So, after leaving Liz’s potion shop, we made our way to see the master swordsmith. Once again Lillia took me by the hand to lead me through the town’s busy streets. After a few minutes walking we arrived outside a shop that had a sign which consisted of a sword and axe crossed over each other. This had to be the swordsmiths shop. I could hear a faint clinking sound of metal being bashed onto metal coming from inside. Lillia pushed open the door and we both stepped inside.

There didn’t appear to be anyone inside the store, but I could still hear the clinking sound, only it was now louder and seemed to be coming from somewhere in the back of the shop behind the counter. I guessed that must be where their workshop was.

Looking around the shop the walls were covered with every kind of sword imaginable, from small and light looking rapiers to double handed claymores. There were also other types of weapons interspersed between the swords here and there, but it was clear that their main expertise was in crafting swords.

Seeing that the owner hadn’t noticed that we had arrived and starting to look a little impatient, Lillia headed to the front desk and rang the bell situated there. The bell rang out and we waited for a moment, but still no one appeared from the back of the shop, the sound of metal clinking away could still be heard.

“Gosh, Beth is always like this once she gets carried away working on a project. She should really close the store or employ someone to watch over the shop. Anyone could just wander in here and clear out the place.” Lillia said ringing the bell again.

There was still no response, just the sound of clinking metal coming from the back room.

“Beth!” Lillia yelled at the top of her voice while ringing the yet bell again.

I was a little taken back by the sudden yell from Lillia, she was usually so softly spoken, and it seemed against her normal demeanour. I suppose she was in a hurry for us to get out into the field and start my training. This time the metal clinking sound stopped, and I could hear some rustling coming from the back and the sound of footsteps approaching.

“Oh, it’s you Lillia!” The woman that appeared from the back room said, I assumed this was Beth that Lillia mentioned.

She was rubbing her hands on a cloth and then wiped the sweat from her brow as she walked up to the desk. Beth appeared to be a wolfkin, she had wolf like ears that sprouted out through the brown hair on her head and a bushy tail that seemed to be wagging happily away. She was only wearing a loosely fitting t-shirt and shorts, with a heavy apron over the top. I could tell that she had physical job, by her muscular physique, but she was in no way manly looking. Just very well-toned, like a sporty sort of girl and bore a happy smile. Another beauty, seriously this place and the women that inhabited it were unreal.

“Morning Beth, you finally came out. Getting carried away on a project again?” Lillia answered tying her best not to sound exasperated.

“Yeah you know me, once I get my teeth into something and I’m working on something special right now… How can I help you today and who is this?” Beth said giving me the once over.

“I’d like you to appraise his weapon. This is Theo, my new summons.”

“Hello Theo. Well let’s see it then.” Beth replied stepping out from behind the counter and into the store. Seeming more interested in the weapon than me.

“Here you go.” I said drawing my sword and handing it over to Beth.

“Hmm… Well it looks nice.” She said taking the blade in her hand.

She gently ran her hand down the blade, the sword gave out a slight ringing sound as she did so.

“And it has a nice balance. Could you both step back a bit?” Beth asked.

We both did as she had asked and took a few steps back away from her. Once she saw that we were clear enough away, she begun to swing the blade around. It was impressive display of swordsmanship as she spun the blade around in her hand and then ran through a whole series of strikes and techniques.

“It definitely handles well.” Beth added. “Mind if I test it’s edge and strength?”

“Go ahead.” I answered.

“I won’t be a moment.” Beth said before disappearing into the back room again.

“She isn’t just a swordsmith, is she?” I asked Lillia.

“No, she is one of the greatest sword masters in the realm, she could be a great adventurer if that sort of thing took her fancy. She just seems to prefer making them for some strange reason.”

“That explains those skills then.” I was still a little in awe after her display.

Beth left us to mill about in the store for a few minutes while she checked the integrity of my blade. Five or so minutes passed until she finally returned. She looked to be quite excited, I could tell by the large grin on her face and by the way her tail was wagging very animatedly.

“Where did you get this weapon?” She asked.

“It came as his summoned weapon.” Lillia answered for me.

“A summoned weapon?” Beth replied the surprise clear in her voice.

“Yes.”

“I’ve never seen a summoned weapon of this calibre before, it exceeds even my own best creations.”

“Really?” Asked Lillia also sounding a little surprised.

“Yes, he’ll definitely want to hang onto this.”

Beth handed me back the blade and I placed it safely away in its scabbard, with a newfound appreciation for the sword.

“You are incredibly lucky to possess such a blade. I can promise you it will never let you down.” Beth told me.

“I will make sure I take good care of it then.” I answered her.

“Thanks for the appraisal Beth. How much do we owe you?” Lillia asked.

“Oh, nothing today. It was a treat to hold such a weapon. Just make sure to come to me if you ever need maintenance.”

“We will do.” Answered Lillia.

“Oh, by the way Theo. I occasionally take on students to learn my sword skills. I don’t do it very often but being summoned with a weapon like that you must have some potential. Would you be interested? It won’t increase your stats like levelling does, but there is more to sword skills than simply levelling up killing monsters.”

“Really? I might take you up on that offer then Beth.” I answered and after seeing the skills she displayed earlier it seemed it would be silly for me to turn down such an offer.

“Please do. I’ll be busy for the next two days, but feel free to come by any time after that and I’ll be happy to train you.”

“Thank you!” I replied, excited at the prospect.

“Well Beth, we will leave you to get on with your project, we need to be getting on ourselves.” Lillia told her.

“Bye then you two, see you again soon.”

Beth hurriedly disappeared to her workshop seemingly eager to get back to work. Lillia took me by the hand again and we headed back out into the busy streets.

“Well that all took longer than I was hoping, but we can now go and make a start on your training.” Lillia told me as we walked.

“Where are we headed to now?”

“To a small wood, it’s a little way past where I summoned you. There are only weak monsters there, but they seem to spawn frequently and there isn’t anything else there that should pose us any danger. It’s a perfect spot to train a newbie and build up some levels.”

“Let’s head out then.”

I still wasn’t all too sure about fighting the demon lord and all that entailed, but after seeing how excited Beth had got over my sword, I was keen to try it out. This wood sounded like a beginner’s area and seemed like it would be safe enough. I could build up some skills first and then decide if I really wanted to help out and try and take down this demon lord, or just run away. Even if I was brought here against my will, most of the people I had met here had all been friendly to me, most had helped me out in some way. Even if it was only because they wanted my help, I would still feel guilty if I didn’t at least try and make an effort to get strong and help them out. They were clearly desperate, and it was also the only way I was likely to find out what was really going on here. If it did turn out to look like certain and painful death, I could always skip out then. One thing was for sure, I didn’t plan on dying for them.