"Oi, Mizuki, welcome back! I see you've brought some new ladies with yah, aye?" (Percivil)
"I've always appreciated your eye for detail, Percivil. You're correct. These two will be joining our adventuring party, and we were hoping you'd be able to set them up with whatever weapons and armor matches their needs and preferences. Can we count on you again?" (Mizuki)
Percivil flashes a wide grin, with a rare cockiness bleeding through.
"Aye, yah can. Do yah ladies have any suggestions or preferences for equipment? It'd help to know your magic class and power level, too." (Percivil)
Zara steps forward with rare excitement and answers his question first.
"I'm Zara, and I'm alteration class with a power level around 2 ½. I specialize in physical enhancement. As for equipment, I'm partial to the idea of a short sword with light armor that doesn't inhibit my movements in close combat. However, I'm not accustomed to such equipment, so I'm also open to suggestions." (Zara)
Alto politely nods to him and answers after Zara.
"I'm Alto, an elemental class with a bit over 3 power rating. I can use all elemental subtypes and would like a dagger that can channel raw magic for its physical enhancement. I defer to your expertise for suggestions of armor and other weapons." (Alto)
Percivil nods his head and strokes his beard as they speak. He seems to be taking their requests quite seriously. He looks at me with a mischievous grin.
"Mizuki, yah know…your requests last time really got my blood pumping, so now I have a couple new items I'm really proud of. Are yah budget or quality shopping today?" (Percivil)
Oh?
"Prioritize quality please." (Mizuki)
Percivil's eyes glitter with anticipation, and he nods to me excitedly.
"Aye, let's start with the young blonde lass first. I think we should get yah extra light armor that can channel raw magic into its physical enhancement, and two 25 cm daggers that can do the same. I don't recommend other weapons." (Percivil)
As he speaks, he pulls out leather pants that are around Alto's size, and something that just looks like a long-sleeve shirt made of thick, dark cloth. He pulls out two daggers that look similar to Nina's. Ah…so, he managed to make more, huh?
Alto takes the equipment from Percivil to inspect it, and Percivil moves on to Zara.
"Now, for the wolf-girl who likes swords. I'd recommend extra light armor like your friend's, but yours will channel raw magic into minor healing instead of physical enhancement. As for the sword…I recommend this masterpiece of mine." (Percivil)
Percivil goes into his back workshop and carries out a short sword like he's holding a baby. The sword has a low-profile hilt and narrower blade, to the point of almost resembling a katana. However, the sword's blade is made of an unknown metal that is as black as obsidian. Not taking his eyes off the sword, as if still admiring it, Percivil continues.
"This thing channels your raw magic power into a certain attribute on the sword…lightning." (Percivil)
The shit? Zara appears by Percivil's side to study the sword intently, and even Alto and Nina go to observe the sword. Nina has some choice words.
"Fufufu…say, dwarf, you weren't holding out on me last time, were you? Lighting is quite the sneaky enchantment to put on a weapon." (Nina)
"Hahahah…no, yah saturating my prized daggers just lit a fire in this old man to aim higher." (Percivil)
Nina is looking at Percivil with more respect than I've ever seen from her around 'weak' creatures. Alright, I think I know what we all need.
"Say, Percivil, if you wanted to lock up your shop for five minutes, I'd bring you with us to test that sword somewhere safe for your research purposes. How does that sound?" (Mizuki)
Percivil's eyes go wide, and he goes to lock the front door. He looks back at me.
"Aye, that sounds wonderful! Are yah going to be doing that weird magic thing where yah disappear?" (Percivil)
I nod at him, and gesture for everyone to gather around. Seeing the others, Percivil follows suit. Then, I teleport them all to my training spot in the woods. When we arrive, everyone steps away and Percivil's eyes go wide again. I address the group.
"Percivil, welcome to my little training ground. We've been teleported tens of kilometers into the forest, so there should be no issue. Zara, you want to give the sword a shot?" (Mizuki)
Percivil's head seems to be swimming with the information I gave him, and he absentmindedly hands the black sword to Zara. She eyes it with a covetous look, then walks to the center of the clearing.
She focuses, and after a moment the blade starts to glow a dark blue. Eventually, crackles of electricity begin running around the blade in earnest, and Zara takes a few practice swings. As she does, arcs of lightning can be seen flying off the sword. In a fight, it'd be a menace to defend against for other close combat specialists.
I glance at Percivil, who seems to be thoroughly enjoying the show. I can't help but chuckle at the sight, and I'm glad he takes so much joy from his work. We really benefit from it.
After a few minutes of practicing for Zara, I call everyone back to me and teleport us back to the shop. Well, that was worth the trip for sure. I address Alto and Zara.
"Well, what do you two think? Are you happy with Percivil's recommendations?" (Mizuki)
They both look at me wide-eyed and nod their heads. Good, I hope they respect Percivil's skill as much as I do now. Percivil looks at me with a smirk, but also a hint of gratitude.
"Okay, Percivil, you've had another stellar showing here, so what do we owe you for the lot?" (Mizuki)
Percivil laughs and responds with a layer of sarcasm.
"Aye, I suppose that after the show that lass treated me to, I could part with everything for only 40 gold coins." (Percivil)
As always, I don't haggle with Percivil. I just pay the man what he's worth. I nod at him appreciatively, and I pony up the coins. Alto stares at me in bewilderment over the amount of money, but I just shrug at her in return.
"Alright! Alto, Zara, go ahead and change into your armor in the back if you want, and whenever you're ready we'll go get you signed up at the adventurer's guild." (Mizuki)
They both nod and head to the back of Percivil's shop to change, and afterward we make our way to the guild.