CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: ENCOUNTERING "ZORRO" AGAIN

Over a month ago, Gel had already started to invest energy, finances, and connections to find a suitable Extraordinary Trait for Aiven when cooperating with him in training.

If he only wanted to settle, neither Demonized Creatures nor wild animals were hard to find, but finding high-quality Demonized Materials that align with oneself is a challenging task that consumes both financial resources and luck.

The Demonized Heart of the Blue Flag Demon Shark is already a top-grade among the agility-type Extraordinary Traits, and Gel acquired it at great personal cost and with a premium.

According to Aiven’s initial strategy of slowly exchanging military merits, even if he could obtain similar materials, they would only be of common quality, never of such high standards.

No wonder even well-informed folks in the Navy couldn’t help but feel envious, taking the risk of offending Gel, a former Level 3 Battleship Captain and Navy Captain, to intercept the materials.

This is also why Gel specifically requested to notify Aiven immediately after the materials were warehoused, so he could sign for them. The Major in charge of this could handle the Mainsen Clan’s steward, but might not be able to handle everyone.

However.

His pre-arrangement of Extraordinary Traits was just the first step in preparing for Aiven’s breakthrough; the collection of auxiliary materials, Magic Potion preparation, imparting breakthrough experiences, and the selection of venue and timing all needed to be conducted meticulously step by step.

Gel certainly didn’t anticipate Aiven’s quick pace; on the day he received the Extraordinary Trait, he formulated his own Magic Potion, and unbelievably, by the next day, he had "successfully broken through the Extraordinary."

Having no family in Gabred and almost living on the battleship as his home, Gel had just returned to the Silver Wings in the early hours and hadn’t had a chance to rest when Gary ran to him with news of Aiven’s breakthrough.

However, unlike other crew members, Gel’s first reaction was not surprise but thorough shock and even fear!

Breaking through from a Level 1 Apprentice Knight to a true Level 2 Extraordinary Official Knight is a qualitative transformation from mortal to extraordinary, but it is also the most likely advancement to lose control on the Knight’s path.

Although the Knight’s path occupies the mainstream in the civilized world and is known for being stable and safe, in reality, only two or three out of ten Peak Apprentice Knights might advance in one go.

Among the failures, the best off might have a chance to try again after several years of recuperation.

More end up as cripples after failure, their Extraordinary Path cut off; the unluckiest can’t withstand the impact of their body turning savage and lose control, turning into bloodthirsty, man-eating beasts, which is not uncommon.

Lord Nabri, the Leopold City Guard Commander, despite being at the Peak of Apprentice for years, did not have the courage to take that step for this very reason.

So, one can imagine how astonishing Gel was upon hearing Aiven’s "success in breaking through."

No matter how mature and steady a junior is, they are still seen as a child by the elders, marked inherently as reckless with no knowledge of the limits of heavens and earth, and no matter how well it’s described, Gel couldn’t be at ease without seeing it himself.

Boom–

A ring of air burst beneath his feet.

Gel grabbed Gary and, using the power of an Official Knight Peak, dashed towards their residence, fearing that his concerns would become reality.

Fortunately, his concerns didn’t manifest, and the real surprise was Aiven delivering another pleasant shock!

Even after just breaking through, Aiven could leisurely enjoy breakfast as though he had not just experienced the life-threatening Extraordinary Transformation, but merely went on an ordinary excursion.

If it weren’t for Aiven’s life-energy field having visibly expanded several times over in his Extraordinary Perception, Gel would have thought he was still an Apprentice Knight.

At this moment, all words condensed into a single phrase: "Aiven, I’m proud of you!"

Subsequently, Aiven declined Gel’s proposal to host a grand celebration banquet for him, though with valid reasons.

The birth of a true family line Extraordinary is a significant event for any noble household, deserving a banquet celebration.

In fact, if the Galliot Clan were still around, this might be the chance for the clan’s rejuvenation, a great story worth recounting, and a genuine deterrent to potential adversaries.

But Aiven has his own perspective.

Now, they are no longer the kingdom’s nobles, focusing on power and magnificence, and status in the Navy is determined by strength and merits.

It is precisely because Gel is a powerful existence, an Extraordinary Knight Peak with prospects of becoming a Level 3 Grand Knight, that he could obtain high-grade Extraordinary Materials for Aiven, and his influence alone made the chief officer wary enough not to make a wrong decision.

And it all hinges on real strength, not so-called social interaction!

Apart from a few true friends in one’s life, other social interactions are mere exchanges for benefits. Without corresponding power, you are not in the circle, and in crucial moments, having the contact of the richest man won’t help in the slightest.

This point was very clear to Aiven in his past life.

"Uncle, let’s just have a small celebration on the Silver Wings."

After listening to Aiven’s thoughts, the joy in Gel’s eyes transformed again, filled with affection alongside pride, and after a long while, he said, "Aiven, you’ve grown into an adult!"

Aiven’s way of thinking and perspective on matters made it difficult for Gel to continue seeing him as a teenager.

Even leading him to reason that Aiven’s mature viewpoint now is due to childhood misfortunes, feeling affectionate for an old friend, and gradually placing him on an equal adult footing, no longer someone to be looked after as a young and fledgling junior.

Just as he said, the young eagle already has the prowess to soar high! What reason would the old eagle have not to let him free?

...

"Cheers!"

"May Captain Aiven’s martial career prosper long!"

"..."

The celebration on the Silver Wings for Aiven’s promotion to Captain and breakthrough to Official Knight was bustling, details of which are not elaborated here.

Subsequent to that, Gel granted Aiven a long leave.

The transformation period, while not requiring confinement at home like postpartum confinement for women, is indeed unsuitable for drifting at sea, where meals are far less abundant than on land.

Aiven adapted readily.

Apart from routine training exercises, he indulged himself by eating and indulging in food. During this special period, with a voracious appetite and no shortage of money, Aiven sampled all the culinary delights in Gabred, and he did so by... Gluttony!

But even after a week, he hadn’t gained any weight, his physique becoming more proportionate and perfect — isn’t that exasperating?

"What to eat today? It has to be delicious and nutritious, such a hard choice!" Strolling on the streets of Gabred in the evening, a week was enough for Aiven to sample the city’s famed restaurants, balancing training and savoring culinary delights, making Aiven reluctant to leave.

"Hmm? This person looks familiar!"

Observing street-side restaurants, Aiven suddenly noticed a familiar figure flash by in the corner of his eye, quickly turning his head to see a young man hurriedly enter a secluded alley.

Without needing much recall, his Data Visualization immediately prompted that the person was indeed the mysterious thief "Zorro" from that night!

Although he wasn’t wearing his iconic outfit today, Data Visualization doesn’t only identify a person based on their face — body shape, height, gait, and stride are parameters far more precise than just facial recognition.

Without hesitation, Aiven turned and followed.

Since becoming a Wizard Apprentice, Aiven increasingly felt that this guy had a big secret; perhaps he holds the key for him to connect with the Wizard World, an opportunity not to be missed.

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