Cassian's findings provided a potential lead, though it wouldn't be of much use unless they could identify the artist behind the painting. Still, Alix began investigating whether the other paintings had been created around the time of the murders using her magic and other methods.
Meanwhile, Julius had inquired about any known relatives or friends of the families, but it turned out that none had any close connections—or if they once did, those ties were long severed. With Alix occupied with determining the age of the paintings, the rest of the team focused on searching for any possible friends or relatives linked to the victims.
By the time they wrapped up for the day, it was already late evening, so they decided to continue their investigation the next day. Cassian finally had a moment to check the merit list, and he was stunned by what he saw. "A mana gathering technique..." he muttered in disbelief.
Right at the top of the list was a mana gathering technique, a rare and highly sought-after resource—something difficult to acquire, even for those with money. And it wasn't just one; there were at least ten or more available. However, Cassian didn't spend too much time browsing them, as the exchange rates were prohibitively high, with the cheapest starting at around 500 units.
Earning merits at his current pace, it would take Cassian 500 weeks to save up enough for even the lowest-priced mana gathering technique. He didn't even want to calculate how many years that would be—it was definitely a few. Deciding not to dwell on unattainable dreams, he shifted his focus to what he had actually come for: sword techniques.
His eyes landed on the first one, "The Thunder Blast Dance."
As the name suggested, it was inspired by the qualities of thunder—quick and powerful. The "blast" aspect emphasized delivering strong, forceful strikes, while the "dance" part focused on executing those strikes smoothly and rapidly.
Cassian wasn't particularly fond of it, feeling it didn't align with his style. But if he had no other options, this technique might have to do, especially since it was the cheapest at just 250 merits.
Cassian continued browsing through the list, flipping past various flashy techniques with names that promised power and speed—Blazing Gale Slice, Shadow Step Slash, Iron Wave Cutter. Each had its unique appeal, but their merit costs only made his frustration grow.
He paused at one called Flowing River Edge. It was focused on fluid movements and precision, making use of an opponent's energy to turn it against them. The price was still steep—350 merits—but it caught his interest. It sounded like a technique that might suit his style better, something that emphasized patience and reading the flow of battle.
"Could be a good fit," he muttered to himself, imagining how such a technique could complement his developing skills. He tried to picture it—moving like water, deflecting attacks with subtle shifts rather than brute force. It wasn't as dramatic as the thunder-based one, but he could see the potential.
It seemed promising, but Cassian decided to browse through more techniques out of curiosity, knowing he couldn't afford any of them yet. That's when he stumbled upon another technqiue: The Gale Whisper Sword. This one immediately caught his attention, as it was based on the principles of precision.
It was a high-difficulty sword technique, demanding finesse and exactness, but Cassian's eyes lit up with excitement as he read through its description.
"The Gale Whisper Sword Style is a swordsmanship technique that embodies the fluidity and unpredictability of the wind. Just as the wind can shift directions suddenly, practitioners of this style are trained to analyze their opponent's movements and adapt accordingly. Every strike, parry, and feint is calculated, either planned before the battle or adjusted dynamically as the fight progresses.
It focuses on maintaining a smooth and effortless flow, like a gentle breeze that can transform into a fierce gale in an instant."
Cassian was so captivated by the technique that he didn't even feel discouraged by the steep price tag of 1,200 merits. Instead, it fueled his determination—he was absolutely set on mastering this style. With a grin on his face, he imagined solving more cases to accumulate the needed merits, starting with the investigation of the family massacres.
Beside him, Robert was also browsing the merit exchange and asked, "Did you find something interesting?"
"Yeah, but it's a secret, so don't ask," Cassian replied with a smirk, quickly steering the conversation elsewhere. "What should we have for dinner?"
"Umm..." Robert pondered for a moment before suggesting, "How about noodles?"
Just as Cassian was about to respond, a third voice chimed in, "Sounds good to me. But whose treat?"
It was Sergeant Dallas, and both of them looked at her in surprise. She chuckled at their reactions and added, "Alright, alright, my treat. But Cassandra will be joining us too." Though a bit confused, Cassian and Robert quickly nodded with a smile—after all, who could turn down a free meal? not them.
"Thanks, Sergeant Dallas..." they both said in unison. Dallas, a bit amused, asked, "Alright, where should we go then? Any good noodle spots nearby?"
Just then, Cassandra joined the conversation with a grin. "I know a place that serves great noodles and a really good ale," she said enthusiastically, making Dallas smile wider. "You boys drink?"
Cassian, who had never tried drinking before but was curious, nodded. Robert, on the other hand, had been seen drinking before by Cassian, so he agreed as well. "Then let's invite Detective Julius and Alix too," Dallas suggested, and the plan started to come together.
Just like that, both investigating teams found themselves at a place called "The Drunken Noodle." Not everyone was fond of the name—it felt too simplistic—but Cassian and Cassandra had a different perspective. To them, it was the perfect name for a shop serving noodles alongside alcohol.
"Well, let's just hope their noodles aren't as simple as their name," Alix remarked with a tired sigh, still feeling the weight of her work before Cassian had invited her to join this outing.