The three of them walked out of the magic item shop looking somewhat dejected. They exchanged glances, wanting to say something, but ultimately let out a helpless sigh.
"Chuan, maybe I shouldn't become a mage after all. It feels like such a waste..." Raphtalia held her beginner's staff as though it were a red-hot iron rod burning her hand.
"...It's fine. Taking up an adventuring profession always costs some money. It's only eight gold coins, nothing serious. See that greatsword on Bruce's back? That sword cost even more-over ten gold," Chuan Wenwu replied.
Was it really fair to compare the price of a massive, door-sized sword, heavy as sin and made with plenty of solid material, to a little beginner's staff carved out of wood?
Raphtalia wanted to say something, but held back.
"Come on, relax, Talia. We may spend money quickly, but we earn it quickly too. Once we're stronger, we can hunt more powerful monsters, or gather rare medicinal herbs and make potions. Those all sell for good prices. Don't worry, we won't go bankrupt."
Chuan Wenwu patted Raphtalia's head and said casually, "All right, we've already bought it, so there's no point dwelling on it. Put it to good use, and that huge investment won't have been wasted. Now... our first priority is to go back to that Slave Trader and have your Slave Crest removed."
"Okay!" Raphtalia answered brightly, her eyes sparkling.
Chuan Wenwu wasn't bad with directions. He simply hadn't learned how to read this world's maps yet.
Since he had been there once, he remembered the route to the Slave Trader's base. Taking Bruce and Raphtalia with him, he passed through several secluded alleys and arrived at the gloomy Circus Tent.
"Well, well, what an honored guest!"
The short, corpulent Slave Trader greeted him