"What? You want to join the Hero Armament Championship?"
I just told my sister about my participation into Hero Armament Championship and she kind of utterly surprised. I got home just several minutes ago.
"Ah... so tiring, I should relax a little bit," I sighed.
I went to the refrigerator, grab a bottle of fresh milk then sit on the couch while turning on the television. Just before I want to turn to my favourite channel, she came and continue of talking about the tournament out of the blue. I just want to take some time off and chill for crying out loud!
"Yes Eve. I am," I answered.
"Why didn't you tell me before?"
"I just forgot at that moment, but I did say it to Quinn though."
"But the tournament is dangerous Evie… there's lot of strong people there… even I, the leader of archery club comes at the last place on the final stage!"
"That is last year story, or do you think you are still the same as before this year? Did you try to train harder this year?"
She snapped.
"How can you say something as cruel as that, of course I've gotten better! But that doesn't mean everything will be as easy!" She proclaimed.
"Well, if you lose…perhaps you aren't as strong as you think," I commented.
"Wha, what did you say…?"
Her cheerful voice suddenly turned dejected. I turned to her face. Her round black eyes gleams with tears. Her lips curved upwards expressing an unhappy expression. Her tears start to flow down to her cheeks.
Oops, I may have taken it too far.
"E-Eve, I am sorry, I, I didn't intend to make you sad…"
"Why are you so mean to me!!!" She mewled.
"Come on Eve, I-I am sorry okay… Hey… okay, okay, I get it. You are strong alright. You are strongest than anyone so stop crying okay, strong people don't cry. Next time you will win… right?"
She stops crying in a sudden before taking a quick peek at me. Then she cries again, and it is much louder than before.
"Ugh…what should I do sis? Uh… okay, tell me whatever you want me, I will do it. Anything!"
"You liar!"
"Trust me!! I promise! I never break my promise!" I try to convince her.
Finally, her crying become quieter. She smiles and wipes off her tears with her hands.
"Anything?"
"Yes, yes! Anything!"
"Promise?"
"Yes, I promise."
She wipes her tears and start smiling for real.
"Then, I want you to accompany me to a date tomorrow for the whole day, I want to find some weapon for the tournament."
"Ah, that's all? Basically, it's a shopping."
"No, it's a date."
"Shopping."
"Evie, do you hate me?"
"I don't."
"You love me then!"
"Unthinkable."
"I will cry," she threatened me.
"I love you so much," I reply instantly.
"Then it's a date."
"Shopping."
"It's a DATE!!!!" She screamed.
"Alright, alright it's a date, I get it, don't scream to my ears, gosh…"
She smiled cheerily and get away from the couch, probably going back to her room.
"Ah, Evie, did you register for the tournament this evening? Today was the last day to enlist," She reminded me.
"Ah, of course… eh?" I wondered for a second.
After the lecture today I was… gone to Sir Atlas room!! I totally forgot about it!
--- [Azalea Shopping Complex District] ---
"Hey Evie!!! What do you think about this dress? Cute right!!" She asked for my opinion for the clothes she want to try on.
"Yeah sure…" I respond.
Last night, Quinn called me and tell me about the registration when I just about to call him.
"Hello, Evans! Do you hear me?" He initiated the conversation.
"Huh…yes Quinn, what is it?" I replied with a deep sigh.
"What a sigh, what happened?"
"Uh... it's about the tournament, I forgot to register this evening…"
"Ah… I see, so what are you going to do?"
"Nothing. Lost my chance and that's it."
"Hm, hey, it's okay… you can try another year…"
"Like hell I will, I… ah… I don't know… I feel restless…" I felt a little bit downhearted.
"Hahaha, thought so… but don't worry, I have got you covered!" He announced.
"Huh? What do you mean?" I ask for explanation.
"Hehe, I've registered for us!"
"What! Then why didn't you say so!!!"
Ah… I'm a little bit mad for the prank but I am totally relief to hear that.
"Hahaha! I just wanted to surprise you! And one more thing!"
"What is it?"
"This year format will need three participants in a team. So, for our team, it will be me, you and Princess Eleanor."
"What!? Princess Eleanor the daughter of the emperor!?" I flabbergasted.
But Quinn had already cut off the call. Maybe he has urgent matters to attend to.
So today, I am going out with my sister to the shopping district in the centre of Anthea, a town called Azalea. Azalea is the heart of central city.
"Evie? Come here! What are you doing?" Eva called me.
"Ah sorry, my mind was somewhere else."
"I want to visit the weapon shop after this! I want to find some weapon."
"Alright, then I'll wait till you finish choosing your garb."
"Aww, that's sweet Evie, thanks! How about this one!?"
After testing several apparels for a while, my sister didn't buy even one piece of them. When she asked that "how do I look?" question, I just answer "yea" and "okay" to every piece of outfit she tried and put the blame on me when she couldn't choose any. What a waste of time. So now, we are on our way to the weaponry shop that is not that far from the attire shop.
While walking, I observed my surrounding, masses of people are here walking around, stopping by some shop, sitting in a café sipping a cup of tea, kids running on the side of the road, the hovering cars and motorcycles are safely travelling on the wide road, so peaceful. I can't believe there was actually some bizarre troops that called themselves as "The Forsaken Union" and tries to harm the peaceful life that have been developed with strenuous effort from ancestors of Azaria. I don't have to believe them but… it's just—
"Evie, we have arrived!"
"Lovely Armament Shop," I read the name of the shop out loud.
Seriously?
"What a sweet name. Come on Evie, let's enter the shop," she dragged me inside.
We pushed the dark blue almost-transparent glass door and step inside the shop. The interior is quite commodious, nicely designed with cyberpunk mood and marble flooring, collection of weapons is divided to categories and arranged nicely in each spot behind a tough, unbreakable-looking glass to avoid robbery. At front of each glass, there is a holographic information console that can be used to display the information of the weapon.
"Evie, let's look at the bow first!"
"Alright sure."
Before we continue on our way inside the weapon side, we need to pass through a transparent glass that blocked any customer that don't have permit to use the weapons. I scanned my student card to the scanner board that is set on the wall at my left. The blue coloured displayed text read as 'Scan Permit Here' on the screen turned to green with changed text read as 'Welcome'. My picture, name and permit identification code are displayed below the text indicating that I am a verified customer that have the permission to enter the shop. The transparent glass slide by splitting itself to opposite direction, allowing me to step into the weapon side. The glass recombined as soon as I passed through it. I go to the area with various collection of bows. There one long row for the bows to the end of the wall.
--- [Azure Sky-Striking Bow] ---
[Rank: C]
[Arrow Type: Magical]
[Total Skill: 2]
[Skill: Buzz bolt | Double arrow]
[Ultimate: Lightning Call (B-rank)]
[Magical Attribute: Lightning]
[Basic Status]
Damage: D | Defend: C | Agility: C | Accuracy: B | Range: B | Durability: A | Intelligence: E
[Description: Bow of lightning, with imbued core from a Beast King B-class energy. Every third shot will produce shock effect on the target as special effect.]
[Price: 34,500 Zea]
--------------------
What a luxurious design. The limbs of the bow made of reinforced lightweight silver metal, decorated with blue lining, green and yellow floral ornaments on the riser section extended all the way to both end of the limbs, embedded with two pair of sapphire crystals as the energy core elements on slightly on upper and lower of the grip each and the string is emitting a dim light-blue glow.
"Thirty-four and eight hundred Zea!? So expensive! Is every magical bow this expensive?"
"Well, the ability to produce unlimited arrow is just superior to any average bows that used physical man-made arrows. But I still prefer a bow with physical arrow though, it's more versatile and original," Eve gives out her opinion.
"Not all of its stats are that impressive though. Accuracy is the only thing good about it," I claimed by looking to the stats attentively.
"You think so? A bow with magical arrow is usually pricier than bow for physical type. You just don't like to go out right?" she guessed.
"That is an indisputable truth." I replied.
Normal bow versus Magical bow. Both is a good choice depends on user skill and the status. As explained by Eva, bow with magical arrow generally has higher price than bow for physical arrow because of the special attribute which is the auto-generated arrows and the special effect of the bow. Unfortunately for bow with magical arrow, they can hardly defeat any monster that have a larger class gap with it because of the fixed damage for the arrow even if the arrow can be charged to its potential. The bow can only fire its magical arrows.
A bow for physical arrow is a fine choice too since it possessed some effect that sometimes boost the physical arrow attribute or the archer itself. It has simpler design, easy to carry and less costly, but the main advantage of using the bow is, they can use any type of physical arrow with built-in magic. We called them 'spell arrow'. They emerge with various type of effects. The arrow has their own rank for each one depends on the attributes.
Apparently, the weapon stats and attributes are using ranking system to decide on the power level of the weapon. The concept is same as the monster class, but the strongest is SS-rank I think, I haven't heard any human-made weapon that have T-rank except the legendary weapon.
The bow given by my grandfather as the gift for my tenth birthday is called 'The Scarlet Slayer Piercing Bow', which is made with mysterious material with a black-coloured sharp blade-like limbs wreathed with glowing scarlet lining threats on the limbs, ornamented with three glittering red gems slightly upper than the arrow rest with shining silver metal encircling the riser section, the string appeared the moment I hold the grip from both ends of the limbs. It's quite a simple but well-made design I would say for a bow with magical arrow.
In my first year, there was a crazy-rich senior guy who wanted to buy it from me with 40,000 Zea, but I couldn't sell it since it's very precious to me. The special effect was 'multi-arrow', when I released an arrow to my enemy, the arrow will multiply to three, five, or more depends on my thoughts, the more it multiply, the weaker each arrow. The other thing that makes my bow special is that it doesn't have any skill, but I can create them depends on how I use it.
I named the ultimate move as 'Amazing Astral Arrow'. Naming something is the ability that I most confident about. The activation is when I hold the string for longer duration, then it will charge the magical energy, thus upon releasing the string, the released arrow will be stronger depends on my focus and determination, but it can't be multiplied, and I can't fire any arrow afterwards for the equal time taken to charge it.
--- [Searing Phoenix Blistering Bow] ---
[Rank: A]
[Arrow Type: Magical]
[Total Skill: 2]
[Skill: Flaming arrow, Penetrating Sun Pillar]
[Ultimate: Grand Scorching Phoenix Arrow (A-rank)]
[Magical Attribute: Flame]
[Basic Status]
Damage: B | Defend: C | Agility: B | Accuracy: B | Range: S | Durability: S | Intelligence: C
[Description: Bow of fiery phoenix, with added core from a SS-class Mythical Beast Phoenix feathers. Every shot will produce burning effect. A charged arrow by maximum of 3 second with create explosion on 3 meters radius on the hit target or after 5 seconds released from the bow.]
[Price: 100,500 Zea]
--------------------
How gorgeous! This well-designed magical bow gives off powerful aura of grandiosity. The material used for the limbs was made from first-rate durable metal added with encircling burning orange-red scorching threads with dazzling golden riser guard joined with three vermillion feathers that is obtained from an extremely rare, fiery phoenix. The core used are just from the feathers, not the actual body. How fantastic…
"Wow, so magnificent... It looks like an immense power is residing the bow itself…" I astounded.
"Wow, this one is really powerful. I think this one is a new arrival, just looking at its design fascinates me. If I have enough money, I will buy this one. Do you know about the 'The Mystical Beast, Evie?"
"No, I don't."
"Eh? Didn't the topic about mystical beast will be in your test next week?"
"Well…"
"What are the three mystical beasts ever existed?" she questioned me.
"It's um… a dragon… I think…" I try to answer.
"Ding-dong!!"
"Yes!!"
"What yes!? That's wrong!!"
"E-eh, is it now? Hahaha—"
"Ugh, I have been wondering why your marks in history last examination is poor… You haven't focus on history class at all, am I right?"
"I did listen to the lecture… at least for ten minutes…" I muttered.
Eva makes a what-to-do-with-this-boy pose with her left hand on her waist while her right hand at the forehead. Five second later, she grins gleefully, like she has something planned out. Wait, it could not be…
"Look Eve! I can handle this my—"
"No! I don't trust you. I will teach you at home every weekend starting from eight to ten pm until your exam! No excuse, no playing games or I will report your marks to mom."
And she smirks even more. Huh, I've guessed that's it since there nothing I can do now when she becomes like that. If mom knows, no games forever for me. Huh… just you wait until I find your bad marks!
"So, let me tell you my dear brother, there are three mystical beasts out there, lives with their small family, they are basically SS-class. The mystical beasts are Manticore, Naga, and Phoenix. Manticore is the most aggressive, extremely fierce and see all living thing as its food, even the monsters."
"I see… so why do you suddenly explain—"
"The Naga or we called serpent monsters is ridiculously hard to be seen since they live in the hidden depth of subterranean sea, usually they are bestowed with vast magical energy and cast the magic with their giant staff. The phoenix usually lives in volcanos but really good in hiding themselves, have the enormous magical energy emitting from their whole body in the form of blazes and extremely hot. Their fire can stay lit for several years; the fire will not reduce even after we pour gallons of water on it," she continued, ignoring my question.
"I see, then the cause why the price reached hundreds of Zea is because of the properties of the phoenix feather that won't reduce for decades, right?" I just go through with the flow.
"Bingo! That's right! The stats are powerful but what more to it is the quality of the phoenix feathers are just so incredible! Clever Evie!"
"I know, I know. Perhaps now you know you don't need to worry—"
"Nope," She replies instantly with a terrifying smile.
"I-I see…"
While I continue to feast my eyes on each of the bow there, I deduced that there are about thirty bows which all of it are magical arrow type with vary ability and stunning look. Next to the last bow for the magical arrow type on the collection is the starting line for following bows for physical arrow type. As I am observing from the first normal, the design is kind of simple and classic, but its surely easier and comfy to hold the grip, the bow made from a quite strong and durable material which is one of the best materials in Azaria, Hercula Wood.
--- [Hercula Bow] ---
[Rank: A]
[Arrow Type: Physical]
[Total Skill: -]
[Skill: -]
[Ultimate: -]
[Magical Attribute: -]
[Basic Status]
Damage: - | Defend: B | Agility: B | Accuracy: S | Range: A | Durability: S | Intelligence: -
[Description: Bow of strongest wood, with imbued core from an A-class Titan. Every shot for any arrow is improved by 25 percent faster launching speed. The bow grants the user a great defence magic upon wielding it. Magical accuracy assist system is granted to sight as the archer pull the string.]
[Price: 30,000 Zea]
--------------------
"Sis, how about this one?"
"Hm? Hercula Bow? Oh, good stuff. Pretty amazing stats for a physical arrow type bow. But I will need more movement speed, so I think I will choose get this one!"
She pulled me to another bow in line of the collection, showing me her weapon, she wants to buy.
--- [Swift Hunter Bow] ---
[Rank: A]
[Arrow Type: Physical]
[Total Skill: -]
[Skill: -]
[Ultimate: -]
[Magical Attribute: -]
[Basic Status]
Damage: - | Defend: - | Agility: A | Accuracy: A | Range: A | Durability: A | Intelligence: -
[Description: Bow of nimbleness, with imbued core from a C-class Violent Beast. The bow grants user quick and nimble movement upon wielding, proving the best to be in hunting. Leg strengths are added upon wielding to enable high jump.]
[Price: 23,000 Zea]
--------------------
"This one? I think the Hercula Bow is lot better if we are to compare the basic status and effects."
"Hahaha! Yeah, it is but it's not for me!"
"Eh, what do you mean?"
"Well, since you don't see my performance for last year, you don't know how I was."
"Tell me then."
"Eh, can't do that, cause you sign up in the tournament and may end up being my opponent, so giving you my style will put me at disadvantages right?"
"Hm, that's so true. Okay then I won't bother asking it."
"Aww, Evie, so cute act all tough like that."
I did not.
"Since you are being so kind to get on a date with me today, I will give you some information on why I liked this one instead of Hercula Bow."
"Alright, I am all ears for you."
So, she starts her long, long story from how her friend suggest her to join the Blade Festival to the part how she has problem to enlist, when there was a guy try to approach her and so on until this.
"I was the archer of the team which mainly stand at the back of the group to provide support, watching surroundings and far-distance attack. That was the main task for an archer. But I am different, instead of standing, I love moving a lot, I can shoot at the enemy while running, jumping, or sliding."
Seriously? She's that cool?
"Let's see the detail information of the swift bow."
She controls on the holographic screen and open a detailed information of the bow.
--- [Swift Hunter Bow] ---
[Advanced Status Window]
[Damage: -]
[Defend: -]
[Agility: A]
Movement speed: A | Nimbleness: A | Footing Control: A
[Accuracy: A]
Stability: A | Sight: C | Focus: B | Surrounding Control: S
[Range: A]
Launching speed: B | Improved Arrow Force: A | Arrow Surrounding Protection: A
[Durability: A]
Magical Energy Pool: C | Magical Energy Recharge: C | Longevity: A | Heat Resistance: A | Cold Resistance: A | Corrosion Resistant: A | Toughness: A
[Intelligence: -]
Sense: - | Sensitivity: - | Perception: -
--------------------
I nodded, and my sister points on the information display specifying the attributes, I take a closer look to the section.
"As you can see, we have several attributes for any weapon, and they are divided in main status. Based on advanced status window, we can view on each attribute for the weapon speciality. Normally, the don't check for the details, from main stats, they can tell whether they want it or not, but actually checking on the details in essential for an experience archer to get the one that compatible with their style."
I nodded as agreeing with her.
"Magical arrow type box absolutely has more attributes than physical arrow type bow like this Swift Hunter Bow, it has only three available main stats if compared to the magical arrow type bows, we looked before. Magical arrow type bows have damage attributes because it has its own arrows while normal bows don't, so normal bow user have to find their own arrows."
I nodded again.
"Since I am a run-and-fire type, I need more suitable attributes for my specialty which will highlight agility the first while accuracy second. The Hercula bow is certainly a good choice for a sniper for is exceptionally spectacular range and accuracy, but for me, I will need the best agility for my movement. But still, I can even do long range with a cheap bow."
"There are one or two magical-arrow bows that have feathery weight effects, why not you picked that up?"
"Give me about 40,000 Zea and I'll buy one."
"Please forgive this humble, poor brother."
"Good, so the best choice among the bow here for my skill with mu current budget right now is this Swift Hunter. Moreover, I am better with spell arrow."
"I see, but judging from the advanced information window, don't you think you need some more stats that maybe can enhance your defence or speed a little more than that."
"Evans, the status of a weapon is not exactly as good when we used the weapon."
"Eh? How come?"
"That because the status only added to your own ability and skill on using it. If you are already capable of handling a particular weapon, you don't need such high status to produce the best result instead, just use your own. Your skills and knowledge are the most important when handling a weapon. Just because you have a strong weapon doesn't make you strong than other person."
"Ah! I get it now. That's a good explanation sis."
"Right!! You can praise me more!! Admire me all you want!"
Ugh…
"Eve, since you tell me your specialty, I will tell you, my specialty."
"Hm, what is it?"
"I think I am pretty good with a sabre-type sword."
"Sabre? Hahaha, good for you, but you will never beat me at far distance battle."
"Don't you know that I use a bow too?"
"I do but…"
She come nearer and pushing her body upwards, nearing her face to mine.
"Do you think you can beat me in my arsenal in addition that I am the leader of the archery club?" She provoked while making a smug face.
"Hahaha…" I tittered.
"Alright Evie, I will come to you after I decide on my arrows!"
"Kay sis."