"That makes things easier I suppose... I was looking forward to challenging you though." Iskandor tells Vlad. "Even if I would be unable to do so, the faces everyone would make would be well worth it."
At this, Vlad chuckles a bit, "I suppose so, but a kid like you wouldn't be able to do much against me." Despite saying that confidently, Vlad had some doubts that the statement was true and if so that it would stay true for much longer.
"Sorry to change topics on you but, what do you know about the cult that seems to worship chaos? I've run into them a few times..." Iskandor asks.
"Khaos, not chaos." Vlad replies simply.
"I'm assuming there's a spelling difference as it sounded exactly the same..."
"It's a difference you hopefully won't need to learn. If you continue encountering these cultists however I may need to give you a brief lesson in history and prehistory." Vlad replies.
"That's totally not cryptic, but whatever, let's observe Serena's tests." Iskandor says with a small laugh.
---------------
"Iskandor's prior performance has lessened the impact of your talent... Not to say you weren't good. Although you are inexperienced in combat you show great resourcefulness and potent magic abilities of 4,284." Miette explained. "Would you like to spar with someone to determine your rank?"
"I don't have the confidence Iskandor has so I definitely won't challenge Vlad... Is Luna also a skilled combatant?" Serena asks.
"I don't have an official rank as I'm only staff, but my rank would be S rank at the lowest." Luna says.
"And I am much stronger than her, so keep in mind that there is always someone stronger." Vlad added.
"Miette, how about you?" Serena asked.
"I used to be an adventurer like you, but my last job kinda didn't work out..." Miette explains, "I was S rank but I'd probably be around A rank at the moment, but I would rather not fight."
"That's quite understandable, the only other members I know are Mike and Ike. I know the names of two others as well, the two that were fighting when we arrived." Serena responds, "Is it possible for me to take on Mike and Ike?"
"Typically, this would be a one on one fight. Vlad, should we make an exception in this situation." Miette asks.
"I trust your judgment, you deal with nearly every adventurer that walks through the door while I only deal with the occasional unique case." Vlad responds thoughtfully.
"One moment while I notify them." Miette says before leaving to bring the twin rangers over.
"So Vlad, how long have you been running this guild?" Iskandor asks.
"Probably much longer than I should, but then again I haven't found anyone suitable to take over. In a few years you could be a candidate but as it stands you are a bit too selfish for the role. Nothing wrong with that though." Vlad replies, volunteering more than was asked.
"Well, whatever the case you don't even look that old. Sure your hair is a tad grey but otherwise you could pass to be in your 30s. If you don't mind me speculating, I'd guess vampire." Iskandor says to the shock of everyone. "Now before you get all stabby stabby on me Luna, I firstly won't share this with anyone I don't trust, so basically just me and a few others who would probably find out among their own collective abilities. I only made that observation to show my perception and a sign of goodwill. You don't go too far out of your way to hide it either so I'm sure this is something you expected to happen sooner or later. Right Vlad?"
"I will admit, that certainly shocked me. Yes I am a vampire and yes a do need blood to survive and no I do not stalk about killing innocents." Vlad says, even chuckling a bit.
"As for how I detected that you were a vampire, I just simply noticed a lack of breathing and heat signature, then it was a process of elimination made quite easy as most undead are rotted and most inorganics are a far cry from actual flesh in the shape of a human. Based on your comment on teaching me prehistory should I need it would imply you are older than history, meaning you would have knowledge that was before written documentation. I must say you have adapted quite nicely." Iskandor mentions.
"I won't deny this, I assume you have a reason for asking?" Vlad questions.
"I do, and I hope you won't mind if I approach you with any questions I may have in the future. My question is regarding these." Iskandor says, pulling out the small collection off books that together would hold more collective information than most libraries. "I'm sure you must have come across the author of these and I would like to know who he is."
"I am bound by oath to not say his name to those that know it, but I can give you a clue or two." Vlad answers. "You share many things with him, in mentality and appearance. Considering your place of residence I assume you have met Ariel, Daedalus' assistant. I've heard that he has been acquainted to a certain Valkyrie and Succubus that I again can't name. You're friend over there on the otherhand may be able to lead you to them."
"Or I'm guessing the more likely situation is to lead them to us." Iskandor guesses.
"Correct again. Though I suppose I didn't need to say that." Vlad responds.
"Luna's face told it all, she doesn't have all the aquintances you do but it seems you shared with her as much as you could. I guess it makes sense as werewolves don't live as long as vampires." Iskandor says, shocking everyone again.
Vlad sighs "How did you figure that one out?"
"Between the unkempt hair, the lunar cycle, her scent being that of the wilderness despite being a secretary, and most importantly, my instincts." Iskandor says. "I've developed a keen sense as to what appears to be one thing but is really another, it's far from foolproof but for mundane occurances such as this it has yet to fail me."
*Sir, I must ask, was this why you purchased appraisal 3 days ago?*
'Yes, with the points I have gotten I had deemed appraisal the best choice for the near future. Sure, for people it does little more than reveal their name, race, age and maybe affinities if I know them well enough beforehand. But even knowing the race of someone can be useful, when combined with the keen observations I made it was all truth, meaning even with some form of lie detector I can find more ways to bullshit my way out of tough spots should I need it, or in this case mess around a bit.'
"Well, no matter. I can see you are just messing around to pass the time whilst having serious inquiries. I too have done that in the past. If I may ask though, how did you aquire these books?" Vlad questions.
"Well, Lar and I, Lar being someone who was like a sister to me growing up, lived in Rosemary. In our house in various hidden locations were these books. After the first few I made sure that I for all intents and purposes dismantled the house and put it back together."
"Keep the books safe then, if they were given to you in this way, he must have had a reason. These are the original copies."