Supreme Archer: Taking The Game's Weakest Class To The Top

He glanced at the man and silently conjured three golden coins. The coins didn't make any sound while rolling toward the bartender's hands. The man was also quick to uptake, snatching money before anyone could notice the deal.

Aaron said, "If anything, I talked about trying another tavern."

"Understood, Master Aaron," the bartender sincerely smiled, catching the cue.

Learning from Aaron wasn't prohibited, nor were his skills banned.

He was still a man with connections to the imperial household. His status wasn't comparable to Viktor, who could allow himself a lot of leeway since Aaron didn't have any blood related to the royalties here.

That said, he knew a few things that had better not be mentioned.

It was implausible for Aaron's presence to trouble Jake's gaming life since Minerva had also met him and knew his name and face.

Nonetheless, Aaron would rather be safe than sorry.

"Follow me," Aaron faced the bartender with his back, eyes on Jake.

Jake nodded and left the tavern with the old master.

While it might have seemed like Jake had easily convinced Aaron to get him under his wing, many things had fallen into a proper place for the old man's heart to be sparked.

Jake's plans to include modern bow features had only stirred Aaron's interest at most.

It was Jake's ambition that wanted to go against the changing times that had kindled Aaron's hope for bows and arrows to return to the world stage!

He was also different from the player Aaron and Viktor had worked with before.

In those young green eyes, Aaron could see the resolution to harness everything, including mana and magic, through archery—bows and arrows.

It was exactly the desire that boiled Aaron's blood.

Going across the outskirts, Jake was unaware of Aaron's feelings.

He was confident that he'd be able to start an artisan quest soon and improve himself further. He couldn't wait to include a metalwork to his arrows and bow.

He could do and test so many things that Jake's heart beat with excitement.

At last, Aaron brought Jake to his house.

"I have my workplace in the basement," Aaron said. His house was on the capital's outskirts, meaning he probably wanted to distance himself from the royal circle.

It was a one-story house.

Inside, Jake coughed as the air was heavy. All windows were shut for so long that breathing was difficult. Slices of sunshine exposed dust swirling in the air after opening the door.

It obscured the house's interior!

"You could have opened windows before leaving to a tavern, Master Aaron," Jake said while pressing his hand against his nose. Had he not done that, he would have vomited.

Aaron only coughed thrice before heading to the basement's door. He conveniently ignored Jake's comment.

Downstairs was a world Jake hadn't been in yet.

It was a vast hall closed in four stone walls. The space was so substantial that Jake couldn't fathom how much room was available below the one-story house.

Jake would believe Aaron if he were to tell him that he had bought his neighbors' basements.

The hall was neatly organized… and clean.

Jake couldn't spot even a speck of dust here. The hall was lit up by magical orbs similar to the one perched atop lanterns on the streets. Those orbs were stuffed in the ceiling and cast down light on various wooden chests locked by magic seals, furnaces, and workbenches on which stuff like hammers, nails, and chisels were arranged for use.

Aaron noticed Jake's stare resting on one of the furnaces and corrected his thoughts, "This is a steam chamber. Yer will use it to add flexibility to yer bow."

Jake's eyes widened.

He smiled, "I see. I used quite a raw method by waving my bow above the bonfire."

"Outdated!" Aaron reacted harshly, "Yer were lucky that your bow survived that!"

"I know," Jake could only awkwardly smile at the old man.

Before any of the lessons began, Aaron stated the rules of his workplace.

It could have been said that he talked about what was a norm on Earth—health and safety.

He was more concerned about his stuff, though.

Aaron caressed his silver beard while saying the most important rule of his workplace, "All resources yer use in my workplace must be obtained by yer."

"Does it mean I can't buy anything in the auction house or other stores?" Jake asked.

Aaron nodded. "That's what I mean."

Jake replied, "I'd like to know a reason."

Aaron proudly arched his head back, "So yer will care about all resources yer earned in our dangerous world."

It was a psychological effect Aaron wanted to exert on Jake.

If Jake were to tinker with resources he had risked his life and time for, he'd be more careful with them. That would translate to more meticulous work, which should increase the quality of his craft.

It was a hellish practice for any of Aaron's students.

That said, players had it much easier.

Monsters dropped items, and there were various titles to help them get their hands on many things. It was so easy to find resources nowadays that the market was saturated with them.

That killed some of the difficulties for newbie artisans.

"Yer can also die," Aaron said, then his eyes took a challenging gleam, "Only yer time is at stake."

The old dog understood the value of time.

Jake had learned about it only so recently and had already used this card against him.

Which was the reason Aaron teased him about it.

Jake smiled, "I understand. If so, I'd like to start with my equipment. Also, would it be okay to summon my companion and have him learn along with me?"

"Yer companion?" Aaron asked, bemused.

A second later, Wukong appeared on Jake's left arm.