Chapter 208: Unmasked Breakfast

Making his way out to the eatery, Moon walked around the branch, attracting gazes. Different gazes from usual.

"That’s the armour?""It looks even better when worn.""It has too many gaps; is that even practical?""How would I know?""Light armour should be leather; this is too in between.""Are you blind?""Can’t you see how good it looks?""Awesome!"

Such conversations rose wherever Moon set foot. Not caring about the problematic practicality they were talking about, he was exceptionally pleased with how they admired how it looked.

He felt a newfound wave of energy wash over him.

On his way, "Boss, that looks hella cool!" Basil came sprinting from somewhere.

Moon nodded in understanding.

Basil leaned closer. "But where are you going dressed like this, another fight?" he whispered.

"Naaah, I thought I should get used to it before the trial." Moon waved his hand dismissively.

"As expected of Boss," Basil said with a hint of amazement.

"How’s your training going?" Moon asked.

Basil closed his eyes for a second. "I know it’s not much, but we managed to land a couple of hits on that dude yesterday."

Moon signaled for Basil to follow him. "That guy is actually strong; he’s playing dumb. A couple of hits isn’t bad."

"You see, Boss, I got myself hit and managed to catch his feet," Basil said while violently moving his arms in a hugging motion. "Then, Barrett bro jumped into his stomach as you did to Lady Talia."

"HOO, you guys managed to do that?" Moon asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

Basil paused for a second. "Honestly, Boss, it was uncool, unsightly to look at, unlike yours," Basil admitted. "We got beaten badly for the rest of the session, too," he added.

Moon shook his head. "In life or death, nothing is unsightly," he said firmly. "It’s good you’re getting some experience."

"We’ll keep trying to be more useful to Boss," Basil said, with his enthusiasm returning thanks to Moon’s encouragement.

Shifting his gaze back, "What about your other training?" Moon asked again.

Basil rubbed his chin for a moment. "Honestly, Boss," he leaned closer. "How did you get that?" he whispered.

Moon thought for a moment. "Well, it’s complicated," he said, dismissing the explanation he was building in his head.

Telling him that it was the one he looted off Dara would freak him out, and telling him he gave it to an overpowered ancient chef to modify it for them... that would not make any sense.

So, giving no answer was the better answer here.

Basil didn’t linger either; he was quick when it came to these situations.

"Honestly, Boss, the one I have gives my daggers stable Echo extension and cutting quality that’s almost insane," Basil said. "Barrett said his was the same but worked with his long blade instead of daggers."

Moon blinked, understanding that Ed first adjusted the unarmed fist-like style Dara performed into something smaller, more compact, and sharp.

It was pleasant to hear, though he himself was coming closer to doing things like that.

"How much different is it from just forming your Echo into a blade or coating your dagger in it?" Moon couldn’t help asking; the curiosity was taking over.

If he could produce the same result without having to bother himself with having proper flowing Echo, then it was the ultimate win.

Basil looked around, squinting. "Can we move elsewhere so I can show you, Boss?" he asked.

Moon led him to the eatery, where Ed was supposed to be.

Inside, there wasn’t anyone. Moon pursed his lips but signaled for Basil to enter anyway.

Inside, Basil unsheathed his daggers. "Look here, Boss," he said as Echo started to gather on the one in his left hand.

The blade had the usual hue Moon was familiar with, small and slightly extending the blade by small margins.

"That’s my Echo without the art," Basil elaborated before the hue disappeared from his left dagger.

Basil closed his eyes for a moment, and the Echo started slowly building up over the dagger, giving it twice the length and a longer cutting edge.

It also held a hint of radiance. Moon locked his gaze on that very radiance; it was almost the same as Dara’s.

Others might miss it, but he who fought and survived under the assault of this radiance couldn’t miss it.

Still, the difference was huge.

Moon once again found a new question he wanted to ask.

"Can’t you just push more Echo and make the other one bigger?" he asked.

Basil blinked. "Boss, they’re the same amount of Echo," he said, unable to comprehend Moon’s statement.

His answer left Moon stunned for a moment.

Over the weeks he was taught here, Moon was taught mainly Arcane, Seals, Smithing, and Control. They didn’t bother teaching him a thing about Combat Arts.

Moon studied it for a moment longer.

Basil was starting to shake, sweat starting to bead on his head rapidly. "Can I put it down now, Boss?" he asked, looking to be under strain.

Only then did Moon look at his masked face, sweating. "Yeah, you okay?" he asked.

Basil panted...

Huff~

Huff~

"I’m okay, just still a noob," Basil said heavily, running his sleeve over his forehead.

Huff~

Moon patted him on the shoulder. "That’s awesome, you know." He lifted his other hand in a thumbs-up.

Basil gave him a thumbs-up back. "Boss is still the most awesome," he said.

Moon smiled heavily but didn’t say anything.

It was hard to explain now that he couldn’t use any combat arts, no matter how hard he tried. Moon couldn’t help sighing.

"Boss could jump into Echo and punch through combat arts with his bare fists, something only Boss can do," Basil suddenly added, snapping the wave of doubt Moon was looping through.

Moon nodded. "Yep, I’m too awesome," he praised himself before realizing there was one issue he forgot about.

Where was Ed?

He came here for breakfast, but the old man was nowhere to be seen.

Moon moved to the counter and looked behind it. Yet, he found everything was clean and neatly placed, without a trace of cooking happening today.

There wasn’t any food in sight either.

Moon looked at Basil; he had an idea all of a sudden.

"Did you have your breakfast yet?" he asked.

Basil shook his head slowly, unsure why Moon was asking.

Moon signaled to him. "Follow me," he said as he moved out of the eatery.

Moon remembered what Basil told him a long time ago, how he wouldn’t take off his mask to eat or drink in public.

He usually found a spot hidden from others to eat; he also remembered he didn’t mind removing his mask around him.

There were a few things that Moon wanted to do before leaving the facility.

He didn’t know if fate would allow them to enjoy another peaceful moment.

Today, Moon had decided to have a meal with Basil, who never ate with anyone.

"We’re having breakfast together today," Moon said. "In my room, so you don’t have to worry."

Basil’s eyes looked both conflicted and confused. Yet, he didn’t say anything or oppose the idea.

Going through the students’ eatery, Moon sent Basil to bring coffee for both of them while he filled their own platters with food.

Now it was time to move back to his room in Hall 1 to have his secretive subordinate have a normal meal for once.