Aside from using the symbol to access Scar’s manor and enter the Hero’s Sanctuary, Kieran didn’t use it for much else. In fact, this was the first time he had ever experienced a summons.

Considering the strength of the pulsations, Kieran figured that Scar was currently within the Hero’s Sanctuary and sensed his arrival.

And because he had been here for quite some time without visiting Scar, it was likely that he had grown impatient and simply signaled for Kieran to come.

Of course, there was also the possibility that Scar had some pressing matters to speak about. That much was unknown, though it could be easily learned by visiting Scar.

Naturally, Agatha and Isadora sensed the signal coming from Kieran’s symbol and looked at him.

“Is your grumpy old man calling upon you? What a pity, I thought I’d be able to enjoy your handsomeness for a while longer~,” Agatha remarked playfully, casually adding a dramatic sigh.

Kieran had grown accustomed to Agatha’s strange mood swings, so he didn’t react to her words. If he said the wrong thing, he’d merely end up dooming himself to a series of unfathomable pinches!

Meanwhile, Isadora looked at the container after sensing the symbol. “Since it seems like you must go, would you like me to extract a portion of the Aether and return the remainder to you?”

“No.” Kieran shook his head. “You keep it safe. I have no use for the aether currently. Besides, if it’s in your possession, it gives me a reason to come see you sooner.”

Though Kieran said these words lightheartedly, he didn’t realize how misconstrued they could be.

While Agatha stood there aghast and partially envious that she didn’t earn remarks like these, Isadora looked at Kieran with a tinge of blush on her cheek.

Noticing the expression of these two women, Kieran cluelessly shifted his gaze back and forth while trying to muster an explanation for their current expression.

‘What the hell? Didn’t she just offer to become my last resort alchemist? Since I’m due for an Advancement soon enough… I may need her assistance.’

Sadly, Kieran should have chosen a better choice of words.

“You should go on and get before this lady with cobwebs between her legs jumps on you,” Agatha said.

As a result of her jealousy, Agatha immediately spat out vulgarities.

‘Hmph! You help a kid and they forget all about you for some other wench,’ Agatha complained in her mind.

Baffled by Agatha’s remark, Kieran backed toward the door while Isadora gasped incredulously. “No way did you just say that!”

“I didn’t stutter, nor did I tell a lie,” Agatha replied, giving Isadora some side-eye.

Taking this as his cue to leave, Kieran slipped out the doorway, leaving Isadora and Agatha to bicker, which grew increasingly louder with every passing second.

Despite having closed the door and walked away, Kieran could still hear their voice reverberating throughout the Hero’s Sanctuary.

“Oh boy… I should be more careful with my words in the future. I meant no harm yet I caused a commotion. Oh well.” Kieran sighed, ending his words with an indifferent shrug.

However, deep down a part of Kieran enjoyed the chaos that ensued between Agatha and Isadora. It reminded him of a womanly version of Bastion and Nemean’s relationship.

…

A few minutes later…

Kieran arrived before Scar’s manor in the Hero’s Sanctuary. Just like last time, he used the Bloody Hero’s Symbol to open the door.

As he walked through the hallway of the manor, Kieran could hear remnants of multiple recurring explosions.

Though the volume was low, the entire building shook with each minor explosion. Such a phenomenon reminded Kieran of the time he woke up Scar from his slumber.

A simple punch had created a sonic boom so loud and an air cannon so powerful that it almost blew one of the manor’s supporting pillars to smithereens.

Once Kieran reached the area where Scar had previously trained him, he eventually found the source of these explosions. Inside the room, there were numerous orbs of blood floating in the air.

With his eyes closed, Scar would flick his fingers, creating a small explosion that eviscerated the blood hundreds of meters away.

However, Kieran found something odd about Scar’s accuracy. It didn’t look like he was aiming at the orbs at all.

Instead, every orb was hidden behind a pillar with a strange inscription on it. Surprisingly, this inscription blocked the utilization of one’s perception.

These inscriptions existed as a form of privacy for the owner of the manor. That way, no eyes could pry inside and glean the events that transpired within.

Shockingly, it even worked against someone of Scar’s caliber, which was why he used it to train.

But once he noticed Kieran’s arrival, Scar opened his eyes and recalled the many orbs of blood scattered throughout the room.

Curious as to why Scar trained this way, Kieran voiced his curiosities. “Is there any reason for this unusual form of training?”

“Naturally, that’s because nothing triumphs solid fundamentals. Besides, there’s always room for improvement and I understand that fact,” Scar replied.

Afterward, he fell silent as he squinted and scrutinized Kieran’s current condition. ‘This boy’s vitality… it has become strange yet remarkable.’

“I understand that strong fundamentals are key. But I want to know what that particular training does for you,” Kieran said.

“Ah. Well, because of the way this place was designed, it’s perfect for honing my connection to my blood. As I am a Blood Fiend, my connection to my essence dictates when I am ready to ascend to Lord Agrianos’ state.”

“Oh,” Kieran muttered, attentively analyzing the place with his True Unveiling Eyes.

As Scar revealed, this place was indeed the perfect place to train abilities that required connections to the caster.

Even though his True Unveiling Eyes was a high-level ocular ability, he failed to glean much about the formations.

Something told him these manors were related to his subclass since it was one of the only formation-type classes capable of placing formations that he’d require the First Supreme Cipher of Eni to unravel.

“But that’s enough about me for the time being. Tell me, kid. You’ve gone on and done something strange again, haven’t you?” Scar said, looking at Kieran with an interrogating expression.

From what he had sensed, Kieran’s vitality had already experienced a transformation on par with an Advancement. However, Scar also realized that, while this was true, it wasn’t necessarily as powerful as a Class Advancement.

‘Though his vitality has become exuberant, it doesn’t really have a focus. It’s like it has become stronger yet at the same time lost some of its purpose,’ Scar thought.

The purpose Scar referred to was naturally Kieran’s ability to manipulate his vitality. Due to his sharp senses, Scar could tell that this change in Kieran’s vitality was somewhat premature.

But while he had noticed this, Scar had no intention to intervene, or rather he didn’t have the faculties to do so.

“I completed Isadora’s quest. You know–the one that could have ended poorly? Well… the outcome couldn’t be more desirable. I purified my blood with Aether-“

Before Kieran could finish his sentence, Scar’s voice boomed throughout the entire sanctuary. “You did what?! You actually got your hands on that stuff?! What kind of backassward luck do you have?!”

A hint of jealousy seeped into Scar’s eyes as he listened to Kieran’s recount of events.

The more he listened, the more exasperated Scar became because Kieran had even gone into detail about his experience with the Wykins and how it connected to his current opportunity.

Gaea was also briefly mentioned, but Scar breezed past that. To them, her existence wasn’t a secret.

In fact, it was quite the contrary. It was exactly because her existence was known that everyone wanted to step into the Eternal Oasis and convince her to supply them with Quintessential Aether.

“I think I ought to chop off your foot and wear it around my neck like a blessed pendant, you damned lucky rabbit. I don’t know if I should laugh or cry after hearing about your experiences. But if there’s one thing I know… I’m happy that you’ve chanced upon these encounters,” Scar said.

While he looked at Kieran, Scar placed his hands on Kieran’s shoulders with a genuine smile.

“You’re… happy?” Kieran blinked, completely at a loss for words.

“Yes. As it stands, with the origins of our abilities–it’s an incomplete power. But after listening to your experiences, it’s clear you’re on a path that solves those inconsistencies. I welcome you to do so because that would mean I chose the greatest apprentice one could ask for–one that perfects what we could not.”

Genuinely surprised by Scar’s words, Kieran stood there silently for a moment before nodding. “I’m naturally the greatest.”

“Damn you, you smug bastard! You just had to go and ruin the moment!” Scar groaned.

However, the groan soon turned into a peal of uproarious laughter.

“I truly couldn’t have asked for a better runt. But since we’re on the matter of apprentices and inheritors… I need to speak with you seriously.”

“Is it about the trial?” Kieran asked.

Scar nodded before revealing the specifics to Kieran. “The last of the Myths has begun the process of accepting their inheritor and I know this because they called a meeting. The trial is apparently set to begin within ten days’ time.”

“Ten days’ time?” Kieran parroted, comparing the estimated date to his current agenda. ‘If it’s ten days… it’ll all be very tight.’

In light of this issue, Kieran had to raise the question: “Do you have any idea how long the trial could take?”

“It honestly depends on what kind of trial you’re given. Once we bring you to that place… it’s up to the relic to decide what you’ll experience,” Scar answered.

Typically, learning that one would be going in blind would frighten a person, but Kieran only focused on one matter–the Hero’s Sanctuary was in the possession of a relic! And it was clear from Scar’s words that the relic possessed an Ego.

“Welp, seeing as the trial plays a big role in my succession, I’ll simply do my best,” Kieran responded.

” A big role?” Scar laughed, amused by Kieran’s comment. “You have no idea. Though, with that said… I naturally need to give you the specifics of your Advancement.”

Ding!

〈System: You have received the Hidden Quest: «Class Advancement: Blood Fiend»!〉