Adam’s antics had caused the other Iyrmen to sigh. Upon hearing that Kitool had received a new staff, one which was a Greater Enhanced magical weapon, the group realised Adam had gifted the three families weapons which would make even the Nobles of Aldland to swoon.

Phantom, which was perhaps the greatest Greater Enhanced weapon within the Iyr, had been gifted to the Rot family, under pressure of the Great Elders.

Stormdrake, which had been created by Lord Hadda many centuries ago, and could rival the greatest of Legendary Enhanced weapons within the Iyr, had been gifted to the Gak family. Some had thought Adam had gifted it away without knowing its true worth, but with how little Adam cared about losing such a weapon, they realised he was just being Adam.

Tigerstaff, which was not quite as great as the other two weapons, was still a great weapon. It struck harder than most other staves, but the ability to strike again was something which anyone would have coveted, especially Kitool, who held the ability to freeze creatures in place.

Katool walked up to Adam and pat his knee. “You are good boy, Cousin Adam,” she said. “You!” She pointed up at him. Her mind raced with all the things she wanted to say, before she finally nodded her head, agreeing with everything she had thought, before walking off.

Adam was glad Katool hadn’t asked about the fight, too busy caught up with playing with the magical weapon along with the other children. ‘I earned a decent bit of XP from that.’

XP: 16 000

‘I should probably spend some of it soon…’

Konarot climbed up onto her father’s lap, standing against his thighs as she hugged his neck, resting her head against his shoulder. Adam wrapped an arm around her waist, nuzzling against her neck.

‘Right, there’s no real point to Level Up yet…’ He had more than enough to Level Up, but there were other uses for XP. He could procure the abilities of other Classes, like the Rage of a Rage Dancer, or the innate abilities of a Blood Mage. There were many abilities which would assist him and make him far more powerful than Iyrmen may imagine.

However, there was also that.

The ability to unlock the potential of another.

It was perhaps his most dangerous ability. With 5000XP, Mana, as well as some time to rest, Adam could create Scribe Mages, and, having explored the system a little, other Classes too.

‘I could awaken three right now…’ His eyes fell to Konarot, as well as to Kirot and Karot, who were both sitting right beside him, staring up at the others around them. ‘No, no. Perhaps in the future.’

Adam spent the morning with his children, and the afternoon with his companions. He spoke with Dunes, Fred, Vonda, Brittany, and Nobby. Jonn remained nearby, silent as a statue.

“Haaa,” Adam sighed, wiping his lips. The fruit wine of the Iyr warmed him up this chilly nightval afternoon. “The Iyr’s such a great place, isn’t it?”

“It is,” Dunes replied, with Vonda nodding her head.

“I’ve been thinking about spending the rest of my days here,” Adam said. “Retiring within the Iyr, spending my days enchanting. It’s quite the dream, right?”

“It is,” Dunes said, sipping his own fruit wine. He could see the look in Adam’s eyes, the sombreness which had filled the Half Elf that day.

“I sparred with Kitool earlier today.” Adam sipped his fruit wine again, feeling his cheeks flush from the alcohol.

Dunes raised his brows, and the others all leaned in, eager to hear more about what had happened.

“I thought Kitool was nice. She’s always so quiet and nice, and she’s got a level head too. Jurot’s always wanting to get out his axe, and Jaygak…” Adam finished his small cup of wine. “Well, she’s Jaygak, innit?”

‘Innit?’

“Still, I thought Kitool would be nice. You know what she did? She froze me in place and beat me up. I couldn’t do anything against her! How could she do that to me? Do you know how scary it is being unable to defend yourself against an Iyrman? That’s cheating! She shouldn’t have done that! She can’t! It’s not fair!” Adam filled up his wine again, before throwing it back against his throat, swallowing it in a single gulp, coughing slightly.

“Did you win?” Dunes asked, asking for the entire group.

“I was planning on fighting her without using much magic, but then she did that to me so I used my magic,” Adam replied. “I won, but I’ve still got a bunch of bruises.” Adam pulled his scarf to one side to reveal the swollen blueness of his neck.

“I’m sure it was a good fight,” Dunes said. “I wish I could have seen it.”

“You wanted to see me get beat up?” Adam asked.

“Yes,” Dunes replied, far too eagerly for Adam’s liking.

“Do you want to fight too, Dunes?”

“How could I face you after someone like Kitool?” Dunes replied. “Though, I will not run from a fight if you truly wish for it.”

Adam thought about facing Dunes, but upon recalling that he possessed Third Gate spells, he decided against it. Even if he did beat Dunes, what with that sword of his, and his ability to use Third Gate spells, it would cost far too much. He didn’t want to return to his children looking all dishevelled. “Never mind.”

Dunes continued to sip his wine. He had spent too much time within the Iyr. He swallowed, ready to bring the matter up.

“You know,” Adam began, placing down his cup. “As much as I want to stay in the Iyr, I’ve still got a lot of work to do. Dunes, your…” Adam raised his brows towards the Priest, wiggling them slightly, “friend, plus Nobby and Brittany, training you two to become Experts, plus trying to find an enchanting shrine, plus…” Adam sighed, thinking of Freya. “I’ve got a lot of promises I need to keep. I’m too weak to keep them right now, I gotta get stronger. Plus…” Adam, for once, decided against mentioning his children.

Dunes reached up to pat Adam’s shoulder gently. “We can only take the days one at a time.” He poured Adam some fruit wine, allowing the Half Elf to drink more.

Adam looked down at the fruit wine, sipping it slowly. ‘I should make us all Paragons.’

Vonda placed a hand on Adam’s back, smiling up towards him. She could see that he was thinking something Adam, something which would have caused her more stress if she didn’t try to deal with it now.

Adam eventually fell asleep at the table, having finished an entire bottle of wine, as well as the snacks accompanying it. The others gave him his peace, knowing that there was a lot on Adam’s mind.

He continued to enchant for the next few days, until he felt unlucky, and so took his triplets out to play with the dire wolves. He allowed Kirot and Karot to sit with Kitool and Jaygak, who held on to the children as they rode their dire wolves.

Konarot clung to her father as she watched her siblings play with the dire wolves. When it was her turn, Adam handed her to Kitool, but the girl squirmed and pouted.

“Do you want to ride with daddy?” Adam asked. Konarot wrapped her arms around his neck and clutched around him tightly. Adam smiled, and rode Kit’a, holding his eldest daughter against himself.

Jaygak narrowed her eyes as she watched them ride Kit’a. “Do you think my children will be cute?”

Kitool glanced towards Jaygak. “Yes.”

“What am I saying? Of course they’ll be cute.” She reached down and ruffled Kirot’s hair, feeling the bumps which formed the girl’s horns. “You’re cute too, Kirot.”

Kirot looked up at Jaygak, before smiling shyly, holding onto her brother tight.

“Should I settle down and get married?” Jaygak asked. “I can let Taygak bring honour to our family.”

“You must pave the path for her,” Kitool said. “She is still learning. It will be six more years until she will leave to make a name for herself.”

“How can I pave the way for Saygak?” Jaygak asked, raising her brow towards Kitool.

Kitool’s eyes returned to Adam. She understood what Kitool was talking about, since it was about that thing. Saygak, who was a member of the Rot family, had begun to cause trouble. He was Raygak’s cousin, but Saygak was the politest and quietest of the children. Damokan and Kalokan were both quiet with others, but they were noisy with their own family, yet Saygak remained quiet at home too.

“Adam will pave the way for Saygak,” Kitool said.

Jaygak looked back to the father and daughter pair, each riding the dire wolf they had found over a year ago. The dire wolves were still not yet fully matured, though they had already given birth to their first litter. It was no surprise they had died from the effort.

“It really is a shame Adam has no horns,” Jaygak said, sighing.