“What do you want with that monster’s heart?” An asked, puzzled.

Sophia replied calmly, “I read in a book from the royal library that the heart of the Taunus King has exceptionally high magical conductivity. Ground into powder and brewed into a potion, it can temporarily amplify spell power.”

“Hey, but…”

“I know the human body can’t use this potion directly. But do you really think I’m still fully human?”

An fell silent at her words. After a long pause, it let out a soft snort and closed its eyes again.

Sophia stepped into a blacksmith’s shop. Her gaze swept over the assorted weapons lining the walls, and she hesitated for a moment.

“Respected lady, how may I help you?” the shopkeeper greeted with a beaming smile.

Sophia approached a small rack of daggers and short swords. After examining them carefully, she reluctantly settled on a plain iron dagger.

“How much for this?”

“Haha! Sharp eye, honored guest! This is a masterpiece by Master Steele himself—a single light slash can tear through a dragon’s scales! Special promotion today… just… just three gold coins!” He ended with a pained expression, as if she’d scored an unbelievable deal.

Sophia kept her face cool and said slowly, “Three copper coins.”

“…If you’re here to cause trouble, I can handle it.”

Ignoring the shopkeeper’s utterly disgusted look, Sophia continued, “This dagger’s only decent in material. The forging and polishing are crude. Forget dragon scales—even cutting human skin would take effort.”

As she spoke, she lifted the dagger, raised her fair arm, and lightly drew the blade across her skin under the shopkeeper’s horrified stare.

True to her claim, only a faint red mark appeared.

“O-one gold coin!” the shopkeeper stammered, neck stiff with stubborn pride.

“Three silver coins.”

“Deal!”

Sophia watched, bewildered, as he snatched the dagger, swiftly sheathed it in the complimentary scabbard, and handed it over with a grin. Seeing his cheerful face, she sighed inwardly—she still couldn’t outmaneuver these seasoned veterans.

“Here,” she said, pulling three silver coins from her flat wallet and handing them over. The shopkeeper tucked them away happily.

Just as Sophia turned to leave, her eyes caught a staff tucked in the corner.

“Shopkeeper,” she called out brightly, “how about tossing this staff in as a free gift?”

He glanced over. “That moldy old stick? Sure, take it! Come again next time!” He waved dismissively.

Sophia nodded with a smile, grabbed the staff, and hurried out.

“Hmph. What terrible eyesight—to leave sacred Hazelnut wood rotting in a corner,” An’s mocking voice chimed.

Sophia smiled faintly. “It’s precisely because fools like him exist that others’ brilliance shines, isn’t it?”

“Heh…” An realized she was subtly mocking *it*. It snorted and let it go.

Back at the inn, Sophia’s first act was to inspect her small room thoroughly. Only after confirming all was secure did she slowly remove her black robe.

An, having resumed dragon form, lay on the stiff mattress, watching the girl in her simple white dress, eyes narrowing slightly.

“What will you do with that sacred Hazelnut wood?” An asked.

Sophia shot An a glance but said nothing. She sat on a small stool, then laid out the sacred Hazelnut wood and the newly bought dagger.

“Carve fine channels first—to guide magical flow,” she said calmly.

The nimble dagger danced in her hands, wood shavings fluttering with each precise stroke.

An wasn’t foolish. It knew a faint water film had shimmered on Sophia’s skin when she tested the blade—making the dagger seem dull.

All of it was just to save a few coins.

Though An disdained her stinginess, it also understood: their situation left her no choice.