The moment Shirou stepped into the weapon shop, the world outside seemed to fade into a distant memory. Gone were the bright, noisy streets of Velgrath—inside, he was enveloped in an entirely different world. The scent of steel and oil filled the air, heavy and metallic, mingling with the quiet hum of magical energy. The interior was dim, lit only by softly glowing enchanted lanterns that flickered gently above the displays. Shadows clung to the corners, giving the shop a silent, reverent feel—as if it were a place of worship for warriors.
Weapons lined the walls and filled the display cases: longswords, twin daggers, massive battle hammers, spears with barbed tips, shields polished to a mirror-like shine, and full sets of armour that shimmered under the lanternlight. Each piece seemed alive as if whispering tales of battles fought and victories won.
Shirou's eyes fell on a particularly well-polished longsword displayed at the front. Its blade reflected the faint light in a soft, dangerous gleam, and a strange warmth rose in his chest. Before he could step closer, a voice pulled him back.
"What is it that you want?" The voice was gruff but calm, coming from an elderly man who stood behind a nearby counter. His frame was sturdy despite his age, and his eyes were sharp—like a man who had seen war and lived to tell the tale.
"A sword," Shirou replied plainly.
The old man gave a slow, considering nod. "Follow me."
Shirou followed behind him
Rows of weapons filled both sides—spears with lightning-etched shafts, glaives embedded with shimmering gems, and a massive great hammer that crackled with electric energy even at rest. Shirou's gaze flickered between them, drawn to the subtle aura each weapon seemed to exude. They weren't just tools—they were crafted legacies.
"This section houses weapons that are... special," the old man said without turning, his voice softer now, almost reverent. "Many of them have seen battle. A few were forged during the Mage Wars a century ago.
"That long ago?" Shirou asked, surprised.
"Yes. Some were never sold. Too expensive. Others were returned after the wielder fell. I kept them as reminders."
But Shirou raised a hand. "Before that... could you check this sword for me? I found it near the outskirts, but I can't seem to channel my mana into it."
Curiosity flickered in the man's gaze. "Let me see it."
Shirou handed over the weapon—the one he had taken from the bandit leader. The old man examined it with a practiced eye, though his brow creased slightly. "You picked it up off the street, did you?" he asked, clearly skeptical.
"Yeah," Shirou said, a little awkwardly. "It was just lying there."
"Hmm. Alright, come with me."
He led Shirou toward the back of the shop, where a large circular table rested beneath a brighter cluster of lanterns. Carved into the table was a complex magic circle, filled with intricate patterns and glowing faintly. In the centre sat a crystal—faintly translucent and humming with dormant energy.
"Is that a magic circle?" Shirou asked.
"Indeed. It helps us analyze a weapon's affinity and enchantment," the shopkeeper replied. "Place your sword here."
Shirou handed over the weapon. The old man placed it in the centre of the magic circle. The moment it settled into place, the runes began to glow and shift, patterns rearranging like living script. A soft hum filled the air. Seconds later, the crystal pulsed with a white light.
The old man stared at the light, then turned his gaze to Shirou. "What kind of mana did you try to use with this sword?"
"Fire," Shirou replied.
"Ah. That explains it. This sword is mana-enhanced."
Shirou blinked. "Mana-enhanced?"
The shopkeeper nodded. "Mana-enhanced weapons are forged using a specific elemental affinity. They only accept mana of that type. This one was crafted with earth mana, which is common among body-enhancing type users."
"So it rejected my fire mana," Shirou murmured, looking at the blade with new understanding.
"Exactly. That's why you felt resistance. It's like trying to pour oil into a water pump."
"But I've used my mana on other weapons before," Shirou said. "Why didn't they reject it?"
"Because those were likely regular weapons. When you use mana on a non-enhanced weapon, a lot of energy is lost. The weapon struggles to absorb your element properly, leading to inefficient attacks. Mana-enhanced weapons, however, are far more precise. They sync perfectly with a specific mana type, minimizing loss and increasing damage potential."
"So they're like specialized tools," Shirou concluded.
"Exactly. But the trade-off is they're exclusive. This sword, for instance, is practically useless to you."
"Can I sell it then?"
"Of course," the man said, studying the blade again. "It's old and not of particularly high quality. I'd offer you four gold aether and twenty silver."
Shirou scratched his head. It wasn't much, but better than nothing. "I'll take it."
After pocketing the pouch of coins, he turned back to the shopkeeper. "Now that I have a bit more money, do you have anything suitable for me? Preferably a fire-element sword."
The old man smiled faintly. "The cheapest mana-enhanced swords start at ten gold aether."
Shirou's step faltered. "Ten? That's... a bit much. Can I get a discount?"
The man shook his head. "Sorry, lad. Quality has its price. What's your budget?"
"With the money from that sword, about six gold and some silver."
"Hmm." The man rubbed his beard thoughtfully, then his eyes lit up. "Would you be open to a suggestion?"
Shirou nodded. "Sure."
"Instead of a sword, consider a mana-enhanced dagger. I have one that's longer than average—almost like a short sword. It falls within your budget and is infused with fire mana. Until you master your fire abilities, a smaller, precise weapon might serve you better."
Shirou hesitated. A dagger wasn't what he envisioned himself wielding, especially not with his fighting style. But he needed something now—something he could trust. And a fire-attuned weapon was a rare find.
"A dagger... It's short, but if it's mana-enhanced, maybe it'll make up for the lack of reach. Alright, let me see it."
The old man nodded. "Follow me."