Aria stomped her way back to the Association Headquarters, her eyes fuming with a white-hot rage. Yesterday, she had experienced one of the most bizarre experiences of her life. The ancient man that was locked up by the Ranker’s Association had absorbed her knowledge with a single touch. To make matters worse, the man kept speaking in cryptic riddles, making it impossible for Aria or anyone else to understand him. He’d also predicted Aria’s quick return to the Association and more importantly… He knew something about the world’s changes.

Otherwise, how could the man foretell that everything would be alright? The ancient man was hiding something, and Aria wasn’t going to just let it be.

Aria went through all of the necessary security checks, this time much faster than before. The Archmagus didn’t bother to look at the B or A-Rank guards and neither did they dare to poke the triggered beast. Aria’s face was mostly placid, but the atmosphere that enveloped her was thermonuclear. No one wanted to clean up an S-Rank Archmagus eruption.

“You’re back so soon?” A tall woman sashayed towards Aria with a mocking smile. Unlike before, the White Sorceress Minerva had changed into a new set of clothes and her complexion was now pinkish. Evidently, her previous sour mood had melted away. “Aren’t you afraid that the man would misunderstand your intentions as one of love?”

The Archmagus wasn’t in the mood to quip. With a scoff, she replied: “Aren’t you in a good mood? Just yesterday, you were depressed till the point of falling to vice. I’m surprised you haven’t smoked yourself to death by now.”

“Hehe, why would I smoke now?” Minerva beamed. “After yesterday’s revelation, the world's politics had fallen into global anarchy. The new changes to everyone’s status had shifted attention away from Yudonia as every single nation is scrambling to figure out what exactly is happening. Those old geezers up top won’t be breathing down our necks anytime soon when the whole world is in chaos!” That was not a fact to be happy about, but the S-Class Sorceress didn’t care. To her, as long as the pressure was off Yudonia’s shoulders, she would be content.

“World Congress isn’t going to blame Yudonia now?” This came as a surprise for Aria. She was certain that the other major countries would want to milk the budding state clean of their resources before the matter could be put to rest.

“They’re too busy trying to identify why all our status has universally changed to even bother,” crossing her arms to support her massive bosom, Minerva continued. “Though the montgen levels are rapidly rising, the overall power of all living beings are rising as well! Every single race from the greater humanoid species has awakened a blessing, and their stats had jumped dramatically! Big countries like Elfheim and Gondor are pouring resources into investigating the matter. Not to mention, Yudonia had surrendered most of the loot we’ve received from the S-Class Dungeon. To the big countries, we’re just an afterthought now. Solving the immediate problem is more important to them!”

Aria rolled her eyes. “Shouldn’t you be worried about the changes as well?”

“Who says I’m not concerned? It’s just that my happiness is swallowing my anxiety!” The woman shamelessly declared.

Having obtained SS-Class in Barrier Magic, Minerva was one of Yudonia’s top assets, one slated to become the future leader of their Ranker’s Association. Not to mention, Minerva loved Yudonia, her hometown and the place she’d spent her entire life in. Aria would bolt the moment Yudonia collapsed under the combined pressure of the World Congress. Still, Minerva would fight for her country until her last breath. Therefore, now that the whole world wasn’t looking to outright destroy Yudonia, Minerva’s stress were more or less relieved.

“Oh, that reminds me. Help me say thanks to Yvette.”

“Hmmm? Why?” Aria was confused that Minerva brought up her bosom friend.

“Yesterday, during the emergency video conference call of the World Congress, Elfheim’s Supreme High Elder came to Yudonia’s defence. She defended our actions and helped us convince the other leaders to focus on the more pressing task at hand. Although Elfheim and Yudonia had been allies for centuries due to our close proximity to one another, they didn’t have to throw their support for us, particularly when we self-imploded. My guess is there’s overwhelming support for Yudonia among the elves and your young friend might have played a part in their decision.”

“... I’ll be sure to ask her.”

“Hehe, that’s good enough!” Minerva chuckled. “So what brings you here on this joyous day? Shouldn’t you be like the other S-Rankers, attempting their new skills in the training hall? Or shouldn’t you be holed up in your lab, discovering the mysteries of blessings?”

“Stop wasting time Minerva,” Aria sneered. If she were in a healthy mental state, the Archmagus would either ignore or play along with the Sorceress’ teasing. However, Aria wasn’t in the mood. She wanted to meet the one responsible for all the mess. “The Association President has already given me permission to meet him. So if you would lead the way...”

“Hasty as ever...” The sultry woman shook her head. Today, the highest authority among Yudonia’s Rankers weren’t present due to some affairs that he needed to attend to. The past twenty-four hours had been hectic, after all. From the moment everyone noticed the change in status, Yudonia’s top officials had been in meeting after meeting. Minerva was confident that the President hadn’t slept a wink since then. Still, he had given the green light for Aria to meet the ancient man.

The woman led Aria through the metallic gates and reinforced magic plates that guarded the underground. Pincodes, biometrics, unique keys… Everything that was used to secure the final room had been used just for Aria.

“After your last visit, we’ve installed a reinforced, elephant glass wall in the centre of the ancient man’s chambers. You know, to protect those that just want to talk to him.” Minerva recalled the time where the man grabbed Aria right in front of Yudonia’s top S-Rankers. No one wanted a repeat of that incident. “You’re only allowed to stand a metre back from the glass. Several A-Class Paladins will be standing by your side just in case. Also...”

Minerva went on and on about the various security measures they’d put in place. However, Aria barely heard any of them. In front of her pupils, two status plates were hovering in mid-air.

Name: Aria Saciustrum

Species: Human

Gender: Female

Job: Archmagus

Class: S

Age: 23 years

Blessings: ???

Strength: 33 > 34

Dexterity: 51 > 54

Intelligence: 476 > 478

Wisdom: 435 > 437

Constitution: 211 > 213

Willpower: 233 > 234

‘They’re still rising...’

Just yesterday, Aria noticed the considerable change in her overall stats. Like Finn had mentioned before, at their level, it was hard to even raise a single point in their stats, particularly for a mage like Aria. There was always a peak in their knowledge. Yes, they could learn new magic and develop new systems, but ultimately, there would be a wall that S-Rankers were never able to cross. Even the few that did, such as the Hero that reached the SSS-Class weren’t capable of advancing their stats above the 1000 mark. However, based on the way the world was working right now, it wouldn’t be surprising for a Ranker to reach that elusive realm.

‘The world has been changed… Or was it always this way, but sealed… There are too many questions for me to answer...’ The master researcher knitted her brows. In truth, she would love to do as Minerva said. Getting sample data and turning it into useful information. However, there was a more pressing matter at hand.

‘That ancient man… How does he know all of this? What secrets is he hiding?’

Aria was never one to rely on her gut feeling. She was more of a facts and evidence-based woman. However, the Archmagus’ instinct was screaming out at her at this very moment. This ancient man… The man that Yudonia had obtained from the S-Class Dungeon… He held the answers to everything that Aria wanted to know.

Numerous locks snapped open, and Aria was back at the familiar metal door that separates the cell from the rest of the world. One Paladin leaned onto the substantial gate with his shoulders and pushed the doors open. Unlike before, Aria wasn’t as nervous. She took short but quick steps into the chambers, quickly coming face-to-face with the tall glass wall that was mentioned by Minerva. Two speakers sat at the foot of each corner while microphones embedded in the cushioned walls recorded everything that was occurring within the cell. Thus, even with the considerable defensive glass wall, Aria would still be able to converse clearly with the ancient man.

Speaking of whom…

“Aria? You’re back!” Once the Archmagus took one step into the cell, the tanned man’s golden eyes brightened, and his back was straightened. He was still as handsome as ever, and his unruffled hair made him look like a mixture between a barbaric beast and a noble king. It was really a treat for the eyes, looking at the ancient man’s outlandish movements. He leapt straight to the glass wall, only to be disappointed by their overwhelming distance. The ancient man seemingly wanted to be within arm's reach of Aria, but that doesn’t seem to be happening. In the end, he puckered his lips lovingly like a toddler.

That sudden burst of energy stunned all the onlookers, both inside the chamber and outside. After Aria’s ordeal, the researchers had spent many hours trying to pry information out of the ancient man, but it was to no avail. They’d tried all sorts of methods, barring torture, to get any information out of the man. Arcane magic, enticing him with delicacies… Everything! However, the foreign being refused to utter a single word, staying as silent as a church. So why was the silent man, now happily greeting Aria like a puppy would their owner?

“Aria, why didn’t you come sooner? Staying inside of this cell is quite boring...” The ancient man yawned.

Aria wasn’t amused though. Her nostrils flaring and her face tensing up. Aria was known to be an eccentric woman in the first place, but this man was far more erratic than her! “You… What have you done?”

“What do you mean?” The man asked innocently.

“Don’t try to deny it! After you told me that there’s no need to worry about the rising mana concentration levels, everyone’s stat astronomically rose! The status plates that had been unchanged from the beginning of time now has an additional field! Blessings? What the hell is that?! You know something, don’t you? SPILL IT!!!”

Aria didn’t hold anything back. Everyone has been in a tensed-up state since Yudonia conquered the S-Class Dungeon. As much as Aria wouldn’t admit it, she was worried about Yudonia’s future and had been losing sleep over it. Top it off with the rising montgen levels, the S-Rankers that sacrificed their lives in the dungeon, and a touch of the ancient man forcibly reading her memories… Aria’s mental state was on the verge of collapse. She needed to vent out all of her frustrations, or the woman wouldn’t be able to stomach the overwhelming anxiety anymore.

“Aria, you...” Minerva watched cautiously from the side. Although Aria was known for her eccentric behaviour, she had never exploded like that in public before.

“...” The ancient man remained silent. His eyes never left Aria’s visage, as if he were examining every nook and cranny of the woman.

“So? Why are you quiet? You do know something, don’t you?” Aria continued to holler at the man.

The ancient man didn’t say anything. He could tell that Aria was in no position to speak with a clear mind. Both ends of his lips curled upwards, and the golden light within his eyes glimmered gently. Like the winter’s moon, a soothing light flowed from the man’s pupils and invaded all those that stood before him.

Minerva, the White Sorceress, also known as one of the strongest magicians in Yudonia, felt as if she had been swept up in a soothing symphony. The A-Class Paladins were in a similar state. They swung drunkenly like a pendulum, moving happily according to the light’s will. If those powerful beings were already affected to this degree, one could only imagine how effective it was on Aria, the main target of the ancient man’s light.

The Archmagus fell into a trance, a state of dreaminess and relaxation. There was so much stress mounting upon her shoulders that it was as heavy as carrying Mount Fiedor around. However, as the ancient man’s light invaded her soul. All of the woman’s worries seem to melt away like butter. Her soul felt rejuvenated, and her complexion turned pinkish. Aria looked as if she’d been in and out of a relaxing spa, even though she hadn’t moved a muscle.

All of the tension… All of her worries… Were gone. Just like that.

“T-This...” Aria was drunk on the atmosphere, and so were her fellow protectors. They had just experienced an ancient magic, one that wasn’t recorded in any of humanity’s record books. It was utterly surreal how powerful that ancient magic was. It penetrated Aria, Minerva and robust A-Class Paladins’ mental functions to soothe them of all their anxiety.

“Are you feeling better now, Aria?” The ancient man smiled, showing off his full set of pearly white teeth.

That deed left every single spectator speechless. An invincible body that couldn’t be damaged. An ancient body that could never age. The power to read minds with a single touch. And now… a mage that could alter Yudonia’s top talents’ emotional state?

“W-Who… Who are you?” Aria’s asked, this time her voice was far less tense. Though, there was a tinge of apprehension in her tone.

“Hmmm…” The ancient man placed his finger on his cheek as he fell deep into thought. Then, as if having his own eureka moment, the man exclaimed:

“How about you name me?”