"Look, sir Theo-
"Just Theo is fine. You don't need to use any honorifics for me".
I corrected the pestering Krevin interrupting me from getting my peace of mind in preparation for the coming duel.
It did not sit right with me listening to him refer to me with this sir title when I was only a high schooler.
I understand that is his way of showing respect, but I don't want it. At least I haven't grown into that title so for now, there is no need to.
Besides, when I look at him, I kind of get the feeling that we are the same age, or very close to the same age. Whichever it is, I believe we are not that far apart in years.
Hence, no reason for the honorific display.
"If you wish. Theo".
"Yes".
I responded with an approving mischievous smile.
"Whatever it is you are thinking that pushed you to accept Laden's duel! It is not too late now, there is still enough time to reject it".
"Why? Are you worried I will embarrass him in front of the spectators".
As an additional demand for me to grant his request, I had Laden and Krevin call upon the goblins in the settlement to serve as spectators.
This is my chance to show of-... I mean demonstrate. A chance to demonstrate what I can do to everybody in the village.
That way, they will know to be aware of my potential and tick off a requirement to lead them.
But wait! If this village is not following the norms of the Deaman kind, doesn't that mean they will not care too much about who is stronger and who isn't?!
Ah, I don't know. I will cross that bridge when I get there. For now, I am going according to what I planned; demonstrate my combat prowess to them.
"The opposite".
"What!-".
"I have known Laden for as far back as our birth together. He is a kind Goblin with exceptional leadership skills".
Yeah, that much is obvious as far as I can tell.
"But you know, there are times when that kindness of his turns the opposite. Do you know when".
Curious, I trudged my neck forward to ask;" When...".
"It is when he makes that expression".
Lost to what he referred to, I withdrew my neck and scratched my forehead before asking;" What expression is that".
"The expression he had when he came to you for a duel. That expression! Laden is at his most dangerous when he wants something while making that expression".
"Are you saying I will lose to him?!".
"I am saying worse could happen to you if you don't call off the duel now".
Wow. Does this Krevin goblin not understand that telling someone not to do stuff only makes them want to do it even more?!
Alright fine, forget about that. Does he not understand that right now, he might sound concerned but to me, he is just being rude and offensive?!
He hasn't even seen me at my hardest and has already concluded myself to be weaker than Laden.
If that is not offensive, I don't know what else is.
"Krevin. I appreciate your concern, but I will do just fine. You saw me did you not? How I held my own with you three?!
That alone should give you a glimpse of what I can do. Laden?! Sure he might be strong, but I am also not one to be underestimated".
I mean even I have yet to fully grasp the scope of what I can do. So how is he to know that?!
"You don't understand. Laden wasn't taking that encounter seriously. He had no reason to, I and Idon were there to cover for him".
Krevin seemed seriously concerned about my decision to fight Laden. He had my curiosity piqued on why he would be so worried for a stranger.
His level of persuasion had me doubting myself, and the decision I had made to accept the duel.
'Voice. Can you draw up statistics to show how possibly strong Laden is so I can have an idea of what I am getting myself into'.
The voice had said something about measuring my level of potential and how it came out to be insurmountable. I don't know what that means but if it leads to getting picked as the right candidate to lead the violent Deaman race...
It should be a good thing for me, right?!...
If it is or not, I don't know. Just as how I am not sure the voice can actua-
Against my will, the familiar interface appeared with a new imprint.
Releasing Statistics Information On Individual Laden
• Name? Laden
• Race? Deaman
• Specie Clan? Ilaje Clan
• Force Awakener? Verified
• Aspect Owner? Verified
• Aspect Type? Attributer Aspect Type
• Attribute Type? Fire Attributer
• Attribute Synchronization Ratio: 100%
• Innate Trait Holder? Verified
• Innate Trait? Born As An Owner Of Fire Has Led To A High Tolerance Development To All Fire Type Ailment
• Extra Trait? Swordsman
• Extra Trait Rank? Elite Rank Swordsman
'...?!'.
I marvelled at the information displayed before me. Specifically, I didn't know why, but I had the feeling that what was before me was not something to be looked down on.
I looked at the fine details of Laden exclusively pointed out on the interface before me.
'Voice, you could do this?! Since when?!'.
Since The Very Beginning
Shocked and pissed, I retort.
'Why did you not tell me you could?!'.
Because You Never Asked
What was I even expecting of the same sentient that thought it was okay to threaten someone with their browser history?!
'That attribute synchronization option, what is it'.
The way it is highlighted makes it very easy to understand.
The voice listed the clan he belongs to, his status as a force user if he has an aspect and what type he does have.
I also see the extra trait option that says he is a swordsman and an elite one at that.
That would explain how he turned out skilful with the sword.
'Also, his innate trait says he has a high tolerance to fire-like properties?...
Is that like an effect granted based on the aspect attribute he has?'.
From this, I know the difference between innate trait and extra traits.
An innate trait is gotten involuntarily while an extra trait is subjected to training for one to have it.
It begs the question; who taught him swordsmanship skill?!
Perhaps he learned from the old dead goblin they all refer to as master?!
Attribute Synchronization Measures One's Affinity To Their Corresponding Attributed Aspect
It Also Does The Duty Of Assigning Ranks To Aspect Users Of The Same Attributed Aspect
'Mind elaborating on that'.
---
Think Of It This Way
Two Aspect Users With The Same Attribute? When They Clash, What Will Determine The Understanding And Expansive Use Of Attribute Will Depend On How High Their Synchronization Is To The Said Attribute
'Oh, I get it now. So it's like a level gauge of sorts where someone with higher synchronization will be stronger than someone with lower synchronization;
Right?'.
Not Exactly
'What is that supposed to mean?'.
Synchronization Ratio Measures An Aspect Owner's Adaptability To Their Attributed Aspect
While It Does Measure Their Aspect In Respect To Others, It Does Not Dictate One's Overall Strength Guage To The Other
What Synchronization Ratio Does Is Determine One's Use Of An Aspect, As Well As The Aspect Techniques To Be Utilized
A Lower Synchronization Ratio Limits The Range Of Available Aspect Techniques And Understanding Of The Said Aspect
However, That Is All That It Does
The Question Of Overall Strength Determination Is Decided On Several Factors Which Includes; Force Capacity! Battle Experience! Aspect Utilization! Available Aspect Techniques
And Other Such Techniques
'Righhhh...'.
I stopped paying attention when I felt that the explanation was getting too long and bothersome.
'In summary, your explanation boils down to synchronization ratio giving someone an edge in the ways of aspect technique.
Am I right on point or AM I RIGHT ON POINT?'.
Yes, Yes You Are
It is good to see that we finally have a common deciding ground.
'So voice. From what is listed of Laden's statistics. What would you say would be my winning probability?'.
That Would Be...