Chapter 99: I'm just looking, I... I won't learn it

Training summer camp, Zone C.

During what should have been class time, Mike squatting in the bathroom, dealing with nature's call.

From the next stall, he could hear the voices of Maxen Stoneheart and Shadow Nine.

"Master Shadow Nine, here are 16 skill books. Four were damaged during the removal of the skill restrictions. Please check them."

"Little Stone, come closer."

"What?"

A flurry of punches and kicks followed.

The noise eventually subsided, and Shadow Nine spoke coldly, "I'll give you another chance to organize your words."

"Master Shadow Nine, there really are only 18 books left, 2 were damaged! I swear..."

Swoosh—

A blade was drawn!

Shadow Nine coldly stated, "Do you think I'm a two-year-old child?"

Maxen Stoneheart quickly responded, "Shadow Nine, even if you kill me today, I won't betray my Second Godfather!"

...

Returning from the bathroom to the multimedia classroom, Mike's mind was not on the lesson at all.

Shadow Nine's voice echoed in his ear, "20 skill books, after removing the class restrictions, 12 are usable."

Blatantly skimming off the top?

Mike, somewhat displeased, said, "Shadow Nine, you might as well say 10!"

Trying to fool a ghost here!

Mike had clearly heard from the next bathroom stall, all 20 skill books were intact!

Shadow Nine drawled,

"I'm getting old, my eyes aren't what they used to be. Now that you mention it, indeed, there are only 10."

"Why don't you say they all got ruined?"

"How did you know they all got ruined? Worthy of a potential Supreme Being, foreseeing like a prophet!"

Mike rolled his eyes, deciding to end this farce and have a serious talk.

"Shadow Nine, if we're going to collaborate on imprinting skill books, we need some rules."

"Alright, you're full of tricks, and I'm just an honest man, let's hear your thoughts first."

The shameless Shadow Nine, his words surely an insult to the meaning of 'honest man.'

"The skill books can only be imprinted by me. The materials need to be A-tier or above elemental cores. For external sales, we need Ares' help to remove the class restrictions."

Raw materials, production, and processing—these three stages all need to share profits, sustainably and reasonably.

Any hiccup in the process, and [Wind's Reach] can't be mass-produced.

If it can't be mass-produced, it won't enhance the overall strength of humanity, contradicting Mike's original intention in creating [Wind's Reach].

Shadow One spoke, her voice melodious and very pleasant.

"Shadow Nine said you did well on this mission. He wants you to hunt some more demon creatures before returning."

Shadow Seven quickly said, "Thank you for Master Shadow Nine's praise."

For Shadow Seven, being able to fight longer on the Abyssal Plane was the best reward.

Forest of Truth? Going back was like being in prison, no freedom at all, not wanting to stay a second longer!

"Shadow Nine asked me to bring you something."

Saying this, Shadow One tossed a skill book to Shadow Seven.

"What is this, Wind's Reach?!"

After a quick glance at the skill book's introduction, Shadow Seven's breathing became rapid, his entire being overly excited, his voice trembling,

"Which Supreme Being crafted this, it's tailor-made for me!"

"With this divine skill, do I still need to fear Thor? I will eventually defeat and replace him!"

In that moment, Shadow Seven's fighting spirit soared, competing with a potential Supreme Being, he felt his chances of winning had greatly increased.

Shadow One smiled and said,

"This skill was created by Thor, in a way, you're right, it indeed is the handiwork of a Supreme Being.

The handiwork of a future Supreme Being of our race."

Shadow Seven's expression became incredibly rich, unable to utter a complete word.

After so many years, he was excited for once...

But, how could it possibly be created by Thor?!

Shadow Seven wanted to ask, 'Shadow One, couldn't you wait until I learned it before telling me?! Aren't you concerned about embarrassing me?'

Bang—

Shadow Seven threw the skill book on the ground, turned his head away, his face cold, "Since this book was created by Thor, I'd rather not learn it!"

"Suit yourself."

Shadow One said and then left, leaving behind a phrase,

"By the way, your mother is pregnant again, twins.

She wants you to work well in [Guardian Shadow], everything at home is fine, no need to worry.

Stop sending letters home complaining and spreading negative energy, better spend that effort finding a girlfriend, you're already over thirty and still a virgin, your father is very disappointed in you."

The breeze blew, the campfire flickered.

Only leaving Shadow Seven standing there, dazed, not knowing why, his eyes kept drifting to the skill book on the ground, his gaze burning intensely.

Shadow Seven looked around for a long time, making sure Shadow One had left.

He stiffly moved his steps, slowly crouched down, picked up the skill book, quickly blew off the dust, repeatedly checking if it was damaged, if it had been knocked or bumped, looking extremely distressed.

The firelight reflected on his face, his hands holding the skill book, Shadow Seven muttered to himself,

"I'm just looking, I... I won't learn it!"