Chapter 197: Mysteries and New Missions

Reiji was looking forward to this new title so he immediately checked it out. 

[ Inspired Arcana – An influential Sentient Arcana that has met seven or more other Blessed Arcana and 2 Mythical Cursed Arcana without dying even without reaching a Unique-Rank. 

Effect: Provides an increase in Pressure/Intimidation Resistance and other Abnormal Status Ailments. Creates high-level protection against tracking or detection skills. ] 

The shinai was stunned after seeing the description of his new title. 

'Did I met seven Blessed Arcana already? Who are they?'

He tried to recall the names of the Blessed Arcana that he could remember. It's not like he met a lot of people so he could easily recall them if he tries.

Fern, the Sword Arcana… 

Neri, the Divine Shield Arcana…

Vivi, the Majestic Quill Pen Arcana…

Odette, the Mythical Wand Arcana… 

'That's only four… Who are the other three---Ahh! Perhaps, Alexander's sword was blessed?'

Reiji felt that it is highly likely.

Anyway, he is not aware of whether he met the other three Blessed Arcana during his time with Diether, Stella, Rufus, or his lone journey so it's difficult to speculate…

Regarding the 2 Mythical Cursed Arcana... It was most likely the Chalice and... he couldn't think of another... It is surely a mystery for Reiji.

As for the effects of the title, he already has Sword's Will, Sword Intent, and Cleanse so it wasn't that helpful except for the anti-tracking skills…

He wanted to check his new available missions as well but he remembers that Yui and Ruthren were still outside dealing with the guards.

He looked around Rufus's room and found the young man's Poison Cloud Generator. 

He quickly made some arrangements then gave Ruthren a signal to let the guards in to investigate… 

Of course, there are no longer precious ownerless Arcana and Reiji was already together with the pile of wooden swords and he wasn't even emitting any form of energy like he was just a normal bamboo sword.

In short, it was a perfect disguise and there was no way for them to blame him for the Mystical Energy burst a while ago…

"Can you tell us what kind of reason did the administrator gave to investigate Rufus's room?" Yui asked after following the guards inside the room. 

She can tell that Reiji has already completed whatever he was doing so she was now very calm.

"Well… We were just told to investigate any dangerous items inside this room. So we will have to look around."

The guards then pulled out a device that is supposedly capable of scanning harmful Magic Items or objects.

They didn't find anything wrong except for the familiar Poison Cloud Generator that seems to be leaking some kind of energy…

"Tsk! It must be one of his crazy creations then…" 

Luckily, Rufus wasn't new in creating problems within the Tower so the guards already have some tolerance about this…

After about five minutes of investigation, they concluded that it was a malfunction in one of Rufus's creations and took the Generator in their custody to ensure that no more issue may arise. 

Just like that, the issue was resolved due to Reiji's quick thinking…

After the investigator left, Odette asked…

'Is everything alright? Are you ready to help us steal that Cursed Mask?'

'Well… I'm just waiting for you guys… Do we really have to wait for the Knights to arrive? Rufus will participate in that duel as well. I need to be there…'

'Mhmm… You like to do this earlier?' Odette asked to confirm.

'Yes… I got better skills now and it will be harder to detect my presence…' Reiji replied proudly as he felt that with his new title, it will be easier for him to sneak around the Tower.

'Is that so?'

Odette thinks about it for a while before agreeing… 

'Alright, we'll steal the Mask tonight…'

***

Rufus returned to his room after a couple of hours. He was also informed about what happened to his room so he only asked for confirmation from his master.

'Why are you called?'

'Sir Kael taught us some strategy to win against the Knights tomorrow.'

'I see… Tell me more about it.'

'Yes, Master…'

Rufus then explained to his master how the challenge would start tomorrow and their plans on how to win against their opponents. 

'I see, did he say anything about the opponents?'

'Mhmm… Sir Kael said that they were all good with swords and we need to be careful when fighting in close range… Well, they are being trained to be the future knights, so I guess it's only natural to be good with it.'

'I guess you're right…'

Reiji nodded at this as he let the young man rest for now…

'After taking your rest, train your reflexes at the training room.'

'Yes, Master… Are you going to assist me?'

'Not for now. Ruthren will do it for you. I have something to do later…'

'I understand…'

The young man didn't ask for the details and only trusted Reiji. He's unaware that they are planning to steal something within the tower but even if he knows, he'll surely help them to the best of his ability. 

In the meantime, while he was waiting for Odette's signal, he looked at the free skill he received and the new missions available.

[ Blood Thirst Lv 1 ] 

[ The user will be capable of detecting weakened creatures within 100 meters range. The higher the level, the wider the effective range. ]

[ Upgrade Price: 300 SP ] 

This skill is very effective when hunting for evil beasts. Now, he just has to purchase one particular skill to make a deadlier combo with this ability. 

He then viewed all his ongoing missions. 

[ Blood Bath ] 

[ A newly advanced Arcana requires a taste of blood. Only blood with sufficient power will be accepted.

[ Reward: 50-500 SP ] 

[ The reward will depend on the power contained within the blood consumed. ] 

Reiji is not unfamiliar with the mission. However, he realized that it is getting harder and harder to satisfy the guide. After all, it will no longer accept blood from a low-level creature like before…

[ Unseen Test ]

[ A Sentient Arcana must be capable of protecting their bodies but must learn how to hide in case necessary. You need to stay unsighted in front of at least 10 people for 15 minutes 

Reward: 200 SP ]

[ Mission Requirements: Stealth Lv 10,  Traceless Lv1, and Danger Sense Lv 1 ] 

This is was Reiji likes when getting new skills or upgrading them… He would normally get new missions depending on the skills he's focusing on. 

Just like when he got the endurance test and many others before…

The final mission was something very familiar to him. It seems that it will always be there in his every rank advancements. 

[ Holding On ]

[ Find someone who can hold you for 6 hours straight without any pause. If you were unhanded even by a second, the timer will restart. 

[ Reward: 100 SP ]

Although the SP reward was quite small compared to his recent missions, Reiji could accept it as the mission isn't that difficult anyway and as far as he could remember, this was the highest SP for "Hold" related missions.

After confirming the three missions, Reiji immediately checked his available skills…

He has now reached the Unique Rank! He can finally purchase an identification-related skill!

Up until today, he was only relying on the Guide's help when he needs to identify or appraise weapons… 

As for items like potions, raw ingredients, or some non-weapon objects, he wouldn't have any ability to identify…

The guide previously said that only Equipment-Type Arcana can have such ability and only in his Unique Rank would he have the chance to purchase one…

[ Skills Option ] 

…

Poisonous Blade – 190 SP

Sword Saturation – 200 SP

Alluring Scented Sword – 260 SP

Sword Explosion – 300 SP

Burning Sword – 360 SP

Ice Breeze Wave – 390 SP

Blade Dash – 400 SP

Cursed Reflection – 450 SP

Wind Blade – 460 SP

Appraisal – 460 SP

…

Spellsword – 800 SP

Self Destruction – 1000 SP

Sword Blink – 1300 SP

Illusory Blade – 1400 SP

Reiji browsed through the Skills Option and found a lot of new skills…

Before he only has resistance against elemental abilities, but it is different now. It seems that he's now capable of getting elemental skills…

'Is it the benefit of ranking up to Unique-Rank?' Reiji thought.

All his skills before weren't that diverse… 

But looking at it now, there are poison, flame, wind, and ice-related abilities in his options…

It was such a huge change for Reiji…

Nevertheless, he didn't forget the purpose of checking the Available Skills. 

[ - 460 SP ] 

His previous 2110 Skill Points were deducted after purchasing the Appraisal. 

[ Skill Points: 1650 ]

Reiji decided to save them for now instead of buying other skills. After all, there might be an emergency where he needed to upgrade his Sword Intent, Sword Slave Marker, or any other skills. 

He would feel more comfortable if he has some savings with him.

It must also be remembered that using Heal and Rejuvenation, Spiritual Pressure, and Overload would consume some of his SP so he needed to really have some stacks with him.