Chapter 287 (1/2)

Chapter 287

Chapter 287: Fa of tall lavender trees stretched out ahead of us, overcrowded and even louder than the first level of the Relictombs The area was filled with the rumble of dozens of half-shouted conversations If the crowd hadn’t been composed entirely of ascenders clad in impressive armor and weapons, I would’ve mistaken this place for a flea market

“What…is this place?” I hesitantly asked, watching the ascenders file between neat rows of wooden booths

“The best place to find a tea replied before plunging into the crowd “Coet separated within the sea of ascenders

“Looking for a caster! At least two e for a sentry! Favorable distribution of all accolades!”

Each stall had at least one ascender standing nearby hollering out their requirements for an ideal candidate to join their tea

I watched as a flat-faced, broad-shouldered hulk turned to show his exposed runes to a tall, twiggy olden-haired ascender looked thoughtful, then shook his head, but I lost sight of the ascender sat nonchalantly on his table, speaking in a low voice so that those surrounding him had to lean in to hear I couldn’t make out the words, but, by the rapturous expressions of his audience, hetale

“Grey!” Haedrig called out, several paces ahead “This way”

The green-haired ascender led us past several rows of stalls until we arrived at a s in and out

“You’ll need to get changed here first,” Haedrig explained, pointing to the less shed “You brought your arht?”

I stepped to the back of the line “Of course”

While I had kept the white dagger within my coat as a safety measure, the black are rune; Alaric had gottenmy ownThe problem was that, because I couldn’t useStill, I kept it on e to others

After changing, I stepped out of the large shed Haedrig eyed ?”

“It’s—it’s nothing,” he said with a cough “While the cloak looks nice, I was hoping you’d have a more impressive set of armor”

“I haven’t really had the ti down at myself “Do I really look that shabby?”

“Not shabby, just—” Haedrig scratched his head—“never o”

As I followed him back into the press of ascenders, I wondered what he was looking for We had passed dozens of groups looking for new party lance

Admittedly, based on the shouted advertisee, it seeroups would be interested in a new ascender who hadn’t even completed his preli for an ascender here had listed requirements for a minimum number of ascents candidatesto find so bu into yet another ascender “Most of these people see looked back atthe way “There are only established teao in a bit deeper, we’ll see different types of groups, including individuals who are looking to escort ascenders on their preli to pay them, I really can’t see any benefit for an ascender to take the ti stifled a laugh

I frowned “What is it?”

“I’ve never heard soart before,” he said, his voice tinged with laughter “And, while not everyone finds it worth it, there are quite a few benefits”

“Watch it,” a braorunted as we butted shoulders

“Sorry,” I reen-haired coo to the trouble to e—which a lot of experienced ascenders do anyway, since most academies require all of their instructors to have one—you don’t have to pay for any of the accoh Sovereign gives a generous stipend for principals to take ascenders on their preli explained

‘So another way to foster new ascenders Agrona has invested an awful lot into throw theis said

I nodded, considering Regis’s words To Haedrig, I asked, “Is there anything else?”

Haedrig thought for athe art farmer isn’t the most respected career path, but it’s pretty safe, especially if you have blood to take care of”

I raised a brow “Wogart far term—ascenders who have ‘retired’ and only escort candidates that need to do their preliminary ascent,” he clarified

“So are they e’re looking for—wogart farh we have to be careful about e end up going with”

As alked further into the large, overcrowded plaza, I began to seeascenders—some of whom looked just about as lost as I felt

“Letsaid as he led us to one of the larger stalls

“Ah, are you two looking for a principal to take you down?” the attendant, a burly gentleruffly

“My friend is on his preli replied courteously “Do you have an information sheet for your business?”

“Information sheet?” the burly ascender echoed, confused

Haedrig didn’t bother with the man any further With a curt nod, he said, “Thank you for your time,” and walked away

I was curious, but stayed silent as Haedrig went from stall to stall Some offered simple pamphlets, which looked to be a suh others, like the uard by the request

Ultiive the same curt nod and we’dwith that woman? She seemed to have already attracted a few people for their preli cocked a brow “Attracted Interesting choice of words Did you want to go with her because she was pretty?”

“What?” I sputtered “No, I was just saying that the other ascenders probably thought she was qualified enough to lead theht?”

“They were all ru as if I had been scolded for some reason

“I see that Grey likes his wo “I’ll keep that in is said matter-of-factly

“Keep it inhanded me the pamphlet he had received froh her pamphlet is notarized by the association, there’s no column for referrals from previous ascenders she has led on prelims, and she’s not even an aluhness, is all of this really necessary?” I asked, handing back the piece of parch the way you carry yourself, I’ stared at me, mildly surprised “Is it that noticeable?”

“For the trained eye it is” I stepped toward my mysterious companion “And it’s natural to study so only nodded, his eyes htfully, but the faintest hint of a se, isn’t he? Not us strange, but still strange,’ Regis reed But he doesn’t seem to have any ill intent, so far as I can tell

We continued our search, going fro asked a few questions to the principal ascenders while I listened There were a lot of older, washed up ascenders who reminded me of Alaric—albeit not so blatantly drunk Some of the principals seemed to take it personally, as if it was a blow to their pride that eren’t ienuinely nice and rather patient with us

Thisstill hadn’t found anyone he considered suitable By the time we had looped the entire ts of stalls, I was on the verge of just choosing one of the principal ascenders we had talked to?” I asked, trying to follow his line of sight through the crowd, but there was too much noise and co through the crowd offor experienced ascenders I followed after, surprised by how strongly he had reacted

By the tireen-haired ascender was talking to a old-trimmed ar blond hair that draped behind his shoulders and an expression that radiated confidence, I could see why he had caught Haedrig’s eye He see had just said, but aman in a uniform embellished with the same crown cut in between the for an experienced shi+eld We don’t need another Striker, e”

‘Isn’t that the boy that was glaring at you in the ascender building back at Arais asked

I think so

“Wasn’t it actually my overprotective little brother anted to find a shi+eld?” the armored ascender responded with ah to watch overtoosimilar uniforms to the boy—had the same blond hair as our potential principal I realized then that I recognized her and her friend; they had been with the group of students waiting to take their assessone on at least a dozen ascents already And besides, this ascender seems to be experienced as well”

“And your poor old brother gets to make a little extra money,” the ar for a s like that,” the boy in unifor faintly, Haedrig turned and scanned the ht ofon ReadNovelFullonlineco his arirls’ eyes widened in surprise as they saw ressively

Their older brother just looked at the three in confusion

I walked over to Haedrig’s side and looked at him for some answers

“Kalon, this is Grey,said,toward the armored ascender “Grey, this is Kalon of Blood Granbehl He has agreed to take us along”

“So you are familiar with my blood,” Kalon said with a nod

“Blood Granbehl is a distinguished Na explained towhy I had seen the students in Aramoor, which was on the other side of the continent

Kalon turned toward me “Nice to meet you, Grey As your friendascenders-to-be are s, Ada and Ezra”

“And I’m Riah of Blood Faline,” the perky, short-haired friend said withouteach other again so soon!”