"Sir," the man said quietly, "these wounds... they’re not healing right. They’re affecting my ability to work."
Noah studied him without expression. "What can you trade?"
The blacksmith reached into a small pouch and pulled out a single iron nail. It was rough, simple, but well-forged.
"It’s just practice work," he said, offering it with both hands. "But it’s made with honest skill."
Noah’s brows lowered. His voice turned sharp.
"You’re telling me you’re a blacksmith and you’re offering a nail? Unless you have a very good reason for why that’s the best you can provide, I won’t just reject your offer, I’ll make sure you never buy from me again."
He folded his arms, his frown deepening.
"I help those who need it, not those who try to take advantage. A previously working blacksmith should have more than this. You’ve likely crafted dozens of weapons. Where are they?"
The blacksmith’s eyes widened in alarm.
"Sir, please. Let me explain. This is a misunderstanding."
He bowed his head respectfully, voice low but steady.
"I’m just an apprentice. I’ve never made anything beyond Tier 1 weapons, and those I sell the moment they’re finished. My earnings go straight to rent, tools, and food. I don’t keep a stockpile. I barely keep anything at all. This nail was the only piece I had left. It was the first thing I’ve ever made. Whilst its monetary value is low, its value to me is high.
A few nearby people who had overheard nodded and stepped forward.
"He’s telling the truth," one of them said. "We’ve seen him work. He’s not a fraud."
"He sells everything he makes," added another. "Never seen him with more than scraps in his pockets."
Noah’s expression shifted. The hard edge in his eyes softened.
He gave a slight nod, exhaling slowly.
"I see. I thought you were trying to scam me. I’m sorry for the accusation."
The blacksmith shook his head at once, clearly taken aback.
"No need to apologise, sir. You have every right to be cautious. I’m indebted to your generosity, not entitled to it."
Noah nodded once more, this time with a hint of respect in his gaze.
"In that case, I’ll give you what you need. We’ve got to take care of those wounds. There’s no point in reforging blades if your own hands are breaking."
Noah provided the blacksmith with his loaf and moved on to the next customer.
But as Noah prepared to help the next customer, two familiar figures emerged from the crowd in the distance. His hand stopped midway to providing another loaf as recognition hit him like a physical blow.
The cat-girl and cat-boy looked exactly as he remembered, but much more powerful. Alissa’s silver ears twitched with alertness while her lean frame carried the confident bearing of someone whose swordsmanship had reached high levels.
Kip walked beside her with mana swimming around his body, power that hadn’t been there during their last meeting.
They’ve grown stronger. Much stronger.
Their expressions shifted from casual observation to complete shock as their enhanced senses identified the familiar human distributing magical healing.
"Noah?" Alissa’s voice carried disbelief mixed with joy that made her entire face light up.
"Is that really you?" Kip added, his young voice climbing several octaves with excitement.
The crowd around Noah noticed the reunion developing, stepping back to provide space for what was clearly a significant personal moment.
"Alissa! Kip!" Noah’s professional demeanour cracked completely as genuine emotion emerged.
Alissa bounded forward with feline grace, her enhanced agility carrying her through the crowd faster than human eyes could track. But she stopped just short of actual contact, uncertainty flickering across her features.
She wants to hug me but doesn’t know if it’s appropriate. Still the same thoughtful girl.
"We placed some people here, just in case you came back, to inform us about your return. We gave them details on what you look like, your shop and what you sell," she explained.
That’s... touching and terrifying.
Noah will give the last loaf before ending the charity giveaway.
The remaining crowd watched with anticipation as Noah reached for his final healing loaf. A young woman with a bandaged leg stepped forward, her hopeful expression mixed with the resignation of someone accustomed to disappointment.
"Last one," Noah announced, handing her the golden bread with the same care he’d shown every previous recipient. "Make sure to eat it all."
End of charity supplies. Time to focus on the reunion with my old friends.
The woman accepted the loaf with gratitude that transcended mere words, clutching the magical healing like the treasure it essentially was. Around them, the crowd began dispersing with satisfied murmurs about witnessing genuine generosity.
"That’s all for today," Noah called to the remaining hopefuls. "I’ll be back tomorrow with more supplies."
Noah gestured toward his shop entrance, noting how Alissa and Kip’s enhanced senses were already scanning the building because of its new changes.
"Come inside. We have a lot to catch up on."
Alissa and Kip followed him through the entrance, their movements those of experienced adventurers who’d learned to watch each other’s backs. The transformation from worried children to capable warriors was remarkable.
What’s more shocking to Noah was that it had happened in nine days. In those nine days that he was gone, Alissa and Kip had grown even more terrifying than him.
They’ve grown into proper fighters. It seems like Valeira’s training alongside the academy has paid off.
But the moment the door closed behind them, both cat-siblings froze with battle-ready tension. Their senses had detected something that triggered immediate combat instincts.
Alissa’s hand moved to her sword hilt with fluid grace while mana began crackling around Kip’s fingers. Both had achieved adept rank capabilities that made them genuinely formidable opponents.
In the corner of the shop, Lola remained seated with that familiar predatory smile that suggested she found their reaction entertaining rather than threatening.
"Demon," Alissa hissed, her silver ears flattened against her skull in aggressive display.