Chapter 83: Reluctant Servant

*Slap!*

That was a pretty hard facepalm. This isn't a big deal, right? So what if they find out we know each other? The bigger question is, why is she even here? …Wait. Are the others in here too?

"You know her?" Janus asked, turning to me.

"Uhhhh. Yeah. We me—"

"We came from the same area. Deep in the mountains. However, we had different masters, Elder," Synthia smoothly interrupted, finishing for me.

I mean, maybe I'm not the sharpest tool, but the more specific you get, the harder it is to convince people of a lie.

'You're pretty bad no matter what,' Luna chimed in.

'You just cheered for me a second ago.'

'Caught in the moment.'

"It all makes sense now!" Asmund came over, slapping my back with a little too much enthusiasm. "No wonder you know nothing about this place."

The world just loves proving me wrong.

"Master?" Ramus raised an eyebrow. "I have traveled quite far. Who trained you?"

Are you kidding me?! Of course, Synthia has to make up some ridiculous nonsense. She probably has a fake master ready to go, but me? I ha—oh, wait.

"*Ahem.* Her name is Lightning Princess Grandmaster Thea."

Perfect.

"Th—that's quite the title," Ramus said, looking slightly stunned.

"Enough chatter. I would like to test this girl," Elder Craine interrupted, walking forward like he was the center of the universe. If Asmund hadn't shifted out of the way, this guy would've barreled right into him.

"Why don't you watch the treasure I've acquired," Craine snorted. "In fact, how about we have a friendly bout after this?"

I noticed Synthia tense. I couldn't blame her. Another Bloodless like me, but she had seen the way I moved back in the first trial. I don't think she could stand to go against me.

"Elder Cr—"

"Silence, girl! There's nothing to be concerned about when it comes to anything he brought back." Craine jabbed a crooked finger at Janus, cutting off Synthia's protest.

Not really sure how he figured that out, but then again, we had arrived with a pretty large crowd watching.

Elder Ramus played along, stepping back, not shaking, but clearly feigning reluctance. "That's…"

"Come now. We're friends. Even if we exchange something, it's not such a big deal, right? We can always just help each other out later." Craine's voice took on a smooth, almost comforting tone, like he had already won whatever bargain he was working toward.

"I don't know…" Ramus shook his head, raising his hands as if to refuse but, of course, he was stopped.

"I'll offer a Heart's Emblem," Craine finished smoothly.

Even through his act, Ramus froze. Janus' eyes widened, their glow intensifying. Asmund showed little reaction physically, but I could hear the shift in his breathing.

"You're serious, Craine?" Ramus asked.

"Of course. But…" Craine's voice dripped with satisfaction. "I expect something of equivalent value to your disciple's life." His lips curled into a smirk. "The Legacy of the Forge."

Janus stepped forward, gripping his teacher's arm. "There's no need for this." His voice dropped as he leaned in, speaking something directly into Ramus' ear which I couldn't catch.

He must've used a skill like Phantom Whisper.

But Ramus only shook his head. "It's alright, Janus. Something to preserve your life is far more valuable than some useless scroll."

They were really playing this up.

'It's like one of your shows.'

'Yeah. Though Janus actually seems worried now. Maybe he thinks Synthia could stand up to me?'

'Or he's just wondering why the new old man is so confident,' Luna reasoned.

"I agree," Ramus announced.

Elder Craine nodded. "I know I just made the offer, but now…"

"Of course. It would be awkward if their abilities were revealed to each other beforehand." Ramus turned sharply. "Let's go. We'll wait in the nearest arena."

A sinister chuckle. "I'll see you there."

As soon as we exited, Janus leaned in and spoke quietly. "If you know her, Peter, do you have any idea how strong she is?"

I shook my head but smiled. "No, not really. But trust me, she's not my match… I think."

"You think?" Asmund grunted.

"Well, we all have our secrets. But judging by how she's reacted to me before. My powers, the tasks I could complete that she was unable to, and her reaction just now…" I let the thought hang.

Ramus nodded, eyes fixed ahead. "True. That old moron dug his grave by choosing to ignore an obvious warning. But still… be cautious, Peter."

"Got it."

'Hey.'

'What's up, Luna?'

'I want to fuse minds. Just trying to see like this is too difficult. I need to be in you.'

'Ugghhh. I hate doing that.' Losing our individuality was always disorienting.

'Me too, but if it helps me, it helps you.'

I sighed, rubbing my head. 'Got it. After this.'

She didn't reply after that.

"Are you talking to Luna?" Ramus asked, his interest piqued.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sorry. I can share certain abilities with her and vice versa, so we were discussing it."

Ramus stopped mid-step. When he spoke again, his voice was barely a whisper, laced with awe. "Share skills?"

Before I could react, he spun toward me, gripping my shoulders with startling force.

"Peter! The beasts that exist in this world. If you could do the same with them, if we could develop this power." His eyes burned with something between desperation and revelation. "The war could end."

The sheer reverence in his voice sent a chill down my spine. My heart pounded. His grip, impossibly strong for such a frail-looking man, was the strongest I had ever felt.

Janus stepped in immediately, grabbing his master's arm. "Master, please, compose yourself."

Ramus exhaled sharply, his breathing slowing as he reluctantly loosened his hold on me. "I—I apologize," he said, straightening. "But you must understand… that kind of power, in the right hands, with the right creatures…" His eyes darkened with meaning. "It could change everything."

'Maybe being too honest isn't a great idea,' Luna muttered.

'Yeah… I'll have to be more careful.'

Still, there was a way to defuse the situation a bit.

I cleared my throat. "It's alright, and I do understand. Lives are at stake, of course. But I should clarify, only the least significant of her abilities are shared with me. And honestly?" I gave a casual shrug. "Seeing through the 'eyes' of a blade of grass isn't exactly that great."

Ramus let out a slow breath. "I see." Then, shaking his head, he murmured, "We must research this later. Perhaps, for now, you can only share so much but with training…"

I had a feeling I wasn't getting out of this one.

Before he could go any further, a pair of footsteps echoed behind us.

I had the genuine urge to get on my knees and thank whoever was interrupting.

"Why are you loitering? Let's go already," Craine snapped, his voice tinged with irritation.

Without another word, we fell into step, walking in silence for another minute before reaching one of the square arenas.

"Go on up," Craine ordered.

Synthia and I exchanged a glance before moving to our respective corners.

A familiar-looking barrier rose around us, sealing the arena.

"BEGIN!" The signal rang out sooner than I expected.

I locked eyes with Synthia and activated my full power in an instant. My 'domain', True Sight, and Gauntlets surged to life. Swift Stride preparing, small circulations forming in my feet.

Across from me, Synthia summoned her polearm, took a step back, and settled into a defensive stance.

"What are you doing?! Attack him!" This guy really was an idiot. I didn't know exactly how valuable the Heart's Emblem was, bu—

Synthia's movements cut off my thoughts.

She raised her hand and thrust her pole forward. Not to attack, but to summon several layers of translucent force fields, surrounding herself in a protective cocoon.

One, I need to learn that skill. Two, that's not what got my attention.

Her hand that was raised in the air is what stopped me.

But she was Bloodless. That shouldn't be possible. Only the system could tag abilities like that.

Yet it was happening right in front of me.

Not one, not two, not even three, but four different colored strands of energy surged toward her glowing palm. Red, brown, green, and gold.

The only color missing was dark blue.

There were of course other shades that flickered and shifted, like an unstable current, but I had noticed that they would all return to one of the five 'base' colors. 

I moved to the barriers and threw a single punch. Cracks splintered instantly, spreading like a shattered screen. No wonder she didn't challenge the fourth level. No way Kazriel couldn't break through this.

And if he could, then so could I.

Her hand pulsed, the glow shifting closer to white.

Nope. Not letting that happen.

I unleashed a barrage of strikes. Barrier after barrier fractured and fell, until I caught her wrist, pulling it down. With my other hand, I grabbed her collar, lifting her up.

The glow was still there, unstable in her palm. I turned her hand away, making sure whatever the hell she had gathered wasn't aimed at me.

Noooo way was I testing my luck against whatever that was.

"Sorry, Synthia… I think I win."

She exhaled softly, her voice tinged with quiet dejection. "Put me down."

I glanced at her hand. At my silent cue, she dispersed the gathered energy harmlessly into the air. Only then did I gently lower her to the ground.

I turned back to the audience.

A row of smiles greeted me except for one person of course.

That guy looked like he'd swallowed a bowl of nails. Then ate the hammer for dessert.

I understood the confidence, though. To the average eye, that fight had been nothing special. But for someone who knew what Synthia had been about to unleash…

Yeah. Best not to think about it.

The barrier dropped, and I stepped down from the platform, Synthia trailing just behind me.

Ramus turned to Craine with an easy smile. "You can exchange the item later. I have matters to attend to."

*Hmph.*

Craine barely acknowledged him, his glare locked onto Synthia.

"You can't even wield such incredible abilities," he growled, his voice thick with disdain. "Had I known you needed so much time just to release that power…" He exhaled sharply, then turned, rising into the air.

"In battle, you would die. You are useless. Even an outer disciple could defeat you." Then he was gone. Flying away.

I wasn't entirely sure that was true, but then again... I hadn't really known how strong she was before the fight. Just because she had a Spiritual weapon didn't mean she had the density of energy I did... or my physical strength.

She looked around, lost, before Ramus approached.

"What did your test recommend?" His voice was even, but there was a sharpness to it. "Be honest. I will confirm it later anyway."

Synthia hesitated. "My talent was not able to be properly interpreted. So I was not given a reco—"

"Janus. Take her out."

Her head snapped up.

Ramus didn't look at her as he continued, his tone firm but not unkind. "I apologize, but rules are rules. Even if you do have extraordinary ability, Elder Craine was right. If you cannot use it quickly, you will just be dead weight."

"But I—"

He raised a hand, stopping her protest before it could begin. "I have no authority to alter the rules."

These guys… were morons.

'Seriously. I wouldn't be surprised if she could kill you. If you passed out on the battlefield… which I've seen you do.'

'Hey! I only nearly pass out.'

'I saw you battling the trees. You fell asleep.'

I ignored Luna's blatant misinterpretation of events as Janus stepped forward to guide Synthia away. He was just about to summon his spiritual boat when I interrupted.

"Uh. Elder Ramus?"

He turned to me with a wide grin. "What is it, boy?"

I scratched the back of my head. "Rules are rules, I get that, buuuut… I actually want to talk to her." Think of something. Think of something. "Uh, about back home and stuff."

'You're a master of your own language,' Luna deadpanned.

'Shut it.'

Ramus' grin didn't waver.

I could only pray he wasn't misinterpreting my request.

Then Asmund, someone who is my sworn enemy in this life, slapped me on the back, nearly knocking me forward. "I see, boy. I see."

I hate him so much.

"Oh! Oh, I understand," Ramus added, his smile deepening.

No, you don't.

"Well… You will become a core disciple," he continued. "And core disciples are permitted outer disciple servants. I have the authority to make her that much."

I glanced past him at Synthia, ignoring the child-like giggling of Asmund. "Wanna be my servant?"

She wiped her already red eyes and shook her head.

WHAT?! She's refusing?!

"…Sure."

…That's better.