By the ti Frieren woke up, it was already close to noon.
If it weren't for her stomach growling unbearably, she probably would've slept a bit longer.
Fern was already gone from the room. The girl was diligent—she had likely gone out again to find a place to practice ditation.
Early mornings, in environnts close to nature, were the most suitable for ditation. It was crucial for accumulating mana.
Fern never missed a day.
Frieren was very satisfied with that.
"Hm? Why isn't Shane here either? Did they go out together?"
She muttered to herself but didn't think much of it.
She left the inn and stepped onto the street, planning to find a magic shop or a bookstore to pass the ti.
At that mont, a crowd running in one direction caught her attention.
————
At the entrance of the Warm Adventurers' Guild.
Shane stood there wearing the linen shirt imbued with [Immovable as a Mountain], facing a middle-aged mage holding a staff.
"Kid, you really don't need [Defensive Magic]?" the man asked hesitantly, not acting right away.
Shane nodded. "Don't worry, sir. Just attack. No need to hold back."
Then he stood still, completely unmoving.
After receiving confirmation, the mage finally raised his staff and released a very basic magic beam—just a simple [basic attack], with no charge-up. The ray was as thin as a finger.
It was obvious the man was still afraid of hurting Shane.
Whoosh—
The magic struck Shane's body.
Yet nothing happened.
The attack vanished the mont it touched the linen shirt, as if it had been absorbed.
The mage froze in shock.
No [Defensive Magic] at all, yet just a seemingly ordinary piece of clothing could achieve magic defense?
The man raised his staff again, this ti unleashing a golden slash of light.
Whoosh—
The slash hit Shane—and disappeared once more.
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
"It really blocks everything!"
"A divine artifact! Is this so ancient defensive armor passed down through the ages?"
"Have you ever seen armor that looks like a regular shirt?"
"Well, you've seen it today."
"..."
Soon after, more mages stepped forward, taking turns attacking Shane.
Every single attack landed on him—and did absolutely nothing.
Not a single scratch.
When Frieren saw this scene from within the crowd, she was also surprised.
She knew Shane was studying to beco a sage and could already create many interesting little items, but this was the first ti she had seen him produce a true piece of protective equipnt.
As she marveled, a luxurious carriage rolled in from the street.
A plump rchant-looking man stepped down, wiping sweat with a handkerchief as he hurried into the guild. He whispered sothing to the receptionist.
Monts later, the crowd outside was dispersed, and Shane was escorted back inside.
A wooden sign reading "Temporarily Closed" was hung at the entrance.
Frieren thought for a mont, then sat down by the flower bed across from the guild entrance. Since she was just passing ti anyway, she might as well wait here.
With a casual motion, she pulled a grimoire out of thin air.
Only after she had flipped through nearly half the book did the guild doors open again.
Shane ca out.
"Frieren? What are you doing here?"
He looked radiant, and seeing her at the entrance made him even happier.
"I saw you here earlier, so I ca to watch. So, did you sell the [armor]?"
Hearing her question, Shane grinned proudly and patted his back.
"Let's go. Shopping spree today—Young Master Shane is paying."
Not a coin pouch—a whole backpack?
Frieren's eyes slowly widened.
Even Shane felt this deal had exceeded expectations.
Back when he traveled with Frieren before, he had crafted so small items—like clocks with [Punctual Tikeeping] or fabrics with [Color Fixation]. Those only sold for a few silver coins, sotis even just copper.
But this ti, [Immovable as a Mountain] sold for a sky-high price—100 gold coins.
The Warm branch manager of the Adventurers' Guild personally handled the deal. They even issued an installnt note because they didn't have enough gold on hand.
They wouldn't have to worry about travel expenses for years.
And he could buy Fern a proper birthday gift.
"I saw how effective that [armor] was. Don't you feel it's a sha to sell it?" Frieren asked.
Shane smiled.
To him, the attribute of [Immovable as a Mountain] was too impractical—it turned him into a stationary target. That kind of trait suited noble lords, not adventurers.
Better to sell it than use it himself.
Besides…
He glanced at his current equipnt.
This ti, he had gained one purple and two blue attributes. Among them, this one was the most useful:
[Piercing Immunity (Blue/Rare)]: Swords and spears cannot harm you.
"Let's go pick a gift for Fern."
Shane grabbed Frieren and headed straight for the tailor shop.
The receptionist had pointed in this direction, right?
————
Standing before rows of dazzling clothing, Frieren fell into indecision.
"This one?"
"The color's too ugly. Fern won't like it."
"Then this one?"
"The pattern's too complicated. It doesn't suit her age."
"What about this—"
"Sigh…"
Shane watched her choices and felt a headache coming on.
"You've never picked out clothes before, have you…?"
"Of course I have!"
Frieren retorted stubbornly.
Then what's with that expression?!
Shane sighed and stepped forward, browsing the clothes himself.
Based on what he knew about Fern, the clothes couldn't be too flashy. The colors should be simple, and the style should lean conservative—after all, she cared about appearing "proper."
Hm?
He pulled out a light purple floral dress.
Not bad.
Frieren looked at the dress he picked, rubbed her chin, and reluctantly nodded.
Fine. He was better at this than her.
"If you're giving her a dress, what should I give?"
Shane thought for a mont. "An accessory."
A dress plus an accessory—perfect combination. It might not stand out, but at least it wouldn't go wrong.
After leaving the tailor shop, the two of them walked along the street stalls, browsing as they went.
From ti to ti, Frieren picked up a piece of jewelry and asked Shane for his opinion. He either shook his head or frowned.
It was a difficult process.
Until, at one stall, a silver hairpin caught Shane's eye.
He froze for a mont.
"Frieren, what about this?"
Already a bit exhausted, Frieren glanced at the item in his hand.
It was a silver butterfly-shaped hairpin.
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