I had chosen to wear the usual black attire but now wearing a jet-black, long, slim trench coat – a passive defensive artifact.
A passive defensive artifact is another artifact that needed not to imprint your soul, for it was passive, possessing no spell inside.
The only purpose it served was to increase the owner's magic defense and physical defense and even increase a magic aptitude.
The trench coat I had now only carried an increase in magic and physical defense, but it was enough, expensive as it was, to protect me from Level 4 spells below.
Level 4 spells and above was a spell that only a High-Rank Mage could cast, so the fact it could protect me from their lowest level of spells, at least, increased my safety by another layer.
Of course, defensive artifacts such as this have major downsides.
It only protects what covers the body.
Hence, my head was unprotected.
Not until I grabbed a jet-black Victorian squire hat.
Of course, it might not protect my face, but at least I could tilt my head to purposely collide any attacks to my hat, instead.
The Victorian squire hat also has the same increase of passive defense as the trench coat.
To be cautious enough, I also wore a monocle, but it was also colored black.
Unlike the defensive properties that other passive artifacts possessed, the monocle increased my vision, clarity, perception sensitivity, and scrutiny, inflating another layer of protecting myself.
Those three passive artifacts alone cost more than half the grand piano price.
However, I am not done yet.
It was only, after all, passive artifacts.
I still possessed five artifacts that only I, unblessed by the Gods, could achieve.
However, just as I was about to check my other artifacts, after finishing my preparations – settling with clothes, ready to depart – I heard Sophie's voice echoing behind the door.
"Young Highness, it is now time, but don't be in a hurry. We can still wait."
'But those old geezers could not,' I thought to myself.
I could still remember this body's memories of how those people in the Church, especially the current archbishops running the churches in this kingdom, scorned me when they discerned no affinity for any elements.
Of course, at that time, I – the previous owner of the body – just acted indifferent, as if not noticing their behavior towards me.
I mean, I could understand in some way why they would act like that.
Having no affinity, especially to any church – not at all – also symbolized that their gods had forsaken me.
If he did, why wouldn't his followers?
I'm already thankful that my father hasn't abandoned me… I could still endure the cringe moments for a long time.
Anyway, it's now time to meet with those old geezers again.
When awakening the blessings, once you turn sixteen years old, the churches attempt to verify the affinity they had, so once you turn sixteen, you'll then receive the blessings.
Of course, some are exceptions, especially those talented enough to receive the blessings of the gods without any repercussions.
They were once in a million, or even tens, talents.
However, if they gathered in a single place, their rarity became common.
That place was the Royal Academy, where nobles had powers, while commoners had to fight for a minuscule power.
"I'm now ready. Please prepare yourself, as well, Sophie."
"I'm now ready as always, Young Highness," said Sophie, her voice loudening when she opened the palatial door.
Through my monocle, her adorableness increased to many folds.
I could even clearly see her bosom, having its appearance – highlighting the size after its maturity – amplified by the slim maid's fiery outfit.
However, it couldn't even arouse me for how emotionless I am.
I couldn't help but sigh.
"Why are you sighing, Young Highness?" she asked while trying hard to maintain her composure, betrayed by the redness of her cheeks.
"It's nothing." I smiled at her.
By the time I finished my words, she had long appeared behind my back and pushed the wheelchair with her little body.
"Are you ready now, Young Highness?" Her cheerful, low-pitched voice echoed behind my ear.
"Always has been," I replied.
"Yey! Let's go!" She sounded serious by the last syllable.
I still couldn't get over how adorable she acted.
She seemed so perfect in my eyes when I thought about it.
If only she existed in my world and met her twenty years earlier, I would have long been obsessed with her.
Sadly, it remained an if.
And if we now meet at the same age, I'd still be thirty in my mind.
I would really feel guilty about marrying a child.
Ah, do my emotionless traits even help me possess any conscience?
Hmm…
I-In any case, I shouldn't let this pervy thing get over in my head.
That's right!
Damn it, why am I now so guilty?
Help me, emotionless trait!
"Is everything okay, Young Highness?"
My body froze.
"Of course, what could not be?" My voice was so calm and usual.
No one suspected a thing except me alone.
To distract myself from those impure thoughts, I lowered my head and gazed at my right hand, which possessed a ring, and on my necklace.
I didn't even need to voice out my thoughts for the system to perceive my intention, as he sensitively opened the status window, quickly showing the artifacts status category.
[Artifact/Relic - Necklace of Uriel's Protection, EmberForge Ring, Ring of Firecannon, Ring of Inferno Ward, Ring of Inferno Curse.]
I'm also wondering why there was a relic, but It soon dawned on me that they were pretty much the same.
In fact, the necklace was a relic associated with an archangel in some religious contexts.
How could I forget about this?
Tossing those stupid thoughts at the back of my mind, I ordered to show each description and status of the artifact I possessed.
I couldn't help but grin whenever I realized how many defensive artifacts I carried.
What could even kill me now?