With Gray and Selena"s magic tutelage finally over, both of them decided to celebrate today by leisurely walking around the town of Chadena after some rest and perhaps indulge themselves at the Fighter"s Retreat for some good time later.Of course, Gray invited Rarsu to join them as well but the lizardling said that he is unfortunately busy and has some personal business to attend to that requires attention.
As such, both soul-siblings marveled at the sights of Chadena, more specifically, at the Commerce district where they set their gazes all over the various merchants chattering in the marketplace making their trade around.
"Finally, found you both."
Both siblings heard a familiar tiger-like voice from behind as they turned around to see that it"s no other than Isamu Meiyo himself with his usual snack of bread at his right hand greeting them with a friendly grin.
"Hey, Isamu!" Gray smirked in a welcoming manner while Selena merely bowed her head briefly to acknowledge the cat-folk"s presence. "What brings you to the marketplace? I thought you are training with your orc mentor Krothu at this time of the day?"
With the cat-folk making himself known, the elf and sentinel saw his status being revealed.
Isamu Meiyo
Lvl 20: u003cChampionu003e
Health: 3,221 / 3,221
Stamina: 1,526 / 1,526
Mana: 350 / 350
Indeed, Isamu as well has gone far in terms of his own power, achieving quite a feat that most Warriors of his level had yet to attain, something that he is definitely proud of, especially from the hards.h.i.+ps that he has faced for the three months in the farmlands; a month working as a farmer and two months under the personal instruction of Krothu.
"In normal days, yes." Isamu nodded as his grin turned wider which bared his fangs for the siblings to witness. "Fortunately, I can put my training days behind the past now since I completed Sir Krothu"s h.e.l.lish regime just yesterday."
"Nice." Gray smiled at Isamu while Selena gave a silent thumbs up in response as both of them felt happy for their cat-folk friend. "As a matter of fact, Selena and I also completed our apprentices.h.i.+p just around three hours ago. We are heading to the Fighter"s Retreat at this very moment to celebrate. Say, care to join us?"
"As much as I would love to revel myself again in the drunken glories of ale and mead, I"m afraid I"m going to have to say no this time." Isamu shook his head with a sad look. "I was instructed by Sir Krothu to head over to the Warrior"s Guild and meet up with Lady Shael at the reception area. Additionally, I was also instructed that I bring you two with me."
"Us?" Gray could not help but wonder what would a guild composing of Warriors would want with a Mage like him. "What does the guild of Warriors want with magic users like us?"
"I don"t know." Isamu shrugged his shoulders in response. "I"m also at the side of uncertainty, my friend. Lady Shael will reveal all the details once we report to her."
"Very well." Gray nods in compliance. "I guess alcohol and music can wait later."
With that, the three of them proceeded to the Warrior"s Guild as they maneuver around the districts of the town with complete ease.
Being the apprentice of Rarsu Khougraox, there are times when he and Selena are also being sent outside of the emporium for some errands around the town involving magical in nature. As a result, the way and direction of the various districts of the town were engraved into the siblings" minds as they consider the place their home.
In a few minutes, the trio arrived at the Warrior"s Guild as they step foot inside and made their way to the reception area where Shael is waiting for them.
In contrast with their expectations though, the elven woman is not alone as she was seen chatting merrily with a man with her youthful face all blooming and smiles. The man that she is in contact with is no other than-
"Guild Master, sir." Isamu bowed his head down respectfully to acknowledge the esteemed leader of the guild right in front of him. "I"m a bit surprised that you are here."
"What? Can"t a man have a nice little rendezvous with his own wife?" Malic simply looked at the cat-folk with a serious look in response.
"I meant no disrespect, Guild Master," Isamu said nervously.
"Relax, I only jest, lad." Malic chuckled playfully in a.s.surance. He then looked at the cat-folk"s status bar and nodded approvingly at what he saw. "It appears that the months that you have spent together with Krothu has provided you with wonders. Excellent work indeed."
"Your words do me honor, Guild Master." Isamu instantly s.h.i.+fted his manner of expression as he bowed his head down once more by the praise that was given to him.
"And you." Malic this time turned his full attention at Gray, his blue eyes wandering all over the elf as he stared him meticulously with utmost interest.
"Uh… yes?" Gray was slightly unnerved by the scrupulous look of the Guild Master as the elf could not help but be slightly nervous by the older Warrior"s powerful presence. It"s as if the older man"s gaze pierced right into the elf"s very soul as the former a.n.a.lyzes the latter"s every being.
After a short while, Malic seemed to be satisfied with his action as then a.s.sumed a welcoming smile and offered a hand to Gray.
"I believe that we haven"t met in person," Malic said. "I"m sure that you already know of me but for formalities" sake, allow me to introduce myself nonetheless. My name is Malic Logharster, the 34th Guild Master of Chadena"s Warriors Guild. It"s a privilege to finally meet you personally."
At that moment, Gray wonders why a person of such high renown is acting all too respectful to him. But then he realizes that the Guild Master also knew of his status as a Paragon and thus, answered his self-inquiries.
Gray returned the gesture with a smile of his own as he accepted the handshake, feeling the firmness of the older Warrior"s grip. "My name is Gray Allister, your average Mage, I guess."
"Average?" Malic could not help but chuckle at the word uttered by the elf. "Such an understatement on your part don"t you think? After all, not every Mage gets the opportunity to be an apprentice under the Master Druid Rarsu Khougraox. And of course, your other esteemed t.i.tle as well."
"Right, hehe." Gray laughed sheepishly while scratching the back of his head.
"Also, this is a Sentinel, correct? Selena was it?" This time, Malic faced Selena as he stared at the girl with slight astonishment. The reason why he knows about her and by extension, Gray, is that Rarsu told him beforehand. "Rarsu sure is capable of such wonders. To think that he was able to create a Sentinel under the perfect guise of a human child. That lizardling no doubt is a master of his craft."
Selena, as always, merely eyed the Guild Master with a stoic look, her physical expression seemingly appeared without any traces of emotion.
"Oh my." Shael for the first time in the conversation made herself known as she went out of her reception desk and approaches Selena with an intrigued look. "She"s a Sentinel? This adorable little girl?"
The men all nodded in agreement at the elven woman"s inquiries.
"She"s so cute!!" Without any warning, Shael instantly engulfed Selena in a hug as Gray and Isamu sweatdropped at the receptionist"s actions.
Selena in her part was definitely annoyed by the elven woman"s closeness to her as she attempts to push Shael away from her grasp that"s too close to the Sentinel"s unliking. Unfortunately for Selena, she failed in her attempts as Shael proved to be superior in Strength as per her Warrior cla.s.s of u003cValkyrieu003e.
Malic simply shook his head at his wife"s silly antics and told her calmly. "My dear, you are choking the poor girl to death. Please release her."
"Oh." Shael realized her rather outgoing actions as she saw Selena being mortified by her bear-like hug. The elven woman then released the Sentinel girl, now feeling embarra.s.sed at what she has displayed as unbecoming of her as a professional receptionist of the Warrior"s Guild.
Selena instantly retreats as he went to Gray"s back, clutching the back of his robes while peeping at Shael with a pout on her face.
"S-selena, I"m sorry." Shael tried to console with the child but fails in her attempt as Selena was having none of that and hid herself entirely behind Gray"s back.
"Haha, don"t worry about it." Gray grinned as he a.s.sured his fellow elf who is now seen to be comically petrified. "She"s just really shy around strangers and was shocked by your sudden actions. Give it some time and she"ll warm up eventually."
Gray"s words indeed caused Shael"s spirit to liven up once more as the woman nodded happily in response.
"Alright, if we are done with the pleasantries, let"s get down to business." Malic emphasizes his profound presence with a deep and serious voice.
"The reason why I called you three here is because I need you to fulfill a certain contract."