You trade 250 Zen for Bamboo Hat. It doesn't fit into your sidereal bag, so you wear it around your neck for now.

While you count the few zen you have left, Honourshine outfits the rest of the party with a couple more hats. Moonflower doesn't seem overly excited at the idea of wearing anything other than her favourite cap, but alas, the weather demands it.

Shopkeeper: "Thank you! Let me know if you need anything else, okay?"

You nod, and look over to the wooden swords in a nearby weapon rack. Curious, you ask if they are battleworthy.

Shopkeeper: "Ah, oaken swords! Yes, they're very popular. Most weapons in the Empire are made from oaks because they're the materials with the highest magic capacity on the island.

Kirinese warriors etch, paint, wrap, and enchant these plain weapons into something unique. But once customized, the weapons belong to the warrior and their family alone, and can no longer be traded, so you won't find those for sale."

You remark that it sounds like warriors do more than just fight.

Shopkeeper: "Of course! The path of the warrior is locked behind three doors: each must have the ability to strengthen their physical and mental health, to perceive and create beauty in the world, and to become one with the arcane."

Honourshine: "Become one...?"

Shopkeeper: "Does that sound vague? It refers to mastering a spell until you can cast it without your horn. We usually call them soul spells, but maybe it's different where you're from."

Moonflower: "Whoa! That's a thing?"

Shopkeeper: "Are you not familiar? Well, maybe it's not so common outside of the Empire. Anyone who isn't training to become a warrior wouldn't dedicate the time and effort it takes to learn a spell so perfectly."

Honourshine: "... I suppose it makes sense for magic to be so ingrained in the culture here."

You agree; if the wooden weapons are designed with enchantments in mind, it does not leave many options for the hornless. Speaking of which, you ask about the sheathed blades displayed behind the counter.

Shopkeeper: "Those are silver-bladed swords. They are specially designed to fight Magic Eaters."

You slowly nod, rather displeased to learn of the existence of such creatures, and ask about the next thing that piqued your interest: the rectangular paper talismans with intricately designed symbols inked onto them.

Shopkeeper: "Those are divine scripts. Placing one on any wooden surface creates a ward against Devourers. It also binds the script to that location, so it can't be moved without losing its divine power.

In an emergency, it can also be placed directly on a Devourer to defeat it instantly, but that uses up all of the script's power at once."

You admit that they do sound useful.

Shopkeeper: "Very useful! We use them around every town. If you travel, it's always good to place one on a tree next to your camp. You might even find trees with scripts already on them sometimes.

Oh, and I saw you counting your zen. You're from the New World, right? My cousin is from there, too. If you want, you can trade coins with me."