Chapter 17: Yes

"Once again: Do you trust him?"

The situation hasn't gotten any less tense. The fate of the quest lies solely on the shoulders of a inexperienced rookie, who nobody had any expectations for.

Godspeed could feel the time counting down, counting down until the quest window would close.

And It wasn't long from then, either.

'Come on! Don't let him get under you skin! Just Lie. Lie as if the lie is true!!!' This mental support was all that he could give Moonshine. Why didn't he just send her a whisper?

[Your current location prevents you from sending or receiving whispers.] With that confirmation of failure, all God could think about were colorful swears.

'Come on!' He used the best pleading eyes he could muster, it being the only way he could send a message.

And somehow, it got through. As if sensing him, Moonshine took a quick glance at Godspeed and gave a slight nod. And, as if she was a whole another person, her nervousness and anxiousness disappeared, an air of professionalism surrounded her.

With a stern voice full of conviction, Moon said her answer.

"Yes."

"'Yes' what?"

"Yes, I trust him," she reaffirmed. "I trust him with my whole being; I trust him to drag my limp body out of hell; I trust him to lead me blind-folded through a maze to the exit; I trust him to lead me away from from danger with no sense; and finally..." she gave a dramatic pause.

"I trust him to train me."

No trembling, no foot-tapping, no averted eyes. No sweating, no swaying, no uncomfortable laughing. Just all seriousness. Just a straight back. Just a straight face. Just a straight heart. This was the atmosphere Moonshine gave off.

For a few more seconds, it seemed as the Sergeant and Moonshine engaged in a staring contest. The Sarge's eyes seemed to get thinner and thinner, meanwhile Moon's, although staying the same size, seemed to ooze confidence and power.

'Wow... a mental power struggle between lower levels, huh? You don't see this often, do you?' Surprised by the mental fortitude of someone still considered a beginner, Godspeed couldn't help but comment.

'This guy definitely has potential... as long as he doesn't screw around, he can definitely become strong.'

"Worthy of the one I call my friend," he chuckled gently.

After a few more seconds, the lightning strikes seemed to stop. The winner of the outcome was easily determined.

The Sergeants eyes finally blinked, and returned to their normal size. He gave Moon an endearing smiled. "Alright."

*DING DING DING*

As if in confirmation of their success, the system rung its bells.

'Great. Now, lets change the mood...' No more than 5 seconds later, the stifling tension that was practically sending everyone in the room into cardiac arrest began to wane. Slowly but noticeably, the malevolence in the air disappeared, and the color began to reappear in everybody's faces. Soon enough, conversation began again, and white noise began to appear like usual, only this time not as loud.

"Well then, I can clearly see the trust you two have in your bonds," the old man began, turning towards Moonshine. "Seeing the strength disparity between you two young ones, I've come to a decision." He then took a step to the side, and what appeared behind his original post was a small table with a single drawer. "I don't stand here just because I like the spot, if that's what you thought," he continued. "No no; it is because of this," he talked while reaching toward the drawer. Grabbing the black-iron nob, he pulled open the oak and reached into the compartment. He seemed to move his hand around randomly, until a sudden *click* sounded, and a rolled up pile of papers dropped into his hands. He then turned around, facing God, and gave it to him.

While God opened the roll, the old man began his story: "You see, 3 years ago there was this certain knight that came by Zand. He was sent to check up on how we were doing in the midst of Hobgoblin season, and to make sure we wouldn't die out. He also checked up on the soldiers to see if they were strong enough to protect the town, and possibly even take some as knights. Also, he showed us the possibilities of the sword, showing us the power of 'sword energy' and saying that all of them should aspire to become strong enough to use this power. After that, he came to me."

Clearing his throat, he continued. "He told me that, although the conditions of this town weren't anything special, there were some soldiers that had good talent, and that he saw that they could become something special. Now, I told him that I didn't understand why he was telling me this; I was already retired by that time. This is what he told me: 'As the strongest of this town, you are being relied on to lead this town's strength; take pride in this. As the strongest, you also have a duty---regardless if you are retired or not--- to nurture the best. Because of this, I leave you this,' and proceeded to give me this scroll here that you are holding. He then told me that he would try to give this scroll to every town that he saw that had potential, and promptly left."

Getting ready to close off the story, he sighed. "After opening the scroll, I learned that I could not do anything with it, as its restrictions were on a different level from me. What I was supposed to do was train those with potential with this scroll, but I quickly learned that nobody would be able to keep up. And so, it was left to rot in this drawer, possibly to never see the light. That is--- until you two came."

He then turned to face Moon and told her the finale: "Now, lad. To be frank, you do not have the current strength to fulfill the regiment on those papers. BUT, your friend does, and may even be able to teach you it. Also, due to your 'people's' particular traits, you are able to evolve and become stronger at an unprecedented rate. That is why I've chosen to give you two these papers. Now tell me: Do you two accept it?

Finally, the message popped up in front of their eyes.

[NPC 'Ex-Sergeant Palio' has given you a quest.]

[To Train a Knight]

Difficulty Level: A

*The rest of the quest information will be given when the quest is given.

[Do yo accept the quest?]

Within less than a second of reading, both Godspeed and Moonshine were ready with their response.

Unanimously, their answer was...

"Yes!"