Chapter 618 (1/2)

‘They are having us fight in this war for them, huh…’ Randidly thought to himself, considering the three people standing on the stage in front of them. After finishing their spiel and naming the teams, they continued to stand there, as if waiting for questions. A few of the spear users in the hall walked up and greeted the administrators of the competition with friendliness.

It was a far cry from the absolute lack of reaction that he, Helen, and Azriel received. The people from other Schools kept to themselves for the most part, and the people from the Spearman School avoided those from the Northern Domain like the plague. It seemed that everyone knew of the sour rumors about the Northern Domain, although Randidly couldn't’ for the life of him understand what they were so twisted up about.

“It is lucky we are on the same team,” Azriel said at his side. Helen was standing nearby, wearing a frown that was a shade more violent than her usual scowl.

Randidly nodded at Azriel. “We will still need to actually head to the front lines and fight… I don’t think it will be easy.”

Dubiously, he looked down at the Soulstone that he had been given. He could barely make out the Engraving symbols on the inside of the closed crystal container. It seemed like the Engraving Guilds likely used a material that was cloudy on purpose in order to keep others from being able to figure out their symbols.

It did a lot to show the attitude of the Engraving Guild and reminded Randidly that he would need to keep an eye out for them while he was back on Shal’s world. Then Randidly grimaced. More than keeping an eye out for them, he had a debt to pay for when he was given the encyclopedia of Engraving knowledge his first time here. If he had enough power…

Then Randidly blinked, “Ah before I forget, is there a Dungeon nearby?”

Azriel gave him a sidelong glance and then shrugged. Luckily, Helen had an answer.

“Yes… but the demand for dungeons is extremely variable these days. It is the only reliable way of obtaining energy now that we have lost the Spear-source… but on the other hand, if you fail and get injured it will take months to recover. Only the most extreme spear users go in there… those that believe there is more to Skill than Levels.”

“Well that seems like an obvious truth,” Randidly said, as he cracked his neck. “Having Levels is fine, but you need to use them correctly.”

“It’s actually messier than that,” Azriel added. “Many believe that having the Levels gives you the know how. But are you saying your… Skill will also assist us-”

“Yes,” Randidly answered shortly. His emerald eyes glittered. In theory, they could go into a Dungeon for an almost indefinite amount of time with his supply of Mana and work on sharpening their Skills. Well, the only one amongst them that really needed it was him, but they could all benefit.

“Nearby… there isn’t anything overly powerful... Not that we would have access to,” Helen said with a thoughtful frown. Around them, people were beginning to go towards the numbered banners and meet their team after conversing with those they came with. “But there is one Dungeon where an hour is a full day. LIkely, we won’t leave until tomorrow. A week or two of sparring… is for the best.”

She gave Randidly a meaningful look. He shrugged his shoulders helplessly.

“Don’t look at me like that! You are the one that keeps on making up rules for the duels! If we fought normally-”

“She’s very good at designing rules that won’t allow you to simply steamroll over her with your higher Stats,” Azriel said primly. “Yet you fail to win even once against her. Perhaps you really do need something more to use Skills and you are missing it.”

Randidly rolled his eyes. “Fine, two weeks of sparring. Tonight after this?”

“Let’s meet in two hours by that big fountain out front,” Helen said. Then she paused. “And Randidly… be careful.”

Frowning, Randidly asked, “Is there something I need to worry about?”

“Well no, but… Fuck, can’t I just be concerned?” Helen glared at him. “And let’s be honest; when was the last time you went somewhere without making a powerful enemy?”

*****

Silo Rune was surprised to find that Skarch Top was actually a woman. She rather tall, with a black waterfall of hair that made it to the small of her back. With her, she carried a heavy parcel wrapped in canvas. Inwardly, Silo shook his head. This was the problem with the Spear School people, they emphasized the power of their Engraved Spears to the detriment of all else. And due to the fanatical reverence with which they viewed their weapons, they did not keep them in an interspatial ring.

The first thing a trainee in the Spear School learned was that your spear always had to be carried.

It was basically such a lesson that they didn’t have room for any true knowledge beyond that point. They were helplessly fixated with solely that one tenant. And they didn’t even keep their spears in a battle-ready state; if a fight were to break out, they would take the time to carefully unpack it before they could be of any use.

“Hello,” Silo said shortly.

“A pleasure,” She responded with a soft voice. Her nose was soft and her lips were full. Although well sculpted with muscles, her arms and legs were slender. “I have heard you amongst all in the Spearman School understand the role of the spear?”