One should know that Lightweight was a development ability that could boost its user's DEX and AGI depending on the weight the user was carrying.
While the lighter the user's load, the stronger the effect of this ability, if the user's body were overloaded and too heavy, the effect of Lightweight would be weakened or even barely noticeable.
Because of this, Riezel had never worn heavy armor or too many items on his body, aiming to avoid interfering with the effectiveness of Lightweight. He even asked Tsubaki to specially craft a lightweight weapon like Fool to maximize the effect of Lightweight, showing how much he valued this development ability.
Now, Brain had actually offered him a magic item that could reduce the wearer's weight and load?
Knowing this, how could he not care?
As a result, Riezel dismissed his earlier disinterest in Brain's magic items, and his gaze began to sharpen with interest.
When Brain saw Riezel's reaction, he was truly happy.
He was afraid of Riezel not showing any interest in his magic items at all since if Riezel didn't care about them in the slightest, he would have to worry about whether he could convince Riezel.
'Stronoff wasn't lying to me. Lord Brynhart is indeed interested in magic items.'
Poor Riezel had no idea that, in Gazef's eyes, he had become a magic item enthusiast.
It couldn't be helped.
Since Riezel had originally agreed to take on Gazef's commission with the condition of getting his magic ring, Gazef had developed a false impression that Riezel was particularly interested in valuable magic items.
As a result, when Brain had planned to ask Riezel for help, Gazef, always keen to be helpful, passed the information on to Brain, causing him to believe that using magic items as a reward would be the way to go in exchange for Riezel teaching him swordsmanship.
It was, ironically, a win-win misunderstanding.
Right away, Brain quickly explained the magic item's effect to Riezel.
"Yes, the Wyvern Amulet has the effect of lightening the wearer's weight and reducing their load, along with slightly increasing speed and agility. While it's not as valuable as Stronoff's ring, it's still a rare magic item."
While speaking, Brain took out an amulet from his chest—an amulet with dragon-like wings embroidered on its surface.
"Here it is. Please, use it."
Brain respectfully handed the Wyvern Amulet to Riezel.
Riezel took it casually, and as soon as he held it, he immediately felt a change within his body.
Evidently, this amulet was different from Gazef's ring.
It wasn't an active magic item that required its wielder to activate it manually to use but a passive item that took effect as soon as it was worn.
As soon as Riezel held the amulet, he could clearly feel his body lighten, and the weight of his clothes and weapons also decreased significantly, which in turn allowed his Lightweight to start kicking in, quickly boosting his DEX and AGI.
"Umu, this is a great magic item..." Riezel praised, clearly not hiding his fondness for the Wyvern Amulet.
At this, Brain, with good timing, seized the moment to press on.
"Do you like magic items that can reduce weight and improve agility?" Brain asked with a smile. "If that's the case, this item might suit your preferences."
He immediately pulled another magic item out of his chest, this time a fingerless glove that was black and red in color. Not only was there just one glove that didn't seem to offer much protection, but it also looked thin and left the fingers and back exposed—barely enough to even keep someone warm.
Nevertheless, since this glove also had a similar effect to the Wyvern Amulet, it was without a doubt a perfect magic item for Lightweight.
"It's called the Giant's Glove, a magic item made from the hair of the giant race."
Brain enthusiastically explained.
"It's also imbued with a magic spell called Lightweight Cargo, which reduces the weight of the weapon the wearer holds without affecting the weapon's power. Once one wears it, even a child can easily lift a heavy weapon weighing over a hundred pounds.
"Like the Wyvern Amulet, it's a magic item that works just by wearing it, and by the way, it also slightly boosts the strength of the arm wearing it. It's not really useful for me, but if you like it, I'll give it to you."
Because the sword Brain used wasn't a heavy one, he didn't have much use for the Giant's Glove, but for someone who favored heavy weapons, this magic item would be an invaluable treasure, worth quite a bit.
Brain respectfully handed the Giant's Glove to Riezel, who accepted it.
Riezel thought for a moment before putting the glove on and gripping the sword at his waist with his gloved hand. Feeling the weight of the sword, he noticed that the load it placed on his body had truly decreased.
Feeling the glove's effect, Riezel was quite amazed.
One should know that his main weapon, Hermit, was quite heavy, and when it came to weight alone, it was almost on par with a war hammer or a two-handed axe, which made using it a challenge for him, especially in terms of its impact on Lightweight.
Now, with the Giant's Glove, the glove reduced the weight without affecting the weapon's power, which would significantly lessen the impact on Lightweight. If mixed with the Wyvern Amulet, which also reduced weight, wearing these two magic items meant he no longer had to worry about Lightweight being undermined.
"Hmm, this is also a great magic item..." Riezel praised once again.
"I'm glad you like it." Brain responded happily, his face lighting up.
In truth, the two magic items Brain had given to Riezel weren't exactly rare in this world. Even in YGGDRASIL, these two items would likely only be classified as legacy-class, or even lower, as low-class magic items.
However, when paired with Lightweight, they became incredibly effective, so for Riezel personally, the value of these items could even rival that of legendary-class items.
With such beneficial magic items now in his hands, Riezel felt that refusing them would be a crime. Besides, he wasn't exactly opposed to teaching Brain, considering he had guided many people in the past, including all the Hashira in the world of Demon Slayer.
Satisfied with the unexpected gain, Riezel looked at Brain and spoke up.
"I can teach you Thunderclap and Flash but whether you can learn it depends on you."
Thunderclap and Flash could be said to be the strongest sword form of Thunder Breathing.
However, one should remember that Thunder Breathing was considered the hardest breathing style to learn among all the fundamental breathing styles, as its body requirements were even more demanding than Sun Breathing in certain aspects.
Riezel didn't mind teaching Brain, but whether Brain could learn it was something he couldn't guarantee.
It was not without reason, as even Kaigaku, a Demon Slayer who became an Upper Rank Demon, couldn't even learn Thunderclap and Flash.
Given this, even if Brain had the potential to learn Thunder Breathing, it wasn't a given that he would be able to master Thunderclap and Flash.
Moreover, there was another big problem.
Kaigaku, who had become an Upper Rank Demon, was equivalent to Level 4, while Brain, like Gazef, hadn't even officially entered the Realm of Heroes, which was the realm of Level 3 and above in this world.
At best, Brain was at the limit of Level 2, still far from Level 4.
Considering this, since even Kaigaku, at Level 4, couldn't use Thunderclap and Flash, it was only natural that Brain, who hadn't even fully stepped into Level 3, couldn't learn it.
For this reason, Riezel decided to be upfront, not wanting Brain to get his hopes too high.
"I understand."
Brain immediately understood Riezel's point and replied without hesitation.
"Something like that slash, someone at my level would definitely struggle to master. I'm aware of my limits."
In the past, Brain had thought of himself as a genius, and in terms of pure talent, he even believed he was above Gazef, never doubting that his abilities were enough to learn any swordsmanship.
Naturally, this wasn't blind confidence but clear self-awareness.
Gazef probably didn't know that after the kingdom's tournament, when he defeated Brain with Fourfold Slash of Light, Brain had secretly learned this Martial Art by himself and even perfected it.
Needless to say, the fact that Brain could self-teach and learn something like Gazef's Fourfold Slash of Light without anyone's help showed just how talented he was—his ability was certainly at a level that could amaze someone like Gazef, the so-called strongest warrior.
However, now Brain had come to understand what it meant to be the best, the strongest human, to be in a realm that even those within the Realm of Heroes couldn't reach. Considering this, his once-proud skills and talent, in the eyes of those above him, might be nothing at all.
At least, Brain didn't believe he could easily master Riezel's stunning slash the way he had mastered and perfected Gazef's Fourfold Slash of Light.
Nonetheless—
"Since there are humans who can master that slash, who can wield that slash, then I, Brain Unglaus, will push myself to the limit to at least brush against that aspirational realm."
Brain had cast aside all his past arrogance and pride, becoming a swordsman purely focused on getting stronger as he adjusted his attitude and mindset.
"I believe, if I work hard, even I should be able to touch a thousandth of that slash."
"It's my wish—no, I should say... my ambition."
While saying this, a smile like that of a child appeared on Brain's face, not as fierce as Gazef's but still capable of touching one's heart.
Just then, someone watching couldn't help but cheer.
"What an ambition! You've completely changed, Brain Unglaus!"
When this loud voice came from the direction of the inn, both Riezel and Brain realized that a group of people had appeared by the inn's front door at some point.
They were a group of five fully armed women.
Some were beautiful, some were muscular, some were petite, and some barely had a presence, almost as if they were transparent, but one thing they all had in common was that they wore adamantite identification tags around their necks.
At the same time, the adventurers around them immediately started whispering and gossiping with one another upon seeing the five women.
"Oy, oy, aren't they Blue Roses?!"
"Yeah, they're that famous Adamantite Adventurer Group!"
"It's them!"
Yes, the five women standing at the door of the inn were none other than the members of Blue Roses.
As for the one who spoke, it was none other than Gagaran, who, unlike yesterday, was now wearing high-quality equipment.
She wore a crimson suit of armor with sharp, protruding studs, an eye-like pattern on the chest, and gloves uniquely engraved with two intertwined serpents. Hanging from her waist was a massive war pick, alongside a luxurious red cloak that looked like something a noble would wear covering her back.
She was truly armed to the teeth, flaunting an array of outrageously expensive magic equipment.
Standing next to Gagaran were Evileye and the twin sisters, Tia and Tina, all of whom were also equipped with magic equipment that clearly indicated their high quality.
Meanwhile, leading them was Lakyus, dressed in dazzling equipment that transformed her into a young female warrior, making her stand out even more.
'Is she Lakyus?'
As soon as Riezel recognized these prominent female adventurers, his attention immediately went to their leader, Lakyus.
She was a well-known adventurer, a nineteen-year-old templar who had entered the Realm of Heroes, an existence like Gazef, but saying she was the same as him wasn't quite right either.
Even without the equipment she now wore, against Gazef with the kingdom's four treasures equipped, she would still be more than a match for him, especially now that he had lost the magic ring that allowed him to step into the Realm of Heroes.
Of course, if it was about power, Riezel, familiar with the original work, knew that the truly powerful one was the one who stood behind Lakyus, Evileye.
Given this and considering that those within the Realm of Heroes were only equivalent to Level 3, Lakyus was obviously still not enough to catch Riezel's attention.
In that case, why did Riezel's attention immediately go to Lakyus?
It was simply because of the massive greatsword she carried with her.
Because the blade was sheathed, Riezel couldn't get a good look at it, but just examining the hilt alone, he could tell how intricate and finely made it was, especially the massive blue-black jewel embedded in the end of the hilt, within which flickered a flame-like glow, emitting an unusual magical energy.
'Hmm, that must be the famous Cursed Sword Kilineiram, right?'
Riezel thought to himself, gazing at the cursed sword with curiosity.