Whether he could or couldn't didn’t matter here! You should try to maintain a good relationship with everyone in power, even if they are idiots!" Alan yelled-then froze realising what he had just said, Did I just…

  "Didn't you just call him an idiot too, mister?" Rose added, giving a disapproving look to Alan.

  "I… guess I did. I didn’t mean to," Alan admitted, looking away from Rose.

  "So, I assume the people of Arcek have been evacuated, sir?" Adrian questioned as he looked at the Head Knight.

  "Yes, I am sure about it," Head Knight added with a nod.

  "I was unsure about taking this mission, but if it's Sir Viscount's wish for the village to be trampled, I think I would like to do whatever I can to stop it. I really dislike that man," Alisa said with a serious expression.

  Alan shot a glance at Rose and Adrian. "Can we just pretend she never said that?" he asked, his tone almost pleading.

  "Don't you worry, our lips are sealed," Adrian said with a reassuring look.

  "I don't think she said anything wrong though. The Viscount sure does have a weak, idiotic mentality if he doesn’t want to keep his predecessor’s word, according to me."

  Can't argue with that, Alan mentally added, while Adrian begged his sister to stop badmouthing the idiotic Viscount.

  "You've held up your end of the deal. Now leave the rest to us," Alisa said, pulling the black pouch closer. "You're free to go, but if you'd like to help…" She paused momentarily. With a subtle smile, fully aware of the answer, she added, "Could you arrange five medium-sized carriages, preferably with two horses each?”

  "I will get them ready in half an hour," the Head Knight spoke before hastily moving towards the door and stepping out the next moment.

  Now that the talk is over, it's about time I escape, Alan thought to himself. "Well, now that all the issues have been resolved, I think I'll get ready for the fight myself," Alan said as he turned towards the door to leave the room.

  "You've got your sword, and if I am not wrong, you tend not to wear any armor. If you already have everything you need, why exactly do you want to go?" Alisa spoke with a neutral look, her gaze piercing Alan’s back.

  "I needed to…" Alan tried to reason with her as he looked in her direction.

  "Come and take a seat," Alisa spoke in a stern voice.

  "Yes, ma’am," Alan replied, quickly taking the seat the next moment.

  Alisa turned to the Weeble siblings, her facial expression changing from frustration to a smile as she looked in their direction. "Why don’t you both take a seat as well?" she asked. "I think I would love to have a chat with the Weeble siblings who are truly making a name for themselves in the city. If I am being honest, I am a little excited," she added with a smile.

  "I don’t see why not," Rose added, taking the left seat next to Alan, and as she did, Alan stood from his chair to leave a seat for Adrian.

  "Sir, you can sit if you'd like," Adrian said, raising both hands to gesture that he was okay with standing.

  "Just take the seat Adrian," Alan said as he patted him on the shoulder. "Guess I'll be going then, Alisa," he added.

  "I haven’t excused you yet, now have I?" Alisa questioned as she shot Alan an irritated glance.

  Looking back at her, Alan continued, "You haven’t, yes, but remember, if you decide to scold me—" he stopped midway, striking a pose as if lost in thought. "I would not help anyone in similar situations ever again," he added with a shrug gesture.

  Letting out a sigh, Alisa continued, "I don’t mind talking to people, but would you like it if they started using you as a gateway to talk to me?" Alisa questioned in a neutral tone.

  "Use me to get to you?" Alan spoke out loud. He began to think about it the next moment, imagining some medium big shots and really big big shots flocking to him to get a chance to talk to Alisa. I already have my fair share of trouble with those guild recruiters, he thought, not wanting any more pain.

  "I’d absolutely hate it," Alan stated without an ounce of doubt in his voice.

  "Then next time something like this happens, come and tell me the situation rather than taking the other route of bringing someone with you. Understood?"

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "Yes, I'll make sure to do that, and uhh…" Alan stopped midway, a slightly awkward look evident on his face.

  "What?"

  "Sorry for the inconvenience," Alan added with a sheepish smile.

  Alisa ended up smiling at the expression he gave her. "It's not a big deal. Don’t worry about it much." Clearing her throat, she continued, "Get Ais and Blake on board with the news, and about the team we will be sending…" Alisa stopped midway, looking at the ceiling while lost in thoughts. Looking back, she added, "All of the A-ranking adventurers and the B-ranking adventurers, Ais, you, and the Weeble siblings. That would be the people going on this mission," she stated.

  Adrian and Rose simply nodded at this, indicating their approval.

  "Understood," Alan said with a nod, after which he left the guild room, leaving Alisa and the Weeble siblings behind.

  Guess she was somewhat looking out for me, Alan thought to himself with a smile as he moved down the stairs. Reaching the main hall, Bella and a few adventurers were still sitting at the same table.

  "Is your work over, Alan?" Bella questioned immediately as Alan walked into the hall.

  Alan nodded at this as he continued, "Yeah, it worked out. I think you will have to work extra today though," he added in haste. He quickly moved outside of the White Tiger Guild headquarters without wasting any time, stepping into the training ground.

  As he stepped there, a man's battle cry came into his ears, followed by the sound of wooden swords clashing.

  "They are still training, huh?" Alan mumbled as he approached the right side of the ground.

  The scene in front of him was something he had seen plenty of times. Ais, a young female adventurer who was just as young as Alan, stood in the center of the duel area, effortlessly parrying the attacks thrown in her direction by her opponent.

  Ais’s long white hair was done in a simple yet effective high ponytail with a black hairband, and she wore a simple white shirt with black pants, a common training uniform of the White Tiger Guild.

  Ais is bullying a newbie, huh? Guess my assumption was right then. Alan thought with an amused smile. Quietly, he walked to the sideline and stood with the adventurers gathered there.

  "Are you going to duel with her, Sir Solo Knight?" a young girl standing next to him questioned.

  Alan shook his head. "Not today. I’m just a mere observer for today," he said. His gaze shifted to Ais’s opponent—a tall, young man. "Who’s the excited sparring partner she’s got this time?" he asked.

  "It's Edgar, a new B-ranker who just joined us. He has beaten Mr. Mason in a sword fight recently and ended up challenging Miss Ais," she added with a chuckle.

  Fighting Ais after defeating Mason, yeah he's got a death wish that's for sure, Alan thought with a light chuckle.

  The duel in the center was rather peculiar. Anyone with an untrained eye might think the male swordsman was pushing Ais into a corner with the barrage of attacks he threw in her direction. Though the reality was far from it. The battle was one-sided, with Edgar trying his best to land a hit on Ais while she effortlessly parried his attacks.

  Finally taking the offensive, Ais struck Edgar’s sword with a strong blow, causing him to stumble a bit.

  "Mindlessly striking the sword will take you nowhere," Ais spoke, a serious expression maintained on her face.

  "I am just getting started. Don’t think you have won just yet," Edgar yelled with a frustrated expression as he moved in for another strike. He raised the practice sword well above his head and brought it down in a quick movement, targeting Ais’s head.

  Ais sidestepped swiftly, her movements fluid and precise. With a subtle tap from her sword, she redirected Edgar’s strike just enough to throw him off balance. A quiet sigh escaped her lips as she finally noticed Alan standing on the sideline.

  Edgar clenched his teeth, irritation evident on his face as he regained his posture. But before he could strike again, a swift blow from Ais sent his sword flying.

  Edgar’s eyes widened as he looked at his empty hand. "You were still holding back?" he muttered.

  There was no answer—Ais had already moved out of the ring, standing next to Alan.

  "Did you come here to spar with me?" she questioned Alan with an enthusiastic look.

  Shaking his head, "No way in hell I’m fighting a freaking S-rank swordswoman," he replied.

  "Shut up, I am just like five times stronger than you. It's not that big of a deal," Ais added with a smirk.

  Yes, yes, five times stronger—wait, she isn’t that stronger than me, Alan thought before continuing, "Five times my foot! I was just being nice, and you are taking it to your head!" Alan retorted.

  Ais Blackwell [ Status update from a day ago ]

  - Race: Human

  - Rank: S-Rank

  - Age: 19

  - Class: Mage / Swordmaster

  - Affinity: Light

  Stats

  - Mana Points: 38460

  - Strength: 1356

  - Speed: 2,678

  - Dexterity: 2268

  - Health Points: 900

  Equipment

  - Weapon: The Impaler (Tier 7 Sword)

  - Armor: None

  Abilities

  - Lifesteal

  - Void Piercer

  Magic Resistance

  - Level 4 Resistance – Reduces the effectiveness of magic-based attacks by 40%.

  Defensive Abilities

  - Self-Healing (Level 4) – Can heal minor and deep wounds.

  - Damage Reduction (Level 5) – Reduces 60% of all physical damage received.

  Special Abilities

  - The Predator