39: Caputo's Collection

"A Silver Rank Shadow Leopard has reached maturity. Its racial talent, Shadow Shuttle, can now be used freely. Ordinary Silver Rank Professionals are indeed difficult to deal with."

Kapdo was extremely knowledgeable about Shadow Leopards.

"Although I haven't been in the Northern Territory long, before coming here, I read books about the Northern Territory and the Black Mountain Range in the Golden City's Golden Top Library. There was a description of the Shadow Leopard in there."

"Baron Rene, you are currently a Silver Initial Rank Knight, seemingly only one step away from Silver Mid-rank. For someone your age, your talent is indeed extraordinary."

Kapdo's mental power was extremely strong, allowing him to gauge Rene's strength with great accuracy.

Rene nodded and said, "Yes, Master Capdo, I am indeed close to reaching Silver Mid-rank."

"An ordinary Silver Mid-rank Knight basically has no chance of winning against a mature Shadow Leopard. Even a Silver Peak Professional might not be its match without special countermeasures."

"Shadow Shuttle, that racial talent is troublesome. Seeing this talent reminds me of the Shadow Assassins cultivated by the Assassins Court; they are indeed very similar."

Kapdo uttered a term Rene had never heard before.

"Assassins Court?"

"Yes, the Assassins Court is rumored to be a sect originating from the era of the Ancient Gods, belonging to the God of Assassination. After the Age of Gods ended, most divine sects disappeared into the dust of history, and the sect of the God of Assassination was no exception."

"During the Tamriel Empire era, the Assassins Court suddenly appeared within the Empire's borders. They gained fame across the Noah Continent after successfully assassinating an Imperial Duke."

"Two thousand years ago, the Tamriel Empire collapsed. Forces like the Assassins Court not only failed to perish with the Empire's fall but actually grew at an astonishing rate amidst the chaotic situation, flourishing for a thousand years."

"After the Kingdom was established a thousand years ago, unstable forces like the Assassins Court were suppressed by the Golden King. After being severely wounded by the Golden King, the Assassins Court never publicly reappeared, and the entire organization went underground."

"It's normal that you don't know. The Assassins Court has been extremely low-key in recent years, and they are active in the Golden Plains and the southern territories of the Kingdom."

"Those assassins from the Assassins Court rarely appear in the Northern Territory. After all, the nobles here prefer to settle disputes through duels or wars and rarely spend money hiring assassins, and those assassins don't come cheap."

"You people aren't like the nobles in the Golden Plains and the southern territories who are obsessed with conspiracies and assassinations, nor are you as wealthy as them."

Kapdo disliked killing, and he detested conspiracies and despicable acts of assassination even more.

"That's true. If you want people from the Northern Territory to spend money hiring an assassin, it would be better to just go yourself."

Rene deeply understood this, as he was currently dirt poor.

"Hahahaha!" Rene's words made Kapdo laugh.

"The Shadow Assassins of the Assassins Court specialize in using shadows to carry out assassinations. They use a special ritual to activate their shadow talent, allowing them to move through shadows."

"Assassins who skillfully use this talent are called Shadow Assassins. Among the Mages in the Southern Territory, Shadow Assassins are infamous."

Mentioning Shadow Assassins evoked deep disgust from Kapdo.

"Rene, what do you think is the most important thing for a Mage in combat?"

Kapdo abruptly shifted the topic from Shadow Assassins back to Rene.

"What is most important for a Mage in combat?"

Rene fell into thought upon hearing the question, then voiced his answer.

"Is it quickly killing the opponent, Master Capdo?"

"Hahahaha!"

Kapdo laughed at Rene's answer, and Cecilia, who was beside them, also smiled.

"See, this is the typical mindset of a person from the Northern Territory, the mindset of a Warrior Class member—all you think about is how to quickly kill the opponent."

Before Kapdo could speak again, Cecilia interjected:

"I know this question. Grandpa told me before that the most important thing for a Mage on the battlefield is to preserve their own life."

"Right, Grandpa?"

"Very true. As a Mage, the most important thing for you is self-preservation. In fact, this is what everyone does. Everyone knows the importance of staying alive, but we Mages feel it most deeply. You might not realize this yet, Rene."

"Oh, now I understand, Master Capdo."

Rene immediately grasped the key point. When he led troops in the Border Defense Army, the first targets he had to eliminate were the enemy Spellcasters.

In a group fight, take out the Mage first!

"It seems you've figured it out. That's why you asked the right person. When it comes to dealing with assassin-type enemies like the Shadow Leopard, we Mages have the most to say."

Saying this, Capdo took out two pieces of magic equipment from his Dimensional Bag.

Capdo first picked up an eyeball-shaped magic item and said:

"This is the Eye of True Sight. If you keep it on you, it can help you see through invisible creatures. Shadow Leopards hiding in the shadows can also be discovered by the Eye of True Sight."

"The Eye of True Sight can be actively used three times a day. After three uses, the internal magic power will be depleted and it requires one day to recharge. Magic Stones can also be used for a quick recharge."

"Besides active use, the Eye of True Sight also has a passive effect. As long as you wear it, it will slightly increase your own perception."

After introducing the Eye of True Sight, Capdo picked up the other magic item—a gray cloak that looked plain and unremarkable.

"This is the thorn cloak. It has a permanently enchanted high-level spell, Thorns Counter. When facing a sudden attack, the Counter Thorns spell on the cloak will automatically activate, reflecting all attacks below the Gold Rank back to the attacker."

"However, after using Counter Thorns once, the thorn cloak needs three days to recharge before it can be used again."

"Besides the active skill Counter Thorns, because the thorn cloak uses specially made fabric, it can reduce the wearer's presence to some extent and resist some external perception."

After Capdo finished introducing the two magic items, Rene stared at the two treasures with shining eyes.

"Master Capdo, do you mean to give me these two things to deal with the Shadow Leopard?"

Rene was extremely covetous of these two magic items. Both the Eye of True Sight and the thorn cloak were extremely practical and powerful magic items.

"Giving you both is definitely impossible."

Capdo directly dismissed Rene's idea.

"You helped me and little Cecilia, so naturally, I must help you when you ask for assistance."

"I can give you this Eye of True Sight to use against the Shadow Leopard. As for this thorn cloak, I can only lend it to you temporarily. You must return it to me when I have fully recovered and leave your territory."

"The thorn cloak can only be lent to me? Master Capdo, do you plan to sell it? I can purchase it."

"Baron Rene, although this thorn cloak only has one constant spell, that is the high-level spell Counter Thorns, which makes its value much higher."

"As for selling it, you might not be able to afford the price. It's better to just lend it to you for now."

"The advanced magic potion Cecilia previously promised you will be offset by the Eye of True Sight. The favor I owed you is now repaid, Baron Rene."

Rene felt a bit regretful that he couldn't obtain the thorn cloak, but he didn't press the issue; he genuinely didn't have the money to buy it right now.

"There's no need to mention the magic potion. These two magic items have already helped me immensely."

"As for the favor, we are inherently mutually helpful, so there's no need to be so formal. I am very happy to have met Master Capdo and Cecilia."

"Cecilia taught me quite a few things; she is practically the teacher who introduced me to the path of a Mage."

Hearing Rene's words, Cecilia blushed instantly, secretly glancing at her grandfather before puffing out her cheeks and looking at Rene.

"Big Brother Rene, I already said that we were mutually exchanging knowledge; I am not qualified to be a mentor yet."

"Cecilia, you are too modest!"

"Hahahahahaha!"

"Master Capdo, it seems Cecilia is a bit shy."

Rene and Capdo smiled as they looked at the wide-eyed Cecilia.

In Rene's eyes was admiration; in Capdo's eyes was doting affection.