302. First Impressions
Tell , Salvos: why do I sense Divine Essence coming from you?
Clayton Skyshredder posed the question to the silver-haired girl. Right now it was soft difficult to discern. If he hadnt sensed it as she was making her way to his office, he wouldnt have thought twice about it.
But make no mistake, this was Divine Essence. The very sa he could sense from the Watcher. The very sa one he had been pursuing for his whole life but failed to achieve.
Before him was a young woman, roughly twenty years of age. A child. Not in a literal sense, but compared to him, she was nothing more than a child. In such a short amount of ti, not only had she reached Level 130, but she sohow attained a Divine Essence.
It was the sa power that the Immortal King Alexander was said to have exuded. An aura that commanded respect and authority. His words alone would compel those under him to heed his will.
It was the sa one that the Oracle of Light lissa had. And the very sa one the Quisling Zacharius had before he beca a Lich.
So, how?
How did Salvos learn this power?
Was she taught by a divine being? Or did she slay an unfathomably powerful creature? Or perhaps, did she study an artifact of great? A Mythical Grade item equivalent to the Treasures of Alexander?
The Headmaster of Mavos Academy took interest in such questions. He was a researcher. He had to know. So, he leaned forward, peering into Salvos. Into the silver-haired girl.
And she shrugged.
I dunno.
I watched as Clayton nearly fell off his chair at my answer. He coughed, trying to straighten. Then he faced with a serious look.
Are you joking right now, Salvos?
I an, I kind of know how I got it? It was given to through a Skill.
A Skill?
His brows furrowed. Then he stood up, wide-eyed and staring at .
A Grand Skill? You learned a Grand Skill before reaching Level 150?
Um, yep? Is that a big deal?
I cocked my head. I was always under the impression that it wasnt that special. Well, Grand Skills were special and hard to learn. But I didnt think it was exactly unusual to have it before Level 150. Apparently not.
A Grand Skill is rarely awarded, even to Elites, Salvos. I only earned my Grand Skill in my Level 150 advancent. And that was because I slayed a Greater Wyvern in battle.
Clayton shook his head. I tapped a finger on my chin.
Huh. That ant Zix was pretty aweso, wasnt he? And I wanted to duel against him on my own.
To be fair, I did have Daniels [Hero] Skills boosting . But that was still very stupid. I wouldnt have won if not for the flas around the arena. Wait, what did they call it again? Divine Flas?
I creased my brows, mulling what that ant for a mont as Clayton pressed further.
Now, Salvos, what could you have possibly done to earn you a Grand Skill?
I killed, um, a lot of Centinels. Well, I also had the Breastplate of Alexander on , and Ive been studying it
I scratched the back of my head. Clayton massaged his temples.
You have the Breastplate of Alexander on you, too
Um, yep. But I didnt steal it, I promise. Saffron lent it to .
The rryster child?
His eyes flickered. Then he leaned back on his chair.
Its all starting to make sense, at least.
Is it?
I raised a brow. Clayton drew himself to his feet, running a hand on his desk as he approached.
The Breastplate of Alexander is a Mythical Grade artifact. It is blessed with divine power. By studying from it and extensively using it, it only makes sense that you should have learned how to use its power for a brief mont. A very brief mont. But even now, I still sense it from you.
He ca to a stop before .
What is this Grand Skill of yours, Salvos?
Its called [Divine Essence of the
Wait. I caught myself. [Divine Essence of the Daeva Cambion]. Cambion. A half-mortal, half-Demon. And Daeva Cambion. My Subspecies.
Clayton furrowed his brows as I tried to work my jaw.
[Divine Essence of the?
He waited. I quickly waved a hand off.
Um, I ant to say that its the [Divine Essence of the Mystic of the Nexeus]! Thats right! And its what gives this!
I showed him my rainbow-colored flas, and he inspected it.
I see this divine fire interesting.
Divine fire? Then it clicked. Wait, is this the sa kind of fire that the Kobolds had used in their ritual during my duel with Zix? If that was the case, I could probably deal with Zix easily now if we fought again.
That was cool!
Yep. Anyway, now that Ive answered your questions, I need your help, Headmaster.
I cannot promise anything, Salvos. Even to a student of Mavos Academy. However, I am willing to hear your request.
He crossed his arms, and I nodded.
So, there are, um, these monsters that I t while in the Bloodied Gulf.
I explained the situation about the haven. About how I helped work with them to escape after they helped . I also explicitly made sure to bring up Willy. Having a Spirit at his level working alongside the monsters gave the monsters so repute, right?
Well, apparently, Clayton wasnt too surprised by the idea of a monster haven.
I have heard of such places. Monsters, unrelated to each other, cooperating in an extrely hostile environnt. They have even worked alongside Humans if they share the sa enemy. That is how many [Beast Tars] or [Beast Masters] have ford their bonds. I heard that once there was an Elite [Beast Master] whod even managed to befriend a [Ceph of the Deep] because both were stranded in the middle of a devastating mana storm.
So does that an?
I gave Clayton a pleading look. He eventually sighed, nodding.
I shall evaluate the threat of these monsters myself. And if they truly have nowhere else to go, I shall grant them a ho in Mavos Academy.
Yay!
I clapped my hands together. Well, it wasnt like Centina or Kron couldnt live anywhere they wanted to. They were pretty high-leveled. The only thing was, well, at least Centina didnt want to live in the wilderness. She wanted to explore the Human lands. Fall in love.
But there was no need to bring all that up to Clayton.
Alright, Ill bring you to them.
I bead, leading the Headmaster of Mavos Academy out of his school.
Do you think its going well?
Centina looked over at Kron. The [Evolved Centinel] was restless. She was afraid things would go wrong. That it wouldnt end well. And while she was looking for reassurance, the [Krokodis] was looking for a nap.
Mm?
Kron groused, blearily looking up. Centina shook her head.
Nevermind.
There was no point talking to the [Krokodis]. All she cared about was if she had food to eat and a place to sleep safely. Centina had learned that much over the years.
Years. Had it really been years since she t Kron? She didnt know. In fact, she had no sense of what ti was until Erhard explained it to her. Thanks to him, she had learned a lot about the world. A lot she never understood before.
She knew it had been a long ti since Erhard's death since she was forcefully entrapped beneath the Bloodied Gulf. However, she was never given a clock. The object that was supposed to be able to tell ti. So, she still never understood what ti was.
All she knew was how to compare a mont to how long she lived. And while this mont wasnt very long it hadnt been too long since Salvos left it felt like it had been forever and more. Sighing, she took a seat and closed her eyes.
Maybe I should just sleep as well
She trailed off. But before she could doze off, an ethereal voice woke her up.
Here!
Willy flitted over both the [Evolved Centinel] and the [Krokodis]. Centina scrambled to her feet.
Salvos is back?
Bringing Human. Co!
He quickly ushered them out of the Lair, bringing them a bit away to a clearing nearby. Centina fidgeted nervously. She didnt know what to do or say. Willy turned to her, speaking softly.
Level high. Careful.
Centina gulped, tensing up. But there was no reason to be afraid, right? Salvos was bringing him here to protect them.
But who was coming? Was it Clayton Skyshredder? The one who Salvos said was related to Erhard? If so well, Centina was nervous for more than one reason. And this reason definitely was not fear.
She shifted her many feet, scratching her cheek.
Hey, Kron, can you maybe use your illusion magic to make look like a Human? I want to give him a good first impression.
Kron scowled.
only asked for illusions. tired.
O-oh, but
Before Centina could argue, she heard sharp voices cutting through the trees of the forest. Footsteps on fallen leaves crunched their way over along with a pair of Humans. Well, one of them was Salvos in disguise.
Its fine, Clayton. Just try not to scare them. They arent used to being around Humans.
Do not worry, Salvos. I have interacted with monsters before. During my stay in the Rainforest of Monsters, Id even saved an Orc commune from an invasion of Wasp Locusts.
Good, good.
The figures reached the end of the thicket, stepping into the clearing. Salvos smiled and shook her head as Centina perked up.
I just dont want you to
And the man standing next to her a man with a flowing white beard and majestic robes paused. His gaze snapped towards Centina.
Get back, Salvos! An [Evolved Centinel] followed you out of the Bloodied Gulf!
Wait, Centina isnt
A longsword with a crooked guard that curved up like horns appeared in his hand as a dark aura appeared around it. Clayton Skyshredder, an unidentifiable high-leveled Human, lashed out at Centina with a powerful magical strike. The ground tore as Willy and Kron threw themselves out of the way.
[Darkblades Sunder].
And Salvos appeared before the [Evolved Centinel].
[Protection of the Sentinel].
Centina blinked as her body was wreathed in rainbow-colored flas. They ford segnted parts over her body. A kind of outer carapace, made entirely of Salvos fire. The dark blade clashed against this flaming carapace, sending trees behind Centina toppling without even touching them. But it didnt harm her. The attack dissipated as Clayton frowned.
What are you doing, Salvos?
The Demon scratched the back of her head.
Oops, did I forget to tell you that one of the monsters was an [Evolved Centinel]?
She laughed, and Clayton drew back. His brows creased as he glanced between Centina, Kron, and Willy.
To think you can block one of my offensive Skill... but that doesn't matter. This is unprecedented. So, youre telling that this Centinel was working alongside a monster, a Spirit, and a Human against its own kind?
Her own kind.
Salvos nodded.
Anyway, shes nice. Please dont be an to her.
Centina lowered her head, her shoulders sagging. That was already not a good first impression. And Clayton was dubious.
How do I know this is not a trick, Salvos? You could be fooled by this Sage Centinel. They are crafty and dangerous. The most intelligent of the Centinels.
Wait, he praised Centina. He called her intelligent. That was a good thing, right? Centina looked hopefully at Salvos, and the Demon shook her head.
Centina is not dangerous! Look, you can trust her even your great, great, great, great grand-whatever did. Centina, show him your ring!
My great, great what?
Clayton narrowed his eyes, but Centina quickly pulled out the ring in her finger. She showed it to him, bowing her head.
This was given to by the man I loved. His na was Erhard Skyshredder. I was told you were related to him.
Salvos nodded eagerly.
Yep, see? Centinas trustworthy.
And Claytons eyes grew wide.
You knew Erhard? But how? He died hundreds of years ago
Please, Clayton. Well explain it all you can even take a look at his research and his diaries. I saved a few things from the haven.
Salvos stepped forward, placing a hand on the Headmasters shoulders.
I shall listen to whatever story this is. But whether or not I trust this Centinel is sothing I shall determine for myself.
Clayton folded his arms, marching off.
Hey, he didnt kill you, at least. And he agreed to hear this out. Good first impression, right?
Salvos looked over at Centina. The [Evolved Centinel] pursed her lips, unsure of how to feel. But before she could even reply, the Demon suddenly took a step back.
Now lets why do I suddenly feel very tired?
She wobbled. The iridescent armor protecting Centina turned to a blue color. Salvos eyes closed as if they suddenly grew heavy, and she collapsed to the ground.
Wha?
Salvos
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