《Reincarnated As An Atypical Sage》 Chapter 1 – Rebirth In Chaos Kael woke up to a splitting headache. His first clue that things were off? The whispering. His second clue? The whispering was inside his head. ¡°Oh good, you¡¯re awake. Took you long enough,¡± the voice muttered, dripping with sarcasm. Kael groaned, rubbing his temples. ¡°Ugh¡­Mom?¡± ¡°Oh, I assure you, I am not your mother,¡± the voice said. ¡°Though, given your general level of intelligence, I understand the confusion.¡± Kael opened his eyes. He was in a dense forest, sunlight filtering through the leaves. The air smelled like damp earth and regret. None of this was familiar. ¡°Where¡­am I?¡± ¡°Vaelstrum. Two days after your unfortunate demise. Congratulations! You¡¯re no longer a corpse.¡± Kael blinked. ¡°Come again?¡± ¡°You heard me.¡± The voice was practically grinning. ¡°You should be grateful. Most people don¡¯t get a second shot at life. Then again, most people don¡¯t have the honor of sharing their mind with me.¡± ¡°Wait. What?¡± Kael sat up so fast he nearly knocked himself out on a low-hanging branch. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°Who am I?¡± The voice chuckled darkly, clearly relishing the moment. ¡°I am¡ª¡± ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary, Zaroth.¡± Kael turned toward the new voice. A shimmering violet mist swirled in front of him, and out of it stepped a woman who could make statues weep. She had flowing indigo robes, silver hair cascading down her back, and golden eyes that gleamed like someone who knew all your secrets and planned to blackmail you with them. She smiled, the kind of smile that made you rethink your life choices. ¡°Oh, fantastic,¡± Zaroth grumbled. ¡°Couldn¡¯t resist making an entrance, could you?¡± This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Of course not,¡± the woman purred. ¡°A goddess must command attention, after all.¡± Kael¡¯s brain short-circuited. ¡°Wait. Goddess?¡± ¡°Ezirah, Goddess of Chaos.¡± She flipped her hair dramatically, like a shampoo commercial. ¡°And you, Kael, are my new champion.¡± Kael squinted. ¡°Yeah, see, I think there¡¯s been a mistake. I am definitely not champion material.¡± Ezirah sighed, as if she had dealt with so many reluctant chosen ones. ¡°You¡¯re special, Kael. You¡¯ve been chosen to shape this world in my image. A more¡­chaotic image.¡± Kael blinked. ¡°Okay, yeah, see? That¡¯s already a red flag. No one says that in a good way.¡± Ezirah smirked. ¡°Oh, but you will.¡± Ezirah flicked her fingers, as Kael felt an invisible force yank him to his feet. ¡°Hey! How are you doing that?!¡± Ezirah ignored him. ¡°You¡¯re going to help me create a world of glorious chaos.¡± ¡°Look, you¡¯re a very beautiful woman, but I¡¯m gonna have to pass.¡± Ezirah arched an eyebrow. ¡°You think I¡¯m beautiful?¡± Kael cursed himself. ¡°That¡¯s not the point!¡± ¡°Oh, but it is.¡± She stepped closer, her golden eyes glowing. ¡°Chaos is in your blood, Kael. You were born for this.¡± Kael¡¯s heart was doing weird things, and it wasn¡¯t helping that Zaroth, the voice in his head, was way too amused. ¡°Oh wow,¡± Zaroth snickered. ¡°You¡¯re already falling for her, huh?¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Kael hissed under his breath. ¡°I can hear your thoughts, buddy. And wow¡ªshe barely touched you and your brain just short-circuited.¡± Ezirah just smiled, and for a moment¡ªa brief moment¡ªKael thought he saw something¡­soft in her expression. Like she was actually fond of him. Which was surprising, considering she had just announced her plans to throw the world into chaos. ¡°Together,¡± she whispered, ¡°we could create a world unlike any other. You just need to let go.¡± Kael¡¯s stomach twisted. ¡°Oh no,¡± Zaroth groaned. ¡°Tell me you¡¯re not actually buying into this. Must I remind you that this woman is certifiably insane? Like, ¡®burn-the-world-for-fun¡¯ insane?¡± Kael clenched his jaw. ¡°I¡¯m not falling for her. Or her completely unhinged plans.¡± ¡°Mmm-hmm. Sure. And I suppose the way your heart just did a little backflip was totally unrelated?¡± ¡°I hate you, Zaroth.¡± ¡°Mutual, buddy. I am a Demon Lord, after all.¡± Kael narrowed his eyes. ¡°Wait. Demon Lord? Yeah, that definitely explains some things.¡± ¡°And yet, here you are, having a heart-to-heart with me instead of running for the hills.¡± Kael sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°At this point, I think I¡¯m out of surprises. Just throw it all at me.¡± With a final exhale, he turned back to Ezirah. She was watching him intently, golden eyes gleaming like she already knew his answer. He groaned. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s pretend I agree to this whole chaos thing. What¡¯s next?¡± Ezirah¡¯s smile curled into something wicked. ¡°Oh, darling, I thought you¡¯d never ask.¡± Chapter 2 - The Path To Power Kael walked alongside Ezirah, the dense forest thinning into a narrow, winding trail. The sun was starting its slow descent, casting long, dramatic shadows like the world was setting the stage for something deeply unsettling. The air smelled of pine, damp earth, and the vague sense that he was making very bad life choices. Despite the existential crisis brewing in his skull, there was something oddly peaceful about the walk¡ªif he ignored the fact that he was following a self-proclaimed Goddess of Chaos toward an unknown destination for unknown reasons with unknown consequences, it was actually pretty peaceful. ¡°You¡¯re being led, Kael,¡± Zaroth muttered in his mind, voice dripping with suspicion. ¡°Like a lamb to the slaughter. Just thought you should know.¡± ¡°Appreciate the vote of confidence,¡± Kael grumbled under his breath. Ezirah, walking with a kind of effortless grace, glanced at him with a knowing smile. ¡°You seem tense.¡± ¡°Do I? Huh. Can¡¯t imagine why,¡± he said, deadpan. Ezirah chuckled. ¡°Relax, Kael. We¡¯re merely headed to the heart of Vaelstrum. The place where all things begin¡­and end. Though, I suppose the mortals would just call it Vardhelm.¡± Kael blinked. ¡°Isn¡¯t that exactly the kind of thing that makes people more tense, not less?¡± ¡°I told you she was bad news. Not that I have much say in the matter either, mind you. So, congratulations¡ªwe¡¯re both stuck with her,¡± Zaroth sighed. Ezirah¡¯s smile was almost too entertained by his discomfort. ¡°Oh, Kael. You¡¯re going to have to get used to a little mystery.¡± He exhaled. ¡°Fine. But I need answers. You want me to embrace chaos, rewrite the world, whatever¡ªbut how? What¡¯s the game plan here?¡± She didn¡¯t answer immediately, letting the silence stretch just long enough for him to start second-guessing asking in the first place. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Then, finally: ¡°Power.¡± Kael groaned. ¡°Let me guess. And by power, you mean¡ª¡± ¡°Magic.¡± ¡°Great. So, where do I sign up? Is there, like, a beginner¡¯s course, or do I just throw my hands in the air and hope lightning comes out?¡± Ezirah smirked. ¡°Oh, Kael, you¡¯re going to be so much fun.¡± That was not the answer he wanted. ¡°The world bends to those who command magic,¡± she continued. ¡°Chaos thrives on power. The more you wield, the more it follows your will.¡± Zaroth added. ¡°Power alone isn¡¯t enough. The strong rule and the weak get stomped. A wise man once said that peace can only be achieved through superior magic power. The same goes for chaos, of course.¡± Ezirah nodded approvingly. ¡°He¡¯s right. But there¡¯s a difference between raw power and purpose. If you wield chaos without understanding it, it will consume you.¡± ¡°Fantastic,¡± Kael muttered. ¡°I love that I have the potential to end up as crazy as you.¡± Zaroth let out a low, amused chuckle. ¡°Oh, you absolutely should. It means you¡¯re past the point of no return¡ªmight as well enjoy the ride.¡± Kael exhaled sharply. ¡°Yeah, well, I¡¯m still breathing, and I fully intend to keep it that way.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Ezirah said, stopping abruptly. Kael followed her gaze and immediately felt his survival instincts screaming. The forest ahead had gone still. The air, once thick with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, had fallen into an eerie silence. Even the wind seemed to hesitate. ¡°What is it?¡± Kael asked, his hand instinctively moving to his side, but there was nothing there. No weapon. Ezirah¡¯s golden eyes gleamed as she tilted her head slightly. ¡°Guests.¡± Before Kael could process that, the underbrush exploded. A monstrous roar shattered the silence, and a beast the size of a bear charged out of the shadows. Its thick fur bristled, jagged claws gleamed like they¡¯d been polished for murder, and its eyes¡­its eyes glowed red. The beast¡¯s glowing red eyes zeroed in on Kael. Kael took a cautious step back. ¡°So¡­ you wouldn¡¯t happen to have a weapon for me, would you?¡± ¡°Oh, excellent,¡± Zaroth drawled. ¡°Your first real test. Try not to get eviscerated too quickly¡ªI¡¯d rather not go through the hassle of finding a new host. You¡¯re mildly tolerable.¡± Kael ignored him. ¡°Ezirah?¡± he asked, voice tight. ¡°Is this¡­supposed to happen?¡± Ezirah didn¡¯t answer. She was watching, waiting. The beast snarled, lowering itself like a coiled spring. Kael had nothing. No sword, no spells, no clue what the hell he was supposed to do. ¡°Just so we¡¯re clear¡ªI despise both of you.¡± Then the beast lunged. And Kael¡¯s body reacted before his brain could catch up. Chapter 3 - The Path To Power [Part 2] The beast lunged, claws slashing through the air like it was trying to erase Kael from existence. He barely managed to roll to the side, dirt and debris kicking up around him as the monster¡¯s attack left a deep gouge in the earth where he¡¯d just been standing. ¡°Now, Kael.¡± Ezirah¡¯s voice sliced through the chaos, cool as ever, as if she wasn¡¯t watching him fight against the beast. She extended a hand, and in a flash of eerie green light, a dagger materialized in her palm. It was sleek, delicate¡ªhonestly, more of an accessory than a weapon of war¡ªbut the faintly glowing rune carved into the blade suggested it was hiding something interesting. Kael snatched it up, feeling an odd pulse run through his fingers. It was light, almost too light, but as soon as his grip tightened, the rune on the blade seemed to sync with his heartbeat, sending a strange warmth through his veins. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± he asked, eyes flicking between the weapon and the rapidly approaching beast. ¡°A simple tool,¡± Ezirah said with an infuriatingly casual shrug. ¡°A life-steal rune. Every time you strike, it siphons a portion of the target¡¯s life force back to you.¡± She tilted her head. ¡°Think of it as¡­insurance. You¡¯ll need it.¡± Kael¡¯s stomach twisted. Life-steal? That sounded wildly unethical. But given the whole situation, he wasn¡¯t about to get picky. The beast roared and lunged again. Kael moved. His body reacted before his brain fully processed it¡ªsidestepping the beast¡¯s charge with a smoothness that surprised even him. And as the creature tore past, he slashed out with the dagger. The blade met flesh. A sickening crunch filled the air. The moment the dagger sliced into the beast¡¯s side, Kael felt a rush. A wave of energy flooded his limbs, like someone had just pumped liquid adrenaline straight into his veins. His vision sharpened, his pulse steadied, and for a split second, he felt invincible. The beast staggered back, howling in pain, its blood staining the ground. Kael stared down at the dagger, breathless. Was it the weapon? Or was it something in him? ¡°You did well,¡± Ezirah said, sounding annoyingly pleased. ¡°But don¡¯t get comfortable. This is only the beginning.¡± Kael barely had time to process her words before the ground started rumbling. He froze. More glowing eyes appeared in the shadows. The underbrush parted, revealing more creatures¡ªjust as big, just as feral, & definitely lethal. Kael clenched the dagger, a sinking feeling settling in his gut. The life-steal rune pulsed again, but his body still felt too new, like a blade fresh from the forge, untested and fragile. ¡°You¡¯re going to need more than that flimsy dagger, Kael,¡± Zaroth¡¯s voice echoed in his mind, dripping with amusement. ¡°These things aren¡¯t going to roll over just because you poked them. You need real power.¡± ¡°Yeah, sure,¡± Kael grumbled. ¡°I¡¯ll just summon that out of thin air. Unless you¡¯re actually planning to be helpful for once.¡± Then, the forest hummed. Kael¡¯s spine went rigid. The air around him shifted, thickening with energy. A blur of movement flickered in the corner of his eye. And suddenly, a figure landed beside him. The newcomer barely made a sound¡ªjust the soft thud of boots touching earth. The very atmosphere seemed to warp around them, shimmering with barely contained magic. Kael turned, heart pounding. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. She was tall, her skin a dusky violet-blue, her piercing eyes a shade of deep, glacial blue that practically glowed. Her long, braided black hair cascaded over her shoulder, and her armor¡ªdark, intricately etched with silver runes¡ªclung to her like it had been forged for her. And, well¡­ she was showing just enough skin to make Kael¡¯s brain momentarilyforget about his situation. In each hand, she held sleek, deadly-looking blades that gleamed like they¡¯d been carved from moonlight itself. ¡°What¡ªwho are you?¡± Kael asked, slightly breathless. The dark elf flicked her gaze to him, smirking. ¡°A friend. Or perhaps an ally of convenience.¡± Her voice was smooth as silk, but carried an undeniable authority that made his pulse jump. ¡°But that hardly matters right now.¡± With a fluid motion, she raised one of her blades, and suddenly, the air cracked. A surge of magic erupted from her weapon, rippling through the battlefield. The closest beast¡ªalready mid-charge¡ªfroze as dark tendrils of energy wrapped around its limbs like an unholy noose. It let out a strangled roar, but the magic tightened, forcing it to the ground. Kael gawked. ¡°You¡­just did that.¡± She spared him a glance, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Observant.¡± Then, without waiting for a response, she moved. It was like watching a shadow come to life¡ªgraceful, fast, and lethal. She danced through the battlefield, her twin blades carving arcs of shimmering magic through the air. Each strike sent shadowy bolts lancing toward the beasts, piercing their hides with pinpoint precision. Kael could do nothing but stare as she dismantled the monsters with terrifying efficiency. ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t understand,¡± he finally managed, still trying to wrap his head around what he was seeing. ¡°Why are you helping me?¡± The elf gave him a sideways look, her expression unreadable. ¡°I¡¯m not helping you,¡± she corrected. ¡°I¡¯m helping myself.¡± She sheathed one of her blades, crossing her arms. ¡°Thalindra. In case you lack the basic social awareness to ask for my name.¡± Kael blinked. ¡°Wow. Okay. Rude.¡± Thalindra ignored him, crouching beside the fallen beasts and efficiently gathering materials from their corpses like this was just another day for her. Kael exhaled, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Name¡¯s Kael. So¡­what were those things?¡± ¡°Ravonix,¡± she replied casually. ¡°Basic hunting beasts. [C] Rank at best. Honestly, barely worth my time.¡± Kael stared at her, dumbfounded. ¡°They almost killed me.¡± Thalindra smirked. ¡°Yes, well. You are barely worth their time.¡± Zaroth¡¯s voice suddenly rumbled in Kael¡¯s head, filled with warning. ¡°She¡¯s powerful, yes, but don¡¯t be fooled. She¡¯s not here out of kindness. Dark elves don¡¯t just help people.¡± Kael frowned, turning back to Thalindra¡ªonly to find her watching him with an almost calculating expression. ¡°So,¡± she said, stepping closer, her blue eyes glinting with something he couldn¡¯t quite place. ¡°How much do you have, Kael?¡± Kael blinked. ¡°Uh. What?¡± She smirked. ¡°Gold, obviously. You want my help, don¡¯t you?¡± Kael opened his mouth, about to protest, but then¡ª ¡°This is ridiculous!¡± Zaroth¡¯s voice boomed in his head. ¡°She¡¯s trying to rob you! Ezirah, are you just going to let this¡ª¡± Kael & Zaroth both stopped. They glanced left. Then right. Ezirah was gone. Kael¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°Wait¡ªwhere did¡ª?¡± ¡°Welp,¡± Zaroth sighed. ¡°Guess it¡¯s just you now. Fortunately, I have just the spell for this situation¡­¡± Kael squinted. ¡°Why do I already hate this?¡± ¡°Relax,¡± Zaroth chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s called Tentacle Bind. Totally harmless. Just a little illusion to¡­immobilize her.¡± Kael groaned. Common sense screamed that anything involving Tentacle magic was bound to go terribly wrong. And yet¡­ he grinned. ¡°Alright, Thalindra,¡± he said, puffing out his chest. ¡°I think I have a different form of payment in mind¡­¡± Thalindra raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. ¡°Oh? And what might that be?¡± Kael tried to hide his nerves, his voice brimming with an edge of cocky confidence. ¡°I could¡­ give you a spell.¡± Her eyebrow arched even higher, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. ¡°A spell? You?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Kael said, his grin widening. ¡°A tentacle spell.¡± He paused, gauging her reaction. ¡°You know, to¡­bind you in place.¡± Thalindra blinked at him, staring as if he¡¯d lost his mind. ¡°Tentacle¡­spell?¡± she repeated slowly, the disbelief thick in her voice. ¡°And you think I¡¯d fall for that?¡± Kael¡¯s grin remained steady, a flicker of boldness in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± he replied, his voice laced with unshakable confidence. Just as Zaroth¡¯s voice surged in his mind¡ª¡°Now, Kael! Unleash it now!¡±¡ªKael didn¡¯t hesitate. He acted purely on instinct. His fingers flew through the incantation, his pulse quickening as magic surged through his veins. For a split second, nothing happened. Then, without warning, a swirl of ghostly energy erupted around Thalindra. Thick, dark tendrils shot out, wrapping around her limbs, constricting her arms, legs, and torso with an eerie precision. Thalindra froze, her eyes wide with shock and fury. Kael, just as stunned by the success of the spell, took a hesitant step back, his mouth hanging open. Thalindra¡¯s voice cut through the silence, her anger palpable. ¡°You¡ªdidn¡¯t just¡­¡± ¡°Uh, yeah,¡± Kael said, struggling to keep his voice cool. ¡°I did. And now, maybe we can talk about payment. Unless you want to, you know, stay like that for a bit.¡± The dark elf glared at him, her eyes burning with rage. Her body was still trapped, held fast by the near invisible tendrils. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m not killing you right now,¡± she growled, her voice low and dangerous. But then, her expression softened slightly, and a hint of respect flickered in her eyes. ¡°You may be a fool, Kael, but I¡¯ll give you this¡ªyou¡¯ve got some guts.¡± Kael grinned. ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment.¡± Chapter 4 - Through the Gates of Ruin Twenty minutes into their trek, Kael was still trying to process the fact that he¡¯d actually won that last encounter. Thalindra, meanwhile, strolled beside him with all the grace of someone who hadn¡¯t just been humiliated by an impromptu tentacle spell. If anything, she seemed amused by the whole thing. Which, frankly, was terrifying. Kael kept sneaking glances at her, half-expecting her to stab him for revenge. Instead, she was smirking. Like she enjoyed the chaos. ¡°Y¡¯know,¡± she said suddenly, running a hand through her dark hair, ¡°I should make you buy me new clothes after that little stunt.¡± Kael blinked. ¡°Uh¡­what?¡± Thalindra gestured to her once-pristine rogue outfit¡ªnow covered in streaks of residual magic goo. Her sleek black boots? Ruined. Her sleeves? A mess. Her entire aesthetic? Absolutely destroyed. ¡°Oh,¡± Kael muttered. ¡°Yeah¡­I, uh, didn¡¯t really think about the cleanup.¡± Thalindra stopped walking just to give him a slow, unimpressed stare. ¡°You think?¡± Before Kael could offer some kind of half-baked apology, she muttered an incantation and¡ªpoof. The slimy residue vanished into thin air, erased from existence as if it had never dared to stain her outfit. Her clothes were pristine once more, not a single trace of the mess remaining. She gave her sleeves a final, unnecessary brush-off, then turned to Kael with the exhausted patience of someone dealing with a particularly dense child. Kael stared. ¡°Okay, see, that¡¯s ridiculous. You just wave your hand and reality rewrites itself? No stain, no effort, just¡ªpoof¡ªgone? That¡¯s cheating.¡± Thalindra gave him a pitying look. ¡°You poor, simple creature.¡± ¡°Alright, rude.¡± They kept walking, the tension between them oddly¡­ light. Which only made Kael more suspicious. There was no way she was letting this go. Not after that spell had literally tied her in place. ¡°So, let me get this straight¡ªyou have no clue what a Ravonix is, yet you¡¯re casually slinging around tentacle magic in the middle of a magical forest? What kind of absurd backstory leads to that combination?¡± Kael hesitated, then cleared his throat. ¡°Uh¡­hypothetically speaking¡ªif someone were a reincarnate, should they, y¡¯know¡­keep that to themselves?¡± Before Thalindra could answer, Zaroth¡¯s voice slithered into Kael¡¯s mind. ¡°Don¡¯t. Tell. Her. Anything.¡± Then, because one annoying voice in his head apparently wasn¡¯t enough, Ezirah joined in. ¡°Oh, relax,¡± she purred. ¡°She looks like a useful pawn. Just tell her you¡¯re on a special mission. And under no circumstances do you say I was the one who reincarnated you. Understand?¡± Kael exhaled sharply, already exhausted by his panel of unwanted advisors. ¡°Look, let¡¯s just say I¡¯m on an important mission for a special Goddess. That¡¯s all you need to know.¡± Thalindra crossed her arms, unimpressed. ¡°That¡¯s the vaguest answer I¡¯ve heard all week.¡± ¡°Yeah, well, it¡¯s all you¡¯re getting.¡± She stared at him for a moment, then shrugged. ¡°Fine. Keep your secrets.¡± They continued down the path, the looming outline of Vardhelm rising in the distance. The city looked less like a place people lived and more like something designed to keep armies out. Dark stone walls stretched so high they scraped the sky, lined with shadowy figures that had to be guards. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Kael¡¯s stomach twisted. He was walking straight into the last place he should be. ¡°She¡¯s not going to stop digging,¡± Zaroth warned. ¡°The second you slip up, she¡¯ll piece it together.¡± Kael sighed. ¡°Yeah? Well, she¡¯ll have to get in line. I¡¯ve got enough problems as it is.¡± Thalindra, oblivious to the ongoing mental argument, suddenly spoke up. ¡°If there was a reincarnate running around, that¡¯d explain the weird magical disturbance people have been sensing.¡± Kael stiffened. ¡°Magical disturbance?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Thalindra shot him a look. ¡°Some old guy in Vardhelm says he felt it¡ªdespite having no magic himself. Thought it was maybe [S] Rank, but based on scale and distance? Probably at least [SS+].¡± Kael¡¯s brain short-circuited. ¡°Wait. People felt me reincarnate?¡± Zaroth groaned. ¡°Gods, you¡¯re as subtle as a meteor crashing into a library.¡± Thalindra kept talking, oblivious to Kael¡¯s internal panic. ¡°We thought maybe it was the reincarnation of a Demon Lord or something. Hah, imagine that.¡± As they neared the city, the weight of what exactly Kael was doing finally settled in. He was about to walk straight into Vardhelm. With Zaroth, the very being who had helped destroy it the first time, literally stuck in his soul. And if anyone found out¡ª Yeah. This was fine. Everything was fine. Thalindra, meanwhile, was too busy looking at the city like she had some history with it. ¡°Vardhelm¡¯s more fortress than city,¡± she said, voice quieter now. ¡°Used to be the kingdom¡¯s main stronghold before¡­well. Before everythingwent south.¡± Kael frowned. ¡°Define everything.¡± She hesitated, then sighed. ¡°It was the heart of the kingdom. A beacon of power. Until the Demon Lords came knocking. Most failed to take it. One succeeded.¡± Kael had a terrible feeling. ¡°¡­Zaroth?¡± ¡°Something like that,¡± Thalindra muttered. ¡°His body¡¯s sealed somewhere now, so no need to worry.¡± Kael made direct, soul-deep eye contact with the very Demon Lord sealed inside him. Zaroth smirked. Kael cleared his throat. ¡°Yeah. No need to worry.¡± As they got closer to the gates, a cold weight settled in Kael¡¯s gut. He had no plan. No backup. No way to explain why he, a supposed nobody, was strolling into one of the most important cities in the world. And if someone so much as glanced at his soul in the wrong way¡ª This didn¡¯t feel like the smartest move. But what other option did he have? His whole existence was bound to serving Ezirah. Kael¡¯s thoughts turned inward as the weight of everything pressed down on him. He hesitated, his voice tinged with uncertainty as it echoed in his mind. ¡°Hey, Zaroth,¡± he thought, ¡°What exactly is my class?¡± Zaroth¡¯s voice responded, smooth and measured. ¡°It¡¯s complicated, but you¡¯re a Sage. The reason I¡¯m bound to you is because of the Sage skill. Ezirah fused my ¡®Dark¡¯ Sage class with your ¡®Light¡¯ Sage, creating what¡¯s called an ¡®Ultimate Sage.¡¯ This gives you access to both sides¡ªknowledge, magic, history¡­all of it. In simpler terms, you have the potential to shape the world, manipulate spells, and learn faster than anyone else. You¡¯re essentially a walking catalyst for chaos.¡± Kael blinked, trying to make sense of the flood of information. ¡°That¡¯s¡­a lot to take in.¡± Zaroth¡¯s response was calm, almost amused. ¡°Exactly. Right now, you¡¯re weak. But soon, you¡¯ll surpass other Sages. Your skills will grow quickly the more you learn and practice. You won¡¯t reach [S] rank overnight, but you¡¯ll climb faster than most. In time, you¡¯ll wield the combined power of Light and Dark Sages. That¡¯s what makes you different.¡± The weight of those words settled deep in Kael¡¯s chest. He wasn¡¯t just some average mage. He was something far more dangerous. Thalindra shot him a glance, noticing the tension in his posture. ¡°You okay?¡± she asked, her voice softer now, sensing something had shifted. Kael snapped out of his thoughts, blinking as he tried to shake off the overwhelming flood of information. ¡°Yeah, just¡­didn¡¯t realize how dark Vardhelm¡¯s past was. Being destroyed by Zaroth and everything.¡± ¡°Past?¡± Thalindra scoffed, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile. ¡°It¡¯s not a past, Kael. It¡¯s a warning. Vardhelm¡¯s a reminder that power can fall in an instant. This wouldn¡¯t have happened under Elven rule. Humans are too prideful for their own good.¡± Kael nodded, still processing everything. The sense of unease only grew stronger the closer they got to the city. It wasn¡¯t just the past weighing on him¡ªit was the feeling that they were walking straight into a storm. ¡°Let¡¯s just get through the gates,¡± Thalindra urged, her voice steady and resolute. ¡°Once we¡¯re inside, you¡¯ll see what I mean.¡± Kael couldn¡¯t shake the chill running through him as the looming gates of Vardhelm neared. Whatever awaited them behind those walls would change everything. He just hadn¡¯t realized how much. Chapter 5 - Through the Gates of Ruin [Part 2] As Kael, Thalindra, and Zaroth drew closer to the towering gates of Vardhelm, the air shifted in a way that was hard to ignore. The usual hum of city life buzzed beyond the walls, but it was faint now, swallowed up by an eerie silence that seemed to hang over the entrance to the city. The closer they got, the quieter it became. Something was off. The guards were no longer lounging in their usual, indifferent stances. Instead, a group of armored figures huddled around a wagon, their voices low and sharp, tension thick in the air. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Kael muttered under his breath. ¡°Trouble,¡± Thalindra replied, her eyes narrowing. Her hand drifted toward the dagger at her side. As they approached, one of the guards stepped forward, a hulking man with a patchy beard and a dented helmet. He scanned them quickly before his gaze locked onto Kael, a grim expression settling on his face. ¡°Halt.¡± Kael raised an eyebrow. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± ¡°The gate¡¯s closed for now,¡± the guard grunted. ¡°Murder this morning. Nasty stuff. Captain says no one goes in until they figure out who¡¯s responsible.¡± Kael glanced at Thalindra, exchanging a wordless understanding. ¡°Any idea who did it?¡± Thalindra asked, her voice calm but sharp. The guard hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. ¡°That¡¯s the strange part. The victim was a merchant, but the body¡­¡± He grimaced, struggling for words. ¡°Veins black as pitch. Looked like they¡¯d been burned from the inside out. Never seen anything like it.¡± ¡°Sounds magical,¡± Zaroth¡¯s voice slithered into Kael¡¯s mind, smooth and cold. ¡°If I had to guess, maybe a corruption-based rune weapon? Magic like that doesn¡¯t go unnoticed. Though, I¡¯d need to see it to be sure.¡± Before Kael could respond, a commanding voice broke through the tension. ¡°You there!¡± A tall man in polished armor strode forward, his breastplate gleaming in the sunlight. Dark hair swept back in perfect waves, and his confident smirk sent an unsettling chill through Kael. His piercing green eyes locked onto Kael with unnerving precision. ¡°You come through the eastern pass?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Kael replied cautiously. The man¡¯s smile faltered, his gaze narrowing. ¡°Then we need to talk.¡± His eyes flicked to Thalindra, his expression unfazed. ¡°You too.¡± Without waiting for a response, he turned and jogged back toward the gates, clearly expecting them to follow. ¡°He¡¯s handsome¡­for a human,¡± Thalindra muttered under her breath, her tone dry. ¡°Too bad he¡¯s the last person I wanted to see today.¡± Kael raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡± She sighed, adjusting the strap on her pack with a sense of annoyance. ¡°Because he has this way of¡­making you do things. Talks like every move he makes is for the good of the city, and the next thing you know, you¡¯re cleaning up after his messes.¡± Her eyes darkened, voice growing tight. ¡°I spent three days chasing a rogue illusionist because of him.¡± Kael smirked. ¡°Sounds like a good time.¡± Thalindra shot him a deadpan look. ¡°Almost got turned into a frog. Not exactly my idea of fun.¡±
The gates of Vardhelm groaned as they swung open, allowing the trio to step into the heart of the city. The streets immediately came alive with the pulse of the marketplace¡ªmerchants shouting to advertise their wares, children weaving between the crowds, and the warm, inviting scent of freshly baked bread mingling with the sharp, metallic tang from nearby blacksmiths. Tall stone buildings lined the streets, their colorful banners fluttering in the breeze, adding to the city¡¯s vibrant energy. Captain Lysander moved ahead with unyielding focus, cutting through the chaos like a blade through cloth. The noise of the city grew louder as they navigated narrow alleys and passed bustling market stalls, the air thick with the calls of vendors. Kael raised an eyebrow, impressed by the captain¡¯s brisk pace. ¡°Where are we headed?¡± Kael asked, raising his voice above the din. ¡°The Adventurers¡¯ Guild,¡± Lysander answered, his tone firm and purposeful. ¡°If anyone knows what¡¯s going on in this city, it¡¯s them. Mercenaries, thieves, mages¡ªthey catch wind of everything.¡± Stolen story; please report. Ahead, the guild¡¯s imposing structure came into view, its stone walls tall and foreboding, adorned with the emblem of a sword and shield. The sounds of the guild¡¯s interior spilled out through cracked doors¡ªlaughter, loud conversation, and the occasional shout. But as they neared, something caught Kael¡¯s eye. A group of rough-looking mercenaries lounged near the door, their laughter too loud and their mannerisms far too familiar. They circled a young adventurer, no older than eighteen, whose worn armor did little to mask the discomfort on her flushed face. The mercenaries made lewd remarks, their eyes glinting with malice. The girl shifted nervously, too intimidated to speak up. Kael¡¯s chest tightened with disgust, but before he could step forward, Lysander acted. With surgical precision, Captain Lysander moved forward, boots striking the cobblestones with purpose. In a heartbeat, he closed the gap and delivered a brutal punch to the gut of the nearest mercenary. The sound was sickening, the man¡¯s breath whooshing out as his knees buckled and he collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. The remaining mercenaries froze, their eyes wide in shock. Lysander stood over the fallen man, his gaze as cold as stone. ¡°Captain Lysander! The Corvan Lysander!¡± one of the mercenaries stammered, raising his hands in exaggerated surrender. ¡°We were just¡ªuh¡ªleaving¡­to volunteer at the orphanage¡­or something like that.¡± The man on the ground groaned, clutching his stomach. ¡°Oh¡­my stomach¡­It hurts¡­I didn¡¯t even do anything.¡± ¡°Yet,¡± Lysander muttered under his breath. The mercenary glared up at him, fury rising. ¡°Fuck you! Ever tried using words? You psycho!¡± Lysander didn¡¯t flinch. His eyes remained as hard as ever. ¡°If you¡¯ve got a problem with my methods, feel free to speak up.¡± The mercenaries exchanged uneasy glances, the bravado draining from them as quickly as it had appeared. Without another word, they retreated, muttering curses under their breath. The young adventurer, who had been frozen in place, finally let out a quiet sigh of relief. Her eyes were wide, still shaken, but Kael noticed something else¡ªgratitude, mixed with a hint of embarrassment. ¡°You alright?¡± Lysander asked, his voice softening, though his posture remained rigid. The girl nodded quickly, gripping the straps of her armor tightly. ¡°Th-thank you, Captain. I¡­I didn¡¯t know what to do.¡± Lysander gave her a curt nod. ¡°Don¡¯t let anyone push you around. If it happens again, let me know.¡±
With the tension broken, Kael and Thalindra followed Lysander into the guild hall. The lively atmosphere was a stark contrast to the unease that had lingered outside. Kael glanced back at the young adventurer, now engaged in conversation with a clerk, her body language more relaxed. Inside, the clamor of voices, laughter, and the clinking of mugs filled the air. The scent of wood smoke mixed with the earthy aroma of adventurers exchanging tales or bartering jobs. Shields and swords adorned the walls, and a crackling hearth warmed the space, offering a welcome reprieve from the chill outside. Amid the bustle, Kael¡¯s gaze was drawn to a figure standing in quiet elegance¡ªtoo graceful to be just another adventurer. She wore a black blindfold, her short white hair framing a face that exuded serenity and strength. Her sleek black-and-white healer¡¯s attire hugged her frame, and her posture radiated an authority that seemed to quiet the room for a moment. This was no ordinary adventurer. ¡°Great,¡± Zaroth muttered under his breath. ¡°I knew she¡¯d be here eventually.¡± Kael raised an eyebrow. ¡°You know her?¡± Zaroth scoffed. ¡°Unfortunately. She¡¯s one of the Goddess Ezirah¡¯s dolls¡ªRhaize, I think. A human clone created with Chaos Magic. Think of her as an advanced golem, but with her own free will. Well, sort of. Ezirah can possess her whenever, but otherwise, she¡¯s like a younger version of the Goddess. About 18-20 years old, if that helps.¡± Before Kael could ask more, Rhaize¡¯s head snapped toward them, as if she had heard their conversation, though her eyes remained hidden behind the blindfold. The subtle shift in her focus made Kael pause, an unsettling feeling creeping over him. There was something otherworldly about her¡ªsomething beyond mere magic. The faint hum of energy she radiated told him she was far from a typical adventurer. As they neared the bar, the noise of a commotion caught their attention. The Guild Master, a muscular woman with dark hair fading to green, stumbled toward Rhaize, clearly intoxicated. Her usually confident stride was off-kilter, and her flushed face was a dead giveaway of her state. ¡°Oh, this can¡¯t be good¡­¡± Kael muttered as the Guild Master reached out toward Rhaize with a sloppy grin. ¡°Rhaize, my dear!¡± the Guild Master slurred, her voice filled with drunken affection. ¡°You look divine tonight! Come, let me shower you with my love!¡± Her arms swayed wide, and her eyes were half-lidded as she lurched forward. Rhaize remained unbothered, tilting her head slightly. Her voice, cool and composed, cut through the air. ¡°You are inebriated, Guild Master Sera.¡± Before Sera¡¯s hands could land, Rhaize moved with uncanny fluidity, stepping aside with grace that seemed to defy the laws of movement. The Guild Master missed entirely, her momentum carrying her forward, and she stumbled completely off-balance. Kael stifled a grin at the sight of the Guild Master¡¯s pride getting the better of her. ¡°That¡­was a close call,¡± he murmured under his breath. Rhaize, without breaking a sweat, replied, ¡°You should be more careful, Guild Master. Your actions, though well-intentioned, are not appropriate.¡± Sera, still wobbling, slurred, ¡°It¡¯s not my fault you said you were meeting a boy. You broke my heart, Rhaize. I had no choice but to drown my sorrows. Though, maybe beating him up would be more effective¡­¡± Her voice trailed off as she fumbled for the name. ¡°Cale¡­Kiel¡­Kaelen?¡± Rhaize nodded, her blindfolded gaze locking onto Kael with unsettling accuracy. ¡°You are Kael, correct?¡± she asked, her voice soft but unnervingly direct. ¡°Huh?¡± Sera mumbled, turning toward him. ¡°Shit,¡± Kael and Zaroth muttered in unison. Chapter 6 - Kael, The Sage Kael sat at a long, sturdy table inside the adventurer¡¯s guild, surrounded by his new companions¡ªLysander, Rhaize, Sera, and Thalindra. The noise of clinking mugs, boisterous laughter, and the occasional argument filled the air, a familiar chaos that somehow felt structured within the wooden walls of Vardhelm¡¯s most reputable guild. Unfortunately, none of it was enough to drown out the exasperated sigh escaping Lysander¡¯s lips. Across from him, the Guild Master, Sera¡ªnow somewhat more sober than when she had tried (and failed) to drape herself over Rhaize¡ªwas lazily swirling a mug of ale, staring into its depths as though it contained the answers to life itself. Lysander pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°A merchant was murdered today, Guild Master.¡± Sera barely glanced up. ¡°Yeah, yeah, tragic. Happens more often than you¡¯d think.¡± ¡°In this city?!¡± Lysander snapped. ¡°Not this city, specifically,¡± Sera admitted, finally setting her mug down and straightening in her seat. ¡°Hence why the poor bastard was probably trying to get here before he got targeted for murder.¡± Kael raised an eyebrow. ¡°Targeted?¡± Sera waved a hand as if brushing off his confusion. ¡°Word is, he was dealing in some¡­ weird stuff. The kind that makes people with knives very interested in your debt repayment schedule.¡± Rhaize, who had remained silent until now, tilted her head slightly. ¡°Could it be the black market?¡± ¡°Bingo,¡± Sera said, tapping her nose. ¡°And he¡¯s not the first. A few adventurers have heard of similar cases in other cities¡ªsomeone gets involved with the wrong crowd, can¡¯t pay up, and then¡­¡± She drew a finger across her throat. ¡°This one was done cleanly, too. Real professional work. No way the carriage driver had the skills for it.¡± ¡°Then why is he still being interrogated?¡± Rhaize asked. Sera shrugged. ¡°Gotta make sure he wasn¡¯t just really good at faking incompetence.¡± Thalindra leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. ¡°And this concerns me because¡­?¡± Lysander turned to her, his expression serious. ¡°You should know better, Thalindra. You¡¯re a princess. The more trusted people involved, the better. This city is considered the safest in the region, and if assassins are working nearby, it¡¯s ourproblem. Also, all [A] Rank and above adventurers registered in Vardhelm are legally required to help protect it. That includes you.¡± Kael blinked. ¡°You¡¯re a princess?!¡± Thalindra sighed dramatically. ¡°What gave it away? My regal posture? My refined manners?¡± ¡°You tried to rob me like, today. And not even that long ago!¡± ¡°It was a strategic income redistribution attempt.¡± Sera grinned. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s just part of her charm. That and the fact that she was banished from the Elven Royal Capital for being, and I quote, ¡®too much of a bitch.¡¯¡± Thalindra glared. ¡°You could have at least let me explain.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Sera smirked. ¡°I like seeing you squirm.¡± Kael glanced between them. ¡°Being banished for being prickly seems a bit much, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Not forever,¡± Sera said cheerfully. ¡°Just until she finds a lover and proves she can be more¡­ agreeable.¡± Thalindra scowled. ¡°That was not the reason¡ª¡± ¡°Oh, please,¡± Sera cut in. ¡°The real issue is that your brother¡ªthe heir to the throne¡ªnever expected you to rise to A-rank instead of crawling back for forgiveness. Now he¡¯s practically begging for your return. Like I¡¯d ever let one of my most valuable assets¡ªuh, I mean, allies¡ªwalk away from the guild.¡± Thalindra¡¯s fingers twitched. ¡°I hate you.¡± ¡°You say that, but we both know you¡¯d miss me.¡± Kael furrowed his brow, still piecing it all together. ¡°Wait¡­even as an A-rank, you still couldn¡¯t rob me? How does that even make sense?¡± Thalindra scoffed. ¡°Only because you had the nerve to use tentacle magic of all things to stop me. Honestly, I debated just beheading you on the spot, but killing you over a measly 1,000 gold didn¡¯t seem worth it. Though, looking back, it¡¯s pretty obvious you didn¡¯t even have that much.¡± At the mention of tentacle magic, Sera¡¯s eyes lit up with pure curiosity. She leaned in, elbows on the table, a mischievous grin creeping onto her face. ¡°Wait, wait¡ªKael, what¡¯s your class?¡± Before he could respond, Rhaize spoke up, her tone as steady as ever. ¡°He is a Sage.¡± Silence fell over the table. Then¡ªBANG! Sera slammed her hands against the wood so hard that the mugs rattled, a few nearly toppling over. ¡°ARE YOU SERIOUSLY A SAGE?!¡± The entire guild hall froze. Conversations cut off mid-sentence. Every head swiveled toward them. Sera cleared her throat, forcing a casual cough into her fist. ¡°Ahem. My bad, guys! Carry on!¡± The tension in the room slowly eased, though Kael could still feel the weight of dozens of lingering stares. Sera, now rubbing her chin in thought, murmured, ¡°A real Sage, huh? That class is beyond rare. Scarcer than Necromancers or Arcanists. Maybe even on par with a Chronomancer¡­or a Plagueborn?¡± This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Lysander exhaled sharply. ¡°Can we stay on track?¡± Sera snapped her fingers, suddenly grinning. ¡°Oh! I have an idea¡ªKael, join my guild.¡± Kael blinked. ¡°What.¡± ¡°You heard me. Join. My. Guild.¡± Before he could even begin to wrap his head around what just happened, Zaroth finally decided to be useful¡ªby dumping an entire encyclopedia¡¯s worth of knowledge directly into Kael¡¯s brain, all within the span of a single heartbeat.
? Kael is a Sage and, as such, is supposed to gain a unique ability that provides him with knowledge, among other things. However, Goddess Ezirah modified his class, attaching Zaroth to replace the original ¡®Sage¡¯ system so that the Demon Lord could be used, despite his real body being in the hands of the Church. The abilities of the ¡®Sage¡¯ class remain intact, but all information now comes through Zaroth instead of the default system¡ªlike adding a mod to a base game. ? The Sage class is one of the rarest in existence and is often associated with destiny, prophecy, or world-shaping influence. Kael is not the only Sage in Vaelstrum, however. There are currently 7 other Sages scattered across the world, each with a distinct magical focus and Race. ? Zaroth was also a Sage¡ªbut a Dark Sage. Unlike Kael¡¯s class, his version was based on demonic magic. When Ezirah captured his consciousness, she merged it with Kael¡¯s Sage skill, creating a new, more powerful version called Ultimate Sage. This ability fuses both Dark and Light Sages, granting Kael access to an unparalleled depth of history, spells, and lost knowledge. This makes him (potentially) stronger than any other Sage in the world. ? When someone appraises Kael, they will only see Sage. However, if their Appraisal skill is [S] Rank, they will see the Ultimate tag beneath it, indicating the hidden potential of his class. ? Magic skills in Vaelstrum function differently from other abilities. Some people are born with them, while others can unlock them through trial and practice. For instance, someone might gain the Fire Magic skill by repeatedly casting fire spells, whereas another person might be born with an innate affinity for fire. This means all magic skills have the potential to be hidden until activated. ? Because Kael is a Sage, he has unlimited potential to acquire new skills. As long as he learns a spell and practices it enough times, he will permanently gain the corresponding magic skill. ? He also possesses an enhanced version of the Quick Learner skill called Supreme Learner, which allows him to grow exponentially faster than normal sages. This is why Sages become more dangerous over time¡ªit¡¯s safest to kill them before they become a problem. ? Skills don¡¯t just unlock spells¡ªthey reduce mana costs and improve efficiency. For example, a person with an [S] Ranked Magic Defense skill can block attacks at a fraction of the mana cost compared to someone who merely knowsthe spell but lacks the skill. Without the proper skill, even the strongest magic can be draining to use. ? The usual mana reduction for an [S] rank skill is 80%. If it reaches [S+] rank, it reduces 90% of the mana cost. The highest Rank for a skill is [SS], but it can theoretically reach [SS+]. ? Even mundane activities¡ªfarming, cooking, blacksmithing¡ªare skills. Even sex is a skill. Though those who have it typically work at brothels. ? To keep track of their knowledge, most Sages use magical grimoires¡ªbooks that phase in and out of existence on demand. These are stored using the Dimensional Storage skill, which every Sage possesses by default. However, a Sage¡¯s Dimensional Storage starts small, only capable of holding a few books at first. Over time, it expands based on various factors. ? To store items, Kael simply needs to say Store. To retrieve them, he can think of the item or say its name aloud while saying Retrieve. When accessing his storage, a mental inventory screen appears¡ªlike something straight out of a game. This system isn¡¯t unique to Kael; all Sages use it.
¡°Ugh¡­ my head,¡± Kael groaned, pressing his fingers against his temples as if that would stop the sudden flood of information from overwhelming him. Back in reality, Sera was practically buzzing with excitement, leaning forward like she was trying to physically drag the answer out of him. ¡°Alright, spill it, Kael¡ªwhat kind of skills do you have?¡± Kael let out a slow breath. This woman¡­ ¡°Zaroth, how do I check my status?¡± ¡°Just say ¡®Status¡¯. It¡¯ll appear. Only you can see it.¡± ¡°Alright¡­Status.¡± The air shimmered before him, and a sleek, glowing interface materialized¡ªclean, modern, and far more advanced than anything he had imagined. His eyes flicked over the list of skills.
Status Name: Kael Race: [Restricted] Class: Sage (??? ) Rank: [D+] Title: None Affiliation: [Restricted] Attributes: ? Health (HP): [C] ? Mana (MP): [B] ? Stamina (STA): [D] ? Luck (LCK): [C+] Skills: ? Ancient Tongue [SS+] ? Supreme Learner [S+] ? Dimensional Storage [C] ? Chaos Magic [???] ? Tentacle Magic [D] ? Dagger Skill [D]
Kael frowned. ¡°Where the hell are my other stats? Zaroth, where¡¯s my Strength? Intelligence? Dexterity?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Zaroth¡¯s voice sounded genuinely confused. ¡°You know¡­core stats? Strength, Wisdom, Charisma?¡± ¡°Vaelstrum operates on a skill-based system. Those stats you¡¯re thinking of? They don¡¯t exist the way you¡¯re used to. Everything is a skill. Strength, Intelligence, Charisma¡ªthey¡¯re all skills that must be developed. Some people can max out Strength at [SS] Rank, while others may never surpass [C+].¡± Kael¡¯s eyebrow twitched. ¡°So, you¡¯re telling me Strength is just another skill I have to unlock? That makes no sense!¡± ¡°Think of it like this: if someone starts lifting weights, they begin at [D] Rank Strength. As they build muscle, they move up to [C+]. Eventually, if they can throw boulders at dragons, that¡¯s [S] Rank Strength.¡± Kael let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing his temples. ¡°The fact that this is making sense is somehow making me even more frustrated.¡± Back in the present, Sera was still watching him closely, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. ¡°Well? What does it say?¡± Kael hesitated. ¡°Uh¡­I¡¯ve got some skills. Nothing too crazy¡ªstuff like [Tentacle Magic] and [Dagger Skill]. But then there¡¯s [Ancient Tongue], [Supreme Learner], and [Dimensional Storage]. Oh, and this random one called [Chaos Magic], but I¡¯m not sure what that¡¯s about¡­¡± Sera stood up from the table, her face serious. ¡°I¡¯ve heard enough. If you decide to join my guild, we¡¯ll get you appraised and issue your ID Card. If the Appraisal system recognizes you as a Sage, you¡¯ll have direct access to me and my office. You won¡¯t have to deal with Receptionists, Managers, or Officers. You¡¯ll come to me if you need anything.¡± Zaroth let out a relieved sigh. ¡°Finally! This is taking too long. I want to kill something already. All this peace and friendship nonsense is making me restless. We should pick up some combat and gathering quests while we¡¯re here. Maybe even bring Rhaize along so we can check in with Ezirah. It¡¯ll be safer for us to talk to her while we¡¯re out doing a quest together.¡± Rhaize, hearing this, raised her hand. ¡°Guild Master Sera, I¡¯ll join Kael on his first few quests. It wouldn¡¯t be fair to have Thalindra handle getting him settled.¡± Thalindra stood up and placed her arms around Rhaize in a hug, still sitting down. ¡°I don¡¯t know you well, but you¡¯re already my favorite person here! I¡¯m heading to the hot spring now, but good luck, Kael the Sage!¡± Before Lysander could respond, Thalindra activated her [Veil of Shadows] skill and disappeared. The skill made her completely invisible for a short time, allowing her to move undetected. She even gained a temporary speed boost, leaving behind a faint afterimage that tricked enemies into thinking she was still in place. Though in this case, it was meant to trick Captain Lysander. Lysander stood up from the table, clearly frustrated. ¡°I¡¯ll take no more of your time, Guild Master. Kael, Rhaize¡­good luck. Let¡¯s hope you¡¯ll be more agreeable than Thalindra once you hit [A] Rank.¡± Lysander walked off, leaving Sera, Rhaize, and Kael to rise from the table. Sera extended her hand toward Kael with a grin. ¡°Well? Ready to join us? The Celestial Order? We¡¯re the best adventurer¡¯s guild in the city.¡± Rhaize sighed. ¡°It¡¯s also the only adventurer¡¯s guild in the city.¡± Kael chuckled as he shook her hand. ¡°Guess that makes it my only choice.¡±