The Greatest Sinner

Evan needed quality and decent weapon. He was sure that the money Marcel had given him would be enough for even the most expensive one. Evan was going to visit the places Fien had advised him.

"There are many terrific blacksmith stores and gun stores in Mossy Vulture. However, first you have to decide what you want. Do you want a regular weapon or a "Catalyst"?" Fien said calmly.

Evan answered quickly and confidently, "Regular, I don't need the "Catalyst" right now."

During the dinner with Marcel, Fien, and Zak, Evan had learned a lot about the "Catalysts". First, Catalysts come in many varieties. There are "Catalysts" that enhance a spell, but as a price for such a service, the magician spends much more mana than usual.

The "Catalysts," similar to the Fien rapier, were quite common. They could be used as a regular weapon and still cast spells, losing only a fraction of power. Some wizards used special "Catalysts" that allowed them to cast a spell, using less mana. Of course, in that case the spell itself would also be quite weak.

Evan didn't know what type of magic he was prone to, so he didn't see the point of looking for the right "Catalyst". He could cast Creation Magic and Summoning Magic spells with his hands, but Amplification Magic spells required a sturdy weapon. In fact, Evan had an interesting idea for a weapon. But he doubted there was anyone in Mossy Vulture who could make what he wanted.

Upon hearing Evan's answer, Fien nodded: "Okay, I see. Wait a minute, I'll be right back."

Fien quickly left leaving Evan alone.

...

A moment later, Fien returned with a small parchment scroll in her hand.

"Here, take this. It lists all the best forges and gun stores in Mossy Vulture". The girl put the scroll on the table and was about to leave when suddenly Evan called out to her.

"Wait a moment, the map is certainly good, but maybe you know some unique place that is not marked on this scroll?

Just because a forge was the most prestigious and its services were the most expensive didn't mean it was the best one. It guaranteed a high quality product, but it wasn`t the best. Evan, on the contrary, wanted not just a good weapon, but the best possible one.

Fien was surprised by Evan's question, but after a while thoughtfully replied, "There is one place. But... they'd rather kick you out than make a weapon."

"Never mind, just tell me where it is. At the very least it sounds extremely intriguing."

Fien nodded and pointed her finger at a point on the north side of Mossy Vulture. The building was fairly close to the center, so Evan could easily get there.

Evan nodded, took the scroll in his hands, and quickly left "Berry Paradise". He was so curious about what weapons was possible to find in these forges and stores that he completely forgot about the bill.

Fien wanted to say something, but before she did it, Evan had already slammed the door. She looked at the bewildered waiter and said with annoyance in her voice: "Write down this order at the expense of the restaurant."

...

"So... it looks like I`m in the place. I think my expectations were overstated regarding this forge." Evan came to the place Fien had pointed him. Hammer strikes on the anvil were heard from the forge. Evan had ignored all the prestigious forges and stores marked on the scroll and headed here first. According to Fien it was a very unique place with a not particularly friendly owner.

From the outside, the forge looked rather plain. A dilapidated building, an old wooden door, and a nearly broken sign. To put it mildly, the appearance was extremely unsightly. Evan headed for the door and quickly stepped inside.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

He turned toward the sounds and saw an elderly man standing at the anvil. The man's name was - Sitreg Stormfall.

Sitreg looked like an ordinary blacksmith: large build, long gray hair, and calloused hands.

"Hello, I would like to buy a weapon." Said Evan watching the blacksmith at work.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Sitreg paid no attention to Evan, he just kept hitting the blade with his hammer.

Whoosh.

Evan wanted to repeat himself, but suddenly a piece of metal that had just been on the anvil flew toward him.

"Take it, I can't offer you any better." Sitreg said grudgingly, without even turning his head toward Evan.

The young man raised the blade, measured him with a glance, and said dryly: "Old man, this is a garbage." Then he tossed the uneven blade aside.

Sitreg finally turned to Evan and said angrily: "What impertinent youths are now! Boy, get out of here!"

The blacksmith's shout would have frightened anyone. No sane person would ever mess with a Sitreg again after that.

Nevertheless, Evan had no intention of leaving, on the contrary, he slowly came up toward him.

The blacksmith did not understand what was going on and why there was so much insolence and impudence in this youth.

"Old man, you can't hide your skill from a skilled eye, even if you try very hard. Why don't we discuss something really interesting instead of throwing vegetable peeler knives around?"

Evan decided to stay in the forge for one simple reason-he realized that Sitreg was a skilled craftsman. Sitreg's movements were honed by years of practice and it was obvious. Evan had met countless geniuses and masters in his past life. He could easily tell the difference between them and ordinary people. Of course, the blade Sitreg had thrown at Evan's feet was of terrible quality, but there was an explanation.

Sitreg had lost all interest in blacksmithing. Evan could see this in his wistful and devastated look. There was nothing in his eyes, when he was striking the blade with his hammer, only emptiness. This wasn't the first time Evan had met people like that, and he knew what such people needed - to regain their interest and joy in their craft.

The reason why such people had lost their zeal for their favorite work was the same. They were talented and wanted to create truly masterpiece and unique things, but no one wanted it. Wealthy customers wanted to give them money and get good quality goods, but riches were not the goal of people like Sitreg. To get these craftsmen back on track, you had to get them interested in their work and Evan had one such project.

"А? Kid, what do you mean? I wouldn't advise you to mess with me." Sitreg said glumly.

Evan waved his hand and simply replied, "I want you to make one custom weapon for me. I don't have a blueprint, but I'm sure I can explain it to you with precision. You don't have to worry it won't be a simple sword or anything like that."

Evan was sure it would be enough to get Sitreg interested, but it was more complicated than he had thought.

"No, get out of here. I don't believe a brat like you has anything worthwhile in his head." Despite Evan's suggestion, Sitreg did not want to listen to him.

Evan bit his lip as he heard the blacksmith's words, "Damn, that old fart is more stubborn than I thought. What to do...>.

Evan thought for a while and suddenly a brilliant idea popped into his head.

"Hey, man, how about a little bet? If you get excited about my idea and take my order, you`ll do everything for free and give it your all. However, if you're disappointed I'll be your errand boy for three months!"