Birth Of The Crafts-God

*Bam*

A loud noise burst out as the two opponents clashed against the other using their top tier vestiges.

A wave of air flowed from the point of collision, raising with dust and particles as the two sides separated from each other unscathed.

The first contest of strength had ended in a draw.

Ramirez was surprised by this, but it evoked a desire within him.

"I was thinking this would be boring, but you might be able to entertain me a bit."

Lucas didn't respond to him, instead tightening his fists and preparing for combat once more.

Originally, the SCB would have been a Grade 3 vestige, even after combining so many powerful Grade 3 vestiges. However, the catalyst that brought about its upgrade was the stellar energy container device. The device, which Lucas aptly named Vis receptacle, could be said to have reached the peak of vestige-smithing when it came to what Grade 3 vestiges could offer. This triggered a dramatic change in quality when paired with the other top notch Grade 3 vestiges of the set, becoming on par with a Grade 4 vestige when combined.

However, in the end, each individual vestige was still a Grade 3 vestige. Also, Lucas didn't possess stellar energy, so the degree to which he could truly utilise the Stellar Circuit Battle-Armour was limited, even though the armour had its own energy supply.

It was quite possible, with future improvements, to enable the armour sustain a Grade 4 capability even if the user was a human, but for the moment, it wasn't.

"Ice and Fire." Ramirez chanted, following which the two vestiges glowed blue and red respectively.

In the next moment, his figure flashed as Ramirez rapidly charged at Lucas.

*Humm*

The gauntlets on Lucas' arms released a low hum as stellar energy flowed in from the Vis receptacle.

*Bang*

Lucas' right fist clashed with the blue sword, setting off blue sparks that gave off a cold aura that slightly froze the air up.

Ramirez swung the red sword from below, trying to catch Lucas off guard. However, the latter had already seen that coming and blocked the sword with his free left hand.

*Bang*

This time around, red sparks went off from the collision, heating up the air within the region.

'Interesting.'

Despite being in armour, Lucas could sense the surrounding changes quite well. He was amazed at the skill put into making the twin swords and couldn't help but compliment the vestige-smith again.

Ramirez didn't know what was going through Lucas' head, but he wasn't bothered to find out.

Brandishing his vestiges like a sword god that had descended, Ramirez unleashed multiple attacks at Lucas, targeting from different angles while trying to force out a flaw from Lucas. Despite all the effort, his opponent was a double-transmigrator who had experienced five hundred years in a magical world run by the law of survival of the fittest. Lucas' battle experience was nothing to laugh about.

After the two were caught up trading blows, Lucas managed to find an opening by dodging a swing from the red blade and thrusting his fist towards Ramirez. The latter was then forced to block the blow with his blue sword.

However, just as it was about to connect, the gauntlet flickered with a blue glow that was appealing, yet hidden behind that aesthetic appearance was a degree of danger that tug at Ramirez's senses. However, it was already too late as the distance between them wasn't much.

*Boom*

The punch connected, letting out a small explosion as it did so.

Ramirez, despite his impressive strength, was forced back and crashed into a tree, toppling it down as he fell back along with it. The strength of that bunch was easily on par with a peak fourth level desolate beast and very close to a fifth level desolate beast, so bringing down a tree was nothing.

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The duo were quite lucky since their location was in a different direction from the path of the desolate beasts wave; otherwise, this attack would have drawn a ton of attention.

'This vestige is really powerful. So, this is a Grade 4 vestige...' Lucas couldn't help but suck in a mouthful of cold air, impressed by the work of his hands.

A Grade 4 vestige was a powerful vestige at the top of the rankings in Baylands city-state. Although there were still Grades 5 and 6, the former was essentially the same as a family heirloom and was reserved only for top figures in the most powerful families or the city-lord. As for the latter, in all four continents and thirteen city-states, only in one of them could a Grade 6 vestige be found.

The reason for this was because unlike the other vestiges, a vestige-smith capable of making a Grade 6 vestige, which was a Tier 1 Apex vestige-smith, was literally nonexistent in Eretre. There was no one at that rank within the entire planet; even within the entire solar system, the numbers weren't many.

Apart from being insanely costly, Grade 6 vestiges were also banned in the hands of any other than the Oklo Dynasty. What's more, the penalty for breaking the law was very severe with one having to face extermination together with their family and company, if any. As such, no one broke the law even if they could somehow afford a Grade 6 vestige.

Grade 5s were rare as the only vestige-smiths who could make them were concentrated in the Bernin continent, under the direct supervision of the Oklo Dynasty. This led to Grade 4 vestiges being the epitome of power in individual city-states.

With one in his possession, it was no surprise as to how Lucas was able to hold his own against a fifth level Apertures Opening stage stellar practitioner. And this was with the fact that Lucas wasn't even utilising the full power of the vestige.

Typically, a Grade 4 vestige was meant to be suitable for sixth, seventh and eighth level stellar practitioners. Displaying only a fourth level Apertures Opening stage strength was a terrible showcase of a Grade 4 vestige's quality.

*Crack*

Ramirez stood up from the splinters with an expression clearly fuming at his situation. Never would he have believed that the human he looked down on could beat him to this level. But at the same time, he was also astounded.

"Fourth level? No. It's not your energy. It's the vestige...Grade 3? Or Grade 4?!" Ramirez gawked wide-eyed at the Lucas, or to be specific, his armour.

The only explanation for Lucas' unreal strength which was never revealed until now had to be the vestige he has on. But even a Grade 3 vestige shouldn't be able to cause this much of a difference especially since the user was a human. The only explanation would then be a rise in quality, which meant that the vestige was of Grade 4.

Apart from the shock, there was also greed within Ramirez's eyes. With a Grade 4 vestige in hand, his strength would definitely shoot up greatly.

'If I have that vestige with me, I can easily take on those Red Fangs bastards.' Ramirez a thought.

"Your strength is definitely linked to your vestige, but I still don't get it." He asked as he stared coldly at Lucas.

"A vestige can only boost your abilities, particularly one's raw power. However, you are able to react to my attacks on time. Tell me, how did you do it?"

This was what had Ramirez confused. Even with a Grade 4 vestige, Lucas shouldn't be able to read his moves like they were nothing, and even counter-attack. Yet, that was the reality he faced.

"How did I do what? Catch up with you? You're just too slow." Lucas stretched his arms as he said.

Ramirez was immediately incensed and began to laugh out loud.,

"Hahaha. Nice one kid. You think just cause you pushed me back, it makes you some kind of powerhouse? Play time's over. I'll show you what it means to be a feared underground lord. I'll show you the true strength of a fifth level stellar practitioner."

Suddenly, Lucas appeared in front of Ramirez with his fist blocking his sight.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I don't care."

*Bam*

The fist missed, creating a shockwave as the force of the punch was transmitted through the air. Ramirez, who had dodged at the last moment, was furious as he swung his blades at Lucas. Being this close, with Lucas having already executed an attack, it looked as if Ramirez would finally get a hit in.

However, just as he felt so, a surge of energy blast from the soles of Lucas' boots, propelling the latter backwards into the air.

*Swoosh*

The two vestiges, just like Lucas' punch, likewise missed their target. But Ramirez didn't give up.

Lucas hadn't actually taken flight but was simply launched in midair —about seven metres away— to avoid the attack. As he began his descent, Ramirez chased after him and hacked the blue sword forwards.

A deep blue aura suddenly burst from it and darted towards Lucas, bringing with it an intense chill that immediately affected the surroundings.

"Arctic Slash."

Lucas, who was still descending from midair, appeared to have nowhere else to go. In fact, he truly didn't as one of the flaws of the vestige was that it couldn't perform consistent boosts. As for the flying function, there was too little energy left, so it looked like Lucas was doomed at the moment.