Publishedat 30th of September 2019 10:42:05 AMChapter 190
“So, Shiki . I want to try these two spears out . Is there any s.p.a.ce here?”
“Yes, there is a room in the back . Let’s go then . ”
Shiki was so distracted by the weapons that I had to explain them to him first, and then I told him that I wanted to test to see which spear felt the most comfortable to me .
He had become wildly excited when I told him about the materials used, but that’s a story for another time .
And so we came out to the backyard . It was surrounded by a wall and there were several logs covered in monster skin that were protruding from the ground . They had traces of stabs and cuts in them, so they were probably for testing the weapons .
“Well, you can do what you want here . I’m going to look at this a little more .
Shiki said as he stared at the Shwartz Tempest . He really just moved at his own pace, I thought as I picked up the Blue Frost spear up first . It was made of mithril .
It really did not feel bad in my hands . It was quite light and about as long as I was tall . The spearhead was about the length of my head and was very narrow, which should make it easy to pull out . On the other hand, that also meant the damage was minimal . There wasn’t much in terms of decorations . It was simple . However, not plain . There were engravings in certain parts that gave it an elegant beauty .
It was cold like ice . Clear as water . The mystical appeal of mithril emanated from it .
“It’s a nice spear…”
You wouldn’t get bored looking at it .
And so I activated Jack of all Trades, Master of None . The screen showed up in my brain and gave me examples of how to use it . First, it was the basics . I learned from it and tried swinging the spear . It cut through the air with a buzz .
“Hmm . You handle it quite well . ”
Shiki said as he looked up from the greatsword with a nod . Well, I had a little help . Jack of all Trades, Master of None allowed me to understand how to move my body . Obviously, it was limited, but I was used to it by now .
I glanced at Shiki before moving towards the log . I wanted to practice hitting a target .
Advertis.e.m.e.ntFirst, the thrust . An easy job of just thrusting the spear after pulling back . The shock to my arm every time I hit the log began to make my arms feel numb .
Then I started doing it faster . Thrust after thrust .
“Is he really a beginner?”
“Asagi can use pretty much any weapon . ”
I could hear Shiki and Daniela talking behind me . I was at a decent level if we’re talking basics . And the basics were important, so it was good enough for me .
Next, I tried a different move . A hit rather than a thrust . I did this on both sides of the log . I hit it on the left, then twirled the spear over my head while changing hands and then smacking it on the right . Then I reversed the process and hit it on the left again .
Hmm . I think this was good . Probably .
“Impressive…”
“Yes, your movements are good . ”
My critics were having a positive response so far . I was starting to feel a lot more confident about my choice to use a spear .
“Now…”
I had a general grasp of the basic movements and of the distance to my target and how to approach it .
Now it was time to get serious . The real reason I chose these spears . I wanted to see the true worth of the magic ore .
I gripped it tightly and put a color to the magic that flowed within me . It was azure . This deep blue was the color of water . I could feel the temperature drop through the palms of my hands . After a while, I could hear cracking as an ice blade formed around it . Unlike the simple blade underneath, this was big and barbed . It would freeze any who touched it and stay lodged when stabbed . Or so Jack of all Trades, Master of None informed me .
There was a final hiss and the transformation was complete . It really was a dramatic change . The clear blade was now white and the shape of the blade was completely different . All of the carvings were encased in ice .
I suddenly remembered that Eve had used two different kinds of magic at once . This spear had multiple attributes . Maybe I could do something interesting with it…but was immediately told by Master Jack of all Trades… that I could not . Too bad .
“Well done…”
“Yes, it is a good spear . ”
I said with an approving nod, in spite of knowing next to nothing about spears . In any case, hitting the log while the spear was in this state seemed like a bad idea, and so I dispersed the magic right there . To be precise, the log would freeze and shatter . Either that or the ice magic within the spear would cause it to explode . In any case, it would not end well for the log .
“It is, isn’t it?”
Shiki said . I nodded . I had not actually been expecting much . The boost to ice magic must be a big factor .
I was starting to think that this Blue Frost spear was my best bet . However, I still had the other spear to check . And so I picked up the Cocytus Lance .
“I’m going to try this one now . ”
“Aye, do what you like . ”
And so I would . Unlike the Blue Frost, the Cocytus Lance seemed much more aggressive . The blade was barbed from the beginning and on the large side . The head started at my chest and went a little bit above my head . A blade like this could slash through things as well .
The entire thing was also longer than I was tall . Since I was just shy of 180 centimeters(I liked to think so), it must be nearly 2 meters long .
The decorations on it were also very different . At the root of the blade were two holes with rings attached to long blue ribbons . They danced beautifully in the wind .
The cap at the other end was polished and had clear ore set into it . It wasn’t exactly a deadly addition, but hard enough to be painful .
All of this meant that it was also heavier, which meant it handled much differently . Even if it was the same type of weapon, its reach, and the overall feel was quite a different thing .
This change felt off as I thrust towards the log . The images in my brain were telling me to thrust while thinking about pulling, and so I did . After a while, my movements seemed to become more fluent again .
Then I moved to cutting motions . Here, my training with the greatsword came in handy . It was all about moving your torso with the swing and putting a lot of force behind it . My movements were eventually able to reflect what I wanted . As it was heavy and long, the difference was obvious . I was glad that I tested this spear before getting too used to the other one . It was easier to adjust when my mind was still flexible .
“Asagi, you must be a natural when it comes to the spear…”
“Well, he is a natural in many things . ”
Her answer would have sounded odd without prior knowledge of my skill . She probably just sounded like she was infatuated .
“Here is the problem . ”
I muttered to myself . I know how it handles . I know how to use it . I know how it’s different . Now I must try magic . And so I sent ice magic into the weapon . The magic transfer was shockingly smooth . The was a crackle and the metal weapon turned into an ice spear .
The barbs of the blade extended further than the rings now . Whether you thrust or swing, the target would be in a world of pain . The ribbons were a much darker blue now and specks of ice danced in the air . Diamond dust .
The spear when from a translucent white to opaque white . It looked frosty but was not cold .
A pure white spear with a little blue . It was breathtakingly beautiful . It reminded me of Daniela in a way .
“It’s beautiful…”
“Isn’t it? Not many people could use a weapon like this, but I see you don’t have that problem . You can use it better than anyone . ”
So was this the difference in mithril? I hadn’t put much stock into the power of nature, but I now knew better .
And I could no longer think of choosing any other spear .
“Shiki . I’ll take this one . ”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah . I want this spear . ”
“Thank you… Hehe, you look very happy . ”
He said with a smile . I gave him a puzzled look . Daniela then explained .
“Are you unaware of how happy you look?”
I wasn’t, but once she pointed it out, I realized it was true . I was embarra.s.sed enough to press my lips together in a frown .
We went back inside and I paid Shiki the three hundred pieces of gold . And then I put the newly acquired spear into the hollow bag .
“Thank you, Shiki . I’ve found a good spear because of you . ”
“No, thank you…Asagi . It is quite fulfilling to get people what they want . ”
We shook hands and then left the store . It was already evening now . But it had been a fruitful day .
One more week . It wasn’t a lot . It was my fault too… But well, that was in the past . And I liked to live while looking forward .
Tomorrow is when we’d really get to do something . Something about the rumors in this town . The Loup-garou . I wanted to see them with my own eyes . I told this to Daniela, and she felt the same . And so our plan for tomorrow was easily decided . It was now time to return to the inn .
I couldn’t wait for the next day .