B2 Chapter 192: Lessons

**Ding! Pillar of Self Discovered, Mentis Ignited. Would you like to initiate Aspect Formation?**

The system dinged in his mind, waiting for his command. With the instinctual knowledge that came with all of the systems communication, he knew he could wait.

Suppressing the urge to sigh in relief, Kaius dismissed the notification. It sat at the corner of his mind, weighing on his attention.

To his chagrin, he found it did nothing for the riotous want of the pillar in his soul. Its need to be complete. A soft warbling keen resonated within him, slowly growing in intensity.

After the sheer onslaught that was the process of merging his legacy skills, it was easy to ignore. Yet, Kaius knew that would change. It would grow until he was forced to complete the aspect.

Whether that would take a minute, an hour, or a day, he had no idea.

Ianmus and Porkchop still watched him closely, their faces mirroring concern and confusion.

Just as he was about to explain, just as joy and excitement started to bubble within him, the door to the hall opened with a clang.

They all nearly jumped a long-stride in the air as Rieker strode back in, the man watching them with a cocked brow.

“Hells, I know I literally wiped the floor with you, but you shouldn’t be that jumpy.” the guildmaster muttered, quickly approaching as he balanced carrying three small cuts and a shallow bowl.

They smiled, though Kaius caught his brother watching him out of the corner of his eye.

“What was that, Kaius? I felt…something.” Porkchop asked through their bond, returning his eyes to their ‘host’.

“Later.”

Rieker looked almost bashful as he sat down in front of them—something Kaius had never expected to associate with a man of such presence. Still, it was what it was, and the guildmaster gave them a small smile as he pushed over a small cup to each of them.

Porkchop sneezed at his first sniff, looking back to Rieker curiously. At his brother’s reaction, Kaius peered into the porcelain vessel, finding some sort of liquor inside.

It was thick, and a few moments later he got a heavy punch of herbs and spirits.

“What’s this?” Kaius asked, picking up the drink to swirl it.

“Dwarven balsam…” Ianmus answered first, staring at the drink in wonder. “It’s almost impossible to get outside of their stoneholds…”

Rieker only smirked. “Not if you know the right people. Got another crate just a few weeks ago. That’s neither here nor there, though. Drink…Slowly!” Rieker cautioned as Porkchop went to down the lot at once.

Smiling at his brother’s antics, Kaius took a sip. It burned, hot and sweet, with a heavy vegetal note that lingered on the tongue. Odd, almost medicinal, but surprisingly delicious.

Ianmus also seemed to enjoy it, a small smile crossing his previously wooden face as he leaned back on his chair. Porkchop…wasn’t so convinced. His face was stiff as the liquor burned, though he stared at Kaius furiously not to give away he didn’t appreciate what he could tell was a precious gift.

Kaius bit his lip, though he noted that the corner of Rieker’s mouth had twitched at Porkchop’s reaction.

Finally, the guildmaster sighed.

“I hope you all learned a valuable lesson today. You are strong, but you are strong for your level.” Rieker said, breaking the silence. As one, they lowered their cups, giving the man their attention.

“I destroyed you today, and the differences in tiers only get more tyrannical as you grow. Worse, I am of only middling strength for human lands. Powerful for a backwater like this, but I am not one of the true elites of the central territories.” he continued.

Kaius’s eyes widened. That seemed…hard to believe. He knew the man had to be high in the second tier, and with a good class to boot from what Rieker had implied. Sure, there were supposed to be some rare few in the third tier, but the guildmaster couldn’t be too far behind them, could he?

Rieker met his eyes, giving him a firm nod. “I’m serious. And that’s not even counting the terrors in the high mana societies. Against the elves, dwarves, and further off folks? I am nothing. You? You are less than nothing. The potential is there, but that doesn’t matter if you die trying to reach it.”

The guildmaster’s eyes bore into their own, his gaze flicking from person to person. “I hope you internalise the lesson I taught you today.

Kaius froze for a moment, before he gave a firm nod. “I—we—have. I was reckless, and because of that we are in danger.”

He received a firm nod in return, though Rieker looked equally relieved and guilty at his admission.

“I’m sorry about the hand, but I had to make sure you learnt your lesson. A couple of days with it recovering will hopefully drill into you what can be lost when you are careless.” Rieker said to Kaius, before he addressed them as a group.

“Now! Onto the things I have learned. Beyond just raw stats, you all have great skills. That includes you Ianmus.”

The mage smiled at the guildmaster’s words, though the conversation quickly moved on.

“However—you have far too much room to improve, especially because of how quickly you are going to level in the coming months. It will be tough to get your skills to keep pace.”

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