Lina led the way, her steps light, her golden ponytail swinging behind her.
She seemed quite invested in this "training session combined with shopping," and didn't stop talking the entire way, rambling on:
"Appearance is very important during assessments! Although the Contracted Spirit's strength is fundamental, a sloppy Spirit Master loses three points right at the first impression..."
"We'll go to the equipment shop first to get you some decent attire. It doesn't need to be expensive, but at least clean and sharp..."
"Then we'll replenish basic consumables, like low-level healing potions and antidotes; they can save your life at a critical moment..."
"We also need to adjust the training plan. Just grinding low-level monsters won't cut it; we need to simulate some real combat situations, though judging by your condition, your practical experience shouldn't be lacking..."
She led A Mi and Xiao Ye through the bustling streets, occasionally pausing to look at shop windows, or turning into a small alleyway.
...But she kept moving around, never truly stopping in front of any single shop, her brow slightly furrowed, as if searching for a specific place.
A Mi, following behind, watched her obvious state of being lost while trying to maintain composure, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Miss Lina, where... are we actually going?"
"Hmph!" Lina turned around instantly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her cheeks slightly flushed as she retorted, "Who—who said that! I planned this long ago! I'm just... just picking out the most suitable one! What do you know!"
She spoke defiantly, but quickened her pace, seemingly trying to cover her embarrassment with speed.
Finally, she led the two into a regular equipment shop that didn't look particularly luxurious but was neatly arranged with solid merchandise.
Inside the shop, Lina's gaze swept over rows of armor and clothing, finally selecting a set precisely and handing it to A Mi.
It was a set of black, sharply designed tight-fitting clothes, paired with a short jacket in a red tone. The material appeared to offer both resilience and flexibility.
A Mi took the clothes, and his expression instantly became somewhat subtle and speechless.
This color scheme, this style... why did it look more and more like the attire worn by the Archer known as 'Red A' from an anime in his previous life? What was with this bizarre sense of déjà vu?
"...Thank you."
To be fair, what Lina picked wasn't bad; it considered ease of movement, provided some protection, and... well, visual appeal.
"Hmph, you have some taste," Lina lifted her chin slightly, then turned to Xiao Ye.
"What about you? What style do you like? Don't be polite with me."
Xiao Ye quickly waved her hands, her small face turning bright red, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz: "N-No need! Miss Lina! I... I already have new clothes, please don't spend any more on me!"
She tightly clutched the corner of her newly bought coarse cloth garment, her attitude exceptionally firm.
No matter how much Lina persuaded her, even picking up a few light women's hunting outfits and holding them up against her with a hint of force, Xiao Ye just kept her head down, stubbornly refusing.
She didn't want to owe Lina any more favors; this kindness felt too heavy for her to bear.
Lina stomped her foot in frustration seeing Xiao Ye's unyielding nature, but she was helpless.
"You... Sigh, forget it!" As if suddenly realizing something, she grabbed Xiao Ye's wrist, "Come with me!"
She led them out of the equipment shop, winding through turns until they reached a relatively secluded alley near the perimeter of the Elf Academy.
"Wait here for me for a moment!" Lina instructed, then hurried into the Academy.
Not long after, she ran back, holding a neatly folded item that appeared to be a female student uniform from the Elf Academy—the base color was nearly black, with subtle Dark Green undertones, so plain it seemed overly somber.
"I don't really like wearing this school uniform anyway; it's just sitting there."
Lina said, unfolding the uniform, then taking a deep breath and softly calling out, "Fire Phoenix, come out and lend a hand."
At her call, the phantom image of an extraordinarily majestic bird, wreathed in faint golden flames, appeared beside her—it was her Core Contracted Spirit.
The Fire Phoenix tilted its head, looking at Lina, then at the school uniform.
The Fire Phoenix couldn't speak, but A Mi and Xiao Ye could already read the expression: "You called me out just for this?!"
"Use your flames to 'modify' it slightly," Lina pointed at the uniform, "according to her size." She gestured toward Xiao Ye.
The Fire Phoenix let out a clear, melodious cry and exhaled a stream of extremely precise and gentle golden flame.
The flame acted like a living needle, weaving around the school uniform.
The originally slightly oversized uniform slowly shrank and reshaped within the flames. The overly long parts were skillfully "burned" away without a trace, and the overall cut became more fitted and tailored, better suited for Xiao Ye's small frame.
Simultaneously, wherever the flame passed, the dead-looking uniform seemed infused with vitality, adding more dynamic, dark red patterns resembling trails of fire, dotting the dark fabric, lending it a touch of mystery and spirit.
A moment later, the flames dissipated.
A completely transformed new garment, perfectly sized, uniquely styled, and carrying a faint warm Aura, appeared in Lina's hands.
"Here, for you." Lina stuffed the clothes into the still somewhat stunned Xiao Ye's arms, her tone deliberately casual, "It's one I wasn't wearing anyway, so don't tell me you don't want it again!"
Xiao Ye held the "new" clothes, which still retained a slight warmth and had been custom-made for her, looking at the dark red patterns that resembled dancing flames. Her eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up inside.
This garment wasn't just the right size; it was beautiful in a way she had never owned before.
"Stop crying, I hate seeing people cry the most!" Seeing Xiao Ye like this, Lina quickly turned her head away.
Xiao Ye sniffled hard, looking at Lina, who was turning her face away pretending to look at the scenery but whose ears were slightly flushed, and nodded vigorously.
"Th-Thank you, Miss Lina!"
Lina: o(′^｀)o
"Less—less nonsense!"
Lina forced herself to remain calm and waved her hand, then her gaze fell upon the small money pouch Xiao Ye was still clutching tightly. Her eyes darted, and she suddenly reached out, snatching the pouch with lightning speed, and weighed it in her hand.
"Hmm... this money, it's barely enough to cover the cost of those two outfits just now."
She said this with a deliberately stern face, ignoring the fact that she had paid for A Mi's outfit and that Xiao Ye's was "modified." "Seeing how pitiful you two look, this Lady will be merciful and gift you an Art Tool! How about that?"
Without waiting for Xiao Ye to refuse again, she began acting on her own accord.
She asked A Mi and Xiao Ye to step back slightly, then squatted down and rapidly and precisely drew a simple, faintly glowing Magic Array on the ground with her slender fingers.
The lines were fluid, and the Runes were simple yet contained a certain pattern; clearly, she had mastered this basic Summoning Array.
Then, without hesitation, she took out a coin shimmering with soft silver light from her storage pouch and carefully placed it in the center of the Magic Array.
That Silver Coin, whether considering its monetary value or its symbolic meaning as a Sacrifice, was far superior to the Copper Coins A Mi and Xiao Ye had painstakingly saved—the value of this single Silver Coin alone exceeded all their current wealth.
"No Medium is necessary," Lina stood up, dusting off her hands, and explained.
"One of you has no concept of what type of Art Tool you want, and the other's Race is unknown. Using a Medium might actually interfere with the summoning. It's better to leave it to chance and see what fits your current situation."
She looked at Xiao Ye and gave clear instructions: "Xiao Ye, bite your fingertip and drip a drop of blood onto the Magic Array, then chant along with me."
Although nervous, Xiao Ye obeyed, gently biting the pad of her index finger until it bled, squeezing out a bead of bright red blood, and letting it drop onto the pattern of the Magic Array next to the silver coin.
The blood merged into the Magic Array, and the faint glow seemed to brighten slightly.
Lina took a deep breath, formed a simple hand seal in front of her chest, and began to chant.
Her voice was clear and rhythmic, carrying the ancient resonance unique to the Elvish Language:
"Formless spirit wandering between Contract and creation, respond to the guidance of silver and the call of blood. Within this simple array, manifest your form and grant aid to my companion..."
Although Xiao Ye couldn't understand the complex Elvish Language, she tried hard to imitate Lina's tone, vaguely and devoutly reciting similar words of supplication in the common tongue.
As the two chanted, the light of the Magic Array on the ground grew increasingly intense. The Silver Coin in the center began to tremble slightly and gradually melted, turning into a pool of pure silver liquid.
The liquid churned and stretched in the light, taking shape...
A moment later, the light subsided, and the chanting stopped.
In the center of the Magic Array, the Silver Coin had vanished, replaced by a strange gem the size of a pigeon's egg, entirely dark red, with natural patterns resembling lava cracks on its surface.
It emitted a faint warmth and an active fluctuation of fire elements.
Lina bent down, picked it up, and handed it to Xiao Ye: "Here, your Luck wasn't too bad. It's a C-Rank Mars Shard."
Xiao Ye carefully took the warm gem and immediately focused her mind to bring up the System Panel to check:
【Art Tool: Mars Shard】
【Grade: C】
【Effect: When equipped, allows every Attack to inflict a weak Burning Status effect. The Burning Status continuously deals minor fire damage, stackable; the higher the stack count, the higher the fire damage dealt per second （with a cap）.
Note: The Burning Status effect can be actively dispelled by the target's own Mana or water-attribute abilities; the Burning Status can inhibit conventional physical and energy recovery effects to some extent.】
"It can let Mr. A Mi's attacks carry fire... and it can suppress recovery..."
Xiao Ye's eyes lit up as she read the description of the Art Tool.
This was undoubtedly a very practical supplement for A Mi, who lacked burst potential and specialized attack methods!
"Thank you, Miss Lina! Truly... thank you so much!"
Xiao Ye held the precious Mars Shard and bowed deeply to Lina once more.
Seeing Xiao Ye's heartfelt joy, and the gratitude reflected in A Mi's eyes, Lina looked away somewhat awkwardly and waved her hand.
"Alright, alright, enough of that.
Hurry up and equip the Art Tool on A Mi, and then... we need to go for the real 'training session'!
The people from the family won't wait for you to slowly get used to new equipment!"