CH236

As the scene faded Falk gave Ben a firm, comforting pat on the shoulder. “Well, I can’t say you didn’t put your heart in it boy, that was excellent. Light affinity enchanters are a rare breed because of how hard it is to work healing or illusions into enchantments, but honestly, I don’t think I need to tell you just how good you did.”

It was clear to both of them, not only from their mana sense but from how the system reacted to a ninth-level crafting skill, letting them see the rank of the item. He’d made it into upper rare, likely doing incredible things for pushing his skills in the progress.

“Thanks Falk,” He said, trying to push aside the mood he’d immersed himself in while working on that particular piece to focus on a different matter. “But are you going to tell me what’s going on now? You seem… tense maybe?”

“Ha, that’s a nice way of putting it. I got some annoying news,” He said as he flapped the letter around. “An annoyance with far too much power and a lack of respect for privacy’s decided to put me in a tough spot, and I can only really get out of it with your help.”

“Alright, I’ll do it,” He said without hesitation.

“Boy, as much as I’m grateful you really should hear me out first.”

“You’ve done a lot for me Falk, if this has you so bothered and I can help then I will, just tell me what you need.”

The yeti couldn’t help but feel his face loosen as some of the tension left it. For as much as he didn’t want to take on an apprentice, he couldn’t deny that the boy showed him some of the good sides of it.

“Well, it’s a bit of a long story, but it looks like there’s a crafting competition coming up, and I’ll need you to participate in it for me. I wanted to test your skills to see how you’d do since you’re going to be at a disadvantage compared to everyone else, but I don’t think we need to worry about that.”

“Wait, is that all?:” He asked, his interest captured. “I’m down, it sounds like fun, but is it an apprentice only thing? I’m pretty sure we’d sweep the competition with you there.”

“That’s kind of the problem,” The yeti said as he pinched his brow. “Have you heard of allfaith?”

“Um, I think?” Ben told him hesitantly as he stretched his memory back to his time at the communal church and his lessons with Lehie. “It’s basically the religious center of the world, right? Bunch of big churches gathered there, maybe a few trials too.”

“Aye, you’re on the right track. A number of faiths have important religious sites there, and it’s also where you’ll find the head branch of the communal churches. You could call it a place for pilgrimages in a way, even though they have a gate right in the city, and along with it there are two main forces. There’s of course the church that works to ensure not only the prosperity of faith for the gods, but also heads the templars who get sent off to deal with some of the messier situations you have in the world, and then you’ve got the ones who deal with the more financial side of things, running administration in the city and ensuring it’s well off beyond just whatever the gods might need. The politicians, the head of which decided to give me some trouble.”

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