Ultimate Level 1

Chapter 296

“You may enter.”

Max nodded, still keeping his head covered, having finally gotten a shirt that fit and a robe that didn’t itch as much.

The guards moved without waiting, having seen the glowing stone, and glanced over the paper.

As they moved through the gate, fewer people were around than in the previous section, and the entrance was slightly nicer than the last.

Instead of glass doors, two large stone gates were here, one open all the way, allowing them entrance into this part of city.

Buildings began to appear as they moved through the tunnel, and Max saw a variety of different colored glass structures, as well as the rare stone one.

“The roads… they look like individual glass bricks.”

Aimee shook her head after she bent down quickly and inspected one.

“No, those are just etched that way. My mother didn’t share much beyond this area of the city. Whatever comes next, if we are able to reach it, will be new to both of us.”

There were beastkins and insects that still pulled carts, except almost everyone Max saw was in much better shape than before. Those who were not doing manual labor wore colored clothes that appeared to be softer and better woven.

Occasionally a statue or some other object could be found attached to a property, some acting as a sign to say what was inside. A pair of stone snakes entwined around a stone pole represented a healer or a potion maker.

“Here is where we can look for something to protect your chest, arms and head,” Aimee said as she pointed at a building a hundred feet ahead on their left.

Outside were two stone statues, one a tall, faceless design with carved armor and the other a smaller matching one that wore what looked like chain armor of some kind.

“Who crafts these statues?”

“Someone not just skilled in Stone Mastery but who has an artist ability as well. Those who can manipulate stone, like Lukahass could, have many paths they can travel. She had another skill, one combat based, and that allowed her to do what she did. All Stone Masters can move stone like that, but not all of them have that level of control or finesse.”

Aime pointed at the building further ahead on the right.

“That house costs far more than the others because the stone is much harder to come by. There is a quarry around here, I’m not certain where, and it requires a lot of work to move the stones. I’m not sure how, but the Stone Master can fuse the stones together just like a Sand Master can.”

Motioning with her hand as she walked, Aimee pointed at the road and buildings made of glass. “I still don’t understand how all this works. As someone with no skill or power, I just know what everyone knows. If we can get me a skill that does something like that, then I’ll be able to share what I learn.”

Max reached out and stopped her, knowing no one was close enough to hear what he was about to say.

“What kind of power are you hoping for?”

She was frowning, and Max could finally detect that by how her top lips pressed down further on her jaw. Even the back part of her skin on both eyes became tight, and while he wasn’t sure if everyone knew these subtle things, it was finally helping him to read his companion better.

“That is a… personal question…” she replied slowly. “I… I always dreamed of being a glass warrior, but after watching Lukahass, I see Stone Mastery is both strong and weak.”

“No stone means you can’t do as much.”

Aimee bobbed her head, and Max saw her jaw change to the slight smirk or smile she sometimes gave without showing teeth.

“A Sand Master in the wild is dangerous because they will never run out of things to use. You might have thought Lukahass and her sponsor cheated in some ways, having the stone blocks waiting in there, but without them she would have been only able to use the few weapons on her.”

“There is an Earth Master but those are so rare that anyone who acquires that skill ends up working for Igarra at some point. They are not allowed to fight because the need for them is so great and only a fool would challenge one, knowing the consequences for doing so.”

She held up all eight of her fingers and wiggled them.

“You have stone, sand, earth, fire, water, air, wood, and lightning. Those masteries are varied with the elemental ones”—she paused, glancing around before continuing—“like the fire and water you showed are very rare. I will say I have never seen or heard of someone making what you called ice from water before. Usually they carry around a pack of water and once again are protected because of the need to keep the underground wells flowing to the fields and city.”

“I’m assuming Fire Mastery is used for crafting?”

Her smile grew larger, teeth showing now.

“The fact you are fighting with fire and water will have gained Igarra’s attention already. Add in the fact you are a smooth skin, and I have no doubt, a time will come when she will send for you.”

“Right now she’s waiting to see how strong I am.”

“Max,” Aime said as she slapped his arm, “you are smarter than most. Yes. When she sends for you, the real question will be if it’s an order or a request. I mean, it will be an order, regardless, but how it is worded will be determined.”

Together they moved toward the armor shop, and Max wondered how long it might be before the ruler of this city summoned him.

As long as the hunter stays away and I can find some way to get stronger, I will gladly do what I can to acquire more power.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

***

“Welcome, Ifrit!”

Max stopped in the entrance, the metal door open, and a tall mantis waving both bladed arms in the air. Behind it were a few different beastkin who looked up from the work they were doing, eyes all fixed on him.

Blue light filled the room from the stone set inside the glass walls, and a few different sets of premade leather armor of some kind were stacked on a table to the left, in three different-sized piles.

“Uh… how did you—”

“Forgive me!” exclaimed the insect as it bent over some. “Word travels fast, and the moment you two came to the gate, it has been like a sandstorm, blowing through every corner and will soon fill this part of the city and surely the next!”

Aimee nodded, and Max tried not to sigh as he followed her to the counter the owner of the shop was standing behind.

“I am Oohaema! Tell me, what can I do for you?”

Knowing the robe wasn’t needed any longer, Max removed it and ignored the gasps from the back of the shop.

“I could use some leather armor to protect me across my chest and arms. I would also like something around my neck.”

The gold eyes shimmered in the light as Oohaema’s head shifted every direction.

“That is… an interesting set of clothes. Are they infused?”

“Don’t worry about them,” Aimee chimed in. “Can you make us something quickly that will fit him, or should I find another shop that can earn a reputation for protecting the newest champion of the outer ring?”

Clacking noise came as the mantis bent toward Aimee, and Max could feel an aura of something coming off it.

“I would be… honored to say that my shop provided the equipment that protects Ifrit. Tell me, are you as shrewd as they say?”

Scoffing, Aimee grunted and pointed a finger in Max’s direction, never taking her eyes off of the armorer.

“If your equipment keeps him safe, then I will sing praises to everyone about how you made it. However… if they do not protect him, then I will do just the opposite.”

A few glass chairs scraped across the glass floor, and Max watched as the pair continued to stare at each other.

Suddenly each began saying something in a language that once again didn’t translate, but Max knew what they were doing.

After some loud back and forth, the pair bumped fist to back of bladed arm.

“Tomorrow, I shall have it.”

“Don’t you need to measure me?” Max asked.

Oohaema turned to Max, and a chuckling sound came from the insect.

It raised a bladed arm to its head and tapped near its large eye.

“No. I already know exactly what to do. You will be a fun one to craft for. Now, what about something to protect your head?”

Running his fingers through his hair, still learning to get used to the sensation after so long without any, Max shook his head.

“Maybe one day, but for now I would prefer not to.”

“Very well. Tomorrow morning, three hours after the suns are up, come by, and I will have what you need.”

Aimee turned and moved toward the door, leaving Max to awkwardly wave and follow behind her.

As he left, Oohaema was speaking in that weird language of his, and Max sensed the workers behind setting aside their current projects and beginning to move elsewhere.

***

“It would appear you are doing well already,” Aimee stated as she sat in a wooden chair across from Kauakan. “Not even a few days after our victory, and you have a place four streets in.”

A nod came from their promoter, and he looked up from some papers one of his moth attendants had before him on a desk.

“There is still much to do, and we only have three days before his first fight. Tell me, do you need anything?”

“I am—”

“We are fine for now,” Aimee said, cutting Max off, her lowered eyelid telling him she didn’t like when he took over the discussion about stuff and tokens. “The rooms you provided are adequate, and we have procured armor already. For now, I think we should be fine.”

Kauakan fixed his gaze upon Max for a few seconds and then shook his head.

“Do you have anything to request?”

Ignoring Aimee’s glare, Max nodded.

“I have a weapon smith who I am bringing with me. Eventually, I want to help him get a place to set up shop and would appreciate it if you could help find a place that might work.”

“You’re bringing a weapon smith? Why…”

His question stopped as Max intentionally twisted the staff in his right hand.

“I can look into this. You do realize that space here is not cheap. I won’t get into numbers, but I have bet everything I have on you. Just leasing this place is draining everything I have saved.”

“And we are certain you shall make ten times or more,” Aimee stated as she shifted the conversation back to her.

Kauakan’s laughter came as the insect looked at the lizard woman to the left of Max.

“Someday…” Sighing, he conveyed instructions to his attendant, and the moth collected the papers from the desk. “For now the second floor is yours. Only the second floor.”

His tone had shifted, and Max was now curious but didn’t ask.

“You can bring your friend and put them there, as there are four rooms on that floor. Just remember, do not stray to the other floors. While this relationship is one I hope lasts for some time, that road is long, and you have barely taken the first few steps of earning my trust.”

Standing, Max nodded, surprised when Aimee was still seated.

“You can go upstairs. I need to talk with our host about a few more things,” she stated.

He sensed Kauakan tense but said nothing.

Making his way to the stairs, Max was ready to relax and spend a little time testing his new skills.

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