Meikyuu Toshi no Antique Shop Vol 1 Chapter 5

Eventually the words were deciphered little by little as it kept acc.u.mulating, the composition which said

‘Offer three hundred and twenty five drops of the descent of the people except unclean criminals with ashy eyes, an oxidization changing the world, like a bonfire in a traditional garden’

The original text was much longer, but summarized it says this abstract.
It’s like a synopsis of a novel.
At first glance it looks like it’s easy to understand, but in reality it’s quite the puzzle.
Fujiwara will continue to determine the meaning of this.

In the first place there is the ‘Qualification’, anyone who is not unclean and an ashy eyed barbarian.
This is easy, it’s likely because the magician created it while at war with barbarians called the Ash Eye Group, but they were annihilated.

The downstream is “Compensation”, three hundred twenty five drops of blood. It is to ask for the magic contained in that much blood, not the blood itself.
There is, of course, a difference in magic power between races, however for humans it should be on-par. However, this blade should be about 500 drops of blood, because in the past the maker likely had more magic power concentration. 500 is a standard amount for a beginner’s Granting Tool.
(But, aside from that, human beings with more than half of their blood left should have enough to let out forty thousand drops without being seriously impaired)

Finally, the “Reward”, that the world would light on fire like a bonfire in the garden.
It should be pretty self-explanatory.

However, the second half referring to the bonfire is the key.
That denotes the quality and scale of the fire, that of a bonfire that burned in the festivals of old.
Something with that strength would be to the degree of three torches piled upon each other, which is plenty to light up the Dungeon or strengthen the weapon.

“Coming to a conclusion, this sword is now ‘Useless’ at all.”
Fujiwara removed the monocle, putting it in his pocket.
He then placed the sword back into the sheath, handing it back to its owner with both hands so as not to drop it.
“Soarer, do you understand the quality of items?”

“Yeah, I do.”
Quality is a system that the commercial Continental Federation created, to justify consumer confidence, so that ignorant buyers can understand the difference between qualities.

“Luxury”, “Good”, “Off the Mark”, “b.a.s.t.a.r.dized”, and “Useless”.

Needless to say, the grade is a huge difference on the buying and selling price of the item. This is a rough rule about good or bad, but it depends on the merchant’s small discretions in the end. When buying something good, it may be haggled about when trying to sell it. It can’t be said to be a perfect system, but since it’s spread past the Federation stores now, most stores care about it.

“It can be used by almost anyone, it barely uses any magic, it has the power of fire, and so on. The only issue is a performance problem, but I can say this is a Good ranked weapon.”
“…”
“The Circuit itself is very crude and therefore circulation is inhibited. That’s likely why you did not handle it.”

“So, it’s defective…”
“Eh, it is possible to handle, but treatment is more difficult than usual. At least elementary magic must be acquired.”
“How long does it take to learn?”
“At the very least it will take six months of magic training.”
“…”
Soarer’s head was down, staring at the sword in his hands.
Certainly the value was not as bad as he thought, in fact it was rather good overall.
An evaluation of “Hard nut to crack” is probably the most reasonable, thought.
Soarer wasn’t too familiar with it, but he knew that it was roughly equivalent to ‘Off The Mark’, but it was still a big difference from ‘b.a.s.t.a.r.dized’.
But it wasn’t something like that Soarer wanted.
It wasn’t the value it was after, it was whether or not he could manage using the sword.
★

“I’ll send him a good bye present.”

For Soarer to become a Seeker on the very day his master was set to leave the town, the master decided to help his disciple. Picking his nose, he sent Soarer the blade he loved. Soarer was set to receive an unexpected gift.
“Ah, I know, here is the sword I got during my active days. Because you’re a shrew, I know you can handle it, so I’ll come to see you later.”

Being moved to tears, “It’s important to me “, and then quickly selling it would not be unexpected when the fist fell.

But, with watery eyes, the master said “Don’t you sell it because I’ll look back”, to which he retorted “I’ll master old man’s s.h.i.+t absolutely”.
The master felt paint for the first time, which he will never forget.

Of course, it was because he was happy.
★
Soarer never got depressed until now.
Before visiting here, it was appraised by many stores, and it was always “The flame may or may not be defective” there.
But Soarer was never satisfied with that result, and because there was nowhere that treated Soarer like a respectable customer, no one really inspected it.
Even though it wasn’t the result he wanted, he was happy to have it truly appraised by the “Good Old Mage’s Shop”.
But the sword “Might be handled as soon as you’re done training”, so in fact it was possible for him to use the sword after all.
“Manager, I have a request!”
Soarer was decided, clutching the sword strongly, and again he placed it atop the counter.

“This child, can it be sold here?”

“It can, but why?”

“I do not have enough money to spare for magical training.”

The money he had prepared before leaving the house was at rock bottom, exhausted. If you don’t earn anything, a seeker like him would be forced to wander about, unable to continue life in Labyrinth City.
“With the money from selling this, I will capture the third floor with a new Granting Weapon.”
This was likely the best way, the correct way.
Of course, Soarer didn’t want to sell his teacher’s important sword. He wanted to hold onto it. But, it’s the only thing he owns now. Without it, he could get to the next floor and stop looping.
It was the only thing Soarer could think of.

If it wasn’t done now, he would be unable to do anything, with the severity of the situation.
“I see.”

Fujiwara nodded, picking up the sword on the counter.

“With the money from this, let’s get a weapon suitable for you.”

“Yes, thank you, that’s right.”

There wasn’t much hope. This was more than he wanted to ask, here.

Soarer thought it was good he came here. It was sad to let go of an important sword, but it isn’t possible to be ambitious after death. This is as best a result as could be hoped for.

-But.

“…Is the answer I would give as a good merchant.”
Fujiwara said, pus.h.i.+ng up his gla.s.ses.
“Unfortunately, however, since I am an unsolicited appraisal teacher who owns this shop, I refuse.”