The New Magic Weapon

Yohan was surprised when he saw the alchemist's strange expression. He stared at the dragon's ashes like a psychopath who had successfully minced human flesh. He did not know, maybe Yohan was just overthinking it. Yohan quickly turned his face away and left the place. Whatever the alchemist did was none of his business. The important thing was that the weapon he wanted was made well.

Yohan parted ways with Ry that day. The girl said that they should meet again sometime. Yohan agreed. He did not think too much about it. Maybe they will meet again in the same place, or who knows? They were not that close to each other to begin with. But Yohan was very grateful to Ry because the girl had brought him to the alchemist. At least, he would have his own magic weapon and no longer need to borrow Captain Indark's.

In accordance with the initial agreement, Yohan returned to the alchemist's place a week later. The difference was that Ancel accompanied him this time. When he told Ancel that he had met a girl who had brought him to the alchemist, Ancel was surprised and scolded Yohan. Ancel said that Yohan was careless and should not interact with random people. News of otherworldly people being summoned in the summoning ritual had already spread throughout the nation. Most people probably did not take it seriously and thought it was just a small mistake by the summoners during the ritual. But some other people could think otherwise and it might be dangerous. That was why this time Ancel insisted on escorting Yohan to pick up the weapons he had ordered from the alchemist.

"But you're really diligent, huh? You don't even need to escort me. I'm just going to get the weapon and then come back. I'm not a child who wanders around carelessly. Ah, I'm even older than you."

Ancel snorted. "I know you're not a child, Yohan. But I also know your curiosity about this world is high. That doesn't mean it's wrong. If I suddenly entered your world, I would also be curious and want to know things. The problem is, this world might not be as safe as your own. I'm worried. Moreover, Captain Indark himself ordered me to take care of you."

Yohan laughed. "Okay, if that's Captain Indark's order, then I won't protest. He's very scary despite his young age. Are all the nobles in this nation like that?"

"It's not like that. I think it's just Captain Indark's innate nature. In fact, I think Captain Indark is the best among all the knights in the palace. Not only does he have incredible strength, but his compassion for others is also so great. People misjudge him just because his face always looks cold and unfriendly."

"So, you know Captain Indark very well, huh?" asked Yohan.

Ancel shrugged his shoulders. "Not really. I'm not a nobleman like him, so how could I possibly know him well? He's only ever helped me. He was also the one who offered me to become one of the hunters when I really had no purpose in life anymore."

Yohan was silent. He was actually curious about what Ancel meant by purpose in life and how Captain Indark met him, but he did not ask because he felt it was none of his business.

The rest of the conversation changed to a variety of other topics. Most of what they talked about was about the monsters in the Nox area and how they could defeat them. Until then, they finally arrived at the talented alchemist's shop.

"Wow, what a strange shop," Ancel muttered.

Yohan elbowed the young man in the waist, signaling him to be quiet. Ancel laughed softly when he realized his mistake. It was nothing. Yohan had just remembered the alchemist's strange expression just before he left a week ago.

"Excuse me!" Yohan greeted.

Athlas smiled kindly at Yohan's arrival. "You finally came."

Yohan smiled. "How was it? Is my weapon finished?"

Athlas nodded. "Wait here, I'll get it."

Ancel immediately approached Yohan after Athlas left. "Wow, what a handsome man... um, or pretty? His face is really attractive."

Yohan chuckled. "Yes, I feel that way too. When I first came to this shop, I thought the owner was a gloomy and unfriendly old man."

"A face like his must be very favorable to many people. With such simple clothes, he already looks like a nobleman."

"Sshhh... let's not talk about it anymore."

Athlas came carrying an elongated black cloth bundle that was tied tightly. He placed the bundle on the table and opened it slowly. Yohan's heart skipped a beat as he waited to see what his ordered weapon would look like. He did not ask specifically what kind of weapon he wanted. He left everything to the alchemist and believed whatever he did would be good. After all, Yohan did not know much about how weapons worked in this world, so he left it to the experts.

When the black cloth was opened, a greenish light glowed and made Yohan as well as Ancel squint. The greenish glow faded a few seconds later, and Yohan could see the inside of the black cloth.

"A pair of spears?" asked Yohan.

Athlas nodded with a smile. "Those green dragon scales are rare items that are very useful. You carry quite a lot of them, so I made you a pair of spears so that all those green dragon scales can be used. I also think that you are more suited to using a spear than a sword. They may seem more troublesome than swords, but for a reckless fighter like you, spears can be very helpful. It has so much magic power, you might need some time to practice with it."

Yohan gaped. "Huh? So I can't use it right away?" he asked with a disappointed expression.

"You can't. After all, this weapon contains green dragon scales which have immense magic power. Even for people who have been trained in this world, not all of them can use a weapon like this. Be patient and practice hard, then you will be able to control this great weapon."

Yohan sighed in disappointment. "Ah, I thought I could already use this weapon for the next expedition."

Ancel elbowed his arm. "Don't be spoiled. Everything must be learned. You can't just get good at anything."

Yohan sighed. "Yes, I know."

Ah, it felt so embarrassing to be advised by someone younger than him. Yohan then idly touched the twin spears, but suddenly, the spears emitted a greenish light and made his body bounce violently until it hit the wall.

"Argh!"

Ancel and Athlas were shocked. They both immediately ran to help Yohan.

"Hey, are you okay?" asked Ancel as he helped Yohan up.

Yohan nodded. He looked down at his palm that had just touched the spear. Slowly, a black ink-like symbol formed on his palm. The shape was strange and complicated. Yohan did not know what it meant.

"Wh-What is this?" he asked in panic.

***