Qi essence attributes are grouped under minor and special grades. Fire, water, thunder, earth, and wind are grouped under the minor grade. While under the special grade there is ice, light, darkness, metal, wood…. The special grade is deep and unfathomable hence not many Qi essence attributes have been discovered. Nero didn't say what he said out of spite but to inform Amaya of what grade her power was in.
A world that could breed mortals can be considered relatively low. In a world like this, the people considered as the strong powerhouses could be nothing but slaves in those higher worlds. Amaya's ability can also be considered mediocre in this low world and if her weakness can be seen through by him, then it would also be easy for other abnormal existences like him to see through it. Hence, he had to say the truth from the unset, but sometimes some people don't settle well with the truth.
Nero looked at Amaya's depressed mood and said, "That I saw through your weakness doesn't mean you're not strong, and that your ability is mediocre doesn't mean that it can't grow in the future. All you need to do is train hard. When you do, even the weakest can become a towering figure in the future."
Although there wasn't an intent of comfort in Nero's tone, what he said was still true. If one trained hard and diligently then if they didn't fall in the future they would become peerless existences that ruled the heavens and enslaved the earth. Amaya only scoffed and stormed off not paying any attention to Nero. Nero rubbed his head and went after her. This wasn't something he could put up with but he had to. After all, he made a deal.
Three more days passed they finally arrived at the rocky landscape. Seeing this, Nero was relieved. He couldn't contain his happiness and a wide smile crossed his face. The same went for Amaya. Her eyes were wet with tears as she stared back at the forest.
She finally made it out! The joy she felt couldn't be expressed with words. She didn't know how long it had been since she was abducted. All these events flooded her head all at once. From feeling hopeless to being free and all this happened almost instantly. She looked at Nero, a deep sense of gratitude in her smile. If not for this arrogant fellow she wouldn't have been here. Apart from the deal they had, Amaya still felt she owed Nero a lot more.
"There's a village not so far from here, we'll be safe there," Nero said and pulled Amaya with him
In less than fifteen minutes, they arrived at the entrance of the village. As they walked in, they instantly became the center of attention. The villagers whispered amongst themselves as they passed by. But their attention didn't seem to be on Nero rather it was Amaya.
Nero looked at Amaya, her head was slightly lowered like she was trying to hide her face.
"Could it be that recognized her?"
Before Nero was done asking himself this question, he felt it was rather funny. This was after all the territory of the Gandor kingdom so it was normal for people to recognize their 'beloved' Princess. Some of these people grew up within the Capital city where the State Master lived, occasionally seeing the Princess wasn't out of the ordinary. Some people recognized her immediately while the rest wondered who this beauty was. Seeing her with Nero also attracted more attention to her. One had to know that Nero was this village's only martial artist who went on a mission for a long time, and now, he had returned with a dame!
Everyone whispered to themselves but dared not say it out loud. To them, martial artists were close to a high-ranking existence and Nero had proven to be stronger than the ones they've met so far so angering him wouldn't be nice, hence they kept their opinions to themselves. Nero didn't bother with anyone and took Amaya straight to the tavern of that old man.
As Nero swung the doors wide open, the once rowdy tavern instantly quieted down. Everyone had their eyes fixed on the young lady that followed closely behind him. For a brief moment, everywhere was dead silent, and then the entire tavern went into an uproar.
"Princess Amaya!!" Everyone shouted at once. The entire tavern went insane. The tavern mostly had male customers and seeing the beautiful Princess in front of them made them shamelessly drool with lust.
Nero kept a straight face and didn't bother with these lustful scoundrels. Meanwhile, Amaya wasn't in a better state. Her head was still lowered and her face turned red. She didn't dare meet the gazes of these people; at this point, she felt she would die from embarrassment if she did.
As usual, the old man who owned the tavern was behind the counter, and sitting in front of him was a big-built middle-aged man… Aiken.
"Master… eh… Princess… I honestly don't know who to greet first." Aiken dryly laughed.
"Master I'm happy you've finally returned. I was worried that something bad might have happened to you." The old man smiled warmly.
Aiken abruptly cut in, "Last time master went out he went hunting a lightning Jaguar but now he has returned with a beautiful lady, the Princess herself! Could the heavens be more kind to you?"
"Don't spout nonsense. I only met her on my mission and brought her here."
"Oh really? Then where is the lightning Jaguar you hunted?" Aiken smiled sheepishly as he asked Nero.
Sensing the obvious taunt in Aiken's question, Nero didn't bother to continue the conversation.
The old man dryly laughed and said, "Don't give Master such a hard time. Master must be tired, you should go rest."
Turning his head to the Princess, the old man smiled when he saw her hide her face.
"Don't worry your highness, we'll do the best we can to cater to your needs."
No one knew how Nero found the missing Princess and knowing him, he wasn't inclined to answer so no one bothered to ask. Everyone knew that the Princess had been missing for a while so they could only wonder how Nero was able to find her.