“What a day,” Adam said, staring at the dark ceiling. He was staying in the Rot family estate that evening, Sonarot having decided that he should get to know the various family members.

Apparently Mulrot had married into the family, and had taken the role after Jarot had lost his arm. Adam had asked what happened, but Jarot had fell silent, and the others didn’t seem keen on giving up the story.

Churot remained a mystery. He was a random Devilkin boy that the pair of elderly Iyrmen seemed to dote on, but he wasn’t sure how to ask about the boy, in case it was something awkward.

‘Jarot seems more on my wavelength, which is nice.’ Adam thought about how all the other Iyrmen seemed so… different. Jarot seemed easy going and ridiculous, just like him. The other Iyrmen were mostly serious, and many of them were quite literal.

Sonarot was more relaxed with him, but Jarot was on another level. Adam half expected Jarot to be adopted, and if he hadn’t been told that Jarot was a descendant of the main Rot family, he would have thought the old man was an outsider who had been adopted because he was crazy strong.

“Oh,” Adam said, quickly leaving that trail of thought. ‘Bell, can I level up?’

[Yes.]

Adam smiled.

Level up!

XP: 10 070 -> 4070

Health: 52 -> 65

Attacks: 1 -> 2

“Wait,” Adam said, staring at the Experience. “It only cost six thousand? Why didn’t you tell me that?”

[You didn’t ask.]

“Bell, I thought we were friends?”

[You do not talk to me unless you need me.]

Adam closed his eyes. “Well… that’s fair. Sorry, Bell. I’ll try and speak to you more often.”

[I, too, have feelings.]

“Sorry.”

It was late in the evening when the Great Elders met. The Chief, along with Elder Peace, Elder Gold, Elder Forest, and Elder Teacher.

“That was a surprising result,” Elder Teacher said.

“Was it?” Iromin asked, staring at the snacks before him.

Elder Teacher thought back to all he knew about Adam. “Not entirely surprising.”

“He can defeat Otkan,” Elder Gold said, crossing her arms.

“Though Otkan was not fighting at the height of her strength, it is still worrying to hear that she was defeated by him,” Elder Peace said.

“We have confirmed he is no Expert, though from what Argon has told us, Adam was as powerful as Jurot when they first met, but now…” Iromin rubbed his forehead.

“It is rare for someone to grow so powerful so quickly,” Elder Teacher said. “His rate of growth matches those of our greatest prodigies, and only when they were under the harshest of conditions.”

“He did face two Dragons,” the Chief stated. He wasn’t sure if he should state what else he knew about the Half Elf. “He has many great connections. The Iyr, the Silver Nightmare, along with other great beings.”

“He does not seem to pose a threat to us.”

“He did threaten to use his sister as a shield,” Elder Gold said.

“No, he did not,” the Chief said.

“I was there,” Elder Gold replied, simply.

“So was I.”

“You favour him.” It was an accusatory statement against the Chief.

“I do,” the Chief replied, simply. “What has he done wrong? He has informed me of his matters, and I have accepted them. Since he has arrive in the Iyr, what has he done? He stays here, living his days peacefully, yes, but he has created a number of magical weapons. We have allowed our people to buy for whatever price they wish, and he has also accepted the special request, which has revealed his special abilities, which he was willing to share with us freely.”

“He has spread so much within the Iyr in a short amount of time,” Elder Teacher said. “He spoke of the title, Unrivalled Under The Heavens, a blasphemous enough title considering our relationship with the Gods. He learnt our tongue without our permission, all without informing us of the matter. His relationship with the children is worrisome too.”

“A title which embodies the dreams of most Iyrmen, though we did not know to speak of it,” the Chief replied. “If Elder Wrath was here, he would tell you the same. It is not blasphemous if he recognises the Gods above him. In the matter of him learning our tongue, though ignorance isn’t a defence, I believe he meant no harm by it. He would have learnt it sooner or later.”

“He should have asked permission.”

“I am certain he would have if he had known,” the Chief said. “His relationship with children is worrisome because it reveals how poorly the older siblings of the Iyr treat their young siblings when they are still so young. Not even one in ten show half the affection he does, and he treats the children of the other families well as well.”

Elder Teacher shook his head. “I do not like it. No one treats others so well without expecting anything in return.”

“Adam already has what he wants,” Iromin said. “He is trying to desperately to hold onto what he has to the extent that Sonarot had to send her son away.”

The other Great Elders, still not wise to what the Chief knew, could only drop the matter.

“At least he is not an Expert yet,” Iromin said. “His growth is quick, but there is a limit to how quickly one should grow. Even if he was an Expert, his growth is in no small part to the fruits of his labour, the very same labour that we benefit from. His magical weapons are great, and is no doubt the only reason he could match Otkan. Without it, he would have no chance.”

“We have confirmed much about him,” Elder Gold said. “There are many things unconfirmed to us still, especially to the rest of us Great Elders.”

“They will remain so, until he wishes to reveal his secrets to you,” the Chief said. “I still firmly believe he is a great boon to us, and will remain so.”

“We should marry him into the Iyr quickly,” Elder Forest said. “Jarot has been joking about the matter, but it would certainly deal with the rest of our worries.”

“He has the option to marry, and he knows it,” Iromin said. “It is up to the rest of his peers to try and seduce him in whichever way they can. Unfortunately, it seems he is only looking for women.”

“Is he not an Elf?” Elder Forest asked.

“Only half,” Iromin replied.

Omen: 12, 13

“How are you feeling today?” Sonarot asked.

“Fine,” Adam said. “Slightly above average in terms of luck.”

Sonarot just nodded, feeding her daughter, who was still sleepy as she was drinking from her mother’s teet.

“Oh. I’m a little stronger today, though.”

“Did you gain some insights from fighting against Aunt?” Sonarot asked.

“I could have become an Expert before, but she did provide me with a lot of XP,” Adam said, giving her a thumbs up.

Sonarot stared at him for a long moment. “You chose not to be an Expert?”

“Not quite. I was saving up to become an Expert, but had miscalculated how much I needed, so I ended up overshooting the mark. If I had been an Expert before the fight, I wouldn’t have been so scared.”

Sonarot wasn’t sure just what he was saying, but was slowly forming a picture of how Adam worked. “So you are able to pick and choose your abilities and when you grow stronger?”

“Exactly.”

“Are you able to use Third Gate spells?” Sonarot asked, wondering if he would be willing to share more about himself in regards to his combat potential.

“I probably could,” Adam replied. [Hey, Bell. How much Experience do I need to unlock the next Level of Wizard?]

[1500.]

‘Thanks. How are you doing today?’

[Fine.]

‘Good talk.’

Adam wondered why Bell was pouting when it was the one to speak to him last night about wanting to talk more. It was difficult when he didn’t want to respond properly. How was he meant to continue the conversation with that?

Sonarot waited patiently.

“Oh, right. Sorry. I think I should be able to use them soon. In fact, if I wanted to, I could do it now, but I don’t think there’s any need to rush.” Adam shrugged his shoulders.

Sonarot still wasn’t sure how Adam was able to gain the ability to do things as he pleased. She was sure it wasn’t magic, at least any type of magic she knew about.

“It’s complicated, and I’m not sure I can tell you,” Adam admitted.

Sonarot just nodded, not wanting to press him further. “What is your plan now? You’ve surely spread your name through the Iyr with what you’ve done.”

Adam thought about how many people knew him from the title and now his bout. “I don’t know. I’ll make an amazing axe and fight in the festival.” He wasn’t sure what else there was for him.

“And beyond that?”

“Adventure?” Adam replied. “I want to stay here and look after Lanarot, but I really do have a lot to do. Though, I should probably prepare for the wedding soon.”

“The wedding?” Sonarot asked.

“Yeah.” Adam smiled. “Lucy should be returning with Mara soon.”

Sonarot smiled.