"What do you know about beast gear?" Alfred asked. "I'm not talking about its history and all of that irrelevant stuff. What do you know about its combat relevance?"
"Um.....I know it would make its user stronger," Ian replied, unsure of what exactly his teacher wanted to hear. "And the active skills can be a huge help in battle."
"True," Alfred nodded. "Now, what do you know about beast gear compatibility?"
"Umm...I don't know?" Ian said cautiously.
"Okay then, come in and stop cowering like a wimp," Alfred said and a seat rose from below the ground just like Alfred's seat did.
Ian, who had been standing really close to the door, had no choice but to obey.
"Beast gear compatibility is the most important thing about using a beast gear," Alfred explained. "You might have a high-rank beast gear, but if it isn't compatible with your combat style, it would only slow you down and get in your way. Likewise, a compatible low-rank beast gear can be utilized to its fullest potential in the hands of its user. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," Ian replied.
"With that said," Alfred continued. "The first step before choosing a beast gear is identifying your combat style."
He then looked at Ian intently. "What would you say your combat style is, Ian?"
"Um-"
"Don't make a guess," Alfred interrupted him. "You must be extremely sure of what you say because your future beast gear depends on it, and with it, your safety."
Ian pursed his lips and placed his hand on his chin as he thought about it.
"I'm not strong so it's definitely not power," he thought. "I might call it agility but I'm not exactly fast either."
"Calculated movement?" he said out loud without realizing it.
"What do you mean?" Alfred asked.
"Well, I try predicting moves my opponent makes and react according to them," he replied. "That way I can counter their attacks if possible, or find weaknesses to exploit."
"Hmmm," Alfred sighed. "Neither agility nor power. You can't overpower them and you aren't faster than them, huh?"
"Exactly," Ian replied.
"Then your beast gear should try to compliment both power and agility," Alfred said. "It should be one that gives you a good balance of strength and agility."
"Okay, sir," Ian replied.
"Then make your choice," Alfred said.
"Huh?" Ian asked, staring at him in confusion.
As if answering his question, the walls began to slide up like in the beast weapons class until it eventually revealed the weapons hung on them. Even though it's not as much as in the beast weapons class, there was a wide variety of weapons to choose from. It ranged from swords, spears, shields, axes, staffs and the likes. It was definitely a lot for Ian to choose from.
Ian immediately made his way to the area with bladed weapons, and immediately started scanning through them, looking to see if he could find anything he liked.
"Are these all for me?" he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
"You're my only student," Alfred shrugged. "I did tell them that I would need beast weapons to teach too. I didn't think they would bring this much. They're all intermediate weapons too, so you can choose any of them to take for the raid."
Ian couldn't contain his joy as he scanned through the weapons earnestly. He had no way of knowing what they could each do but he was elated to be in the presence of so many weapons.
"You aren't even giving the blunt weapons a glance," Alfred observed.
"Oh, yes," Ian replied. "I'm not exactly interested in blunt weapons."
"I see," Alfred said, rubbing his chin as he stood up to walk towards the blunt weapons. "Let me recommend one to you," he said as he took a pair of gauntlets off the wall and dropped them in front of Ian.
"That's the worst kind of weapon for me though," Ian replied. "My punch would barely hurt, even with that on."
"That's where you are wrong," Alfred said. "Gauntlets aren't supposed to be a choice. Every explorer or combatant in any way must have a pair of gauntlets on them. Do you know why?"
"No?"
"Because they don't stop you from carrying other weapons," he grinned. "You get the stats from it, a possible active skill, freedom to use your weapon of choice and the option of a fistfight if you get disarmed at any point. It's basically the most versatile weapon ever made."
"I see," Ian said. "But we are only allowed a set of weapons and armour. I can't use a blunt weapon because of my strength so it would be a waste to use it."
"It's a gift from me," Alfred smiled. "As your teacher, it's my duty to gift you your first beast weapon."
"I don't think that's a popular belief," Ian replied.
"Well, it's my belief," Alfred sighed. "Now take it before I get mad."
"What about the others?" Ian asked. "No one is gonna be happy if I have two weapons."
"I hate questions, how many times do I have to tell you that?" Alfred asked sitting down. "You can just tell them that it's a gift from your teacher. No one would care if you have an extra weapon anyway, considering how weak you are."
Ian eyed the weapon suspiciously. "Are you sure I can take this?"
Alfred glared at him in return. "I also hate having to repeat myself."
"Fine," Ian said as he took them. "Thank you."
"You're not welcome until you survive the raid," Alfred replied. "Now choose your other weapons."
Ian thought for a few seconds. "Do you think a bow would be good?"
"While it isn't a bad idea, I don't think it will be a good one either."
"But I need some that would help me in all ranges. Long, mid and close range."
Alfred cocked an eyebrow. "Are you a fool?"
"Huh?"
"There's no weapon that can do all three," he said. "Unless you want a spear. But you'll have to lose it if you're aiming for long range."
"How about mid and close-range?" Ian asked. "I don't want a spear."
"Hmmm," Alfred thought for a few seconds before standing up and walking over to a different section of the wall. "I might have the perfect weapon for you."