Genesis Training Grounds, Imperial City;
*cling* cling* cling*
The pair of swords were constantly clashing with each other at a pace that couldn't be seen with naked eyes by anyone weaker than an average 4-circle realm expert.
As usual, Lin Xue was trying her best, and Allen was matching her speed, countering all of her attacks, and pushing her back.
"Here, check out my new move..." Lin Xue leaped back and somersaulted a few times to gain a considerable distance before she charged forward with the sword.
Upon reaching him, she made a sharp cut to her 2 o'clock, slightly surprising Allen who thought she would fake thrust at his chest but attack one of his thighs instead, based on her previous pattern of fighting.
As Allen glanced to his left, Lin Xue then threw a concentrated sphere at him, which he blocked with ease. However, it was nothing but a distraction for her as she had already gone to her next location, which is in the 2 o'clock direction from her current spot with her sword drawing a line on the ground, using her ether energy.
She threw a sphere of concentrated energy before going to her next position. After doing this six times in a row, she returned to her original spot and raised her sword to the sky, unleashing the skill.
"Hexagonal Lightning barrier, complete."
A giant dark-blue colored barrier was formed around Allen and Lin Xue added lightning energy to it. The sparks started dancing all over the barrier, effectively trapping the Android.
Allen glanced around, scanning the barrier to find out its effectiveness as well as its weakness. And without any surprise, he found a way to escape.
Putting down the sword given by Lin Xue, he stretched his hands toward one of the sides of the barrier, "Activate Incineration."
In the next instant, powerful blasts of fire were shooted from his palms, hitting directly at the center of the target where the thickness is very less and no lightning sparks for some unknown reason.
With the help of blue flames, a hole was made in one of the sides of the barrier. After which, the barrier broke like glass and Lin Xue's face darkened. She protested, "It's not fair. You broke the rules of our agreement."
"When did I do that?" Allen appeared to be confused.
Lin Xue puffed her cheeks and looked away, "Didn't we agree that I won't use lightning mode and you don't use your attribute techniques?"
Allen answered straightforwardly, "but it is just flames created by the hydrogen combustion."
"What is hydrogen?" Lin Xue didn't understand his words naturally.
Allen immediately started his explanation, "Hydrogen is the chemical element with symbol H..."
As he went on with a half an hour lecture about the hydrogen element and its uses, Lin Xue, who didn't understand a bit, finally lost her patience and hurriedly stopped him before her brain gets heated, "Okay, I got it. How about we stop this sparring session for today?"
"Hmm, okay." Allen stopped showing off his scientific knowledge and gave the sword back to her. "Here."
However, Lin Xue didn't take it and said, "No, that's a gift. It belongs to you."
"But, nothing belongs to me. Everything I use belongs to my master," replied the Android as he pierced the sword into the ground, indicating that he doesn't want it.
"Do you know why your master ordered you to find a hobby on your own?" Lin Xue responded to his rejection with a question.
As Allen shook his head, Lin Xue explained, "I think it is because your master wanted you to be independent. He wanted you to develop your own thoughts on the matter rather than just following his orders blindly."
"Is that the reason?" Allen appeared to be surprised, believing her words.
Lin Xue nodded, "Yup. That is why it perfectly makes sense for you to own a sword."
Allen wanted to argue that he had a divine sword and doesn't need her platinum-grade sword but Mark's firm order made him swallow down those words. Seeing that Allen is still refusing to take her present, Lin Xue made her next move. She asked, "Say, Allen, do you treat me as your friend?"
Allen nodded twice.
Lin Xue then asked, "if that is the case, then, is there something wrong if I give a gift to my friend?"
Allen shook his head.
"Simple. Then, it perfectly makes sense that you should take it." She urged him to take it.
Taking the Damascus-steel-made sword into his hands, he asked, "do I need to carry it, all the time?"
"Hmm? Of course not. Didn't you have any storage ring?" Lin Xue reminded him of the most obvious thing but in the next moment, she realized that he doesn't own the ring.
Until now, he was used to keeping using Mark's inventory as his storage but because of the system's upgrade, that facility can no longer be enjoyed for the next four weeks.
Hence, he had no choice but to depend on Alina, who was the only one to be given a storage ring.
When he said that only his sister has the storage ring and the money, Lin Xue became furious. She didn't voice it out so as to not disappoint Allen but she cursed Mark in her heart for earning millions but cannot even look after his so-called siblings properly.
"Okay, then, follow me. I will buy you the storage ring." Lin Xue offered to help. Allen gladly accepted the favor as he wasn't that complicated as a human. Since he realized that he can receive any gift from a friend, then, the storage ring is also the same in his eyes.
Lin Xue was delighted by his reply and she let out a rare smile before dragging him to her horse carriage.
A couple of soldiers stationed murmured among themselves as the horse carriage slowly left their sight.
As Lin Clan's horse carriage was traveling to the market located in the inner sector, she talked about the task Mark gave to Allen. "So, what do you think about the hobbies, so far? Did you find one?"
Allen shook his head, "I have no idea. Do you have any suggestions, Sister Xue?"
Lin Xue nodded and replied, "I have actually just thought of one. It was something that not only helps the both of us in a way but also your master."
"What is it?" Allen turned curious.
Lin Xue answered, "Adventuring. You can join a guild and become an adventurer, do quests and hunt down the beasts. You can sell the corpses to make money. When Lu Zhen returns, you can show him how much money you have earned by yourself. It can be the perfect example for being independent."
"Really?" Allen's eyes glowed in excitement. There's nothing more joy for Allen other than completing the tasks given by Mark.
Lin Xue nodded in return, "Believe me."
After buying a storage ring for Allen, Lin Xue then ordered her bodyguard, who was currently acting as coachman, to leave for the guild district.
Actually, Lin Xue had a reason for giving such a suggestion. Her father told her to join a top guild and experience the life of an adventurer for a while but she was unwilling to do it, feeling that it is a waste of time.
But, if Allen tags along with her, she thought her adventures will be interesting. At the same time, there's also a small hope in her heart that Allen will stop thinking of himself as Mark's slave or something.
After a while, the horses entered the guild's district. The Lin Clan's crest on the carriage obviously attracted the attention of the passersby. The adventurers among them wondered whether the Lin Clan has any quest to issue. The only big question is, at what guild?
However, to everyone's surprise, the horse carriage didn't stop before some known guild. Instead, it stopped before a tiny guild known as the Ace.
Lin Xue and Allen stepped out of it, walking toward the building, attracting the attention of the people once again. Lin Xue might be a familiar face to everyone but Allen wasn't. At the same time, his looks cannot be ignored either. As a result, some thought he might be her fiancee and wondered about his identity while others thought that he was her guard based on his battle wear.
Ignoring the gazes of the people around, Lin Xue and Allen entered the guild, once again earning the attention of the guild members standing around in the lobby.
All of their eyes were on the girl who was walking with steady steps. And by the time she reached the reception desk, the guild master already rushed down the stairs and hurriedly greeted her, introducing himself.
Lin Xue solemnly nodded and said, "Mr. Wang, we need your guild membership."
Only then did the guild master pay attention to Allen, who just looked like someone that can piss off any average-looking male. "And you are..."
As he cannot sense any ether energy from Allen, he didn't think much of him but still spoke politely in order to not offend Lin Clan's princess.
Lin Xue introduced him, "This is Allen Spencer."
Wang Jian never heard of the name. Hence, he didn't react much and even thought that it was too foreign. He commented, "Hello, Mr. Allen. I'm sorry but you have to go through a test."
Lin Xue wanted to reveal his background but she kept her mouth shut.
As Allen nodded, Lin Xue walked away and let the spar happen in the lobby. The others curiously looked at them, wondering why a civilian want to become an adventurer. They are weak but that doesn't mean that they can be humiliated like this.
Wang Jian and Allen stood a few meters apart. The former then said, "This is just one minute spar, Mr. Allen. Just come at me and try to land a hit on me."
And in the next moment, Allen was standing at the guild master's place and the poor guy was unconscious.