The sun was slipping down the sky, and the cobbled streets had turned golden beneath their feet. Sayaka's footsteps echoed just a little behind Elara's as they walked deeper into the heart of the market district.
"Shops lined like army soldiers... each one humming with something strange, something magical. No matter how many times I see it... it still feels like I walked into a game or anime."
She tried to keep a neutral face, but her eyes flickered wide as they entered a wide, open-fronted store with iron symbols carved above its archway.
Greff's Armory, it read — with a flaming sword etched beside the name.
Inside, walls gleamed with hanging weapons: spears, twin daggers, curved swords with glowing runes, and even strange knuckle-like gear fused with crystal orbs. On one side, enchanted cloaks fluttered despite the still air.
Is this... a weapon store? No, it's practically a small museum!
Sayaka took a cautious step forward, reaching toward a curved dagger with shifting colors.
"Elaraaaa~ Welcome back!" a deep voice boomed.
A large man stepped out from behind the counter. He wore a blacksmith's apron and goggles on his head. His arms were thick like tree trunks, but his eyes were warm and excited.
"Greff," Elara smiled, "I'm here for my little hunter's first gear."
"Eh?" He looked down at Sayaka. "So this's the woman you mentioned. Mana-less, huh?"
Sayaka tensed.
Is that all I'll be known for...? No magic, no strength. Just... lack.
"I'm Sayaka," she said politely, bowing slightly. "Thank you for having us."
"Polite, good. But you'll need more than that once you're in the field," Greff said, walking over to a display case. "Come. Let me show you something special."
He pulled out a slim weapon — a short blade, no longer than her forearm, with a silver hilt and a glowing blue stone in the center.
"This is a Spiritual Blade. Forged with elemental runes, it can channel basic spells from the embedded crystal even if you got no mana. Designed for hunters who never awakened."
Sayaka leaned closer, eyes gleaming.
It's glowing... like it's alive. And the handle feels warm... not scary warm, but like it's welcoming me.
"Here. Try it," Greff said, handing it to her gently.
It was lighter than she expected. She held it with both hands, feeling the soft vibration from the core. The blade shimmered slightly.
"Just think 'ignite' and swing," he said.
"Ignite...?"
She stepped back, holding the blade awkwardly. Then, with a swift motion, she swung it down.
FWOOOSH!
A trail of blue fire followed the edge like a ribbon through the air. Her heart skipped a beat.
D-Did I do that...? Me...?!
"H-Holy...!" she gasped.
Greff laughed heartily. "You've got the touch, kid. Reminds me of a guy — Ludo his name was — joined the guild at 14, couldn't cast a single spell. But the moment he held a Spiritual Blade, he lit up like a damn torch! Went on to be a Guild Captain."
Sayaka stared down at the blade, suddenly seeing more than metal.
So it's possible... for someone like me to become something.
Even without magic... I can fight.
She looked over at Elara, who was watching her with a quiet smile.
As they walked out later with a few more basic gear pieces and the blade carefully wrapped, Sayaka tugged gently at Elara's sleeve.
"Elara... this world... it's scary."
Her voice was small. Honest.
"Everything's strange. I don't know where I'm supposed to go, or who I really am... I feel like I'm walking with fog in my chest."
Elara placed a hand on her head softly.
"You don't have to know everything now," she said, her voice gentle. "Just take one step at a time. You've already survived something no one else could."
Sayaka's eyes dropped to the blade case in her hand.
One step... Just one.
If I can take that... maybe I'll find the next.
As the sun dipped below the rooftops, Sayaka walked beside Elara — her shoulders still unsure, but her grip on the blade just a little tighter.