Chapter 1058: The Value of Equipment
I also glanced at Mary Tiss beside me, noticing her curiosity.
The Tailor Society is also one of the members of the Union Society, but it is not a core club. As a “small” club, the Tailor Society plays a significant role within the Union Society, such as designing standardized uniforms for the members and creating distinct battle outfits for various combat sequences. Cleveland had mentioned this to me before, and I still remember it. The Tailor Society is not an ordinary club; at least the clothes they produce are definitely not simple. And now that I am here in person, I can see how extraordinary it is. Just now, when I walked in with Sister Bai, the door was closed not out of prestige, but because they were really not accepting clients. They are responsible for the design and guidance of uniforms and battle outfits for Union Society members. However, upon our arrival, Tailor Bree didn’t mention this at all, but it was clear that she valued the matter. I then looked at Mary Tiss again and asked directly without beating around the bush: “Did you come here this time for the combat warriors of the Union Society?”
“That’s right! Teaching Assistant Xiao Juan, you know about the incident that our first and second combat sequences suffered not long ago. To prevent this from happening again, we have decided to redesign the combat uniforms for our members. The Tailor Society is one of the top-quality clubs in Witch Academy in this regard, and we entrust these matters to them. We can rest assured; this also means we are responsible for our combat members.”
“I see. Listening to Mary Tiss’s explanation, it aligns with my guess; it seems this is a coincidental collaboration.”
“Exactly! I wonder if Teaching Assistant Xiao Han is here this time just to ask Sister Yebui to design clothes?”
“Well, I’ve been wearing the same few pieces for a long time; it’s time to expand my wardrobe. Since I have some time now, I came here together.”
“Oh~ Is that so? Speaking of new clothes, I wonder what Teaching Assistant Xiao Han thinks of the Union Society’s uniforms? I also asked Cleveland about this, and she always said you didn’t need them for the time being.”
“That’s right; at that time, Cleveland and I discussed it, and I really didn’t have that need, so I didn’t take it.”
“Then what do you think of the Union Society’s uniforms? We only specified the style to be uniform, but the design can be modified based on personal preferences. It just so happens that I ran into you here, and we could work on personalized designs together. Then we can count it under our All-purpose Workshop; I can take charge of this…”
“There’s no need to trouble your All-purpose Workshop; this counts as my personal matter.” I waved my hand, refusing her enthusiasm, as I didn’t want to owe anyone in such minor matters.
“Alright, I may have overstepped. But the Union Society’s uniforms shouldn’t be considered a private matter. How about I go back and discuss it with Miss Cleveland? Since you’re here customizing clothes, the design will surely be led by Tailor Bree, and designing a few sets of uniforms shouldn’t be too difficult, considering you’ve done so much for the Union Society; we can’t neglect to prepare a few sets of uniforms for you!”
Mary Tiss quickly apologized, realizing she had been too eager. However, she soon adjusted her angle; since she didn’t want to discuss the benefits, maybe they could temporarily talk about business?
“Alright, I appreciate your kindness, but I most likely won’t participate in many actions of the Union Society afterward.”
“I understand, I understand. Teaching Assistant Xiao Han is usually so busy; naturally, you don’t need to intervene in these small matters the Union Society is currently facing.” Mary Tiss quickly replied.
Although this was not something she could interfere with, she understood that the person in front of her had already become a strategically deterrent presence after the Union Society encountered this counterattack.
As long as she was present, the Union Society would most likely not encounter another blood sacrifice event of this magnitude.
While Mary Tiss was speaking, Tailor Bree had also come down with a full set of items.
Seeing her, Mary Tiss approached and mentioned the uniforms before bidding us farewell.
“Now, shall we measure your size? Tailor Bree, holding a soft tape measure, suggested, “I wonder what style Teaching Assistant Xiao Han plans to choose? What elements do you prefer as the main design? What is the largest size you can accept? If you haven’t decided yet, I also have a few samples for you to refer to.”
Let’s just use it as a reference. I don’t know much about this, and I’ll leave the professional matters to the professionals.” I said.
Although I could use many professional terms through the Great Knowledge Tree and even request things that even Tailor Bree might not be familiar with, I haven’t researched this area much.
So, let’s measure the size first~
Hmm, sure. I nodded without much resistance; it was just measuring size.
Tailor Bree indeed lived up to being a professional designer, collecting the necessary measurements in a short while without any sense of being “offended” throughout the process.
Later, Tailor Bree took a blank puppet from the side.
Hmm? This is… I curiously observed Tailor Bree, and the power she wielded was quite peculiar; her magic transformed into threads that moved the puppet. Then, these puppets began to move as if they were alive.
This ah~ Let me introduce myself again, besides being the president of the Tailor Society, I am also a puppeteer specialized in puppet manipulation. Dynamic puppets give me infinite creative motivation and desire; they present the dynamic beauty of a piece of clothing on a person in various poses, just like a real being perfectly cooperating with me.
“Monk… oh~” Hearing Tailor Bree’s self-indulgent explanation, I quickly found information related to this profession.
The puppeteer was quite niche in Witch Academy, much like Body Cultivation was back then. After all, controlling puppets and learning a series of techniques related to puppetry is much more complicated than practicing spellbooks to cast spells.
“That’s quite a promising career choice.” I remarked.
I really respect those who dare to challenge niche professions and non-skills; the sacrifices they make are far heavier than those who take the well-trodden path.
“Indeed, it’s quite promising. I have many mentors who teach puppetry techniques. Back when I chose a mentor, many mentors even fought over me because that year, it seemed that only about a dozen of us, including me, chose this path, and in the end, I was the only one who persevered.” Tailor Bree smiled as she spoke.
“So you could say you were the sole inheritor of that batch?”
“Indeed, but I’m more fond of designing various clothes than puppetry. Puppetry was just a convenient skill I learned for the sake of design.”
“That sounds quite self-indulgent.” I expressed.
“Several of my mentors have said the same.” Tailor Bree said, “But I might end up disappointing them.”
“That probably wouldn’t count as disappointment? After all, you did learn genuine skills, didn’t you?” I looked at the puppet in her hands, which was gradually taking on my posture, and marveled.
It was amazing.
These puppets seemed to be made from rare extraordinary materials, meticulously detailed in the changes of each body part.
However, no matter how it changed, this was just a puppet framework.
“Alright~” Tailor Bree affixed an exclusive label to the puppet, striking a graceful pose in her mind before coming back to me.
“Now let’s discuss the design style and customization requirements for the clothing components in detail. Although I think it’s unlikely, I should still ask as a formality: the clothes you’re customizing shouldn’t just be plain ordinary garments, right?”
“Of course.” Sister Bai stepped forward and spoke: “Every piece of clothing will be made to the top-notch specifications of extraordinary equipment.”
“Hmm?” I hesitantly tugged at Sister Bai’s sleeve, “Extraordinary equipment level, what does that specifically mean?”
“Extraordinary equipment level means that while the clothes are designed with a specific style, they are manufactured using the processes for creating extraordinary equipment.”
Tailor Bree explained while retrieving a clothing component from the side.
This was a pair of silk long sleeves, extending to the back arms, with finger parts exposed, and only the palms and middle fingers secured by rings, ensuring a degree of dexterity.
“Look at this piece; although it seems like a pair of sleeves, in essence, it is a piece of protective equipment. It provides significant resistance against magical damage and remains physically stable, even elf arrows cannot completely pierce through.”
“It has multiple magical effects and special enchantments solidified through a unique weaving technique, making its functions very comprehensive. The only downside is that it is difficult to repair and considered a single-use piece of equipment. However, it has breakthroughs in manufacturing technology, so the price is still quite appealing, with most costs concentrated on the unique weaving technique.”
Tailor Bree gave a continuous explanation of the powerful functions of this sleeve, candidly discussing both its advantages and disadvantages.
I also gained a more intuitive understanding; it turns out that such low-key luxury configurations exist in this world.
From a hair accessory to a necklace, collar, and various clothing parts and structures, not only the sleeves but also various jewelry, rings, etc. Even the lower body is similar.
What is this, really?
Is this arming oneself with equipment from head to toe?
Have I been so oblivious?
After I acquired the Outfit Change Spell, I was worried about how clothing stores in the academy would profit if such spellbooks became rampant.
I didn’t expect that high-end custom clothing had already entered this territory!
“Don’t be too surprised; equipment itself is also part of personal strength.”
Not every student in the academy has combat strength as formidable as Teaching Assistant Xiao Tao, who can disregard equipment. For ordinary individuals, any equipment provides a guarantee of their own strength.
Tailor Bree witnessed my error throughout, which is why she spoke up to explain.
I didn’t conceal my emotions at all; merely suppressing them isn’t the best practice for an emotional being. Besides, I truly could not understand such behavior.
Through Tailor Bree’s perspective and tone, I also simply put myself in the position of an ordinary person.
Back then… the first extraordinary item I received was the four-piece set of witch gear when I enrolled.
Although those few pieces were quite weak, I could indeed feel their assistance at that time, especially that hat, which helped me concentrate to a certain extent.
As for the others?
They were rather average; I hardly used the wand, cloak, or the basics of the fireball spell badge.
“She does have a point; equipment is very important.” At that moment, Sister Bai interjected: “If spellbooks didn’t also possess heritage, the value of extraordinary equipment could sometimes be higher than that of spellbooks of the same value. However, spellbooks are also important to the witch clan, so typically, the value of equipment is higher, and people are more inclined towards that.”
“……”
“I know this might significantly contrast with your thoughts, but you cannot deny that when it comes to equipment compared to personal mastery of power, equipment can instantly become a part of one’s intrinsic strength. Ignoring its external nature, it does make a person stronger, raising their battle proficiency upper limits, which is very appealing to those chasing power.”
Although Sister Bai’s words were directed at me, Tailor Bree also listened closely from the side.
The clash of different thoughts can indeed cause confusion, just as I questioned the ephemeral power of equipment, I also wondered why some people felt that equipment, which belonged to their own power, could be discarded.
Is this… the mental gap between ordinary people and this transcendent genius in front of me?
Tailor Bree didn’t dare to interject anymore; one of the two before her was an extraordinarily prominent mentor, while the other was a legendary assistant little witch with unmatched combat strength. She felt she could not provoke either.
She was just someone who made clothes… hmm, this was also her first thought of herself as merely someone who made clothes.
“Um… should we further discuss the requirements? Currently, I still have a lot of creative freedom. I don’t yet understand your preferences well enough, which is not conducive to the design of the outfits.”
After regaining her composure, Tailor Bree bravely spoke again.
She held a sketchbook in her hands; although the proposed requirements were limited, she had already made a simple framework design based on her solid drawing skills.
She loved the kind of inspiration that occasionally erupted during interactions with others; the uncertainty and the inspiration recorded down would collide and intertwine with the already designed framework, leading to unexpected masterpieces!
She found this incredibly addictive; some said she was a peculiar person, but she didn’t care because that was her personality!
