Blacksmith

Bassel and I shared a drink in the tavern while I asked him to tell me more about his creations. The former was raring to tell me everything like a mad scientist. I enjoyed his enthusiasm, so we decided to meet in my shop the next day.

Standing in front of my shop early in the morning, the side of my lips stretched from ear to ear. I glanced at the luggage beside Bassel, mostly consisting of his tools and just a bit of clothes since he would be staying in.

"Bedo, this is the man I was telling you about that will join the A-Team," came out a proud voice as I snapped my eyes at the entrance of my shop before shooting Bassel a look. "His name is Bassel. Bassel, this is Bedo."

His brows rose as he darted his eyes from me to Bedo. "Boss, I know you're strange, but well..." he cleared his throat as he faced Bedo.

"My name is Bassel. I'm in your care, Bedo," he introduced formally, causing my lips to stretch, and then facing me. "Please take good care of me."

I waved and chuckled with my lips closed. "Don't be so formal..." I trailed off upon hearing Bedo's satirical comment. I ignored it as I refocused my attention on my first staff.

"As you can see, my shop is just a piece of rubble. Although I have money to fund your crazy inventions, I don't have a room for you to sleep on."

"Boss, I already told you last night I rarely sleep, especially when I'm working on something."

"I know, but I need to be clear since you're not under the influence anymore." I shrugged, planting my hands on my hips. "Anyway, since we're clear on that, let's set up your workshop first. We'll talk about the details later."

Bassel grinned excitedly. He picked up his luggage of metals and followed me to the back of the shop. There was enough space in this forest where he could work in peace and move around freely.

It never crossed me in the past that I'll be moving so fast like this. All I had in mind before was to sell anything I could — even if it was human. However, since my first gimmick earned me money more than I expected I would earn in my first year, I needed to keep my momentum and earn more than that.

That was the curse of earning more than you expected right off the bat. Anything less than that was a disappointment.

Good thing Bassel was someone who was just as crazy as I was and didn't care about anything else than having a job he was passionate about and that could fill his stomach. Heck. He said he would even eat grass if not for the fact he had debts to pay.

Aside from the debts, there were more things to like about the man. For example, his adeptness in adapting to his environment and picturing how this vacant lot would need.

"I have my tools, but a firebrick is a must. Although I can make other forging tools as I go and use a stone as an alternative for an anvil, we still need a proper one for business purposes."

"Don't worry about that." I returned after he told me the things he needed that he didn't have, casting him a knowing look. "Those things will come tomorrow. For now, draw a design of the forge and list down everything you need."

"Everything?" he narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Everything."

"Boss, by everything, what is the limit of that word?"

"My life and Bedo?"

"Does that mean I can list down all types of ores?" his eyes went round, quirking a brow. I laughed confidently. Bassel usually worked with stupid people who bound themselves in the limitations of clients' requests.

"Bassel," I called, facing him squarely, eye to eye. "I am an ambitious man. I am someone who will not get satisfied with just a few thousand gold coins. The money that I will shell out on you is an investment in a talent I believed in."

"The second I hired you, I already know the responsibility it brought, and I am prepared to own up to my decision. Be crazy and freaky as you can in your creation. They will all come in handy." I continued, planting my hand on his shoulder and squeezing it only to feel his hardened muscles. "Just tell me everything you need and I will provide them because that's the least I can do to assist my people's need."

Bassel looked at me with blank eyes for a moment before laughing wearily. He rocked his head and huffed.

"Well, I hope the investment you're putting on me is not a waste!" he humored with a laugh while I withdrew my hand from him.

I looked around at the vacant lot and stayed silent, etching how it looked now because this place would not look the same in the future. My gut feeling told me.

"In business, the money you put into investment is the amount you are willing to lose. It's a hit or miss," I expressed solemnly, revisiting my previous life on Earth and my experience in Aslesia before this. I slowly peeled my eyes away from the vacant lot, cocking my head back and shooting him an indifferent side-eye.

"But I promised to myself I will never miss. Not now, never again."

The side of my lips curled up into a smirk when I saw how his eyes twinkle in admiration. It was brief, but I caught it.

I purposely said all that to get Bassel's respect, but I wasn't joking. The second I learned Bassel's name and how eager he was while talking about creating something that was out of this world — which others laughed at — I was certain I didn't make the wrong choice.

The fire in his eyes that blazed just like mine was enough proof that we wouldn't fail. Set back was always there, but I could see the bright future ahead of us.

Both of us stared at the empty lot in silence before I heard Bedo speak in my head.

'Bassel... I like.'

'Heh... I bet you do.'