Paulus

Paulus wakes up before sunset to go for a run and train. At seven, he heads to town to work.

“It’s so nice to open the shop and start early before everyone else. Having the place for myself is bliss.” Paulus prepares the tools to continue with his work. The workshop is cramped. He needs more space and to hire at least three more people.

“I can’t keep doing this by myself.” Sigh. I love working with my tools on fixing or forging weapons, but the customer service and accounting work is a pain. In one more month, we can move to a bigger place with the whole family. The deities have prepared good things for me and my family.

When I was a boy, my dream was to become a soldier. Soldiers work for the kingdom. Any freeman or woman can be a soldier. Soldiers are not well known for their own strength, but for their teamwork. Soldiers not only defend the people of the kingdom, but also serve in the construction of public buildings and aid in case of disasters. Soldiers must be team players and trust each other with their lives. Soldiers need discipline. Without it, they could break line in the face of death or disobey orders, causing the death of many. Soldier, by decree, are not allowed to marry to give their full attention to their service. The kingdom pays all their living expenses, and they receive a small salary that, in most cases, is never used and saved for the future. Soldiers must follow any order from their general and will be given the death penalty for treason. After 15 years of service, soldiers retire and are usually elected for public office or a position of great importance. Soldiers are good at close combat, but most importantly at middle to long-range magic combat. Every monster subjugation, war, and fight is won by whichever side is magically stronger and well-organized.

In order to become a soldier, I went to the academy at the age of 12 to start my training. From twelve to sixteen, a teenager trains in the academy to be sent as a soldier to wherever there is need. I studied for two years, but I was expelled from the academy for not having enough magical affinity. I was called to have a meeting with two teachers and the dean. All of them are retired soldiers.

“Paulus, in the last three years we have seen your work.” Said one of the instructors. “You have to give everything to your studies and training, in your classes and with your classmates. Certainly, you are someone loved. But sadly, your lack of magical affinity is detrimental in this area of work.”

“Paulus, you need to understand that in the face of death, we can’t have someone who will be unable to defend their fellow soldiers. We are a family here, and we need to have each other’s backs.”

“…” I was trying not to let my tears drop. I knew this was coming. This was my dream all along. Training in the academy showed me how much more beautiful it was to serve as a soldier. Even though I lack magical affinity, the instructors and my teammates were friendly. All of them were patient and tried to accommodate my shortcomings. With all my strength, I could only cry these words.

“Thank you for having me! It was a great experience!” That’s how my dream of becoming a soldier ended.

I was around fifteen when I started working in my father’s workshop. I come from a long line of blacksmiths. And I was raised playing around in the shop. Even before starting in the academy, I would help my dad and older brothers in the workshop. And during my years in the academy, I would help my dad on weekends to earn some money. But now this was going to be my full-time job. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t want to be making the weapons and fixing them. I wanted to be close to my friends in the midst of battle, using the weapons. I kept the military training, but started using less magic only when necessary. My body and muscles got stronger. Because of that, people can tell by my appearance that I lack magical abilities. But that didn’t matter or stop me. I wanted to be useful, because if I became good enough, I might one day work for the kingdom as a blacksmith, helping my fellow soldiers and the kingdom.

Thanks to my work, I would meet plenty of strong individuals. In my father’s shop, we would have some retired soldiers who would come to fix their personal weapons, or some other people to sharpen their weapons. Still, mostly we had adventurers who would come, some of them every week, to have their weapons sharpened and in the best shape for adventuring. The most experienced adventurers would come every week, or send their newcomers, bringing their weapons. It was always easy for me to make friends. I would talk to these people and I loved listening to their stories. Dad would often invite some of them home to drink and celebrate the exploits of their adventures. There were plenty of beautiful women. But to my demise, no one was interested in someone who lacked magical abilities like me. That didn’t stop me. I would chat with everyone.

But there was someone very nice to me, and she was always complimenting my work. She was a beginner in the “White Wolf” party. My dad was friends with a couple of their members. She would come every week, bringing the weapons of their party with other members. She was shy, but never gave me a bad look or words of hostility because of my lack of magic. I work on her knives with extra care. Magic is not necessary to forge weapons, but it helps a lot to save energy. But for her, I would lose half a day to sharpen her knives.

One day, the girl didn’t show up at her usual day and time. But the other party member did.

“Hey there, how are you? Thank you for continuing to work with us.”

“You guys are one of the best in town and affordable on top of that.”

“Hahaha, thanks,” I said with my chest out, proud of my father and his shop. “So, what happened to the girl who usually comes? Is she alright?” Adventuring was a dangerous job. I always felt uneasy when a regular didn’t come back.

“You mean Antonina, she is fine, had other arrangements to attend to.”

“I see,” relieved but sad at the same time.

“Eh, but she was feeling down for not coming here today. I wonder why.”

“Was she?” I said with a silly smile, blushing. Maybe there is hope? “HAHAHAHA.”

As I was closing the store and heading out, two guys, a human and a felidae folk, came out from the corner towards me.

“Hey, you!” the cat guys said.

“What a piece of crap of a blacksmith you are. A couple of weeks ago, you sharpened our knives, and look how these are now.” They showed me two dull short knives.

“Your crappy no-magic tush doesn’t know how to do the work. Other places work last me for months, and look at this now. But we don’t want to complain to your boss, do the work again, of course, we are not paying for this.”

“You hear him, you owned us.” Said the other guy with a smirk on his face.

Why now? They piss me off. Can’t they wait until tomorrow? I’m tired and want to go home. I guess I will see what I can do. “You guys are not regular customers, but let me check the blades.”

“We are passing through this city! We will tell everyone how bad your work is! Take a look!” He threw the knives on the floor for me to pick up.

I’m hungry and tired from a day of work. I’m getting angry.

I kneel to pick up the knife when one of them kicks me in the face.

“Hey, prairie dog, take the knives and have them ready for tomorrow.” They turned their backs and left. That was it, sorry, but I can’t stand these guys.

Suddenly, they stopped. Someone was in their way.

“You got some nerves for treating this fine gentleman like trash. Fireballs!” I saw light coming from in front of the two guys as they were now running towards me, picking up the knives and moving through me.

That’s when I saw the beauty, Antonina. She had two revolting fireballs, one in each hand. She was looking menacing. I gulp.

“AAAH!” In an instant, the two fireballs passed through me, landing on the two guys' behinds, throwing them forward to the ground, landing in their faces and burning their pants.

“We are sorry! Never again!” they scream while running.

When I turn around again. I saw Antonina extending her hand to help me stand. I was out of breath.

“Are you okay, Paulus?” She knows my name! She can’t be cooler than this.

“Thank you so much!” I bend my knees, almost kissing the ground. When I looked up, I saw her panties, “Ahh! Sorry!” I stand quick on my own, “I will give you a discount next time you go to the shop. Thank you for doing business with us.” I said with my face red.

She then came closer to my face and said, “Have dinner with me.” Ah! I couldn’t stare at her face straight. Is this my lucky day? My heart can’t stop beating.

“Sure, if Miss Antonina doesn’t mind hanging out with someone like me. It would be my pleasure.” I could not stop smiling.

“People should be measured by their efforts, not by their talent alone.” I was feeling a river of emotions in my chest. All my life, I have put in the effort with no payoff. But everything was worth it by this encounter. I can die happy now!