I took a moment to savor the tea and check the content,
Clink–
I put down the teacup.
To put it mildly, it was like this.
"It's a pity."
First of all, it seemed that there was no way to lower the level restriction of the items, even in the Mage Tower.
[Vampire Count's Orb]
[Grade: Unique]
[Restriction: Lv.400]
[Effect: When attacking, there's a high probability of additional damage.]
[Description: An orb filled with vampire blood. Whenever it comes in contact with mana, the blood bursts out and damages the target.]
Each attack had a high probability of additional damage.
I thought it might be a good match for me.
'Because magic can be creatively manifested.'
Imagine breaking a single lump of stone into small pieces.
And blowing them to the enemy.
Each small stone had an additional damage effect.
The damage would be more than doubled.
I asked for an appraisal because I was wondering if I could make use of the effect.
'Level 400 is too far away.'
My level was only 226.
'There goes my easy additional damage.'
When I thought so, my eyes naturally turned to the P.S.
– The [Vampire Count's Orb] has an effect that is hard to see even in the Mage Tower. I wonder if the disparate effect is related to the demon's magic tool. Therefore, we formally request to borrow it for research purposes on the [Vampire Count's Orb].
"A borrow request?"
Certainly, demon items were rare.
Moreover, the [Vampire Count's Orb] was of a high level.
I didn't think long.
Sksksk–
Using a feather pen, I immediately scraped a feather pen on the parchment.
I accepted that request.
Aside from its immediate effect, it was an item that only took up my inventory. Above all, the Mage Tower wouldn't take it from me.
In addition.
"There's a give and take in everything."
Yes, there was a trade-off.
I glanced down at the brooch for some reason.
'…I need to say something else.'
Just in case, I asked when they would return the hexagram brooch.
If I hold out the [Vampire Count's Orb], wouldn't it be possible to postpone it somehow?
Considering the level of magic tools scattered around the Mage Tower, it was possible they could forget it and move on.
'I'm at a loss, but I will tolerate it up until I get to level 400. Generously.'
Who knows?
If the research result turned out good, it might benefit me too.
I didn't expect too much, though.
Let's move on.
[Pure Emerald Crystal].
As a material item, its shape could be made to suit my requirements.
As expected of the Mage Tower.
But before production.
There was an explanation of what effect it would have.
– As a result of the appraisal, the effect [Recover vitality when attacked] is confirmed.
In the past, back when Arcana was a game.
The magic tower was able to sweep away players' money.
I think I know how they did that.
'To think they see the effects before they craft it!'
That meant the equipment could be crafted appropriately for the effect.
There was a reason why players paid so much money for appraisals.
By the way, I couldn't believe I was using this luxurious service for free.
'It's not bad to feel like I've risen a bit.'
Recover vitality when attacked
Above all, versatility was a good effect.
It was an effect that didn't really discriminate between classes.
'If I think about reselling it later…'
It was definitely better to make it an [Accessory].
Even in the appraisal results, there was content that [Accessory] production was recommended.
Above all, I could adjust the level restriction to my level so that I could wear it right away.
"There's no need to hesitate about this either."
It took a while to pick up the feather pen again.
Last item, [Treasure of the Island, Silk Koi Scale].
I checked the results of the content that I was most curious about.
[Treasure of the Island, Silk Koi Scale]
[Grade: Unique]
[Restriction: None]
[Effect: When crafted, grants the effect of flame attribute enhancement / grants the effect of evasion probability enchantment / grants the effect of opening aesthetic stat on the crafted item]
[Description: Silk that cannot be exchanged for jewelry of the same weight. It is so rare that no one can dare to evaluate its value.]
Most of all, what I was most curious about.
It was the [aesthetic] stat.
'I searched the internet and nothing came out.'
Even so, the Mage Tower should know something.
But the result was unexpected.
"Mmm."
….Even the Mage Tower doesn't know?
On the parchment, it clearly said, 'an unknown ability that has not been confirmed'.
Just like with the Vampire Count's Orb, a postscript was added.
Befitting of the Mage Tower that explored the unknown and searched for the truth.
They made a polite request to borrow it.
Yeah, they must be curious.
An unknown ability.
They would have to check the effect of [aesthetic] stat before they could be satisfied.
However.
"I'm sorry."
I couldn't give up on this either.
'This is not for research, it's for survival…!'
Of course, the lower the level of restriction, the lower the absolute performance of the equipment.
Am I in a position to be picky?
Whatever the materials were.
It was my reality that I had to use it if it was of any help.
And above all, with Granfendfel's sense of aesthetics.
"I've already decided where to use it."
From the beginning, I already had an idea of what I was going to make out of this silk scale. Soon, my vision turned to the empty jacket pocket.
Sksk-
Then I finally wrote a reply on the parchment.
──────
[Vampire Count's Orb] – Rented
[Pure Emerald Crystal] – Make into an accessories
[Treasure of the Island, Silk Koi Scale] – Make into a handkerchief
──────
A handkerchief.
'…I wouldn't have imagined it if it were me.'
Handkerchief.
In any case, it was an item that could satisfy both formality and aesthetic sense. It would be nice if it could have a good effect on top of that.
'Well, you won't know until you open it, right?'
The effect of the [aesthetic] stat.
It wasn't up to me.
What I could do was.
Add a few words in the postscript.
– I want the best results regardless of the cost.
Sk–
It was very much like me.
– I look forward to Mage Tower's capability.
.
.
.
…Anyway, I thought I had forgotten something.
Matis Dean Carl!
I forgot the senior mage's message.
I checked it out after some time.
Alas.
If he had thrown a test like [Sage's Recreation], it would have been easier. Isn't this just a simple request?
-…I'll be waiting for you in the floating garden.
Naturally, I didn't know his face, his connection, or the matter of the business.
If you look at it broadly, isn't he basically a co-worker?
To put it bluntly, I was a non-regular temporary worker, but anyway.
'Is he still waiting?'
It was like reading and ignoring the company's message instead of going to the meeting place.
'Wait, if it's the floating garden…'
It was a space that could be called the social meeting place for the Mage Tower.
It wasn't hard to find.
Among the books placed in the lab, there was also a book about the structure of the Mage Tower.
Of course, my prior knowledge of that social place was also obtained there.
However.
I sat at my desk and didn't move a bit.
The damn temper of this guy that values formality and procedures!
There was no flexibility in it.
Even if he was a co-worker, if it was not a mutually agreed appointment.
Even if he was waiting for a long time at the meeting place.
I had no reason to meet him.
I thought again.
'No matter how I think about it…'
Quitting my job was a godsend!
I couldn't follow instructions.
I imagined myself confronting my boss fiercely.
With silver hair, at that.
'…Just imagining it is terrible.'
I felt bad for Matis, who must be waiting, but it couldn't be helped.
This unbreakable stubbornness.
I knew it from experience.
Refusing to interview.
Asking the players to take etiquette lessons first.
The experience is endless…
– That would be difficult.
So.
Just four words.
That was my reply.
But immediately, letters appeared on the parchment.
– Then is tomorrow afternoon okay?
He answered as if he didn't care about being rejected.
At this point, I wondered what his purpose was.
That senior mage would definitely drag on the test.
I picked up the feather pen.
– That also would be difficult.
That would be difficult, too.
I had an appointment in the afternoon.
It was the schedule for my swordsmanship training.
Once again, I expressed my intention to decline.
But this time once again, the immediate answer came back.
– Then what about the morning time the next day?
…At this rate, isn't this like the three visits to the cottage [1] ?
I understand a little bit why Zhuge Liang's heart was shaken.
Of course, Grandfel's stubbornness was incomparable to Zhuge Liang's.
The reason I accepted it was not because I was shaken by his affection, but simply because the appointment time was changed to morning.
'Since I will be in the Mage Tower in the morning anyway.'
It seemed that the position had changed for some reason.
I opened my mouth as if it were natural.
"I can meet you in the morning."
…Yes, I'm glad. Really.
*
Squeeze–
I squeezed the sword.
Swoosh–
I swung the sword.
I repeated the series of actions.
'Fuck demon hunter.'
Unfortunately, simply repeating an action didn't create a [skill].
In Arcana, skills were exclusive properties of each class.
'It's not something you can get by working hard.'
Even if it wasn't necessarily a class-specific skill.
The skills from other affiliated classes couldn't be acquired in general.
But I knew.
Beyond skill.
There was another 'something'.
Magic was one of those things.
And.
Perhaps this 『aura』 was one of them.
Goo–
I looked at the light radiating from the sword.
My prediction was exactly right.
"It won't be easy, but think of becoming one with the sword."
There was no understanding or deep realization.
"You are the sword, and the sword is you… …Ah?!"
Intuitive mastery, like magic.
Just watch and copy.
I was also able to radiate sword aura accordingly.
Harkon was astounded.
"…N-No way! I didn't know it was truly possible!"
Of course, my swordsmanship was incomparable to Harkon's.
To be precise, it would be correct to say that my aura was faint.
Even compared to Yeshika and Enoch, it was terrible.
"Sir Hoyeol, do you know how great this is!?"
Harkon was clearly excited.
But even if he didn't express it like that, I could feel it to some extent. I was experiencing with my body how great aura was.
'…I can see why he emphasized physical strength.'
Did he say that I might get swayed by the sword?
Indeed, I could fully understand what it meant.
I feel like my stamina is being cut into pieces…!
Sweat dripped down my back just because I emitted the aura.
The feeling of fatigue accumulating in the body in real time was a bonus.
I realized the reality once again.
'It's like skipping the intermediate step.'
Aura.
It must be close to the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
I filled the bottomless pit with that.
It was only natural that it consumed my stamina a lot.
On top of that, just think about my level.
My level was only 226.
Let alone Harkon, there was also a huge gap between me and level 430 Yezica and level 400 Enoch.
Our difference in strength and agility?
I didn't even need to say it.
I'd been focusing all my points on magic.
Nevertheless, I didn't whine.
Because I already knew.
There was a way to make up for that shortcoming.
'…Class quest!'
It was the perfect solution to complement the stamina, strength, and agility stats at the same time.
So I didn't complain.
Retracting my sword, I said shamelessly.
"The sun is unusually warm today."
I used the weather as an excuse to wipe off my cold sweat.
…Being able to stay brazen even if I am struggling like this is impressive.
Harkon's ruckus was far from over.
"I was sure of it before, but only today can I say it with confidence. Sir Hoyeol! You must walk the path of the sword. Talented people like you can be counted on one hand. No, on three fingers within the continent!"
After talking for a long time, Harkon said.
"In fact, it is safe to say that I have nothing to teach you."
Wait, what do you mean?
It hasn't been a few days, but it's already over!?
Where else do I get a teacher like Harkon?
'I can still rip off you… No, there is still a lot I have to learn!'
Regardless of whether or not I had acquired aura, I felt unfair.
I wanted to show my broken heart.
Fortunately, however, I didn't have to.
"From now on, you're in the stage of realizing it in actual combat."
"Actual combat."
"Yes! There's no better environment than this. In the kingdom of Yusra, there are plenty of monsters around. In the battlefield between life and death, the aura becomes thicker and takes on its own color."
Oh, that's what you meant.
Then I didn't have to be regretful.
Even so, I was curious about it, too.
'When the Natural Enemy Relationship doesn't kick in.'
How much power do I have?
Frankly, I didn't expect much.
Above all, I didn't have the capability.
Because I knew my class well.
Demon hunter.
Unless it was time to hunt demons.
It was a class that showed poor performance as if missing some screws.
However.
'…Huh?'
Plop–!
I thought while looking at the falling monster.
This is more than I expected.
1. Three visits to the cottage = a famous reference to the story of Three Kingdoms about how Liu Bei succeeded in recruiting Zhuge Liang after paying him three personal visits.