I Reincarnated as a Shinai

Reiji was happy for his student after seeing that he made an impressive performance in this evaluation. 

Although it will still take a day or two to see the final rankings, he can guarantee that Rufus would be highly graded with the Magic Item he displayed in front.

After all, his Messenger seemed to be capable of being used even with a great distance due to the left and right eyes of the Vokaril. 

He heard from Yui that this demonic creature's eyes would always remain connected wherever they are. It is one of the Mystical Arcane Magic that could not be explained by any Arcanist.

At the very least, they know how to utilize it effectively just like how Rufus did it with his Messenger… 

However, this has never been used before to act as part of a mailing system so it was quite impressive for Rufus to use it like this.

The presentation of the Magic Items ended as everyone waited for the results.

In the meantime, Reiji and Yui decided to hold their plan to a later date as she still has to work on something before they can steal their objective…

Reiji will be contacted once everything has been prepared.

'Rufus, you did very well.'

'Thank you, master… This Magic Item is actually a plan of mine for several months already. I just didn't have the time to make it…'

'Oh? Is this your first time making that Magic Item?'

'Yes… However, I already have research papers in my room about this item. I was originally thinking of something more extravagant but the two hours time is so short so I just made a simplified version today…'

'Is that so? I guess I have good eyes for selecting people. Are you sure you still want to learn my Sword Art instead of focusing on your Crafting profession?'

'Of course, master… I still need to protect myself and my research… I don't want my hard work to get in the hands of unworthy people…'

'Makes sense… Be ready for a harsh training then…'

'That's what I wanted, master! I won't disappoint you.'

Rufus replied energetically as he felt quite excited about learning Kendo. After all, he just saw how his master defeated a strong Evil Beast and Gun User Arcanist with simple moves of his sword… Who wouldn't want to learn such powerful Sword Art?

"Rufus, do you know a room or space where I can teach you the sword?"

"Mhmm… We have a combat facility that can be used by everyone but I'm not sure whether they have all the equipment you need for the training."

"If it's a public facility, that won't do. As long as you have a private space where I can move around freely, that should be good enough…"

"Well, I can make a request for that once I got promoted in my position, Master… But even if not, I know a place outside where we can freely train…"

"I see… In the meantime, you need to buy some things for your training. Since you have money, you should consider having personal training equipment."

"That makes sense…" Rufus agreed as they planned to go outside the next day.

Reiji then made arrangements for purchasing these pieces of equipment they needed.

***

"Are you still alive, Ruthren?"

"Yes! Master…" The man immediately replied after hearing his master in his mind. He has been waiting for the Sentient Arcana to contact him. He wanted to be free of worry from the Arcanists that were looking for him.

"Good… Do you think that the two were still looking for you?"

"Yes, I don't think that they'll give up so easily."

"I understand… I'll be going outside for a while. Let me check the situation."

"Great! Thank you, Master!" The man felt happy after he nervously stayed up all night to fight against any possible ambush…

He rented a room in a nearby inn just within 400 meters from the tower. 

His expenses were quite large but because the two other slaves have died, he has a bit more allowance he can spend.

Of course, Reiji decided to help his remaining slave for now as he can't let him die just yet. 

In any case, Rufus would have to purchase some equipment for his training… 

***

Rufus together with Reiji was about to go outside after informing the guards that he would have to buy supplies for his research.

"The Silver Trident Tradings will be visiting the tower in a couple of hours. You might miss them."

The guard kindly reminded Rufus.

"Oh…You're right." Rufus paused for a moment after recalling the date.

The Silver Trident is one of the merchant associations partnered with the Arcanist Tower to supply them with various materials and even beasts cores that are unique in the western region… 

Of course, there were times that the company would also bring ownerless Arcana in which anyone can purchase at a small auction within the tower.

"Thank you for reminding me. Anyway, I'll be quick."

Rufus thanked the guard before leaving the tower. He still has plenty of time to shop for his training supplies.

Anyway, the merchants should be staying within the Tower for about 4 to 8 hours depending on the popularity of their products.

There are cases that they would bring exotic materials that would not be popular among the Arcanists and they would have to stay there for a long time before they could sell a good amount…

However, if their trading materials were quite useful, the product can easily be sold not just from the trainees, but also from the red-robed Arcanists.

***

"Master… Where should I go now?"

"Take a turn to the left… There should be a sign that says Anlene's Inn." 

"I found it, Master."

"Good… Go to the second floor, room 204."

"Mhmm…"

Rufus followed his master's instructions without any question.

The inn doesn't have a lot of people so as soon as he was seen by the owner going to the second floor, the old man politely stopped him and asked a question.

The man knows all the faces of the people who rented the rooms upstairs and Rufus is not one of them…

"What brings you here, Sir Arcanist?" The owner asked. 

Because Rufus was still wearing the remarkable black robe given by the Tower, he was easily recognized as an Arcanist so he wasn't that surprised.

"I have a friend upstairs waiting for me. Don't worry, I won't be causing trouble in your inn…"

"Oh, It's not what I meant…"

"It's fine. I'm in a hurry so I'll go now…"

"Yes… Of course. Please enjoy your stay."

The owner hastily said after seeing the Arcanist go up.

'Room 204… Found it…'

The young knocked on the door twice before hearing footsteps from the other side.

As soon as the door opened, he saw a middle-aged man with a scar on his face. 

"Are you Ruthren? One of my master's servants?"

"Yes... That's me…"

Rufus squinted his eyes as he felt familiar with the man's voice…

"Oh… I remember you. Although half of your face was covered during that time, aren't you the merchant selling near the fountain?"

"Yes… We've already met before." Ruthren answered.

"I see… I understand now…"

Rufus nodded after confirming this.

'Where's Felix and the other two?'

'They said that they will be staying at the Mind Collection's Manor in the city… Right, wanted me to tell you to visit them if you have the time. It seems that they've found something interesting there…'

'I see… Do you know where the manor is?'

'Yes…' The slave then described where the Manor is… It appears that Rufus even knows where it was.

'Very well… Did you buy all the things I've told you?'

'Ugh… I tried, master… But some shops are a bit further away from the tower. I'm worried that I might just collapse and bring you shame…'

'Is that so? What are we missing?'

'Training Swords.' He answered promptly.

'That's fine. Good job on finding the others.' Reiji complimented the man as it saved them some time.

'Thank you, Master…'

Apparently, before Reiji and Rufus planned to visit Ruthren, the sentient Arcana already instructed the slave to purchase various things for Rufus. The latter would just have to pay him for the expenses so it would be much easier.

The items were things like hay bales, tools for creating training equipment similar to Hanging Woods, training clothes, and some weights.

Reiji doubts that there's enough space in the tower to train his stamina by running so he wanted him to train with weights for now… 

He noticed that the man needs to improve his muscle mass since he's always doing his research in his room and neglected training his body…

'Master, how about Sir Renzo and Lady Karen?'

'Right… Let me ask Rufus…'

"Master?" The young Arcanist asked. He couldn't follow their conversation.

"Do you have any method to bring this man to work inside the tower?"

"Mhmm… It will be difficult. But once I became a red-robed Member of the Tower, I can hire a personal servant…"

"I see… You heard that. Just stay here for now. You have plenty of money and treasures with you. Keep them safe."

"I will, Master…"

Finally, they all went outside to buy some training swords for the new student. 

Of course, Ruthren stayed behind like a spy as he stealthily followed the two.