"Swordsmanship and Archery?"

Rufus smiled wryly after hearing his master's words. He knows that it will be difficult but since he already received the Bow Arcana, there was nothing that he could do about it but learn how to use it.

​​

"Master, can you also teach me how to use the bow?"

"Of course, not… You have to find someone else for that."

"Y-yeah… I thought so."

The young man chuckled as he continued experimenting with the bow… After that, he decided to purchase a quiver and arrows in the city to see if it's actually possible…

"Hey, about your Arcana… You have to keep it a secret." Reiji said to the young man that was about to leave after he reactivated the Array around the house

"A secret?" Rufus repeated and was momentarily lost in his thoughts.

He never thought of announcing his new weapon, anyway… It's better to have this as his secret weapon or something similar.

However, he realized that his master was hinting about the origin of the Arcana… That fact that he didn't summon it through normal means must be kept as his secret at all costs.

"I understand, Master… Don't worry, I'm good at keeping secrets... Right, may I ask if Diether also summoned an Arcana using the same method?"

He asked out of nowhere. It seems that he's interested in his seniors.

"No… He got his Arcana from the Sun Fire Knights… Why do you ask?"

"Nothing… I was just wondering about the rank of his Arcana and whether it's also Awakened…" Rufus answered.

"Mhmm… Even if I know it, I'll keep it a secret."

"Ahh… You're right, Master. Haha…"

Rufus laughed it off and left to the city. It's normal to hide the rank, skills, and type of Arcana you have from the others, especially if you're an aspiring Knight that would have to face numerous opponents.

It's no longer surprising if he thinks of it that way.

***

Due to the summoning of the Arcana, their plan to move out of the city was delayed… Rufus wanted to familiarize himself with his current weapon. At the very least, he wanted to learn the basics of using the bow…

After all, once they left the city, he wouldn't have the time to practice intently as they might be facing various beasts and perhaps, even the members of the cult.

In the end, Rufus took a day to practice with the bow before they decided to move out…

"How was it?"

"Master? Well, I think I can hit a target within 10 meters… Hehe…"

Reiji doesn't know how to use a bow it shouldn't be that impressive if it's only 10 meters, right?

Nevertheless, he just kept his silence as they boarded the carriage to leave the city.

They stayed here for almost a month and become accustomed to the cold weather of the region…

As far as they know, the winter will soon arrive in a week or so. As a matter of fact, they wouldn't be surprised if it already started snowing.

"Mhmm?"

Reiji suddenly noticed that someone is observing them… This is different from Odette's link… This feels more like surveillance being focused on them.

'It's Mystical Energy…' He recognized the method being used to scout them…

However, why would they even bother to monitor their actions?

The Sentient Shinai became wary… He couldn't sense the three members of the Night Brigade and the members of the Crimson Reapers were also dealt with…

'Wait…'

He suddenly had an idea. He closed his eyes and used his Arcane Sensitivity…

'Found you!'

The feedback that returned to him was actually an Arcana that is at the top of the clock tower standing at the center of the city.

Surprisingly, it looks like a brick…

'Wait, a brick Arcana?'

Reiji questioned himself at the thought of this. As far as he knows, only weapons and equipment were possible to be summoned as an Arcana.

However, what he's seeing now is a single piece of brick with fading red as its color… Perhaps it has already endured so many rainy seasons that it was turned into that.

'Ahh… I remember now.'

He recalled Ryu's words before… There should be a deity that gifts their blessed with an ability to shapeshift or something similar.

The brick must be one of those… If not, then he couldn't imagine someone getting brick during his bestowal ceremony…

If he's an arcanist, he would surely be slightly disappointed with that… If it doesn't have the potential to grow stronger or be upgraded, he might as well turn it into part of his house…

After having this random thought, Reiji decided to focus his senses on the brick and notify it that he's detecting him…

"Hey… So you can really sense me…"

Perhaps, because they both detected each other, the Brick Arcana had managed to create a link with him to be used for their communication.

The voice of the brick seems to have come from an old man… Well, Reiji thought that it suited him a little.

"Yes… Why are you observing us? Is there a problem?"

"Hoho~ Aren't you too defensive young Arcana? You should be aware that there's also a Mind Collection in this place, right?"

"Oh… Are you from the Collection?"

Reiji calmed down after hearing this… He knows that the Collection wasn't a group of bad Arcana that he has to be wary of. Anyway, he wanted to know its purpose…

He asked the brick a few questions to understand the situation…

Finally, he realized what truly was happening…

Apparently, the Collection has already detected their presence after entering the city… It seems that like Ryu, there are capable Sentient Arcana guarding the gates of the city to monitor the arrival of other Sentient Arcana…

"Then, why only show your presence now?"

"Well, I'm not really trying to show my presence… Anyway, other Sentient Arcana should be looking for our headquarters after arriving at key places like this city… However, you didn't bother looking for other members of the Collection after being here for weeks. We almost thought that you're a Cursed Arcana on disguise…" The brick Arcana said.

"Hey, isn't that a huge leap in your speculation…"

"Not really… You're also suspicious in many ways, you know? Nevertheless, Odette vouched for your identity so we no longer bothered arresting you."

'Are you serious?' Reiji wanted to ask. However, the brick's voice sounded serious he decided to just ignore it.

He wanted to know something else.

"Odette told me that she is not part of the Collection… What's her identity?"

"Well, she's a Blessed by a deity and really strong. We wouldn't dare to doubt her…" The brick seems to be exasperated when he said that.

At the very least, Reiji learned that the power of an Arcana is still the most important thing.

"What do you want from me now?" He continued to ask. They were still in the carriage going out of the city.

"Well, I just want to make sure that your servants weren't doing any suspicious things."

The brick answered.

Reiji went silent on that. The fact that the four ladies' identity as previous Cultists seems to be quite easy to know for them…

"Don't worry… They're my servant now…"

"Of course… I understand…"

The brick also decided to end their conversation.

"Be careful on your way… In case there is a Mind Collection on the place you're visiting, consider checking up on them to get updated. You should be informed of the activities of the Cursed Arcana these days."

"I'll see to it… Thanks for informing me."

Reiji said as he cut off the Mystical Energy connecting to him. It seems that Sentient Arcana is common to some major places within the kingdom. He has to be careful from now on.

As they continued on their way, Reiji decided to inform the kid about his plans…

"Eh? You're leaving me now, Master?"

"I already taught you everything that you need to know. You just have to practice… Don't skip training and you will be better with the swords.

"M-master… I'm not ready to go alone yet." Rufus emotionally said after hearing his master's plans.

"Hey, your seniors are all younger than you when I left them and they managed to do well! You also survived in the Tower before… I know that you can do this… You just have to focus on your goals."

Reiji suddenly realized that he shouldn't compare him to his first students so he decided to encourage him instead in the latter part of his words.

"I will try my best, Master…" The young man muttered in low voice.

"Mhmm… You're already strong, Rufus… Be confident…"

The Sentient Shinai said.

At the very least, the time they need to reach Isengard would still perhaps take a couple more days.

They still have plenty of time to be together so he let the young man ask his questions as much as he can as long as it's about Kendo.

They talk about many things and as they were about to reach Isengard, they noticed the first snow that dropped on the window of their carriage…