Chapter 179: Death

Reiji wanted to know why he was taken by this young girl so he didn't immediately extricate himself and waited to know more about the situation.

It's not like he's in immediate danger anyway…

'Hi… I mentioned to Yui that you're also a Sentient Arcana. I already explained to her that you're not here with a similar mission so she's quite interested in you.'

Odette communicated with Reiji again using her Arcane Magic. 

The latter remained silent as usual. He wanted to let them talk and remain as a harmless Arcana for now.

'…'

'Are you perhaps pretending again? Don't worry, Yui's not here to hurt you. We are in a bind and it might take years for our mission to be completed if we don't get some help… She just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible…'

The Mythical Wand tried to explain as she's hoping that the blessed Arcana would help her and her wielder.

'I can feel that you're blessed by a Deity and I don't feel any negative aura on you. So you're a blessed of an "allied" Deity… You don't have to be too wary of me… You should be able to feel that too! Ahh, we're also sorry for doing a forceful method. We wanted to make sure that our meeting wouldn't be noticed by anyone so we just acted after getting a chance…'

Odette continued explaining her situation and Reiji was getting convinced.

After all, he still has two titles that would give him a good start-up in meeting sentient Arcana. He has the 'Gentle Hardworker' and 'Blessed by a Deity '. 

His 'Forest Ranger' title, on the other hand, only allows him to befriend lower-level beasts if he wanted to…

If the wand was blessed by Obeiron's enemy, then Odette should be showing signs of hostility from the first time that she realized his existence…

"Sir Arcana, as long as you help us here, I'm willing to assist you with gaining more control in your Mystical Energy… It might be a long process but I'll do my best… I just don't want to stay here any longer…."

Yui offered to the silent sword… 

Of course, Reiji doesn't know how valuable this offer was but since he already heard that familiar word several times, he knows that it was something meant for a strong Arcana…

After deliberating for a while and checking for the time, Reiji finally decided to negotiate with his kidnappers.

Since his Sense Link only works for his wielder, he used Voice Link instead…

This 100 SP worth of skill is what he used to previously communicate with the bandits that were now his Sword Slaves.

This ability allows him to communicate to everyone within his 5-meter radius.

The only problem with this ability is that he can't just select his target. It means that everyone in his 5 meters would hear him even he only wanted to a single person.

However, this is different from his Sword Slaves as they can communicate with the use of their special connection…

"Alright… I heard you. Tell me more about your task here… As long you can help me with the Mystical Energy, I'll try to help you if I can."

As soon as Yui heard Reiji's reply, she got a little shocked but after realizing that the voice came from the sword arcana, the young girl couldn't contain her excitement…

"I knew it! Odette is not alone! There are really other Sentient Arcana! I'm not special!"

Yui exclaimed after realizing what was happening. 

Reiji was a bit confused by her sudden excitement. Was she thinking before that Odette was perhaps the only sentient Arcana?

He then remembered Yui's words to Odette while he was keeping quiet, it seems that she was really doubting the Wand a while ago when she claimed that the wooden sword is a Sentient one.

Well, it makes sense since the girl was only about 14 or 15 years old anyway. She hadn't explored the world yet and she's only depending on the knowledge provided by the Academy and the Tower.

"Alright, alright… Tell me your story now. I still have to return to the kid…"

"Eh? A weapon Arcana is not needed in Magic Item Crafting…"

"I should at least let him know about my situation. He may not be able to focus if he realized that I'm missing." Reiji explained.

"Alright… Can't you talk to him right now?"

"I can't. I need to get near him."

That's a lie. He can still communicate with his wielder even without being close to him, he just wanted to move to a different place as they are in a very secluded room right now. 

"Alright, we will be watching the evaluation from a nearby room. I don't mind however you wanted to explain this to him. But make sure not to mention that you're helping me so I can leave this Tower, he might misunderstand or something…"

"I know… Let's go…" Reiji convinced them as Yui carried him to another room.

***

"This year's Magic Item Crafting will be different from the previous year's evaluations… As per the request of Sir Kael, we'll make it more challenging…"

The supervising Arcanist for the evaluation announced as he gathered all the 60 trainees within a large hall.

There were 60 tables filled with various devices that can help them create a Magic Item. 

As for the materials, the hall was surrounded by shelves containing various raw materials. Most of them were familiar to them but there some materials that they've only seen today…

"You can see all the materials around you and I know that many of them are materials you've never seen before…"

The Arcanist didn't hear any response so he continued. 

"I guess you're all curious about the evaluation so I will be explaining it now… The shelves containing the materials would be freely open for everyone. Later on, you can take as much as you can to create the Magic Items that you think will allow you to pass the Evaluation…"

Finally, murmurs and silent complaints started spreading around the hall… The red-robed Arcanists like their reaction as he continued.

"You only have two hours in this evaluation and you'll have to make a Magic Item based on the theme that Sir Kael has thought of… Are you ready to hear the theme?"

The young Arcanists went silent and didn't answer… No one knows if they hated him or they just didn't want to participate in building up the hype.

Nevertheless, the man realized that he just needed to tell them the rules so he no longer bothered interacting with these unresponsive trainees.

"The theme is 'Practical Arcane: A useful Non-Killing Magic Item!'… Based on this theme, Sir Kael wanted you guys to create a Magic Item that may not be dangerous to the surroundings and people. Hmm… Perhaps a harmless Magic Equipment or something similar depending on how you understand the theme…"

The supervising arcanist then repeated the theme so the trainees can remember them clearly. 

"Practical Arcane: A useful Non-Killing Magic Item… You can pick any materials within the shelves as soon as the timer started. There are about 80 different types of materials and there are only about 50 sets for each of them. So you have to choose them quickly and wisely, after all, you are only allowed to take 18 items within the shelves to be placed on your working table… Good luck!"

The trainees started to get worried as most of them were prepared to create a very powerful magic item that can impress the judges. However, it seems that they've wasted their time studying the methods of creating destructive weapons. 

Rufus, on the other hand, didn't feel worried or excited since the evaluation seemed to be quite simple. There must be a catch on this theme… 

"Practical Arcane, huh…"

'Kid… I've returned. I'm just exploring the tower… Don't worry about me…"

As Rufus was contemplating, he heard his master's voice and reassured him about his safety…

'Great… Just be careful exploring the tower, Master…'

'Alright, do you need any help?'

'Oh… I'm good… I have several ideas already… Ahhh… About the theme, do you have any suggestions, Master?'

***

Reiji doesn't know much about Magic Items and how are they being made. There are also various limited materials on the shelf that they needed to examine in order to make them.

It means that there will be considerations to be made to decide on what items he should make.

In any case, the kid was perhaps only asking politely and he wasn't really going to use an idea by a clueless like him.

'Let me think. Mhmm… How about a storage bag or something? I've seen a Ring Arcana that can be used to store large objects inside of it… Can you do it with Magic Item? I think that's practical and harmless…'

'Master, that's a bit... Well, thank you for suggesting Master Reiji… I'll be busying myself now, we only have a few hours.'

'Alright. Good luck!

Reiji replied... He doesn't know whether his suggestion was helpful or not.

As he was about to address Yui and Odette, he received a message from his Guide.

[ Slave Three has died. ]

"Eh?"

Reiji was confused by the sudden notification. This news just appeared out of nowhere!

[ Slave Two has died. ]

"…"