Once Daes calmed down, most of the Wanderers went back to what they were doing. And though a few were still paying attention to their side, Alnea was not bothered by their stares. He had experienced much worse in the outer city. Besides, they were only staring. No one dared to unfurl their Spirits. Not when almost everyone around them was a True Wanderer. And even if they did listen to his conversation, what could they do?

  “…My apologies for the delay, Wanderer Tivya,” Alnea said, stepping up to face the Wanderer behind the counter. “I am assuming that Wanderer Tia was about to introduce us when she was interrupted.”

  “Indeed,” Tivya said, lifting the edge of her lips ever so slightly. “But I do not think that is necessary anymore.”

  “I guess,” Alnea said, returning the woman’s smile with his own. “Though I—we still need to complete the formalities. And we would also be grateful if you could give us an introduction to the inner city.”

  “I do not mind introducing the inner city to you, or even answering a few questions. But I am curious. You have three Wanderers next to you. Why did you not ask them about the inner city?”

  “…We did. But back then, we were not qualified to learn about the inner city. And now, they are not qualified to tell us about the inner city.”

  “…That is an interesting way to put it,” Tivya said, widening her smile, while the other woman, Nanya, raised her brows in surprise.

  The Star Seekers, on the other hand, with the exception of Yuri and Vestia, looked at him with wide eyes, before quickly glancing at the three women, hoping that their Captain had not offended three True Wanderers at once. Yet, contrary to their expectations, and to their relief, none of the three women had scowl or frown on their faces. Rather, after listening to Alnea’s words, their smiles grew even wider, as did the appreciation in their eyes.

  “But I will accept it,” Tivya said, bringing everyone’s attention back to herself. “Let us begin with the formalities first.”

  “Thank you, Wanderer Tivya,” Alnea said, as he took out his Blood Card, motioning his teammates to do the same.

  “There is no need for such trivialities,” Tivya said, as Alnea collected the Blood Cards. “Since Tia and Nubia can lead you here, and even that crazy Thunderbird—

  “I am still here, you know.”

  “—can trust you so much, it shows that you have a good Heart. And I already know about your potential. And your talent. Your rumours precede you, Alnea Tresting. I hope I got your name correct. There were a few discrepancies in the rumours regarding your full name, with some very exaggerated examples.”

  “I think I have an idea of what you are talking about,” Alnea said, placing the Blood Cards on the table. “Did those rumours mention me as Bloodthirsty, or a Black Omen?”

  “…You do not have to pay heed to these rumours. They are just jealous of your talent.”

  “It is alright,” Alnea said, letting out a light laugh. “I am already used to such rumours. And no, you did not get my name wrong. But you did make one mistake. Tresting was the name I had before I laid my Roots. Now, I go by just Alnea.”

  “My apologies,” Tivya said, with a slightly embarrassed smile, as she arranged the Blood Cards. To her relief, it also proved to be the best excuse to shift the topic away.

  “A two star privilege as soon as you enter the inner city? That is impressive. Usually, False Wanderers like you start with the privilege of Elite Blood Commanders at most, and work their way up. Very rarely do we get False Wanderers with the privilege of Blood Generals. Only True Wanderers are guaranteed to get a two star Privilege as soon as they enter the inner city.”

  “…But we still do not know what we can do with our privileges.”

  “Right. I almost forgot. You still know nothing about the inner city… We will get to it later, when I introduce the inner city, but to give you a perspective, I am already a Second Stage True Wanderer, yet my privilege clearance is still at the two star level. So is Nanya’s. And she is a Stage higher than me. As for the rest…”

  “I am at the Fourth Stage,” Daes said, raising her chin, “and an Elite Blood General.”

  “So, you need to be at the Fourth Stage at the very least to become an Elite Blood General?”

  “Not exactly,” Nubia said. “I became an Elite Blood General back when I was still at the Third Stage. And Tia is already at the Fourth Stage, but she is still just a Blood General.”

  “Now you know who is more awesome,” Daes said to the Star Seekers, puffing up her chest, and raising her chin even higher than before. But it did not do anything to salvage her imagine in their mind. Though it did earn her a glare from Tia.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “If I had your resources, I would have become an Elite Blood General at just the Second Stage.”

  “Tsk. Sore loser.”

  “…Whatever makes you happy,” Tia said, rolling her eyes at Daes, before turning towards the Star Seekers. “Anyways, you also have the privileges of Blood Generals. And you are all just False Wanderers. That should be enough to tell you that privileges have nothing to do with your strength. At least, not entirely.

  “For instance, even if we have not raised our privileges to three stars by the time we become Mystic Wanderers, the city will still upgrade our privileges to that of a Blood Lord. But if we want to raise it even higher, then it will depend on our efforts. And… I will let Tivya cover the rest. Just know that your strength can only define the lower limit of your privileges.”

  “…I think they do not need your reminder,” Tivya said, staring at the Blood Card in her hands for a few moments, before glancing at the Star Seekers. “They already have Elite Blood Generals amongst them.”

  “…Already?”

  “Is it Alnea?”

  “…So, it is…”

  The three Wanderers of the outer city’s Blood Hall, all exclaimed at the same time, before glancing towards Alnea, each with a unique expression of their own. One with relief, another with excitement, and the third with anticipation. But there was one thing common about them. All three of them had their eyes stretched to their widest. That was until Tivya spoke once again.

  “It is not him.”

  “What?”

  “How is that possible?”

  “…Were my Roots wrong again?”

  “Calm down,” Nanya said, frowning at the three Wanderers, who were letting their emotions go unchecked. “Have you not learned your lessons already? Or is the city’s punishment too light?”

  “…We are fine,” Nubia said, taking a deep breath to reign in her emotions, just like the other two Wanderers beside her.

  “We were just a little surprised…”

  “…Is Alnea really not an Elite Blood General?”

  “…I have not checked his Blood Card yet,” Tivya said, smiling a little sheepishly. “But if you are so concerned about his privilege level, then why not just ask him? Daes aside, you two have walked with him all the way from the outer city. Surely, you must have had enough time to talk about a few things. And given how close you seem to be, I do not think he would have refused to answer such a harmless question.”

  “…Harmless?” Nubia said, withdrawing all emotions from her face. “Has staying in the inner city caused your brain to rot?”

  “…Do you not understand the difference between an official Blood General of the Blood announcing the details of someone’s Blood Card, and asking about those details informally?” Tia said, following Nubia’s example to restrain her emotions from both her face, and her voice. But for some reason, she seemed to become even more terrifying than before.

  “…Even though you immediately understood the implications of his words a while ago, when he said that he could not ask us about the inner city anymore…”

  “…That’s different…”

  “…And what do you mean Daes aside?” Daes said, cracking her knuckles, using a different approach than Nubia and Tia, allowing her emotions to overflow on her face. And this time, Nanaya did not come to Tivya’s help. “Am I just an extra?”

  “…No—

  “Maybe you skin has been itching a little too much lately… How about I give you some help?”

  “That—

  “Speaking of itchy skin,” Tia said, stepping towards the table. “It has been over three years since we last sparred, right, Tivya?”

  Instead of answering Tia, Tivya gulped empty air, as she stepped back unconsciously, only for the two Wanderers to immediately match her step. Almost as if they were trying to reassure her, that they would not back down until they had helped her solved her itchy skin. Fortunately, they were not the only Wanderers around. And unlike the two of them, Nubia was much more calm, always ready to help those in need. Especially a pitiful Second Stage Wanderer like her, being threatened by two Wanderers, both two Stages above her.

  “What are you two doing, threatening a girl two Stages lower than you?” Nubia said, shaking her head, before turning towards Tivya with a solemn face. “Do not worry, Tivya. I will not let them bully you. Before you spar with them, I will personally guide you for a month. Without rest.”

  …Maybe she was better off without the help. At least, the Daes and Tia threatened to beat her only once. But Nubia…

  “It is not my fault!” Tivya said, with an aggrieved expression on her face. “He placed his Blood Card at the end. And you did not let me finish!”

  “…Then you should not have phrased your words in such a misleading manner!” Daes said, glaring at Tivya. “And who takes so long just to check a few Blood Cards?”

  “…I was surprised. They have three Elite Blood Generals in their ranks.”

  “Three?”

  “In one team?”

  The three Wanderers glanced at the Star Seekers, who did not seem to have any objection to what Tivya said, before turning back towards Tivya.

  “Quick. Check Alnea’s Blood Card!”

  “…What do you think I was doing when you stopped me?” Tivya grumbled, but picked up the last Blood Card anyway, only to freeze in the very next moment.

  “What is it?”

  Instead of answering Daes, Tivya glanced at Alnea, before shifting her eyes back to the Blood Card in her hands, and then shifted her eyes back to Alnea once again.

  “Tell us already. What is his privilege level?”

  Seeing Tivya still remain silent, Nanya could not help but frown. Stepping forward, she took the Blood Card from her hands, and glanced at it to answer everyone’s question. Yet, her reaction was no different. Rather, she behaved even more animatedly, staring at Alnea with wide eyes.

  “…What happened to her?”

  “What exactly did she see in the Blood Card?”

  “…Three stars,” Tivya said after a moment of silence. “She saw three stars on his Blood Card.”

  “…Three stars?”

  “Then…”

  “That’s right,” Tivya said, gulping once again. This time, for an entirely different reason. “He already has the privilege of a Blood Lord.”