Done with engraving both his six-runed spells, Tepo sighed in relief. He rested for another few hours before engraving the [Minor Regeneration]. In comparison this was a walk in the park.
Finally, Tepo was done. A lot of new spells were now ready to be used. Although his spellcircle still had space left, unfortunately the young man couldn't afford other strong spells yet.
But Tepo was content with what he had. He went through his spells in his mind.
My old spells remained as they were but with a new arrangement my [Rapid Chaotic Pierce] and [Lonarzium Infectious Skin] are gone.
Instead my [Minor Stealth] and [Rapid Pierce] form [Subtle Strike], which is a hard to detect strike able to catch enemies of guard.
But even more impressive is my [Heated Defense]. This combination of [Chaotic Evasion] [Natural Hardened Defense] and [Infectious Flames] will definitely catch my enemies by surprise.
Luckily it turned into and active skill though, or else I wouldn't be able to bear the expenditure.
It will be difficult enough already after [Natural Hardened Defense] and [Minor Regeneration] together formed the [Regenerating Defense] skill.
I should quickly try to increase my core's quality, so my absorption speed increases.
Just as those thoughts appeared in Tepo's mind, he noticed a movement around his core.
The young man was surprised. He connected with the Core of Time, observing the situation.
A surprising number of golden words had once again appeared in Tepo's chest. Annoyed, the Core of Time had to work hard to shatter them all.
Hmm. Why would the Force of Natural Perception reappear now? Criminal, brave, respectable?
There is really only one reason I can think about. The two armies have started their investigation. I'm sorry, Lao Ru and Lao De, but I can only hope the armies suspect you of having taken everything, so they don't spare much attention to a small fry like me.
Tepo let out a forlorn sigh. By now the two armies had definitely inquired about the Ahiluscendum. They would certainly invest a lot of effort into finding a legendary material.
What an annoyance. Now I won't be able to show my face within the two kingdoms.
With such a development Tepo soon came to a decision.
The young man stood up as he stretched his stiff body. He left the training room. A few elemental spirits danced before him as they brought something to Wave outside.
Grinning, Tepo stepped up the stairs. After a short elevator ride, he arrived at the roof.
Suddenly a shockwave almost blew him away. Immediately a transparent shield engulfed him. Shocked, the warrior stared ahead where Quill and Anvil were locked into a fight.
"Your whip backlashes towards yourselves!", rang Quill's leisurely voice atop the roof.
A metallic whip shot towards the white-robed warrior. It moved like a snake threatening to strangle its prey to death.
Suddenly the whip shook. Its tip bent backwards, shooting at Anvil.
The tall woman was unimpressed. She had a second whip in hand as her core's ability activated. Suddenly the two whips fused into one.
Anvil had experienced fighting Quill. She knew that it was difficult for him to influence a weapon fused from her own core.
The new whip radiated a strong power. Anvil reinforced it with a spell. It took on the form of a small dragon. Dancing in the air, lighting engulfed it as it abruptly shot at Quill.
Suddenly a faint grin appeared on the warrior's face. With a wave of his hand, swords formed out of thin air.
A nonchalant voice left his mouth:
"Wave."
To everyone's shock an immense presence overshadowed the fight all of a sudden. A jade green, turquoise shadow engulfed the roof. With its massive body it dwarfed Anvil's whips.
Tepo stared at the scene in shock. A shiver ran down his spine. He glanced towards his left where Wave's head reached above the tower, then back on the illusionary body Quill just summoned. It had a striking resemblance to the real Wave!
Anvil was surprised as well. She often spared with Quill and had never seen this move.
"Did you manage to upgrade your core's quality?"
"Indeed. Are you ready to accept defeat?"
Anvil smiled wryly. How could she face Senior Wave? All attacks were futile in the face of this massive gap in strength.
But suddenly something unexpected occurred. The body summoned by Quill vanished just as mysteriously as it appeared.
Anvil and Line blinked in confusion. But Wave's slightly amused voice lifted their doubts:
"You gained a mighty ability again, Quill. It's unfortunate that you need the approval of the one whose attack you borrow."
For a moment silence fell on the roof. Quill's face shifted between embarrassment and annoyance. A moment later Line and Anvil couldn't hold it in anymore and erupted in laughter.
"Ok ok. Funny. Great joke.
Senior Wave, why do you need to expose me like this?"
Quill asked the massive snake-like being in a neutral tone, but he only received a drawn out 'hmmm' as an answer, sending a shiver down his body.
The warrior smiled helplessly and didn't dare to question further. Inwardly he knew that in a real fight, Wave naturally wouldn't prevent him from using this ability.
Tepo stepped forward as the shield protecting him vanished. He nodded at Wave, thanking her for the timely reaction.
"Look who's left the training room. Are you done with your spells?", asked Anvil after controlling her laughter.
"Yeah. I'm good for now."
"So, you are leaving again?", asked Quill with intelligent eyes.
"I want to visit my family and friends, yes. And afterwards I might begin traveling to other worlds. From my estimation the armies have begun investigating and might find me one day."
Anvil nodded her head as she commented:
"I think that's a good plan. A warrior needs to travel and make a name for themselves."
"That's right. The Carrying Winds World isn't a good place right now anyways.", agreed Quill.
But Tepo rose his brow. A slight undertone was mixed in the scholarly warrior's voice.
"What do you mean by that, Quill?"
"Nothing you have to worry about.", answered the man nonchalantly. "It's just that some of our enemies have appeared in the Carrying Winds World. After reporting, we received the order to lay low for a while. Our development in this world will probably come to a stop."
Tepo needed a moment to process this information.
"We have enemies?"
"Of course.", answered Quill matter-of-factly. "Who doesn't?"
"Why didn't you tell me earlier? Are we in danger?"
Quill rolled his eyes as Anvil patted Line's shoulder.
"Didn't Quill tell you not to worry about it? Just trust us. You aren't at a level where you could fight our battles. Just grow stronger as long as our enemies don't know you."
Tepo hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath.
"Alright. I'll listen to you. But can you at least tell me who our enemy is?"
"Well, theoretically there are many. But they have formed the Silver Shield Alliance.
This name might sound noble but in reality, they are just some cowardly b*stards who want to monopolize their dungeons."
Tepo glanced at Anvil. He was surprised by the sharpness in the woman's voice. He could feel the disgust Anvil had towards the Silver Shield Alliance.
"Anvil isn't wrong but don't underestimate the alliance. They have been expanding a lot under the guise of mutual protection. By now their influence reaches many worlds, with some organizations keeping the fact that they belong to the alliance a secret.
So be careful if you use your mask. It's best if you leave no witnesses."
Smiling wryly Line listened to Quill's explanation. Now he understood why his friends told him not to worry. With his current strength there was really no way he could shake such a behemoth.
But suddenly the new recruit recalled something else:
"Right, since you mentioned the mask.
I wanted to ask if there is a way to change the disguise? I have antagonized someone, and it would be great if they couldn't recognize me.
Although I don't know if I really landed on a blacklist, it's better to be cautious."
"Yes. Of course.", answered Anvil. "Just give me your mask for a while. I will modify it."
"Thanks. A lot."
"Don't mention it. That's the least I can do after you brought me those schematics."
A harmonious atmosphere settled as the three friends conversed for a while. Quill and Anvil even began to tell Tepo about a few of their past exploits, amazing him greatly.
Only now did Line understand that Quill and Anvil were officially in a team called Wielders of Knowledge. Their teammates were scheduled to arrive in the Carrying Winds World soon, but because of the Silver Shield Alliance they cancelled their plans.
Even Quill and Anvil might have to leave, only leaving Wave behind.
After a while Anvil excused herself to modify Line's mask. The two men remained behind for a short spar.
Unfortunately Line once again wasn't able to force Quill to take a single step.
The young warrior stayed annoyed until Anvil came back with his mask. Subsequently Tepo bid his friends goodbye before leaving through the shimmering ocean.