Chapter 23


    The weekend was approaching, with not much time left until thebat training practice.


    The weekend was rtively rxed.


    Despite the rigorous sses and training at Lichten Academy, they ensured that there was time for rest. Of course, that was the intention, nothing more.


    You can divide your breaks into three parts.


    One day for the mind, one day for the body, and one day for the soul.


    Ian had incorporated this tripartite routine into his life, and the weekend was a well-earned time for his training.


    Havingpleted his morning training, Ian headed east towards the Academy.


    I wonder if its a good pick.


    A teahouse near the Lichten Academy alumni association. Ian, seated deep within the shop, gazed expectantly at the entrance.


    Today was the promised day for him to receive the weapons he had requested from Silvia.


    Ian, who lived near the academys northern gate, had chosen to meet near the eastern gate because there was a well-known teahouse in this setting.


    The tea here is excellent.


    Is this another reflection of Fanta X Acas setting? Or perhaps its because a single cup of tea costs 3 silver, which is equivalent to 30,000 won?


    By the way, the area where this teahouse is located, near the Lichten Academys eastern gate, is home to various upscale shops, along with prominent individuals. It seems that thend value increased naturally due to the river that crosses the central part of the continent, resulting in high property prices and an abundance of high-end shops.


    Everything revolves around real estate, after all.


    The northern gate, where Ians amodation was located, was close to the mountains, hostingbat-oriented guilds and cost-effective shops. On the other hand, the southern gate housed the citys administrative offices and various institutions.


    This is what happens when you immerse yourself in the games settings.


    Ting


    With a clear chime, the teahouses door opened.


    A man, dressed in a neat yet upscale suit, walked towards Ian while receiving guidance from a maid-dressed employee (which wasmon here).


    He appeared to be in his mid-thirties and gave off a professional vibe with his sharp attire.


    As he approached, he respectfully nodded his head.


    Hello. Im Sebastian, on behalf of the Laurent family.


    Ah, Ive heard a lot about you. Im Ian ckangers. Please, have a seat here.


    Sebastians polite business introduction prompted Ian to draw upon the social skills he had honed during his unpaid internship in the sales department.


    At first, Sebastians eyes showed a hint of surprise, which soon disappeared.


    After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Sebastian ced a somewhatrge bag on the table.


    This is the Lunar you requested.


    Thank you for going through the trouble to bring it.


    Not at all.


    Sebastian briefly stared at Ian with an incredulous look before proceeding to open the bag.


    A silvery radiance spilled out through the cracks, dazzling the eyes.


    This is the Lunar ore you requested.


    With a subtly friendlier tone, Sebastian provided an exnation.


    The quality is exceptional, with a distinct silver hue that glistens in a blue light when exposed to moonlight. Its smooth, flexible, and easy to process. Additionally, its lightweight and highly durable. It boasts very high magical resistance, making it suitable for magic attacks and magic equipment. It is known to be influenced by the moon. Weve extracted and processed it to the highest possible purity, at least 99.9999%. Essentially, it can be considered pure.


    Listening to the captivating description, one could easily imagine wanting to purchase it if in the buyers position.


    Its a special-grade ore mined from the Lunar Mountain Range, as requested by Lady Silvia.


    Uponpleting the exnation, Sebastian appeared to be a highlypetent subordinate. He emphasized the value of the item he presented while enhancing Silvias reputation.


    Having such a subordinate indicated that Silvia was managing things well.


    The Laurent family.


    (TLN: Im going to use family for both her and Emilia I think, both their family names are associated with Sangdan (), can either mean to top/upper or group of merchants, Chinese merchants organized an army to protect their markets, and that army is called )


    Working with them didnt seem like a bad idea at all.


    Of course, that was one thing, but


    Thank you.


    Ian retrieved the Lunar ore from the bag and inspected its condition.


    As requested, it was a rectangr shape with afortable grip, suitable for an adults arm.


    Its so brilliant and bright, incredibly so.


    He extended his hand, and the mana within him immediately responded. This was genuinely pure and refined Lunar ore. With this level of mineral, handling the extraction and transformation would be no problem at all.


    Considering the properties of Lunar ore, it should be capable of easily countering even mid-level hazard species. It would significantly reduce their magical damage, making it a suitable choice for magic equipment.


    As he was grinning and appreciating it, Sebastian asked him carefully.


    Excuse me, but may I ask how you n to process it?


    Processing? No, Ill use it as it is.


    As it is? It looks almost no different from regr lumber


    A staff.


    Pardon?


    Ian, to the bewildered Sebastian, spoke clearly.


    Its not lumber; its a magic staff.


    Sebastian, with a somewhat dazed expression, left the teahouse.


    A stark contrast to his usual sharp and stoic demeanor, he was now wearing a different expression.


    As he walked out, someone called him.


    Sebastian!


    The voice of someone he served.


    Sebastians sharp gaze returned in an instant, stopping on a woman.


    She leaned against the alleys wall, wearing colorful oversized sses and a wide-brimmed hat.


    Silvia.


    As Sebastian approached her, Silvia was taken aback.


    How did you recognize me? Im in disguise.


    A glow that couldnt be concealed by mere makeup was present.


    Sebastian, who had swallowed his words, bowed and greeted her.


    I inquired about the intended use, as you asked.


    What did he say?


    He said hes going to use it as a staff.


    A staff? Hes going to walk around with that? How much does it cost?


    No, he meant a magic staff.


    A magic staff?


    Yes, in that manner.


    Whoosh.


    Sebastian demonstrated using the magic staff.


    Magic staffs have to be made of wood No. This ismon sense even a newborn knows, so Ian would know it too.


    Thats correct.


    But what he got was just a block made of Lunar.


    Thats correct.


    An awkward silence followed, then Silvia sighed.


    Well, hes an entric individual. Youll understandter. Was there anything else?


    Sebastian thought of Ian as he left the teahouse.


    He was different from his profile.


    ording to the information that Laurent family had, he was the b*stard hair of the fallen noble family ckangers, and to such an extent that his younger sister took over as the head of the family.


    So, Sebastian expected him to be light-hearted and a freeloader, at best.


    However, the Ian he met in person was different.


    Nobles, even if fallen, tend to be haughty and look down on others. In fact, the more theyve fallen, the worse it often gets.


    Ian was different.


    He was exceptionally polite, more so than most older individuals.


    It wasnt out of pitifulness.


    Grace and dignity.


    Because I felt the unique leisure thates from someone who has lived long enough.


    It had the kind of scent that can only be felt by those who have experienced enough in society  like veterans of some upper ss.


    But this was just a personal perspective.


    Could Sebastian trust his own eyes?


    I have nothing specific to report.


    He thought he might investigate further when the opportunity arose, all for the sake of Lady Silvia.


    Except for magic staffs, no weapons are allowed inside.


    Eastern campus of the Academy.


    3rd Magic Training Ground.


    Ian, using his acquired social skills and eloquence, managed to convince the training ground manager that this was indeed a magical staff.


    In two days, there would bebat training.


    The monsters they would be facing are formidable enough, but the Bloodstone Cult will likely intervene and literally open the gates of Hell.


    It was crucial to get ustomed to the use of this new weapon as much as possible.


    Originally, I thought Id only get to use it in a real battle.


    Thanks to Silvias quick procurement, he had gained some extra time.


    [3rd Magic Training Ground]


    This ce, the 3rd Magic Training Ground, allowed one to experience various types of mana attacks.


    From basic elements such as lightning, fire, water, earth, and ice to special attributes like light and darkness.


    You could test and train how well you dodged or defended against sphere-like mana attacks.


    Where should we test the Lunar?


    Squeak.


    He chose a training room and propped the magic staff, or rather the wood-like Lunar, on his shoulder.


    If his assumption was correct, the monsters they would face in thebat training exercises were undoubtedly


    Ian ckangers.


    A cold voice that seems to cut off my thoughts in one fell swoop.


    Ian turned his head toward the voice.


    Endless icy blue hair.


    She had sharp eyes that look like they could cut a person down.


    Sharon Pierce.


    I thought I wouldnt see you for a while, but youre still the worst.


    Her words carried a chilling coldness with each one.


    If Sharon were to attack right now, could he defend against it?


    His palms started to sweat.


    Luckily, she wasnt holding a sword.


    Lets meet after thebat training exercises.


    Whoosh.


    She turned around and left without another word.


    Why is Sharon here?


    This training ground was distant from the Knight Department.


    He hade here to have some peace.


    This wasplicated.


    Sharon Pierce was a formidable heroine when judged solely on her abilities. The only reason she wasnt ssified in the Aether ss was because her power awakening had been a littlete.


    Tsk.


    Since theyd already crossed paths, there was no point in paying more attention to her. In fact, his suspicion was now shifting more towards Lina.


    For now, lets get back to training.


    It seemed like their focus was on thebat training exercises over there as well.


    Taa!


    He sessfully blocked thest Dark Magic-type attack.


    Hoo.


    Ian took a deep breath.


    Ian took a deep breath, and soon the result of facing 1000 mana attacks appeared in his mind as if it were a hologram.


    Balls destroyed: 134


    Balls blocked: 766


    Balls dodged: 2


    Defense rate: 80%


    Not bad.


    Next, the rankings came to his mind.


    Upon seeing the destroyed balls category, Ian let out an amusedugh.


    1st ce: Sharon Pierce [587 attacks]


    2nd ce: Karina [281 attacks]


    Of course, Iansck of metal sharpening meant that he destroyed fewer balls, but Sharons lead over the second-ce finisher was overwhelming.


    Well, I won this, I guess.


    Following that, the rankings for blocked balls:<ol><li>Ian ckangers [766 attacks]</li><li>Emmanuel Yesire [598 attacks]</li></ol>


    He confidently secured the 1st ce.


    While it wasnt an exact reflection of his abilities, it was still satisfying.


    Ian released the Lunar that was wrapped around his body.


    It quickly returned to its original shape.


    Ian affectionately looked down at the massive staff.


    Myah, what was it called?


    He muttered nonsense and pped himself on the cheek.


    Its a great magic staff.


    With this, his preparations for thebat training exercises wereplete.


    Snick-


    A small smile tugged at the corners of Ians mouth.


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