"An Aubility?! Youāre a funny man, Keo. Itās been tested numerous times that demi-humans
cannot
take GodForge pieces. There are world wars fought exactly because of how many atrocities had been done to prove that."
Michael shrugged. "I donāt know, professor. That just seems the only likely possibility."
"There has to be some other reason," the professor insisted.
"Would you like to bet on that, professor?" Michael asked immediately, sensing an opportunity.
"Sure!"
He smiled. "That would be two favors you owe me if you lose this one."
"And we would get even if I win. If that ridiculous guess turned out to be true, then Iād be doubly in your favor."
Michael smiled and let the professor keep on laughing about the insane āguessā he had.
Eventually, they reached the Werewolf judges, the one in charge of the tournament itself.
"Where is he?! Did he really defeat Mauricio?"
One of the Werewolf Judges answered, "You mean Jaku? Yeah. He did."
"How the hell did he do that?" the professor asked. "He cheated, right?"
The Werewolves looked at each other. "To tell you the truth, professor. He used a Diva.
"WHAT?!"
"Told you," Michael whispered.
"The power coming from him was unmistakably Aubility Power," said the Werewolf.
The professorās jaws dropped. Those were the only words he was never expecting. He was more than prepared to have the truth be that a spatial anomaly happened and tilted the favor into the demi-human.
But him having a Diva and use Aubility Power, that was impossible!
"No way. Thereās just no way!"
However, the numerous first-hand accounts from everyone watching the tournament could corroborate the story. This wasnāt a lie.
"I have to see him myself. Whereās this demi-human Jaku?!"
One of the female Werewolves pointed at the distance, where there was a single pine tree in an open space, perfectly giving shade and warmth under the moonlight.
And laying down with their head rested on the roots was a dark blue-scaled Dragonborn having a nice and relaxing sleep.
The professor squinted his eyes. "He bears a similarity to the Komodo species... but also the Draconians," he assessed. "Iāve never seen his type before. Fascinating..."
Michael put his hands behind his back. "Perhaps heās an evolved form of the Komodo demi-humans."
"!!!"
The professorās eyes widened. "That could be a possibility! How did you think of that?"
Michael shrugged.
"Come on. Letās approach him," said the professor, going into a run.
But just before they reached Jaku, someone got there before them.
A horse came strutting in from the distance before coming to a stop. Then, a familiar face came down from the horse and faced Jaku with a mix of pride and contentment in his face.
It was Sergio Aubert.
"I am Sergio
Aubert,
" Sergio introduced himself, putting an emphasis on his family name. "Are you the demi-human who awakened a Diva?"
However, he didnāt garner the reaction he wanted or even expected.
Jaku groggily opened his eyes, and upon seeing Sergioās face, immediately closed it back up and continued to sleep. He even had the audacity to change his sleeping position to become face away from this stranger.
Sergio was flabbergasted for a second. He thought that giving his name and his family would give him a little bit of respect!
Yet, there was none.
"HEY!" Sergio called out, but Jaku was deep off into sleep.
Finally, Sergio had enough and bent down to forcefully wake the demi-human from sleep.
And as soon as his hands got near Jakuās shoulder, blue lightning suddenly emerged out of Jakuās scales, empowering him with lightspeed.
Above his head, the image of a giant dark blue egg with lightning streaks around it appeared. It had numerous cracks on its surface, on the brink of hatching.
Then, Jaku disappeared.
Sergio and the professor were shocked to see such a sight.
They turned their heads, only to see Jaku already sleeping peacefully on another tree in the distance.
It was true!
This demi-human really did awaken a Diva! Not only that, but that incredible speed could only be achieved by the reality-altering quality of Aubility Powers!
"Goodness me," the professor gasped, slapping his own forehead. "Iām seeing an impossibility right in front of my eyes!"
Sergio was also flabbergasted, his eyes realizing that even his brother couldnāt react to that speed.
"Your talent is unique, and is something that will be greatly appreciated in our company. Join the Auberts," Sergio said, approaching Jaku again.
Jaku gave him an irritated look. "Canāt you see Iām busy here?"
Sergioās eyebrows twitched, not liking the disrespect given to him. However, he couldnāt say anything. Jaku was a demi-human of extremely great importanceāperhaps even greater than the Antique itself.
He was the
only
demi-human in the world that was a Maugnetic. That fact that he succeeded where no one in the world had meant that the information he could give to the Auberts would be invaluable. Sergio had to recruit him at all costs.
Just then, the professor hurriedly got in front of Sergio. "No, come with me! I must know how you became a Maugnetic. This is for the good of the entire world! I promise that you will gain fame unlike anything youāve ever seen!"
After the professor publishes the findings of the Antique as well as this unique case of Maugnetism manifesting in a demi-human, then this news would surely reach the ends of the world, no doubt!
Sergio then pulled the professor aside, giving Jaku his side. "The Auberts will promise to help you break through to the Nascent Realm!"
Both Sergio and the professor were making very good points. One offered money and strength, while the other offered wisdom and fame. There was no right answer between them given the choice. Either choice would change their lives for the better.
However, it seemed that Jaku chose the only āincorrectā choice by not making a choice at all.
"Meh. No thanks," he said, going back to sleep.
Both the professor and Sergio were speechless. How could he not even be interested in whatever they were offering. Any sane man would at least hesitate before saying no.
Just then, Jaku sat up from the ground and said, "Boss, can we go home now?"
"Boss?" Sergio and the professor asked.
They both turned to where Jaku was looking at, and lo and behold, it was none other than the golden-haired boy following Professor Lichtenstein.
"Just a little bit more, Jaku. I just have a little bit of business here with the professor," he said to Jaku.
Sergioās eyes widened. "Him?"
"You?!" the professor asked.
"My boss decides anything for me, so my hands are tied," said Jaku. "Boss, deal with these people please? I want to sleep."
Silence reigned in the night as the two tried to process the information as best as they could.
Sergio would never have thought that the ānerdā who was always following the professor would turn out to be the boss of this demi-human.
"But... heās just a kid!" Sergio shouted.
Meanwhile, the professor continued to stare at Michael, confused at his identity. Heād only spent a small amount of time with him, but heād already treated Michael as āKeoā, his protege. He completely forgot that he was a stranger who had a mysterious background!