Free Web NovelChapter 34: Low Expectations
The two siblings clenched their fists tightly, their faces twisted with frustration. That group had just been sent to specific locations far away, and it would be impossible to find out who they were now.
But... suddenly.
"Congratulations to all of you."
A calm, emotionless male voice echoed in their ears, making them jump in surprise.
Everyone looked around but found nothing. freёwebnovel.com
Then, at the back of the cave, a soft light lit up, and a white humanoid silhouette appeared.
The silhouette approached them, becoming clearer and clearer. It was an old man dressed in a gray robe that looked worn out but perfectly clean. Despite his snow-white beard and hair, his eyes radiated an intense light, with bolts of electricity flickering inside them.
"Ancestor!" Shione and Lumiere spoke at the same time and knelt before the figure.
"Oh? You possess the Bloodline of my Quint race... I see, it seems they’ve finally managed to create figures like me." The figure murmured in an emotional tone.
Shione and Lumiere raised their heads, their eyes trembling.
"Ancestor, we’re the only two who managed to become like you in the ten thousand years since your death," Shione said, full of determination. "We will honor your legacy and make both of our races stand out in the Divine plane!"
Priam took a deep breath. He had heard the name of the clan leader’s second race and her children from Flora; they were humanoids known as Quints.
In short, they could easily control the five natural elements. But... even though they could control them, they were below average in mastering them. It was like trying to hold several birds in one hand while all of them constantly escaped.
That was the race’s main power. Talent for controlling five elements, but quantity did not mean quality. Being able to control all five elements at a low level was actually terrible. This race was a legitimate race of the Mortal plane, pathetic and weak. But...
One day, from the union of a Quint and a Vanculari from the Ylisse clan, an abomination was born.
It was a man who could control only the lightning element. Not only that, he was born with a body completely harmonized with that power. That figure became someone incredible, managing to reach the Divine plane and enter a sect.
He became a legendary Sage!
The greatest pride and honor the Ylisse clan had ever possessed throughout its entire history. In his old age, he returned to his clan in the Mortal plane and had several children.
Hearing all this, Priam understood that the current clan leader and her three children were descendants of that figure. However, only Shione and Lumiere had inherited his unique condition.
As for the one standing before them, he was not the real Ancestor; that person had died more than ten thousand years ago.
Priam had heard about this from Flaris once, but he had thought it was impossible... after all, it had no logic or meaning to him, someone who came from Earth.
But now the proof stood right before his eyes.
When a Mage reached a very high level and became a Sage, they could create something called a *Will*. If that Will were connected to something like an inscription that supplied it with energy to sustain itself, it could exist forever, retaining part of the memories and knowledge the person had while alive.
Priam had even heard about this Ancestor from Flora, and the rumors claimed that he had left his Will within the clan to teach future generations. Now, they had found it.
"The Divine plane..." The figure sighed heavily.
"You’d better keep your expectations low. Listen carefully, our Ylisse clan may seem incredible in your eyes. But in the Divine plane, we’re not even an ant. Everything, absolutely everything we have here, cannot compare to the things of the Divine plane. All the wealth you’ve accumulated here is worthless there... even staying alive there is difficult."
He sighed with a distant and painful look. Priam was certain that this figure, when alive, had seen and gone through many harsh things.
"I was very lucky and, after nearly dying during a mission in another world, I decided it was better to return and pass on my genetics and knowledge to the next generation."
Priam nodded. Indeed, it might seem like the Ylisse clan was something important, but the Mortal plane and the Divine plane were two completely different worlds. Going there would be like an absolute restart, where a person would have nothing except themselves.
"Ancestor, don’t worry, I guarantee we’ll surpass you. After all, I was born with a unique variation. Not only can I control ice, but I also have some ability to control wind. It’s very weak, but I can use it," Shione said proudly.
The old man was genuinely surprised to hear that, but his expression did not change.
"Unfortunately, even if you’re slightly better than me, in the Divine plane you’d still just be slightly cleaner trash. I didn’t tell the clan much about my life in the Divine plane because I didn’t have much to say... I was merely the most humble disciple imaginable. Anyway... I don’t want to discourage you, but you need to keep your minds on the right path. Unfortunately, I made many mistakes and didn’t change many of the clan’s rules. Over the time I’ve spent here, I’ve realized that the most talented youngsters who are born end up becoming overly arrogant idiots, thinking they’re the center of the world..."
At that moment, Shione and Lumiere’s faces turned red with embarrassment, and they looked away.
Priam snorted. That was an accurate diagnosis of those two. But now they had awakened to reality, all thanks to a small chaotic catalyst named Priam.
"Well, let’s get to the important part," the old man’s Will said lightly. "I control the spatial movement inscription here, and I can grant one wish for each of you. However, to do that, each of you must answer my question."
"Wasn’t the reward supposed to be just for climbing the mountain?" Lumiere asked in surprise.
The old man nodded. "Indeed. If you don’t want to answer, I can send you to a random treasure as a reward for reaching this place. However, if you answer correctly, you may choose or request something. I know everything that exists here, and I can fulfill that wish, if it’s possible."
The three nodded. The information the siblings had about this mountain wasn’t accurate because the person who told them about it hadn’t even considered answering the question a challenge.
Shione was the first to step forward.
The old man nodded and asked a highly technical question related to the Divine plane. Possibly, only someone who had studied in the main clan and read the things this Ancestor had left behind would possess that knowledge.
Shione answered without hesitation, showing that she had received an incredible education and studied diligently.
Then it was Lumiere’s turn.
Seeing that the style of the question was identical, Priam felt he was screwed. He had some knowledge about Magic and Ether, but only knew what the Grand Elder had told him about the Divine plane.
Wasn’t this a little unfair to the youngsters of the side branch?
Still, he wouldn’t dare say anything about fairness. This was the world he lived in now: knowledge was power, and if he didn’t have it, all he could do was silently regret it.
Suddenly, Priam had an idea.
He took a deep breath and burned away the final remnants of the healing rune he possessed. Then he pulled out two yellow potential crystals he had collected on the mountain.
[Synthesize?] [Yes / No]
"!"
At that exact moment, the old man’s Will turned its gaze toward Priam, sensing for a brief instant an anomalous power coming from him. The golden halo appeared and vanished so quickly that, since he had been focused on Lumiere, he didn’t manage to see it.
Since he was only a Will, he didn’t possess great power nor could he sense things precisely. But he was definitely shocked.
"Ancestor... did I get it wrong?" Lumiere asked, stunned.
The Will turned toward him and shook its head.
"No, you answered correctly."
Lumiere sighed in relief and stepped back.
At that moment, Priam stepped forward.
"As long as I answer your question, you can fulfill my wish if it’s possible, correct?" he asked casually.
"Yes...!" freewёbnoνel.com
The old man answered, and then his eyes widened.
Priam took out a small scarlet rune that floated above his hand.
The old man’s expression changed, becoming incredibly serious. He had helped improve and expand this mountain’s capabilities in the past. Seeing that object, he couldn’t help but instinctively ask:
"Where did you get that?!"
Realizing something, the old man was about to continue speaking when Priam quickly replied:
"This is something this junior found outside of here. I also felt that it resembles the crystals from this mountain, but it has no connection to them. Very well, I’ve answered your question. Thank you very much!"
Shione and Lumiere were left dumbfounded. Was there really such a method?
Then they looked toward the old man.
The old man simply stared at Priam, and a small smile gradually appeared on his face.
He let out a sigh.
"Young people these days really know how to scheme! This old man fell right into the trap."
"Hehe, it’s nothing more than a small trick. I’m sure Senior is laughing at me for it. However, the world is full of twists and turns, and everyone has their own path. I’m sure you won’t mind that I chose this somewhat unorthodox path," Priam said politely.
The old man nodded lightly.
"Intelligence, luck, and destiny are intrinsic qualities of a powerful Mage. You did nothing wrong."
Priam nodded, satisfied, though internally he felt slightly embarrassed.
"Very well, tell me what you desire," the old man said.
Shione and Lumiere didn’t hesitate. They knew exactly what they wanted within this world and immediately stated their wishes.
The old man nodded in understanding. Indeed, their wishes were the best choices for them at that moment.
Then he turned toward Priam.
Priam smiled slightly. "My wish... is for you to bring back those companions who came before us."
"What?!" The three of them were stunned, unable to believe what they had just heard.
