338 Jola’s Tears Part 2 (1/2)

Badge in Azure Deathstate 49530K 2022-07-20

Saleen was calculating furiously in his mind. At this moment, he was not just thinking about the weapons for the magic beast swordsmen, but he was also designing weapons for Sika, Nailisi, and the others.

Aini stared at Jola's sheath for a long time, but did not make any moves.

”This… Sir Aini.” Jola's grade was already akin to a sorcerer in the realm of mages, but he did not dare act rashly in front of a death mage. In the eyes of normal people, a death mage was much more powerful than an elemental mage, and they also had many unimaginable skills. Jola had dared to challenge a mage, but he did not dare provoke a death mage.

At most, one would only die if they were defeated by an elemental mage. But if a death mage was angered, one could be transformed into a spirit. Even though such an action was insignificant to a death mage, it was an eternal torture which no one would want to experience.

”This sheath is not suitable for you.” Aini finally opened his mouth.

”I know, but…”

”The energy within is overwhelmed with negative emotions, and you are a person who is innately positive. That's why you haven't been trying to advance your grade. After advancement, this weapon will be even more unsuitable for you.”

Jola was aghast. He had not expected a mage to be able to deduce so many facts from just a weapon.

”Actually, this situation is not entirely unsalvageable.”

”What is the solution?” Jola was completely entranced by Aini's demeanor. Aini looked at the sheath with a great deal of concentration, engrossed.

Aini lifted his eyelids and glanced at Jola. With his mind still on the sheath, he said, ”Do you dare to trust me?”

”What's there to be afraid of?” Jola shrugged his shoulders, looking nonchalant.

”Very well, we shall begin now.” As Aini spoke, he spit out the death flames from his mouth, then added materials which had been provided by Saleen into the death flames. Aini did not split the materials into any specific proportions, and the materials quickly formed the shape of a blade within the death flames. The shape of the blade was transforming continuously, with its final shape fitting Jola's sheath perfectly.

This blade was different from what Saleen was creating for the magic beast swordsmen. The blade which Aini made was entirely metal, and there was not even a spot for the wooden grip. The green death flames gave off a frigid air as they expanded in size, before finally engulfing Jola. Jola's fingers trembled slightly, but he did not put up any resistance.

Jola had chosen to trust Saleen, not Aini. Had Saleen wanted to deal with him, Saleen could have easily trampled him after freezing him, not to mention turning him into a death creature. At that point in time, Jola had no way of resisting.

Furthermore, the temptation from Aini was too overwhelming. Jola did not want to abandon the sheath, but if he used this sheath to make a weapon, his swordsmanship training would be affected.

The death flames fully enveloped Jola. They were cooling, unlike the pain which he expected.

The blade, which was in front of Aini, quivered in midair before sliding into that simple sheath, giving off a crisp sound. Jola's heart was also chilled. Jola placed his hand on the blade and pulled it out from the sheath, then noticed that there were more than forty marks on the blade.

Those marks represented the origin of his swordsmanship and the secrets inside his heart.

The blade remained soft as mud, with its shape fluctuating continuously. Jola held onto the blade in a daze, as he recalled his childhood.

The first half of his childhood had been filled with jubilance. His father had been a powerful grand swordmaster who served a duke. From a tender age, Jola had already lived in a wealthy environment. Also, he had matured at a young age. By the time Jola had learned to walk, he had already learned how to wield a sword.

This continued until one day, the duke's successor was killed after provoking a mage. Jola's father was severely berated because he failed to protect the successor. Thereafter, Jola's father fell into a ploy and was killed.

Jola clearly remembered that his father still had enough power to retaliate after consuming the poisoned wine, but his father simply clutched onto the sword without pulling it out. His father's powers had diffused into the sheath. Those marks, more than forty of them, were the essence of his father's swordsmanship.

The furious duke tore his father's body into pieces and threw the sword into a lake. Young Jola went into hiding and managed to avoid being captured. Later on, he went to the bottom of the lake to retrieve his father's sword, but realized that the sword had disintegrated, leaving behind only a sheath which was brimming with grief and indignation.

This world was unfair. As the duke did not dare to trifle with the mage, he had vented his fury on Jola's father.

Jola thus began his life on the run, and his days were extremely tough. Back then, he was but eight years old. Jola worked as a mercenary, a bandit, a bodyguard, and a hitman. He had also made a living in a casino before, until he met his swordsmanship teacher.

Jola had not intended to recall all these memories from his past. But at this moment, as he was engulfed within Aini's death flames, all these memories came flooding back in a clear and picturesque manner.

”I just want to… live happily, Father…”

Jola held onto the blade as tears ran down his cheeks uncontrollably, hitting the blade. The pure tears were vaporized and permeated the blade.

”Then, go ahead and live happily.” Aini took the blade from Jola's hand. Those marks had faded away, forming strange magic patterns which spread throughout the blade.

A few drops of tears were already enough to make the blade solidify.