We followed Laura inside the fort through the massive gate. The closer I got the larger it looked. And the inside was simply overwhelming. We stepped into a massive plus-shaped hall. Each corner had its own sort of square tower that went all the way up to the ceiling, which was a good thirty or so metres above us. These towers were also responsible for giving the entire hall its shape. Large windows were located at each end but the one with the gate, letting in lots of light. The windows had different designs as well.

In the back was a window with two women on it, one standing in front of the sun the other standing in front of the moons. Written beneath them was Equi, for the one before the sun and Nox, the one in front of the moons. And standing in between them was a barely visible figure.

The one on our right had three people on it. A large male with antlers that wrapped around his head with the word Oberion beneath him, a large mermaid with the name Aquira and a woman that had swords floating behind her in a circle with the name Warlu.

And then there was the window to the right which had two people on it. One was a large harpy with beautiful feathered wings with the name Tiara. Next to her stood another man that had arms seemingly made of mountains with the name Vaylock written beneath his feet.

Beneath each window was a sort of altar and in the part of the hall leading up to it were many wooden chairs and benches which I assumed was for some sort of morning mass in case you worshipped the deities.

Laure caught me staring at the decorated windows.

"Those are the seven. Equi, the deity of the sun, the day and flames. Nox, the deity of the moons, the night and darkness. Oberion, the deity of nature, the forests, plants and life. Aquira, the deity of the oceans, of the cold and the life which resides in them. Warlu, the deity of war, weapons and death. Tiara, the deity of the sky, the winds and the flying islands. And then there is Vaylock, the deity of the world itself, the one that is said to have ascended, the one that started as nothing but a man and later became a greater deity," Laura explained.

"So these are the greaters," I said, more to myself than anyone else.

"Be careful with your wording, these are the greater deities. The word greaters also refers to the greater devils," Laura said, sounding far more serious than before.

"I apologize," I said, internally rolling my eyes.

"If you want to learn any more just ask someone to show you to the library, we have enough literature about all the deities and some about the devils if you really have to know," Larua explained.

I nodded in response.

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"Alright, any more questions?!" Laura asked loudly.

After no one asked a question we continued towards the tower base to the left, right next to the entrance gate. She opened the fairly large door that led inside. I just now noticed how the creature on her shoulder was constantly staring at me with widened eyes, it had a look of fear on its face.

What's up with that one?

'It's scared of me,' Ira said casually.

'And why is that? How does it even know you're there?' I asked.

'It's a spirit and I guess I'm somewhat of a spirit now as well. And that's a garlock, which means they are a type of spirit that I created,' Ira said.

'You created a type of spirit?' I asked, internally raising an eyebrow.

'Yup, they're spirits that convert the user's anger into power, like the Power of Wrath, just a little weaker. So don't worry, that little one won't rat us out,' Ira said with a slight chuckle in her voice.

'If you say so,' I said as I entered the tower base and looked around.

We were inside a large room with armour stands all around and a few soldiers sitting on benches and chairs that stood around a few large tables. The ceiling was much lower than in the hall and there was a staircase leading up.

"Alright, everyone will have to leave their weapons here for an inspection! Everyone except for mister Altair, he has been exempt from this!" Laura said loudly.

Uh, nice. Looks like Rudolpho really helps me out around here... that will make it a lot more satisfying to kill him in the future.

'Already planning a murder?' Ira asked.

'Yup, and I'm staying here as long as it takes... or as long as I can bear to be among these... these disgusting creatures,' I said, looking around the room with a slight look of disgust.

"Oh come on! Why doesn't he have to!?" the guy that had wanted to fight me before our instructor came asked loudly.

"Orders from above, I'm just following orders!" our instructor said loudly. "Now give them your weapon so we can move on!" She became louder and louder.

The man sighed and said: "Yes!" in a weakened and defeated tone before giving the soldiers in the room his chipped greatsword.

Once everyone had left their weapon in the room we left and went to the one on the other side of the entrance and went in through the door. The room looked like a waiting area with multiple benches and tables and even a couch.

"Wait here for your name to be called!" our instructor said as she walked towards the staircase in the middle of the room.

Before walking up she turned around again.

"Oh, and don't start any fucking fights!"

"Yes!" everyone but me said.

Once again she gave me a stare but didn't say anything.

Is she a pushover or something like that?

'I think her little spirit might have warned her that you're dangerous or something,' Ira said.

'I thought he won't rat us out?' I said.

'Oh he won't, but he could still tell her that you're stronger than her or something,' Ira said.

'I guess that's a possibility but we might have to deal with her if we wanna keep up the charade for a long time because if that little thing somehow tells Elsa, Lestul or Rudolpho we're fucked,' I said as I lay down on the couch and closed my eyes.

No one else dared to get close to the couch, they seemed afraid of me, which felt good. I smiled.

'How long do you think it will take for me to become more powerful than those three?' I asked.

'Honestly... it might take you years of practice. You're strong yes, but only for a soldier. You don't compare to that paladin or whatever he was. Even that red-haired one... Lestul or whatever, he would kill you with ease,' Ira said.

'Good thing that I'm an elve then," I said.