Infinite Realm

"So you're the famous 'Cloudsmith'?"

Standing before a floor-to-ceiling window was a young man of about 23-25 years. 

The young man had a perfect physique like a model; not too muscly and not too thin. He had white hair which was pretty rare even for the NPCs in Infinite Realm. Apart from that, the pair of blue pupils that glanced at the world with tempered pride added to the looks of the character.

Dressed in white attire with azure-coloured lining reminiscent of a noble in a fantasy world, it was easy to guess that the figure in front was an important character in this world, or at least, this city.

"You're right. I am the Cloudsmith." Sato replied as he studied the appearance of the young man before him.

He had proceeded to consign his items to the auction while maintaining anonymity. This meant that while his title as the Cloudsmith could be used to boost the equipment's final price, the auction house wasn't to reveal that he was the Cloudsmith. For them to go against that rule and let this NPC know that information, meant that he was no ordinary character in this city.

Facing such a personage, there was no point in denying his identity.

"I know." The NPC replied with a strange smile before extending his right hand towards Sato.

"You can call me Galvin."

"Sat- Sky Blade." Sato shook the outstretched hand.

"Please take a seat." Galvin pointed towards the couch that stood in the centre of the office.

The office was twice the size of a meeting hall with simple furniture placed in an organized manner. There was a bookshelf by the side of the room as well as a few potted plants that lined the room. Two single armchairs, as well as a 3 seater couch that backed the entrance, were arranged to form a circle in the middle of the room. At the center of this arrangement was an exquisite coffee table with a teapot as well as a few teacups and biscuits placed on it. 

"Please." Galvin pointed at the table following which a servant who stood by the side, walked over and poured Sato a cup of tea.

"Sky Blade, right? Is that like your adventurer name or your real name?" Galvin asked right after Sato had taken a seat.

"It could work as both."

"Haha. That's nice." Galvin laughed as he picked up a cup and sipped some tea.

"Then I will call your Blade."

Sato didn't mind being called Blade or whatever. What he wanted to know was where this meeting would lead to.

Picking up the teacup before him, Sato focused on the liquid in the cup as his mind wandered elsewhere.

'It's most likely a mission, and a mission from somebody of high standing definitely wouldn't be easy.'

While Sato didn't want to be tied down by any long-term mission, it didn't mean that he will reject it straight away. He would at least weigh the pros and cons and see whether it would affect his plans for the dungeon raid.

"As you've probably guessed, my calling you here would be because I need to discuss two things with you. First, I just want to get to know you. I believe you have potential as a blacksmith and with the right and proper nurturing, becoming a master at the profession will only be a matter of time. I'm hoping you would let me take the honour of having to aid you in your path." Galvin said.

"What's the catch?" Sato narrowed his eyes as he asked.

"Haha. Such a skeptical young man. There's really no catch but if you're to insist, then it would be in my second request. I'm hoping that you would provide your services to me if and when required."

[[ System notification :

[[ Galvin's Deal (Series) 

Quest rating : C

Intro : A mysterious NPC with high authority, by the name of Galvin finds you. Discovering that you're an apprentice blacksmith with a lot of talent, he desires to develop a close relationship with you while also making transactions with you.

System description : This quest would take a lot of time to complete and could possibly lead you closer to the main storyline as well as certain important characters of the city or even kingdom. However, with such benefits available, an equal degree of danger should be expected.

Rewards : ???

Failure Penalty : 

You will lose all connection with Galvin and would not be able to request his help in any matter. 

Depending on the mission failed, the penalty could range from D-A rank.

System : Accept/Decline ]]

'What a strange quest.' Sato thought as he read through the notification.

The quest neither displayed an attractive reward nor a heavy penalty that would scare Sato. Even the details of the quest weren't so detailed, with only the line about the quest leading to the main storyline being the only noteworthy sentence.

'The risks from accepting this mission are too much. The first penalty isn't an issue but the second is quite suspicious. Even though the quest has a C rank, one of the missions within it could be an A rank.' Thinking up to here, Sato sighed.

"So, are you interested?" Galvin queried once more.

'He already plans to support me plus the team would need access to some of the high-ranking officials in the city if we want to improve further than the others. This guy seems like he knows some of the ruling parties so it's worth it. Just for that connection.'

"No problem, but I do have to remind you, I'm not a full-time blacksmith but a part-timer as well as a part-time adventurer. I also have my teammates with me and some of them are also lifestyle class holders, but I'm guessing you already know that." Sato stared at Galvin in the eye.

"Haha. You're right, I do. That chubby alchemist as well as the pretty scribe. They're both your teammates right?"

Just as Sato had expected, Galvin already knew of Fudo and Xue Yan. The two's products that were on sale in the auction had managed to attract his attention, and while he didn't bid for it, Galvin was still interested in the producers. That was when he found out that Sato, Fudo, and Xue Yan were a team and he was ecstatic to get them to his side.

"Yes." Sato replied as he got warier about the young man before him.

"No need to be scared. It's normal for people to investigate in things that interest them." Gavin calmly sipped from his cup.

"Since you've agreed to work with me, I hope our partnership goes a long way from here and that we both profit honestly from it." Galvin dropped his cup before stretching out an arm once more to Sato.

"Me too." Sato shook the hand in response.

Galvin smiled with a satisfied expression before he continued.

"Truthfully, I can't give you any requests for now until I know the limit of your skills. Luckily, there's the apprentice tournament coming up in two days."

'That's right, the tournament.' Sato inwardly facepalmed. He had almost forgotten that when he first arrived in the city about a week ago the little boy that showed him around, Finn, had informed him of an apprentice blacksmith's tournament that was supposed to be held in 2 weeks (IGT) which was the same as a week in Real-time. In other words, any time from now.

Galvin continued, "I hope you can make it and display your skills there. It would be easier for me to gauge your abilities and partition the right requests to you, as well as an opportunity for you to show your value to others. In summary, it's a win-win for us both."

"No problem. I already had plans of participating either way." Sato nodded.

"Oh? Then that's fine with me, I have nothing else to say." Galvin comfortably relaxed.

Following that, the two chatted about random stuff till Sato felt it was time to go after which he took his leave. 

"Milord, why do you request the aid of that pitiful individual?" The NPC that had brought Sato over spoke up right after he left. 

"You won't understand, Nigel. I need as much help as I can find for this event. My brothers are working hard so why shouldn't I too?" 

Galvin walked to a counter by the edge of the room and took out a bottle of wine before pouring himself a glass.

Walking to the floor-to-ceiling window where he now stood and watched the hustle-and-bustle of the city, Galvin swirled the glass of wine as he continued.

"Great talent can be hidden even in the gutters of the slums.. To assure my victory in this little contest organized by my father, I wouldn't mind searching through there even if it means soiling my attire."