"Heh, I guess I should be departing as the lizardling's request seemed to be quite important," Isamu said. "You are lucky Gray, not every day that a powerful master mage will be tutoring you. No doubt in around a month or so, you'll be kicking a.s.s with that Arcane magic of yours."

"Same to you as well." Gray smiled. "You will be training at the guild after all. This means that we won't be seeing each other for quite some time huh."

"Most likely." The cat-folk nods. "Although I'm free during s.e.xtus night. I suppose if you are free as well, we can meet up from time to time for some drinks again at the Fighter's Retreat, to regale each other the tales of our progress in our respective training."

's.e.xtus?' Gray thought in confusion. 'Oh right, Sat.u.r.day.'

"Maybe. I still have to ask Rarsu though if he'll allow me some day-off." Gray answers.

"Haha, I'm sure he'll allow it," Isamu replies with an a.s.suring grin. "After all, you need a reasonable amount of breaks when it comes to training, to clear up the mind and body for a well-deserved rest for the next regiment."

"I hope so." Gray comments.

"And also. "Isamu stated as he faces Selena with interest. "I still can't believe that this girl is actually a Sentinel, a moving humanoid construct that is operated by magic."

"Hehe, yeah." Gray grins in response as he patted the girl's head just like how a father does affectionately to his young daughter. "She's quite adorable, isn't she?"

As Gray kept on patting the sentinel's head, a low continuous vibratory sound was heard coming from the girl, her expression, even stoic, can be also akin to contentment as evident with her closed eyes of tranquility.

'Wait, is she purring!?' Gray definitely was taken aback by such adorableness that the girl is displaying to them. 'Hehe, what a nice girl. She appears to be capable of subtle emotions from my short observations to her. Perhaps I should ask Rarsu about this.'

"Hey, hey let me try!!" Isamu was certainly excited by this prospect as well at seeing a magical creature reacting cutely like this.

Unfortunately for Isamu, as soon as the cat-folk's hand ruffles her hair, he was suddenly received with a harsh, powerful punch to the gut, sending Isamu comically into the ground in pain.

"W-why?" The cat-folk could barely contain the pain caused by the blow, trying his utmost best as to not faint from agony.

Selena no doubt felt annoyed at Isamu's actions as a tick mark appeared on her forehead while rubbing her fist.

She felt that only her master Gray is permitted to perform the act of head-patting or similar acts to her, causing her internal core in a state of comfortable warmth and tenderness for some reason.

Gray could only laugh wholeheartedly at the comical misfortune that has befallen on his cat-folk friend.

But at the same time, he's also surprised by the sheer amount of strength that she has displayed for someone with a small frame.

***

Rarsu could only stare with a baleful look at the tiny sparrow, his slit reptilian eyes gleaming at how feeble the creature is.

The lizardling then picks up the bird and holds it firmly so that it won't escape from his grasp.

"Hmm, I sense something slightly off within you little bird," Rarsu uttered with a look of suspicion being directed at the animal. "Like powerful yet familiar magic a.s.suming its connection within you. Now, tell me why you are really here or me and my new apprentice might be having bird stew for dinner."

"*Chirp!!!*" The sparrow was sweating profusely in response, nervous at the not so good intentions of its captor.

As Rarsu was about to question the sparrow further, an influx of magic suddenly invaded deep within him.

'RARSU!!!'

"What the?"

A booming and commanding voice of telepathy suddenly was heard inside the lizardling's mind as his eyes widen with the utmost astonishment.

It was not just any other voice though.

It was a familiar voice that he hasn't heard for quite a long time.

Much to his very unliking.

'High Druid.' Rarsu's merely stated mentally with an unimpressed tone as he proceeded to communicate with the voice telepathically in their conversation.

'Yes, it is I, Rarsu.' The voice answers as it agrees with Rarsu's confirmation. 'As long as the sparrow is within close range, I have the power to speak with anyone at that proximity telepathically. Also, you are gripping the bird harshly. Kindly release the poor thing.'

Rarsu absentmindedly nods in response as he did so.

The sparrow was clearly relieved that it was out from the scaly uncomfortable clutches of the lizardling's hand as it catches its breathing.

"*Chirp!!!* *Chirp!!!* *Chirp!!!* *Chirp!!!*" The sparrow is now seen with an angered look, evident by its multiple tweets of annoyance and its action of pointing the lizardling accusingly with one of its wings.

"*Hiss!!* It's not my fault that you are eavesdropping suspiciously you stupid bird!! I have every right to be distrustful." Rarsu seemed to have understood the creature's rants, all thanks to his cla.s.s which allows him to comprehend some of the animal languages, in this case, a bird's.

'Still the same young Rarsu, I see.' The High Druid chuckles heartily inside his mind. 'I'm glad that some things never changed.'

'What do you want old fool?' Rarsu instantly a.s.sumed a serious expression with his tone aggravated, not sharing the same feeling with the man. 'I a.s.sume you are not here for some heart to heart talk.'

'I see.' The High Druid said sadly. 'You still hold some resentment against me.'

'What do you think?' Rarsu responded to him with only irritation. 'Now tell me, what's your business here before my patience runs out. I can only a.s.sume it's about my new elven apprentice, right?'

'Correct.' The High Druid replied. 'I couldn't help but also overhear about your conversation with the elf and his cat-folk companion, thanks to my mental connection with the sparrow. As a matter of fact, I've been tailing the young boy for quite some time even before when he arrived in this town. I could not help but be impressed by the remarkable display that he has been showing during his endeavors. How he saved a village with his wits by misdirecting the bandits with false information and his invention of some new form of entertaining dancing at this town's tavern the other night ago.'

'Yes, yes, the cat-folk filled that gap to me about the elf's deeds during the time when the latter pa.s.sed out." Rarsu answered. "So, this means that you know of Gray's legendary status, huh.'

'Indeed.' The old mage answered in agreement 'As such, it would be best if you hand the Paragon over to me. I can train him even more properly in the magical arts and grant him the necessary knowledge in his fight against the terrible darkness that will occur in the near future.'

'And what? Let him be another puppet for you to easily dispose of? Just like her? I refuse.'

'So, you are still caught up in the shadows of the past.' The old man's voice felt grim. 'You do know that her actions were of the utmost necessity to save our order. If it weren't for Amiyah's n.o.ble actions, then-'

"DON'T YOU DARE f.u.c.kING UTTER HER NAME WITH THAT HYPOCRITICAL TONGUE OF YOURS!!!" The Lizardling instinctively yelled out loud upon hearing the woman's name. Despite being in a telepathic conversation, he completely loses himself in a fit of boiling emotions, causing him to express his rage vocally instead.

He then realizes what he has said harshly shortly after as it was unbecoming of a normally collected individual like him. As such, he opted to recompose himself with a series of breathing as he held his chest and went back to communicating mentally.

'I believe we are done here.'

The High Druid absolutely disagreed with him, his tone pleading in an effort to reason with the lizardling.

'But Rarsu, you don't know what is at stake here!! The Paragon, the prophecy stated in the grimoire, we need to set aside our differences for the sake of this entire land!!'

'I said, we are done here.' The lizardling simply said to the old man, not wanting to hear anymore what he is going to say. 'I'll be a better master than you will ever hope to be.'

The dark tension in the room seemed to have become heavier as both druids felt the obvious animosity between them, mostly being emitted as the High Druid felt the sheer negativity inside Rarsu's mind.

'I see.' The High Druid simply stated. 'Very well, I'll respect your decision as you were once one of my prized and beloved apprentices and thus, also more than capable of teaching the elf. But I'll be sending some form of my a.s.sistance, to at least aid the Paragon in his later undertakings.'

Rarsu merely said nothing with a dejected frown.

'Then, I suppose this is goodbye.' The High Druid said with slight remorse. 'I'm not asking for your forgiveness but I hope one day that you'll see reason. I only hope nothing but the best for this land and I'm sure even you of all people know that.'

And with that, their mental connection was cut off as Rarsu's state of mind was back among the living.

After that, he turns his sights at the sparrow as the creature could not help but be unnerved by the look that it is receiving from the lizardling.

"You," Rarsu spoke up with a deep serious voice, causing the sparrow to flinch. "If I'm not mistaken, then you must be one of the High Druid's new protege, correct?"

"*Chirp!!*" The sparrow nods proudly in response, standing tall and proud.

"Then a word of advice for you." Rarsu retains his frown with his arms crossed. "Leave the Order while you have the chance. The High Druid may look benevolent on the outside, but he is nothing more than a cowardly old fool who will not hesitate to use everyone close to him in furthering his goals."

Before the sparrow is given the chance to retort, Rarsu was having none of that with his foul mood. He then channels his wind magic once more and lifted the bird, directing the creature away into the window going outside.

"Amiyah."

The lizardling could only utter the woman's name in sorrow, his expression filled with pure grief.