I debated on whether or not to visit Raon. There was also the choice of returning to Master, but I feel like he'd just ragebait me or something.
("I've already visited everyone else, I might as well check up on Raon.") [Solace]
As I decided on looking for him, I realized one problem.
("...I don't know where he lives.") [Solace]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I ended up returning to Wilharrow shortly to ask Raon's location, but it took a minute because he found it oddly funny.
"Hahaha! You went off like "I have something important to do first" and then came back in less than five minutes! Hahaha!" [Wilharrow]
I found him in his room, where he was now rolling on the floor laughing hysterically.
"...Can you just tell me where Raon lives already?" [Solace]
"Haha…! I-I can't breathe…!" [Wilharrow]
I've never seen him act like this before. Maybe spending some time in that white room really did do something.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
It took a hot minute, but I got what I needed. Turns out, Raon's home is pretty damn far.
("According to Wilharrow, Raon's parents own a rather large territory.") [Solace]
Well, I have time. I flew away from the academy to another section of the city where it could be considered the nobles' living area. It was basically just a large flat land as far as the eye can see, if you're ignoring the random houses drastically spaced from each other.
("I can see their egos from here.") [Solace]
Surrounding their homes were grandiose gardens, statues, and taxidermied monsters? I could also see signs of magic that terraformed the land around to mimic mountains or waterfalls. It wasn't hard to spot Raon's home since it was among the biggest, if not THE biggest manor there.
("Giants warrior statues, a garden, a… volcano?") [Solace]
They had put so much random crap around their home that it kind of looked like they had their own little world over there.
("...Not my place to judge how rich people use their money.") [Solace]
Casting aside useless thoughts, I moved forward.
"Warning: You will soon be entering the detection range of a powerful individual." [Spirit Guide]
I froze in my tracks.
("...A powerful individual?") [Solace]
Even with |Unbound Mortal|, I couldn't sense or see anything out of the ordinary. I tried searching for something like the aura Master's puppet gave off or even Elcrid's presence, yet I was unable to notice a thing.
("...I think I'll come check up on Raon another time.") [Solace]
The last thing I want is to let the city know where my exact location is. Everyone already knows I'm in Metus, the problem is where I am.
("I still have a lot of time until Fina's trials. Is there anything else I can do?") [Solace]
I racked my brains and came to the most optimal conclusion:
("I've no fuckin' clue.") [Solace]
When in doubt, go get rage baited by Master.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Upon my return to Master's classroom, I found that Nakros and my disciples had finally arrived.
"Master!" [Tyrnius] [Misa]
"Hey, kids." [Solace]
The two ran up to me, equipped with new gear. It appeared that Nakros had given them an upgrade compared to my crude handmade clothes/armor made of monsters. Tyrnius wore something similar to a robe or cloak, kind of like mine. Misa now wore metal plating with some kind of black fabric keeping it all together.
("Reminds me of sweats.") [Solace]
It looked breathable, and the metal was pretty thin to decrease weight and increase maneuverability.
"Took you long enough." [Nakros]
I placed a hand on my hip.
"Oh, please. I already arrived here a while ago. I'm just revisiting. Your main concern is whether or not Misa's armor plating is enough to protect her. Shouldn't it be a little thicker?" [Solace]
"You're such a worrywart. I'm a top of the line blacksmith. That thing can handle people level fifty and below. Besides, the kids are going to grow out of their clothes anyway so there's no point in putting too valuable of materials. What do you think, Master?" [Nakros]
Turning to the end of the classroom, Nakros questioned Master who was leisurely reading a book while seated.
"Hm? What was that?" [Vincent]
Placing a bookmark within his pages, Master looked up.
"What do you think about the gear I gave to your grand disciples?" [Nakros]
Master pondered for a moment.
"It doesn't really matter does it? They're at an age where they must be supervised by a guardian at all times, so any protection now would be void compared to whoever is watching over them." [Vincent]
"What if we're fighting someone and can't afford to protect them?" [Solace]
Master raised a brow.
"I hope you're not suggesting that you would put children in such a precarious situation in the first place." [Vincent]
"Oh~ He got you now~." [Nakros]
Nakros pointed fingers at me as he teased.
"Enough, Nakros. My dear disciple, what brings you back?" [Vincent]
"I ran out of things to do." [Solace]
"I see. So, you've come to me for advice?" [Vincent]
"...Regrettably." [Solace]
Master smiled kindly.
"That's very hurtful of you to say. Well, as your benevolent Master, I'll let it slide." [Vincent]
I rolled my eyes.
"There's actually one really cool thing that you can do until Fina's trials, you know?" [Vincent]
"That is?" [Solace]
"Train." [Vincent]
"...Like in the old days?" [Solace]
Is he talking about sparring where he just beat me with a metal pipe?
"Of course not. You're well past that. We should train the |Skill| you got from the First Hero." [Vincent]
"But I've already become accustomed to it." [Solace]
"Accustomed, yes. However, you've yet to unlock its higher functions." [Vincent]
Does he mean seeing dimensions and stuff? Or is it to see souls?
"I think I can already do that, but I'm not sure whether or not I can handle it. Mentally, that is." [Solace]
"No, I don't want you to train for that. I'm going to teach you how to peer into the concept of your opponent's |Skills| so you can steal it for your own use." [Vincent]
"...Huh. That sounds… pretty damn good." [Solace]
I was wondering on how to get new |Skills|. My main methods from prior experience was to get low level |Skills| from watching, reading |Skillbooks|, and my gauntlets Vermillion Eclipse.
"If that is all, I'll start with a change of scenery." [Vincent]
With a snap of his fingers, the classroom seemed to shift into a circular arena. The stone floor had the image of a dragon carved into it, making the footing unnatural and bumpy. As for the surroundings, there was just a bunch of empty seating. Well, except for Nakros and the twins sitting there.
"Is this… a memory?" [Solace]
This reminded me of the time where Master made me repeat the experience of meeting the Sword King over and over again.
"This is the Dragon Lord's summit. Promising dragons would partake in a combat tournament to decide candidates to inherit the Dragon Lord's mantle. I've attended it once to watch Nakros fight." [Vincent]
"That's… interesting. Did Nakros win?" [Solace]
"Yes, but he turned down the position." [Vincent]
"Why?" [Solace]
Master glanced at Nakros.
"He has… other responsibilities." [Vincent]
Cryptic as always.
"Enough about that though. Let us begin your training." [Vincent]