Like the rolling pages of a book as a hard-cover masterpiece was read, the days slowly rolled over and in the blink of an eye, a week already passed.
After what felt like a long time due to the numerous activities that they engaged mostly with the Hunter Union and the Ice Elemental plane, it was another month already and time for the grey world gathering again.
After giving Christensen a heads-up ahead of time and informing Blade to get prepared, this time, Legolas went to the grey world after them.
After tapping the grey tattoo on his wrist, his consciousness left his body.
Bzzz!
Legolas reappeared in the familiar surroundings of the grey world.
"Hey yo Aaron, how's it going man?"
"Welcome, Legolas". Aaron welcomed him like usual as he laughed.
Like usual, Legolas's first thing when he came this early ahead of the others was walking around to observe any changes in the grey world. As he walked, Aaron followed behind him as this old Elementalist curiously watched him.
"You seem very excited".
"Yeah, I know you saw it but I'm still going to say it, my crazy adventure with my students in the Ice Elemental plane was something I really missed".
"Back in my previous world, we lived in this world as players. As players, we didn't fear death since we could revive so I engaged in a lot of crazy adventures, impossible missions".
"Since reincarnating though, I've not found the courage to go completely crazy, the Snow Fenrir was my first full-blown crazy adventure".
"And man, was it fulfilling!"
"I can literally still feel my heart rapidly beating against my chest". Legolas held his chest as he free-fell with the mist of the grey world smoothly catching him.
Aaron chuckled through it all as Legolas babbled on.
After some time, Legolas finally asked. "So, you've stayed here for the past month, any breakthroughs? Any new discoveries?"
Aaron finally smiled. "Since the last gathering, I have made a lot of progress".
"Oh…!" Legolas raised his eyebrows.
"First". Aaron raised a finger. "Regarding Redmane, I have discovered more about him. As I learn more about the powers of the grey world, a lot of things become easier, I now know his real strength".
This attracted Legolas's attention. "What is his real strength".
Aaron became serious. "Redmane is a pinnacle Grade B Fox".
"I could not get his overall Fox bloodline but from the glimpses of what I saw, he apparently has a huge territory with many subordinates outside Planet Darvis".
Legolas's eyes narrowed. "I already thought as much, the only thing bothering me is…, what does he want with Lucky?"
Aaron simply shrugged.
Legolas urged him. "So, your 2nd discovery?"
Aaron smiled. "I told you that as you grow stronger, you unlock more powers of the grey world, I already deduced some of the privileges that you can access".
"After you become a Grade C Summoner, not only will communication between us become more effortless due to your deeper connection with the grey world but you can also set me free in the real world if you want".
Legolas's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes". Aaron briefly smiled before he became despondent again. "The only thing is that without a proper vessel, I may only be able to stay in the real world for a few minutes at most".
"Oh…, a proper vessel…"
After thinking deeper into it, Legolas smiled and patted his grey world buddy. "We'll talk about it after I become a Grade C Summoner".
"Before we start, I want to ask something of you".
Legolas seriously looked at Aaron. "The momentum of the Clown Society is accelerating faster than I expected, my gathering needs to keep up with their momentum so they can help me in the future if the need ever arises, that is why I need your help to boost Sophia".
"Can you do that for me?"
…
Bzzz!
"Good morning, your Excellency the Hermit". The Star's vibrant voice that always seemed joyful reverberated the next moment, opening the gathering.
"Good morning, your Excellency the Hermit". The Emperor respectfully bowed to his god and greeted.
"Good morning, your Excellency the Hermit".
This time, not only the World and the Magician greeted, the Star and the Emperor already detected the presence of the intruder in their gathering.
The Hermit spoke. "We'll be welcoming another newcomer in our gathering, he was recommended by both the World and the Magician".
The Hermit turned to look at the newcomer. "Give yourself a codename".
"Justice".
Blade was far calmer than Christensen's first time. "This is my codename".
With the Star taking the lead, they easily made the necessary side talk to welcome the new member into their gradually expanding gathering.
After that, the gathering finally kickstarted for real. The first phase started as the Emperor started by narrating any major happenings in the desert.
"After the World's help, the threat of the Titans in the desert have reduced a lot but in recent times, they are becoming more or less nonexistent".
"This should be a good thing but our elders are worried, we fear that this is the calm before the storm, the Clown Society is obviously planning something".
Legolas seriously devoured every detail of the Emperor's narration.
After him followed the Star. "There's not really much happening in my circle, the only news of major note is what I eavesdropped and heard about the King".
The ears of everyone in this gathering pricked open.
"According to what I heard one of my father's subordinates saying to him, the King has been ill for the past 2 weeks".
"There are suspicions that he was poisoned".
After the Star's turn, the Magician took centerstage, mostly giving news about the convergence of the ice territory back to the Elemental plane.
The World added to the story and revealed the alliance of the Frost Giants to the Clown Society, the power of this evil organization just kept on increasing.
Justice added a few more elements of his own after which this phase of the gathering finally drew to a close. The 2nd phase of the gathering followed naturally as the transaction session started.
After a lengthy transaction session started where the Star dominated like usual, the World finally made his special proposition to the Star.
"I have a list of Elementalist treasures written by a Master Elementalist".
"Most of them cannot be bought with money". The World looked at the Star's silhouette. "I already know that you're a Grade E Elementalist now".
"…"
The Star gasped, including the Emperor.
They turned to look at the Hermit, seeing his calm demeanor, they instantly guessed where the World got his information from.
The Star calmed down. "What does the treasures do?"
"They will rapidly accelerate and smoothen your journey to the Grade D realm. With them, it's not impossible for you to become a Grade D Elementalist in the next 2 months though the theoretical time is 5 months".
"I'll be taking it". The Star was decisive.
"Ahem…" The World cleared his throat. "They are expensive".
"I'll still pay".
Legolas smiled, this was why he loved the Star.
Through this member of his gathering, he never lacked the rare herbs and ingredients that he needed to concoct some of the most potent pills and potions that remained in his memory from his previous world.
It took a few more minutes but the transaction phase also closed, then it finally came to the last phase where the Hermit addressed them.
All members of the gathering payed attention to their leader.
The Hermit's address was brief this time, he only gave them a warning. "Stay alert, the Clown Society is already making moves in the dark".
"You all are part of one gathering, always look after each other's backs".
"Lastly…" The Hermit's tone turned ominous. "Never betray me".
"…" They all felt goosebumps.