STRENGTH REQUIREMENT: 38

present, a.s.suming the Strength attribute to Intelligence.

INTELLIGENCE CHECK: 50

INTELLIGENCE REQUIREMENT: 38

Received 110 XP

***

Isamu could only stare with utter disbelief at what just occurred at this very moment.

He, a warrior, has lost to a mage in a match in the proving of one's physical strength.

Losing may sound to be an understatement in this current situation.

The cat-folk was totally overwhelmed, beaten completely as Isamu was definitely taken aback at what just happened.

Gray Allister, his eyes glowing in sinister violet light, is witnessed with a wide smirk on his youthful face as his hand was on top of Isamu's hand amidst the smashed table caused by the elf's surprising feat of vigor.

"But… how?" The cat-folk uttered in stupefaction. "My strength of 37 should have beaten you!!!"

"Hehe, I told you, Isamu." Gray teases him with a grin. "You won't be speaking the same language. It's all thanks to the skill that I have acquired at the Divine Plane of Agnothar, the ."

In the background, Selena was seen to be clapping her hands with seemingly awe-filled eyes on her face. Despite her still stoic look, everyone could see how impressed the Sentinel girl is by the feat being displayed by her master.

'Interesting, it seems that our little Sentinel over here is slowly displaying some form of emotions in her demeanor, unlike the normal Sentinels that I grew accustomed to.' Rarsu could not help but noticed the little girl's actions. 'Is it perhaps originated by Gray's soul? Intriguing.'

After their little bout, Gray and Isamu stood up as Rarsu approaches them, an intrigued smirk directing at the elf.

"I never thought that I would get to witness something that is only speculated to be mere legends and myths," Rarsu said. "The , magic developed by the elves of the era of old. Tales speak of elven warriors who are terrors in the battlefield, armed with the brutality of their physical prowess and the ingenuity of magical expertise as they weaved both might and sorcery in their deadly a.r.s.enal to vanquish every foe who stands in their way."

"To simplify what Rarsu just stated, Intelligence is my Strength as well," Gray told Isamu. "The Intelligence attribute is now the determining factor in all aspects relating to the Strength attribute. This means that whatever benefits that are in Strength are found in Intelligence instead, thus making the Strength attribute ultimately pointless in my case as I am capable of having both Physical and Magical power if I dump points in Intelligence."

"I… see." Isamu was baffled at the information revealed to him. "Then you having a Divine artifact, it's also true? Are you really the Paragon, the hero spoken by the legends? Why didn't I know of this?"

"Well to be honest, I only found out about my status when Agveyr revealed it to me at his plane when I was unconscious." Gray simply nods in answer, his expression without a shred of jest. "So, I'm also kind of new to this destiny business and all that. I'm as surprised as you are as well."

"Hmm." Isamu strokes his chin in contemplation. "Well, I'm a bit annoyed that you have hidden it to me about you having such a grand artifact during our travels, but I won't hold it against you. After all, we all have our secrets and we have just met during that point, so I understand your caution regarding the matter."

"And besides." Isamu is now seen to be grinning extremely widely with the utmost enthusiasm as he taps both elf's shoulders. "It's not every day that I get to brag about meeting the Paragon and even accompanying him in a short adventure in person!!! Hehe, wait till the guild hears about this!!!"

"Actually, I highly advise against that," Rarsu said with a frown to the cat-folk. "With the Paragon status comes with great potential danger in every corner. No doubt, if many people will find out about him, then such revelations will spread like wildfire throughout the entire land. We don't want any risks coming from enemies in the shadows with questionable motives who will a.s.sa.s.sinate or worse, use him as a tool of power in their conquest if presented with the perfect opportunity. You would not want to endanger your friend here now, would we?"

"No, I don't," Isamu said with understanding as he agreed with the lizardling.

"Good," Rarsu said with approval. Then, he turns his full attention to Gray. "It's imperative that you don't disclose this information to just anyone. The cat-folk seemed trustworthy enough as I saw the sincere look of concern on his face when you were pa.s.sed out. I would be careful though in choosing your allies from this point on. Silverhart is also a world filled with vile snakes and charlatans who will not hesitate to use you for their foul self-interests."

The elf merely nods in acknowledgment at Rarsu's advice.

"Alright then," Rarsu said. "Now that's finally out of the way, I suppose we can officially start with each of our respective businesses. But first..."

The lizardling faces Selena and instructed her as he points the smashed bits and pieces of the table that was used in the arm-wrestling. "Selena, be a dear and clean up the mess caused by your master and his cat-folk friend."

The Sentinel nods as she immediately complies and proceeded to pick up the wooden pieces of the furniture for disposal.

"Now then Isamu." The druid sets his gaze at the cat-folk with a look of the utmost seriousness. "I have a request of utmost importance for you that involves the safety of our elven Paragon and Silverhart itself. I want you to head on back to that Warrior guild organization of yours and tell Malic... and only Malic in person without any delay these exact words that came solely from me. 'The fateful arrival shall mark the beginning of despair's shadow'. If he has additional questions for you, then you are to answer with nothing but only the truth with the best of your knowledge, got it?"

"A simple task. Very well." Isamu agrees, seeing no harm in complying with such a request.

"What with the cryptic phrase?" Gray questions the druid.

"It's the hidden words used throughout several generations in history that is pa.s.sed between Silverhart's carefully selected higher-ups," Rarsu answers them. "The ancient words are meant to announce the Paragon's presence discretely, so the leaders can make the necessary preparations and actions without causing panic to the whole public that terrible darkness will be unfolded to us all, and hopefully, uncover the scheme within the shadows so that we can immediately contain or eliminate it without things getting out of hand."

"Higher-ups huh." The elf comments while crossing his arms. "You speak as if you are one of them. Who are you really? I find it hard to believe that a mere Level 24 Mage is dangerously knowledgeable about these sorts of things."

"Heh, you are more clever than I give you credit, my dear apprentice," Rarsu smirks with fascination, not even in denial. Suddenly, his status bar s.h.i.+fted as both Gray and Isamu's eyes widen with surprise.

Rarsu Khougraox

Lvl 44:

Health: 6,318 / 6,318

Stamina: 2,912 / 2,912

Mana: 10,799 / 10,799

'Holy s.h.i.+t!!' Gray yelled inside his mind at how ridiculously powerful his new master is.

"The skill of is wonderful, is it not?" Rarsu stated with a toothy grin. "People tend to underestimate individuals who are significantly lower-leveled than them. The dumbfounded looks on their faces are absolutely a delight to see when they realize that they are about to bite more than they can chew, hahaha!!! As such, you two should take my advice at heart and try to remain inconspicuous in your future affairs. Such unnecessary attention only brings trouble in your every wake."

Both of them nod in response, still flabbergasted by the true status of the druid being revealed to them.

"It appears that this meeting is finally concluded then." The lizardling said. He then faces Isamu with a serious look once more. "And don't forget the important message that is to be pa.s.sed to Malic personally, got it?"

"R-right." The cat-folk Champion replies.

"Now as for you Gray, you and Selena in the meantime will have to wait outside in the living room. I have another letter to write to the headmaster of Arkanos University regarding our situation using the same words and I don't want to be disturbed. Your tutelage will begin this afternoon, so prepare yourself."

"Alright," Gray said as all of them excluding the lizardling all left the room, with Selena carrying the pile of broken woods on her arms without effort.

With Rarsu finally alone in his room, he a.s.sumed a playful smirk and stared intently at the open window on top. He then channels wind magic to forcefully push a particular small bird inside the room, causing the animal to stumble into the floor by the sheer force of the wind.

"So, a little birdie decided to eavesdrop, hehe."

"*Chirp!!*"

The surprise tweet came from a certain brown sparrow. The little bird is indeed shock by how the druid was able to sense its tiny presence at its hiding spot.