Chapter 6: Men in Opulence
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Mia might think that she had succeeded in hiding her apprehension from Baiyi but that was quite an overconfident assumption. To a perceptive adult, there was not much a teenager could hide.
Really? She looks down on herself this much? Gee, she sure has no idea just who she had actually summoned , Baiyi thought inwardly.
He turned his attention back to the Soul Armature of the endless void. "I bet you didn't really think that your invention would turn out this way."
"To be honest… The first Soul Armature that I’ve ever summoned was just a master of some sort and summoning him took a large toll on my strength. Yet, because he was very profound and wise, I obtained valuable experience and knowledge from him. That is the point of Soul Armatures!" The man replied, his voice was laced with regret. "What’s valuable about Soul Armatures are their wisdom, not something like their ‘damage output’! I really didn’t expect this art to turn so pragmatic."
Baiyi did not seem to mind, at least from the looks of it. "Meh. There is some good in it being pragmatic— thanks to the ranking of Soul Armatures based on their strength, humans have learnt and evolved into one of the strongest species. I guess the legends bestowing you the title ‘The Great Pioneer’ isn’t too far off the truth, hmm?"
"It’s just a useless title. I’m more concerned about Sir Hope being embarrassed for… being in a state like this."
Please, you think I would actually bother with trivial crap like this? Baiyi replied with a smirk. Although I must admit, I probably should start showing a bit of my true depth. It’s kind of disconcerting that Mia-chan here seemed to have a wrong impression of who I really am...
Baiyi and Mia reached their destination as Baiyi and the Apprentice conversed. It was a secluded training ground, filled with other duos similar to Baiyi and Mia. There were also a few students and teachers standing by idly, lurking around like curious bystanders.
The size of the crowd visibly shook Mia. "Aww! I didn’t expect this many people today!" She murmured, feeling self-conscious.
Baiyi of course knew the real reason behind her anxiety. He tightened his grip on her hand, giving her a supportive squeeze. "Let’s go," he said, as unabashed as the steps he took while leading her closer to their destination.
He spied boards used for target practice erected nearby as well as protective barriers fortifying the training ground. Once they had entered the complex, he had already eavesdropped on enough conversations to know that this place was abnormally packed today because the academy had made the appraisal public. Meanwhile, people outside of the Academy could enter to watch the event and conduct their own unprofessional judgments.
A few participating duos even took it upon themselves to dress up in matching themes. Their Soul Armatures were donned in opulent armors, or at least, a standard military-styled heavy armor. No one would strap on a measly Militia Armor and call it a day, especially on a day as grand as this. The awkwardness of Baiyi walking around in such an… economic gear inevitably drew the crowd’s attention to the both of them.
"Um, are my eyes deceiving me or is that Militia Armor actually moving? Aren’t those for practice purposes only? I don’t know anyone who could actually wear that and move around!"
"Well, it’s not a looker but that sort of armor has always been practical. I think the real question is: why let that poor Soul Armature prance around in that? At least get a more dignified set before attending the appraisal, for God’s sake!"
"Hmm? That cute girl next to the Soul Armature… I’ve seen her before. She frequently feeds the pigeons in our town square. I don’t think she meant to disrespect her companion, man. I think she’s just… poor?"
The comments and speculations escalated even more once they entered the training ground. Hoards of bystanders watched and oohed and ahhed, muttering to one another crassly about that awkward duo. It was obviously stressing the already self-conscious Mia out.
"I should have changed his gear before coming here, I knew it!" Mia sighed dejectedly, pulling out her cat-shaped purse. Opening it and peering at her woefully insufficient funds really kicked her back to reality. "Aww, but with this little amount… What am I supposed to do? Maybe I should have done something regardless…?" She eyed Baiyi doubtfully as she murmured.
Uhhhh! Kids these days. Do they even go to school? And you, girl! If you want me to look cool and edgy or whatever, improve your skills first! Baiyi thought to himself but outwardly he merely patted her head. "Don’t worry about it, Mia. Looks aren’t the gamechangers here. Look at that one over there! Bet you think he’s all boosted up with that slick armor of his, don’t you?"
She followed the direction of his gaze and saw what he meant: a duo was standing right before the teacher for their appraisal. The armor that particular Soul was clad in was made of gleaming gold, shimmering brighter than the sun itself. It was already attracting eyes like a spotlight.
"That’s… an amazing armor set!’ She cried out in awe. "I bet it’s really strong!"
"The armor you have given to your Soul Armature is really ill-fitting for his profession." The appraisal teacher went straight to the point with the Soul Armature Practitioner who was dressed as extravagantly as his Soul Armature. "I mean, I understand that you want a high-quality and flashy armor but your Soul here… was an assassin when he was alive. Are assassins supposed to be this eye catching?"
"Oopsie! Aww, this is such a waste…" Mia couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, feeling bad for that particular coursemate. No wonder his Soul Armature looked so unmotivated. A man whose strongest arsenal was the darkness of the night and shadows— was now wearing an armor that lights up like an advertisement board? That must had really bummed him out!
Coincidentally, next to the Goldilocks pair was a Soul clad in magnificent black. The dark armor that particular Soul Armature was suited up in was both austere and deadly-looking.
"A man under a black armor like that must be really dependable!" Mia exclaimed.
"Is that so?" Baiyi’s lips curved into a half-smile.
And the appraisal teacher’s comment rang out. "I can see your wealth reflecting off the gleam of this armor, mister. Those concentrated anti-magic metal surely does not come cheap, and rightfully so, too. Its ability to negate magic is so potent, it’s a mage killer. So… why did you let your Mage wear something like that?"
True to his words, the Soul Armature had been mustering up all his strength to perform an impressive feat of flame magic, yet all he could do was light up the tip of his fingernail that would not even heat up a piece of paper.
"Well, if you’re not going to change him into a more suitable armor, he would have a perfect career working as a battle fodder," The teacher continued.
"You see? First a shiny, pretty one; next an edgy, expensive one… and yet they’re going nowhere, right?" Baiyi concluded.
Just then, a cry of astonishment erupted from the bystanders, "Oh my god! It’s… It’s a Legendary Soul Armature! This fella managed to summon a Legendary Soul Armature !"
Baiyi and Mia looked towards the direction of the commotion. There, a Soul Armature in an incredibly quaint armor was strutting through the training ground. Long carvings were etched like proud battle scars on his shoulder guards. These marks were a tradition of that era; they were the symbols of a warrior’s proud achievements. Every time a hard-fought battle was won, the warrior carved a long mark on their armor to commemorate the victory.
Judging from the abundance of carvings, the original owner of this set must have been a veteran as well. Not only that, it must have been a family treasure… And now, the new owner of this armor was a Legendary Soul Armature. Surely nothing was more suited for each other than this!
"Legendary… Wow…" Mia blurted out, before hastily swallowing her voice as she gave a quick side glance at Mr. Hope, afraid that he would notice her envy (and most likely take offense!).
Seriously? Are the people here this easy to impress? Baiyi almost wanted to laugh out in amusement. It’s just a damn Legendary Soul Armature, c’mon! There is no shortage of ruffians with this caliber among the Lich’s own company of revenants.
"Please, I think I should be the one saying ‘C’mon’, Sir Hope! Normally, strength like this is already more than sufficient. Nobody leading a normal life would ever be in a situation as dangerous as meeting monsters like people from the Void!" The Voidwalker, the Merchant, muttered.
He was right. To be a Legendary Soul Armature was to possess level 6 power of the nine tiers in ranks. In fact, this level actually served as the dividing point between average warriors and those who were truly gifted. Without talent nor opportunity, it was impossible for anyone to ever reach that level of proficiency.
Yet among the Voidwalkers, there were already a bit too many Demigod level masters, while the rest were already occupying the Holy level. A Legendary tier would have been curb-stomped by those from the Void!
If only he could tell the truth to Little Mia here! She would not need to waste her breath marveling at that sort of weak people.
"How far would you fare if you were to go against that gentleman over there?" The Sorcerer suddenly popped up in his mind.
Meh. Three minutes. He replied confidently.
"Hey, don’t get too audacious now! You may have a vast repository of knowledge and an immense amount of Void Energy but you can only draw an intermediate level amount from that power right now, remember?"
Baiyi only smiled at his skepticism. Watch and you’ll see.
The man in that quaint armor was very pleased with the reception he received. As per the crowd’s request for a demonstration of his skills, he drew his blade in a dramatic manner and then assumed a preparatory stance that meant business.
"Behold! This is one of my ultimate moves! I’d used this technique to obliterate so many draconian evils— Phantasmal Claymore Style: The Plunge of the Angel!"
--aaaand the joint of the quaint armor, exactly like an old man bending down now trying to get up, got rickety and then it got stuck. Mr. Legendary could not stop his maneuver in time—
And his face promptly smacked down on the pavement, thus gracefully completing the variant of the original technique, presumably called "The Plunge of the Armor".
It was so ‘impressive’ that the crowd went silent.
The appraisal teacher cleared his throat before giving a kind smile one only gave to a lonely old man to avoid hurting his feelings. "Um, sir, I would really recommend that you try working part-time in a smithy with your Soul Armature Practitioner. Trust me, it will really inspire and draw out his potential!"
Baiyi gave a simple chuckle."See?"
The Voidwalkers were already thrown into a laughing fit.