Chapter 161: Requirements

"I remember that you threatened me by using the names of a couple of Arcanists... What are their names again?"

Reiji recalled that Ruthren tried to use some Arcanist's names to intimidate him. He wasn't truly paying attention to it during that time until Felix reminded him not to worry about those Arcanists he mentioned.

Now that he saw the tall and impressive Arcanist Tower, he was reminded about those Arcanists...

"Sir Renzo and Lady Karen. Both of them are nobles and Arcanists that were quite popular due to their adventurous nature. They've entered the Orc's Land for half a year, they fought against the strongest Evil Beasts in the Kingdom, hunted the elusive Trolls, and they are known for not having a permanent place to stay."

"But they are nobles... Why are they doing this?"

"Sir Renzo is the third son of a Count while Lady Karen is a second daughter of a Baron. It is said that both of them wouldn't inherit anything significant from their family and lady Karen would even be married off as a concubine of a Viscount."

"Impressive... You really know a lot..."

Reiji nodded at his explanation. However, it seems that the three Arcana was confused. 

'Ahh...'

He understood their confusion since they were not well-versed about human customs yet...

"Ugh... Their nobility is so complicated."

Yerin grumbled as she decided not to dig deeper into this. She was only curious at first but after realizing that humans are so complicated, she lost interest in the end.

"Do you really know the two?" Felix asked. Those two weren't just anyone that would associate themselves with these lowly bandits…

Although it hasn't been long since Felix was summoned, he had a decent wielder before that allowed him to gather information and learn about many things in the kingdom. 

He's unlike Reiji who mostly stayed in the jungle to strengthen himself.

Ruthren looked at Felix as he answered without any hesitation.

"Yes... They're one of our buyers. There are cases that even the black market wouldn't accept our stolen goods. So we are selling it to them instead." 

"What kind of dangerous things are they? Even the black market wouldn't accept? I'm curious." Reiji asked after finding it quite unusual. 

"Dangerous Cursed Arcana." The three Sword Slaves answered in unison.

"Mhmm…" Reiji mused after hearing this. Anyway, they still have some questions. 

"You're group doesn't look that strong… How can you collect weapons at this level?"

Felix asked as he similarly recalled that crate filled with Magic Weapons and several Arcana in their hideout before… Reiji even took interest in some of them that he brought them in their journey.

"We are coordinating with various people in the villages or cities. We're paying the bartenders at the tavern, the coachmen, the inn's owner, street children, farmers, and other people that can be swayed by a few gold coins to sell us information. Not all bandit group does this but my group is special since I'm the leader." 

Ruthren answered proudly as he was still someone who has a 300 gold bounty on his head.

After all, not every bandit or criminal would have such a bounty and only those that standouts can have it. 

It seems that for him, having a bounty on his head is similar to being acknowledged as someone strong and it should be something to be celebrated… 

Hearing him boast like this, the Sentient Arcana lost interest as they planned on getting inside the city…

"Reiji… Why do you want to enter the city? You know that it might be dangerous for you… or all of us." Felix asked.

"Well… It's been a while since I had a wielder so I'm planning to look around this big city. I also doubt that troubles regarding those cults would arrive here in the city, so I must use this opportunity…" Reiji explained his plans in the city…

"Whoa~ I'm excited to see your chosen wielder… I'm glad to wait here with you…"

"Haha… Me too… Once we're strong enough, we will also look for ourselves and we might as well use your choices as our reference…"

Jaymie and Yerin were surely looking forward to Reiji's choice this time… 

They were unaware of the details of his previous summoner or wielder but they should be someone amazing. 

Anyway, they didn't dare ask him about his past user as there's a high chance that they might have died already. After all, who would leave such an amazing Arcana? 

The three sentient Arcana didn't want him to remember his sad stories and avoided that topic.

Nevertheless, their excitement about Reiji's choice for a wielder made him a bit nervous. First and foremost, he doesn't really know what traits he should be looking for… 

Diether and Stella's instances were different since his situation during that time was special… However, he now has the freedom and already quite strong at this time.

He no longer needs to worry about many things for choosing his wielder. 

Before, he had to consider whether they could overpower him or perhaps sell him to the Arcanists Association… That was why he ended up with the young and talented Stella…

'That's right… I should be looking for someone who already has a good foundation… Mhmm… A swordsman is a good option but not required since I can always teach them if necessary…'

Reiji thought for a moment but he suddenly changed his mind.

'No… I think that it's better to have an experienced wielder this time… I might learn from them and improve myself as well…'

His only advantage with other swordsmen in this world was his unique Kendo that hasn't been seen in this world. 

Kendo, or 'The Way of the Sword', also has limitations that it can reach especially in this world where Arcane Magic is deemed as something normal. 

He had to come up with measures like learning a lot of arcane magic too or evolve his Kendo to fight back… This is where his Kenjutsu comes in and it still has to be sharpened. 

Kenjutsu, or 'The Technique of the Sword', is basically the method of using the sword to kill or harm an opponent, unlike Kendo that focuses more on personal development and discipline…

His two years in the jungle have surely improved his Kenjutsu, but he still has a long way to go… 

He was considered as a Kensei in his previous life but the act of killing is different from what he practiced. His kendo may be effective for now, but he might meet someone who can see through his discipline… 

He had to make sure that whoever he would Take Over in the future wouldn't be defeated. 

'That's right… I know what kind of person I should be looking now.' 

Reiji finally decided what kind of wielder he'll choose. Of course, he may not find someone that is exactly what he was looking for but it should be fine as long as he finds anyone closer to his standards. 

"Three Silver…" 

His thoughts were interrupted as the guard stopped Reiji's group and asked for payment...

Ruthren gave him three silver coins before they were allowed to enter the city. It seems that changing his weapon and the way he dressed helped in concealing his identity. 

'Why do you have to pay for that? There's a lot of people entering this city every day… These guards would be too rich if they are collecting this much every time someone passed their gates.' 

Felix curiously asked.

'It's because the three of us are not residents of the city… Only those who live here are given a free pass to this city.'

The bandits answered and even explained the process of how to become a resident of the city. The fake documents they have with them were stating that they are from the port city so it was normal that they would be asked to pay for their entry.

The city was bustling with people but everyone found the place very clean. They started looking around and realized that there are no beggars or homeless people on the streets…

It was something incredible considering the size of the city…

Finally, after half an hour of looking around, they found a cheap inn where they could rest and let the horses have a break as well. 

"Felix, Yerin, Jaymie, you can do anything you want for now… I'll be looking around with the slaves."

Reiji said as he plans to start looking for a good wielder to complete missions with him.

"Go ahead… I might look for an official member of the Mind Collection and have them tour us around the place."

"Oh… That's possible?" Reiji remembered that the Mind Collection has many members around this kingdom.

The gathering before at the mansion did not include all official members and only sent their representatives. 

"That's correct. I'll get some updates from them."

"Really? I'll tag along then… How about you, Yerin?"

"I'll just stay here. I don't feel like going outside." Yerin answered after being asked by her friend.

In the end, Reiji took his three slaves that can't be too far from him as he started looking for potential candidates.