"You can choose the one who satisfied you the most," Lander told the Necromancer when a couple of dishes were presented in front of them.
The Necromancer scooped a spoonful of each dishes then contemplated for a while, "I chose the one who cooked this."
That man was the one who was very enthusiastic when it comes to cooking. "Then have you also chosen your maid?"
"The three of them will do," The Necromancer told pointing at Yan Yan, Elizaveta and the other woman.
"Nope! Yan Yan will stay with me. I have promised his grandfather to take care of her," Lander rejected.
"Do you think I'm not capable of protecting an outcast?" The Necromancer asked squinting his eyes.
"I don't doubt your capabilities but a promise is a promise!" Lander replied.
"As for the others, pack your things. We will leave after ten minutes," Lander ordered ending their conversation.
After packing, Lander asked the Necromancer, "Hey old man, do you know where I can acquire those Lightning Stones?"
"Don't be ahead of yourself, you are just an outcast incapable of magic and releasing aura, you can never acquire those!" The Necromancer replied smirking.
Lander wasn't disappointed, "Then we shall take our leave."
The Necromancer didn't say anything while Lander and the others went towards the place where he summoned Lighting.
Due to the darkness and without a guide, Lander and the rest ended up travelling for two whole days evading stronger beasts and spirits but there were times where they have to fight one or two strong beasts. Everyone one of them were injured but they were still able to maintain their lives and were thoroughly exhausted.
Lander ordered the others to set up a camp at the edge of the stormy grassland. Despite the exhaustion he was feeling, Lander patrolled the area checking if they were safe from wailing spirits and growling beasts.
Ensuring that they were safe, Lander meditated while beads of rain were slowly dropping down. He meditated for an hour before patrolling again the area looking for a cave where they can temporarily set up their own camp. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to find anything.
Still, he checked again another area where no rainfall could hinder them from doing their activities and was satisfied when he spotted a single hill in the middle of the Dark Forest. Lander went back to where they temporarily built their camp and told them to pack their things before moving to the hill he found.
"Let's settle here for another month, your training in cooking wasn't finished yet!" Lander said staring at the lightnings not far from them. Once everyone settled, they all peacefully rested. Unknowingly, the other men whom he trained wanted to escape but Grey spotted them and stopped them.
When they woke up, Grey immediately informed Lander about the men who wanted to escape.
"If you wanted to go, you're free." Lander told the three men that made them jump in tears.
Without saying goodbye, the three left immediately with their mounts not turning their heads again.
"Adriel, continue your daily cooking practice and as much as possible, experiment your ingredients to create a very satisfactory dish. But before you do those, join us in our training." Lander said turning to Adriel.
"Yes Master!" Adriel replied without an ounce of complaining.
Guiding Adriel, Lander explained to him the basic exercises he knew. They then went running afterwards for an hour, Adriel felt his feet became sore after too much running.
Despite being exhausted, Adriel gritted his teeth as he started his daily culinary practice.
Yan Yan, Grey, Stark and Lander continued running. Stark was Adriel's mount beast, a rank C level two horned cat. They were running until Stark passed out due to exhaustion followed by Yan Yan and then Grey. Lander who was also exhausted meditated.
This kind of training continued for a whole month where in Lander would now personally coach Adriel about cooking that improved the dishes he created. Lander always maintained meditating despite the loud rumbles from the sky. Yan Yan would also accompany Lander in every training he does. The two beasts were always running till they passed out, they would sleep, woke up, eat and continued running again. It was a daily cycle that made their stamina improved dramatically.
They only has two weeks left before finally leaving. It was this time that Lander trained at the grassy plain: exercising, running, shadow fighting and meditating.
"Why can't I still open this storage ring?" Lander asked himself wondering. He was about to go leave when he sensed danger from his side, there he saw an eight foot tall winged tiger gazing at him. It was a ranked C level ten, but it was different as it was shining brightly giving off a blinding light.
Grey and Stark felt something as they looked towards the grassy plain. Stark immediately notified Adriel and Adriel told Yan Yan that Grey and Stark felt a terrifying force.
Without hesitation, Yan Yan jumped on Grey's back, "Let's go, Inuy-a might be in danger."
Stark was terrified but was calmed down by Adriel, "Let's follow them."
Spotting Lander, they saw him looking at a blinding light and Grey notified Lander, "A Rank C beast evolving to a Rank B."
"Master, we should probably leave here fast! That beast needed quantity of food to make it finally evolve." Adriel shouted terrified.
Seeing there reaction, Lander didn't hesitate, "Run!"
The winged tiger seeing it's prey running spread its wings as it flew towards Lander's group.
Seeing that they can't outran this beast, Lander finally stopped and faced the beast, "Adriel prepare your arrows and shoot whenever I'm not in the way."
"But master!" Adriel was hesitant. He was never a fighter, he only became a guard because he knew that he has a limited capabilities. Being a guard would mean protection and a stable salary. But who would have thought that they provoked an outcast, a disciple of a Duke.
"No buts! Fight like your life is on the line!" Lander ordered as he threw his knife towards the tiger.
"Grey attack when you have the chance. Yan Yan go around and give your best shot!" Lander issued chain of commands.
The winged tiger used its wing to shield of the incoming knife. Seeing that the tiger covered its head using its wing, he gave another order, "Adriel, every time the tiger covers its head. Shoot your strongest arrow! Tell Stark to attack with Grey."
The blinding light from the tiger would sometimes hinder them but Lander squinted his eyes fighting as he throw rocks, stones and pebbles toward the tiger.
Adriel, despite being terrified attacked with his arrows implanting his wind magic on every arrows he use.
Grey and Stark would often attack with their claws while Yan Yan would punch it then stepped back maintaining a distance from the beast.
This fighting technique was like an RPG battle fight scene, Lander was the tank distracting the beast, Grey and Stark would be the main offense while Yan Yan and Adriel were the supports attacking whenever they were given the chance. The only problem was that this beast wasn't an NPC who would only attack the person with the greatest agro. It attacked whoever attacked it.
Slowly, Lander and his group was depleting the stamina of the beast. Stark and Grey would often be hit by the beast's wings or paw but they still fought courageously despite having the lower ranking because they saw their opponent being suppressed. It made their fighting instinct soar up.
Knowing that it can't beat Lander and the others, the winged tiger flew away but Lander gave another command, "Chase it!"
The bright light given off by the tiger was slowly dimming but it never slowed down. Lander knew they can't chase it so he shouted desperately, "Robby, please help us here."
A loud roar was heard that made the tiger descend on a large rock terrified. The roaring continued until the Necromancer riding Robby appeared not long after, "Why do you always trouble us young man?"
He was a little bit pissed but Lander didn't mind, "Forgive me old man but I guess you're right."
"Right about what?" The Necromancer replied with a cold attitude.
"I can't protect Yan Yan that is why I wanted to gift this beast to her. But I couldn't do that if you can't help me." Lander replied sighing as he slowly moved towards Robby bowing his head.
"Even a beast can't protect it's owner especially when she's an outcast," The Necromancer replied looking at Yan Yan then shifted to Lander.
"I know that, but this beast could be another protection for her when travelling," Lander said .
"I won't gain anything in helping you!" The Necromancer closed his eyes as he was about to order Robby to return.
"Don't you have a child with your woman?" Lander asked.
Robby stopped then turned around, the Necromancer stared at Lander with a saddened expression. It was the first time Lander saw him showing an expression, "Shes dead!"
Lander was happy when he saw him stopped and turned around. He was ready to put his sociology skills into action by watching the actions and emotions of the Necromancer but he never anticipated that as a reply. "I see, what a pity. I'm sorry old man!"
He was about to turn around when he heard him, "That's what they said!"
"So you believed them? Don't you believe on the saying, to see is to believe?" Lander asked.
The Necromancer flinched but then continued showing his sad reaction, "Even if she's still alive, how could we know that she's my daughter?"
Lander laughed and smiled, "I will help you find her and as for proving, the power of DNA would come in handy or who knows when you saw her, you could instantly recognize that she's your daughter. But to do that, I need informations regarding your woman or whoever knew her and you."
"I doubt your words but I will count on you even if the chance of finding her was very slim," The Necromancer sighed with emotions.
Then the necromancer ordered Robby to intimidate the winged tiger as he signaled Yan Yan, "Go young girl, drop your blood into that beast's mouth."
Yan Yan looked at Lander, "Go! That would be your gift from me as your Elder Brother."