There was a beginner's course at the guild, starting after lunch. So, enough time for some hot relieve, it has been waaay too long.

No, not what you think. Coffee, of course. Can't go on without that liquid motivation.

I chatted with Anne about pointless stuff. Smalltalk, you might call it. Over a few delicious cups, time passed quickly. Luckily, the cafe also served lunch. By lunch, i mean cookies and pie. Good enough.

So, now here i stood, on a small training ground in the vicinity of the guild building. Along with me, a few other newbies had gathered. Mostly guys, around my official age. But a small group of girls, too. Because i had no desire to talk to hormone-stuffed barely adult boys, i approached the girls, who were excitedly chattering. As i drew closer, i could already make out parts of their dialogue.

"..i heard, Magur will be testing us. We are so lucky that the guild makes the pros help out." sung a girl in simple green robes.

"Yeah, he is sooo hot!" - Blondie in leather gear, similar to mine.

"Who cares about his looks? He is one of the few humans to reach a level higher than 40. Copying him means getting strong quickly." - Miss Austere with a brown ponytail and formal dress said, slightly annoyed. You, i think i like you!

[Haha, she is all business.]

I arrived in front of them.

"Ehm.. Hi." I was never very good with informal introductions.

The group turned to me in unison.

"Oh, are you new too?" Green robed girl said, excitedly. "Girls need to stick together, or the boys will fool around with you. My name is Lea, Lea Surr, who are you?"

"My name is Alira, Alira Wesz. Nice to meet you." That was easier than i expected.

Lea quickly closed in and gave me hug. Huh? I must have looked very surprised, because the small group started to laugh. Well, they seem friendly.

"I am Sarah, Sarah Rear. You seem like you appreciate hot boys." Blonde girl spoke, grinning widely.

"Katarina, Katarina Esmerat." Stern girl gave me a slight nod.

"So.. i heard you talk about some.. eh.. teacher?" I tried to make conversation.

"Yes, haven't you heard? Magur of the Golden Legion will test us today."

Uh, okay? Golden Legion? Is that supposed to mean something?

"Haha, you look like you don't know what i am talking about." Shit. I have no idea of the world's current affairs.

"What does it matter? She will see him soon." Thanks, Katarina. I like you more every second.

"There he is" Sarah squeaked. Oh my god, if i ever speak with such a high pitch, stab me.

[Roger that.]

I turned to look where she looked. A man exited the building and leisurely walked towards us newbies. I forgot to breathe for a second. Not because his looks, no. Well, he is hot, but.. His aura. I instinctively wanted run for a split second. I didn't know you could feel power, like this. The Warg seemed like an innocent puppy right now. Then the moment passed. Impressive entry, dude.

He stood before us now, in his simple but obviously well made steel armor. With a golden crest on the breast, right over the heart. Aha. Golden Legion, i guess.

"Welcome, recruits. Some of you might know me, but let me introduce myself. I am Magur Fer, a fellow adventurer. My level is 47. I will be testing your abilities today, so the guild can provide appropriate training."

Some gasps of awe could be heard, even a few boys looked like.. eh.. fan boys. Wait a second, did he say Fer? Like the girl in the guild? I thought that was her first name. I wonder, are they related?

[We can find out later. The testing might be fun.]

Yes, yes, Whispy.

What followed was, well, a bit boring. We were ordered to line up and he would 'Appraise' everyone, and ask them to show a skill, then and now. It was informative, though. Of the around twenty people, only two till now were mages. Most of the boys had classes like 'Swordsman' or 'Fighter'. One of the mages was Katarina. The other girls were 'Archers' and 'Herbalists'.

I was the last in line, so when Magur got to me, everyone stared. Great. Hopefully i don't do anything embarrassing.

He looked at me and murmured "High Appraise." Then he was silent for a bit. Shit. I never heard of 'High Appraise'. I thought 'Greater Appraise' was the best you could learn.

[Alira, this might be a slight problem. It is impossible to see your blessing even with 'True Appraise' at the highest level, but i don't know if he can see your title.]

Fuck, Fluffy, you tell me that NOW? And i was mistaken. 'High Appraise' was not so high after all, huh?

[For humans, it is. But generally, no. It goes like this: 'Appraisal', 'Greater Appraisal', 'High Appraisal', 'Mystic Appraisal', 'True Appraisal'. But that is not the point right now. Let's hope that he either can't see or can't understand your title.]

"Mhm, a thief, huh? Not very often that people with that class strive to become adventurers."

I felt huge relieve. That is why he hesitated, wasn't it?

[Yeah, i think so. Lucky you.]

You mean lucky us.

"Your first skill should be 'Lesser illusion', right? Can you show it to me please, so i can gauge your ability? If you can hide from me, you are strong." He joked.

Katarina next to me overheard and whispered in my ear: "Haha, he has the 'High Detection' skill. It is impossible to hide from his senses."

Yeah, that is all great, but i don't know how to use that spell.

[Just say the skill's name. Don't think it, we can't have him know you are not human. Humans can only cast aloud, remember?]

"Okay, i have never cast it before, so please bear with me, okay?" i told Magur.

"Sure, take your time. but not too long, we need to get on with things."

Here goes nothing.. "Lesser Illusion."

Congratulations, you have unlocked the skill "Lesser Illusion"! Skill level is now 1.

Oh, that was eas...

Blessing of §'#$, the True One, was triggered. The skill 'Lesser Illusion' will be replaced by a similar skill of a higher grade.

Of course, Mister §'#$ again... [I told you, that blessing is nothing like any other skill. Now you will see!] Whispy told confidently, almoust shouting from excitement.

Magur POV

The last girl in the line was a thief. That was rare, but happened. I hadn't seen low level thief skills in a while, so i asked her to perform 'Lesser Illusion' for me.

What happened the instant after she invoked 'Lesser Illusion' was something that didn't just happen. In fact, it had never happened to me before.

The girl FUCKING VANISHED from my senses. Never mind not recognizing her as a passer-by, i had all my focus on her while she did it!

I was severely dumbfounded. And not only me, the whole line started whispering. Sure, they thought i could still see her. But i couldn't. WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK?

"High Detection" In an attempt to save face, i activated the highest grade detection skill i had.

Still nothing. That was IMPOSSIBLE. Skills of the 'High' grade are the strongest skills that exist! Who the fuck is she? No, WHAT the fuck is she??

Alira POV

The skill 'Lesser Illusion' has been changed into the skill 'True Shadow'. Mana Cost: True Shadow - Level 1: The caster of this spell can not be seen, heard or detected by members of a lower race in any way. 10 + 2/Sec $'#&, the True One, smiles upon you. For he can still see, while others can not.

Hahaha! I started laughing like a mad woman. Whispy, you were right! Thank you, Mister Void, thank you so much!

Hahahaha! Magur's face is too hilarious.

[I am glad you finally believe me. But turn that skill off, girl! What do you think their reaction will be to this??]

I stopped laughing instantly. Shit.

Shit, shit, SHIT! I got carried away, because this 'replacement of a higher grade' got me good. I would have expected a lot of things. Failing to cast the skill, for one. Or getting some slight bonus. Definitely nothing ridiculously strong like 'True Shadow'.

I cancelled the skill. And startled Magur hard by re-appearing directly under his nose.

He looked at me with unbelieving eyes. After a few seconds he finally seemed to pull his shit together a bit.

"T-Thank you. That was.. eh.. something else. There is something we need to talk about, together with the local branches leadership. If it is not too much trouble, might you follow me inside?" he spoke, almost scared.

Damn, he really fears me now, doesn't he? What is with the sudden respect? And, unfortunately, i was not the only one who noticed his change in attitude. The other recruits stared at me with a mix of fear, respect and anger that i obviously stole the show.

[Maybe you should act along.]

"It is of no matter. Lead the way, before i change my mind."

Hopefully that nailed it for now.