“It seems that you have also been slightly influenced by what you’re reading,” Van Dijk said, his tone a mix of amusement and approval. “Good, good. But, I may be called a madman, or a mad scientist and mage, but I’m not heartless. You, deep down, still look like a teenager. You should go and rest. As for those…” He gestured toward the stack of books on the table. “Any progress?” he asked.
Ludwig followed his master’s gaze to the books related to swordsmanship. “They’re actually really good books,” he said, his tone thoughtful.
Over the past few days, Ludwig had absorbed a wealth of knowledge from the Tibarian swordsmanship manuals. He had even learned two new training methods that he was eager to try out.
“They also helped me understand this a bit more,” Ludwig said, placing the chains he had obtained from Rima on the table.
Van Dijk’s eyes narrowed with interest. “The chains you obtained from Rima… what did you find out?”
Ludwig glanced at the notification window hovering in his vision.
[Soul Shackles]
Category: Weapon
Durability: 9000/9000
Tier: Unique [Growth Type]
Damage: 1
Bound to: Ludwig Heart’s Soul Letting Lantern
Abilities:
[Corruption of Gluttony]: All abilities that the chain uses will require the usage of Souls. ‘Corrupted Souls’ enhances the effects.
[Soul Rend]: Strikes at the target’s soul. All damage applied by this chain ignores all forms of armor and resistance as it strikes at the target’s soul directly. {Damage increased based on Souls used}
[Chain Buckler]: Wraps around itself to create a buckler that can deflect physical attacks and mitigate some magical attacks. {Consumes Souls relative to the damage mitigated}
[Sentient Snake]: Follows the will of the wielder to move around. {1 Soul Cost per minute}
Lore:
A chain broken once before, turned into a weapon to fight against oppression. A symbol of hope turned against its purpose. Once it served to free the weak, now it whips at whomever opposes it.
“They’re semi-sentient chains,” Ludwig explained, his voice calm but tinged with excitement. “They require the wielder to channel souls into them to function. They basically become an extra limb—very flexible and nigh indestructible. They were used by a Tibarian king before they were corrupted.”
Van Dijk grabbed a chair and sat down, his expression one of keen interest. “Tell me more,” he said, leaning forward.
Ludwig nodded, his hollow eyes gleaming faintly as he recounted what he had learned. “Apparently, the guy we killed—the Knight King—had an even stronger predecessor. His great-grandfather was the one who basically built Tibari, using these very chains. He used some form of ancient ritual to imbue them with the souls of those who were wronged among his townsmen. A chain forged by the lives of the innocent to fight against oppression.”
Van Dijk raised an eyebrow, his expression thoughtful. “Quite ironic. Punishing the oppressors with the symbol of oppression.”
“I thought so too,” Ludwig agreed. “Regardless, after taking command of a small army of peasants, he managed to overthrow the old government and became the king of Tibari. The chains then became a symbol of freedom instead of slavery. But after some time, his great-grandson—the current King of Tibari—used these chains to snuff out a revolt. That act corrupted them, as it was against the purpose of their creation. Instead of freedom, they became shackles, and apparently, that’s what started this whole corruption.”
Ludwig gestured to a historical book about legendary weapons that was among the stack of swordsmanship manuals. “It’s all theories from whoever wrote that book, but it makes sense.”
Van Dijk nodded, his expression serious. “I can see that. Something like that creature isn’t simple.”
“I mean, it’s less a creature and more of an idea,” Ludwig said, his tone thoughtful.
“An idea?” Van Dijk asked, his curiosity piqued.
“Yes,” Ludwig replied. “Apparently, the Gluttonous Death is the idea of dying in gluttony—of overconsumption I would suppose. The kingdom itself was prosperous, yet instead of finding a way to solve a small feud, the king was too cruel. His actions became gluttony for the crown and the riches of his land, which brought upon the Gluttonous Death.”
Van Dijk frowned, his expression thoughtful. “Wouldn’t it be more proper to call it Greed?” he asked, picking up the inscribed book Ludwig had pointed to and flipping through its pages.
“You got me beat there, Master,” Ludwig admitted. “I don’t really know why it was gluttony and not greed. But we both saw how the people of Tibari acted. They were starved, even though they had everything…”
Van Dijk nodded, his expression grim. “True. A man’s throat can never be filled and can only be clogged with dirt.”
Ludwig’s hollow eyes gleamed faintly. “That’s a powerful line.”
Van Dijk smiled faintly. “Unlike you, even dirt wasn’t enough to shut you up. An undead seeking knowledge… good job, Ludwig. But you need some rest. So, what are you planning on doing with these chains?”
Ludwig picked up one end of the chains and strapped the shackle around his wrist. Immediately, the chains wrapped around his arm like a bracelet, their metallic links gleaming faintly.
“I’m gonna use them,” Ludwig said, his tone determined.
Van Dijk raised an eyebrow, his expression one of mild concern. “That looks like a topic to be studied. But no, get some rest.”
“I can’t rest, Master,” Ludwig said, his voice firm.
“What I mean is, go out. Go meet your peers. You need to cool your head off from all…” Van Dijk gestured to the books and the desk. “This.”
Ludwig hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Right, then. I do feel a bit too exhausted. Might as well go meet up with Joana. She might have a better idea on how I can use this chain.”
Van Dijk’s smile widened slightly. “Oh, by the way, the results for your exams are out.”
Ludwig blinked, his hollow eyes narrowing slightly. “Oh, I completely forgot about that. I guess we passed? Unless Professor Vastion had something to say about it.”
Van Dijk chuckled. “With flying colors. Not even the dean allowed him to interfere. After all, you three did me a good service, and you especially helped me with an expedition. Regardless, you need to prepare for your next semester. It will begin soon.”
Ludwig nodded, his expression calm but determined. “Thank you, Master.”
With that, Ludwig left the room, his mind still buzzing with the knowledge he had absorbed over the past few days. He hadn’t fully finished inscribing the books, but he had learned a lot.
Once outside the tower, Ludwig headed straight for the academy, hoping to find Joana as quickly as possible. As he walked, he flexed his right hand, the one adorned with the chain bracelet. It was an unfamiliar weight, but one he was eager to master.
He glanced at the notification window again, reviewing the details of the [Soul Shackles]. The chains were a powerful tool, but they came with a cost—souls. Ludwig’s mind raced with possibilities as he considered how to use them effectively.
For now, though, he needed to clear his head. The past few days had been intense, and Van Dijk was right—he needed a break.