MMORPG: Rise of the Primordial Godsmith

1471  Myriad Prodigies: Rising Star

”…Huh.”

”Didnʼt think the now popular newcomer would still have the time to come meet his teacher.”

Splitting his attention equally over both his identities once more, Valyr looked at Ataraxia with a teasing smile, causing some of the patrons within the tavern to laugh in response to his words.

”As if Iʼd be able to leave the amphitheater,” responded Ataraxia with a wry smile, his expression that of slight embarrassment. ”And besides, I know you have a couple of things to ask me.”

”That I do.” Valyr nodded, swiftly conjuring a barrier around them that blocked anyone else from eavesdropping onto their conversation.

Of course, with both of them effectively the same person, there really wasnʼt any need for him to do any of this.

However, for the sake of keeping up appearances that the two of them were different people, he had to at least go this far.

”So… [Archives of the Grand Arcane], huh?” asked Valyr with a slightly raised eyebrow. ”Werenʼt the spells you had access to just a tad stronger than your own back then?”

”It used to be like that,” replied Ataraxia with a slight shrug. ”However, that all changed once I ascended to Rank 3.”

”…Makes sense,” said Valyr after some time, causing the two of them to go silent after that.

As he shared memories between both identities, the young man already knew that the spells he could access through [Archives of the Grand Arcane] were dependent on his current class rank.

With that being said, the spell he used, [First Verse of Creation], was actually one of the lower-ranked transcendent level spells he could choose from the archive.

Nevertheless, now that he had experienced its might firsthand while fighting, he now understood what it meant for a spell to be categorized as transcendent level.

After all, even though he was slightly hampered by the fact that his level was capped to the start of Rank 3, thanks to the numerous buffs he had activated, he was still able to unleash a level of might equivalent to that of a peak Rank 5 class holder.

ʼIf I had skills similar to [Apex Hunter] or [Slayer of Ascendants] on top of that, I might just be able to pull off something similar to what I did on my original identity,ʼ thought the young man to himself, planning to spare some time in the future to obtain a similar skill.

After discussing a few more topics under the guise of the barrier, Valyr eventually dispelled the barrier he conjured, prompting many in their surroundings to look at the two of them with curiosity.

However, with the two of them highly cognizant of the fact that they were the talk of the town thanks to what Ataraxia showed during the second round, both Valyr and Ataraxia remained mostly silent throughout the remainder of the second round, walking around the underground town every once in a while as a change of pace.

Eventually, after a couple more days had passed, the final batch of participants had gone through their attempt of the second round, finally allowing Schubert to take center stage once more.

”Iʼm guessing everyone here enjoyed the second round?” the man asked to the audience, immediately receiving a series of positive replies from the crowd in response.

Smiling at the replies he got, Schubert let out a slight chuckle as he continued, ”Now, thanks to the second round, weʼve seen participants push themselves above and beyond, cementing their reputation as a strong contender to become one of the tournamentʼs winners.”

”However, there are also those who have exceeded all expectations everyone has of them, allowing their reputation to spread even wider than before.”

”A good example of this would be the participant named Frost Spear Queen,” he said, immediately catching the attention of a good portion of the crowd.

”Although her combat strength was only at the same level as the other participants in her batch at the start, as more and more time passed, she eventually showed a level of dominance that could only be matched by those with far more experience than her in fighting.”

”Because of that, rumors of a new nickname for her have begun to spread.” Schubert mysteriously smiled. ”But seriously though. Did you guys really think calling the War Goddess of Endurance is a good idea?”

At those words, many among the audience began to laugh in response, understanding what the announcer meant by that.

As for those the man was indirectly calling out, almost all of them looked back at him in embarrassment, only now realizing the other meaning the nickname had.

Letting the crowd laugh at his words for a bit more, Schubert eventually called for their attention as he moved onto the next person he wanted to mention.

”Of course, compared to the Frost Spear Queen, this other person Iʼm about to mention has entered the senses of almost everyone throughout the tournament.”

”Before this tournament, he was only known by some as the Dark Horse of Astella.”

”In the tournament he participated before this one, he showed the capability to fight for the top spot there, even though he was one class rank below the competition.”

”On the other hand, during the duration of this tournament, heʼs already gained a decent number of nicknames.”

”Disciple of the Mythslayer, Archmage of Algerie, The Paragon Mage…” said Schubert, his eyes glistening with admiration. ”All of these came from his feats during the first round.”

”As for what he did during the second round, only one nickname was created because of it.” The man glanced at everyone in the crowd, taking note of the agreement they showed in their gaze. ”However, compared to all the nicknames Iʼve mentioned, Iʼm sure this one will be remembered more by many people.”

”Rising Star.”

”…The crowdʼs got some witty people,” said Valyr as he watched Schubert mention Ataraxiaʼs new nickname through the magic screen. ”Thatʼs like three puns right there.”

”I kind of hate the fact that youʼre not wrong.” Ataraxia wryly smiled in response, continuing to listen to the announcerʼs words. ”The nickname more or less sums up what Iʼve achieved during the past couple of rounds… and some more.”

”Swiftly rising to prominence, as well as an inclination for light and fire magic.” Valyr grinned as he nodded in agreement. ”If Rising Star doesnʼt fit you as a nickname, then I donʼt know what will.”

Ending their conversation then and there, the two continued to listen to Schubertʼs monologue, inwardly letting out a sigh of relief the moment the man finished reminiscing over the past couple of rounds.

With the man moving onto the list of participants for the third round after that, both Valyr and Ataraxia listened intently to the manʼs next words, inwardly hoping that theyʼd be placed highly before the third round began.

Fortunately, it seemed like the heavens were listening to their wishes.

”…No. 58, Azure Mage.”

”…No. 367, Azure Spear.”