139: Adler's persistence

A month passed by in a flash.

Greem spent most of his time in bars and restaurants, enjoying a period of relaxation. How could he not reward himself after all the hardships he endured on his journey?

Occasionally, after eating and drinking his fill, Greem would also tour the various Botanical Gardens protected by the Wizard Tower, or stand behind the crystal window of the library on the fourth floor of the Wizard Tower, overlooking the entire scenery of Mist Coast.

Greem successfully realized his wish from when he first transmigrated—to leisurely enjoy the scenery from behind that crystal window.

Early May, 24th year of the wizard's path.

Battle Axe Bar.

Greem was currently chatting with Adler.

Suddenly, Mentor Jordan, who had been absent for a long time, walked into the bar, looking travel-worn and glancing around.

“Here…”

“Mentor Jordan, we’re over here.”

Greem stood up and waved to Mentor Jordan. They were at a small bar counter in the inner section, partially obscured by a tall evergreen plant.

Mentor Jordan heard Greem's voice and strode towards where Greem was.

“Teacher, you must be tired. Come, have some wine to moisten your throat first.”

“Mhm.”

“Gulp, gulp…”

After a large glass of iced rye fruit beer went down,

“Refreshing!”

“You two brats fought well this time. I heard about your reputation even when I was outside.”

Mentor Jordan chuckled.

“Come, fill me up!”

“Alright!” Adler eagerly refilled his glass.

Mentor Jordan's face was full of smiles. His perpetually frosty expression, which hadn't changed for years, now bloomed with warmth and joy for some reason, adding a youthful vigor to his weathered yet unchanging handsome uncle's face… “Adler, you performed well in this mission.”

“You directly withstood a full-power strike from a Peak Wizard Apprentice, and then survived a close-range explosion of Advanced Wizardry.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk…”

Mentor Jordan gave Adler a heavy punch.

“You didn’t disgrace me. Work hard, and in the future, if you can earn the title of the Strongest Guardian Knight, it won’t be a dishonor to your Bloodline.”

Adler cried out in pain, half-happy, half-awkwardly saying:

“Mentor Jordan, I will work hard.”

“It’s just that I also want to forge my own statue.”

“Even if I walk your path, I won’t regret it.”

Mentor Jordan stared at Adler for a long time. Adler, firm in his belief, met Mentor Jordan's scrutinizing gaze without flinching or backing down, conveying his resolve to him.

Greem quietly sat aside, drinking, leaving the battlefield to Mentor Jordan and Adler. During the month-long recovery period, Adler and Greem had repeatedly discussed the direction of his path.

Now, it was time to lay their cards on the table.

“Mentor Jordan, after this mission, after a life-and-death struggle with a true title-holder of Mist Coast, I realized that my strength is just so-so. Even being a shield guardian is a struggle. In the eyes of true peak powerhouses, I am merely an unranked Grand Knight.”

“But my talent has also reached its limit. Besides the Earth Bear Bloodline, which is presentable, my Knight strength has basically peaked.”

“As for Advanced Wizard Apprentice, I don't even dare to dream. My current Intermediate Wizard Apprentice realm was achieved by piling up potions.”

“So, please teach me, Mentor. I want to try your path.”

“Adler, have you thought this through?”

Mentor Jordan asked again:

“The formation of my Mental Secret Technique—Bloodkill Demon Eye—was a product of serendipity. If I were to do it again, I can’t guarantee success.”

“Moreover, several of your senior brothers once tried to follow my path, but all failed.”

“This is a path to death. Succeed or die.”

“Adler, you can actually wait a bit longer. You are still young, there’s no rush to make a decision.”

“No!”

Adler said firmly, his square, rugged face full of seriousness.

“Precisely because I am young, I have vigor, and my state is closer to yours, Mentor Jordan, at that time. This way, my chances are greater.”

“If I keep hesitating and dragging my feet, I fear I will lose this drive, and I will never reach your height in this lifetime.”

Mentor Jordan lowered his head, drinking large gulps of wine.

Greem helped refill his glass while clinking glasses with Mentor Jordan, while Adler watched steadfastly.

Time passed by, minute by minute.

After a long while,

Mentor Jordan finally looked up and asked:

“Greem, what do you think?”

“As Adler’s good brother, and also a Peak Bloodline Great Knight, what are your hopes for the success of this matter?”

“Mentor, I don’t know either.”

“After all, there’s too little reference data. There are too few Grand Knights in the entire Mist Coast who can comprehend a Mental Secret Technique like you, Mentor. The academy records fewer than five.”

“And most of them are due to serendipity, not replicable.”

“However, I’m thinking from a different perspective.”

“Mentor, everyone has their own path to walk.”

“Mentor Jordan, you are our enlightened teacher on the Knight's path, and also our guide, our protector.”

“But once we reach a certain realm, you can no longer protect us. We have also passed your safe guidance stage.”

“At this point, the future path, how to choose and how to walk it, is an extremely personal matter.”

“No one can interfere, no one can stop it…”

“But similarly, no one knows what the future consequences will be. We can only explore it ourselves and bear it ourselves.”

“Ancient Wizards, the wise Treant Lord, once said:

A path is walked out. There was no path before; when many people walk it, it becomes a path.”

He also said:

“The path you choose, you must complete it even if you have to crawl.”

“Therefore, my opinion is:

Since the sages all encourage us to bravely embark on unknown journeys, how can we shrink back because of some risks and failures?”

“You, oh you…”

“Greem, your theories are truly well-crafted. It seems you two really planned this out, already woven a sack, just waiting for me to jump in.”

Mentor Jordan pointed at Greem, then at Adler, in exasperation.

“Forget it, I have nothing more to teach you two now. This is all the hidden knowledge I have left.”

“Adler…”

“Since you are willing to walk this old path of mine, then I will certainly do my utmost to help you. I just hope that when the time comes, you won’t regret it.”

“Thank you, Mentor, thank you, Mentor. I will not regret it.”

Adler stood up and bowed repeatedly, his face flushed with excitement.

“Alright, we’ll discuss your matters privately later.”

“Now, let’s talk about Greem’s business.”

“Greem…”

“You, without a sound, gave me a big surprise.”