More than a month had passed after Stella's first hunt and she already learned all the Kendo Technique. Though she can't say that she mastered them already, at the very least, she had an idea about the various techniques.

Executing those techniques may still be difficult, but at the rate that she's learning things, Reiji was confident that she'll be able to use them in her battles.

​​

As long as she continuously practices them, he was sure that mastering all the Waza wouldn't be very long.**

"Master… I watched the guards and the Chaos Knights practice their swords… However, their practices were different and their technique was also full of openings…"

"Ho~ Tell me more."

"It feels like they lack something… Right, I'm also curious… May I know whether the sword technique you're teaching was also something that other people here know?"

Stella asked her master.

They already finished their daily routine and were about to meet the merchant guild's caravan that has arrived in their village.

"Mhmm? They are indeed lacking some effective footwork. Anyway, I'm not sure. However, I haven't met anyone who has the same sword style as mine… So it seems that I'm the only one here who knows Kendo."

"Right, Kendo…. Even the Hunter Association was not aware of it. Master, may I know if you have a lot of students? I want to meet them someday."

"No, I only have one more student other than you…"

"Eh? I really thought that you have a bunch of students already… Right, do you think I can defeat my fellow disciple?"

"Ho~ It will be difficult for you to win..."

"Hehe! Perhaps, you're right. They might be older than me, correct?"

"No, he's only ten…"

"What? Then how can he defeat me?" Stella is already fourteen years old and she was confident that she would not lose to anyone younger than her.

"Mhmm… The Kendo Technique is categorized into two… Can you tell me about them?"

Instead of answering her, Reiji asked something to test her knowledge.

"Eh? Yes… The Kendo Technique, or simply Waza, is indeed categorized into two; Shikake Waza, and Oji Waza…"

"Mhmm…"

"Shikake Waza is the technique where you initiate the attack, like Hiki Waza, Katsugi Waza, Renzoku Waza, and others… On the other hand, Oji Waza is a technique where you execute against your opponent as a counterattack. For example, Nuki Waza, Kaeshi Waza, Amashi Waza, and others…

"In short, I'll use Shikake Waza when I'm attacking first while I'll use Oji Waza to respond in my opponent's attack…"

Stella explained how she understood the two categories.

"Very good… Now tell me, which of the two have you mastered?"

"I… I'm more adept at using Oji Waza, however, I can't say that I mastered it yet."

"I see… However, my first student easily mastered three techniques in Shikake Waza… It was because he focused on Ittouryuu…"

"Ittouryuu? How about Nittouryuu?"

"He didn't learn it…"

"Really? Then, that would be my advantage!" Stella said as she felt excited about it…

Although practicing single sword techniques would allow her to master them faster, she wanted to have two swords since it was very cool to see.

Aside from that, she hadn't seen anyone who uses two swords yet and she also found it very effective. After all, her opponents were not used to fighting someone with two swords in hand.

She noticed this when she had a duel with Frank before.

Anyway, she still has plenty of time to master all the techniques that were taught to her. As long as she didn't miss any of her training, it is only a matter of time.

'Oh… We're here… Stop talking to me with your voice' Reiji quickly reminded her as they arrived at the village square.

'Yes, Master…'

Stella replied as she connected with her master using their Sense Link. They were about to find some valuables in this caravan and they were also planning to sell some of their materials.

If they were lucky, they might find an Arcanist that is capable of repairing their Magic Items.

Unfortunately, all the 4th-Class Arcanists in the village's Arcanist Association were not experienced in this. They could repair the Magic Weapon or Equipment they made, but repairing others was not guaranteed.

There was a huge chance that they will only get the items destroyed in the process.

In the end, they heard that a Merchant Caravan would arrive in a few weeks so they decided to wait and take their chances.

As they arrived at the village square filled with people doing trade, Reiji noticed that it was a different caravan that he saw in Farahn Village.

They were all uniformed and numerous mercenaries were guarding the surroundings. It was unlike Mr. Mapan's caravan…

'Go ahead and look first for an Arcanist that specializes in repairing Magic Weapon…'

'Yes, Master.'

Since all the merchants are busy tending to their business, she asked one of the guards instead.

"Mhmm… We do have a 3rd-Class Arcanist here. I'm pretty sure that he can repair any Magic Weapons or Equipment. However, he's hired by our boss for an expensive price. You might find it difficult to ask a request."

"I'll try. Can I at least talk to them?"

"Yes, you can try… The boss and Sir Arcanist are at that golden camp. If you didn't find them there, you can try to ask the village chief. They might've visited him."

"Oh! Thank you so much."

The guard was very kind as he helped her without asking more questions.

"Ah! Right, do you know how should I call them?"

"Of course, the leader of this caravan is Boss Cartel and the Sir Arcanist seems to be a noble, as the boss was calling him Lord Castillo."

After learning their identity, Stella no longer hesitated as she went to the golden camp.

"State your business with the boss…"

She was blocked by the guards standing outside the camp. She already expected this so she remained calm and greeted the soldiers.

"Hello… I'm Stella Fennette, a resident of this village. I heard that there's someone here who can repair any Magic Weapons… I have a few here that I wanted to get repaired…"

Stella said as she brought all the items she has with low durability.

Excellent Protection Ring: [ Durability: 23/50 ]

Supreme Frost Ring : [ Durability: 12/50 ]

Excellent Hidden Sword Cane: [ Durability: 71/90 ]

Reiji explained to her that the gray-colored ring with the name Orga written on it should not be exposed to the public. After all, it was a special item made for Three-Star Hunters.

As for the Rare-Rank Arcana that she has, it will just be sacrificed to Albeiron sooner or later so they didn't bother to get it fully repaired. Anyway, the Traceless Pocket Watch still has 100/135 in its durability.

"They are busy at the moment… But if you can wait for ten or fifteen minutes, they might be over with the emergency meeting."

"Emergency meeting?"

"Yeah… A few members of the Chaos Knights requested to meet our Boss."

"I see… Alright, then… I will wait here."

Stella answered as she got curious about the Chaos Knight's actions.

After they failed to apprehend the Beast Tamers hiding in the forest, the Order lay low in their activities and even Enri decided to return to the Academy where she teaches Arcane Magic.

They only said that the Beast Tamers are stronger than they have expected. Although there were no casualties on both sides, Hendrick still decided to be more careful.

After all, the Knights that were stationed here were low in numbers and no other units can be called to assist them.

The Chaos Knights were mostly spread throughout the castles in the borders of the kingdom. Being sent here in these kinds of contracted missions was just part of their job in which they have to accept two contracted missions every year.

They are doing this mostly because they want to appeal to the public to join their ranks.

'I wonder what's going on…'

'SShhh… I'm listening to them.'

'Eh? Ohhh---'

Stella quickly went silent as she realized that her master was eavesdropping… She was quite curious about the limit of her master's senses but she didn't bother him for now…

After a while, Reiji started to speak.

'They're about to go out…'

'Alright…'

Stella stepped aside as she waited for the Knights to leave. There, she saw the familiar Knights she met before… They briefly exchanged greetings before they left.

"Boss… There is a lady here who wishes to speak with the Lord Arcanist…" The guard softly asked from outside the camp.

"What for?" An old but gentle voice was heard from the inside.

"She wanted to hire the Lord to repair her Magic Items…"

"Mhmm…" It seems that the caravan leader spoke with the Arcanist first before he replied to the guard.

"Let her in."

As soon as this was heard, the guard signaled Stella to enter the camp. She thanked the kind guard and enter the camp.

The place wasn't like a hastily build camp but instead a luxurious room from a castle!

Aside from the bed at the side, there was a round table, chairs, portrait, expensive curtains, weapons rack, luxurious carpet, and even a shelf filled with books!

It was a sight to behold. She would've never thought that a camp can look like this.