Chapter 153: Meeting Shae

    Derek looked from Judy and the Guild Master and at the voice that was coming from where the door had been shattered.

    Thomas? Derek saw a very tired-looking Thomas. His clothes were ripped, and he was panting. He could see multiple bruises and cuts on the boys body. What happened to you? The boy was in an utterly disheveled state.

    Before Thomas could answer, the Guild Master cut in. You know the boy? He asked Derek.

    What the hell is going on? Derek swiveled his head between the man and Thomas. Derek glanced at the spear in the mans hand, then back at Thomas. He furrowed his brows. The picture was getting clearer, but he had his doubts. Why would someone like the Guild Master train with Thomas?

    Derek looked the big man in the eyes. Of course I know him. Im the one that brought him to Savannah. He answered.

    The man looked back at Thomas. This is the man that helped you choose the spear?

    Thomas nodded. Thats Derek.

    Finally, the man smiled and the tense atmosphere he created vanished. Smart man. He said. Then, focusing back on Judy, he began, Why, exactly, did you tell this man to release his aura in a room full of adventurers? He asked.

    He wanted to go from a Gold Ranked Adventurer straight to an Onyx Rank. Judy answered matter-of-factly. How was I supposed to know he was being serious?

    The dark-skinned man eyed Derek up and down. You wanted to skip an entire rank? I would ask why you thought you would be able to do that, but after being able to feel your aura from the training room, I dont doubt that you may be able to.

    May? Derek asked.

    Well, we would have to see if you are qualified. Unlike the other ranks, the Onyx Rank can only be tested and given out by a higher authority in the guild. Say, a Guild Master at one of the more renown locations. Diamond, however, can only be given out by the Guild Leader in the Capital. The man answered.

    And the missions? Derek asked. Before he was able to get his Gold Rank, he had to complete a number of Silver Ranked missions. He hoped that it wasnt the same with the Onyx Rank. There werent that many Platinum Ranked missions available. Plus, he still couldnt even accept a Platinum mission because of his current ranking.

    Fortunately, the Guild Master waved his question away. Those are only a formality given to the lesser ranks. Once you have the approval of a Guild Master, you wont have to worry about those.

    So, when can I get started? Derek asked.

    Judy cut in at that moment. Im sorry. She said. The Guild Master is currently busy and should be getting back to work. She glared at the man. If you would like to increase your ranking to Onyx, please schedule an appointment for a later date.

    Derek tilted his head as he looked from the woman to the man, then to Thomas. Really? He asked sarcastically. So, the Guild Masters business is training my Derek thought for a second. What would I call Thomas? Hes not my apprentice, definitely not my kid. Calling him a friend would make me sound like a weirdo Ah, I got it. My charge.

    Thomass grandparents had trusted Derek to take care of him up to a point, so considering the boy one of his charges made sense.

    Derek narrowed his eyes at the man before continuing. You were training him, I hope. Not just using him as a punching bag.

    Of course. The man replied.

    If he were actually harmed, we would be having an entirely different conversation. In fact, we wouldnt even be having a conversation. You would be dead, and you wouldnt even know it. Derek said.

    Youre not going to put any armor on? Youre going to fight half naked?

    Derek laughed. I didnt want to ruin my clothes. That style is hard to come by. Plus, I doubt armor will help much.

    Shae shook his head. Whatever you say. He commented. Then he pulled a document out of his storage ring and handed it to Derek. Here, place your mana signature on this. I dont want the guild to be liable in the case of an accident happening.

    Derek looked over the document. It did just as Shae said, kept the Adventurers Guild from being responsible for any harm that may come during the test to rank up. Derek injected his mana into it and handed it back.

    Shae stored the document back in his storage device, then looked deeply at Derek. Suddenly, he furrowed his brows. Interesting.

    What?

    Shae smiled. The headache that comes with trying to use Identify on you, and what I get back in return.

    Derek smiled. He had turned on the skill he received from his Award when he walked into the Adventurers Guild. He still didnt appreciate people using the skill on him, and there may actually be some people in the city that would be able to do it. Including the man in front of him.

    So, what does it say? He was truly curious. All the description for the Lesser Enigma Award said was that the block ability was increased.

    Shae snorted. Your level is in the 100s, and you are a Human.

    Derek tilted his head. Not my exact level?

    You could be level 101 or 199. All I get back is a one and a bunch of nonsense. Thats why its interesting. The Guild Master replied.

    Thats good.

    How did you do that? Shae asked.

    Derek laughed. I tell you what, if you beat me, Ill tell you. How does that sound? Derek rolled his shoulders, getting ready for a fight.

    Shae smiled the same malicious smile he had shown in the lobby. Sounds good to me. Lets just hope you can still talk when were finished. He spun his spear in his hand before slamming its butt on the ground.

    Derek looked over at Thomas. Stand as far back as possible.

    Thomas scurried away from the center of the room and hugged the wall beside the door.

    Seeing that the kid was in the clear, Derek set his feet and launched himself at Shae. He swung his fist at Shaes head, but the man only had to tilt it back to dodge. Then, Derek launched a blow to the others body, only to be sidestepped. Derek jabbed at the man a few more times, missing each punch.

    Then Shae retaliated, with the blunt end of his spear. The attack was driven into Dereks sternum, causing him to slide back five feet.

    Shae looked Derek in the eyes. Oh, come on. That cant be all you got.