After dinner, the trio made their way toward the academy's weapons shop. Kieran had expected a simple storefront—maybe a room lined with swords, shields, and a few bows. But what greeted him was nothing short of stunning.
The building was massive, more like a full complex than a shop. It stood tall with polished stone walls and sleek glass panels that reflected the light from crystal-powered lanterns lining the pathway. Students streamed in and out, some excitedly chatting about new finds, others holding weapon cases or small bags with their new gear.
"This place is bigger than I expected," Kieran muttered, eyes scanning the wide entrance.
"You've never been in?" Jack asked.
Kieran shook his head. "Didn't think I'd need to yet."
Nathan grinned. "Well, welcome to the hunter's candy store."
They stepped inside, and Kieran's breath caught slightly. The interior of the Weapons Hall was bright and spacious, with high ceilings and several floors visible from where they stood. Crystal chandeliers hung from above, casting a soft, steady glow over the entire space. On every side, racks, cases, and display stands held weapons of every shape and size—swords, spears, daggers, bows, maces, gauntlets, and more.
The whole hall buzzed with activity. Students shuffled between sections, testing the weight of weapons, discussing their builds, or consulting shop attendants dressed in official academy uniforms. There were signs above each section—Iron Grade, Basic Tier, Weapon Rentals, Armor & Shields, and Exchange Booths.
Kieran's gaze swept over the weapons. Everything was organized by category and tier. One area contained blades glimmering with dull metallic sheen, another held weapons glowing faintly from embedded crystals. There were even a few sealed-off rooms labeled Intermediate Tier — Instructor Clearance Required.
"This is insane…" Kieran murmured. "They have more variety than I imagined."
"It's not just variety," Jack said, stepping aside as a group of students passed. "The academy wants us to learn what kind of weapons work for us. They don't just toss us into battle blind."
Nathan nodded. "That's why they give us daily coins and the exchange system. To experiment, rent, trade up. Some students switch styles every week."
They made their way to the counter to the right of the entrance. It was a long, reinforced table with a smooth stone surface, and behind it stood a broad-shouldered man with short black hair, a thick beard, and arms as solid as steel. His forearms were dusted with black smudges and tiny burn marks—clearly from work at a forge.
He wore the standard school uniform with a deep green apron slung over it. A metallic badge on his chest read:
Instructor Forgewell – Weaponsmith Division
Kieran's eyes narrowed slightly. So the school teaches weaponsmithing too?
"Instructor Forgewell," Nathan greeted with a nod.
"Evenin', boys," the man said in a gruff but friendly voice. "Come to check the exchange rates or pick your first blades?"
"Both," Jack replied. "He's new to the system." He gestured to Kieran.
Forgewell chuckled. "A smart move, then. Better to understand the currency before you spend it."
Kieran stepped forward. "What's the rate?"
"One coin equals ten points," Forgewell said without hesitation. "You're given ten coins a day, that's a hundred points to use daily. You can store coins if you like, or spend them in bulk."
"So if someone saved up 100 coins…"
"They'd have 1000 points," Forgewell confirmed. "And that's enough to gear up for a small expedition, if you spend wisely."
Kieran gave a small nod. That aligned with what he'd been told earlier—but hearing it from a school official confirmed it. His system might offer gear as well, but now he had a baseline to compare. If his system's weapons cost more or were less efficient, it might be better to use school resources for now.
Forgewell leaned over slightly. "Now, if you're looking at weapon tiers, you'll need to understand how they're classified."
He motioned toward the wide hall.
"The Iron Grade section—" he pointed to a row of gleaming silver and black weapons lined on simple wooden racks "—those are forged without beast cores. No magic enhancements. Just durable metal, sharper and stronger than your regular world's steel, but nothing fancy."
"Beginner tier," Nathan said.
"Exactly," Forgewell continued. "They're made here at the academy forge. Good for training, first battles, or students still deciding their style."
"And the next level?" Kieran asked.
Forgewell nodded toward another section. This one was more vibrant. Weapons shimmered faintly, glowing with dull hues—blue, red, green—depending on the core used.
"Those are Basic Tier weapons. Each is crafted using low-grade beast crystals, mostly from basic tier monsters. The crystal adds energy conductivity—so your strikes hit harder, and the weapon's durability goes up significantly. Good for field training, simulations, and lower-ranked dimensions."
"And above that?" Kieran asked again.
Forgewell's eyes narrowed slightly. "That's where we move into restricted territory. Intermediate Tier weapons and above are either crafted using higher-ranked beast cores or special materials found in dimensions. You'll need instructor approval, higher clearance, or achievements to access those. We can't have rookies blowing up a training field."
Jack chuckled. "It happened last year. Some guy overloaded a tier-two spear and nearly vaporized his own team."
"Exactly," Forgewell said with a smirk. "Weapon knowledge is just as important as skill."
Kieran scanned the hall again, taking in every rack and section. There were signs of other facilities too—rooms labeled Potion Labs, Crafting Chambers, and even Personal Gear Customization.
This school doesn't just train hunters, he thought. It prepares them for every part of the world they're entering.
He nodded to Forgewell. "Thanks for the explanation."
"Anytime," the smith said. "Now go take a look. You've got a hundred points burning a hole in your pouch."
As the three friends stepped away from the counter, the clamor of students grew louder. Weapons clanged gently as they were lifted and tested. Deals were made. Coins were exchanged.
And Kieran, silently, began comparing prices—his system versus the school's.
Let's see which one is more worth it.