Two days passed since Sebastian raided the Nightshades' outpost.
He lacked proof, but as he prepared to raid the Cobalt Serpents' main headquarters, he observed fewer Nightshades and Rust Reapers on the streets.
This meant they were likely preparing to increase the defenses on their base. That someone was targeting them was clear. The only question was who and why.
At that moment, Sebastian found himself perched in the first row of the Theater, a name that belied its true nature.
This was no ordinary venue for dramatic performances; instead, it was an arena dedicated to combat, where thespians clashed for the amusement of the Auditors.
In his hands, Sebastian held binoculars, bringing the ferocious battle into sharp focus.
The cries he heard, "KILL HIM!" and "BREAK HIS NECK!" weren't from a script but the raw, unfiltered shouts of spectators hungry for violence, cheering on the Thespians locked in combat below.
The Theater itself was an imposing structure, reminiscent of ancient arenas where gladiators once fought.
Its circular design funneled the sounds of the crowd, amplifying their cheers and jeers, creating a cacophony of bloodlust that reverberated off the walls.
The air was thick with anticipation, mingled with the unmistakable aroma of hotdogs, popcorn, and other stadium fare, catering to the spectators' appetites for both food and spectacle.
Yet, beneath the scent of greasy treats lingered a more pungent, metallic odor—that of blood spilled on the arena floor below.
Adding to the sensory overload was the unmistakable presence of the crowd itself.
Packed tightly together, the mass of bodies generated a heat all its own, the air heavy with the smell of sweat and excitement.
The audience was a melting pot of society, from those clad in finery to others in simpler garb, all united by their thirst for the spectacle before them.
Sebastian was there, because he wanted to get some more skills from those thespians.
The problem was that despite the binoculars; the distance was too great for him to see properly and sense mana.
Sebastian had to buy all the day's ticket, just to have an opportunity for understanding a couple more tier 0 skills.
"Fucking fuck! Let me see some basic move, you idiots!"
That must have confused those surrounding Sebastian, because seeing tier 0 skills was rather boring for the others.
In the center of the Theater, there were two knights. Those guys were level 3 thespians.
They likely left Somnium to avoid risking their lives, and earn money by fighting non lethal fights against fellow thespians.
The problem was that by doing that; they relinquished the chance to get stronger.
Not that Sebastian could blame them. Somnium was a dangerous place, after all.
Knights were thespians specializing in protecting their comrades, and that focused on defense.
They usually wore heavy armor, often made by crafters to enhance their already high defenses.
Sebastian aimed to get a skill possessed by assassins, but regrettably, knights were the primary combatants on that particular day.
The problem was that the previous day he had to hunt, while today he spent the day researching.
He couldn't postpone the attack on the Nightshades' base any longer, because that would give them enough time to put up greater defenses.
Despite being focused on defense, this didn't mean knights didn't know how to fight, mostly because thespians often found themselves alone while fighting against Fangeds, meaning they had to know how to wield a weapon.
"CHOP HIS HEAD OFF!"
"NO, NO, NO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU IDIOT?!"
One of the two knights lost his shield. He still had his sword, but a knight was stronger with a shield on.
"C'mon, use it!" Sebastian said. He didn't see that skill used often that day. "Use it, for fuck's sake!"
It was then that the knight used the tier 0 skill Sebastian was eager to see.
He picked up his binocular and observed the area surrounding the knight as the skill manifested.
The man used the skill called Shield of Virtue, which was a skill that conjured a mana created shield that increased the user's defenses until the skill lasted, and that blocked one direct attack the defender couldn't stop.
"YES!"
As Sebastian observed, his focus zeroed in on the behavior of the mana as the knight summoned the Shield of Virtue.
The knight said nothing, but the surrounding air stirred.
Sebastian watched closely, noting how the mana seemed to gather from the surroundings, drawn to the knight like iron filings to a magnet.
It swirled around him, a visible current of energy coalescing into form.
The mana spiraled inwards, converging into a luminous shield that shimmered into existence with a soft hum of power.
This shield, formed entirely of mana, stood in front of the knight and gravitated around him, its surface smooth and impenetrable.
It promised unyielding defense against any forthcoming assault.
Sebastian was particularly intrigued by the way the shield interacted with the knight's own mana.
It didn't just form a barrier; it seemed to sync with his essence, enhancing his natural defenses.
Sebastian knew his assessment was right, but he was figuring out how to replicate that.
The mana, now shaped into the Shield of Virtue, pulsed, ready to repel a single direct attack that the knight could not evade on his own.
"YES! YES! I GET IT NOW!" Sebastian said. The shout startled those around him, because they turned to look at him with weirded looks.
Then an attack targeted the knight. The shield's response was immediate and efficient, flaring up with a brighter intensity as it absorbed the impact, dispersing the energy across its surface and nullifying the threat.
The shield disappeared, but that was enough for the knight to pick up the one he lost.
Throughout this observation, Sebastian's mind worked feverishly, dissecting the flow and manipulation of mana involved in creating the Shield of Virtue.
In the end, the knight, despite losing his shield, triumphed.
The crowd erupted in cheers. Sebastian, intrigued by what he had learned and seen, left the arena with a grin on his face, his mind buzzing with ideas about how to replicate the Shield of Virtue for himself.