After the trio selected their weapons, each of them felt a sense of accomplishment, though their excitement was tinged with the realization of the enormous costs ahead. Jack had settled on a sleek blue longsword, its hilt a perfect fit for his grip, and its blade gleaming with a sharp edge. He'd always been drawn to swords, and even in weapon classes, he preferred them above all others. Nathan had chosen a long, golden staff, its intricate carvings and shining surface giving it an air of grandeur. Despite not attending weapon classes, he was confident in his choice, knowing that the staff would suit his more tactical, supportive fighting style. Kieran, after some consideration, opted for a battle axe with a black handle. The weapon was well-balanced, sturdy, and had an intimidating presence to it. While it was undoubtedly powerful, the price tag was far from friendly, as were the prices on all the other weapons in the store.
The trio made their way back to the counter, the weight of their choices beginning to feel a little heavier. The prices for the basic-tier weapons were exorbitant, and Kieran couldn't help but wonder how they would manage to pay for them. Instructor Forgewell, a burly man with a no-nonsense attitude, greeted them as they approached. He eyed the weapons in their hands, then looked up at their faces, sensing the hesitation in their steps.
"What's this?" Forgewell asked, arching an eyebrow. "You three didn't go for the iron-grade weapons? Not interested in something a little more affordable?"
Kieran shifted uncomfortably, and Jack quickly responded, "We thought these would be better for us in the long run. We need something more durable, something that'll actually help us in the field."
Forgewell gave a nod of understanding, though his eyes flickered with a hint of concern. "Those basic-tier weapons are some of the best the school offers, but the price? Yeah, it's not for the faint of heart. Let me give you two options." He cleared his throat and gestured to the weapons in their hands.
"Option one: You pay what you have now, and the school won't give you any more allowances until you pay the debt back in full. Or, you can rent the weapons at a much cheaper price. But you won't own them, obviously."
Kieran, Jack, and Nathan exchanged uncertain looks. Renting sounded like the safer option, but Kieran knew deep down that even renting these weapons might still be more than they could afford. Besides, something about renting felt off. He didn't want to have to keep up with constant payments, and the idea of using someone else's equipment for an extended period didn't sit well with him.
"How much to rent this one?" Kieran asked, his fingers running over the handle of his chosen axe.
Instructor Forgewell gave a small chuckle, his face breaking into a grin. "Well, the axe you've got there? You'd be looking at a rent of around 20,000 points. Not cheap, but it's much more affordable than paying outright."
Kieran felt his stomach drop. Twenty thousand points that was equivalent to two thousand coins? He'd never be able to cover that on his current allowance. Even if he scrimped and saved, it would take forever to pay off. The system weapon he was curious about, which he had checked earlier, seemed like a far more viable option, but that brought up an entirely different set of issues. His mind raced, trying to figure out how he could get the money he needed without resorting to renting.
With a deep sigh, Kieran made his decision. "Forget renting. I'll just go with the first option."
Jack and Nathan exchanged glances. Jack was the first to speak up, his tone casual but tinged with hesitation. "Yeah, I think we'll do the same."
After they'd all agreed, Forgewell went ahead and calculated how much they owed, using the accumulated allowances they had. It took a few minutes, but when he was done, the trio was left speechless by the amount. Kieran could barely believe how much they were being charged. Even after spending all their allowances, they still owed the school a substantial amount of money. With a resigned look, the trio paid the price. It was going to be a long road ahead to pay off the debt.
As they turned to leave, Kieran felt a sudden urge to ask one more question. He hesitated, but the curiosity was too much to ignore. He turned back toward Forgewell, who was now handling some paperwork.
"Instructor, how much is a basic-tier crystal worth?" Kieran asked, his voice casual, though his heart raced with the thought of exposing too much.
Forgewell raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by the question. "Basic-tier crystals? You mean beast crystals? One basic-tier crystal can be exchanged for about 1,000 coins. Why? You planning on buying some?" He sounded almost amused, but Kieran could see the suspicion flicker behind the instructor's eyes.
Kieran swallowed, trying his best to keep his composure. "No, just curious. In case I eventually have some, you know?"
Forgewell nodded slowly, his eyes scanning Kieran's face for any signs of deceit. "Well, if you do, just let me know. We don't usually deal in beast crystals here, but if you've got some, we can arrange an exchange."
Kieran smiled politely, though inside he was on edge. He had more than 20 beast crystals sitting in his system's inventory, but he wasn't about to exchange them. That would be asking for trouble. If anyone found out about the system, especially the fact that it was tied to beast crystals, it would raise all sorts of questions that Kieran couldn't answer without revealing the truth—something he was determined to avoid. For now, he would keep his cards close to his chest. No one could know about the system, not yet. Not until he understood more about it and its true purpose.
"Thanks, Instructor," Kieran said, nodding politely before turning to join Jack and Nathan.
As they left the weapon shop, Kieran couldn't shake the feeling that things were going to get even more complicated from here on out. The debt they owed the school was just the beginning. And with the mysterious system at his side, Kieran knew that the challenges ahead would require more than just basic weapons to overcome.