The Grand Duelist

"Now which blueprint do you think would suit your master better?" Krid said to Ezreal who was now beside him.

But Ezreal didn't answer. Instead, a bitter smile could be seen on his face.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot that you cannot stare at these blueprints directly with your naked eye. Do you know how to manipulate your Mana outside your body? Use that to form a film of Mana in front of your eyes like a lens, then it will temporarily protect you from the Divinity of the Grand Duelist inside these blueprints." Krid advised.

"That could work... But how long would it last?" Ezreal didn't doubt anything about what Krid had said to him. But since the Grand Duelist could pierce through any obstacles in this world. It was safe to say that the Divinity of the Grand Duelist may contain that piercing characteristic. Ezreal was somewhat afraid to commit any mistake while staring at it.

"Haha..." Krid laughed when he noticed Ezreal's worries, "These blueprints contain the piercing characteristics of the Grand Duelist, but you do not have to worry about it. I can temporarily seal that trait, although you still cannot stare at it for an extended period of time. I trust that you know about that adage, right?"

Ezreal nodded his head, as someone who extensively studied the myths...

Of course, he knew what Krid meant.

The adage that Krid was talking about said, "Do not look directly at a God."

Ezreal knew how critical this advice was, although it was mostly common sense.

"Thanks."

Ezreal mumbled in a barely audible voice. Afterwards, he urged the Mana contained within his body and formed a thin film made out of Mana before placing it in front of his eyes. When everything was done, and after checking that there weren't any gaps on the "Mana Glasses".

Ezreal finally had the courage to stare directly at the blueprints.

[Rapier of Anarchy] 

[Rapier of Absolute Piercing] 

[Rapier of the Grand Order] 

[Unnamed Rapier] 

Curiosity sparked within Ezreal's eyes as he stared at all of these blueprints. Anarchy... That doesn't seem to suit the master at all. As for the Rapier of Absolute Piercing, it sounds redundant since the Grand Duelist can pierce through any obstacles in this world in the first place...

How about the Rapier of the Grand Order? It sounds quite terrifying, and it can probably be tremendously powerful if used properly, but I'm more curious at the Unnamed Rapier. Why does it have no name? Why is it unnamed?

Ezreal made a sidelong glance at Krid before voicing out his thoughts.

"Indeed, Anarchy doesn't look like it's suitable for that brat. The Rapier of Absolute Piercing isn't really that redundant, you know? It increases damage upon critical strikes after all. But after I fought that brat, I realized that he could deal percentage-based damage so now I feel like I made a huge mistake designing that blueprint." Krid sighed.

"As for the Rapier of the Grand Order, can you guess its powers?" Krid revealed a teasing look. 

Ezreal thought for a moment, but just as he was about to say something...

Krid suddenly exclaimed.

"You cannot talk here!"

When Krid's voice reached Ezreal's ears. He suddenly found out that he couldn't speak. Even though he could make his mouth move and his vocal cords vibrate, not any voice, whatsoever could come out of his throat.

This is the additional effect of the Rapier of the Grand Order? But if it can only prevent me from speaking, then there's no way that it can be useful, right? Ezreal had an inkling about the true powers of the Rapier of the Grand Order, but Krid suddenly spoke once again.

"There can be no members of another species here!" His dignified voice echoed out.

Ezreal momentarily blinked, but when he opened his eyes once again.

He found himself standing outside Krid's safe house.

What? He can even do that? That's awesome! But wait, how can I go back now? Ezreal exclaimed in excitement when he realized that there was more than what meets the eye from the Rapier of the Grand Order. However, he was stumped when he also found out that now that he was outside Krid's safe house. How could he return back inside?

But Ezreal's problem didn't last long for a trace of illusory divinity wrapped around his body.

Before he knew what was going on...

He was now back within Krid's safe house.

In front of him was the smiling Krid who said.

"How was it?"

"Now, do you understand how unique this Rapier of the Grand Order?"

"What do you think? Would it suit your master?"

Krid spat a lot of words in a few seconds, causing the disoriented Ezreal to feel even dizzier as he revealed a bitter smile before saying.

"Yeah, it is too awesome..." 

"It's good that you know." Krid winked at him in delight.

"But I don't think that something like that suits my master."

Krid's interest was piqued, "Oh? Why do you think so?" 

The Grand Duelist was the advocate of Order and Justice among commoners back then. In other words, the Rapier of Grand Order really suited the former. But Ezreal was saying that it wouldn't suit Joseph?

If not for the fact that Krid knew that Ezreal extensively studied the creation myth of Victory then he would think of what Ezreal was saying as the ravings of an ignorant and madman.

Ezreal looked somewhat hesitant to speak.

But in the end, he voiced out his thoughts without hiding anything.

"The Rapier of the Grand Order, from what I saw and experienced. It looks like it can impose restrictions against someone, right? And through that restrictions, anyone can get the upper hand against his enemy."

Krid nodded his head in agreement.

"That's right."

The Rapier of the Grand Order could indeed impose restrictions, but it was limited to a single person or something in a single instance. In other words, you couldn't use its unique powers to restrict everyone in a large area. 

"Yeah, it doesn't suit my master. From what I inferred from his attitude. He seems to be the type of person who likes fighting up close in a fair and square battle. Imposing restrictions against his enemy would make him feel like he's bullying that enemy..."

"My master isn't a shameless person. He fights valiantly against his enemy in a fair battle, no matter how disadvantaged he is..." Ezreal said all of these with a sincere look on his face, but Krid suddenly laughed out loud.

"That brat isn't a shameless person? Hahaha! This really is the greatest joke that I've heard in these last few years. My brother, are you even serious?" Krid patted Ezreal's shoulders and Ezreal frowned when he saw Krid's attitude towards what he was saying.

"Of course, I am serious, brother! Why would you think otherwise? This is the master's Primary Weapon! A weapon that will accompany him through the end of his journey!"

"Why would I not be serious in helping you choose a suitable weapon for him? Brother, you're really mocking me." Ezreal ranted and Krid stared at him in disbelief.

Does he not know about his master's unorthodox and shameless fighting style? Krid thought for a moment and he realized that his conjecture made sense.

But he had no intention of explaining this to Ezreal...

After all, he didn't want to shatter his brother's fantasy about a perfect, courageous, valiant, and brave Grand Duelist. 

But still, Krid couldn't help but look forward to the day when Ezreal would realize how shameless his master really was in fighting against enemies. 

Feeling delighted, Krid's mood was uplifted and he didn't oppose Ezreal anymore.

"Okay, the Rapier of the Grand Order really doesn't suit your master. I'll trust you on that." Krid's eyes watered as he stared pitifully at Ezreal.

Why is he staring at me like that? Did I say anything wrong? Ezreal frowned and wondered why Krid was staring at him with teary-eyes.

But before he could even say anything and ask about it.

Krid interrupted him by saying...

"Since you judged that these blueprints do not suit your master, then there is no other choice. I can only make do with this unnamed Rapier." Krid took the blueprint of the Unnamed Rapier and studied it closely.

"Why is it unnamed?"

Ezreal wanted to add something along the lines of, Did you become lazy while naming it? But then he realized that doing that was tantamount to mocking Krid's efforts onto making these blueprints. In other words, it was the same as insulting this prideful Legendary Blacksmith. 

Thankfully, I managed to stop myself or else... I don't know how this brother of mine would react if I said that... Ezreal though and kept his terrifying thoughts to himself.

"This Rapier is unnamed, for I am not really sure how to name it. In fact, I don't even know what will happen if I followed the Production Method that I created for it. It will be akin to venturing into unknown waters. Pretty exciting, but also pretty dangerous..." Krid's eyes shone in a mysterious glint.

"What do you think? Do you think that something as dangerous and exciting as this Rapier will suit your master?" Krid smiled at Ezreal.

"I found that trouble always seems to follow my master, so something dangerous, yet equally strong will definitely suit him. And even if I am wrong, I am sure that with master's adaptability, he can find ways of dealing with that danger." Ezreal said in a serious manner and Krid couldn't help but chuckle.

"Hearing you say something like that makes me feel like you're deliberately pushing your master towards danger. I wonder how that brat will react if he knew that you were the one that chose his Primary Weapon for him."

Ezreal also laughed, but afterwards, he replied with genuine praise: "My master is really awesome, brother. He managed to defeat me without suffering any damage, and he even managed to see right through your schemes which made everything turn better than expected." 

Krid kept his silence as he listened to Ezreal's ramblings.

But at the end of Ezreal's sentence, Krid suddenly voiced something which astonished Ezreal.

"Aren't you also amazing?"

"Me?" Ezreal hurriedly waved his hand, "No, no, no... Master is the one that's amazing, yes. He's amazing, awesome, and powerful!"

Krid revealed a thoughtful look, "Why are you trying so hard to bootlick that brat to the point that you would downplay your own achievements? I really am curious as to why. People like you from that species are known to be prideful after all..." 

Ezreal's figure visibly trembled for a moment before eyes dangerously narrowed into slits, "Brother, why are you saying something like that? I am not merely bootlicking my master, I am saying the truth! He's truly amazing!"

"And so are you!" Krid pointed at him.

"Me?"

"Yes, you're also amazing! With that brat's luck of always attracting trouble, then I bet that he wouldn't even be able to survive after meeting me! I still remember that Insurance of Nature that you used towards him. If you didn't sacrifice that Insurance of Nature, then I bet that he would've died before I realized who he really was!" 

"You're someone that's useful and maybe even more amazing than your master, why are you trying to downplay your own achievements and make it so that your master's stronger than you? Why are you placing that brat on a pedestal?"

Ezreal's figure trembled once again and he seemed to be struggling about something which could be seen on the current expression on his face.

But in the end, he sighed in resignation before explaining.

"Brother, you really are terrifying. Now, I can truly say that you deserve your strength as a Legend." 

"Hahaha..." Krid chuckled, "Does that mean that I was right? You're placing your master on a pedestal?"

"But for what?"

"I don't think that you do not understand that unnecessary praise will only make someone conceited. Something like that isn't good for the development of your master's character!"

"Yes, I know that... I know what you are saying, brother... But I have other plans... " Certain memories flashed across Ezreal's mind, but he didn't voice these thoughts out.

"I see, I wouldn't probe into what those plans of yours are, but didn't I already said that I don't think that your master's a petty man? You don't have to endlessly bootlick him just so you could earn his favor and have him help you with your troubles!"

Krid accurately pointed out Ezreal's worries and Ezreal reeled in shock.

"Brother... How do you..." He couldn't even complete his sentence before Krid replied.

"No, don't worry. I have no intention of diving deep into that trouble of yours. In fact, I don't even know what you are hesitating about. I can just feel the gist of it since I also experienced something like what you are feeling right now back then."

"However..." Krid frowned, "Aren't you older than me? I should be the one learning from you, not the other way around!" 

"..."

Ezreal was speechless...

He didn't know what to say.

Thankfully, Krid didn't pursue the issue anymore.

But the conflicting thoughts within Ezreal's mind made him unable to think straight.

In the end, Krid had to kick Ezreal out of the room since the latter wasn't adding anything substantial anymore in their discussion.

Ezreal exited the room in resignation.

Within the room, a smiling Krid could be seen staring at the unnamed Rapier. 

"If that brother of mine really asks for that brat's help in his troubles. That brat will have to fight against enemies with the same species as that brother of mine..." 

"In other words, I need to make proper modifications in preparation for that day. Those bastards are too powerful, one cannot have enough preparation in front of them."

"Sigh..."

"I can only hope that when that day comes, everything will end peacefully and without any unnecessary bloodshed."

Krid crossed both of his arms and placed his palms on his left and right shoulder. This was the symbol necessary when praying to the Divinity of the Grand Duelist.

Krid had to do this to quell the worries in his heart for in the next few minutes...

He needed to achieve the State of Extreme Concentration in preparation for modifying the Production Method of the Unnamed Rapier.