After seeing the description, Klyran's understanding for the skill increased. He quickly told the other two about the numbers that he could see and then asked about his theory regarding the "Character Comprehension" feature.
'I'm certain of it' the Ryan nodded.
"I think that there is a a certain maximum number that I can see. And if this person goes beyond it, the information will display as question marks", Klyran then explained.
"It does sound like a nice theory", the blonde nodded, "But then, how can you increase the skill's level to see bigger numbers" he then asked out-loud.
"I think that it is a matter of your own personal strength" Ylvis then commented, "Maybe you can only see numbers that are higher than your own by a fixed amount. In this case, by strengthening your own body, you should be able to see bigger numbers and the question marks will gradually disappear."
At this thought, Klyran nodded and agreed. He then consider about asking his next question, but Aldryn beat him to it.
"How can one increased his strength though? Most commoners Klyran saw had their numbers less then 7. While trained Knights rarely reached to 13" the blonde asked, curious and wondering about his magical power.
"Training is one" Yvlis said without hesitate, "I built up my strength by forging and carrying heavy items. I also often use magic when making jewels."
"What is the other option" Klyran then asked, noticing that the Apostle of Earth did not plan to continue.
"There are some cheats. Special plants that can increase your abilities if combined right. Zevram knows more about it", he explained.
"Why have I never heard of it before?" Aldryn asked, looking insulted.
"It's dangerous. But if you train and consume them in certain small amounts it can help you become strong faster." Ylvis then said.
"Train and eat? Sound good to me" the blonde exclaimed with a grin and looked at Klyran, who also nodded, thinking that it was a decent idea.
'How I wish I knew about this method sooner' Aldryn nearly drooled at the thought.
After discussing some more, the three of them decided to call it a night. It was obvious that the two of them were keeping something from Klyran and it irked him to not end. But at the same time, he thought that if it was important enough he would have been told about what was happening. He had the general idea about the events that took place between the three Priests currently in the South and the Oracle of Darkness. Not to mention her infatuation with necromancy. He heard about the war that happened further South, but he knew that there was no point in rushing there when he was not ready. He wished to help this world, of course. To help his friends, who showed him so much kindness. Who accepted him as Klyran, not the brother of the Ryan King, or the only Ryan to ever be born without a Harth. They even offered to help him become stronger, something that nobody has done for him before.
And so, the two of them spend the night in the small home that Ylvis had beneath the mountain. The next morning, when the bell rung, announcing it to be seven in the morning, Aldryn and Klyran were long awake and ready to depart. They shared a small meal with the Oracle of Earth before that and then left with the first bell.
The two of them walked through the city, noticing very few Monias out in the street. Most were just waking up, or were having their breakfast before a day of work. This time, Aldryn didn't led them to the entrance, but rather to another door that took them deeper into the mountains. The blonde explained about the many passages that Diarum had and the three entrances that anyone could use to go to the city.
'This place is so confusing' Klyran could not help but believe, then be glad to be born a Ryan and have a better memory than most other creatures that he met so far.
The main entrance was the one they used prior. Another entrance laid within the forest of Morien, where they were heading to. A third entrance, laid on the other side of the mountain, so that people travelling from the North could also enter. There was also a small passage between the mountain that was located in the East to allow people to travel between South and North without the actual need to go underground. A path that many preferred.
The walk took even longer this time around. If the first time Klyran was unable to keep track of how long they were wandering. This time, he had a small watch, a gift from Ylvis when they parted, after the older priest saw the Ryan's fascination with them. It was the third gift that he received in this world, without being expected to give something back.
'How better could my world have been' the young Ryan thought and looked at the small gift, examining it from all sides, 'If only there were more kind people there'.
He started calculating the time that they spend underground. They left Diarum when the short hand pointed at seven. They walked for two hours before taking around 20 minutes break. The Ryan was fascinated by the concept of numbers and the way they can represent the day. He started counting the distance that they walked, thinking about how long it might take for them to reach from one point to another. He kept the pace and even made Aldryn sit down hear him for a break whenever he saw two hours passing.
The two of them decided to stop to sleep inside the cave when the clocked showed nearly two in what Klyran could only assume was night. He used the small clock to calculate how many hours they walked that day, taking into consideration their breaks. When he told Aldryn that they have solely walked for sixteen hours and took an almost three hours break during the whole day, the priest only laughed at his new hobby. The blonde then mentioned how it would have taken a simply human twice as long to reach where they were now.
"His mind sure is amazing" the blonde told the fox.
"Indeed" the Thrae nodded.
The next day, they woke up and the first thing Klyran did was look at the clock that he kept in a pocket. It appeared that the two of them slept for nearly five hours, which Klyran wasn't sure if he should consider long or not. His kin were known for being close to immortal, so trivial thing like calculating time has never even crossed their minds. It was because of this reason the Ryan became fascinated by the device in his hand.
When they finally reached the surface, the sun was still out. Klyran then made a note that it took them less than a day and a half to pass the tunnel. Based on Aldryn's words, it meant that it should have taken a human 3 days to do so, if not more, since he doubted that a normal human could walk for as long as they did per day. He then got curious and spread his wings, flying upward and looking into the distance. Klyran wondered if he could see the entrance to Diarum from up high to estimate the distance, but even with his enhanced sight, he was unable to do so.
"This is the longest mountain chain this in world", the blonde commented, after seeing his actions, "I doubt that you will be able to see it all even with your enhanced eyesight."
As Klyran came back down, he looked upward again and frowned. He was sure that if there were no clouds he would be able to achieve that feat. But then again, it was not only the clouds that gave him issue. The higher he went into the sky, the more difficult it was for him to breath. Despite being able to fly far above the other birds, he still felt frustrated.
'How I wish that I could see the whole mountain' he sighed resentful, 'It makes me feel weak... How unpleasant' he then glared at the air.
He then took his eyes off the mountain and finally glanced at the few trees scattered between the rocks here and there. He then once again extended his wings and flew upward. Once in the air, his eyes widened upon seeing the magnitude of the forest. It, just like the mountain, stretched beyond what he could see. Ignoring Aldryn, who was looking up at him, he flew toward the forest.
'I have never seen so many trees gathered in one place' Klyran marvelled, 'There must be millions of them' he decided.
In his mind, Klyran knew what to expect, but he could not resist dipping his feet into the trees. Despite knowing that there will be close to no support to be able to stand, the scratchy sensation still surprised him, reminding him of the time he stepped into water the first time. He then took off and went back to the priest, who resumed his way to the forest by himself. He landed near Aldryn and could not help but grin.
"This forest is amazing" the Ryan exclaimed, jumping on his feet, ready to run toward it.