Chapter 127 (2/2)

“To make matters worse, there is another reason to target you,” The old man said with a smile. “There is such a thing in our world as ‘rainbow hunters’. They challenge and kill other spear users, taking their tassle for their collection, aiming for unique and vibrant colors to create a beautiful rainbow collection of tassles. Although the Heart School has green tassles commonly, they are across the world, and difficult to encounter. Due to that fact…”

“....my tassle is a hotly desired commodity by men who kill other men in order to decorate their mantle…?” Randidly said slowly.

The old man nodded.

Once more, silence descended on the boat. For several seconds, Randidly considered what the man had told him. But again, his thoughts were interrupted by the old man speaking.

“...But it is a good thing, I think. To have pride, and to choose your color boldly. It is only the young who can make such foolish decisions, because only they have the audacity to survive such idiocy.”

Randidly decided to take that comment as a compliment, rather than an insult, based on the absent smile on the man’s face, and asked, “What’s your name?”

“Divvit.” And as he said his name, Divvit’s smile was wide and full.

“So, Mr. Divvit, do I need to worry about people coming to challenge me?”

Divvit chuckled. “Well no, because technically what will happen is they will challenge the location where your banner stands. As it is my boat, and as Shal is your master, either of us can defend your honor and fight for you. Since we are invincible, you have nothing to fear.”

Randidly frowned. “Couldn’t they attack me while I was off the boat? Then come take my tassle later?”

“Luckily not. Byzantium made it law that only a duel held under a hanging tassle will enable the winner to collect their spoils from the loser. So if they want it, they will come here.” Then Divvit frowned, and added, “But if particularly conservative individuals are offended by the emerald choice, they might just attack you whenever and dump your body into the sea. But this is likely a small minority. And it will take time for them to hear and have their hearts filled with fury over such a small thing as color. Better focus on the qualifier for now.”

Randidly was silent for a moment. “...Can I win this? How strong will these opponents be?”

With a long, penetrating glance, Divvit looked Randidly up and down, before finally saying. “...based on what Shal has told me, and what I’ve seen… you are about as powerful as someone at Lvl 15. Although you seem to have gained some strength since the two of you sparred…”

Although there was an acknowledgement at the end, Divvit’s word’s still chilled Randidly. Lvl 15… A world that was a part of the system for a long time certainly had different standards when it came to strength. They likely determined the best path of training, the limits before Aether Starvation hit, which Patrons to use, and raised their warriors to surpass those limits.

“Most enemies there should be around your level, or a little below. Most of the disciples with any sort of talent have skipped this step anyway, and already received an invitation to the tournament. You should… likely make it.”

Divvit’s sentence was a grim one, but Randidly didn’t believe that it was really that worrisome. “Are spells allowed in the melee? Are potions allowed?”

Divvit nodded slowly, saying, “Well yes, but most people choose to focus their stats and skills in the single area of the spear… but there are those who choose to be both a spear-user and a mage…”, and Randidly grinned. True, he had been judged on his ability to use the spear, and been found to only have the strength of someone at Lvl 15. But the Ghosthound was not simply a spear user… When compared to his library of versatile spells, honestly, his spear moves were somewhat lacking.

Randidly made a mental note to talk to Shal about spear training more. Even if he had the advantage of spells, this was a great chance to raise the level of his spear moves in combat with those near his skill level. Any advice his master could give him would be important, at such a juncture.

“Ah, one final thing.” Randidly said. Divvit quirked up his eyebrow, curious.

“Do you know where I can find a cheap armorsmith?”