Hawk was in the library, continuing to translate the books that Elaina gave him. Since translating was to read, understand, and literate, it naturally gave him some basic knowledge in both anatomy and herbs. Someone he would definitely be able to use later.

Elaina was a good host. Before even he himself realized that he was hungry, she already came in with food. They ate together in silence, not exchanging a word. She left soundlessly after they were done. Finally, hours later, he was done with the copies. He walked around a bit before he realized that he couldn’t find Elaina.

Not knowing how to contact her, he decided to wait by reading more books. He headed to the magic section and looked for books about the enchantment of items. It wasn’t long before he came across a book titled Advanced Blacksmithing for the Novice.

At first, he didn’t think that there wouldn’t be a lot of information he could use in it, but there was a page loose inside with large, elegant words plastered at the top ‘The Development of the Vibration Blade’. The whole page had incomparably tiny text, each one teaching about the history and steps needed to craft an enchanted weapon that could cut through anything.

This... this... Shock and disbelief filled Hawk's face. He wouldn’t be able to create or use it now, but in the future, it could create a powerful weapon he could wield. Carefully, he read through the entire page and memorized every single word, committing everything to memory without losing a single detail.

Surprisingly, just this single page took longer to remember than all the books he read before combined! The elegant words of the page were actually increasingly complex as he read with each word taking longer and longer to comprehend and remember.

After cramming all of the information in his head, he felt an intense headache for a few moments. Another voice sounded behind him, “Interested in enchantment? You can keep the books if you want. You need them more than me.”

“I just thought it might come handy one day.”

“That’s a wise choice. Did you finish the copies?”

Pushing the books before her, Elaina checked them quickly and nodded satisfied. Hawk couldn’t help but ask her about the words that she sang when she gave him a skill earlier, ”There were words that sounded familiar, but it seemed like an older version of what I know.”

“You really aren’t a fool. It’s an archaic language. So old that the name for it has been long forgotten. Each word composing it is filled with power to manipulate the world. Nobody knows how it changed so much to become what we speak today, a language of meaningless communication. Now, only those blessed by the will of the world can learn it now.”

Hawk palpitated before asking, “Can you teach it to me?”

“I can, but before I consider it, you have to answer a question.”

“Alright.” He steeled his resolve and prepared.

“What would you do if you could make legends reality? To wield the legendary power of Gods and manipulate the world to your will?”

Without hesitation, Hawk immediately answered from the deepest part of his heart, “I would find freedom. True freedom from all restraints. Honestly, I don’t think those who achieve that kind of power should meddle with things like good or evil. They should stay the way they are now, legends. It’s too easy to change the balance of power and destroy the world. I would learn, train, and live by my own rules.”

Pausing a moment, Elaina repeated his words in her head. Her eyes softened slightly before she responded, “You choose a path of solitude, my young friend. To walk this path with come with unparalleled difficulty.”

She stopped talking to place a piece of black metal in his hand, “Here is your reward for copying the books. Find Wayland the Blacksmith. He can tell you what you’re holding. Don’t tell him you got it from me. Just pretend that you found it while walking along a road.

Hawk looked at the piece of metal. In his hand, it looked insignificant without any special properties. In fact, it looked like it might be weaker than even wood, but he still kept it because he knew that something Elaina would give him wouldn’t be normal.

“Now that we’re done with that, do you still want to learn?” She asked.

Without hesitation, he nodded, “I wish to learn the ancient language.”

She took out a book from her bag that appeared out of nowhere and handed it to him. Actually, calling it a book was an overstatement, the whole thing comprised only of five blank pages.

When she saw the look of confusion on his face, she smiled, “You can’t read it like a normal book. You need a certain class to obtain the knowledge contained within these pages, but know that if you accept this class, you will never be able to change to another class again.”

She clearly enunciated every word, making sure that Hawk understood what she said. Still, only giving it a single thought, Hawk accepted.

“Done.” This single word wasn’t spoke in the same sweet and gentle voice he was used to hearing. It chilled him, uttered like a command filled with power. In front of him was the manifestation of supremacy, it was too late to back out now. Elaina took his hand. Strength and Knowledge surged into him brining along with it, pain. It felt like an eternity of pure torture that would never end, but he held strong, steeling his will, because he knew that if he survived this, it would bring him immense power.

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When eternity finally ended, the pain slowly stopped. His eyes were bloodshot and his face was pale. A wave of relief washed over him and his original awareness of mana increased. He could see mana clearer and more freely than ever before. Rather than the vague feelings before, it now felt like a wind with actual substance.

-> Unlocked and Equipped: Hidden Class Sage

-> All stats are given +30

-> Wisdom +60

-> Intelligence +40

Stats Window

Name

Hawk

Class

Sage

Health

727

Mana

1120

Level

1

Strength

35

Agility

41

Wisdom

100

Intelligence

80

Stamina

41

Vitality

40

Dexterity

40

++Unable to equip armor

++ Mana Manipulation

The capability to manipulate Mana

++ Mana Mastery

Increased control over Mana

Elaina looked at him and smiled when she saw his face, “Now you have to put some mana into the book.”

As Hawk followed her instructions, the book started glowing so brightly that he had to closed his eyes. The light stopped after a moment and he reached to read it, but before he could, Elaina caught his hand.

“A piece of advice before you open the book, if you use anything in that book before you reach at least the Master Stage in Mana Mastery, you will die and lose everything you‘ve gained. It’s not like a normal death where you just respawn. Everything will be taken away, even a newborn infant would be stronger than you.” She released his hand.

Hawk swiftly closed the book and stored it away. He wasn’t going to tempt himself just to get himself killed already.

“Good choice. There are a few things you must know. Including you and me, there are six people total with the Hidden Sage Class. If you want to progress, you’ll have to find them and meet their requirements. Each one of them has a skill. Be warned. If they find you unworthy, they will kill you.”

“What will you teach me?”

“Nothing, you are not ready to face my test.”

Hawk was disappointed, but he knew better than to insist. She was only looking out for his benefit. He nodded, showing that he knew what she meant. I need to get stronger.

“Where do I find the others?”

“I only know where one of them is. Thrash Warmonger, a dwarf. He lives in the caverns located in the Valley of Lost Souls. He’ll know the location of the others.”

Elaina guided Hawk to the gate, passing a package to him. A good bye gift she said. Opening it, Hawk found inside pearl-white clothes and some food. Changing and brandishing his new clothes, he proudly stood.

“A real hero.” She teased him, “I put two enchantments on them. You will find what they do soon enough. Good luck.”

Hawk thanked her by bowing and walked away.

*** (Fang)

Fang walked inside the Hunter Guild’s building. Because of his dark nature, all the hunters in the hall drew their weapons. One man approached and even though he was unarmed, Fang felt considerable pressure from him.

This man is dangerous. He secretly thought while speaking, “Elios sent me to meet with Lucian.”

The man talked with a soft voice, contrasting his appearance, “Oh? You see that door? The one under the stairs?”

“Yes.”

“A man of few words, I like that. Lucian is in there, but be careful. He’s in a bad mood today. You might need to defend yourself when you meet him.”

“Thanks for the advice.”

Walking over to the door, he opened it. Inside was pitch dark, an unnatural black. The light from the outside couldn’t even pierce into the darkness. Instinctively, he knew there would be danger the moment he walked beyond that door.

As he walked in, he instantly shifted into a wolf while closing the door behind him, but it was still total darkness. His wolf eyes that could even see heat couldn’t detect a thing. All his senses told him that there was nothing in the room, absolute nothing. Still, there was something, you might call it a little voice, that put him on edge. He knew Lucian was here. He could taste his presence in the air.

Even he himself couldn’t say how, but he knew an attack was coming from his left. Without thinking, he jumped, extending his claws to grasp onto the ceiling. Suspended there, he scanned the room. It was still total darkness.

Wondering what that was about, he felt another attack coming. Pushing off the ceiling, he launched himself to the ground, feeling a blade cut his thigh. Ignoring the pain, as soon as he reached the ground, he lashed out his claws in the direction the attack came from.

A loud clang of metal against his claws echoed in the room. A thud sound could be heard as the darkness disappeared. Fang saw a man, embedded into the wall. Oddly enough, the man was laughing.

Intuition

You sense danger even before the attacker himself has acted.

Fang, returned to his human form, was angry, “What the hell was that? I was sent here by a friend to meet you and the first thing you tried to do was kill me?”

Lucian didn’t seem bothered to be in the wall. He easily freed himself and shook the dust off.

“For me, my friend, that was having fun. For you, it was a test. I must say, I’m impressed by the stunt you pulled with the ceiling. Here, let’s sit down and talk.”

As they sat down, Lucian poured drinks for both of them.

“Elios told me about you. He thinks I can teach you a thing or two and he also told me it was your intention to go back to Purgatory and fight Asmodeus.”

“He’s right. We practically ran away from there. I was too weak to face anyone and I could only escape with luck on my side.”

“I don’t think I would have run away, Fang.”

Fang couldn’t believe what he heard. Is he saying that he can take on an archduke?

“Just hearing his name, I would’ve killed myself.” He continued with a loud laugh.

Fang didn’t find it funny at all, so Lucian coughed and replaced a serious expression on his face, “Elios sent you here for a reason. I’m in charge of a certain group of hunters. All our members are quite unique, just like you. But unlike you, we have found a purpose in our darkness.”

Fang suddenly jumped away from the man. Lucian had changed into a werewolf.