บท 49: Progress
In the end, Lyra found another job for Zaos. One where he would be treated like an ordinary apprentice, the job was to clean the armor and weapons used by the guards who patrolled around the mansion every day. Of course, he wouldn't do that alone since Zaos didn't have that much free time, and he didn't have the skill or strength to clear full plate armors. But he would help an old man who comes to the new storage room every night to keep the guards' equipment in a perfect state.
That had been the first time Zaos entered the new storage room, and he couldn't help but let out a 'wow' when he saw so many armors and weapons. But, unfortunately, there were only that, no magic books or other things in that room, so that was kind of a letdown.
"There are… one hundred sets of armor here, and their room for fifty more," Zaos thought. "The guards stay on duty for a full day once every two days, so I guess each one has three sets of armor."
Zaos didn't know how to repair even minor dents, so the old man gave him the order to clean the equipment. Since all guards had to do was walk around, Zaos only had to spend a few minutes to clean a full set of armor from the dust. But even so, carrying it around and changing sides was quite exhausting. Unfortunately, Zaos already knew that no skills could be gained by cleaning armor and weapons, so his status wouldn't increase all that much.
"You are pretty strong for someone of your size, young master," The old man said.
"I am not your apprentice, but I am helping you like one right now," Zaos said. "So, you don't need to call me young master."
Although Zaos knew that the old man was actually quite old, aside from the white eyebrows, there wasn't a single trace of an old person in that man's body. His name was Rolim, and the old man had the body of a man who passed through many battlefields. His muscles were bulging just like soldiers in their prime, and even though he lost his hair due to his age, he could easily move all the weapons and sets of armor with a single arm.
"Right, I heard that you are a serious kid like your father," Rolim said. "But I didn't think that was the case since even your honorable father was quite the brat when he was young."
"Is that so?" Zaos said without showing much interest in the subject. "It is hard to imagine looking at him right now. Anyway, you are a blacksmith, right?"
"Yes, young master," Rolim replied.
Zaos was getting tired of that young master's business. So, he couldn't help but wonder if Ameria also gets annoyed when he keeps referring to her as Your Highness. Regardless, he didn't have the time nor the energy to waste getting angry.
"I want to earn more while I help you now and then, so I was thinking about learning how to repair armors and weapons," Zaos said.
"You shouldn't waste your time with that," Rolim said. "There are countless people out there who would do anything to repair the weapons and armor that belong to your family."
"Someday, I will probably join some battlefields and damage my gear," Zaos said. "When that comes, I won't want to leave my lifeline in the hands of others."
"That is very wise of you," Rolim nodded, looking impressed. "Well, I can teach you that much, but first, you will need to become fast enough to clean all those sets of armor before I go home."
That was probably something that will take a while since Zaos was used to cleaning his own set of armor, not the others. Regardless, thanks to his new work, Zaos and his mother would have to have dinner a bit later since he had to work for at least three hours straight. In any case, when Zaos's first day of work ended, his mother gave him ten silver coins. However, he didn't know if he should feel happy or sad about that.
"You seem confused," Lyra said. "You probably would gain more if you teach how to read, write or how to use magic to others, but that is what basically an apprentice of any function gains every day. Speaking of which, if you want to buy a focus amulet, you will need one hundred fifty gold coins."
After doing some quick calculations, Zaos learned that if he works every day and obtains the same amount for a year, he will have thirty-six gold coins… it wasn't even half of what he needed, and that is if he doesn't spend a single coin. In any case, as expected, Lyra already knew what Zaos had in mind. He wasn't as nearly complex as he had imagined…
"Are you having second thoughts?" Lyra asked.
"No," Zaos replied. "Soon, I will learn how to repair armor and weapons, so I will gain more. Anyway, thank you, mom."
"You are welcome," Lyra said and then kissed Zaos's forehead.
The only problem left as to how Laiex would react knowing that his son was doing the work of a lowborn child. However, much to his surprise, he didn't do or say anything on the next day when they sparred. That was weird since it was evident that the old man Rolim probably met him and talked about it. Maybe Laiex wasn't as strict or troublesome as Zaos thought, but he decided to keep quiet about it. For Zaos, it was hard to have a conversation with his father and not leave him angrier than before.
With Stone Skin, Zaos could endure some hits, but even though Zaos also could more or less see his father moving like he was a blur, he didn't get carried away. After all, it was evident that Laiex was holding back. Still, he was making progress, and that was all that mattered.
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