SSS Awakening: I Can Create Skills By Will

Arthur continued.

"I’m not forcing anything. Just testing the possibility."

His tone was relaxed but his eyes were serious.

"If it works, great. If it doesn’t, I move on."

Lyra watched him carefully.

She could tell he had already thought about it a lot.

This wasn’t some random idea.

Arthur scratched the back of his head again.

"Besides... I won’t do anything reckless."

Lyra tilted her head.

"Really?"

Arthur nodded.

"If I try anything, you’ll be there."

Lyra blinked once.

"That’s your condition?"

Arthur grinned.

"Seems fair."

Lyra stared at him for a moment.

Then she sighed.

"You’re unbelievable."

Arthur just smiled.

But the suggestion did calm her a little.

If she was there, she could stop things if something went wrong.

Lyra thought for a moment.

Then she nodded.

"Fine."

Arthur straightened immediately.

"So there is something?"

Lyra raised a finger.

"Don’t get excited yet."

Arthur chuckled.

"Too late."

Lyra ignored the comment.

"There are no wind seeds here."

Arthur’s excitement dropped slightly.

"None?"

She shook her head.

"The stronghold hasn’t found any wind elemental artifacts in this region."

Arthur frowned.

"That’s unfortunate."

"But," she added.

Arthur’s eyes lit up again.

"But merchants trade things like that."

Arthur leaned forward slightly.

"Really?"

Lyra nodded.

"It’s rare though. Wind affinity users are already uncommon here."

Arthur thought about it.

"Right."

"However," she continued. "There is another option."

Arthur’s attention sharpened.

Lyra spoke slowly.

"You could try using a monster core."

Arthur blinked.

"A core?"

"Yes."

She explained further.

"If the monster originally had wind affinity, the core may carry a trace of that element."

Arthur crossed his arms.

"That sounds promising."

Lyra lifted a finger again.

"Promising doesn’t mean effective."

Arthur nodded.

"Fair."

She continued.

"The weakest wind element beast around here is the Gale Wolf."

Arthur immediately pictured it.

"Fast ones?"

"Yes."

Lyra nodded.

"They’re common in some of the surrounding zones."

Arthur rubbed his chin.

"And their cores?"

"They contain a small trace of wind element."

Arthur’s eyes lit up.

"That’s enough."

Lyra shook her head slightly.

"Barely enough."

Arthur laughed.

"I’ll take barely."

Lyra continued explaining.

"Because the trace is minor, the chance of success will be low."

Arthur shrugged.

"It’s still a chance."

Lyra looked at him again.

"I’m suggesting this because it’s safer than experimenting with stronger elemental items."

Arthur nodded.

"I appreciate that."

He meant it.

Lyra rarely explained things in this much detail unless she cared about the outcome.

Arthur pushed himself off the pillar.

"Well... guess I know what to look for now."

Lyra gave a small nod.

"And remember what we agreed."

Arthur raised a hand casually.

"You’ll be there."

"Yes."

Arthur smiled.

"Deal."

He turned and started walking toward the door again.

But before leaving he glanced back.

"Thanks, commander."

Lyra didn’t respond immediately.

Then she nodded once.

Arthur pushed the doors open and stepped outside.

The evening air greeted him.

The stronghold was still busy but the sun had already started sinking toward the horizon.

Arthur stretched his arms as he walked through the stone corridors.

Gale wolf core...

He needed one.

And he had a place to start.

Arthur changed direction and headed toward the merchant quarter.

The stalls were still open and traders were finishing their business for the day. Lanterns were already being lit along the walkways.

Arthur walked straight to a familiar stall.

The merchant he had dealt with before was still there, organizing several storage devices on his table.

Arthur approached.

The merchant didn’t notice him at first.

Then Arthur spoke.

"Evening."

The man looked up.

Recognition appeared immediately.

"Well if it isn’t my interesting customer."

Arthur smiled.

"Nice to see you again."

The merchant chuckled.

"You left quite the impression last time."

Arthur leaned against the side of the stall.

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

The merchant nodded.

"So what brings you back?"

Arthur didn’t waste time.

"Do you have a Gale Wolf core?"

The merchant blinked.

"Wind beast core?"

Arthur nodded.

"Exactly."

The merchant scratched his beard while thinking.

"Hmm..."

Arthur waited.

Finally the man shook his head.

"Not right now."

Arthur sighed.

"Figures."

The merchant continued.

"Wind cores don’t sell much here."

Arthur nodded.

"Yeah I heard."

"Most explorers here possess earth or fire elements."

Arthur understood that.

Wind fighters were rare in the stronghold.

Arthur pushed himself off the stall.

"Well, thanks anyway."

He was about to leave when the merchant raised a hand.

"Wait."

Arthur turned.

"I might be able to get one."

Arthur raised a brow.

"Really?"

The merchant nodded.

"I know a few hunters who deal with Gale Wolves."

Arthur’s interest returned immediately.

"How long?"

The merchant rubbed his chin.

"Give me two days."

Arthur thought about it.

That wasn’t bad.

"Two days?"

"Yes."

The merchant smiled.

"Come check again then."

Arthur nodded slowly.

"Alright."

He extended his hand.

"Deal."

The merchant shook it.

"Deal."

Arthur left the stall with a small smile.

Two days.

That was all he needed to wait.

And if everything worked out...

He might just gain another element.

The walk back felt... quiet.

Not empty, just calm.

Arthur moved through the stronghold streets without rushing. The noise was still there, people talking, merchants closing up, a few late deals still going on, but it all felt distant.

His body was tired.

Not the kind that dragged him down, but the kind that settled deep in his muscles and reminded him he had done something worthwhile.

He stretched his neck slightly as he walked.

"...Yeah, today was good."

A small smile stayed on his face.

By the time he reached his dorm, the sky had already darkened.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Same room.

Same bed.

Same quiet.

Arthur let out a breath and immediately started taking off his armor again. This time though, there was no pressure, no eyes watching him, no training to follow.

Just him.

He dropped the pieces one by one, stretching his arms as the weight came off.

"Much better."

His body felt lighter already.

He didn’t waste time before heading into the wash area.