Chapter 18: Haggling and Gifts on First Meeting
The shop was clean and well organized. The bookshelves were all clearly labeled. The problem was that it was in a language unknown to Kaden. Runes that look a cross between Celtic and Hieroglyphic in nature were what was used. "Totally Unreadable,'' Kaden huffed under his breath as he wondered if this trip would be a waste. The old man behind the counter could not help but laugh at the kids that had entered his shop now. He quickly drew their attention. "Younglings, It's rare for your kind to come here." The old man said as he made his way to where the two now stood.
"This book here is an introduction to our language youngsters. I wonder what book you might have to trade for it. I only accept books from your world." The old man said with a smile before adding "No class textbooks, I already have a complete set of those."
"I have a new first edition print of the fantasy genre," Kaden said as he fetched the book out of his storage. "I even got the author to sign it. I think it's worth more than your Primer. It's excellent work." Kaden paused to try and read the old man's face, (a poker face is it) he thought. "How about this, I'll trade this copy with your primer and a history book about this world" Kaden countered.
"Hmm, that makes things hard for me, if you have another book that is not autographed maybe I can do that trade and give you a beast egg as a gift for humoring an old man." The shop owner countered with his own.
"I'm not sure if that's the best for me" Kaden replied grimacing as he made a new offer. "How about you give me two beast eggs on top of these two books and I'll give you my autograph novel with a graphic novel my world calls a manga. It'll be volume number one of a new series."
"Deal," The old man placed his hand out to shake on the deal. Kaden nodded his head with a grin as he shook the old man's hand. They quickly moved to the counter to complete the trade. Kaden took out volume number one of a new manga he started reading and the book he had in his hand. He placed them on the counter. The old shop owner did the same with his products. Two fairly large tomes and two golden eggs the size of an ostrich egg were placed on the counter to be inspected.
Hinata just stood to the side with that knowing smile girls are born with. She thought that the way Kaden haggled with the old man over two very common books was very funny. The fact that Kaden also managed to complete the class assignment was also a bonus. She had a feeling, almost a hope that the second egg Kaden asked for was for her. As she stood there dazed in her own fantasy, Kaden's voice brought her back to reality.
"Hinata, which of the two eggs would you like?" Kaden offered. His kindness caused Hinata to blush a little. She quickly arrived in front of the counter to inspect both eggs. "What is the difference between these creatures? Do you know Owner-Sama?" Hinata asked politely.
"Your girlfriend's cute boy. Be sure to make her happy." The shop owner teased the two. "NO, we not," both kids said in response as they both turned red. "We just met yesterday and are classmates, Owner-Sama, '' Hinata quickly blurted out. "Yeah, we just met and are just normal friends. Besides I'm too young to have a girlfriend." Kaden responded. (But, not too young to have a fiance.) Hinata bitterly thought.
"Ha ha ha, too funny. Tell you what, I got the perfect beast egg for your little girlfriend here. Consider it a gift for cheering up my day." The shop owner said as he ran to the back to fetch the egg. Unlike the two golden eggs he had placed on the counter, this one was kept in a silver and gold work box with thin glass panels.
"Ok kiddo, before I can give this egg to you I need to see if it will react to you. If not, I can only give you a chaos egg like I gave your little boyfriend." The shop owner said. He very carefully removed the box lid on the egg.
The egg itself was not golden like the two other eggs, this one was silver with bright blue ice patterns on it with light green swirls that look to represent wind. It was like a work of art. Comparing the chaos eggs to this one was like night and day. The simple smooth golden egg looks too boring and even a little dull next to it.
"It's a simple task just place your hand on the top of this egg. If you're destined with it we all will know right away" the shop owner said as he beckoned with his hand for Hinata to approach.
With a tinge of nervousness, Hinata did as she was asked. She herself was unsure of herself. Hinata had always been sheltered by her family and this was the first time she had gone shopping with a friend. Mustering up her courage she placed her hand on the beautifully colored egg. The texture felt smoother than what she thought but seeing that nothing of note happened she felt disappointed. "Now, now, girl, give it a minute, this is a special creature after all." The shop owner coaxed trying to encourage the girl.
"Yeah, Hinata, relax. Clear your mind and try to form a connection with it," Kaden suggested. Not taking her hand off the egg Hinata nodded to her friend's suggestion. Once Hinata lowered her guard she felt a pull coming from her hand. A second later the egg rattled as it cracked open.
"I had a feeling you would meet its standard." said the shop owner as he smiled at Hinata in approval. "I raise these creatures as a hobby but it's hard for me to find worthy holders for them," he added as he took the two books he had just gained and put them under the counter.
Kaden quickly took out a book about magical creatures and quickly found what kind of partner Hinata had just found. "An Ice Roc, or even an Ice phoenix... Too young to determine which one. Both are really powerful creatures." Kaden analyzed as he kept flipping back and forth to two different sections of the textbook.
"It's impressive how many books you carry on you, young one." the shop owner said with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Ha ha, Yes, Ower-Sama it's as you said. Kaden is basically a walking library." Hinata teased.
"It's an Ice Phoenix and is a very special breed of Phoenix as its tears do not heal wounds like a normal phoenix. Instead, its tears crystallized into a mana jewel that can be used in alchemy and other types of crafts. Its rebirth is also through flame but it converts that heat into cold energy. They are strong in both offense and defense ice magic. So learn well from it young one" the old shop owner said as he patted Hinata on the head.
"Sweet, congrats Hinata," Kaden said as he took the two books and two eggs into his storage. "Old man, do you have a basket for her to carry her new partner in?" He asked.
"Haha, Why does she need a basket when she can just complete the bond,'' the shop owner replied. "It is because of our class assignment to bring back a beast egg and the teacher going to guide us in the bonding process," Kaden answered. "Well how about you give the girl one of those eggs you got and let her complete the bond under my guidance? It's not that I don't miss trusting the Lord. But it's better if others did not know about your friend's partner. Until they are both strong enough to protect each other." The shop owner said with reason.
"Kaden, I think Owner-Sama makes a good point. Mythical creatures as rare as a phoenix would cause a huge stir. My grandfather said that our strongest summons should always remain hidden. To only use it when someone's life is in danger." Hinata said in a lecturing tone.
"Haha, Listen well to your girlfriend, she speaks the truth." The shop owner said. "For the last time, we are friends. We are way too young to think about such things," Kaden told the man as his face got red. Hinata just rolled her eyes with a grin on her face.
"Old man, any good place to get a snack around here," Kaden asked as Hinata followed the shop owner's instructions to complete the bond with her new summons.
Soon after Hinata and Kaden found themselves in a food court area sitting at a table. The tray in front of them was full of different kinds of snack food that both kids had never tasted before. "I'm glad we finished the class assignment so quickly," said Kaden with a smile as he picked a pastry that was in the shape of what looked like a cross between a rhino and an elephant.
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