From it, a man stepped out.

A man who immediately drew Amon’s attention. Not because he was handsome or anything, but because of his height. He was short. Around just below Amon’s chest.

He had a brown beard and the same-colored hair tied in braids. He had a bulky physique and looked to be in his late forties.

Amon understood who this man was. He was a dwarf. A real dwarf.

"I-is he a dwarf? A real dwarf?" Amon asked with a shocked expression as he looked at Selena.

Selena smiled at his reaction, clearly amused. "Yes, he is. His name is Daren."

Amon then looked at the man whose height barely reached the counter. There was a small wooden stool placed there.

Dwarves were a very rare race. They were spread across the world, but their numbers were small. There was also a huge city belonging to them in the Valmoria Kingdom. Though dwarves didn’t have their own country due to their small population, they were known as excellent craftsmen.

Daren stood on the stool and looked at the two of them.

"Greetings, Princess Selena," he said with a slight bow, his tone somewhat casual.

He straightened up and then looked at Amon.

"And who is this kid?" he asked with a curious gaze.

Selena gestured toward Amon calmly. "He is my friend, Amon. He has a request for you. He wants to fix his broken artifact. A high-level one."

Daren’s eyes gleamed with interest. "Interesting. So you’ve got a high-level artifact with damage. Show it to me."

Amon nodded and eagerly pulled out the artifact, something that had taken him to that island.

It was a bronze-colored metal cube with unknown patterns on its surface. Amon had taken it from that dead man and kept it with him for so long.

Daren raised his brow in surprise. "Ohh~ that’s a pretty high-level artifact. What does it do?" he asked with curiosity.

Amon shook his head. "I don’t know in detail. But it’s used for traveling, I guess... it opens teleportation portals."

"Oh, I got it. Show it to me," Daren said, extending his arm, his palm open as he asked Amon to place it there.

Amon placed it on his calloused palm. The cube was big enough to rest perfectly in his hands.

Daren took it and started to observe it carefully. His brown eyes focused on the artifact as he studied the patterns and runes inscribed on it.

Selena and Amon remained silent, waiting for the dwarf to inspect it. He tried to send mana into it.

But there was no reaction from the artifact. Still, the man continued.

After a while, Daren let out a breath and then suddenly exclaimed with excitement, "Wow!! This is great!! It’s a Tier V artifact!"

"Where did you find this, boy?! It’s really amazing. It doesn’t require anything much— just mana. And it doesn’t even consume much mana for long-distance travel. This is great craftsmanship. Definitely made by a dwarf. Not of this time... but an ancient one," he said with admiration.

Amon replied calmly, "I got it from an enemy who attacked me. Also... can it really be repaired? You just said it’s ancient."

Daren showed an expression as if he didn’t care about where Amon had gotten it from. "Of course! You did the right thing by coming to me. It can be repaired. But it will take more time. I need to visit the dwarves’ city for this. It might require some materials that can only be found there... I mean, in the market of that place."

Amon’s eyes lit up with hope. "Oh really! Good. It’s okay if it takes time. Any rough idea how long it would take?"

Daren rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "Hmm... I’d say one month at the least... and two months at most."

"I guess I’m okay with that," Amon said with a nod.

"But boy," Daren added with a serious tone, "it will cost you a lot. Do you have enough money?"

Amon opened his mouth. "Of cour—"

"Did you forget who he came with?" Selena interrupted calmly, cutting Amon off mid-sentence. She was standing calming with folded arms.

She stepped forward slightly, her expression composed. "You just repair it. I will pay for everything."

Daren slapped his forehead lightly. "Right! The Princess is here. Dammit! Look at me asking such an idiotic question."

Amon turned to Selena with a hesitant expression. "Seni—" he tried to stop her.

But this time, Daren interrupted.

With a teasing grin, he said, "Since the Princess is willing to pay for this boy, that means he is your boyfriend? Well, I do think you two look good together."

"What?!" Selena exclaimed in shock. She unfolded her arms and glared at Daren, a blush spreading across her cheeks.

"We are not lovers!!" she corrected him firmly.

Amon chuckled lightly. "Hey, Daren. She is my senior at Arcadia Academy. We are just close junior and senior... more like good friends."

"Hahaha! So that’s how it is! I thought the Princess finally found a lover from the academy," Daren laughed loudly.

Selena huffed, still blushing slightly. "Hmph! Don’t assume things on your own. Ask people first."

Amon then turned to her again with a serious expression. "Wait, that aside. Senior, you don’t need to pay for me. I have enough money."

Selena finally calmed down and looked at Amon with a casual gaze. "Don’t worry. I have a lot of money. Paying for your artifact is like taking a bucket of water from the sea."

"But si—"

"I won’t take no for an answer," she said firmly. "Also, you don’t have a job or anything. You are a student. If you have money, then keep it for yourself."

Amon sighed softly.

He decided to step back. "Alright. I will accept your help. Thank you, Senior Selena. As I expected, you are the best!"

Selena folded her arms beneath her chest. Her expression remained calm, yet anyone could tell she was pleased by his words.

Daren chuckled. "Haha! You two look good together. By the way, I will keep it with me. Give me your contact, Amon."

"Yes,"Amon replied as he took out his pager to exchange contacts.