Chapter 109: Exquisite Immemorial Palace

"Ah, where was I?" Walking down the fairly crowded streets, Hase asked in a soft tone.

"The Exquisite Immemorial Palace." Rewen didn't get how he could not remember something he started seconds ago. Not to mention, he didn't even start talking about the topic.

"Ah yes, the Exquisite Immemorial Palace…" Hase had a nostalgic expression on his face. "First of all, it is a palace."

"Wow, I didn't know about that."

"It is a Palace specifically made for the highest-ranking Nobles in the Nation of Bandits."

"The King lives in the Palace?"

"Excuse me, the second highest-ranking Nobles live there. In other words, everyone who isn't directly related to the King but is still in the family."

"The former Princes, huh."

"Exactly."

"Interesting. So what's this event all about?"

"It's too choose the most promising of the young generations. A competition between the heavyweights of the young generations. There is only a single reward only given to the winner."

"I have a fight? A tournament of sorts?"

"Not a tournament. It's not about to choose who's the strongest, but rather the most worthy. I think you know this very well but being strong doesn't equal being worthy. Since you received the invitation, there should be something special in you."

All of a sudden, Rewen was very interested in this competition. "Do you know how the competition would be conducted?"

"Every year, the event's different. I'm sure this year will be something special."

"Why do you so?"

"Because it's the fifteenth birthday of the Old King's granddaughter."

"Old King's granddaughter? You mean the daughter of one of the first-generation Princes?"

"Yes."

"Is she a bigshot?"

"She is an icon among the young generation. Not only is she extremely talented, she is also beautiful despite only being fifteen."

"What does beauty have anything to do with anything?" Rewen didn't understand the importance of a beautiful face. He did, however, he didn't know how it was of any relevance. If she was an actress, he could understand but why does it somehow "amplify" her status as a personality?

Hearing that, Hase's face twisted and he soon burst out in laughter. "HAHAHAHA! S-sorry… but you are too funny…"

Rewen had a queer expression on his face. "W-wasn't it a good one?" He had to act natural.

"Yes. Cough, coming to the point. The event this year would be different because the granddaughter of the Old King is turning fifteen."

"Have you heard of the slightest thing about the kind of event?"

Hase didn't answer for a while. "It's probably hunting."

"Hunting what? Beasts?"

Hase shook his head. "Gruer Orbs."

"What are those?"

"Gruer Orbs are orbs that contain special skills once consumed. There are different kinds of Gruer Orbs namely - Azure Blue, Light Green and White."

"That's too vague."

"Gruer Orbs are in the shape of perfect spheres. Has a diameter of five centimeters and glows depending on the kinds. An Azure Blue Gruer Orb glows in Azure Blue color. The skills that one learns when a Gruer Orb is consumed will have to be discovered by oneself."

"Are the skills random?"

"Random? No, not really. Azure Blue Gruer Orbs gives a Combative ranked skill, Light Green Gruer Orbs gives a Healing ranked skill and White Gruer Orbs gives a Sealing ranked skill."

"Can we buy them or anything?"

"Of course not. You have to find them on your own accord."

"Find? Where exactly does it exist?"

"You'll come to know." Hase's eyes spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.

"Hase!" The familiar figure also saw someone familiar and shouted.

"You are also participating in the event?" It was a young man about Hase's age.

"I'm, well, still less than twenty-five years old."

"So am I. So tell me, how have you been? Also, who is this?" The young man's gaze turned to Rewen.

"I've been okay. Neither bad nor good. As for him, he is a distant relative." Hase replied before Rewen could answer.

"A distant relative, huh? Nice to meet you." The young man stretched his hand.

Rewen smiled and shook it. "Nice to meet you as well."

"I'm a bit busy. I'll talk to you later." The young man waved his hands and walked away.

Seeing his back, Rewen asked in curiosity. "Who is this man?"

"He is one of the grandsons of the Old King."

"To think I just shook hands with a Prince, I feel lucky. Not to mention, you even seemed to be quite friendly with him." 

"Oh yes, I know him and occasionally complete missions with him." Hase answered with a laugh.

"Missions?"

"I forgot. You are just a first-year student from the academy. Actually, when you become a Bronze-ranked Gruer User after the <<Second Awakening>>, it is mandatory to complete missions issued by the Council at least once a month."

"Are the missions dangerous?"

"Kind of. Even as a Bronze-ranked Gruer User, there are several missions where you need to risk your life to complete."

Rewen's face couldn't be described at this point. He had always thought this world to be peaceful but turns out he was wrong.

Hase chuckled. "Don't worry, it's only dangerous if you complete missions alone. When you hire an entire group of Gruer Users to complete a mission, it's easy."

"Isn't that like cheating?" Rewen expected the Council to have strict rules.

"There's no such rule that you can't take external help. The Council doesn't care whether I complete a mission alone all by myself or I take help from my family and friends as long I complete the mission. The Council isn't a school where they teach you to be fair. It is an anti-terrorist organization aimed to keep the Nations peaceful."

"That makes a lot of sense." Rewen felt as if he had asked a lot of questions but he still had some questions in his mind. "Can I ask a non-related question?"

"Sure."

"Is there any way I could increase my potential?"

"Potential in what attribute? It is immensely difficult to increase G.C. unless you go through <<Second Awakening>> which can't be done until you are twenty."

"I don't care about G.C., just POW."

Hase pondered about it for about a minute while walking. 

Rewen didn't disturb him and patiently waited for the answer. 

"Still difficult." Hase said in a serious tone. "However if you are really serious…"

Rewen's eyes shone. "I'm serious."

"In that case, you can try to win the competition. You do remember that there is only a single reward and only one winner, right? That last reward is your own wish. Of course, the wish has to be reasonable."

If it were any other person, they would have flat rejected the ridiculous idea. After all, how large is the Nation of Bandits? There are geniuses in every part of the nation. Even right now, Rewen himself is the lowest of the lowest. Thinking that he could win the competition is not even a funny joke. It's ridiculous to a scary level. 

Rewen had the same thoughts. 

No, he would have the same thoughts if it weren't for…

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Alter Points: 32

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He chuckled inwardly. 'Sure, my golden finger isn't much and I myself don't amount to much but right now, I have the opportunity to use my golden finger in the most raw and efficient way.'