Return of The 8th Class Mage Chapter 117:
“That is right . At my current skill level, I would not be able to face the dragon . In fact, I would be torn apart with a single strike from the dragon . I, at least, need power that will place me on the equal plain with them . Of course, it doesn’t mean that I will simply rely on your master creations . I plan to train in the power of the language that my ancestor had wielded . ”
Like Fran Paige, he will train in the power of the language .
That was more meaningful than anything else as far as the man was concerned .
“The power of the language… that means… . . ”
“The everlasting life that was given to you, the gift that is not a blessing, I will be able to lift it on your behalf . ”
That was certainly an attractive offer and a deal . Help Ian Paige with all they can then after mastering the power of the language, he will try to lift the blessing of everlasting life . The man became visibly enticed .
“… . . Are you sincere?”
“To be truthful, I, too, cannot guarantee it . It is a level that I have not reached yet . However, the intention to learn the power of the language, and the promise to find a way to lift the blessing in the process are all out of my sincerity . ”
“Hmmm… . . ”
The man fell into a deep consideration upon hearing Ian .
His consideration went on a lot longer than expected .
Is it because he is an entity that has lived for so long?
A very long time of thinking about the offer has passed .
“I’m Bertholdo . ”
“What?”
“That is my name . ”
Finally, the man’s reply was heard .
It wasn’t an acceptance or a rejection .
Instead, he revealed his given name .
“It has been such a long time since I’ve given out my name . ”
Bertholdo, the man repeated as if it was a very new feeling . About three hundred years ago, after meeting Mitchell Greenriver and the dejection that he had felt from the promise, he had given up everything .
After returning to the Knocking Island and spending purposeless time, it was certainly the first time that he has verbalized his name in about three hundred or so years .
“Follow me . I will show you what you want . ”
Bertholdo headed towards the center of the Island .
Ian, of course, followed by carrying Craven in his arms .
“Even after Fran had disappeared, we kept making children to offer to him . There were so many ingenious children too . Ah, I’m referring to artifacts . They are like children to us . ”
Having started to talk about artifacts, Bertholdo appeared animated . Is it because the lost sense of being a master craftsman has reemerged?
“Finally, those children will have parents . It has taken too long . ”
Having arrived at the center of the Island with Bertholdo, Ian could not see anything around . What did he come here to find? The answer to that question soon emerged .
“Was it about here . ”
Bertholdo swept the ground with his bare hands as if his memory maybe failing him . Then soon, under the dust, ground surface with words on it appeared . It was the very spot that Bertholdo was looking for .
Srrrrrrrr-!
That wasn’t the end of it . Bertholdo input mana into the ground . As it was with Craven, the so called the master craftsmen had many characteristics that were similar to sorcerers .
‘Is there an underground channel?’
A secret underground channel was what Ian’s guess was . But soon, what Bertholdo showed went way beyond that guess .
Krrrrrrr…… . .
There was a massive shake . Was that all? Many manmade shaped colored white things began to emerge out of the ground including columns, walls, roofs, statues, chairs and tables . Then they all came together to form a ‘structure’ .
“Do not move . This area is safe . ”
As if he was used to it, Bertholdo watched as the structure was being formed .
‘A temple?’
The identity of the structure was like a temple, a white temple . To be more descriptive, it could be thought of as a ‘dragon’s temple’ . There were eight large statues, which all had the images of dragons .
“As I’ve said before, Fran longed for the dragon’s body . However, it does not mean that that longing has somehow changed into jealousy or inferiority complex . At least, that’s how I remembered it . With the purest heart, he longed for and respected the perfection of the dragon’s body . ”
Bertholdo said as he watched the white temple that had appeared at the center of the island . He recited quietly as if he was reminiscing .
“Do you see those statues over there?”
“The sizes are smaller than the dragons that I’ve seen, but other than that, they can pass as real dragons . ”
“They are all the works done by Craven, whom you’ve brought . He is the sculpture . Ah, I’m a master tailor . ”
It seemed that each master craftsman had their own field of expertise . The fact that Craven had focused on the sculpture even when he had lost his memory and that Bertholdo had made a robe for Mitchell Greenriver were all the reasons supporting that .
“Each of those statues holds an artifact that each of us has created for the purpose of offering it to Fran . Those statues are, in fact, storages that I don’t think that you too won’t be able to crack with brute force . ”
Even the first sorcerer, the teacher of the dragons cannot crack them? That fact is incredible, but on top of that, the creator is none other than the child, Craven . He probably was not a child based on the time that he has lived, but it was just incredible at any rate .
“The only child that I can give you is only one at this time . The other statues can only be opened by their respective parent, that is, the corresponding master craftsmen . ”
Bertholdo came to a stop at the front of the statue at the very left end .
“Do you understand what I mean?”
“You are saying that I need help from other master craftsmen in order to obtain the remaining artifacts . ”
“You’re correct . ”
They could never die .
They are living somewhere in the world .
If want the artifacts, the implication was to find them and bring them here .
“First, I’ll introduce you to my child . ”
As Bertholdo began to inject mana into the dragon statue, the mouth of the statue cracked wide open . In addition, bright white light spewed out of it as if there was an explosion .
“He has not a name yet . It is a tradition to give a name according to the owner . Since you’ve told me that your name was Ian Paige, this child’s name shall… . . ”
When the light has nearly dispersed away, a blue robe fell down out of the mouth of the statue . Like Mitchell Greenriver’s robe, it seemed that dark blue was Bertoldo’s favorite color .
“Ian Paige Robe, I think that will suffice .
Ian Paige Robe, a blue robe that was lighter than a feather, has landed on the top of Ian’s hands . It was a perfect landing as if it has recognized its owner .
“Do you like it?”
“Maybe . I’m not sure yet… . ”
“Please try it on . ”
There was a strong sense of confidence in Bertoldo’s voice .
What kind of power is in this robe that the man feels so strongly?
Ian’s anticipation grew greatly .
“I’m saying this out of concern, but do not be too surprised . It is a robe that will make a dream, which anyone that knows magic may want to dream about at least once in his lifetime, come true . ”