I Reincarnated as a Shinai

The Sword Slave Marker is a skill worth 580 SP. 

It is quite a hefty sum and it wasn't easy for Reiji to purchase that…

However, when he was living in the jungle for the past year, he somehow decided to have an ape wield him for various reasons.

Unfortunately, it didn't go well as they could barely understand each other… So he purchased the Sword Slave Marker to supposedly tame the beast and to have a better connection with the beast… 

But as he planned on using it to the Ape, he discovered that using the Slave Marker has an extreme side-effect. Once he removed the Slave Mark, it would result in the death of the Sword Slave. He didn't want that to happen to any innocent beasts or people that were useful to him.

From that day, he decided to only use the Marker for those that truly deserve their death.

'I wonder if it's the same with this old butler…'

Reiji mused but he suddenly had an idea that Fern might possess a Sword Servant Marker instead of a Sword Slave Marker.

He only thought of the name of the skill since Ryu introduced the butler as Fern's Servant and not a Slave…

"Today's gathering will be supervised by our three leaders… They were a little late right now as something happened at the Crystal Mine near the city and it requires immediate attention… They will further explain what has happened once they arrived. I will stay outside this door and you can always call me if you needed some assistance, Esteemed Arcanas."

The old butler said as he bowed before he left the hall. Suddenly, the hall felt different, the Spiritual Energy gushed out and it seemed so pure and gentle… It was completely different from the suffocating Spiritual Pressure…

"What's going on?" Reiji muttered. 

"Oh, it seems that you haven't been in a place where Mystical Energy is abundant…" Ryu said as he realized how newbie this Wooden Arcana was.

"Mystical Energy?"

"That's right… Arcana like us can both feel the presence of the Spiritual Energy and the Mystical Energy that came from our world of origin."

"…" Reiji was unsure how to interpret this but he's trying to do his best to recall any information about the Mystical Energy. Though he seems to recall that there is another one called Soul Energy… However, that should be different.

"You can confuse the Mystical Energy with the Spiritual Energy since they have many similarities… However, you just need to remember that only an Arcana can have the Mystical Energy. Whatever the humans do, they won't be able to imitate it and put it in their Magic Items… Kekeke"

Ryu chuckled as he explained the difference between the two energy. 

He then enjoyed the abundant Mystical Energy in the surroundings. It seems that he also rarely experience this…

Reiji then heard a notification from the Guide regarding the Energy that is bathing him right now…

He ignored it for now as he observed the place and found it familiar. This seems to be a place where parties or balls exclusive for the nobles are being held…  He was too focused on the butler a while ago so he didn't notice the impressive design of this hall until now.

This place looks just like a rich noble mansion. It doesn't feel like it's owned by an Arcana.

However, one thing that caught his attention is a painting of a beautiful crown hanged on the wall…

'Ahh…'

He suddenly recalled the stamp or the invitation that Ryu gave him…

"Ryu… What is that crown?"

Reiji asked as it seems that the leaders of the Mind Collection would still take a long time to arrive. He decided to use this time to gather information instead.

"That crown? Oh… Good question… That's the first leader of the Mind Collection…" Ryu answered as he seemed to be so excited after he showed his interest in the crown.

As Reiji was about to ask more questions, two other Sentient Arcana joined them. 

"That first leader? May I know their name, Sir?"

"I'm also interested. Can you tell me more about it?"

It came from a floating Gold Chain-Link Necklace and Beaded Necklace. The two Arcanas speak in a higher pitch so if Reiji closed his eyes, he would think that the two were teenage girls.

Ryu complied and as he gladly explained… 

"The Crown Arcana that is painted here is named Nero, he is rumored to be in the first batch of Arcana in this world… Amazing, isn't it?"

All the nearby Arcanas who are unaware of this became interested after hearing him explain. 

Although there are many other members of the Mind Collection who is aware of this information, they weren't as well-versed as Ryu who mostly spends his time reading books… So they just let him take the spotlight.

Of course, it doesn't mean that Ryu is weak but he just reached his peak and couldn't advance any no longer… That is why he was just spending his time like that.

"Nero? The first batch of Arcana?" Reiji was impressed. Although he was interested in the history of Arcana, he wouldn't have thought that they could trace the first few Arcanas in this world…

Then, the Gold Chain-Link Necklace asked…

"Who summoned it? I mean, the current summoning in this kingdom and the other neighboring country requires the help of a First-Class Arcanist to prepare the Ceremony. But if there are no arcanists yet, how could they summon the first Arcana?"

'Ahh… That made sense…' 

This is what every newbie thought except for Reiji. Of course, it was because he has the Ancient Arcane Stone that can summon an Arcana a few times.

This only means that there are other ways of summoning one besides the method that the strong Arcanists had discovered. 

"Ehem… Let me explain that to you…"

Before Ryu can answer, the Tai Chi sword that Reiji had seen a while ago joined the conversation. His voice sounded from an old man and he didn't quite expect that.

"Mhmm… There are many rumors about it… Even the origin of Nero, the Crown Arcana, wasn't properly documented and they only guessed his origin based on the few words of the Emperor who wore the crown…"

Everyone went silent as they waited for him to explain.

"' My Crown just appeared after I wished to the gods to obtain power'… This is the Emperor's answer after someone asked about the Arcana. However, many say that the Crown was a gift from a Dragon and the king wanted to hide the truth… Some people said that the Arcana came from the Ancient Magic of the Elves that humans have stolen during the war… There are even ridiculous stories that it came from the Orc's god…"

Many chuckled after hearing the last part.

It seems that the true origin was truly lost through the passage of time. 

"Dragons, elves, orcs…" Reiji muttered.

He was already happy about learning this as he never had any idea about this topic in the first place.

Nevertheless, the conversation about Nero lasted a while as the newbies like Reiji asked about the reason why Nero made the Mind Collection and also inquired about his abilities…

Of course, the most important question was Nero's current whereabouts… Arcanas like them shouldn't easily die in old age as long as they have a method to repair themselves. 

Other than that, they know that the current leader of the organization is a blessed Sword Arcana named Fern but aside from knowing that, they were clueless about their leader.

Ryu decided to continue his explanation. After all, once the leaders returned, the spotlight would be theirs so he wanted to show off now.

They then learned that the Mind Collection of the Chodora Kingdom was only a branch of the organization! 

The origin of the organization was in a larger country, the powerful Enetha Empire, in the northern region of the continent… It was also said that Nero was within a secret tomb somewhere in that empire.

Reiji remembered that at the north of Chodora Kingdom is Losea Kingdom. A country that is not on good terms with this kingdom.

Based on Ryu's words, it appears that the Enetha Empire at the north of Losea Kingdom had the longest history in humanity…

"That's right… Nero wanted to unite all the Arcana that has appeared in this world as he says that he wanted to return to his original world… Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful and it was later deemed impossible by other intelligent Arcana, that was why the purpose of the Mind Collection was changed several times until it became a force to fight against the Curse Arcana in our generation…"

Every newbie Arcana seemed to be stunned by the colorful history of their organization. 

'Return to the original world?' Reiji mused for a moment. 

As Ryu finished answering several questions of the some Arcana, he decided to let the old Tai Chi Sword answer the others.

"Ryu…" Reiji silently called the Cloak Arcana.

"Do you remember your previous or original world before you're summoned here?" Reiji asked. 

He did his best to remain calm whatever Ryu would say in his answer.

"Original world? Ahh… You don't have to take Nero's words literally. I think that he's just referring to the World of Arcana, a place where he can meet the deities."

The cloak Arcana replied and he seemed to be serious in this answer…