Badge in Azure

Chapter 81: The Meaning of Equipment (Part 2)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Sika!” Saleen shouted as he barged through the door. He had heard what Sika had said and could not take it anymore.

Faerun laughed unexpectedly and replied, “Don’t worry. I won’t charge you.”

“Really?” Sika’s eyes grew larger as she stared at Faerun. Faerun saw his reflection in Sika’s eyes. It was so pure and clear.

“Yes, really,” Faerun said. He then turned around and started walking to the laboratory. As Faerun walked, he said, “All of you should come too.”

Faerun’s voice resounded throughout all of the rooms and the mages rejoiced. To be able to witness a mage master repairing weapons firsthand was much more important than participating in an experiment. By the time Faerun stopped talking, the other mages had already run out of their rooms, having no concern for their appearances at all. Some had not even bothered to put on their magic robes.

The courtyard became empty in a flash, leaving Nailisi alone. She continued standing barefooted in the snow, devoid of any heat. Snow started to fall again. Some landed on Nailisi’s face and arms, but the snow did not melt.

These humans were so boring.

Sika’s cudgel was placed on the tabletop. The cudgel was swarthy, and it was almost as tall as Sika. Recently, Sika had become more particular about hygiene, so she had cleaned the cudgel until it shone. There were also no more dried bloodstains on the cudgel.

Faerun did not say a word, his gaze fixed on Sika’s weapon. The cudgel had been crafted from the bones of an ancient magic beast and was tougher than refined steel. However, Faerun could tell that cracks were beginning to form on the natural patterns on the cudgel’s surface. Even if he did not use the Figaro formula to make a deduction, it was easy to tell that the internal structure of the cudgel was falling apart.

It required a long time for a structure like this to be broken. The cudgel may very well have broken in her next fight. No matter how tough a weapon was, it would definitely break if it was not repaired or maintained for a long period of time.

Faerun swiftly inspected the internal structure of the cudgel and gained a rough understanding of this weapon. He then cast Binding Magic again, causing the stick to levitate in midair. Thereafter, Faerun took a gold piece and placed it under the stick. This gold piece was one of the three thousand odd pieces that Faerun used to practice the Figaro formula.

After the first piece was in position, Faerun proceeded to meticulously place the second piece in a new position.

The rest of the mages knew that Faerun was doing it so slowly so that they could observe it more accurately. The mages closely observed Faerun’s every action, afraid that they might miss out on some details.

In Saleen’s eyes, every single action that Faerun made held meaning for him. The gold pieces that were stacked up formed a branched alteration that belonged to the Figaro formula. As the formula was gradually completed, the arrangement of the elements that surrounded the cudgel also gradually changed. This was no magic array nor alchemy. This was pure restoration. It was similar to someone drinking when they were thirsty and eating when they were hungry.

Of course, a repair like this was not as fast as what a magic array would have been, but this process would not alter the weapon’s attributes or structure. Everything would proceed naturally.

Faerun spent an hour or so positioning all three thousand gold pieces. The mages were confused as they were unable to understand the entire process, and yet they had managed to find answers that they had never thought they would have at some point during the process.

Saleen did not bother trying to deduce the original arrangement of this formula. If he wanted to learn, he could simply use soul projection to enter his necklace and learn since it was much much more effective than observing how Faerun worked. He was busy perceiving the changes taking place on Sika’s cudgel.

Once Faerun had finished putting the gold pieces in place, he started bringing out materials and adding them to the module.

The eyes of the mages grew even larger at the sight of Faerun adding precious materials. They felt that Faerun was wasting precious resources.

That… seemed like the horn of a dragon turtle, right? And that calcite, they had never heard of it before. Why was it colored? And this powder? Where had this bone been taken from, a magic beast? No, this was powdered bone marrow, and it was even gold in color.

Saleen was also surprised. The materials that Faerun were adding were too precious for a warrior’s weapon. It was not worth it at all. These materials could be used to create more advanced magic props, and some could be even used in holy equipment.

The materials required no control to be used. They were transformed into their basic elements within the space of the module, and entered the cudgel via the cracks on its surface, slowly fixing the scars on the weapon.

Actually, the cudgel had a life of its own as well. Saleen suddenly understood why Sika was able to control such a heavy weapon as though she were waving a strand of grass. The weapon had already fused with Sika, and was similar to a part of her body.

If other methods had been used to repair the weapon, the cudgel might have become even stronger, but it would no longer be one with Sika.

Even the strongest equipment could not beat a person’s own hands. If the wielder could not fully understand their equipment, they would gradually become reliant on the power of the equipment. Eventually, the wielder would lose themselves, because they would be assimilated into their equipment.

If a mage was too reliant on a certain prop, they would eventually be blinded. Although the magic equipment might not have been perfect, the mage would think that its power was just right and would thus lose their inquisitiveness. To a mage, this would cause fatal harm.

The materials that had been broken down into their elements were swiftly absorbed into the cudgel. Then, Faerun did something that Saleen found intolerable. Faerun gently tapped on a gold piece, causing a chain reaction to occur throughout the whole module. All of the gold pieces began to break down and attached onto the cudgel, causing the cudgel to now appear as though it had a layer of armor.

There was silence in the laboratory as every mage felt the tug on their heartstrings. It was as though a meteorite had crashed onto the earth and caused such a huge impact that it had shaken all of their souls.

The gold pieces formed a chunky layer of elements over the cudgel and compressed it. The cudgel had not even assimilated the elements, and yet it was already being compressed by this additional layer of elements. The weapon then split and burst outwards.

The forces acting inwards and outwards actually did not cause the stick to be broken down. Instead, the two antagonistic forces were miraculously fused together and swallowed up the immense strength of the elements.

Peng!

The repaired stick crashed onto the table and Faerun sat down out of exhaustion. The state that Faerun was in looked just like Saleen after using his family badge, without even an ounce of strength left. However, in Faerun’s eyes, there was a hint of surprise.

“Sir!”

The rest of the mages grew frantic as they worried about Faerun, and only Saleen remained calm. It turned out that Faerun had actually understood the secret to element conversion while he had been helping Sika repair her weapon. It seemed like the viscountess’ residence would be producing a new sorcerer very soon.

Saleen grew embarrassed at the thought of feeling pity for the gold pieces. To a mage, all these things were merely worldly possessions. Faerun must have thought of the same logic, and that was why he had been able to utilize those gold pieces without hesitation.

To ruin a precious prop in return for enlightenment was something that Saleen would have done as well. However, it was too bad that Saleen could not understand those skills. Faerun’s actions just now had opened his path to advancing to a sorcerer.

Saleen looked around the room and noticed that the other eight mages were looking nervously at Faerun, not caring about the weapon on the table. Saleen was filled with emotion as he realized why Faerun had allowed them to live with him in his courtyard. Even though the mages were at least Grade 1, their hearts were very innocent and pure.

But mages like Liki would never have the right to even step into the courtyard.

“Lord Faerun!” Sika called out apologetically. She anxiously looked at Faerun, who sat on the chair in a state of exhaustion.

Faerun took a deep breath. He laughed heartily, and said, “I am fine. How much did you all learn from this?”

The mages stared at Faerun awkwardly. Even though Faerun had done the actions slowly, his actions had been too complicated. Everyone had learned a thing or two from the process, but they had not managed to learn anything from Faerun’s actions.

Faerun realized this and reassured them. “You may all be far from the truth, but you are heading in the right direction. As long as you do not lose your character, you will only get closer to the truth… Sika, please take a look at your weapon.”

“Ok,” Sika replied. She picked up her weapon joyously. The cudgel had not changed its size or patterns, but it had become bronze in color.

As soon as Sika touched her weapon, she became at ease. The weapon still had a familiar touch to it, and Sika held it as though it were very light.

“Sika, the texture of the weapon has changed, but its attributes remain the same. Even if there is no magic beast soul helping you, you will still be able to unleash the weapon’s power.”

“Oh, really?” Sika heard what Faerun said and began waving her weapon about. The rest of the mages quickly stood clear of Sika, knowing that her weapon was mighty and that a low-level magic shield might not be able to block its blow.

“Wow, it’s true!” Sika cried out excitedly. Sika was still unfamiliar with the power her weapon contained, but she felt that it was much stronger than it had been with the magic beast soul. Faerun looked at Sika happily. He liked people with a pure heart. At this point, Saleen’s heart was not as pure as Sika’s.

“Sir, Sika…” Saleen said shyly. Even though Faerun had also benefitted largely from helping Sika, the materials he had used were far too expensive. Faerun might not have cared about such things, but Saleen could not turn a blind eye to it. Perhaps Saleen needed to reciprocate.

But the value of those gold pieces could not be measured in terms of money.

“Saleen, take it as a gift from me to your teacher,” Faerun replied cheerily.

When Saleen heard Faerun’s words, a feeling of warmth welled up in him. In this world, there were still people who cared about him and protected him. These people were people like his teacher, Sika, and Faerun. Money could never buy these things, and these gestures could not be measured by any means.

“Saleen, don’t worry too much. Your teacher will be fine. A magical tower may be dangerous, but it will not be able to trap a powerful fighter like your teacher. Earl Sufonso may only be slightly injured, but he has offended your teacher so he will definitely suffer many sleepless nights. It will be difficult for Earl Sufonso to advance his magic. Don’t fret over matters like this, or else you will end up like Earl Sufonso.”

“I understand, Sir…”

“Alright, it’s good that you understand. All of you shall stay. Do not waste this opportunity. I shall go and rest,” Faerun said, as he stood up from the chair sleepily and left the laboratory.

When the eight mages heard Faerun’s reminder, they were strongly shaken. All the gold pieces may have disappeared, but the vibrations of the elements on the tabletop had not. They could take this chance to experience them. No matter how much they encountered, it would surely be a precious experience.

“Master, master!” Nailisi shouted from the courtyard, making Saleen frustrated. People were busy experiencing the mysteries of magic, and it was truly rude of Nailisi to interrupt that moment. Saleen left the laboratory hastily and saw Nailisi curled up on the stairs, looking at him pitifully.