Assimilate All Talents

Chapter 188: Surprisingly Rich

While Fabio and Taliya began working together on what would surely be their greatest creation, Sol’s squad had been resting in a small cave, safe from the harsh blizzard.

They talked about a variety of subjects eventually pivoting to their goals. Most of them lined up with what Sol knew of them, like Nataly’s desire to improve her nature magic and Aron wanting to push the limits of his body to the extreme. But Rex’s goals surprised him. He wanted neither knowledge nor power but money. Not for the sake of having a lot of money, but to buy one of the latest boats made by the Sapphire Scales Alliance.

According to Rex, these boats could weather any storm and fight off massive sea monsters. He said he would need such a vessel if he wanted to venture beyond the known lands and explore into the unknown, which had been his biggest wish since he was a child.

"How much would one of those boats cost?" Sol asked. Surely something capable of what Rex described wouldn’t come cheap.

"Last I asked one of the alliance merchants, it was 42,000 gold."

Aron’s mouth went agape. "42,000?! Rex, are you even close to that number?"

Rex closed his eyes as he ran the numbers mentally. "Hmm, gold wise I have a little over 2,000, but I also have a lot of saved up merit, which if I converted it all to gold, would be over 10,000."

Duncan was surprised when he heard the amount. The merit to gold conversion was 1:10, meaning Rex had accumulated at least 1,000 merit. Merit from a normal mission usually earns a squad 30 to 100 merit, but that is split between the squad members.

Even Sol couldn’t help but harbor some jealousy as he was reminded of the sleepless nights before their journey where he had to carefully plan on what to spend the 50 merits he was given as starting funds. Many times he wished he had just 10 more merits so as not to be forced to choose some supplies over others.

Duncan had to ask, "Have you spent any merit at all since joining the knights?"

Rex nodded. "Of course! I spent 50 merits on this sword and 80 for my armor."

She nodded and urged them. "Yes, let’s go."

The knights weren’t sure what to do and looked to Sol for his decision.

Sol shook his head. "We aren’t going anywhere yet. At the very least, we aren’t leaving until you eat this soup."

"I’m not hungry."

Lapis wasn’t lying when she said this; she truly wasn’t hungry. Her body was strong enough to go without eating for a week if she didn’t want to. Even if she fought or did rigorous exercise, she could last more than three days without eating. This was the case for all high ranked people, for their high vitality or mana as they both nourished the body in their own way, making them need less food. This didn’t mean they should forgo eating as they would weaken over time, but it was possible nonetheless.

Still, Sol wasn’t asking her to eat in case she was hungry; he explained, "The soup will give you [Cold Resistance], courtesy of Duncan. With it, you will be able to better endure the cold."

Hearing the benefits, she was no longer as apprehensive to eat. She took a bowl from Duncan, who served it for her, and ate it without hesitation. But what occurred next shocked the squad.

"... Is she for real?" Nataly asked, dumbfounded.

"I have no comment," Rex said as he looked away.

They all watched as Lapis tilted the bowl and poured the soup’s contents directly into her mouth. She didn’t bother to use utensils or anything, opting instead to consume the meal as quickly as possible. In less than ten seconds, she was already done. She handed the now empty bowl back to a bewildered Duncan.

"Done. Let’s go," Lapis said as she grabbed her spear and signaled with her eyes for the rest of them to stand up.