Da Fei returned once more to the long-missed Ranger Guild. Since he was there to return something, meeting the legendary "almost impossible to meet" Guild Master was not difficult at all.
As expected, Jilrien still had an arrogant demeanor. "Even though youâve delayed the return for several months, but considering that your Pool of Radiance task is still incomplete, Iâll let it slide!"
Damn, itâs like I owe you something! Fine, letâs pretend I do! If Iâm not mistaken, that Storm Masterâs soldiers normally require high reputation or task completion to recruit, right? Alright, being a career-focused high-level player, I wonât bicker with NPCs.
Da Fei chuckled. "Thank you, Mr. Guild Master, for your understanding. This Blood Eagle Flute played a huge role in this mission; without it, I couldnât have completed the task. That would not only be my personal loss but a loss for the Kingdom and the Bright Alliance too..."
Just as Da Fei continued rambling, Jilrien widened his eyes and stared at Da Fei with an incredulous expression on his face!
Da Fei asked in surprise, "Mr. Guild Master, is there something wrong?"
Jilrien exclaimed, "It seems youâve taken on the Ranger profession as a side job?"
Da Feiâs heart skipped a beat! Hmm? This Guild Master really lives up to the reputation, recognizing right away that I took up the Ranger role? Hahaha! Thereâs potential here! As a career-driven high-level player, whatâs my next move?
Da Fei chuckled, "Yeah, during the Pool of Radiance mission, I encountered the spirit of an Elf General who fell in battle. He provided immense help for me to enter the Abyss Blood Pool and allowed me to take on the Ranger role as a side job!"
Jilrien gasped, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How can a human take on the Ranger role as a side job? The Ranger is a main hero profession; how can it be a side job?"
Thatâs the reaction I was hoping for. You donât know everything, do you? Canât act aloof now, can you? Time to play nice. Da Fei smugly replied, "Well, it is a main profession, but the professional attribute points are only halved when taken as a side job."
Jilrien shook his head urgently. "Who is this Elf Generalâs spirit youâre talking about?"
Aha, this is what I was waiting for! When the old lady first heard this name, she was displeased. I wonder how youâll react to it?
Da Fei casually replied, "Taranna, supposedly a genius of the Elf Clan, and supposedly not very well-liked. Does Mr. Guild Master know him?"
Jilrienâs brow twitched and murmured, "So itâs him..."
Oh, that tone! Looks like he had no friends while he was alive. If the Guild Master were his friend, maybe I could leverage that relationship?
Da Fei coughed and said, "Anyway, despite his arrogance, training me to be a Ranger proved he had a reason for it. I personally believe that anyone with real talent, no matter how bad their temper and popularity, deserves respect in some form."
Jilrien snapped back, "Indeed, those with abilities always have reasons to be respected!"
Da Fei chuckled, "Actually, in my view, someone with both ability and modesty is even more deserving of respect. I believe the Guild Master repairing this Blood Eagle Flute is an incredible skill. The Guild Master is more deserving of respect!"
Since I couldnât build a relationship through Taranna, Iâll just resort to flattery to establish it myself.
Jilrien frowned and shook his head. "Repairing the Blood Eagle Flute was just a trivial task. Now that everything is returned as agreed, you may leave."
Huh? Being shown the door already? Damn! That canât happen! I still have questions about advancing to God-level skills! And since weâve already discussed Taranna, it clearly triggered a storyline event. I absolutely canât leave now. Otherwise, next time, how would I get to see him again?
But, since I havenât completed any tasks under him nor have extra support from the Mayor, it might be quite hard to get anything substantial from him! A simple "please leave" from him could nullify all my efforts. Given his interest in my taking on the Ranger role, I just need to make an outrageous offer!
Da Fei quickly said, "Mr. Guild Master, actually, in this Pool of Radiance, Abyss Blood Pool mission, albeit slightly beneficial to me, the Guild Master helping me repair the Blood Eagle Flute makes you the hero behind the scenes. I have a suggestion to repay you!"
Jilrien raised an eyebrow. "A suggestion?"
Da Fei eagerly nodded. "Exactly, I know that training a human to become a Ranger is a truly outstanding feat. If everyone knew this was due to your achievements, wouldnât the Guild Masterâs fame spread far and wide?"
Jilrien raised an eyebrow and slammed the table in anger. "Nonsense! Am I the kind of person whoâd steal othersâ technical findings? Get out!"
Did I mess up? Damn it! I spoke rashly in a panic! How could I bring this up directly? No way, hold it together!
Da Fei quickly responded, "No, no, no, what I mean is, I would like to formally become your apprentice, Mr. Guild Master! I believe, with my already acquired Ranger status, thereâs no issue in principle in becoming your apprentice. This way, when I achieve something for the Kingdom, youâll also be celebrated as the achievement behind the scenes! Okay, I know that as a human, some of my ways may not be well-accepted by Elves, but as long as thereâs mutual benefit, you can gain your deserved recognition. Itâs all for the Kingdom, for the Allianceâs cause, wouldnât everyone be happier?"
Jilrienâs eyebrow twitched wildly as Da Fei spoke animatedly, causing his heart to race as well. Itâs now or never!
Finally, Jilrien coldly said, "Are you finished?"
Da Fei swallowed, "Finished!" Damn, just donât say "get out" again! If the first attempt to dismiss didnât work, saying it again would be unnecessary!
Jilrien coldly replied, "I just said I dislike dealing with humans. I donât even know how you became a part-time Ranger, so I canât teach you! As for apprenticeship, I refuse!"
Ah, I see! Then I have one last move left!
Da Fei urgently said, "Mr. Guild Master, with your help, Iâve advanced to the God-level Reconnaissance Technique, which you indirectly taught me! I also know that in the Dwarf Kingdom, thereâs a Flying Eagle Scout, a profession beyond the God-level Reconnaissance Skill, and I believe the Elf Kingdom is even better in this area. I want to surpass the God-level Reconnaissance Skill and comprehend a whole new profession; Mr. Guild Master, you can teach me this, right?"
Jilrienâs expression suddenly changed. "You actually comprehended the God-level Reconnaissance Technique? You even know about professions beyond the Reconnaissance Technique?"
Hahaha! Thatâs exactly the reaction I wanted! Now itâs time to play my ace, the self-promotion move. If you still refuse, itâs not because you donât want to teach, but because you lack the genuine skills to teach me! Damn, I also suspect whether you have the capability, being just a city-level Guild Master, to teach me! If you wonât do it, Iâll just have to head to the capital to find the Chief of Staff, who surely has better mentors!
Da Fei bowed deeply. "Mr. Guild Master, I believe my aptitude and comprehension are decent, and wonât tarnish the teacherâs reputation. I sincerely hope to receive your guidance, and I wish to formally become your apprentice!"
Jilrien remained silent for a long while.
Da Fei kept bowing, heart pounding wildly, thinking about NPCs backed by the system who could think at lightning speed; there shouldnât be so much hesitation, right? Maybe heâs just putting on a show for me because he has some unresolved issues with the Mayor, triggered by the unexpected storyline?
Finally, Jilrien sighed heavily. "Alright, being a human and taking the Ranger as a second job is something worth my interest and attention. Over all these years, you are the first human disciple Iâve taken."
âSystem Prompt: Jilrien, the Ranger Guild Master in Elorin City, has become your Ranger profession mentor!
Oh yes! Success! Getting someone who doesnât like you to take you on as an apprentice is even more satisfying than being Makarâs easy student!
Da Fei happily exclaimed, "Thank you, Mentor!"
Jilrien shook his head. "Honestly, I donât have much to teach you, but based on your mention of the profession beyond the Reconnaissance Skill, I can teach you that!"
âSystem Prompt: You have received the "Kingdom Apprentice Sentinel Introduction Guide" from your mentor Jilrien!
âKingdom Apprentice Sentinel Introduction Guide: A profession specific to Elf trainees, granting the ability to tame a Reconnaissance Hawk. Learning requirements: Basic-level Ranger, Basic-level Druid.
Da Fei was ecstatic! As expected! There really is this profession! I found the right person! Iâve always said, the iconic move of the Elf Clan is releasing hawks in the forest, and if the Dwarves know this profession, of course, the Elves should be even better at it! Hahaha! Jilrien turns out to be warm-hearted despite his cold exterior, giving such a big gift once I became his disciple!
Da Fei once again bowed deeply and thanked, "Thank you, Mentor!"
Jilrien waved his hand dismissively. "Donât thank me yet! This profession is primarily military, and normally, itâs not to be disclosed, hence I can only teach you an apprentice role for training soldiers. Apprentice professions canât improve your professional attribute point bonuses, so you must understand it yourself!"
What? No attribute points from a secondary profession? Thatâs too weak!
Da Fei hurriedly asked, "How can I comprehend it then?"
Jilrien shook his head. "I donât know about sentinels from other races, but the Elf Kingdomâs sentinels are based on developing the Ranger and Druid professions. If you can improve your Ranger Level, I can naturally improve your Sentinel Level. Once you become a formal sentinel, you can receive the professional attribute bonus."
Da Feiâs heart skipped a beat, improving the Ranger Level? Didnât Taranna mention going to his hometown?
Da Fei quickly said, "Thank you, Mentor, for your guidance. How do I tame the Reconnaissance Hawk?"
Jilrien shook his head. "Being human, I find it hard to believe you can communicate normally with avian species. I donât think normal taming methods will work for you, so it depends on whether youâre willing to pay a price." After speaking, he took out the Blood Eagle Flute Da Fei had just returned.
Da Fei asked in surprise, "What do you mean, Mentor?"
Jilrien seriously said, "Using your bloodline as a guide, support a Spiritual Eagle, but the price is your Life Value will decrease by 100 points! As the Spiritual Eagle grows, your Life Value will also decrease!" (