Northem who was hiding nearby quickly caught the paper which Althea threw at him. He was frozen for a moment.
'How did Young lady knew my exact hiding spot' thought Northem with his eyes and mouth wide open. He was stupefied.
As one of the most trusted subordinates of City Lord Duriaz, Northem was an expert at assassination, tracking, and hiding in shadows. He was good at blending into any kind of environment and his concealment technique is one of the high-class Earth grade techniques.
Even peak high-level experts would not be able to detect his presence unless they use some techniques or if their perception power is too strong.
But Althea was only a low-level mage so, how did she know his exact spot. Also, the way she threw the paper was not simple either.
It was done using some throwing skills. It was so swift and precise that even the coachman didn't notice anything.
After a moment Northem closed his mouth and swallowed a mouthful of saliva. He then shifted his attention towards the paper.
Northem opened the paper to read it, but even before reading the contents, his mouth which he closed just now was gaped again in a big 'O' shape just by looking at the first sentence on the top of the paper.
"High-class Heaven Grade Breathing Technique!"
Northem blurted out.
He could not believe that Althea casually threw him such a high-grade breathing technique without even a flinch.
It's rare to get your hands on heaven-grade techniques. In the Southern region, only some big clans and prominent families have few heaven-grade techniques which are passed down to their descendants only. The appearance of heaven-grade technique can throw the whole southern region in an uproar.
But, Althea casually gave him such a high-grade technique. The technique was simple with three levels and it was only one page. Short, precise, and top quality.
'Young Lady, just who are you?'
From the day, he lost track of Althea while she was going to Rainbow Auction Hall, Northem knew that his Young Miss is not a simple character. Being able to shake him off and able to detect his breath, just how many people can achieve this. There was a hint of respect and admiration towards Althea in Northem's eyes.
Althea could detect his presence and determine his exact location because she still has a sliver of peak divine level sense. She can spread her divine sense, and can easily detect anything within five hundred meters.
Inside the carriage, Althea covered her mother who was sleeping peacefully with a piece of cloth, and enjoyed the scenery for while from the carriage window.
She knew that at this moment, Northem would have so many questions inside his head. But she didn't care about it and as to why she gave her such a high-grade technique is because she has plans for it.
Althea had noticed that Northem was a gifted individual when it comes to tracking and hiding in shadows. Althea had also noticed that he was using an Earth-grade technique to conceal his breath. With his technique, he can avoid the detection of high-level experts but those experts who are at senior level and above could easily detect him with a single glance at the surroundings.
He could be considered an expert in the southern region but outside the southern region, his talent can only be considered mediocre. And at present many experts in the southern region came from central regions for the treasure. So, Althea wanted Northem to practice the technique on the way because that breathing technique could be practiced anywhere and anytime.
At first, Northem wanted to return the technique but at the end of the paper, Althea had mentioned that he should practice it on the way for their safety. So, Northem did as she said because Duriaz had told him to follow Althea's orders.
After five days, they arrived in Pinewood town.
Staryy Inn
"Young lady, we only have two rooms left. All the inns are full as well with people who came to the Southern region for the treasure", the receptionist said with an apologetic smile
"Althea, we can share the room and give the other room to the coachman," said Furiana
Althea nodded at her Mother, "Okay, give me the rooms. How much for two rooms?"
"It will be one hundred rizas including the meals"
As Althea was about to hand out the money, she heard a familiar voice from the back.
"Two hundred rizas, I will pay double the price. I want the rooms"
Althea frowned and turned around. She never could have thought that she would meet Walion Mori here in the Pinewood town.
"We were here first," said Althea
"So, it's the number one trash of Alfing city. I didn't expect to meet you here" said Walion Mori in an arrogant tone.
Everyone in the hall turned their attention towards Althea.
"How do..." Furiana was about to argue back when Althea suddenly grabbed her hand.
"Mother, you don't need to waste your breath on a nobody like him. Let me handle him" Althea said while gently patting Furiana's hand
"Audacious" shouted the man who was standing behind Walion Mori at Althea
Walion Mori raised his hand and the man took a step back lowering his head.
"Huh! a trash like you dares to call me a nobody! Let me teach you a lesson today" Walion Mori said without even putting Furiana in his eyes.
Furiana is the only daughter of Hruth Baro while Walion Mori is also the only son of the Leader of Mori Clan. Both the clans are equally powerful in the southern region. So, their status is equal and that is the reason why Walion Mori could act willfully in front of Furiana.
Walion Mori started to gather the green flame in his hands. He was an Alchemist at the first stage of Mid-level, a whole tier above Althea.
Alchemist uses the Green flame produce by green spirit light to refine the pills and apart from refining pills, the green flame could also be used to initiate attacks on the enemy.
Northem who was hiding in the shadows didn't move his eye away from Walion Mori. He was ready to make his move if Walion Mori attacks.
"Fatal flame attack" shouted Walion Mori as he sent out an attack towards Althea.
Althea quickly made some intricate finger gestures and a thin red film appeared in front of her and Furiana blocking off Walion Mori's attack.
Everyone in the dining hall was shocked as they all focused their attention on Althea again.
Northem was shocked too.
"Ho..how did you....block my attack? Aren't you a trash!" Walton Mori asked with a stamper.
Althea was only a low-level mage, while Walion Mori was a mid-level Alchemist. There was a whole level between them. Almost everyone in the hall thought that Althea would not be able to block off Walion Mori's attack. But Althea surprised everyone with her move, she did it so flawlessly and calmly without even the slightest fear in her eyes.
'Finger Art Barrier!' thought a man with his eyes wide open. He was currently sitting on one of the tables near the door.