Chapter 45 - HMM?!?!

I sifted through the clothing I was given and wore it. It took a bit to put it on, as I have not worn clothing like it for a while.

("Is there a mirror somewhere around here?") [Solace]

I looked around the storage room, only to see wooden imitations of swords, spears, and many other kinds of weapons.

("Just some training equipment and a few wooden dummies… Guess I'll just head out.") [Solace]

As I reached out for the door, an idea popped into my head.

("Hold up. If there's no mirror, how about I make one?") [Solace]

I wasn't sure if the plan was going to work, but it was worth a try.

"|Liquid Bullet|." [Solace]

I summoned a small droplet of water that should have been shot at an opponent, though instead, I held it in place.

("I need more.") [Solace]

"|Liquid Bullet|." [Solace]

Continuing with my train of thought, a few more droplets appeared out of thin air.

("More.") [Solace]

The droplets continued to appear, until there was enough to make me lose count.

"You have acquired |Liquid Barrage|." [Spirit Guide]

("Oh?") [Solace]

I didn't think something like that could create a skill, but I guess anything works.

("How about this?") [Solace]

I merged all the liquid bullets together, creating a puddle floating in mid air.

"You have acquired |Convergence|." [Spirit Guide]

("Two in a row.") [Solace]

Things were getting even better. At first, I was just trying to get a reflection out of a puddle of water. Now, I have two more skills.

("Okay, that aside… How do I look?") [Solace]

I peered into the puddle to see myself. I wore something similar to what Fina would usually wear. A blue blazer with a white shirt inside strung together by a red tie at my neck. I also had black pants on with white socks Leyhna graced me with.

("...Where's the shoes?") [Solace]

I looked through the bags once again, but shoes were nowhere to be seen.

("Am I hallucinating? Did I drop it somewhere?") [Solace]

I scanned the floor for anything that was… shoe shaped. Basically anything that was of decent size, and the shape of an oval.

("Nothing? Really?") [Solace]

I let out a sigh. There wasn't anything I could do about it so I headed to the door.

"Ah, I almost forgot. |Flame Cannon|." [Solace]

Launching a singular ball of flame, I evaporated the puddle I had created.

"Now I can go." [Solace]

Pushing through the doors, Leyhna and Vincent greeted me with observing eyes.

"...What do you think, uncle?" [Leyhna]

"Pretty decent. I think I know something else that would fit him." [Vincent]

"You always say that." [Leyhna]

I was a bit nervous as to what they would say, so I just shrugged and asked them.

"So? Rate it out of ten. How does it look?" [Solace]

"Five." [Leyhna]

"Eight." [Vincent]

I wasn't expecting much, but I didn't think I would get a five.

"Uh… Why a five?" [Solace]

"Minus two points for face, minus two for lack of muscle, and minus one point for being a loser." [Leyhna]

"That's harsh…" [Solace]

True, my muscle definition was lacking. Since it took the appearance of my past life, I was pretty skinny even though I was seemingly six feet tall.

"Okay, what about the eight?" [Solace]

"The clothes." [Vincent]

Leyhna placed a palm on her face. It appeared that she was quite familiar with Vincent's… sense of fashion?

"Alright, enough goofing around. Solace, break the wall." [Vincent]

"Sure, but one thing." [Solace]

I pointed down to my feet and wiggled my toes.

"Shoes. Where are they?" [Solace]

Leyhna looked at me with a shrug.

"Couldn't be helped. I don't know your size." [Leyhna]

"Couldn't you have gotten a few sizes?" [Solace]

"What, you want me to get you size one through twelve? Unlike clothes, you don't have small, medium, or large." [Leyhna]

I closed my mouth after that one. It had been ingrained in me since my past life to not waste money, and that most definitely sounded like a waste of money.

"...Fine. I'll get back to breaking the wall." [Solace]

I approached the wall and placed a hand on it. I could feel the coldness of the brick going through my palm, something I couldn't feel as a spirit.

"Uh… I'm supposed to use physical strength since magic doesn't work against it right?" [Solace]

"Mhm." [Vincent]

"Mind telling me why Leyhna used fire magic to punch the wall?" [Solace]

Vincent glanced at Leyhna, then back to me.

"It also enhances strength. How does it enhance it? Don't ask me. I didn't pay attention when I took magical theory classes." [Vincent]

"Fair enough." [Solace]

Recalling what skills I had on my status board, I casted a few spells to help me.

"|Enchant Flame|." [Solace]

Flames erupted around my fists, coiling them as if they were alive.

"Hm?!" [Vincent]

His eyes widened in surprise. I wasn't too sure of why, but it didn't bother me enough to stop.

"|Reinforce|!" [Solace]

A dim blue light shone around my body, and I began to feel a bit stronger.

"Hmmm?!?!" [Vincent]

Those two skills were the only skills I had that buffed me, so I attacked the wall with something I learnt recently.

"|Blazing Fist|!" [Solace]

I smashed the wall in with burning fury, causing chunks of bricks to fly out as I blew a hole wide open in the wall.

"HMMMM?!?!" [Vincent]