CH244

Despite the long night dealing with the issue that was Helori’s competition, Ben woke up feeling refreshed and energized. Not only had he won the contest and presumably gained his god a new source of faith good enough that he’d move past the fact that Ben had agreed to it without his consent, but he could now count Helori amongst his teachers. He was always working on doing his best to learn more, and he was already thinking of how he was going to put this new source of information to use.

Let’s see, obviously I’ll be taking her from time to time while in Myriad’s realm to answer any question he can’t, but there are other places I can use her too. I have so many freaking mind skills that I can devote myself to reading through a book at the same time that both she and Falk give me lessons. Heck, I could get Myriad to as well if he has anything useful for me. If I had all three focused on teaching me about plants then couldn’t I speed through my plant knowledge skill at an unbelievable rate? Maybe I should save that for if I ever take the scholar job though. Who knows how long it will be until I get out of my current one, I have plenty of time to figure this out.

He was positively giddy as he prepared breakfast for both Falk and Thera, making up plates and knocking on their doors to draw them out to eat in the hallway with him.

“You seem to be in a good mood boy, feeling that ready for today?” His teacher asked in reference to the main reason they were there, the crafting competition, starting that day.

“Or did you actually manage to get a magic skill from whatever god you decided to compete against?” Thera wanted to know, curious about how it had turned out.

“Well, I did win and I got her blessing, but no magic. Myriad was right in that regard sadly. On the plus side though, since she couldn’t fulfill the promised reward I get to use- I mean learn from her.”

Thera only shook her head as his teacher gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. “You know boy, as much as I didn’t want you when you first showed up in my shop, I’m going to miss you when one of the gods decides to throw your butt into the infinite hells.”

“Not happening,” He said as he brushed off his teacher’s touch. “Admittedly Eneth isn’t a fan, but he can’t just do that to another god’s apostle willy-nilly. Hell, I’m pretty sure he couldn’t even do it to one of his own believers without good reason. As for Helori, she’s fine with it.”

“Sure, but one day you’re going to manage to piss off the wrong one and things are going to go downhill fast,” The yeti said with a laugh. “But let’s not worry about that for now. Got everything packed?”

“In a few bags, yes.”

“Good, in that case let’s start heading out.”

The streets were more packed than they had been on any of the previous days and it was clear to see why. This was the start of the competition that brought him there, with plenty of people who’d gotten out earlier than they had already setting up their tables and displays as they tried to sell their wares while making something that would do well, at least for the regular part of the competition. Ben wouldn’t be participating in that section though, instead devoting his efforts to a group that existed through invitation only.

As they reached the signup desk, Falk handed over that very invitation, making clear in no uncertain terms that it would be Ben alone who participated for the shop.

“But are you sure sir?” The attendant asked nervously. “He’ll be the only person participating on an invitation that will be working without a team. Shouldn’t you be helping your apprentice?”

From the way he was acting, Ben couldn’t help but wonder if the attendant had been told to keep an eye out for that invitation, as well as the skills of the yeti holding it, but Falk was having none of it.

“Neither of us could care less about winning. Since the opportunity came up we’re using this as his graduation exam. If he does well enough then he’s officially done being an apprentice. If you have an issue with that then we can leave.”

Threatening to leave seemed to do the trick as the attendant directed them to a group of larger stands, their table clearly marked with a forge and other supplies already prepared by it for use as they made their way over, Ben joking with his teacher as they went.

“Just want you to know that even if I take home the gold you aren’t getting rid of me so easily. I’m going to steal every bit of knowledge you have, just you wait.”

“Please, if I thought telling you that you’re good enough to go off on your own would give me back my freedom I’d have done it over a year ago. Just wanted to make sure I didn’t have to explain why I’m not helping.”

He laughed as they got to the table and began setting up, pulling out the tools he’d made sure to bring as Falk set up a display for the items he’d prepared, making signs with their price to put beside them as he went and leaving Ben’s eyes to bulge as he caught a look.

“Oh damn, you’re actually going to let me price these correctly?” He asked as he gawked at what was written.

“You don’t have to match my prices here so we’re going with proper market rates right now, or at least around them. You know damn well I can’t have my apprentice selling things at a higher price when your items aren’t as good in the shop.”

He could only sigh. He couldn’t deny that something would look funny if the apprentice’s stuff was selling for more than the teacher’s, especially since it was obvious to anyone with the eyes for such things that Falk’s items were superior to his own to a shocking degree.

“Well, whatever. And so what should I make then?” He’d have to present an item he’d made over the course of the competition to be judged at the end, but a week was a long time to make anything. He didn’t think he had any projects with Falk that he’d spent more than two or three days on, and even that was long for him. Unfortunately, his teacher couldn’t give a concrete answer.

“Whatever you want really. I’d say maybe spend the first day planning a bit and figuring things out and then just do the best you can. You work fast boy, but it would be interesting to see just what you could make if you took your time on making something perfect.”

“Mmh, well I’ll do the best I can then,” He said, not feeling the sort of direction he’d been hoping for. It was just so much time. He supposed he could make an item a day and submit the best one at the end to be judged, but his teacher was right, it would be a change of pace to take all the time he had and put it to just one thing.

“Well, it’s not like you need to start immediately,” The yeti said with a laugh. “Why don’t you two look around for a bit, maybe it will give you some ideas. I’ll watch the table in case anyone wants to buy anything but don’t be gone for too long, okay?”

“Sounds good uncle,” Thera answered for him, excited to see everything the contest had to offer as much as he was. “We’ll be back soon.”

With that she grabbed his hand, happy to see just what the contest held as she dragged him along.

“It’s like they’re trying to ruin my day!” Ben complained after they finished wandering the streets filled with stands, each person holding a crafting-type skill showing off what they’d made to the world.

Thera patted his back, trying to reassure him as she had to any time he realised just how good the quality of his work had become. “There there, we still have to look through the tables that were specifically invited like you were so cheer up. I’m sure they’ll have something to catch your eye.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Ugh, I hope so at least.”

It just felt ridiculous. His items were only making it to rare still after all. Sure, Falk had told him early on how uncommon ultra-rare and legendary items were, but he still wanted to see more of them. If he only had his teacher to draw from then he wouldn’t grow as much as he knew he could, but from the way things seemed, the easiest way to see a few was to find a way to get his eyes on whatever different nations were hoarding.