Supply Run

The students gathered in front of the castle, discussing their upcoming journey. This journey was one that would be completely under their control. From stocking up on supplies to the route they would take, even the decision of whether to adventure together or in separate parties was completely at their discretion.

The group was split into two, the regular members and the party leaders. The party leaders discussed what took priority and the members trusted their leaders. Mateo looked over each of the party leaders and took note of their current attire.

Each of them was sporting armor and weapons that outclassed what they had previously been armed with. Even the party members found themselves with armament that a typical knight would not be able to afford.

Even Mateo was now equipped with a new set of leather armor and bow. The equipment he valued most, however, consisted of several quivers filled with special arrows. Now that he could shoot arrows infused with mana, ordinary arrows no longer held any value for him.

After a bit of talking, the party leaders were able to divide the shopping among themselves. Mateo’s party was to go out and procure potions. Mateo had yet to see a potion as the cost was too extravagant seeing how they had the protection of a knight squadron at all times.

The instructors had also banned the use of strengthening potions during training so they could more accurately gauge their current strength. They had repeatedly been told of people who had died due to the mistake of overestimating themselves and being overly reliant on potions.

Mateo walked over towards his party along with a list that the party leaders had agreed on.

“Everyone, follow me. We’re going to the atelier to buy some potions. You might as well stock up while you're there.”

He knew that everyone had their own personal funds that had been provided to them by their noble sponsor along with their armor and weapons. The only reason more tools had not been provided was due to the restriction placed upon them by those in charge.

This quest of theirs was not only something assigned to them to make use of their might, but also their first test. They truly were alone, without outside help from those they already had connections. The most that could be done was to provide funds along with armor and weapons.

They could receive help, but it had to be help they received along their journey that had nothing to do with those in the capital. This was a matter of having the heroes show their worth. The main reason for this was to raise the morale of the troops and citizens. Times were difficult; if they could return with achievements earned through their own merit, it would inspire hope.

Mateo used a map of the city that was provided to all the party leaders to lead his party to the atelier. Upon entering the building the first thing that hit him was the smell. It wasn’t a bad smell, but more of an overabundance of different smells that mixed together.

Mateo dismissed the members and let them browse the store while he went straight to the counter. Behind it was a kind looking middle aged plump woman. She had greeted the party with a smile upon their entry and sported the same smile as he approached her.

“Hello, dearie. You are a new face. How can old Winnie help you today? Do you need some healing potions? Oh, I see you have a bow on you, how about an Eye of the Gryphon potion? A Swift Swirl Potion is also a prime choice for safety.”

“Ah, I have a list here. I just need the things on it, can you give me a price?”

“Let’s see here. Fifty-eight healing potions, eleven mana potions, twenty-nine stamina potions, along with a variety of enhancement potions totalling twenty-nine enhancement potions. Well the Healing Potions are currently marked as 3 gold per potion, mana potions at 5 gold, and stamina being 2. As for the enhancement potions, let's see. Calm Mind potions are 12 gold each and you want eleven of those, Beastly Strength is 8 gold and with a quantity of ten. Four Potions of the Saint priced at 15 Gold each. Swift Swirl and Eye of the Gryphon are both priced at 6 gold, which you wanted four in total. Adding that up, your total comes to 583 gold, but since you are buying in bulk, I will reduce it by 10%.”

“One moment.”

He reached into his pocket and brought out an emblem that had been provided to not only him but all of the students. When her eyes landed on the emblem her posture became less relaxed and more respectful. The symbol was one that represented being part of the Kingdom’s military. Not only that but one with a high position.

“Sir, with this emblem you will receive a 15% discount, I’ll still throw in the bulk discount too making the price 438 gold.”

Mateo took out four large gold coins along with thirty-eight smaller ones from a coin bag that Gerard had divided up from what had been provided to the class from the instructors.

“If you would give me a moment to gather up the potions for your order. You are also free to browse my wares in the meantime.”

He watched her go into the back before walking around the store. He glanced at the potions the others were browsing before finding a shelf that was catered towards archers like himself. He saw the Swift Swirl and Eye of the Gryphon here. There were other potions here along with one that hid a person’s scent, potions that enhanced back muscles specifically, along with several more.

What interested him were several potions in fancier bottles. All of these were meant for intermediate level archers. One that particularly caught his eye was one that increased the penetrative power of mana.

In the end he grabbed this potion, 2 back muscle enhancing potions, and another bottle of both eye of the gryphon and swift swirl for his personal use. He looked back over when he heard the stockroom door open again. The owner walked out along with several stacks of crates in her arms.

He returned to the counter and placed the five potions down. She scanned over the five potions, with her gaze lingering upon the intermediate potion before her eyes shot up to his face. He felt a little uncomfortable as she studied him, probably trying to guess his age. Well, at the rank up ceremony they had been told they were some of the younger knight captains.

“12 Gold for the Eye of the Gryphon and Swift Swirl, 16 for the two Pillar Potions, and the Honing Pierce Potion is 46 Gold. This adds up to seventy-four, and after your 15% discount, your total comes out to be sixty-three gold.”

Even though she had been momentarily taken aback she still professionally moved on with the transaction. After getting back 37 small gold coins after handing her 1 large gold coin he pulled out of his own personal coin pouch, he collected the potions before making way for the rest of the party that had lined up behind him.

It was quite amusing as Winnie studied each of them while going through the transactions. Everyone pretty much bought two to four potions, with only Alicia choosing an intermediate potion, as he did.

Afterwards they exited the shop and headed back towards the castlefront, with him, Kyle, and Alicia carrying the crates filled with potions. The order in the capital was so great that they didn’t have to worry about anyone eyeing their goods as they made their way through the city.

They ended up being the second party to finish their shopping. Standing at the meeting point was Blair and her Party. Their responsibility had been to buy food supplies. Not long after Fredrick and his party returned with camping supplies. Jessica and Gerard’s parties returned at about the same time. Jessica came back carrying several bottles filled with holy water while Gerard was empty handed.

It wasn’t a surprise though as his group hadn’t been in charge of something that they could carry with them. All five parties headed towards the gate of the city and Gerard then led them over towards a stable. He was waved over by a stable hand before all of them were led around the back where a bunch of horses were waiting for them. The stable hand waved everyone over.

“Alright, all the horses are well trained; however, they’re not warhorses so don’t expect to charge into battle with them. The rate we agreed on is 5 gold a week per horse with a 200 gold fee if the horse dies. The fee for injuries will be based on the severity of the injury. Here is the contract for your rental. If you return the horse to one of our stables in a different city there will be a transportation fee based on how far that stable is from this one. If you return the horses here there will be no transportation fee.”

While Gerard signed the contract and handed over the deposit for the first week Mateo and his classmates were busy choosing their horses. After stopping in front of a few horses he finally stood before a brown horse whose eyes looked to be the most intelligent–at least in Mateo estimation.