The Three Musketeers

On the fourth floor of the tower, Ian sat cross-legged on the carpet, looking down at the small crystal bottle in his hand, lost in thought. Within the bottle, a drop of red liquid, emitting a faint aura of Spirituality, floated gently. This was a drop of Lesser Life Water.

A drop of Lesser Life Water appeared every three days. If nothing unexpected happened, the Life Well Pendant would produce its second drop tomorrow.

This item wasn't particularly valuable to Ian, and he had no immediate use for it.

Ian couldn't help but think of the bounty hunter guild's request. The Whaling Group was seeking a potion to expel curses, and Ian guessed it might be for Lia.

From the moment he first saw Lia, Ian had sensed that the black, twisted scar on her face was unusual, constantly emitting an uncomfortable aura of negative energy. It made sense; ordinary scars wouldn't trouble an extraordinary individual.

However, as far as Ian knew, the Seven Major Churches of the Righteous Gods were very skilled at expelling such negative energy curses. Why would the Whaling Group bypass them and seek help elsewhere? Was their relationship with the churches poor, or did they consider the cost too high?

Ian's initial thought was to use this drop of Lesser Life Water as a bargaining chip, along with the warship, to invite her to join.

But that method felt too crude and went against Ian's values. The thought had barely formed in his mind before he immediately dismissed it.

Although Lia kept herself well-guarded, he felt she was a very emotional person. If he were to offer it directly as a gift alongside his invitation, the success rate might be higher.

Suddenly, a familiar pulsation echoed from the world of Spirituality.

A smile touched Ian's lips, and his resolve instantly solidified.

"Why must my actions in this life be explained to others?"

Having been reborn, Ian only wanted to follow the choices of his own heart.

It might sound childish, but Ian didn't want to repeat his past life, where he would overthink every tiny decision, fearing envy or displeasure from others, which could lead to trouble.

The process of becoming stronger was bound to attract all sorts of attention.

Ian put the crystal bottle into his bag and immediately sank his consciousness into the world of Spirituality.

On the veil of void that obscured the "sky," a new "star" shone brilliantly.

It had arrived as expected.

As the "star" flew closer, a green card appeared before Ian.

The card was bordered with grayish-green patterns, and it depicted the Three Musketeers standing in a triangular formation, their gazes sharp as they aimed their muskets forward.

[Card: Three Musketeers]

Three Musketeers: Three Extraordinary Profession Inheritance Scrolls: Musketeer.

Weapon: Spirituality Musket (Soulbound), cannot equip other Spirituality equipment.

Three Musketeers possess interconnected Spirituality, cooperate seamlessly, and have exquisite marksmanship.

Job Requirement: Has not taken up any other extraordinary profession.

Professional Abilities: [Musket Mastery], [Balanced Steps], [Precision Intuition], [Calm Thinking], [Powder Master].

This was a card type he had never seen before. Ian temporarily called it an Attendant card.

He knew that as long as one held a musket, whether it was a Mana musket or an Alchemy Flintlock, they could call themselves a Musketeer.

But that was more of a title, not an extraordinary profession.

This [Three Musketeers] card was clearly an extraordinary profession, and it even came with a Spirituality Musket. It seemed to be a new type of extraordinary profession centered around muskets as the primary weapon, but he didn't know its strength.

It didn't mention its sequence or how its power would increase.

Ian noticed the requirement: "Has not taken up any other extraordinary profession." Did this mean that ordinary people who hadn't awakened their Spirituality could also use it?!

If that were the case, it would be incredibly outrageous.

After all, in Aiolanga, the prerequisite for taking up an extraordinary profession was awakening one's Spirituality!

Ian excitedly paced back and forth on the fourth floor. This Fate card deck was becoming more and more interesting.

The next day, as dawn was just breaking, Milta eagerly went to handle the sails.

On the fifth floor of the tower, after the damage from the last battle, Ian had it simply repaired. He hadn't furnished it yet, and it had now become Ian's alchemy laboratory.

Ian stood on the observation deck, quietly watching Milta busily working on the warship by the sea.

Until the tavern delivered breakfast, and after they had eaten, Ian called out to Milta, who was about to clear the dishes.

"Milta, do you want to become... extraordinary?"

Milta instinctively looked up at Ian, who had a solemn expression.

Milta suddenly felt a bit flustered. He swallowed and said, "Of... of course, I do. I dream of it..."

Ian smiled faintly. "Now, I'm giving you a chance!"

Ian clenched his right hand in the air in front of him, and a faintly glowing card appeared in his grasp.

"Of course, this doesn't come without a price!"

Ian gazed into Milta's bewildered eyes.

"The price is your everything! We are currently in an employer-employee relationship. Once you choose to accept, you will become a master and an Attendant. You must be loyal to me for life, until your life ends!"

Before Ian could finish speaking, Milta dropped to his knees with a thud. His body trembled as he bowed his head, saying with a shaky but firm voice, "I am willing!"

"Aren't you going to consider it further?"

Ian shook the cards in his hand: "Once accepted, there's no turning back. Your life and death will be at my whim."

Milta felt an electric shock course through him, unable to control himself. How could he hesitate? This was an opportunity he couldn't even dream of in a lifetime of struggle. Milta couldn't help but doubt if he was worthy, worthy of Mr. Trist's regard!

"Milta! Forever loyal to you--"

Ian pulled Milta up: "Sit properly and concentrate."

Ian flicked his right hand, and the card transformed into a streak of light that merged into Milta's head, then quickly flew out.

One of the Three Musketeers on the card had already vanished.

Milta trembled all over, closed his eyes, and fell back onto the ground. His ragged breathing gradually stabilized, and his excited expression calmed down.

At this moment, in Ian's Spirituality world, a small flintlock pistol model quietly hung from a branch beneath the canopy of a tree.

Awakening Spirituality and stepping onto the path of the extraordinary was not an overnight process.

Ian closed the doors and windows and returned to the room downstairs. He couldn't leave during this period, just in case of accidents.

As noon approached, the sound of horse hooves echoed outside the tower gate.

Ian, who was meditating, smiled faintly. He sensed a familiar Spirituality fluctuation.

Lia had arrived.

In the first-floor hall of the tower, the Enchanted Weapon Oil that had been brought down earlier was piled on the table. Lia and Ian sat on opposite sides.

After a brief greeting with Ian, Lia began to count the Enchanted Weapon Oil, then placed the bag of magic Gold Coins on the table and pushed it towards Ian.

From the moment she entered, Ian had been staring at her intently.

Although Lia tried her best to act nonchalant, Ian could see from her exhausted expression and tormented eyes that something must have happened to trouble her.

Ian spoke first: "After this transaction, our cooperation ends."

Lia's movements paused, but she felt relieved inwardly. She had been wondering how to tell him about terminating their cooperation.

Ian continued: "I'm going out to sea."

Lia placed her hand on the table and looked out the window at the distant sky. That day had finally come.

She felt both disappointed and somewhat relieved. It was good to leave, to leave this place of strife and avoid being implicated.

Ian suddenly sat up straight, his gaze fixed on Lia with a deep look: "Are you willing to come with me?"

Such a sudden invitation and words caught Lia completely off guard, leaving her greatly shocked!