Karl and his group had made so much progress by the time that the sun went down that they had no idea how much chaos Karl had caused by simply ordering everyone to get started using the orb.
Everyone else had assumed that was an order from the Archbishop, so they just went with it.
However, when the Totems returned after dinner, they were thoroughly baffled to see hundreds of newly awakened adolescent System users. They had just come to an agreement on the schedule to use the orb, but everyone who had been called was just lined up double file, allowing the nations, including the Beastkin Nation, who hadn’t even been part of the negotiation, to use the orb equally.
“What is this?” Lord Nacht, the black dragon, demanded.
“We are following the instructions passed to us by the group we relieved. Double file, equal access for both groups. The Divine Beasts were said to be part of the Newbon delegation, and the representatives from the Beastkin Nation paid for their access as part of the Golden Dragon Nation’s quota.” Overlord Tabitha explained, not understanding why the dragon was upset.
“And who did you relieve that set this policy?” The dragon asked.
“That would be Prince Karl, the Beast Master.”
The black dragon began to laugh, while the Archbishop gave a rueful smile.
“I don’t suppose that he said where he was going, did he?” The Archbishop asked.
“To a temple in the beastkin nation, near the headwaters of some river.” Tabitha replied with a shrug.
“The Seabingin River.” Librarian Gareth clarified.
“Alright, I know where that is. It appears that all our negotiations were unnecessary if everyone can share so well. Now, we are going to have a long discussion with a certain young Elite about what the words Executive Decision mean.”
Tabitha began to laugh as she realized what had happened. Someone had decided to just act while the Totems were negotiating, and hadn’t expected them to come back in time for anyone to catch him.
The young Prince was a brave one, she would give him that much. Perhaps not too bright, but he had initiative.
“On a positive note, even among the ones who were found to be incompatible, there have been no injuries and no fatalities.” Librarian Gareth informed the two Totem Rank leaders.
That made this a superior resource to the ‘divine injection’, and the trial here had a success rate that was over fifty percent overall, and increased with youth. Among those who were under their fifteenth birthday or equivalent for their species, it was nearly three in every four that obtained a class.
“Wonderful news. We will ensure that there is a steady supply of candidates for as long as the trial remains open. Do we know the exact time it opened?” The Archbishop asked.
“I don’t, but as I understand it, the portal opened early this morning.”
The Archbishop nodded. “Then we have plenty of time left.”
As if the world wanted to spite him, it was at that moment that the light of the orb began to flicker. The energy from it appeared to be as strong as ever, but something was changing.
Then, it stabilized, appearing just as it had before.
“No more red flags.” The black dragon insisted.
“Seconded. Let’s see who comes out next. Perhaps an interesting choice was made. Who is in there right now?” Lord Nacht asked, turning to his fellow Dragon.
Librarian Gareth shrugged. “A bunch of misfit kids from the Newbon Capital and a couple of acolytes from the Divine Beasts. Almost everyone has entered already, the rest are just practising their new skills over there.” The Blue Dragon explained.
The two Totems looked around at the situation and nodded in satisfaction.
“Alright, we will leave this to you who are here now. Send a message when you are finished or run out of volunteers, and we will come back.” Lord Nacht insisted.
“Yes, brother.” Gareth replied.
The Archbishop closed his eyes to focus and then frowned. “How can he be five kilometres apart from himself? I think that his beasts are messing with my targeting.”
The Black Dragon chuckled and ducked down so that the Archbishop could climb on his back.
“Open the portal in the air, and we will find them.”
Karl pulled his Golem mount to an abrupt stop as a massive dragon head appeared through a portal twenty metres in front of him.
“Lord Nacht, good afternoon. How was your dinner?” Karl greeted the Dragon, then realized the Archbishop was on his back.
“Archbishop, may the blessing of the World Dragon be upon you.”
The Archbishop floated down from the Dragon’s back, and Nacht transformed back into his humanoid form.
“We have been informed that you waited less than five minutes after we left to discuss the rotation of use before you decided to just send everyone present into the trial and start calling for more people.” The Archbishop began.
“Your Eminence, I would like to clarify that I was not the one who called for more people to come for the trial. I simply set out usage guidelines that everyone could work with until your final decision was made.”
“That’s a beautiful way of saying that you didn’t pay any attention at all and just did what you wanted.” Nacht agreed.
“Thank you.”
The Archbishop hid his amusement at the way that the Beast Master didn’t back down, even in front of a Totem Rank black dragon.
It might be confidence, or he might just be oblivious to the danger, but he could sense that Karl’s attitude was partially from his bonded beasts, and with three apex predators linked to him, it was no wonder that he was self-assured to the level of arrogant.
[Are you thinking what I’m thinking?] Cara asked.
[If he takes two more steps forward, I will consider it.] Karl agreed.
Nacht tilted his head curiously and cast a spell, then another spell.
“You’re trying to determine what my beasts are saying to me, aren’t you? Orthos told me the easiest way is to listen to my thoughts because I will think the words as I hear them.” Karl suggested.
The black dragon nodded. “That’s not my specialty. I am looking at your intent, and it keeps fluctuating, like a rainbow of different intents all mixed together. I am wondering which one is which. I would assume the one that is focused on mischief is the Naga Queen.”
Karl shook his head. “No, that’s the winged Void Badger. She has a thing with dragons.”
The Archbishop looked concerned that Karl might do something stupid, but Nacht was just amused.
“The Dark Goddess is fond of small and fearless creatures. They often get away with things that no larger creature could. I heard what she did to Orthos.”
[I think that’s a warning.] Cara noted.
[He’s definitely on to your shenanigans.] Remi agreed.
[I will have to find new ones.]
The Archbishop cleared his throat. “We will escort you all to the temple, on the off chance that there really is something there. Unfortunately, the Spellblade Clan won’t be able to join us, but Prince Corbin will get credit for his reports if there is something found.”
Corbin really had gotten cheated on this deal. He was the one who wanted to go there in the first place. Karl just hoped there was good stuff there for Thor.
“That sounds wonderful. Thank you for your assistance.”
