20 No time to waste

The days were spent in peace and Izzy felt that she would be content spending her days out in nature. As opposed to facing off the terrifying creatures in the forest and the even more cunning people.

Outside Ruben was busy testing out his new power. There was ample space outside the little cabin. Izzy watched as Ruben floated lightly in the air. His long brown hair shone with a golden light and his clothes rippled as he manipulated the elements.

He attracted all sorts of animals to the clearing as a low humming whistle echoed out.

These animals came in different shapes, sizes and even colours. As soon as more animals peeked out of the forest Grey Fang would growl at them, scaring them away.

Izzy chuckled at Grey Fang's display of jealousy, he circled around Ruben as if to warn all the other animals, that Ruben was his.

BEEP BEEP BEEP

The system rang and Izzy picked up the phone at her side.

[ Warning unidentified individual travelling at high speed. Host, please take refuge!]

Izzy stood up looking out into the clear sky and down at the phone which had a map of the land and showed a red dot, fast approaching them.

" Ruben!" Izzy shouted snapping him out of his concentration, he immediately looked up and then saw a figure stop abruptly in the air.

It was a man hovering over him. From where she stood Izzy could see a tall man in the air, his back was faced to her but he wore a blue robe and his hair was a stunning silver grey.

He had his hands folded behind his back and looked down at the face of the young man, Ruben.

Ruben sensed the power radiating off this man, he was in the Ancient Levels. He couldn't tell what level exactly but this man's power was vast and unfathomable.

He let out a pressuring aura, which Ruben unconsciously tired to match. His legs slightly shock and Grey Fang noticing the threat this unknown man posed let out a baleful howl. The howl would have blasted the man away but he stayed firmly in the same space.

The birds flew out from the trees and all the animal initially surrounding the clearing, ran.

" Young man" the man's voice bellowed.

Ruben looked up " What can I do for you elder?" he said respectfully not wanting to anger the man.

The man lowered himself onto the ground. He approached Ruben and despite his grey hair, the man didn't look a day older than thirty.

" I sensed your power while flying through, I thought it must've been a powerful creature. But who would have known that it was such a young, powerful lad".

He seemed satisfied with his find. " Tell me what your name is young man," he said.

Ruben stood straight and said, " My name is Ruben, sir".

" Ruben... I haven't heard such a name amongst any of the sons of the great families. Are you perhaps from a powerful family I do not know about?"

Ruben hesitated and then said, " No sir, I am just a humble hunter".

The man stroked his beard " Humble? Young man, you have achieved a great feat. I am really surprised to have stumbled upon a talent of the century!"

The man's eyes seemed to glimmer and Ruben stepped back.

" How about coming with me?" the man said, it sounded like a question but it was more like a demand.

Izzy could hear the conversation they were having through the phone and raised her brow. This old man was trying to poach Ruben...

' Ho ho ho seems like someone powerful has come' Theonymphi spoke making sure not to expose himself.

" Is seems so... System can you scan that old man?"

[ Yes]

Izzy held up the phone in the man's direction and scanned him. The system displayed the man's stats to her.

[ Name: Wang Ji Fan

Title: Professor at the Great Academy of Cifidel

Element: High-level Frost

Level: Ancient Level [...] Level unavailable since the host is too weak.

Wang Ji Fan is one of the heads of the great families in the Cifidel kingdom. ]

Izzy looked at the information and then at the man known as Wang Ji Fan.

" I'm sorry sir but I can't".

Wang Ji Fan frowned " Why not?" he asked, " I have great influence and can offer you riches beyond your knowledge and a chance to become a hero amongst the people."

The offer was inviting and if Ruben didn't know any better he'd be just like anyone around his age, willing to follow a powerful man in search of fame and glory. However, Ruben had come from a rich family and was not easily tempted.

" I have people to take care of," Ruben said " so I'm afraid I'll have to turn down-"

" You can bring them along," Wang Ji Fan said. He had a benevolent look on his face. Thinking that anyone related to Ruben should also be quite a talent.

" Um...." Izzy had heard the man's offer and pondered about it. This man could offer Ruben a chance to start his life over and on a good note too, since she knew he was a professor.

Ruben excused himself from the elder and walked to Izzy wanting to ask her opinion on the man's offer.

" Izzy...." Ruben said.

Izzy stood up, " Take it" she said. Ruben was confused " Huh?"

" Take the man's offer. I think it'd be a good offer for you. Also it's a chance for you to begin a new life and try to forget about your past".

Izzy smiled, she really wanted Ruben to move on. Over the days she had seen the cloudy sadness in his eyes, he looked like he was dwelling on the past and all of his regrets.

The elder had turned around and examined Izzy. His expression remained the same but he was disappointed the girl's talent was at a mediocre peak Specialisation phase.

" He'll take the offer!" she shouted at the elder, who changed his expression to a happy one.

" Well then, I should let you know that I am a professor at The Great Academy in Cifidel. You can call me Sir Fan".

Ruben was surprised he didn't expect the old man to have such a prestigious standing. He looked at Izzy who nudged him with a satisfied expression on his face.

He held out his fists and bowed in the classic Cifidel form of thanks and greeting, " Thank you elder" he said.