Aris thrust a hand in the air. “I say we sell them! Let’s make even more money!”

  “We don’t really need more money, though,” Susan murmured. “We’re already wealthy.”

  “Tsk, tsk, tsk. You can never have enough money,” Aris wagged her finger at Susan.

  “While you are correct in some ways, I believe we can put these items to better use by gifting them to the Daggerfall Dynasty,” Fayte said. “I would like to cement our alliance with them. I want them to see us as too valuable to ever consider betraying.”

  Money was important, but so were favors. Daggerfall Dynasty was the second most powerful guild in the American Federation. There were a lot of things they could do that Fayte could not. This didn’t just include things in Age of Gods but also things in real life. Adam suspected she wanted to use their manpower for something in the real world as opposed to something in the game.

  “Why don’t we auction half the items and give the rest to Daren?” suggested Adam.

  “Oooh! I like that idea,” Aris said.

  Everyone ignored her.

  “It’s not a bad idea. I suppose having more money would indeed benefit us in the long run. I’m planning to make several upgrades to our guild house, and they are expensive,” Fayte admitted. She nodded once. “Very well. That’s what we’ll do. All of you should also grab any items that you think would be beneficial to you.”

  Since that was settled, the group began going through the items once more to see if there was anything they might want.

  Adam went through the list again and quickly found the item he wanted.

  Item Name: Goddess of Creation Gauntlets

  Item Type: Armor

  Grade 4-Star

  Use Requirements: Can only be equipped by the wielder of the Goddess of Creation’s Spear.

  Description: Gauntlets made from an unknown material. They were created by the Goddess of Creation and worn by the wielder of her spear.

  Abilities: Physical Defense+100%; Magical Defense+100%; Constitution+50%

  Special Abilities: Heaven’s Might

  While these gauntlets lowered his resistance to various types of physical and elemental damage, they raised his Physical and Magical Defense by so much that it didn’t even matter.

  This was the only item he really wanted, though he also grabbed the [Ring of Regeneration], which let him regenerate +10 health every one second.

  He looked at the others to see they were still looking through their storage inventory. Even Lexi seemed to be keenly invested in seeing what kind of item she wanted.

  The only one who wasn’t looking through the items was Titania. Instead, she was staring at Lexi with sharp eyes.

  “Something on your mind?” he asked.

  Titania pursed her lips, then asked, “Did you know that the Spear God is a woman?”

  “I did.”

  “I see.”

  “That a problem?”

  “No. I just now understand why you allowed her to join us.”

  Adam raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?”

  “Because you’re a pervert, of course. Don’t think I don’t know what you, Aris, and Lilith have been up to in your room. You might have been able to keep it from Fayte, Susan, and Kureha, but I’ve heard you through the walls,” Titania glared at Adam.

  “You really shouldn’t spy on people,” Adam said in a deadpan voice.

  “I’m not spying on anyone! You’re just too loud!” Titania snapped, causing everyone to turn in their direction.

  Adam sighed at this troublesome fairy and her big mouth.

  Training

  Adam soon arrived at the Daggerfall Dynasty guild headquarters. He wasn’t alone. Kureha, Titania, and Lexi were with him.

  While Destiny’s Overture’s guild house was small and cozy, the guild headquarters for Daggerfall Dynasty was a study in contrast. Imposing was the word he would have used to describe it.

  The massive structure was a giant castle. It had three layers. Guild members patrolled the outer wall, which was connected by several drum towers, their forms visible behind the parapet. Behind the first defensive wall was a series of courtyards that contained the barracks for standard guild members.

  Large guilds like this one had its members play in shifts so as to assure their operations ran twenty-four-seven. Members used the barracks during their stay here. Fayte had told him that most members would stay for seven in-game days total.

  They reached the first gate. A pair of members dressed in the red and gold uniform of the Daggerfall Dynasty saluted when they saw who was walking up.

  “Spear God, sir! It’s good to have you back!” one of them said.

  “I’d heard you were partying with the famous Adam and his group, but I didn’t realize it was true!” the second one added. Adam thought he could see stars in the man’s eyes, and it kind of creeped him out.

  Lexi nodded and gestured toward the gate.

  “Of course! We’ll have this open right away!” said the first guard.

  The gate wasn’t quite as medieval as the rest of the castle. The guards pressed their hands against two red gems set along either side of the wall, which glowed brightly before the gate slowly opened. They saluted Lexi once more. She seemingly ignored them as she walked through the portcullis.

  “Do you ever feel the desire to correct everyone about your gender?” asked Adam.

  Lexi stopped walking for a moment, her hood shifting as she looked at him. She shook her head once and began walking again.

  “I guess it is easier to hide your identity if no one knows your gender, but I think people would figure out who you’re related to based on your fighting style. It’s very distinctive.”

  “…”

  “You really think the Pleonexia Family won’t realize who you are?”

  “…”

  “Well, I suppose they haven’t done anything in the last several years.”

  “…”

  “Yes, that’s true. They do teach their spearmanship to others outside of the family. I guess I didn’t consider that.”

  Titania and Kureha watched the conversation between Adam and Lexi, the former with a frown and the latter with wide eyes. Kureha eventually tugged on his sleeve.

  “Big brother, how can you understand what this big sister is saying?”

  Adam tilted his head and pondered how to answer. He eventually shrugged and said, “Intuition, I guess.” Then he paused after realizing something. “Wait. How did you know she’s a girl?”

  “Um. ’Cause she smells like one,” Kureha said.

  Adam stared at her for a second, then glanced at Lexi. She met his stare, though it was hard to tell.

  “Do you mind if I smell you?” he asked seriously.

  Lexi shoved his face away when he tried to get close and sniff her. He grinned at her, then turned to Kureha.

  “Kureha, while we’re here, make sure you address this nice lady as ‘Big Brother.’ She’s trying to hide her gender.”

  Kureha tilted her head to the side. “Why is that?”

  “Because… she wants to pull a prank on everyone.”

  The little fox girl’s eyes lit up. “Kureha likes pranks!”

  “I figured you would,” Adam rubbed Kureha’s head, causing the kid to rub herself against his hand.

  There were a lot of guild members stationed inside the outer bailey, and they all turned their heads to stare as Adam and Lexi walked past them.

  Like the first rampart, there was another massive wall between the outer and inner bailey. Larger than the first, Adam glanced up at the watchtowers where guild members stood to keep watch. He wondered if that was necessary. There were rules in Age of Gods that couldn’t be broken, and one of those rules was other guilds couldn’t attack unless they declared a Guild War.

  Well, he supposed they could technically attack, but there were consequences for it. The Guild Association would get involved since everything relating to guilds needed to be processed through them, and that would just cause one helluva mess.

  They entered the inner bailey after the guards in the gatehouse opened the gate. The space passed the outer bailey was much more open. There was a great hall, a stable, and a keep, which looked like the kind of castles that dotted the countryside of the European Union, with glimmering towers and flying buttresses.

  Several open areas were dedicated to training. Quite a few guild members were sparring with each other and others were practicing group maneuvers. All of them stopped when Adam, Lexi, Titania, and Kureha appeared before them.

  Among the group of onlookers were two individuals Adam recognized. They both had the same dark skin and features, marking them as brothers. The taller one saw them and began walking over. The shorter one, who looked a few years younger, didn’t respond at first, but he eventually noticed them and raced to catch up with his brother.

  “Spear God, we’re glad to have you back. Adam, thank you for coming on our request. We appreciate the aid,” Skyrim said.

  “It’s no problem. We’re allies, after all,” Adam said.

  As part of their alliance, Daren Daggerfall had asked Adam to come in and teach his spearmen how to properly wield a spear. Lexi had apparently tried to teach them herself, but not only was she unable to speak, her ability to teach was hampered by her outfit. Her guildmates couldn’t even copy her movements because those robes covered everything.

  “Daren isn’t in-game right now. He had to deal with some business in the real world, so I’ll be supervising your training. I hope you don’t mind if I watch?”

  Something about the way Skyrim spoke made Adam wary. His tone wasn’t hostile, but it wasn’t friendly either. He shrugged and decided not to worry. If Skyrim tried to do something, he would deal with it then.

  “Feel free.”

  “I can’t believe you’re really here,” the younger Daggerfall brother exclaimed. Adam thought his name was Oblivion. “Mr. Adam, I have been a huge fan of yours ever since the tournament! Can I shake your hand?!”

  “Uh…”

  Adam felt his smile become fixed as the man thrust out his hand and bowed like a young boy seeing his favorite pop idol at an event for the first time. It was disconcerting, especially for someone like Adam, who had never enjoyed being the center of attention.

  “Yeah. Sure.”

  Adam eventually extended his hand and shook Oblivion’s. The other young man became so happy that it was kind of disturbing. The way he blushed to the tips of his ears might have been considered cute by women, but Adam just found himself mildly repulsed.

  “I can’t believe I got to shake THE Adam’s hand. I’m never washing this hand again,” Oblivion said.

  “Please wash your hands regularly. It’s unsanitary to not wash them,” Skyrim sighed as he turned to Adam. “I apologize for my youngest brother’s actions. He’s always been easily star-struck by impressive people.”

  “It’s fine,” Adam said. “Anyway, since I’m here, I might as well get started on the training. Which group do you want me to train?”

  “That one, right over there,” said Skyrim.

  The group in question stood on an open training field made of dirt, spears held firmly in their hands as they practiced the standard thrust that was the most basic attack of all spearmen. It looked like they had the basics down, at least, which meant he wouldn’t need to teach them something any spear user should already know.

  Adam walked over with his group, now with two extra individuals. The spearmen all stopped what they were doing and watched with anticipation clear in their eyes.

  “I’m sure you all know who I am, but for the sake of niceties, I’ll introduce myself. My name is Adam. Thanks to the alliance between Destiny’s Overture and Daggerfall Dynasty, I have been asked to teach all of you how to wield a spear. I noticed that you all have the basics down already. That’s good. It means we can begin with more advanced stances and forms.”

  Excited murmurs broke out among the spearmen. Adam could hear some of what was being said, but he chose not to pay attention. His actions also caused people from other groups to look over. He ignored them too.

  “Since I’m not very good at oral instructions, what I’m going to do is have Le… the Spear God and myself give you a live demonstration of the forms we use. I want all of you to copy what we do.”

  “Yes, sir!” The men and women in the spearmen group shouted at the same time.

  “The style I use has seven forms. We’re going to start with Form I today. All of you, copy me.”

  Adam twirled the spear in his hand, then began shifting on his feet. He skittered across the ground as though he had eight legs instead of two. Web-like patterns of light formed in the air as he thrust out his spear with quick, successive movements. The whistling sound as he cut through the air echoed around them.

  “This is form one. It relies on deceptive, erratic movements, along with a combination of thrusts and slashes to entrap an enemy.”

  The Seven Phoenix Forms were created based on nature. Form I had been inspired by arachnids. Spiders created webs to entrap their prey, and so spearmen swung and thrust their spears so fast that it formed a web with their spear intent.

  “The key to using this ability is to infuse your spear intent into your spear. It doesn’t matter if you get the movements down. If you can’t use spear intent, you won’t be able to use this skill. For the moment, however, all I want you to do is get the movements down. We can work on spear intent at a later date.”

  Spear intent was simply the ability to infuse chi and killing intent into a spear. Not everyone could even use chi, which was an esper power, but he was certain everyone here had been selected for this training course because they could. Daren Daggerfall did not strike him as the kind of man who would waste Adam’s time training someone who couldn’t learn his skills.

  Adam paid attention to the man in front, who kept tripping over his own two feet when he tried to move like Adam had. To his left was a young woman who had the foot movements down but couldn’t include the spear attacks. Everyone else seemed to be somewhere between these two.

  “I’m not going to lie. This form is difficult to master. It requires you to split your attention two ways. You need to pay attention to the movement of your feet, and also the way you use your spear. I find that it helps if you only focus on the feet first. Burn the foot movements into muscle memory. Once you can move your feet without conscious thought, add in the spear movements,” Adam instructed.

  The guild members had an easier time of it after they followed his advice. Most of them got the foot movements down within an hour, but they still had issues when it came to adding spear movements. It was because the foot movements weren’t ingrained into their muscle memory yet. Just getting the movements down didn’t mean someone could move without conscious thought. They would need at least one month of practice before he would deem them even close to being ready to add the spear movements.

  Lexi moved close to Adam as he watched the Daggerfall Dynasty guild members work hard.

  “…”

  “It’ll definitely be a while before they master this form.”

  “…”

  “No, I don’t plan on teaching them another form until this we get this down.”

  “…”

  “Isn’t it obvious? Because that’s how you taught me.”

  Lexi’s clothing shifted. It was hard to see what she was doing. Adam wished she wouldn’t wear that baggy cloak of hers.

  “You seem to be quite well-versed in understanding the Spear God,” Skyrim said with a fixed smile.

  Oops. I completely forgot about him. Come to think of it, most people wouldn’t be able to understand Lexi like this. Even Daren can’t seem to understand her right away.

  “The Spear God and I are both warriors of the spear, so we naturally can understand one another,” Adam bullshitted.

  “Is that how it is?”

  “It is.”

  “I guess I chose the wrong class, then.” Skyrim had an easygoing smile that hid something behind it. “I might not be able to become a spearman since I’m a mage, but would you mind if we had a spar? I’d like to experience what it’s like fighting a warrior of your caliber.”

  “If you wish to experience my spearmanship firsthand, who am I to stop you? All right. Let’s clear some space. I’ll fight with you,” Adam said.

  “Great,” Skyrim clapped his hands.

  They soon cleared out a large space for their duel. A screen popped up before Adam.

  Ding!

  [Skyrim has challenged you to a duel! Do you accept? Yes or no?]

  Adam selected “yes.”

  Duels in Age of Gods were simple affairs. Anyone could challenge someone to a duel, and the rules were straightforward. The winner was decided when someone either forfeited or their health reached 1. It was impossible to kill someone in a duel. Once the health reached 1, the duel would end, and you couldn’t force their health down.

  That was a good thing since a single attack from Adam was enough to kill any player.

  “Do you want me to use [Scan]?” asked Titania.

  “No need,” Adam shook his head. It didn’t matter what level Skryim was at. He would lose either way.

  The battle started off and Skyrim immediately cast [Earth Bullet] followed by [Wind Blade]. Adam used the fifth form, adopting a wide stance as he spun the spear in his grip, which created an impenetrable shield that both the bullets and blade crashed against.

  Even before his attacks had dissipated, Skyrim slammed his staff into the ground. The earth swelled and rose. A hand formed and slammed on the ground, followed by another hand. Then a head appeared before the body followed. It was like a living creature rising from the earth’s surface.

  “[Earth Golem], huh?” Adam muttered.

  The [Earth Golem] lumbered toward Adam as Skyrim cast a wide array of spells, though most of them were [Energy Bolt] and [Energy Blast] due to their low MP consumption and quick cooldown times.