“Our intentions are like the bridge between our motivation and our actions. If we can synchronise our intentions…”

At first, seeing how easily everyone had accepted the concept of strength as a string to tie them together as a team, Alnea had thought that they would accept the concept of ‘intentions’ as a string too. It was not until everyone began raising their own objections that he understood how immature his thoughts were. At the same time, he also understood how tough being the Captain was.

Thankfully, he still had some prestige amongst everyone in the hall. And they could all see that he was trying to do his best for the team, so they patiently listened to him, and offered their own opinions. They even helped him sort out a few details about his earlier plan. It was still rough, with enough room for a few more rounds of polishing, but the basic idea was set. Intentions though…

Unlike strength, making everyone agree to synchronise their intentions was not easy. Except for the girls, of course. Including Vestia. After the promise she made him take, he knew exactly what her intentions were. As long as he did not disappoint her, Vestia was not going to betray him. Cecilia and Yuri, on the other hand, could never betray him. Besides, their intention was the same as his, so there was no room for betrayal anyway. The problem was not with girls, but the men.

Zain, for instance, wanted everyone to recognise his talent, while Karl just wanted live. One was seeking the eyes of everyone in the world, while the other could not wait to fade away from the sights of those who were after him. He did not tell anyone who exactly he was hiding from, but anyone could see that the intentions of the two were complete opposite to each other.

Not everyone’s intentions were at odds though. Just like Zain, Ralph too was seeking recognition of other. He too wished to let his fame spread far and wide. Similarly, Aren and Fran were both seething with the thoughts of vengeance. Their desire for power and strength was to fill the emptiness in their Hearts. Unfortunately, though the desire for power in Norren’s and Karl’s Heart was pure, their intentions itself did not match.

Ten people, with four of them focussing their intentions as one, and the rest of the six having four different intentions… No matter how he looked at it, finding a common point to bind everyone’s intentions together seemed almost impossible. Especially when no one was willing to change their intentions…

In the end, after nearly half an hour of discussion, Alnea decided to just separate everyone into different groups, and let them fulfil their intentions in their own way, while still working in the framework of a team, advancing their interests as a whole. After all, entering the city was not as simple as just completing all the trials, and earning enough points. The final battle at the end…

Although Alnea was sure that after he reached the Advanced Stage, he could easily take out a few Peak Stage Wanderers, the final battle would have more than a hundred Wanderers battling it out for the qualification of inner city. He alone would not be enough to take out so many Wanderers. And neither would Yuri, Cecilia, Vestia, or anyone else in their team for that matter. Even if they acted perfectly as a team, if the rest of the Wanderers teamed up against them, the possibility of fighting enemies more than nine times their own numbers…

If they wished to enter city, then just raising their strength was not enough. They also had to gather information about other Wanderers, gather some allies, negotiate treaties, and maybe even sabotage other people’s trials. Or at least that was what Karl, Aren, and Fran said. And they somehow even earned Ralph’s support. But that was it.

Alnea himself was not a supporter of sabotaging other people’s efforts for no reason. Unless they provoked him, or the people close to him, he would never bother entangling other Wanderers. And Norren, as a Wanderer striving to reach the peak of his path, also disdained from using such tricks. Surprisingly though, Zain was also much more principled than the other four men. Coupled with the support of the girls, Alnea managed to suppress the idea of sabotaging other people’s trials.

Still, even if he did not deign on us using such tricks to enter the inner city, there were quite a few things that he had to prepare for. So many things, that he did not even know where to begin. Thankfully, he had Yuri and Vestia with him. With their help, he soon identified the tasks suitable for everyone. Tasks in line with their intentions, and essential for their preparation of entering the inner city.

“…Vestia, try to gather as much information about other teams as you can. You can use Karl’s help if the need arises. I am sure that he will be glad to help…”

“…Norren, Aren, Fran, Ralph, and Zain, the five of you should venture into the Black Dessert more often. Remember, you will be venturing into the desert to hone your cooperation, not to sabotage other people’s trials. Of course, if other Wanderers come at you on their own, then there is no need to hold back. Just… keep your safety as your priority, and if you can, try to spread the name of our team. To let everyone in the Lost City know that we cannot be trifled with…”

“Let me go with them…”

“You have other tasks, Lia,” Alnea said. “And so do Yuri and I.”

“What is it?”

“Compared to the others in our team, our rank in the Arena is too low. If this is allowed to continue, then maybe, when they will be qualified to enter the inner city, we will still be trying to increase our ranks in the Arena…”

“It cannot be helped,” Vestia said. “You have just come to the Lost City, not to mention that you are not even at the Advanced Stage yet…”

“We cannot let an excuse, no matter how reasonable, come in our way.”

“What are you going to do then?”

“Increase our ranks, of course,” Alne said, before glancing at Yuri and Cecilia. “For the next month, the three of us will try to raise our ranks as much as we can. We can even try fighting twice or thrice a day. In any case, we must catch up with the rest of the team as soon as possible.”

“Fighting so much…” Vestia said with a frown, disagreeing with him for the first time in a while. “You do remember that the Lotus clan is after you, right? Or have you forgotten what happened when the last time you fought against three people in a row?”

“…I remember everything,” Alnea said, recalling the details of the day. “The noise, the blood, the terror… I remember each and every last detail of that day. But that is no reason for me to stop moving forward.”

“…The Lotus clan might try to trap you once again.”

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“It does not matter. I believe in my team, and I believe in myself. I have already passed my weakest phase. The Lotus clan cannot do anything to me now.”

“…What about other clans that might get jealous of you?”

“…Still the same thing. I will never stop moving forward, no matter what.”

That was his Oath.

“…It will be dangerous.”

“Dangerous? How much danger can we face in the Arena? Can it be greater than the danger that the five of them are going to face? If I ask them to complete such a dangerous task, but shy away from the first sign of danger myself, how can I be qualified to lead everyone?”

“It’s different. They—

“…Forget it, Vestia,” Yuri said, with a hint of pride and helplessness mixed in her voice. “When he gets like this, no one can change his mind.”

“…Stubborn,” Vestia said, putting in dissatisfaction, while Yuri and Cecilia sneered at her.

“…You call this being stubborn? At least he is thinking before taking actions now. Back then…”

“Truly worthy of the name Alnea Reckless.”

“…That name does suit him a little.”

“…I am right here, you know?”

“Of course, we know.”

“We are talking so loudly so that you can hear us in the first place.”

“And hope that you gain some sense.”

“…But you are right.”

“At least you did not try to face the dangers all by yourself this time.”

That was because he knew that he was the weakest of them at the moment. Yuri aside, Cecilia had an Oren Beast at the peak phase of its Adolescent Stage fighting by her side all the time. Coupled with her own Arcanas, and superb fighting skills, what kind of danger could she get into? As for Yuri… Alnea did not think there was anyone in the city who could pose a threat to her.

The same was true for him too, of course. But only if he used the power of his Oaths. The blade of his Oaths… He still remembered its power. The strength that had coursed through his veins. Even if he had not been conscious himself, just his instincts and memories alone had been enough to easily crush a Peak Stage False Wanderer. It was just that the price of using the power of his Oaths was too heavy.

The nausea and loss of control over himself aside, resonating with his Roots put a great toll on them. It did not matter that his Roots were special. Rather, it was exactly because his Roots were special that they had become so weak and unstable. If his Roots themselves had not been strong enough, then they might even have crumbled under the pressure of resonance.

Still, as a consequence of resonating with his Roots before his Domain and Heart had become stable enough to handle the resonance, he was forced to stop taking Oaths for a while. It was only recently that he had resumed taking Oaths. And even then, he had to be careful, so as to not take too difficult of an Oath, lest the remaining traces of his last resonance trigger a resonance once again.

He was not stupid enough to say all those things to Yuri though. So, he could only take advantage of the moment, and say, “…That is because I believe in you. And you too, Lia. I believe that when the three of us are together, we can face anything in the world.”

“…Why am I feeling so sour all of a sudden?” Vestia mumbled.

“…It is called jealousy,” Cecilia said, smirking at Vestia.

“Oh? You seem to be quite experienced with how jealousy feels…”

“You…”

“Alright, then,” Alnea said, interrupting the girls before they could fight once again. “Does anyone have any questions about the tasks that I gave you?”

“…You have not made my role in gathering information clear. How am I supposed to help Vestia?”

“Did you not wish to be a little incognito?”

“…I did. But—

“Then this is the perfect task for you. While Vestia will be gathering information, you will follow her from a distance, and try to gather information about the people following her. You may even use your discretion to gather information about other people directly. I know that your role is still a little vague… And not just you. All the tasks that I gave out are a little vague, but bear with them for now. Let us sort out the details slowly, and work together to perfect our team with time, and experience…”

“…We have no problems.”

“…Whatever…”

“…Thank you for believing in me,” Alnea said, nodding at his teammates. “There are still a few things that I need to talk about, but I think that we have had enough discussions today. Let us first digest what we have discussed already, and try to get along with each other more often. It would be even better if we start living together. Unfortunately, this mansion can host only six people at a time, and it has only been a week since I rented it. Letting go of it to rent a bigger mansion right away would be a waste of Blood Coins…

“We can shift into a bigger mansion in the month, but you cannot waste your time till then… How about this, since the five of you will be venturing into the Black Desert on your own for the next month or so, why not rent a mansion together? If you live together, it might help you in building your cooperation and teamwork. Do not worry about Blood Coins. I can lend you some first, and—

“No need,” Ralph said, shaking his head. “Although we cannot quite afford to enjoy the luxuries of the city, we are not so miserable as to not even be able toa afford a small mansion either. It is just that we did not have any reasons to rent a mansion earlier.”

“Good. It is decided then. For the next month, the five you will live together, and try to understand each other’s fighting habits. Be it against Oren Beasts or other Wanderers. Only when you fight together, can you develop enough cooperation and understanding. You can also take Karl and Vestia with you from time to time, and let them get acquainted with the team. Lia, Yuri, and I should join from the next month, when we have caught up with you in the Arena. As for the rest, let us discuss about it next month. Does anyone have a problem with this arrangement?”

Seeing everyone shake their heads in unison, Alnea nodded with a smile, and said, “Since that is the case, let us stop wasting our time, and get straight to work. Ralph, I am appointing you as the temporary leader of your small team. When I am not there, you will lead Norren, Aren, Fran, and Zain. And Zain, try not to clash with the members of your team. Also, when are you going to break through to the Peak Stage?”

“…In a couple of days, probably.”

“…I have given you your chance to shine. Do not let it go to waste.”

“…Stop underestimating me,” Zain said with a snort.

“…If you say so,” Alnea said, before turning towards everyone else. “Vestia, try to keep your safety as your top priority when you collect information, alright?”

“…Are you worried about me?”

“…He is worried about you because you are his teammate,” Cecilia answered for Alnea, only for Vestia’s smile to widen at her words.

“I will take that as a yes.”

“…Think what you want,” Alnea said with a sigh, before turning towards Karl. “I should not have to remind you to be cautious, right?”

“…No.”

“…If you feel you are in danger, you can ask for Aren’s help. And if you can, help him check out the things he wants to search for.”

“…Alright.”

“…Does anyone have anything else to say?”

Seeing everyone look at each other, and shake their heads, Alnea smiled and said, “Then that marks the end of the first meeting of Star Seekers. Before everyone leaves though, there is just one more thing I would like to say. Some of you may have been forced by your circumstances to join Star Seekers, while some of you may have joined us just to seek some benefits. It does not matter. You are all Star Seekers now. You are all now part of the same team.

“I do not care if you do not trust each other. Except for a few people, I do not trust you either. But that does not matter. You are not alone. Not anymore. The days when you used to chase after your ‘Stars’ all on your own are over. If there is anything that would like to share, if there is anything you need help for, do not hesitate to come to us. Even if the ‘Stars’ that we are ‘Seeking’ are different, we will still chase after them as a team…”