"I assume you are Gin, thanks for forcing Alfin out of the little circle he drew himself." The middle-aged man expressed his gratitude.
"I..." Gin didn't know how to respond as he couldn't understand the meaning hidden behind his words.
"Gin, let me introduce him. His name is Gildfus, a good friend of mine, a person who would give his life for me if needed.
Don't let his appearance fool you, he's an old man like me." Dean Alfin introduced the middle-aged man.
Yes, looking at his appearance Gin doesn't think he's an aged person; Perfect build, 6-feet height, neatly combed hair that had no white hairs and clean-shaven face.
If not for his tan skin which lacked some youthful vibrance, and if not for his ancient style of clothing, no one would believe he's a middle-aged man save for an old man.
"Come on Alfin, we are just nearing eighty, we have a long way till someone calls us old men. Isn't it right, Gin?" The middle-aged man named Gildfus laughed.
The middle-aged man seems like a cheerful person but that's what made Gin speechless. He's going to hit a century but fails to realize he's an old man.
No...he knew but doesn't want to accept the fact—that he's an old man.
"Y-yes" Gin agreed, even though he doesn't want to. There's this foreboding feeling that he should just agree with the man Gildfus.
"Haha, you're right Gildfus. I think I should change my mentality and dye my hair back to black." Dean Alfin chuckled.
"Even though you aren't as handsome as your younger days, you can try your luck," Gildfus stated, nodding his head.
Hearing the two old man's conversation, Gin didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Who says only women care about their age and appearance? Come here, I will show you how these two old men gloat over their looks.
--
"I am sorry Gin, my enmity forced you into this situa—" Dean Alfin spoke but Gin interrupted his words.
"Please Dean, don't say sorry, it makes me more guilty. Whatever you may say, I am the real cause of this problem," Gin shook his head and spoke,
"I will do everything I can, to correct my mistake and we will once again open the Heaven Fall academy."
"Gin, you are a good student." Gildfus sighed and spoke, "Do you know why Alfin look older even though he's the same age as me?"
"Gildfus–"
"Don't interrupt me Alfin, he has the right to know these things and he should know. At least someone should know what happened in our life." Gildfus waved his hand while Dean Alfin sighed.
Gin listened.
"Alfin hails from a medium-sized family located in the Silver Dragon domain, he and I became friends during our study at the Rising Dragon academy.
Aside from us two, there were another two friends in our little group named — Melix and Grisha.
At that time we were at the prime of our life, we completed countless missions, explored some dangerous ruins, fought the Fiends by joining the Fiend Hunter Alliance.
I think we were just 24 when we all broke through to the Seal Destruction stage. Only some rare geniuses from the Ruling family of the Eight domains can match us in strength.
But that's when the true problem arose. Noticing Alfin's swift rise in strength, the Silver dragon domain contacted and wanted him to become a Domain Protector.
Becoming a protector means, losing a part of your freedom and ordered by someone above you. Alfin wasn't interested but he was forced by his family as becoming a protector means honor to his parents and family.
Like him, all of us went in a separate way, searching for a path suitable to us.
Even so, we would occasionally meet when all of us are free and explore the ruins. One day we four were on a mission to hunt a Fiend commander, but who knows we would come across a ruin.
That day is the most fortuitous encounter of our life because that's not some ordinary ruin but an Inheritance ruin. No one knew about that ruin, apart from the four of us.
We explored the ruin, faced some life-threatening dangers, and chanced upon some amazing techniques and treasures.
You can say that ruin made us what we are today but at the same time, it also made our life tragic." Gildfus narrated their life experience while a hint of grief hidden in his tone.
Gin quietly listened to Gildfus reminiscing his past without interrupting or asking any questions. He knows the story hasn't ended yet.
"The things we acquired in the ruin were beyond precious, so we vowed none of us will talk about this again and no fifth person will come to know.
Few years passed by without any problem, but as the saying goes—no secret can remain hidden forever.
One day a group of experts from the Northern Wind domain approached and asked me to hand over the techniques and treasures that I obtained in the Ruin.
As I was uncooperative, they directly assaulted me. Even though they were powerful, they couldn't stop me from escaping. I quickly contacted the other three, but I was only able to reach Alfin.
As for Melix and Grisha, there was no news about them. As we feared, something happened the next day. Both Alfin and I got a call from the same experts saying, they got Melix and Grisha.
The techniques that we acquired from the ruin made us stronger during the long years. At that time, I have already destroyed 8 hidden seals and Alfin destroyed 6 hidden seals.
Even so, we are no match for an entire domain that consists of several experts. If we want to rescue our two friends, we need to hand over everything we got in the ruins.
Having no choice, we obliged. Naturally, we aren't fools if we give them what they want, we knew they would kill us too.
Since Alfin is from the Silver Dragon domain, he approached his ruling family for help while I approached the Human Union.
That stupid move cost both our friend's life and made us lose everything we hold dear." Gildfus stopped at this point, sighing. Pouring wine into his glass, he sampled and then emptied it in one gulp.
Gildfus continued: "You know, at that time our situation is similar to what you experienced yesterday.
Targeted by a power surpassing you, not knowing whom you should ask for help or whom to trust. A single misstep may cause an everlasting sorrow."
Hearing Gildfus words, Gin vividly remembered everything that happened yesterday. 'Yes, their situation is pretty much similar to me. No...they were countless times stronger than me but faced a similar situation.'
Gildfus smiled a little, seeing through Gin's thoughts. "I was there yesterday when Mesryth tried to kill you."
"What?" Gin was shocked and his eyes moved forth between Gildfus and Dean Alfin. Wondering why Gildfus said that?
"I was asked by your Dean to save you. Naturally, I can't reject my good friend's call for help. I arrived before the Old man Mesryth, it's just noticing the similar situation, I wanted to see what you will do.
If the Demoness of the Blue Orchid academy didn't come or agreed to help, I assume you would have approached the experts of the Human Union. Am I correct?" Gildfus asked.
Gin was astonished a little and nodded his head, "Yes, I planned to ask them for help in exchange for the technique that I got in the ruin."
Hearing his answer, Gildfus smiled. "I thought so."
"Let's assume that Lady Moon didn't intend to protect you yesterday, then what do you think would have happened?" Gildfus asked.
"In exchange for my technique, the Human Union's Suns would have protected me." Gin thought for a bit and answered.
If that doesn't work, he planned to disclose that he's a Soul Master. Of course, Gin isn't going to reveal that here.
"Do you think the Human Union will oppose the Silver Dragon domain just for your technique?" Gildfus asked. As for Alfin, he observed everything in silence enjoying his wine.
"They won't?" Gin asked, instead of answering.
"No,"
"Even if it's a transcended-grade technique?"
"...If you own a printed copy then there's 50% chance some Suns will decide to protect you." Gildfus replied, looking at Gin in surprise.
Gin took out the Transcended-grade technique he got from the middle-aged man and placed it on the table, shocking both Gildfus and Alfin.
"Dean, I am giving this technique to you. I feel guilty for making other students of heaven Fall academy run for their lives and it's my way of making up to them.
Besides, when we open the Heaven Fall academy in the future this technique will serve as a good foundation." Gin sincerely spoke.
Dean Alfin looked at the transcended-grade technique placed on the table, then at Gin. Gildfus was also similarly astonished, he was just joking when he said that sentence before.
As he knows how valuable the printed copy of a Transcended grade technique is. It's something that every human being on the continent desires.