“Lord Eyes, in normal circumstances it would take a person 20 or more years to learn everything you have shown me so far—10-15 if one were a genius talent, or had great affinity for the Style. So I simply cannot even begin to fathom and comprehend how you were able to learn all that in only 3 days!” Odelia paused to calm herself, “And to be honest my Lord, I find your talent to be so overwhelmingly frightening that it makes me question my own talent and ability when I compare myself to you...and whether I should really be the one teaching you...” She sounded so disheartened.

Quickly thinking of a way to reassure her, I enthusiastically said “What are you talking about, Odelia? You’re the only one who could teach me! The only one who’s qualified, and the only one I want!” Odelia smiled slightly, “Teaching and learning isn’t done alone, now is it? I’m only learning as fast as I am because I have such an amazing teacher—or should I say Master?” Odelia’s slight smile turned into a small giggle, “Here’s what I think; she’s the best Master in the entire city! No, the entire Kingdom! Not that either, more like the best Master in the whole entire world!” And with that her small giggle turned into a happy laughter.

When her laughter calmed, Odelia said “Thank you, Lord Eyes. I will always remember your encouraging words when I feel down on myself.”

“Anytime...Master Odelia.” I chuckled at the sound of calling her Master, though I then eagerly asked “Now what’s the next?”

“Well as you are now equivalent to a new Magic Archer, I think it is unbelievably already time to create the foundation and first part of your Trinity Tattoo, my Lord.” When Odelia finished speaking, a large notification appeared out of nowhere.

2nd Class Promotion

Meeting the required conditions to become a 'Magic Archer' Class, you are now eligible to obtain a 2nd Class Promotion before meeting the Required Level for the 2nd Class Choice, and will greatly benefit your next potential Class Progression Choice.

Will you accept the 'Magic Archer' Class Promotion:

*As you have not met the Required Level for the 2nd Class Choice, you will not gain the 2nd Promotion Stat increase until the Required Level is met.*

[Yes] or [No]

“Wait, if I’m reading this right, doesn’t this mean I just need to level up to get a Magic Archer as a Class Promotion? And won’t some other people just get the same Class by also leveling to the 2nd Class Choice? Why am I working so hard for it then if I could just be doing some leveling instead?” I asked myself, starting to question my decisions, "The next potential Class Progress Choice better make my effort worth it." clicking 'Yes'.

Congratulations, you have been promoted to a 'Magic Archer' Class! You have gained the Title: [A True Magic Archer]. You have learned the Skill: [Magical Arrows]. You have learned the Class Proficiency: [Magic-Wielding Archery]. Magic-Wielding Archery proficiency increased by 13 Levels. Magic Arrows increased by 1 Level. A True Magic Archer: Learning the Magic-Wielding Archery Style from someone who’s already fully Mastered it, you obtained the power with your own ability and effort, and are acknowledged as a True Magic Archer. +33 Magic and Intelligence. Magic Arrows: All the arrows you shoot are now magical, and deal an additional 5% of your Magic as bonus Magic Damage. Bonus Magic Damage increases by 5% per Skill Level, Skill level based on Magic-Wielding Archery Level. Magic-Wielding Archery: One of the Three Pinnacle Styles of Elven Archery; Magic-Wielding provides the Versatility, Concentration, and Imagination needed to become a Trinity Archer. Complete Mastery is required for combining the Styles, but unbalanced Mastery will result in overwhelming the others and erasing their progress. Skill Level based on Skill Levels of the Magic-Wielding Style.

“The Skill and the Title bonus are great, but what is this Proficiency? Does it actually erase progress of the other Styles?” I then recalled what Odelia said about the Trinity Tattoo, "Ah, no wonder she it would suppress the learned Styles before, but if I already leveled the Skill up 13 Levels, I should probably get the Trinity Tattoo as soon as possible." Seeing Odelia patiently waiting for me to be done thinking, I said to her “Sorry, I was in my head, Odelia. But what were you saying about my Trinity Tattoo? Am I getting it now?”

“No, I did not mean right now, my Lord.” She chuckled at the misunderstanding, “In truth, I am completely unprepared. You clearly took me by surprise this morning; so I will ask you to give me a day to find, buy, and prepare the supplies and Magic Ink needed to create the tattoo.”

“A day? Isn't there a way to speed that up? Or could you at least teach me another Skill from a different Style before you go?" I questioned, not wanting to waste my already limited time doing nothing.

"To answer your first question; no, no there is not." Telling me "The materials and supplies will be difficult to find and obtain from the shopkeepers on such short notice, and the preparation for it all will take at least 3 hours to complete." Odelia then replied to my second question, "And about teaching you another Styles' Skills...First of all the other Styles do not translate well from one another, so teaching one would not be much help, even with your amazing talent. And second, I think you need to take a day off, my Lord. I heard for the last few days you have only taken short breaks to eat and bathe, and return straight back to training down here right after." She began lecturing me, "You should not push yourself too hard. You need rest. You need sleep. You need—"

"Okay, okay, stop. I get it. I'll take the day off, but only because I'm so confident I'll win anyway." Reluctantly agreeing to her suggestion.

In agreement, we took the day off of training and left for the Roots to go get the supplies. Odelia let me know she was only going to buy enough for the foundation and first part of the tattoo, but I instead told her to buy enough to create the whole thing, and she finally opened up to the idea that I might actually be able to learn all 3 Styles by month’s end. Though while we shopped for the supplies, I realized they were quite rare to find, and that when we did track one down, Odelia had to haggle for an unreasonably long amount of time for the shopkeepers to even consider selling it to her.

Getting easily bored by the process, I used Shurtyrr as an excuse to leave Odelia on her own—having not seen him the last few days—and left to go find him in the Roots instead. Following Odelia’s instructions on where exactly to find him, I found myself standing in front of large, busy, purple restaurant with an unreadable elven name—in the center of the Roots like Shurtyrr told me before. Strangely enough, Odelia never seemed to be worried about me going to visit Shurtyrr in the black market alone, or warned me about how dangerous it could be, and that made me feel assured she thought I would be safe inside.

Confidently entering inside, I easily found the owner talking to a waiter and told him that “I wish to have a drink with the Poisoned Sapling.” and he simply gave me a nod and led me down a flight of stairs in the back of the restaurant. When we reached the bottom, the owner unlocked the door and gestured for me to go inside as he left back up the stairs. Preparing myself for the horrors I could see in the black market, I slowly opened the door and went inside.

“Wow…I was expecting the black market, but this is just sad.” All I saw was a drunkenly sleeping Shurtyrr laying on a table, spilling wine bottles in each hand, and 10 already empty bottles surrounding him—with plenty more on the ground. “Shurtyrr?” I called for him, but he just responded with a sleeping groan. Walking more inside the room, I realized it was simply a plain old restaurant cellar where they stored the food and drinks of the place. “Shurtyrr, you alright?” Poking him in the cheek while he mumbled something about Amariina. “I guess you are, but what was that about Amariina?” As he continued to mumble to himself and I took a look around, a new Quest randomly popped up.

Quest

Complicated Love:

Shurtyrr has pleaded for your help in finding a way to resolve his love for Amariina; whether it be finally letting his seemingly hopeless love for her truly go, or her finally accepting his love unconditionally and wholeheartedly.

Reward: ??? Failure: Certain outcomes will result in Shurtyrr, Amariina, or both leaving House Ven’Thyl. Time Limit: 25 Days

Will you accept:

*Choosing ‘No’ will lead to an automatic Failure.*

[Yes] or [No]

“What the hell is this!?" I shouted to Shurtyrr, who just continued to drunkenly sleep, "Why is every Quest our House gives me basically an ultimatum? And why is this one so horrible? I mean how is both of you leaving the House even an option?” and having no real choice I accepted the Quest.

“You should've at least asked me when you were awake and sober, Shurtyrr.” Helping him up from the table and carrying him on my back, “Now I hope you know I’m gonna ask for a ridiculous reward when I finish this Quest, you hear me?” Thinking of how I should bring Shurtyrr home, I said “You better hope this works, ‘cause I’m not coming back if it doesn’t.” I activated Return Home and thought “House Ven’Thyl.”

Instantly teleporting back to the House library, I was pleasantly surprised to see Shurtyrr came back with me, “You're lucky, and you even helped me figure out I can at least bring one person with me.”

Carrying Shurtyrr up to his room, I purposely caused a ruckus in front of Amariina’s room when we passed it, and she came out wondering what it was. “What’s all the—Shur!” She exclaimed, unable to hide her concern. “Lord Eyes, what happened to him?” Touching his face to check if he’s alright.

“Oh it’s nothing serious, he just drank himself to sleep.” I couldn’t help smiling as Amariina helped me carry Shurtyrr to his room. Then as I laid him on his bed, I told her “But I think he might have a heart problem in a few weeks.”

“A heart problem!? What? Why?” Amariina asked in concern, sitting herself down beside Shurtyrr to check his chest for any problems.

“You know why, Amariina." I stared directly at her, "Because the love of his life is going to get married to someone else.”

“Oh…” Amariina reluctantly distanced herself from Shurtyrr, saying “I’ll go get Verana, she’ll make sure he’s alright. If you’ll excuse me, my Lord.” She quickly tried to get away, but I stopped her.

“Wait. You’re not excused.” Making good use of my authority, “I’ll go get Verana, you stay here and take care of Shurtyrr.”

“But—” She tried to object, but I stopped her again with a simple gesture for her to stay put. Before leaving them alone, I gave a quick glance back, and saw Amariina smiling warmly as she gently caressed Shurtyrr's sleeping face and moved his long messy hair out of the way.

Happy with that sight, I was about to go find Verana, but she was already smiling and gesturing for me to follow her down the stairwell. When we passed the 8th floor, Verana finally said “Nice work, my Lord. Those children make love so unnecessarily complicated.”

“I don’t know why, they clearly love each other.” Following Verana down to the 9th floor.

“They do, I just hope they finally figure it out—with a little help from our House of course.” Verana gave me a smile and a wink, and led me all the way down to the 10th floor treasury doors. “Odelia tells me you wish to enter, is that correct?”

“I do.” I answered honestly.

“And as you should, for the new Head of the House needs to be recorded inside.” Verana put both her hands on the stone doors, and all the magic runes began to move in a precise unison, before promptly lighting up green and disappearing from the stone. “That does it.” With a little push, Verana completely opened both doors, and I was immediately blinded by the sheer shining brightness of everything inside. “Now, after you, my Lord.”