Chapter 23

The atmosphere of the arena district was completely different than the upper market, and my eyes flew from place to place as we entered through a heavily guarded and manned gate. It had taken a single look for the guards at the crest on the carriages and the livery the servants and guards wore to let us through, not that they would have denied us if we didn't have Julia, but it seemed to enter with a carriage one needed permission or to have a reason and why became apparent rather quickly as the district was absolutely packed to the brim and practically overflowing.

Without the guards, the carriage would not have been able to make it anywhere, and even then plenty of annoyed looks was shot our away, crest or no crest. I suppose the common people wouldn't have the same knowledge of noble houses that nobles would, because it wouldn't really affect them.

"I think we should part the carriage somewhere then move on food," I suggested, watching as a group of heavily armed orcs walked by, their armor dark red and their weapons deadly. A sword that big would never be practical on earth, but this world had magic, and maybe the orcs here had greater strength than normal humans. It was a common enough thing for orcs in fiction I'd read.

"Your right," Julia said before calling to the driver. "Set us down somewhere… clear of people or as clear as you can find."

A few minutes later we disembarked from the carriage onto a clear area right next to what looked like an armorer's shop, or at least that what I guessed from the pieces of armor, both metal and other, that I could see.

"Now, where to first?" Julia asked. "Would you like to browse some of the stores or head to the arena square, that's where sign-ups for the lone competitions and guild clash will be taking place, it's right next to the arena itself."

"I would like to see some of the weapons and armor on offer," Erza replied. "I'm not in need, but I'd like to see the kinds I can find in this city."

Julia looked over to the redhead with a curious look in her eyes. "Do you have other weapons and armor, then? You didn't have any possessions on you when we met."

"Is her magic," I interjected. "One of its aspects is the ability to store weapons and armor and then call upon them when she wants."

"Spatial magic?" Julia questioned a gleam in her eyes.

"Somewhat," Erza answered. "But it's not the focus of my magic."

The guards formed up around us, and the crow parted around us as we passed by, most people giving the guards a wide berth, though some have them challenging looks, mostly those who had weapons or looked like they were here to participate. I saw all sorts of people of races dressed in all manner of clothing, not to mention the variety of weapons on display, or lack of for some, which was probably due to magic. Some might not use normal weapons and focus on their magic.

Elves, dwarfs, orcs, beastkin, and more moved around as though it was normal, and it was for them, but for someone like me who'd only ever been around humans, it was hard to not take second glances at some of the people who passed by. Most ignored me, but some shot me dirty and dark looks, especially the wolf-like beastkin, and if not for the guards they might have very well approached me with ill intent, not that I couldn't handle myself. I got plenty of looks as I passed by, not just from admiring women, but also from men and women who looked at me as though I was a potential challenge or threat or as though they were trying to figure me out.

Erza and Julia got the usual leers, though nothing more as nobody seemed to want to approach the guards. They really must be something if people were avoiding them.

Our first few stops were at weapons and armor stores, mostly the higher ends options. Erza was like a kid in a candy shop as she eagerly looked through all the weapons, even purchasing some of the higher-end enchanted gear, like a spear that multiplied, and acted like Thor's hammer in that it could be called back to your hand. All you had to do was bond with it through a drop of your blood and the uttering of a specific command in an odd language set by the maker of the weapon.

"Its craftspeak," Julia explained as Erza spoke to a smith about a set of armor on display. "I don't know much about it, but it's used for enchanting and binding. I mean wouldn't it be a problem if somebody could bind to a weapon you bought. I'm not sure, but I heard from one of my uncles that it's a form of runic, though I've never heard of runes being translated into words."

"Runes being used for enchantment?" I questioned.

She tilted her head and shot me a confused look. "Where exactly do you come from that you don't know of runes? There used everywhere?"

"It's, err, a distant land," I replied, realizing I needed to be more careful with what I said. I could trust Julia, or at least I thought I could, but I didn't know if I was ready or if I would ever be ready to tell her I was from another world. That seemed a bit too much. "We prefer non-magical technology only over magic technology."

"I see." Julia looked over to Erza. "Is she also from there?"

I shook my head. "No, she's from a land more similar to this one."

Or at least the anime Erza was.

"And how did you two come to meet?" Julia asked.

"That's a very complicated story," I replied. "One for another time."

Or never, since I wasn't sure of Julia's relationship with me. We were close friends and fake lovers, or was it real lovers pretending to be in a fake relationship? From working in a dead-end job to this, if only my co-workers could see me now.

"I'm done," Erza announced happily. "I bought four new suits of armor and a few weapons."

"And you said you didn't need any." Julia chuckled.

"I don't need them, but… I want them." Erza's voice became quiet and she looked at Julia nervously. "It's ok isn't it?"

Julia smiled warmly at the swordswoman. "Of course it is. We are friends Erza, and you are far more pleasant than most friends I have back home. I don't have to put on a mask or air of nobility when I'm around you two."

"I think your confusing arrogance and pride with nobility, though I wouldn't be surprised if many acted that way."

She scoffed. "You wouldn't believe it. Arrogance, pride, and vanity are common traits amongst the nobility, though I am guilty of the latter myself."

I smiled. "I don't you being slightly vain."

I looked her up and down. "After all you look amazing."

She blushed and gave me a playful smack on the shoulder. "Stop it. If we're done here, shall we head over to the arena square? There's bound to be some minor events going on today, and we can get the two of you signed up if that's what you wish."

We headed out of the store and back to the carriage, the guards taking up positions around us as we did.