An Encounter pt—2: The Reasons

It had been ten days since the dormant volcanic mountains erupted without warning, plunging the Nation of Rosevill into a sudden panic. At the same time a strange rumor spread through the nation.

A group of sorcerers who joined forces with Shadow Realm, abandoning their humanity, were most likely be the suspect in question. They were conducting some kind of ritual at the mountains, or so as a travelling merchant informed the Risers Clan.

Risers Clan, tasked with overseeing adventurers activity in the Nation of Rosevill, despatched its members to investigate. And this quest was taken by Joseph and his party. They took the job of securing passage, investigating the nearby areas and monster activities.

The clan's next course of action would depend on the report they'd make as the Elite members of the clan remained on standby.

But what they encountered was far beyond their anticipation. Not only were they ambushed by a horde of 'Scorching Hobgoblins' they came face-to-face with a Sorcerer.

"And that's why you jumped to the conclusion that I might be one of them." Skyler spoke, gazing them as they sat on their knees before him, still trembling in fear.

"Umm Sir." Joseph stammered in panic, "Could you… could you please break the illusion you cast? Hellen and Nyla are still scared of it."

Earlier, when they were alert by Hellen, they instantly turned their backs, pointing their weapons at Skyler without hesitation. As their behaviour was considered as 'Deceptive Intents' by the system, Skyler's passive Skill 'Wrath' had been activated on its own, allowing them to feel the presence of blood-thirsty dragon gazing at them with crimson stares as Skyler's dark-purple aura radiated oppressively.

Only Joseph and Martin had high stages to break out of it— only to get beaten soundly by Skyler's bare fists. As their stats were decreased by 10%, they stood no chance against him.

Both of their one eye was smashed, their faces were wounded so as their entire body. Kosel who managed to break free afterwards, hit the same fate. Only Hellen and Nyla were still affected by his passive skill, and couldn't move.

"Oh, don't worry about them." Skyler said with a grin, sitting on a nearby rock, "As long as they don't intend to show any hostility towards me, they'll be able to break free eventually. All they have to do is swear an oath to never disobey me. Simple, isn't it? "

"But that's…" Joseph tried to protest.

"Fine!" They cried out, "We'll do whatever you ask of us. Just stop this already. We can't take it anymore."

'And, checkmate!' He thought, smiling with satisfaction inside.

[Notice: Effects of passive skill 'Wrath' have ended. Their stats will return to normal momentarily]

"See? I told you." Skyler gazed at them, "Now let's go down to business. But first— Hellen right? Heal your companions and me too. Man, I'm exhausted."

Still shaken by the experience, Hellen had nothing but to comply, and cast healing circles above all of them.

The party calmed down somewhat. However, they remained silent as they didn't knew what to do next. But they were well aware, their fate now depended on Skyler. Whatever he would ask of them, they had to follow him— even if they ended up being dead.

"Hellen?" His piercing gaze shifted on her again, "I have a question for you, and be honest. How did you manage to find out I'm a Sorcerer, not a mage?"

She hesitated. But said, "The Goddess of creations has blessed me with two 'Graces'— the 'Grace of Recovery' for healing skills, and the 'Grace of Insight' for appraisal skills. I can analyse anyone's strength and graces with the later one."

'Oh, don't tell me she's also like Sylphy and found out I don't have any graces.' A 'deja vu' crossed his mind as he thought.

"Mages posses upto three elemental 'Graces' regardless of their stages." She continued explaining, "Only a sorcerer possesses all the seven 'Graces' of elements. That was the reason why I could tell immediately whether you're a mage or sorcerer. After all, it's my compatibility of analyse why I choose to tag along with party rather than evaluating adventurers in our clan."

Skyler remained silent hearing her explanation. His eyes look suspicious, yet some thoughts started gathering in his mind.

"Yes, she speaks the truth." Nyla added, thinking he might have doubted her, "I also happen to posses two graces, 'Grace of Aqua' and 'Grace of Terra'. And I'm only a Stage-2 Mage class adventurer."

"Hold on." Skyler said, smiling warmly at Hellen, "You said 'rather than evaluating'. Does that mean, back at your clan you are the person who is in-charge of evaluating others?"

"Yes…"

'That's great!' He thought, barely containing his excitement, 'She might help me get registered as a Mage-class adventurer. I need the licence to avoid any further trouble.'

To convince them he wasn't a bad guy, Skyler approached Hellen. Holding her trembling hands, he looked generously into her eyes, radiating warmth and remorse. She blushed, getting caught off guard by the unexpected gesture.

"Please forgive me, Hellen." He said, showing his guilt, "I never intended to use my spells on you guys. It was just a safety-measure for those with deceptive motives. And I assure you, I'm not one of the Sorcerer you mentioned. I've only been here for two days."

"Are you telling the truth? She asked hesitantly , "How can we believe you?"

"You're an analyse expert." He played mind-games, putting trust in her eyes, " Can't you see the truth in my eyes? And if you help me out, I'm willing to share the intel on the monsters I've encountered this far. Your time and effort both will saved."

She was uncertain and looked at Joseph for any suggestion. They all were feeling the same.

"Let's trust him." Joseph said, thinking for a moment, "After all, he did saved us from the ambush earlier. It was our fault to think of him as an enemy just because he's a sorcerer."

"I feel the same." Nyla added, "We are to blame, not him."

Martine and Kosel also nodded as Hellen looked at them. She looked back at Skyler's pure and innocent golden eyes. Her blushing deepened as Skyler still held her hands.

"Fine then." She said, lowering her blushing face, "What do you need for the exchange of the intel?"

"Nothing much." He replied, smiling gently, "Just allow me a tax-free entry in your nation as well as give me an adventurers licence registering myself as a Mage-class adventurer. I don't want anyone else reacting the same way you did."

"That's reasonable." She said, "I can arrange that. As for the tax-free entry, Nation of Rosevill doesn't require that. Entry is already tax-free."

"It is??" Skyler was surprised, yet smiled as he said, "That's great then. Seems like I was worried for nothing."

The party now relaxed somewhat, and prepared to head back Rosevill as the sun was about to set. Before they headed out, Hellen hesitated but asked what she intended to.

"Sir, If I may ask, what do you intend to do after getting registered? Will you continue your life as an Adventurer in our country?"

"Sorry to disappoint you. But I already have a goal in mind." He replied, "I need to travel to the Nation of Zelpher. I have some urgent business there."

"Zelpher?" Joseph told, looking concerned, "But for that you have to cross four nations. It'll be tough journey."

"Sir," Hellen spoke.

"Just call me, Skyler."

"Okay, Skyler." She said, blushing a little, "Before you start your journey, If it's not a bother, how about assisting our Clan in this matter. I can assure your expanse for the journey."

"Hellen!" the others surprised, so as Skyler.

'Well I need money, as well as I need to level myself up.' He thought, staring at their surprised eyes waiting for his answer, 'But I don't know what they are up against here.'

"Give me some time. I'll think about it." He replied, "Right now, I lack the requirements. Once I achieve that I'll give you my answers."

"Then what're we waiting for, let's head back to Rosevill." Joseph stated as other agreed.

Their journey began as Skyler thought what might awaited for him in the Nation of Rosevill.