Chapter 259 – Civilization
“How’s that possible? Not even one? Isn’t that abnormal? What about their furniture? It should be possible to extrapolate their appearance based on that.”
“Correct. We know both were medium-sized species, probably relatively similar to you and me, but not much more than this. Anyway, let’s get back to our main topic. Here.”
She gave me the artifact. The bead felt cold in my hand, as if I were holding a metallic item.
“Are you giving it to me? Don’t you want to keep it?”
“We don’t need it, so you can have it.”
“You said it gives temporary strength above one’s rank? How does it work exactly?”
“We don’t know the exact principle. As far as we can tell, it stores the owner’s sel for a long time and allows them to release it for a temporary rank increase in power. This one should be able to store up to rank 7 sel.”
It was similar to my trump cards, which made it very intriguing. In my world, this was extremely high technology, made from very precious materials. So precious that there were only about a thousand of them in circulation. To think something like this was created by an ancient civilization. It was no wonder Wico was so confident all the time, declaring she wasn’t afraid of a bunch of rank 6.
“Oh… I guess it breaks after usage?”
“Not at all, why would it break?”
“It… doesn’t break?”
Now that was astounding. These were so rare in my world because they could only be used once. That was also why I saved mine for when I didn’t have any other choice. They were given to me because I had such high value for the Trading Union, and also because they were useless for people with high ranks. But if it could be used multiple times, its value was incredible, to the point it was strange that Angin just gave it to me like it was nothing. As long as one waited for it to recharge, it could be used as many times as necessary.
“So… how do I use it?”
“You can simply swallow it.”
“Huh? Seriously?”
“Yes. Activate it with sel when you need to use it.”
Yet another difference. The ones I possessed had necessitated surgery to implement them. It was absurd to think it could be installed in my body just by consuming it. However, Angin had no reason to lie to me. It truly was alien technology, in a way. I couldn’t expect it to be the same as in my world.
“Can it also be removed, then?”
“Yes. You should be able to use sel to move it inside your body. Just throw it up or something when you’re done with it.”
“Any side effects?”
“Of course. Power is never free. You should be ready to visit a life mage after using it.”
At least this part was the same.
“I see… Anything else I should know about this artifact?”
“Not really. Just one point. You shouldn’t try to sell it. Either keep it or use it, all right? And don’t spread what you learned today either.”
“I understand. And… Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Since you’re here, Crali has more to talk with you.”
She went back to lie on her sofa, opening a book and ignoring us from then on. Crali was still staring at me a bit resentfully, but she controlled herself to tell me what she needed.
“We’re ready to start building your… mansion. We found a large plot of land that should suit your needs on the village’s edge. Head to the bunnies’ village tomorrow morning and instruct the workers on what you want exactly.”
“I got it. Thank you, Crali. And sorry about yesterday.”
“Hmph. Whatever. You can go now.”
Her expression eased a little after my words, so I didn’t think she was very upset anymore.
I left the building after being dismissed. Somehow, this talk made me feel a little better. I couldn’t deny that learning about these Ancients and Elders was fascinating. Now that I thought about it, my emergency shelter didn’t have any trace of sel at all, which I had always found a bit unsettling. I realized now it was probably built by the Ancients. This also told me that I shouldn’t be too worried about anyone coming to claim it since the whole civilization had disappeared a long time ago.
My next destination was the martial center. I quickly told them I would stop training the children here, which surprised the one I was talking with. He asked if anything had gone wrong with the first training session, and I gave some random excuse before leaving quickly.
I had now cut most of my ties with this center. Selva was still affiliated with it, technically, but she was happily frolicking in a different country, so it didn’t matter much. Speaking of which, I guess she was now masterless. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be the one announcing the news. Maybe I should just go and tell her the truth. I was the victim here, after all.
Anyway, the city was vast, and the only reason I had chosen that place was that I knew people affiliated with it. There were many other better martial centers, giving me plenty of choice.
Since it was now lunchtime, I made my way to the inn. When I reached it, the children were already done eating and were preparing to go to the martial center. They seemed surprised but relieved to see me.
“Mister?”
“Tila?”
“There’s a change of plan for magic training. You’ll go to a different center starting from today.”
They were startled by the sudden change.
“Huh… Why?”
Aren was lost, but Erin was a bit more perceptive.
“Is it related to what happened yesterday?”
I nodded.
“That’s right.”
“So… What happened?”
“It’s nothing you need to worry about. Anyway, that training center wasn’t even that great. We’ll go to a better place today.”
My answer made her pout, but she only bit her lower lip and didn’t insist. When they were ready to go, we walked together to the new place I had chosen for them.
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