Is this really a Game?!

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The journey back to Doncaster was relatively uneventful, a welcome respite after the intense battle they had fought. As they entered the city via the portal, the setting sun, as well as the golden tree, bathed the landscape in a warm, golden light, and a sense of accomplishment settled over the team.

They didn't wait long and entered another portal, appearing inside the walls of the castle that was once the university.

They quickly made their way to Adrian, who was busy sitting down in front of the smithy and smoking a cigar.

"Again?" Adrian narrowed his eyes and stared daggers at Reign and the others who merely smiled at him. They have known the old blacksmith for months now, and even though he seemed like a lazy old man who hated working, they knew that was not the case.

Adrian was simply a man who disliked showing any kind of affection toward anyone, he preferred to act like a grumpy old man so that people wouldn't talk to him for too long and would leave him alone, free to do as he wished.

Of course, Reign and the others knew of his weakness, and they have been using it against him ever since they found out.

Mia and Laura stepped forward, their faces gentle and warm, smiles present as they stared at Adrian whose expression softened right away before he grunted and stared daggers at Reign and the others.

He could never act as a grumpy old man in front of ladies, he would always become softer if they talked to him.

"We found something we would like to hear your opinion on, sir Adrian."

"Yes, it's quite something, we are confused and don't know what to do with it."

Laura and Mia played their parts, immediately showing that they were a bit sad and confused, causing Adrian to just get angrier at Reign and the others, but show nothing but compassion and gentleness toward the two girls.

In all honesty, it took quite a bit for Reign and the others not to laugh at Adrian in such a moment, and even Jin was surprised and was having a tough time with it. Both Reign and Shadow had told him about Adrian and how he acted, but hearing and seeing were two very different things.

"Let's just get on with it," Adrian said with his teeth clenched, but a smile.

"Yes!" Laura exclaimed happily before taking out the orb from a pouch that was hanging from her waist. The moment Adrian saw the orb, his expression changed.

He was no longer angry at Reign and the others, but fully focused on the orb.

"An essence, incredible," Adrian said as he appeared in front of Laura in an instant before taking the essence in his hands and staring at it.

"Hmmm … the tone, the volume, the amount of mana … a Tier VII … no, a Tier VIII that was fatally injured and poured everything it had left to create an essence, which had unfortunately fallen down a rank, a shame," Adrian said as he continued inspecting the orb.

"As all essences, it can absorb mana from its surroundings with ease and replenish what is used, but the power it possesses … hmmm … light, but not really light."

"Crystals, the power to deflect light and similar elements, an interesting one without a doubt."

The team watched Adrian with a mix of anticipation and curiosity as he continued to examine the orb. His expertise as a master blacksmith was unparalleled, and they knew his insights would be invaluable in determining the best use for the Essence of the Guardian.

Adrian turned the orb over in his hands, his eyes narrowing as he focused on its swirling colors. "This essence is a rare find."

"Its properties make it suitable for a variety of applications, you could create a weapon that channels its energy to enhance attacks or a suit of armor that provides exceptional protection and regenerative capabilities."

He looked up at the team, his expression serious. "But you need to be careful, using this essence will require a skilled craftsman and a clear vision of what you want to achieve."

"There's no room for error."

Reign nodded, appreciating Adrian's caution. "We understand, that's why we came to you."

"We want to make sure we use this essence in the best possible way."

"Shrewd kid," Adrian said with a chuckle.

Adrian's gaze softened slightly as he looked at Reign and the others. "You made the right choice coming to me, I'll help you, but this will take time and considerable resources."

"We'll need to gather rare materials and ensure the crafting process is flawless."

"What do you think is best to create with it?" Reign asked Adrian who stopped and started thinking for a bit.

"That's a tough one, both a suit of armor and weapon are fine, the orb will be the main ingredient in creating either one and will improve them by quite a bit, when it comes to rank and efficiency, neither will lose out to the other, so the main question is what you guys want more, as well as what will be best for you, well, for one of you."

"I already have my swords, not to mention the Rank Z sword that I will be able to use later, so I'm not hard-pressed for another weapon." Reign stated as Wolf nodded his head.

"Same for me, my sword is more than enough, not to mention that it actually has room to grow thanks to the chaos energy inside of it, as well as the soul of that bastard, with enough time and some luck, it can turn into a Rank Z weapon, not to mention it suits me perfectly."

"My darkness won't be given a boost by the orb, so I don't need it either," Shadow said as the others all came forward as well.

Tank had his axe and wasn't going to change it as he found out from the emperor's soul fragment that it used to be a Rank Z weapon and could turn into one again in the future, Greenie's power was not suited for the orb and he already had a Rank SSS hammer, Laura's demonic energy would actually be weakened if she used a weapon created with the help of the orb, which meant she was definitely not making one.

Mia's frost wouldn't be improved by much, Beast's wind would barely get a boost, and Jin's explosions were also not going to be strengthened much, which left one person who was suitable.

"I think this is far too valuable to be given to me," Aelrinder said as the others chuckled, fully expecting such words from him.

Even though they had fought as a team for so long, Aelrinder still felt as if he was merely a passenger who was allowed to stay with them and fight thanks to the elves and the royal guards he used to lead.

He was always ready to give rewards to the others and never asked for much, which actually bothered Reign and the others who truly did think of him as one of their own.

"You have been a member of this team for months now, you have fought alongside us many times, you shed blood with us, and you have gone through many dangers with us, why would it be any different for us to give this to you than anyone else in the team?" Reign asked as Aelrinder took a deep breath and even glanced down, only for Reign to take a step forward and place his hand on his shoulder.

"We consider you as one of us, not an outsider that is merely tagging along, so I have to ask you nicely to start thinking of yourself like that as well, after all, we are no longer just allies, your entire elven tribe has been living in Doncaster for a long time now and have integrated completely with the rest of the people living here."

"We might not be the same race, but we are one faction, and I hope we will continue being one for many years to come."

"Not to mention that your power of the stars is the only ability next to mine that will be given a substantial boost by a weapon crafted with the help of the orb, it's a no-brainer that you are given the weapon, it's time to let go of that old spear, even though it isn't weak, it is starting to slow you down a bit, a Tier VI like you shouldn't be using a Rank S weapon anymore, even if it has properties that enhance both your wind and power of the stars."

Aelrinder looked up and stared into Reign's eyes before sighing and nodding his head.

"Alright, I will take it then."

"There you go," Shadow said with a smile while Adrian nodded his head.

"Alright, then step inside, we will discuss what kind of spear you would like, and don't worry about that other ability of yours, I can use some materials that will give it a small boost as well, so you won't be losing out on that either."