Hearing Reyn's request, Viola froze in astonishment for seconds.
"You're sure about enchanting three 'Fireballs'?"
Reyn nodded firmly.
This superior Rune Book held five spells. Common sense dictated five different ones to maximize potential. Rune Books differed from other enchanted items: before use, mage achieved spiritual resonance with the book, syncing its vibrations to his spiritual power. Daily meditation filled it with spiritual power, turning it into extra spell slots, expanding arsenal. Thus, casters usually stuck to one Rune Book—switching was a huge hassle.
Viola knew Reyn had few mastered spells yet. If advising, she'd suggest at least one defensive and one utility. "Blink" fit, but three "Fireballs" was overkill, wasting precious slots.
"Following Modu School philosophy?" Viola asked smiling.
"Something like that," Reyn evaded. In past talks with Viola, he'd expressed liking for Modu School approach.
Actually, he was holding back—could've ordered five "Fireballs." Each superior Rune Book slot allowed three daily uses. Thus, nine "Fireballs" per day.
Though Rune Book "Fireball" lacked Songs of the Azure Sky boost and stayed third-circle, its power wasn't to underestimate. This famed spell excelled in destructive force and blast radius. Lethality matched a past-life grenade, plus fierce ignition.
In close combat, Reyn felt confident. Unlike other casters, he needed no shields. He now suffered "firepower insufficiency fear." Nine "Fireballs" daily should suffice. In any unclear situation, just hurl one at the enemy.
Seeing Reyn's resolve, Viola dropped arguing and immediately sent orders to contact a Mage Tower enchanter master for the Rune Book work.
Reyn knew Viola had much to do and, not wanting to hinder, left "Violet House."
He mounted his bicycle and soon reached Demonic Souls Market.
The market sat in Silver Star District's southernmost part, far from Mage Tower, so the recent quake spared it, operating normally today. Crowded and noisy as always.
Reyn had no specific goal, just wandering—maybe a fitting demonic soul would turn up.
For mid-level superhumans, mid-level soul integration was usually best. Such souls had greater spiritual power; integration hugely boosted energy reserves, sped growth, cut meditation/training time, hastening next level-up.
Reyn estimated a mid-level soul at least three-to-five times stronger than beginner, sometimes tenfold. Saved a mid-level superhuman one-two years hard training. Few integrated lower-rank souls unless elements were truly exceptional.
But for Reyn, beginner vs. mid-level difference mattered little. He cared about soul elements first, not raw power. So, as before, he scrutinized each soul with "Soul Eye."
Demonic Souls Market was familiar. He methodically checked stall after stall. After nearly two hours inspecting over a thousand souls, nothing. Most were beginner-level; truly quality ones rare. Souls like Gold Devouring Ant or Crystal Giant Lizard were pearls appearing every few years—stumbling on one randomly near impossible.
Reyn didn't despair. Over a hundred stalls, new souls daily. Search could take time. Next days, he combined hauling books from Silver Star Grand Library, studying foreign languages, with Demonic Souls Market strolls.
A week passed.
By evening, Reyn still hadn't found the desired soul. He asked several stalls about "Lightning Affinity," but got the same answer: none for years.
Yet one soul caught his eye. In one of the market's largest stalls. Reyn eyed the soul stone closely. Inside flickered a ghostly demonic soul image, shaping into a beast. No seller explanation needed—he instantly recognized the Swiftshadow Thunder Leopard soul.
This beast was beginner-level but among strongest in class, equivalent to third-level superhuman on mid-rank verge. Soul held three elements: "Agility," "Swift Run," and "Lightning Breath." "Agility" and "Swift Run" were body elements, "Lightning Breath" a spell. All common, not rare.
Reyn found Swiftshadow Thunder Leopard description in "Book of a Thousand Souls." Like other felines, it boasted incredible speed. But faster than normal magic leopards: "Agility" gave supernatural speed alone, "Swift Run" activation sped it more. At peak, it outran its shadow, lightning-like. "Lightning Breath" was first-circle spell of considerable power.
"What a pity," Reyn sighed mentally.
From library records, he knew Swiftshadow Thunder Leopard potentially held "Lightning Affinity." Reaching mid-level might develop it. But it hadn't.
Nevertheless, the "Agility" and "Swift Run" elements piqued his interest greatly. "Agility" was a common and one of the basic elements, similar to "Strength." It had great potential, and with proper development, it could evolve into an excellent element. "Swift Run" required stamina expenditure and allowed for a short burst of astonishing speed; the higher the element's level, the greater the speed. Many shadow warriors integrated this element, usually calling it "Charge" or "Sprint".
These two agility-related elements could significantly boost his speed and eliminate the existing imbalance.
Reyn glanced at the soul's price—six hundred gold shields. A perfectly reasonable price. After a moment's thought, he decided to buy it. If Viola couldn't find a soul with "Lightning Affinity", he'd have to integrate this one.
"Master," Reyn called.
The shop owner, a man in his forties who had been waiting nearby all this time, approached immediately and said respectfully:
"Sir Reyn."
He recognized Reyn—he had inquired about "Lightning Affinity" earlier. News spread quickly on the Demon Souls Market, and owners of major shops knew that a certain superhuman was seeking the "Lightning Affinity" element. They had discreetly made inquiries, hoping to acquire the rare element and make a good profit, but alas, it was too rare.
Thanks to his "Voice of All Things", Reyn was well aware of these behind-the-scenes games but paid them no mind. Most of the assassins from the "Shadow Blade" had been wiped out, and after the cleanup by the Duchess of the Silver Star, no followers of Loxi were expected in Longsand anytime soon. He no longer needed to hide or act with his former caution.
"I'll take this soul."
Reyn didn't haggle and pulled six gold bills from his pocket, each worth a hundred gold shields. He had plenty of money now—he hadn't counted exactly, but the total should be three or four thousand gold—more than enough for the soul.
The shop owner accepted the money. Reyn took the soul stone and headed for the exit.
Watching him go, the merchant thoughtfully rubbed his chin. After a brief hesitation, he seemed to reach a decision.
After buying the soul, Reyn didn't leave the market but wandered for over an hour more, to no avail.
Many days later, Reyn returned to the Public Safety Bureau.
As soon as he entered the squad assembly room, all eyes turned to him. Pollock greeted him with a smile:
"Reyn, if I hadn't contacted you via the communication watch, I'd have thought you'd decided to leave the demon extermination squad."
"No way, how could I?" Reyn felt a bit awkward.
Since joining the squad, he'd only participated in a few missions and stood night watch a couple of times. He rarely saw his teammates, and his sense of belonging to the group was weak. He felt more like an outsider than a true team member.
Especially lately: first he'd spent nearly ten days in the Iron Beard Fortress, and after returning, over a week without showing up at the bureau. Anyone else in his place would probably have been fired long ago. But Reyn received special treatment: Pollock favored him, and the head of the Public Safety Bureau, Felion, knew of his recent contributions to Longsand and imposed no penalties.
Still, the situation made Reyn reflect. He couldn't occupy a spot in the squad without contributing, weakening the team's combat effectiveness. The others might not say it aloud, but they surely had their opinions.
Originally, he'd joined the squad to absorb souls under that cover. That goal was achieved. But now he was a mid-level mage, and ordinary missions no longer interested him. Souls from low-level weak demons that occasionally appeared were practically useless to him. It seemed there was really no point in staying.
Pondering his departure, Reyn greeted everyone:
"Captain, and everyone else, long time no see."
The holy swordswoman Frida looked as cold and aloof as ever. Berserker Hargrove and shadow warrior Ilay responded with smiles. Reyn activated his "Eye of the Soul" and observed them discreetly. He saw the smiles on their faces, but there wasn't a trace of genuine warmth in them.
The wizardess Alberna didn't even pretend—she just gave a curt nod. Her eyes were tired, her soul shaded gray—she was clearly depressed.
Reyn noticed her state and realized one person was missing from the room.
"Where's Milton?" he couldn't help asking.
The smiles vanished from his teammates' faces instantly. Everyone darkened. Sorrow reflected on Alberna's face. A heavy silence hung in the room.
Pollock broke it.
"Milton is missing in action," he said regretfully.
"When?"
"That night when the earthquake hit the Silver Star district. We were also fighting the evil god's followers. The situation was critical, chaos reigned in the area. Milton separated from us, and we haven't seen him since," Pollock explained briefly in a heavy voice.
Reyn understood what his words meant. Going missing during a battle with evil god followers almost certainly meant death. There had been many "Shadow Blade" assassins then, about forty, all elite. Killing an entry-level mage unnoticed was no trouble for them. That night, around a hundred superhumans died at the hands of the "Shadow Blade", and many bodies were never found.
What surprised Reyn a little was something else: Milton was an All-Spirits Mage. Formally a second-level mage, but his power had long reached third level, one step from mid-level. Even Reyn couldn't fully gauge his potential. How could he have died so easily?
But now that Milton was gone, speculating was pointless.
Reyn shook his head and turned to Alberna:
"I'm very sorry to hear that."
Alberna and Milton had been a couple. Losing her loved one—it was no wonder she was so depressed and exhausted. Hearing Reyn's words, she couldn't hold back tears and quietly sobbed.
Hargrove suddenly glanced at Reyn and muttered something under his breath. Berserkers weren't good at hiding their feelings. It was clear he was displeased with Reyn but held back out of respect for Captain Pollock.
It didn't faze Reyn at all.
"Hargrove, if you have something to say, say it directly."
"Where were you that night?" Hargrove asked loudly. "With your strength, if you'd been with us, Milton might not have gone missing!"
Reyn didn't answer but looked at Pollock. Of those present, only the captain might know more about his situation, but his position didn't allow involvement in high-level Longsand decisions, so he didn't know the full truth. He didn't even know Reyn had been in the underground fortress at the time.
Pollock cut Hargrove off sharply:
"Hargrove, I've told you, Reyn had a more important mission!"
Hargrove turned away angrily. The answer didn't convince him. Ilay and Alberna stayed silent, but it was clear they shared Hargrove's view.
Reyn didn't know how to explain. These three teammates were almost strangers to him. Unlike Pollock and Frida, they hadn't gone through the Abyss Gates trial with him or fought side by side, so they didn't trust him unconditionally. Milton, now gone, had been closer to them.
Reyn's gaze swept over his teammates' faces. In the "Eye of the Soul", their soul colors kept shifting. Only Frida remained calm, without a shadow of doubt in her soul.
Finally, Reyn looked at Pollock and realized: the captain hadn't called him today by chance. He too wanted explanations. Pollock wasn't against him but wanted to know what really happened.
Reyn sighed. He knew that even if he explained everything, a rift had already formed with his teammates, impossible to fully mend.
Without hesitating a second, he decided to leave the demon extermination squad immediately.