Reiji decided to stop marking the two Arcanists.

It was such a shame that he's unable to make them his slaves but this is still within his expectations.

​​

After all, Renzo and Karen were both at the level of 3rd Class Arcanists.

Although they're unconscious, their spiritual qualities were still at a higher level.

'I guess I should try with a 5th-Class first...'

However, just where would he find a 5th-Class Arcanist that deserves to be a Sword Slave?

'Ahh... Should I try inquiring about it in the Mind Collection? They might be able to help.'

Reiji had a sudden idea as he talked to himself.

If there are things he wanted to know, he should just ask someone who knows... The organization should've information with the Arcanists around this area.

'Reiji... How is it? Do you want to kill these two?'

Felix asked after seeing that the wooden sword wasn't doing anything.

'Oh... Not really... Do you have any suggestions? These two have some problems with my servant... I just want them to stay away from him...'

'I see... How about giving them to Rory? They've been looking for decent Arcanists to be their associates or something.'

'Ho~ That's interesting.'

'Yes... As you know, Fern has similar abilities to you... I think that he's the one controlling most of the informants of the Collection.'

'You mean... he can control many servants like the butler we saw before?'

'That's correct... I heard from Gate that Fern has more than two hundred servants under him...'

'W-what? Isn't that too much?' Reiji was genuinely surprised by the massive number of servants he has.

He's not even aware whether he's capable of reaching a hundred slaves if he maximized his Sword Slave Marker.

Fern was truly powerful worthy of being in an Excalibur-like state...

'It's because he's blessed by the Sword Deity... You shouldn't be surprised.' Felix reminded him...

Reiji just nodded at this as he let them take care of both Renzo and Karen...

Rufus came back running as he brought some bandages and medicine for Ruthren.

'Reiji... You can treat your servant inside the mansion... Rory permitted this.'

'I understand... I'll tell the kid...'

After a few seconds, three servants from the mansion arrived at the alley and carried the two unconscious Arcanists and Ruthren...

'Master... Who are these people?'

'They're friends. Don't mind them... Let's go...'

Reiji urged his student to follow them to the old mansion.

All the sentient Arcana hid from Rufus as the servants did all the work. The young arcanist had no idea about the existence of other Arcana watching him…

***

Reiji checked one of the notifications from the guide…

At last, he did it!

[ Congratulations! You have completed the Tenacity Mission! ]

[ You have received 620 Skill Points. ]

[ You have fulfilled the requirements to take the Rank Up Quest. ]

[ Durability has been refreshed. ]

[ Durability: 200/200 ]

Rufus did a great job of decreasing his durability when fighting against the two Arcanists… Every time he collided with the energy gauntlet, it was taking a chunk of his durability as he gets closer to the mission target…

Especially when he used the Take Over ability, he decided not to dodge and parry all of their attacks until his Overload took effect on them…

[ Creating Quest… ]

[ Rank Up Quest ]

[ Unhindered Continuous Growth

- Sacrifice 4 Rare Rank Arcana and 1 Unique Rank Arcana

Ritual: Offer the Arcana that met the requirements to the Sword Deity, Albeiron. ]

Reward: Rank up to Unique Rank, 1 Free Skill, and 1000 Skill Points. ]

The rewards were so generous…

A thousand SP including the 620 SP from the mission reward would allow him to level up his expensive skills or perhaps purchase new ones…

'I already have 1 Unique Rank and 2 Rare Rank Arcana from Ruthren's treasury… Wait! I can have Renzo and Karen's Arcana!'

After realizing this, he immediately went to visit Rory.

***

'Reiji… Are you sure wanted to hand over these guys to us?'

Rory asked the shinai after they were left alone in a room.

'Yes… I can't make them my servants so if you have a use with them, just go ahead.' Reiji said as he sounded like a human trafficker.

Anyway, these two are the reason why his Slaves Two and Three died so early so he has to eliminate them somehow…

'Very well, what would you like as a reward.?' Rory asked as she didn't want to owe him a big favor. The treatment that they offered for his slave wasn't enough after all.

Reiji was waiting for this so he didn't hesitate to say one of his concerns.

'Hmmm… It would be really great if you guys can tell me all the information you have about the Arcanist Tower… Especially with the Chalice.'

'Chalice? Have you met him already?' Rory seemed to be genuinely surprised as Reiji knows its existence.

After all, the Chalice was located somewhere on the top floor of the Tower. It's not something easy to climb into.

'Yes… I somehow ended up seeing that Sentient Arcana…'

'I see… No wonder… So you know a lot more than what I expected… Before I tell you all about them, are you still planning to stay there for a while? I heard from Felix that your wielder is from that place…'

'I'm planning to stay there for a while since I still have some work to do… Once I finished my tasks, I'll be moving somewhere else…'

'Alright… Is that all your request? That information isn't top secret or anything…'

'Mhmm… I'd like to have two Rare Arcana please…'

Reiji requested as he doesn't really know whether the Arcana that Renzo and Karen have would be at that Rank. Instead of getting their Arcana, he might as well request the rank he needed.

'Of course… Those two have several riches with them… You can actually take them if you want….'

In the end, Reiji managed to get 2 Rare Arcana completing the requirements for his Rank Up. Now they just have to return to Rufus's room to get the other Arcana he needed.

Rory had also explained all the information they have about Chalice and the secret of the Arcanist Tower.

It was a piece of very interesting information but Reiji didn't dwell too much on it as he felt that the Tower was already mysterious enough.

Aside from this, Rufus was given six gold plates as they converted the magic items that the two has brought with them.

He suddenly earned money. Although he didn't feel right about it, Rufus accepted them as his master told him so.

'Master… Thank you for saving me…'

The sword slave thanked Reiji after being healed by the servants of the mansion.

'It's fine… Carry all the items. We'll be returning to the tower…'

'Yes, Master!'

Reiji didn't forget to thank Felix and the others before he left with his group.

***

Diether and his group already met with the officials of the Tower including the humble Sir Kael who welcomed them warmly.

They also confirmed the Arcanists that will fight against them on the next day.

They even managed to take a glance at Nika and Lexi who just finished eating at their dining area… Their figure was small similar to them so it didn't feel like they are older.

It boosted their confidence in the upcoming duel.

As for Rufus, they have no idea where he is… He's the most mysterious one considering the vague reports from their informants…

They said that Rufus was somehow capable of emitting a powerful Spiritual Pressure and his swordsmanship skills were truly amazing to the point that he can deflect the bullets from Nika's Revolver.

"Maybe it wasn't as fast as we thought…"

"That's right… I think they are just exaggerating the reports so that they can gain popularity. After all, they just wanted to have more Arcanists applying to study here…"

Diether heard the two and felt that they have a point. If a young man can block the bullets, then the trained Knights of their Order must be capable of doing so as well.

After considering this, he felt a little better since they are trained by these powerful Knights.

"I hope that that is the case…" Diether muttered as they followed Oliver who was heading outside to leave the tower.

Their battle would still happen tomorrow so they have to return to the Sun Fire Knight's Station.

As they were about to reach the gate of the Tower, they saw a young man wearing casual clothes and was about to pass the gate.

He was accompanied by a person that seemed to be his servant as he carries his baggage… They noticed that the guards were bowing at him so he must be an official or a known Arcanist within the tower.

As they walk past each other, Diether froze for a moment.

It was noticed by his companions but they only saw him smile… It was an unreadable little smile on his face.

However, Calliope noticed a teardrop on his eyes before he wiped it like it was nothing.

They then left the Tower silently as they felt Diether's sudden and melancholic change in his mood.