The home Sadé had grown in was much more than a modest home. It was a palace if anything, a holding of a lord or someone noble. Jazmel had never pried about her family but after the meeting with Saif he had wondered if she was a princess.

“The Moonflower household are quite influential within the labyrinth. Many of their members are high Rankers and Masters. A feat not easily gained.” Baek explained to him.

“So is Sadé a princess?” Jazmel asked, suddenly worried about his previous behaviour.

“Nobility has many shades; the elves do not belong to a monarchy. But instead follow a democracy of houses. Each house has a leader, like clans if you will. They band together for protection and influence, but like the Moonflower house. Some are greater than others.” Baek told him and this made Jazmel think of the respect Saif offered Sadé.

The others had entered to wash up and dine, Jazmel was walking along the gardens of Sadé’s home with Baek who was simply keeping him company.

“I think I will go and see if there is any tea.” Baek said suddenly and without a response, he left Jazmel alone.

“Great. Finally, you are alone.” Jazmel turned and an older man stood before him. He was mature, maybe in his middle forties but he was more muscle than anything else. He was a great bear of a man in size and stature and even though Jazmel was not short himself, he had to look up into the face of this man.

“Hi, I am Entil. Sadé’s father.” Jazmel stiffened but offered his hand and the man, Sadé’s father shook it. He lost his own hand in the great paw of the man, but he felt no ill will from him.

“So, you are Jazmel.” He said and looked over Jazmel, sizing him up.

“I heard you are good with a sword.” he said and eyed Jazmel a little.

“I know a little.” Jazmel said and kept himself still, not wanting to offend the father of a dear friend.

“I would spar with you, but a Ranker against a Seeker would just look bad. When you make it to Ranker come back and we will spar.” Entil told him and Jazmel shed a shade of nerves.

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“Sadé wrote to us about you, told us how you and she have been travelling together since the first floor. So, I thank you for protecting my daughter. She seems quite fond of you.” He told Jazmel and he felt his own neck grow warm with shame.

“We promised not to interfere with her climb of the labyrinth, we told her we would let her grow herself and I plan to keep our promise. But that does not mean we cannot support those around her. So, I and my wife have a gift, if you would accept.” Entil confessed to Jazmel, and he listened intently a little unsure of what to really do.

“What do you have to give me and why do you not want Sadé to know?” Jazmel asked and Entil smiled.

“No interference and it isn’t that great of a gift.” He pointed out, Jazmel could see he wore a few storage rings, and he overturned his hand, so his palm showed, in it appeared a single vial of a buttery yellow liquid.

“This is not a potion or an elixir. It is a draught.” Entil explained and when he saw Jazmel’s blank look, he nodded in understanding.

“Here in the labyrinth, there are a great deal of things that affect and change Seekers and Rankers. For example, when you undergo a Seeker tribulation. The system specifically directs you were to focus the items you consume. But a draught is different in that it merely adjusts you.” He told Jazmel.

“Adjusts me how?” Jazmel asked.

“This draught will adjust your body to accommodate your abilities better. So, it cannot affect your skills or your Mana, it will simply better your body to allow it to perform.” He clarified and Jazmel nodded in understanding.

“I will accept it.” Jazmel said and went to take it from Entil.

“Why?”

“Because I need to become stronger, the stronger I am the better I can protect Sadé. The better I can protect everyone.” He realised he had only thought of Sadé but then mentioned the group too.

“Oh, my dear boy. You have your work cut out for you.” Entil said and placed the draught in Jazmel’s hand. He laughed and walked off, leaving Jazmel alone.

Jazmel did not understand what he had meant but he did not pursue. He looked at the vial he had been handed and the yellow liquid looked like a mixture of wine and honey, it was thick, but it moved quickly inside the bottle. Instead, he uncorked the vial, holding his breath he swigged the liquid without tasting it or smelling it.

DING!

DRAUGHT CONSUMED

…

BODY RECONSTRUCTION

…

BODY HAS SOMEWHAT ADJUSTED TO NEW LIMITS

The system chimed through his mind and Jazmel looked down at himself, there was not change that he could visibly see. But the system clearly thought otherwise. He walked out of the gardens and headed inside, towards the smell of food and the sing song sounds of people dining.