to store his weapons
Back in his room, he smiles lightly "An expensive day, but worth it" he mutters to himself, looking at his new weapons
After securing them in the room, Kaiser heads back to the market. This time, he is joined not only by Inky but also by Snowy. The two cats, one jet-black and mischievous, the other snow-white and gentle, walk on either side of Kaiser like tiny bodyguards
Strolling leisurely through the bustling stalls, the aroma of street food fills the air. Kaiser and his feline companions enjoy all kinds of treats, from crispy baked goods to fragrant grilled skewers
As they wander, Snowy suddenly stops in front of a small rose stall. Kaiser looks on curiously and steps closer
Standing before the stall, he sees neatly wrapped bouquets of fresh roses on a small wooden table, each sold for a modest price. His gaze shifts to a corner of the stall, where Snowy sits comfortably in the lap of a young girl around 11 or 12 years old with purple hair. Notably, the girl is in an old wheelchair
The girl looks thin and worn, her old dress frayed in many places. Yet, her pale purple eyes shine with resilience and innocence as she invites passersby to buy flowers
Kaiser steps closer and gently asks "These roses are beautiful. Did you grow them yourself?"
The girl looks up, her eyes showing a hint of surprise before quickly nodding "Yes, they're from the small garden at home. I sell them to earn money and help my father."
Kaiser notices a small sign written in messy handwriting: 'Selling flowers to pay for father's medical treatment. Please help!'
He pauses thoughtfully for a moment and then asks "I might be a bit rude, but what happened to your father?"
The girl answers softly, her voice clear but tinged with sadness "It's okay. The doctor says my dad has a heart condition, so he has a lot of difficulty moving"
She pauses briefly, her eyes lighting up with hope "But it's not life-threatening. As long as we have enough money, he can be cured"
Feeling sympathy for her difficult situation, Kaiser offers "If it's about money, I can help"
The girl shakes her head, her eyes serious despite her young age "I don't want free money. I want to earn it myself to help my dad. Taking money from others without doing anything isn't right" she says firmly, sitting up straight "Besides, I just met you. I can't trust you yet"
Kaiser smiles slightly and nods "I can understand that"
Noticing her cautious look, Kaiser gets an idea. He smiles and says
"How about this: I'll buy all the flowers you have today. But in return, will you teach me how to grow roses? I'd love to learn."
The girl doesn't reply immediately, thinking it over. Seeing her hesitation, Kaiser adds
"And of course, I'll pay extra for the lesson too"
The girl looks surprised for a moment but agrees, feeling this isn't the same as simply taking a handout
"Alright, that sounds fair" she replies
Hearing her reply, Kaiser smiles sincerely "Okay, I'm Kaiser. I look forward to your guidance"
Seeing his smile, the girl blushes slightly before quickly extending her small hands to shake his "I'm Helen. Nice to meet you"