Draven continued staring at the blade.
After a moment, his expression became thoughtful.
*I should keep this within arm's reach.*
His gaze shifted toward his spatial ring.
*Putting it in there every time might become a problem if I need it suddenly.*
He looked down at the weapon again.
*I need something to carry it properly.*
His eyes then shifted toward his hands.
More specifically, his gloves.
He raised both hands and examined them.
*These have been through quite a lot too.*
He flexed his fingers.
*I don't know how much longer they'll last.*
He inspected the material carefully. There were no obvious signs of damage.
*But they don't seem to be damaged yet.*
Draven paused.
*Now that I can use mana properly...*
He allowed a little mana to flow through his fingers.
*If I reinforce them with mana, they should be able to withstand more damage.*
He nodded slightly.
*That should make them last longer.*
Then—
Draven suddenly stood up.
He placed the black blade inside his spatial ring before putting on his cloak. A faint distortion passed over his body as his appearance changed.
He glanced toward Vaelith.
"Vaelith."
Her eyes opened instantly.
"Yes, my lord?"
Draven began walking toward the door.
"I'll be back shortly."
Vaelith immediately straightened.
"Understood, my lord."
Before Draven could reach the door—
**FWUMP!**
The black cat suddenly appeared on top of his head.
It looked down at him.
"I'm coming with you, Papa."
Without waiting for a response, it climbed down and slipped inside his cloak.
Draven glanced downward.
"..."
Aldric, who was still sitting on the couch, raised his head.
"Huh?"
He looked toward Draven.
"Where are you going?"
Draven reached for the door.
"Outside."
He activated the token.
**BEEP!**
The lock released.
He opened the door, stepped into the hallway, and closed it behind him.
Aldric stared at the closed door.
"..."
He slowly leaned back.
"That's a roundabout way of answering my question."
He shook his head.
"Don't do anything stupid outside."
---
Meanwhile—
Draven was already walking down the hallway.
A small voice came from inside his cloak.
"Papa."
Draven continued walking.
"Shut up."
The cat remained quiet for a moment.
Then—
it spoke again.
"Papa, where are we going?"
Draven stepped into the elevator.
The doors closed.
"Outside."
The cat tilted its head.
"Outside?"
"Yeah."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
**DING!**
The elevator doors slid open.
Draven stepped out.
The cat looked around from inside his cloak as they walked through the lobby. Before long, they had left the hotel.
**WHOOSH!**
The morning air brushed against Draven's face.
The streets were already busy.
Merchants were arranging their goods, people were moving between shops, and carriages passed along the road.
The cat poked its head out of Draven's cloak.
"Papa."
Draven glanced down.
"What?"
"We're outside now."
The cat looked around.
"Where are we going?"
Draven sighed.
*I guess I should just tell it.*
*Otherwise, it won't stop asking.*
"I'm going to get a scabbard."
The cat blinked.
"Hmm?"
"A scabbard?"
It tilted its head.
"What's that?"
Draven glanced at it.
"Those things you put a sword in so you can carry it."
The cat remained silent for a moment.
Then—
"Hmm..."
It looked toward the road ahead.
"That thing."
It nodded to itself.
"So it's called a scabbard."
Draven nodded.
"Yeah."
The cat's ears perked up.
"And we're going to get one?"
"Yeah."
The cat smiled.
"Okay, Papa."
Draven continued walking.
The little cat settled comfortably inside his cloak, its head still poking out as it watched the passing streets.
They were becoming busier as more merchants opened their shops. Stalls lined both sides of the road, displaying various goods. Some sold food and clothing, while others offered magical accessories and equipment.
Draven casually glanced around.
*Now, where would I find a scabbard?*
The cat poked its head farther out of his cloak.
"Papa."
Draven glanced down.
"Hm?"
The cat looked around at the shops.
"Are we looking for that sword carrier thing?"
Draven raised an eyebrow.
"Scabbard."
"Oh."
The cat nodded.
"Scabbard."
It looked around again.
"Where do we find one?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out."
Draven continued walking.
He passed several shops before his attention settled on a store displaying weapons and pieces of equipment.
Various swords hung on the walls. There were also shields, daggers, and other weapons arranged neatly behind the display windows.
Draven stopped.
He looked at the sign above the entrance.
Then—
he glanced at the cat.
"Let's check here."
The cat's ears perked up.
"Okay, Papa."
Draven pushed open the door.
**DING!**
A small bell rang above the entrance.
Inside—
the shop was considerably larger than it appeared from outside.
Weapons filled the displays, and several different types of scabbards were arranged along one wall.
A middle-aged man stood behind the counter.
He looked up as the door opened.
"Welcome."
His gaze briefly settled on Draven before he smiled.
"Looking for anything in particular?"
Draven nodded.
"A scabbard."
The merchant immediately gestured toward the wall.
"Of course. We have several varieties."
He stepped out from behind the counter.
"Are you looking for something specific?"
Draven thought for a moment.
"Something durable."
He paused.
"And preferably something that won't interfere with the weapon."
The merchant nodded.
"Understood."
He walked toward the display.
"Then let me show you what we have."
Draven followed him.
The cat remained tucked inside his cloak, quietly observing its surroundings.
The merchant stopped before a section displaying several scabbards.
There were leather ones, metal ones, and a few made from materials Draven didn't immediately recognize.
The merchant picked up one of them.
"This is made from reinforced beast leather. It's relatively inexpensive, but quite durable."
He placed it back before moving on.
"These are made from processed metal. They're heavier, but they offer better protection."
He then moved to another section.
"And these..."
He picked up a dark-colored scabbard.
"...are made using materials from magical beasts. They're considerably more expensive, but they're capable of withstanding mana exposure."
Draven's eyes settled on it.
"Mana exposure?"
The merchant nodded.
"Yes. Ordinary scabbards can be damaged when exposed to powerful mana for extended periods. These are made specifically to withstand that kind of strain."
Draven looked at the scabbard.
*That sounds more suitable.*
He reached out and took it.
The moment his fingers touched the material, he began examining its surface.
It was smooth and dark, with a sturdy construction.
He turned it slightly.
"How much?"
The merchant smiled.
"That particular one costs three gold coins."
Draven stared at the scabbard for a moment.
Then—
a voice came from inside his cloak.
"Papa."
The little cat poked its head out a little farther.
"Is that the one you're buying?"
Draven didn't answer.
Instead, he reached into his cloak and took out three gold coins.
He placed them on the counter.
**CLINK.**
The merchant blinked.
"...Ah?"
He looked at the coins.
Then—
he glanced back at Draven.
"You're buying it?"
Draven simply picked up the scabbard.
He didn't say anything.
The merchant stared at him for a moment before slowly collecting the coins.
*He didn't even bother negotiating...*
His eyes followed Draven as he turned toward the entrance.
*He just paid outright.*
The merchant's expression changed slightly.
*Damn. This old man must have some really deep pockets.*
He glanced down at the coins in his hand.
*If I'd known that earlier, I would've raised the price.*
But by then—
Draven was already walking away.
**DING!**
The bell above the entrance rang as he stepped outside.
The merchant remained behind the counter, staring at the open doorway.
For several seconds—
he simply stood there.