Chapter 41: A Serious Talk Part 3

Joshua followed Maydee to the kitchen, his body still slightly sluggish from exhaustion. The meal before him was simple—roasted meat with a side of tubers and fresh greens—but he barely tasted it. His mind was consumed with calculations, running through everything he had learned today.

He needed to optimize his attacks. Right now, his spells were powerful but inefficient in terms of casting time. If he could refine his energy control, he could maximize his output while minimizing the casting time and energy wastage. Needle Shot, Penetrator, Devastator—each had its uses, but their casting time was too high, especially, the Devastator. A lot can happen in a few seconds in battle. He had to develop a way to control their intensity based on the situation. He had to make these attacks instantaneous.

Little did Joshua know tha if his thoughts were heard by the powerful Gifted, even his Master, would be cursing him and all of his 18 generations of ancenstors.

His gaze drifted to the round shield resting against the nearby wall. The fact that it had withstood over a thousand ar'cha of force without damage puzzled him. It was just a regular shield from the armory—nothing enchanted, nothing special. What material is it made of? he wondered. If he could incorporate its durability into his defenses, his barrier spells would be even more efficient.

Across the table, Maydee sat in deep thought, barely touching her meal. She was still processing the methods her disciple had displayed today.

Joshua's approach to energy manipulation was unlike anything she had ever seen. He did not just shape magic through instinct and will—he calculated it, structured it into forms she had never considered. Even among the Gifted, who could wield magic naturally, no one had ever demonstrated such a precise breakdown of energy layers and compression.

Twenty-five years of training, and I'm still learning, Maydee thought with an amused smirk.

The silence between them was thick but not uncomfortable. It was the silence of two minds working at full capacity, one analyzing magic from a logical standpoint, the other trying to understand a completely new way of wielding power.

The meal continued quietly until Maydee finally spoke. "Bran, tell my father that we will be visiting him soon."

Joshua nearly choked on his drink.

From the shadows, an unseen voice whispered, "The chief is already waiting."

"Jesus Christ!" Joshua jolted upright, his fork clattering against the plate. His heart pounded in his chest. "Damn that man for being too sneaky!"

Maydee didn't even flinch. She merely took another bite of her food before replying with a small smirk, "You'll get used to it."

Joshua sighed, rubbing his temples. "I doubt that."

With a final gulp of water, he braced himself. Whatever the chief wanted to talk about, it wasn't going to be just a casual conversation.

Maydee stood up, the flickering torchlight casting long shadows across her face. She beckoned Joshua to follow, and he obeyed without question, his mind racing. If the chief was summoning them so soon, it meant something serious.

The two walked through the dimly lit corridors of the great hall, their footsteps muffled against the aged wooden floors. The scent of burning wood and dried herbs filled the air, mingling with the distant murmurs of villagers outside.

When they entered the hall, Joshua was once again met with the imposing sight of Amador seated on his makeshift throne. The enormous, grotesque head of a slain behemoth loomed above him like a silent guardian, its hollow eyes seeming to peer into Joshua's soul.

Amador exuded authority even while seated. His thick arms rested on the wooden armrests, but his presence alone was like a massive weight pressing against the room.

"My daughter, sit," Amador commanded, his deep voice reverberating through the hall. "We have a lot to talk about."

"Yes, Father," Maydee replied, taking her seat beside him without hesitation.

Amador then turned his sharp gaze toward Joshua. "And you, outsider, may sit as well."

"Thank you, Chief," Joshua said, lowering himself onto the simple wooden bench across from them. He forced himself to relax, but he remained cautious. There was an unspoken tension in the air, thick like an impending storm.

Amador leaned forward, his expression unreadable. He clasped both hands together, his elbows resting on his knees. Then, with a slow inhale, he spoke the words that sent a chill down Joshua's spine.

"Speak, and be truthful, outsider. Are you and your people here to conquer us?"

Joshua's heart skipped a beat. His mind scrambled for an answer before he fully grasped the meaning behind the question. He must be talking about the players.

He shot a quick glance at Maydee. A faint, almost imperceptible glow flickered in her eyes. He felt it then—a subtle but distinct pressure in the air. She's using spirit magic, he realized. A truth-seeking spell.

Joshua took a deep breath, carefully choosing his words. "As I surmise, you must be talking about the unique individuals that appeared out of nowhere and spread out through these vast lands." He kept his tone even, his posture calm. "We may have come from the same world as travelers, but I do not know them, nor can you associate me with them."

Amador's eyes remained locked onto him, unreadable and piercing. Joshua continued, "Just as this world has many tribes, factions, and nations, I am not part of their tribe."

A beat of silence passed. Then, Maydee spoke. "Truth."

Joshua let out a quiet breath of relief. So she really was monitoring me. He had expected it, but now he wondered—can she read my thoughts as well?

Amador studied him for a long moment before leaning back into his seat. "Very well," he said, his expression unreadable.

The tension in the room remained, but Joshua knew one thing—this was just the beginning of the conversation.

The silence in the hall stretched, thick and oppressive, as Amador studied Joshua with the gaze of a seasoned warrior. The flickering torchlight made the chief's features seem harsher, deepening the lines of experience carved into his face.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, Amador finally spoke.

"You ate our food and enjoyed our hospitality." His voice was slow, deliberate. Each word a heavy stone dropped into the silence. "You even have my daughter as your master."

Joshua remained still, listening, but he could feel the weight of what was coming next.

"What do we get in return?" Amador's voice deepened, his tone unwavering. "Surely, you must have thought that nothing is free—especially in this world. The strong prey on the weak, and the weak cower in the shadows, silent, meek… worthless."

The words struck like hammer blows. Amador's gaze bore into Joshua, measuring him, challenging him.

"Are you going to be useful for this village?" His voice rose with each word, the last one echoing through the hall like a command.

Joshua took a slow breath. He understood the meaning behind the chief's words. This was not just a question—it was a test.

Finally, he answered.

"I came to this world looking for opportunities," he said, his voice steady. "A way to become stronger. A way to find wealth. But most important of all—" his eyes met Amador's, unwavering, "—a way to find purpose."

Amador's expression remained unreadable, but Joshua pressed on.

"I arrived weak—so weak that even your younglings could best me in combat." His lips curled in self-derision. "However, it seems that I am Gifted—and not just that. I possess a blank attribute." He let the words hang in the air. "With this power, once I master it, I can do almost anything."

A shift in Amador's posture. A subtle reaction, but Joshua caught it.

"I am but a simple man. I have my morals. And I also have a bottom line."

Maydee's eyes sharpened slightly, watching.

"You provided me with food, shelter, and guidance," Joshua continued. "And for that, I shall forever be indebted to these gestures of kindness." He met Amador's gaze directly. "Say the word. For as long as it is within my power, I shall provide aid. I never turn my back on my benefactors, most especially on my friends." He exhaled. "At the very least, I can consider you as friends."

A moment of silence. A heartbeat.

Then Amador turned to his daughter.

Maydee's eyes glowed faintly as she observed Joshua.

"Truth," she said.

Amador closed his eyes for a brief moment, then exhaled. The tension in the room shifted—but the conversation was far from over.