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Autumndusk, West section of Stoneglen, Time: 8:20 AM
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James took a while to get here as he had to part ways with Mianne, but he finally reached the place he wanted to be: the guardian-dedicated section of Stoneglen.
He was going to have a great time being here, but first, he needed to sharpen his halberd.
It seemed to have taken a lot of damage ever since his fight with Gray Phoenix and Swamp Purger, who had become his allies.
He still didn't know where it had gone though... James pushed those thoughts aside as he quickly rushed to the blacksmith to get his new weapons and armor ready for the arena.
As James entered the bustling blacksmith's workshop, the ringing of hammers against anvils echoed throughout the room.
Sparks danced in the air as skilled artisans worked diligently on various weapons and armor.
The heat from the forges enveloped him as he approached the counter, where a burly blacksmith with soot-covered hands greeted him with a friendly nod.
James could smell the oil, the burnt iron, and the sweat from all the way here. It wasn't very safe.
"Ah, you must be new here! You seem like you want some repairs, I see," the dwarf blacksmith boomed, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "What can I do for you today?"
He seemed to be dressing in a blacksmith outfit, oil and grease everywhere on him, a leather glove, and finally, a glorious orange beard.
James placed his damaged halberd on the counter, its once-sharp blade now showing signs of wear from battles past.
"I need this halberd sharpened and reinforced," he explained, his tone determined. "And I also have a few new pieces of equipment that need your expertise."
The blacksmith picked up the halberd, inspecting it with a practiced eye. "No worries, lad. I'll have this halberd looking and feeling like new in no time."
He motioned to the side, where a collection of gleaming weapons awaited their attention. "And what new gear do you have for me to work on?"
James carefully laid out his newly acquired weapons and armor, explaining his preferences and specifications.
The blacksmith nodded along, occasionally offering his insights and suggestions. It was evident that this blacksmith took pride not only in his craftsmanship but also in ensuring that every piece he forged met the needs of the warriors who wielded them.
While the blacksmith worked on restoring the halberd, James watched the process with a mix of fascination and relief.
It was as though the weapon was receiving a second chance at life, just like he had after his encounters with Gray Phoenix and The Eldritch.
As the hours passed, the blacksmith decided to ask, "Ya the guys from the news headline, ain't ya, lad?" He seemed to be curious about James.
"Wait, they already put me in the news?" James seemed to be getting more excited while the blacksmith could only smirk at him.
"Yea, in all your full display, lad. It seems you even made it to the headlines." The blacksmith gestured toward the newspaper holder, which James took a look at.
James started to feel astonished at his achievement, feeling like he was dreaming. "I even got promoted to D rank." James feels like this is a huge step for him to take.
The blacksmith watched in a bit of nostalgia at James; he felt like he kinda reminded him a little bit of him. "Ya know lad, you remind me of someone I knew..."
James seemed to be surprised at him, "Really? Who?" He knew that sometimes a star can just alight with another constellation but it could just be a coincidence.
"Can't say, but a guardian who used to come for repairs a lot seemed to take good care of his weapons. All I remember is his face and the legacy he carried." The blacksmith simply stated.
"I see, he must have loved his weapons like I do then. My halberd was a gift from my mom." James stated before deciding to ask the important question.
"Oh yeah, I want to ask about this stone, it seems to give me some supernatural power." James pulled out Swamp Purger and placed it on the counters for the blacksmith to examine.
"Ah, those are eldritch runes, lad. This one seems to be more primitive, so I could get you some of the new eldritch shell to turn it into a medal if you wanna." The blacksmith suggested, which made James shake in excitement.
"Really?! How much?" James couldn't wait; it shouldn't be over his budget if anything.
"10,000 Glory Credits and 7 days of working on it!" The blacksmith proudly stated, making James's face stuck in place.
"Fuck that." James quickly declined the offers. He was interested but he doesn't have that much time for that.
Finally, after meticulous work, the blacksmith handed James his newly refurbished halberd. Its blade gleamed with a renewed edge, and the weight felt perfect in his grip.
"There you go, lad. Your halberd's ready for whatever challenges lie ahead," the blacksmith said with a grin.
"Thank you," James said sincerely, his appreciation evident in his eyes. He then picked up his other weapons and armor, each piece now adorned with the blacksmith's expert touches.
James decided to head into the changing room as he wanted to check out his brand-new armor.
He was determined to make sure that he would endure the battles with these pieces, willing to stake his life on their protection.
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Autumndusk, West section of Stoneglen, Time: 9:30 AM
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James wore a new armor of dark blue, silver, and white, with starry patterns and a moon emblem.
His cloak changed colors like the moon phases. His belt had runes. His armor glowed with eclipse magic.
"Ahaha, this feels amazing!" James's emotions mingled, a touch of the peculiar and a swell of pride, as he beheld the transformed armors.
Mianne's suggestions had taken root, and he couldn't help but feel a profound sense of accomplishment in their manifestation.
With a flicker of optimism, he hoped that Mianne might ultimately appreciate the outcome.
"Alright, no more delays," James declared firmly, his determination overpowering any lingering uncertainty.
A spark of eagerness ignited within him as he envisioned the looming challenge.
"Time to uncover the Colosseum!" His words resonated with an excited fervor, an anticipation of the exhilarating journey that awaited him in the quest to locate the enigmatic arena.
As James continued his solo adventure to find the Colosseum, a piercing scream of pain reached his ears, momentarily drowned by the resounding cheers of the crowd.
James felt irresistibly drawn by its haunting call—the unmistakable resonance of the Colosseum.
Amidst the bustling streets, he caught sight of it and nodded with unwavering conviction. With resolute determination, he hastened his pace, racing towards the magnificent structure with unwavering speed.
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Autumndusk, ChronoColiseum: Entrance, Time: 9:45 AM
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The ChronoColiseum is a captivating blend of luminous crystal and meticulously crafted metal.
Inside, a circular amphitheater awaits, bathed in an ethereal glow. Its ever-shifting mosaic floor represents the flow of time.
The creation of the ChronoColiseum is intertwined with the vibrant city of Stoneglen, where competition and sponsorships thrive.
James enters, filled with excitement and humbled by the breathtaking spectacle.
Surveying the vibrant surroundings, James found himself among a diverse crowd.
The participants ranged from hopeful newcomers to accomplished A-Rank contenders, aspiring B-Rank challengers, and even a few renowned S-Rank figures who came to witness the spectacle.
The air buzzed with electric energy, everyone eagerly anticipating the battles ahead.
With a mix of excitement and a hint of awkwardness, James made his way towards the receptionist's table.
The unique atmosphere of the arena seemed to bestow him with mystical agility, allowing him to move with unexpected grace.
As he approached the receptionist, a soft chuckle from her made him stop just in time to avoid colliding with a nearby wall.
"Hello there! Are you here to watch the arena or to fight in it? The arena is currently open for F-Rank and higher C-Rank battles," she asked.
James responded with determination, "I'm here to fight in the arena!" The receptionist took notes on a small ticket while glancing up at him.
"May I have your guardian ID, please?" she requested. James handed over his ID, feeling a moment of anticipation as the receptionist carefully examined both him and his credentials before recording the information on the ticket.
"Your queue number is 648. If you get injured, head to the left for the nursing room. Please join the queue over there," the receptionist instructed.
Following her guidance, James obediently moved to the end of the line, his excitement undiminished despite the wait.
As he surveyed the length of the queue, he realized it might take a while before he reached the front. However, he remained patient and determined to see this through.
Observing the seemingly endless line, James briefly poked his head out to assess the situation. The queue stretched before him like a winding serpent.
Despite the daunting prospect, he pushed aside any doubts, reminding himself of the unique opportunity that lay before him.
As James settled into the wait, someone caught his attention from the entrance—a figure with vibrant purple hair and a distinctive dino symbol on their coat.
A small, playful dinosaur perched on the person's shoulder, emitting a mischievous roar.
"Looks like he wants to make a scene, huh?" the individual remarked with a hint of amusement, their words carried by the creature's playful demeanor.
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