"I'll keep an eye out for any related leads," Odis said, then he handed Max a cup of hot coffee, "Didn't you mention having connections at the Backlund Fighting Club?"
Max immediately understood that Odis intended to train in combat there, "Leave it to me."
Members of the 'Machinery Hivemind' also required hand-to-hand combat training, which was why they partnered with the club.
Odis nodded, then settled behind the counter with his own coffee, enjoying breakfast.
After seeing Max off, Odis planned to rest until noon. But the moment his assistant, Kain, arrived, the image of 'The Fool' and 'The World' surfaced in his mind once more.
"...Great Fool," The World intoned devoutly, "please instruct 'Mr Hermit' to prepare a ritual for retrieving the rented weapons and the corresponding payment..."
"...I also wish to inquire whether he is willing to sell the Flamebolt..."
Sighing, Odis hurried to the laboratory. He placed two candles on the table, drew the necessary symbols, and erected a Spiritual Wall.
Lighting the candles and adding a drop of homemade essential oil, he softly recited The Fool's honorific name, initiating the bestowal ritual.
Soon, the candle representing 'The Fool' swelled unnaturally, its flame forming two illusory, towering doors above it.
The doors cracked open slightly, and a radiant glow spilled onto the altar. As it faded, two Extraordinary weapons and 100 pounds in cash materialized.
The staff's rental fee was 50 pounds, the Flamebolt 20 pounds, and the 30 bullets brought the total to 100 pounds.
'Not a bad profit for rentals,' Odis mused.
Then a thought struck him... 'Klein has the Air Bullet ability... Why would he need the Flamebolt?'
But then he recalled Klein purchasing enchanted bullets despite that...
The Flamebolt paled in comparison to enchanted ammunition, lacking any Beyonder effects... Against Low-Sequence Beyonders, it was a passable weapon, but against a Sequence 7, its only advantage was the element of surprise, not firepower...
Still, it suited ambushes or skirmishes, which aligned well with Klein's tactics.
After some deliberation, Odis prayed, "The Fool that doesn't belong to this era..."
"Please inform 'Mr World' that a transaction is possible. One Flamebolt revolver costs 500 pounds... Annual maintenance is also required, costing 100 pounds per service. Without it, the weapon lasts roughly a year. With maintenance however, it can last up to five or six years..."
"...Delivery would take over ten days. Bullets can be purchased separately at 1 pound per round... Alternatively, I can provide the bullet-making method for an additional 100 pounds..."
The Flamebolt didn't use enchanted bullets or intricate carvings, existing ammunition could be modified.
The only technical steps were adjusting the gunpowder formula and soaking the bullet tips in herbal solutions.
But since both were simple, overpricing might push Klein to divine the recipes himself. Odis reckoned it was simply better to offer a fair deal.
Moreover, Odis was selective about buyers. While wary of ordinary Beyonders, he trusted Klein wouldn't wind up dead in some alley, and having his weapons looted by strangers.
Soon, Mr World replied: "I'll consider it."
Odis smirked, 'Klein is probably balking at the maintenance hassle.'
It's not that he hadn't thought about solving the maintenance problem, but he studied it for a while and didn't find a reasonable solution.
In theory, Mid-Sequence Beyonders could recharge the weapon's Spirituality to restore its arrays. But precision was key... too much or too little would disrupt the delicate mechanisms.
Infact, Spiritual materials in sealed containers could retain potency for a year or two, but without containment, and if under active use, Spiritual dissipation would happen rapidly.
Thus, after crafting or servicing an Extraordinary weapon, Odis performed rituals beseeching the 'God of Steam and Machinery' to curb Spiritual leakage.
As the Church's informant, his prayers were usually answered. If not, a second attempt sufficed.
Even 'Artisans' followed this step to prolong their creations' shelf life...
So, when his research stalled and a one-year lifespan seemed acceptable, Odis finally abandoned further efforts.
Anyway, Extraordinary weapon sales weren't his main income, so he shrugged off Mr World's hesitation...
...
After lunch, Odis took a public carriage to the Backlund Fighting Club in Hillston Borough.
With Max's referral, Odis met the head coach, Fedray, a lanky, 1.9-meter-tall man whose unassuming build belied his expertise.
Fedray outlined two membership options:
"The first option is to pay a 20 pound annual fee for full access to facilities, sparring partners, and member exchanges... Second option is to pay 10 pounds for temporary trainee status, forfeiting access after completing the curriculum."
'Mhm... It's clear that the first option is for those who already have a foundation in fighting and are seeking refinement,' Odis thought.
"I'll take the first option," he said.
Fedray nodded, "Mr. Livermore roughly described your situation in the letter. You have received rigorous combat training, but lack practical experience, right?"
"Correct." Odis nodded.
"Then, please go and pay the membership fee first. I'll assign you a sparring partner afterward."
Guided by an attendant, Odis paid the membership fee, received his club badge, and entered the training hall.
His assigned partner was already waiting at the door. He invited Odis to the practice area and asked, "What intensity level are you aiming for?"
"I'm not sure either," Odis admitted, "This is my first time at a fighting club."
The sparring partner blinked, "Understood. I'll take it easy."
The moment they began, the man found himself airborne...