Liam turned to see a male younger and shorter than he, walking straight towards him and Elatrix. He got a good look at the man’s features, recognized exactly what kind of Beast-kin he was, and already knew he was going to be trouble.
The man had short slicked brown hair with triangle shaped ears. His physique was lean which didn’t help with his frilly edged long sleeve white button up shirt that was tucked into a pair of tanned leather pants and fancy looking shoes. His brown eyes looked sharp as he gave Liam a scowl. This man was definitely a Weasel-folk Beast-kin.
“Are you going to answer me or just stand there looking like a fool?” the Weasel-Folk man questioned. His voice squeaked a bit as he tried his best to look intimidating.
Liam raised a brow. He really didn’t want to deal with this guy. Instead, he looked to Elatrix and asked, “So which one is my stall?”
The Weasel-Folk man looked appalled as Liam ignored him.
Before Elatrix could answer, the man stated, “Hey, don’t ignore me. I demand you answer me this instant.”
Liam took in a long breath and slowly released it. He kept his eyes on Elatrix. He really didn’t want to reply to this man because he felt he was going to be one of those I am so important, so you better do as I say types. Liam didn’t get along with those types of people. They just made him feel like punching them.
“You dare have the gall to ignore me? Don’t you know who I am?” the man questioned as he crossed his arms.
Liam noticed the look Elatrix was making, indicating she wouldn’t be able to intervene making Liam believed this guy could have some sort of backing.
Groaning internally Liam slowly turned to look at the man and replied, “I’m sorry. I thought you were talking to Elatrix here.”
“That’s Miss Elatrix to you,” the young man retorted. “Why would I be talking to someone I know, knows who I am. No, I was talking to you. Are you the reason why I have been kept waiting for my moment of praise to be given to me?”
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“This guy is annoying. – Eri.”
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Liam ignored Eri’s comment and minimized the text as he felt his irritation start to swell as he watched the man literally placed a hand on his chest as he finished his sentence and poked his nose up in the air. This guy really thought highly of himself, and it was starting to get on Liam’s nerves.
“I’m sorry Sir Welchsire,” Elatrix started as she bowed.
Liam raised a brow as he heard Elatrix say this guy’s name. Is that really his name? Who in the hell would name their child Welchsire?
“The reason for the holdup is because this newly admitted Crafter was with Miss Milandra. Things took a little longer than expected and…,” Elatrix continued to explain.
“So, it was your fault!” Welchsire shouted. “I should have known you were at fault by the way you dress. Seriously? I don’t care how new you are. Not only is it rude to hold me up on this grand day, but to be in my presence with those out dated clothes. One would think you just came from the Tutorial Area recently or something.”
“He did, sir,” Elatrix commented. “He arrived to our world just yesterday.”
Liam eyed Elatrix. He was starting to get annoyed with this woman giving his information out so freely. He was starting to get a little pissed off now. As he did, he felt something stir inside of him.
Welchsire looked at Elatrix and let what she had said sink in. He then looked at Liam, grimaced and said, “Not only do you hold me from getting the attention I deserve, be in my presence with those style of clothes, but you’re also a half-breed? What has this Crafters Association come to, allowing filth to join the elite.”
The stirring Liam had felt a moment ago suddenly washed over him. At first he felt irritated, but that irritation had formed into something else. He wasn’t quite sure what it was, but the feeling caused him to slip a quiet comment out that even surprised himself, “That’s rich coming from a dirty Weasel.”
Elatrix’s and Welchsire’s ears twitched as they heard what Liam had said.
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“*Raises a brow as she stares at you with an amused interest.* - Eri.”
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Before Elatrix could say anything Welchsire asked as his right eye twitched, “I’m sorry. Could you please explain what you mean by that comment?”
The unknown feeling grew a bit more as it let his next words slip out, “Oh nothing. It’s just that back on my home world, weasels were creatures that snuck around the ground and stole form others. They also carried diseases that could be transferrable. So, I thought it strange that you called me filth when you are literally a disease filled carrier.” Liam then brought his hand up to his mouth and gave him a mock look of shock as he added, “Oh, I’m sorry. Since I’m new here I don’t really know if you truly carry any diseases. So, we can just chalk it up as me being ignorant.”
Elatrix stared at Liam with a look of horror as Welchsire’s face turned beat red.
Welchsire started to fume and took a step closer to Liam. “Listen here you…” As he got within five feet of Liam, his demeanor swiftly changed. His facial features, body, and tone had gone from being arrogant and angry to doubtful and timid.
Liam watched as the young man started to look unsure of himself while staring at Liam. Liam noticed a small amount of trembling in the young man’s arms. He decided to end this now before things got out of hand.
Liam took a step closer and watched as the young man look like he wanted to shrink into himself. Liam pointed a finger and said with calm, evened, whisper, “No you listen here. You came at me the wrong way. I am just here to showcase my items. I know you are too. Now before this gets blown up worse than it already is I suggest you get back to your stall and leave me the hell alone. Do I make myself clear?”
Welchsire slowly nodded.
“Good…now get,” Liam stated. He then watched as the young man spun around and quickly make his way back to his stall. Liam noticed the man’s demeanor change from doubtful and timid to confused as he got away.
Liam felt the confusion on the young man’s face was fitting because even he didn’t know what exactly had happened. He did know that the feeling was still washing over him. He then noticed that mana was covering him. He wasn’t sure when that had happened. He stopped channeling his mana and felt the weird feeling disappear.
Liam was about to ask Eri what had happened, but then remembered Elatrix was behind him. He turned to her and was about to say something, but was stopped as Elatrix stated, “What did you do? Do you not know who that was?”
Liam raised a brow as he replied, “A pompous brat?”
“No,” Elatrix shook her head remembering he was new to not only this world, but this island as well. She then explained, “He belongs to a wealthy Noble Weasel-folk Family who have some influence in the crafting world. If he wanted to, your crafting career can be over just by those comments you made.”
Liam let out a sigh. “I may have gone overboard with what I had said, but the kid was a down right prick. If he or his family want to try and ruin my crafting career then they can try. I am not crafting for them so it shouldn’t matter.”
Elatrix was a bout to argue, but was stopped as Liam added, “Also, I don’t appreciate you giving out my personal information like that. If you do that again, I will go to your boss and see what he will do about it. You got it?”
Elatrix nodded.
“Good, now show me where my stall is please,” Liam said.
As Elatrix started walking again, a new notification appeared. He minimized it before looking at it, deciding he would check it out after he got to his stall.
He had some questions to ask Eri anyways and figured it would be better to do it in private.
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Liam stood inside the stall he was assigned to. A piece of white cloth hung over the front, blocking everyone from looking inside. Elatrix informed him that the showcase would be starting in about ten minutes.
She then explained that he wasn’t selling anything here today, but this was to form a connection with those who were interested in selling his wares. She had also told him that he shouldn’t get his hopes up nor get discouraged if no one shows interest at first or offer him any chances. Apparently it was rare for freshly integrated people to catch anyone’s eye with their products.
After explaining all of that she excused herself and walked away.
Before Liam started to unload the items he wanted to showcase, he pulled up the notification he had minimized earlier. As he read it he grew a bit confused.
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“Congratulations! You have successfully caused a bit of chaos. You have received 2% to your Chaos Performance Gauge. Progression to Level 2: 10%!”
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Liam stared at the notification for a brief moment. He wasn’t sure what this notification was talking about. He didn’t know what he did that would cause a notification like this to appear. Not only that, but for it to appear not when it reached level two, but as a percentage? That confused him even more.
Hey, Eri…what’s up with this notification? Liam asked.
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“What do you mean? It’s exactly how it looks. – Eri.”
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I mean, what did I do to cause some chaos and why did it appear showing that I gain a percentage instead of when it levels up? I haven’t seen a notification that did something like this before. Liam questioned.
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“Ah okay, I think I know where the confusion lies. Do you remember when you talked back to the Weasel-folk and made him go timid? – Eri.”
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Liam nodded. He was confused about why his demeanor had changed and then changed again after he walked away from him. He then remembered after Welchsire had walked away he noticed his mana was being channeled, which he was confused about as well.
I remember that. I also just remembered that my mana was being channeled without me knowing. Why did that happen?
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“Well, my guess is, you had gotten so irritated with the annoying kid that you subconsciously channeled your mana and activated an ability you still don’t have full control of. – Eri.”
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Liam tilted his head as he thought about his abilities. He couldn’t figure out which one she was talking about since he had never used an ability that caused that kind of outcome. The only ability he hasn’t used yet was the Anima Forge and he knew that was a crafting ability not an attack ability.
This was starting to bug him. He had a good grasp on all his spells and couldn’t figure out what it could be. He then replayed the scene in his head.
The young man had started getting on his nerves calling him names. During that time, he remembered a strange feeling had stirred inside him and had washed over him. He couldn’t think of any of his abilities that gave him that feeling.
He thought about his spells again. He could narrow the list down to ones that were chant-less ones since he didn’t chant anything. However, that shortened the list down quite a bit. He really didn’t have many spells that were chant-less and the ones he did have never gave him that weird feeling.
He thought more about the feeling. It was strange. At first he was irritated with the guy. That irritation had grown to anger, but then switched to a different feeling. That feeling triggered when Welchsire had called him a half-breed and filth.
No, it wasn’t just the fact that he had called him that. It was because he called the Association into question about allowing him to join. The way he said it made it seem like Liam wasn’t qualified to be a Crafter and whatever Liam crafted would be worthless and trash. After crafting so much, Liam knew his worth as a crafter. It felt like the man had attacked his honor and dignity as a crafter.
What a minute… Liam suddenly said as something struck him.
He felt that his honor and dignity was being attacked. Those two words lit his brain up as he started to think more about the two words. The two words had something in common. That one thing they had in common was Pride.
If his Pride was questioned when his mana suddenly started channeling on its own then it could narrow it to an ability he had forgotten about.
Hubris Aura. Liam whispered.
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“Bingo. For some reason, you unconsciously activated it. When that Welchsire kid stepped into its range, the effects changed his entire attitude making him grow timid. Since you were able to use that and turn the situation into your favor, plus having someone witness it caused a little chaos. Thus, giving you a small percentage for it. Which by the way great job on doing that. I couldn’t be more proud. That kid was really annoying me. – Eri.”
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Liam shook his head as he pulled up the information on the ability.
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“Hubris Aura – Ability Type – Aura. Any enemy caught within the Hubris Aura will receive additional damage when attacked or verbally attacked. When verbally attacked while in the Hubris Aura, all enemies will start to doubt themselves as well as grow timid. Spell type – Aura AOE. Aura Range – 20 foot radius. Spell cost – Mana channeling (Non-chant).”
“Warning! Due to insufficient knowledge on and not having Field of Sins, ability is dampened from 20 foot radius to 5 foot radius!”
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Liam stared at the description of the ability. He had thought that since he didn’t have enough knowledge and didn’t have the appropriate field that ability came from, then he wouldn’t have been able to use it. Albeit, it looked like he could use it since it activated.
That was the strange part though, the ability had activated without him willingly knowing about it. Was this because he didn’t have enough knowledge of the ability or was this because of something else.
Hey, Eri…why did the ability activate on its own? I thought I had to consciously use it…
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“Hm…that is a good question. It might be because it is an Aura type ability. – Eri.”
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What does it being an Aura type ability have to do with anything?
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“Aura type abilities are tricky. Some Aura abilities can activate on their own depending on certain conditions. – Eri.”
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What conditions are those? Liam questioned as he grew even more confused.
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“Those conditions can range from the caster’s emotions, being in a near death state, being surrounded by hordes of monsters…it can be just about anything really. It comes down to requirements, conditions, and the type of aura it is. Did anything happen when the ability triggered? – Eri.”
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I think I have an inkling of an idea, but not entirely sure. I think this Aura ability triggered when I felt like my honor and dignity as a Crafter was being attacked. Liam stated.
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“Hm. It could be. Your pride as a crafter was targeted so the Hubris Aura activated to correct the one foolish enough to attack it. – Eri.”
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That’s what I think too. It’s kind of scary thinking an ability can activate like that without my acknowledgement. Liam commented.
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“It can be since you’re still new to everything. However, if you can train it right then it can be a powerful weapon. You just need to work on it more…However, now is not the time. You need to hurry and set your stall up. Looks like people are starting to walk around. – Eri.”
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“Damn it,” Liam cursed as he opened his inventory and started pulling stuff out.
He started with the bone weapons he had made. He hung up the couple of Crude Bone Whips, allowing people to see how flexible he had made the bones while still being hard in certain spots. He then laid the Crude Bone Blades underneath the whips on the counter. The Crude Bone Spears rested against the corner so people could see their full height. He placed a few Iron Bone Ingots here and there to fill up some of the space.
To finish this half of the counter he placed his earlier works of the Crude Bone Daggers in the front then some he had made after some practice and finally the better looking ones behind them. He wanted to show his progress from his earlier works of the weapons to the better looking Crude ones.
Before he could pull out his Alchemy crafted items, the flap shuffled a bit causing him to look at the opening where Elatrix popped her head in.
“Are you ready yet? There are a few people standing out here wondering if you have anything to show,” Elatrix asked. Her eyes then settled on the weapons and widened. “Oh wow. I didn’t know you could make those…”
“I still have some items to pull out, but I can do that while they look at these,” Liam replied, making Elatrix look back at him.
She nodded as she asked, “So it’s okay if I pull the cloth up?”
“Yeah, go ahead,” Liam answered.
Elatrix pulled her head out and then yanked the cloth up and over the top of the stall, revealing the Crude Bone display.
Liam went to reach his hand into his inventory, but before he put it in he stopped and was shocked to see the crowd in front of him.
It wasn’t one or two people that were standing around the front of his stall. After looking and counting, Liam was able to see it was close to twenty.
His ears twitched as he heard a lot of voices around the area. He then realized more people had arrived after he walked passed the entrance of the area.
He was brought back to his senses as a few of the people who were standing close by walked up and examined the weapons he had on display.
“Hm, interesting,” a middle aged dog-folk looking person muttered as he looked at the Crude Bone Blade.
“Interesting is right,” an older female said with her black wings switched from extending to collapsing behind her back. She was looking at the Crude Bone Whips.
“You don’t see many Bone Crafters now a days,” another said.
“The fact he was able to make the whips shows there’s some potential. I heard it is hard to make flexible types of Bone weapons,” a fourth said to someone.
“I like how he has displayed the daggers. It shows his progress over the many attempts he has made. That is a well thought out display,” Liam heard someone else mention.
Liam felt a bit of pride start to swell inside of him as he heard the praises.
“Um excuse me,” someone said, bringing Liam out of his thoughts.
Liam turned to look at who was talking to him and saw two people looking right at him. It was a male and female. Both were middle aged. The male had white hair while the female had copper hair. However, what really stood out was their ears. Their ears were recognizable, and he felt he would be an idiot to mess up their race. They were Rabbit-folks.
“Yes, how can I help you?” Liam asked as he gave them a smile.
“We were wondering if weapons were the only thing you were showcasing,” the female Rabbit-folk asked.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I was just about to pull out mor…,” Liam had started to say until someone yelled out, “Seriously? Bone weapons? How crude. I guess someone this filthy would make something from disgusting materials.”
The voice sounded disgusted and appalled.
Liam turned to look at who had said that and internally groaned.
It was another damn Weasel-folk Beast-kin.