Masteria Online: Shattering the Dark God's Grand Scheme-Chapter 66 - Equipment!

Azir gestured to a corner where a small pile of equipment waited on a polished table. "I went ahead and compiled additional gear for your use. It was noticed that your gear was exceptional for your level, you must have gotten it from Merath. It’s a shame you aren’t stronger, or you’d be able to use stronger pieces of equipment. Regardless, here are some supplementary pieces. A belt, rings, cape, shoulder guards. They’ll help fill the gaps in your current setup."

Lumi’s eyes shone. These were exactly the pieces of equipment he was missing. Receiving this gear wasn’t something he had expected. He examined the items, impressed by their quality. Each piece was clearly crafted by grandmasters.

Azir played it off casually, but Lumi knew it was anything but.

He was only level twenty.

Although equipment didn’t truly have strict numerical ’level requirements’ like the system imposed, it might as well have. Equipment that was too powerful for the user had many various adverse effects, depending on various parameters.

When it came to accessories, certain principles made it very difficult to make them useful, yet usable by someone weak. At most, only mundane belts would be made. Not proper pieces of equipment.

It sounded like a game mechanic.

Indeed, Lumi remembered that when information that Masteria was real began to spread, many didn’t believe it.

When looking at things from a logical perspective, one of the arguments relied on the equipment itself. Even the NPCs acknowledged that equipment needed a certain level to equip. It was such a blatant game mechanic, how could a real world operate like that?

It was a reasonable argument for those used to Earth. Yet it followed surprisingly coherent principles.

It was like a gun.

A human can use it.

However, a dog won’t understand it. At most, it understands it is an instrument of death. Perhaps it will fire it by accident, potentially hurting itself.

Then when it came to an even lesser being such as an ant, it was simply incapable of even the slightest understanding of a gun, not even capable of accidentally using it.

Similarly, when it came to equipment, you had to be strong enough to use it properly.

He inspected the equipment.

[Lumi’s Herene Belt]

[Required Level: 20]

[Required Class: Magician]

[INT: +2]

[DEF: +30]

[Max HP: +50]

[Max MP: +50]

[Description: A custom-made belt made specifically for Lumi on Herene. The Insignia of the Aria Knights is imprinted upon it.]

This was the key difference between mundane items and what could be considered equipment. A belt could hold up pants, it could be made of metal and block a blade. However, a mundane belt could never increase your intelligence. A mundane belt could never increase defense, health, or mana.

One had to understand what stats meant. Defense didn’t represent the item’s innate toughness. It was a force that made your entire body more resistant.

Lumi scanned the rest of the equipment.

[Lumi’s Herene Pauldron.]

[Required Level: 20]

[Required Class: Magician]

[INT: +1]

[Magic Attack: +1]

[Defense: +15]

[Description: A custom-made Pauldron made specifically for Lumi on Herene. The Insignia of the Aria Knights is imprinted upon it.]

The cape and rings held similar stats.

[Lumi’s Herene Magic Ring.]

[All Base Stats: +5]

[Magic Attack +2]

[Defense +30]

As for the cape.

[Lumi’s Herene Cape]

[INT +2]

[Defense +10]

Lumi gave Azir a bow. "Thank you. This is generous, especially for someone of my level."

Azir waved it away. "It’s practical. We’re investing in your growth. The stronger you become, the more useful you’ll be."

Azir moved back to his map, fingers tracing paths between locations. "I assume you have a destination in mind? You didn’t accept binding just to sit in the palace."

"North." Lumi said, equipping the new items as he spoke. "The frozen island of Mora."

Azir’s eyebrow rose slightly, the most emotion Lumi had seen him display today. "Mora? That small island? It holds no significance to my knowledge, other than being the birthplace of Rena, the Axe of Justice. What draws you there?"

Lumi gave a reply. "It’s something that’s been overlooked."

"Something overlooked." Azir considered for a moment, sharp eyes studying Lumi with that penetrating gaze. "Very well. What do you request? Our services are available, within reason. Especially at first."

"Of course." Lumi nodded. It wasn’t as if he could get Divan himself to accompany him. "I request five Knights of Second Rank. A standard mixed unit should be sufficient."

"I can arrange that." Azir paused, fingers drumming on the table as he calculated risks and benefits..

Azir moved to his desk, pulling out some visuals. "Let me explain our five paths, so you understand your team’s capabilities. Knowledge of your allies’ strengths is just as important as knowing your enemies’ weaknesses.

"First, the Eclipse Knight. These are warriors who balance the powers of dawn and dusk. With their massive strength and powerful physique, they vanquish the enemy in close proximity. Unlike many other warriors, the focus is entirely on damage. There isn’t much in the way of protecting others, nor even one’s own body. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking this is reckless barbarity. Our control is refined."

"The Fire Wizard represents the only perfected flame magic path in the world. Raw destruction tempered by precise control. Yes, they serve as magical damage. However, this is also our support path. Fire Wizards learn many useful buffs, cleanses, and fields."

"Shadester is our superior take on a thief. These are masters of stealth and misdirection. Your particular Shadester will be invaluable for scouting Mora’s hidden dangers. Shadow is their key forte. If you’ve ever seen a thief, you know what they can do. We are better. Their poison craft is also exceptional, able to coat weapons with toxins that can slow, paralyze, or eat through even magical defenses."

"Lightning Caller is our most unique path. A freestyle class that doesn’t fit traditional categories. They blend magic and martial arts in unpredictable ways. Some fight with electrified fists, others dance between lightning strikes they call from clear skies. Lightning Callers don’t abide by standard combat rules, making them hard to predict."

"Finally, Windshot. These are archers who’ve learned to make the wind itself their weapon. That is not an exaggeration. Though they may be archers, they are closer to wind magicians who happen to use a bow."

"A balanced team." Lumi praised. "Versatile enough to handle most situations."

Azir nodded. "That’s the idea. One of each path creates a unit capable of handling most situations. The synergies between classes have been refined over centuries of combat."

Azir sealed the orders with his official stamp. "Report to the sky docks in one hour. Your team will meet you there, and a ship will be prepared for transport to Mora."

"Understood." Lumi paused at the door. "Thank you, Grand Tactician. For the trust as much as the resources."

"Thank me by returning with results." Azir replied, neutrally.