YoTS January ~ 27!

CHAPTER 27

*Ding*.

The small bell above the door rang brightly, completely the reverse of Bob's attitude as he looked up from his ledger. It took him a moment, but then his face brightened into a professional smile. “I didn’t expect to see you again today, Sir Monday! I was closing up.”

“I've got the money. Sorry about the wait. The… bank manager was busy.” Grant cringed inwardly at the lie, but it was better than the truth: that he was a Noble in name only, and that his friend had won the Time for Grant’s desperately needed armor in an ice cream eating competition. There was no one in the nobility that wouldn’t be completely humiliated.

Bob looked at the twilight, and grimaced at the thought of even doing a speck more work today. “You can come back tomorrow if you like? I will honor the deal.”

“No, sir. I need it now.” Grant kept his expression blank, simply going quiet after he finished his statement.

Bob stared at him, remaining quiet as well. However, the store owner broke first. At least he would gain some money off of this transaction. “Of course, what was I thinking? I’ll go and get it for you.”

It only took a moment for him to come back laden with the suit of Early Spring armor. A full set consisted of three armor pieces; head, torso, legs. From the time the system was implemented until now, anything else that was worn simply wouldn’t count toward armor rating. Things like armored boots or gauntlets were simply given the same overall armor as the main piece for that position, which had caused a huge shift in fashion and armor trends ever since the barriers went up. It was equally impressive and confusing to see silk gloves block a sword, or obsidian gloves be cut through like butter.

“It looks even better than before.” Grant stated approvingly. Light from Bob’s lanterns gleamed off the surface, making the extremely basic armor look like something almost impressive to wear.

“I had one of my workers oil it for you. Can’t have a Noble of House Monday wearing dull armor now, can we?” Bob let his smile shine through, it was always nice to see the extra effort they put in be appreciated.

“Payment.” Grant eagerly placed five Day coins in Bob’s palm. “Can I put it on now?”

Bob laughed and gently shoved the armor over to Grant’s eager hands. “You can do what you want, sir. It’s your armor!”

Grant stuffed his old shirt and pants into his backpack. Standing in his undergarments, he pulled on the armor, first the leather legs, then the bulky torso, followed by the helm, and lastly matching boots that Bob threw in after Grant made him smile. The torso and leggings were a bit big, but Bob pulled on the leather straps until it fit like a glove, taking a moment to teach him how to properly care for them.

The young man looked at the full-length mirror that had been set up in the shop, admiring his reflection. Yes, the helm was a simple leather skullcap, and he struggled to wiggle his toes in the tight leather boots, but he almost didn't even recognize the dangerous champion he saw before him. Bob continued to fuss over the straps, mumbling small platitudes as he finished up. “Don’t worry. The leather will loosen up over time, with use. When you - celestials!”

Grant had pulled February Twenty Nine out of the scabbard, and Bob’s hands shot up. His face was contorted, both in anger and resignation. “After all this, you intend to rob me? You scoundrel!”

It took a moment for Grant to realize that Bob was speaking to him, “What? No! Of course not! I just wanted to see what I’d look like in the mirror with my sword in hand!”

“A little warning next time please, Mr. Monday. You’ll give this old merchant a coronary!” Bob put his hands down, reaching for a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off his brow.

“Right. My apologies.” Grant turned to the full length mirror and popped off the leather skull cap, seeing how his hair fell as it came out of the protection. “Not bad, if I do say so myself.”

“Ready for adventure or your next masquerade party, sir.” Bob winked at him. As Grant stood there examining himself, considering how far he’d come since his days on the farm, something strange occurred. The flakes of rust coating February Twenty Nine fell off, and he was left holding a dull, but no longer rusty, sword.

“Oh my, Sir Monday!” Bob moved closer to look at the strange sword that didn’t need to be scrubbed to remove rust. “You are full of surprises. A Wielded Weapon! I thought that you were simply a second or third child of a Wielder, not the Wielder himself!”

“This old thing? It’s just a family heirloom,” he lied, disturbed by how easily the lies were slipping out of his mouth lately, and how easily he stepped into the role of a Noble after a lifetime of practically living as a hated abomination. Still, he was excited by this new and unexpected development. Grant checked his status sheet to see if it would offer any insight into this shift.

Name: Grant Monday

(Cultivation Bonus: Physical and weapon cultivation increased by 20% for 24 hours: 8 hours remaining)

Class: Wielder

Cultivation Achievement Level: 5

Cultivation Time: 112:48 Hours (Time to Next Level 887:52 Hours)

Cultivation Stage: Mid Spring

Inherent Abilities: Swirling Seasons Cultivation

Health: 95/95

Mana: 3/3

Characteristics

Physical: 30

Mental: 9

Armor Proficiency: 12

Weapon Proficiency: 23

Wielded Weapon: "February 29"

Weapon Inherent abilities:

1) Weapon Absorption: This sword has the ability to absorb another Wielded Weapon’s power, taking its ability into itself. Restriction: Only one weapon per Monthly series.

2) NEW! Weapon/Armor Synergy: When the Wielder is equipped with armor, this sword increases in potency and gains power. Increase is capped at the Weilder’s cultivation stage, or average armor stage, whichever is lower. February 29 is now considered an ‘Early Spring Medium’ sword. Current maximum damage is: 8 (5.5 from weapon cultivation, 2 from weapon stage, rounded up.) Damage type is ‘piercing’, or ‘slashing’ depending on how February 29 is used.

3) Locked

4) Locked

“Synergy… what does that mean? I unlocked that just by putting on armor? Sarge, any hints at how I can get the other ones unlocked?” Grant was mostly muttering to himself, but he paused in the hope that Sarge would speak up. Nothing. “Wearing better armor will increase the power of February Twenty Nine. I've a new goal, it seems. Get my average cultivation stage higher, then get better armor every single time that it does. With how expensive this set was... I can't imagine what it’s going to take to get my sword to Late Winter…”

Grant looked over at the obsidian armor that he could have traded the small statue for, wincing as he realized that he actually did know what it would take. That still didn’t explain what happened to his sword. Sure, it would do more damage, but what was up with the rust falling off of it? He remembered that focusing on the weapon had revealed more in the past. He did so again, but there was no new information. Not giving up, he broadened his search on the status sheet itself and found a new tab, next to training. It said ‘Weapons and Armor’.

Clicking on that revealed an image of his body. There were three armor slots, and they were filled with the corresponding piece of Early Spring armor. On the left was what he was looking for: February Twenty Nine. He stared at that until he was rewarded with further information.

February 29 (One or two handed Uchigatana)

Condition: Dull (Updated from Dull and Rusty. Next stage: Polished)

“Sir? I really have to close up. Remember, Bob Sunrise is here for all your armor needs, starting daily at sunrise! Tell all your Noble friends, and… if you are ever looking to part with your Relic of the Cultivation Wars, think of old Bob.”

“I shall do so, Bob. Though I left it at the bank this time around.” Grant grinned at his reflection once more, pleased with the way light glinted off his now only dull weapon. “I won’t forget your kindness. I hope you do well in the future.”