Vincent strides confidently toward the city in the distance. He knows that walking with confidence helps avoid unwanted attention. If you act like you belong, no one will give you a second glance.
And it works.
The townspeople barely spare him a look as they go about their daily routines. Part of it is due to his clothing. Unlike nobles who wear extravagant, eye-catching outfits, Vincent is dressed in clean, well-kept, but simple attire—something befitting a middle-class traveler seeking fortune in a larger city.
As he nears the city gates, the guards don't even stop him. Instead, they focus on the nervous-looking man walking behind him. Vincent easily blends in, strolling through the bustling streets while observing the world around him.
Within minutes, he notices something strange.
There is an astonishing lack of metal.
The lamp posts are made of crystal. The nails securing buildings together also glimmer like gems. Even weapons—things that should be made of steel—are not.
A giant man walks past him, carrying a massive stone greatsword on his back. Vincent can sense magic in the weapon, but it still feels unnatural to see someone wielding a stone blade instead of a forged steel weapon.
A woman nearby carries twin crystal swords on her hips. They glow faintly with power, their material unlike anything Vincent has ever seen before. It is made of a quart-like crystal that is tempered using magic that he doesn't know to create durable and sharp swords.
The deeper he explores, the more concerned he becomes.
Vincent has plenty of supplies in his pocket dimension, but none of them match what he sees in this world. If metal is non-existence in this world, will his modern tools even hold value here? Can his steel plows and iron hoes compete with enchanted farming tools? Will his gold coins even be worth something in this world? He doesn't know.
Shaking his head, he decides to focus on his goal.
He approaches a merchant and asks where he can purchase magical farming tools. The locals, friendly enough, direct him toward the largest magic shop in the city.
After a short walk, he stands before a grand storefront with gold-lettered signage.
"Gilder's Arcane Tools & Enchantments"
Vincent takes a deep breath and steps inside.
The moment he enters, his senses are overwhelmed. The air is thick with the scent of dried herbs, oils, and freshly cut wood. He can feel a thick, and powerful mana floating around the shop. Rows of glowing artifacts line the shelves, their enchantments humming faintly.
Behind the wooden counter, a stout middle-aged man with sharp blue eyes watches him, evaluating him from head to toe.
The shopkeeper rubs his hands together. "Welcome, traveler. Looking for something in particular?"
Vincent doesn't hesitate. "I need a water-producing artifact. Something reliable that can provide a steady source of clean water."
The shopkeeper's expression shifts, immediately interested. He steps around the counter.
"A fine request. I have several options." He gestures toward a display case. "First, there's the Dewstone. It draws moisture from the air, condensing it into drinkable water. Perfect for travelers in arid regions."
Then, he points to a deep blue crystal.
"This is an Aqua Vein Crystal. Unlike the Dewstone, it taps directly into the mana in the air to produce an endless supply of water."
Vincent folds his arms. "What's the difference between the two?"
"The first is price. The Dewstone is cheaper, but it's not practical for farming. It provides small amounts of drinking water every hour. It is perfect for filling a well but not good for farming. The Aqua Vein Crystal, however, is different. It's ideal for farming or filling wells. You simply bury it in a vessel—like a lakebed, reservoir, or artificial river—and it will continuously generate fresh, clean water. It even has an automatic sensing feature. When the vessel is full, it stops producing water, preventing overflows or flooding. However, for larger bodies of water, you'll need multiple crystals if you want it to fill it up quickly. The last feature is that the water will always be clean. That means even when something enters the water, it will be cleaned very quickly by magic. However, I suggest you don't do that. It will upset the rune formation in the crystal."
Vincent nods, satisfied with the explanation.
"That's exactly what I need. How much for the Aqua Vein Crystal?"
The shopkeeper strokes his beard. "That would be 400 enchantment stones or an equivalent trade."
Vincent reaches into his pocket and casually places a gold coin on the counter.
"How about this?"
The shopkeeper freezes. His eyes go wide as he stares at the coin as if it were a legendary artifact.
His fingers hover hesitantly over the gold. "By the gods… Is this real?"
Vincent nods. "It is."
The shopkeeper exhales sharply, glancing around as if someone might steal the coin. He casts a spell, and his eyes widen after a few seconds. He looks at Vincent and says.
"Gold is one of the rarest metals in this world!" His voice is hushed, as though speaking too loudly might attract thieves. "Even if I sold you my entire stock, I wouldn't have enough change to give you!"
While Vincent remains calm on the outside, he is screaming with joy inside.
Gold is this rare?!
He has tons of it in his pocket dimension.
This is an unexpected windfall. He has far more buying power than he initially thought.
He leans forward, smiling smoothly.
"Well then," Vincent says, "I suppose I'll take your entire stock. However, I need to see them first."
The shopkeeper blinks, then suddenly bursts into delighted laughter.
"Well now, that's a deal I'd be happy to make! Come—let me show you what else I have."
Vincent follows him deeper into the store, passing shelves of glowing artifacts, magical tools, and enchantments.
They arrive at a section filled with crystalline objects. The shopkeeper picks up a deep blue gem, holding it up to the light.
"This," he says, "is an Aqua Vein Crystal. Plant it, and it will draw mana from the air and conjure water for you to use."
He sets it down and picks up a gray stone with silver streaks.
"For a cheaper option, the Dewstone absorbs moisture from the air and converts it into drinkable water. Best for humid areas or emergency supplies."
The shopkeeper then moves toward a row of enchanted wooden staffs. He picks up one adorned with swirling engravings.
"This is a Rivermaker Staff. Channel mana into it, and you can redirect water like an invisible hand. It will create a path for you without needing you to create the path yourself. Perfect for irrigation."
Next, he points to a delicate blue orb.
"This is a Raincaller Orb. Place it in a field, and it will summon gentle rainfall over a controlled area. It won't flood, won't cause storms—just steady, reliable rain."
Vincent listens carefully, his mind already planning how to integrate these tools into his farmland.
The shopkeeper grins and leads him toward another display.
"These," he gestures, "are soil enhancers."
He lifts a vibrant green crystal.
"The Verdant Stone—bury it in a field, and it will slowly enrich the soil over time. One stone can revitalize ten hectares within a year. This is perfect if you are still in the planning stage of your project. You can put this in the ground and work on other things while waiting for the land to be ready."
Next, he picks up a wooden talisman.
"The Gaia's Breath Talisman. Channel mana into it, and it will instantly restore soil within a 50-meter radius. Perfect if you want to have a farmland immediately."
Vincent strokes his chin, impressed.
Then, the shopkeeper grins.
"So? Do you want to take all of them?
Vincent glances at the mountain of enchanted tools before him.
Then, he looks the shopkeeper straight in the eye.
"I'll take them all."