The Lore Master

Levi instinctively went into defensive mode as a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, slowly taking the shape of a man until they were able to visibly see the face of the speaker.

It was a very pale, tall man with white hair. His eyes were black but his pupil was bright yellow with a scar that stretched across his eyes from his forehead down into the bandages that were wrapped around his neck. His slender figure made the ghastly scar add to his facial appeal instead of making him look scary.

The clothing he wore would make one wonder if he was a mage or an old English scholar, but because of the long wooden staff and a grey cloak, you'd be forced to choose the former. 

If you look further down you'd notice the scar from his face extending into his chest, like a fire burn but definitely not from a normal source, although it was merely just a scar now, the bandages he wore were probably more of a decoration as they were wrapped loosely on his chest and arms.

A bright yellow amulet, roughly shaped like an eye, dangled low on his chest. His presence was both chilling and intimidating. 

The paleness of his skin and the extended length of his limbs could make one wonder if he truly was a human.

____

** "Glint" **

Title: Surviving mage of the demon king.

Lore Master: Trader of Questions

Level: ???

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The character description would only come up for named NPCs and beasts. That means this guy is a named NPC called Glint. 

Levi couldn't see his level but he could see that he had two titles Mage of the Demon King and Lore Master. The first one was self-explaining but Levi couldn't understand the second.

"Blue, what's a Lore Master?" 

[They are NPCs that have either achieved enlightenment or have carried out a lot of research providing them with information about the world of Aetheria, whether present or past. They trade this information for different things like money, although some demons would prefer souls… most of the top players acquire very valuable information from these Lore masters, in Aetheria information is extremely valuable so having a good source is important]

"So Lore masters are traders of information, that must mean they probably know more things than even you" Levi teasingly scoffed

[Of course not, although I must admit some of them may have access to information that I'm not permitted to reach it still doesn't outdo all the information I gathered]

"Who are you?" Aiden inquired, safely shielded behind Levi.

"Don't be scared, I have no business with you unless you wish me to" Glint calmly replied, not in a threatening manner.

"It's rare to see a warrior traveling with a villager" he added 

"That doesn't explain who you are?" Levi firmly stated still maintaining his cautious stance.

"Normally if you wanted me to answer your question you would first have to answer mine but I'll just tell you, I'm Glint, the final mage of this temple"

Levi already knew all that so he wanted to hear something different, "What do you want from us?" He asked

"Is that the question you wish to ask me?" He calmly replied

"What? You don't want to tell us? Levi questioned

He let out a slight sinister chuckle "No, no, I'm asking for your sake because if I answer your question then I'll have to ask you mine"

"I would always answer correctly so I'll also expect a correct answer if not…. I'd have to kill you" The tone Glint used to end his statement made Levi and Aiden realise that he wasn't joking.

The fact that Levi couldn't see his level made him weary about speaking some more.

[It turns out that this Lore Master trades questions, after years of wandering and researching he has attained the authority to answer almost any question at all about the mysteries of Aetheria. These types of Lore Masters are always very tricky and crafty, they're powerful and always have the last laugh. I'd advise you to reject his offer]

"A question for a question, a fair trade" Glint stated as he restored his calm presence.

Levi wondered which question he could ask Glint, and what type of questions Glint would ask him. He reasoned asking Glint about what type of questions he would ask but that would also count as a question.

He needed to thoughtfully pick the right question, his thought first started simple like asking where is the Sapphire stone?, but then he began to see this was an even bigger opportunity. He could ask him anything, including how he could become the most powerful warrior or how to bring someone back from the dead.

All while these thoughts were growing, something at the back of his mind kept on reminding him that he had no way of knowing what Glint would ask, making him question whether it was worth the risk.

"I would answer only three questions for the both of you, that means one person gets to ask two, so come on who is First? but remember once you've started you must answer all three questions?" 

After a while of thinking Levi reasoned it wasn't worth the risk, anything that had to do with death was never worth the risk. Probably trauma from his first death. He didn't even need the question when he was already this close to achieving what he came here for.

Levi's scoffed "You might think we are that easy to trick but-" 

"What is behind the door?" Aiden asked, sending Levi into a state of shock.

A sinister grin tore across Glint's face as he heard the question which was in contrast to the grim look Levi wore on his face.

"That's a good way to begin" Glint commended

"Why did you do that?!" Levi screamed at Aiden who just shyly shrank into himself as if he had just realised what he had done.

"Well we can't go back now, the game has already begun, you asked what is behind that door right? Behind that door lies one of the pets of the former demon king, a three-headed hell hound, that has been assigned to protect all the treasures in this temple. It'll reap you to shreds immediately you walk through…"

"So that means the Sapphire stone is in there?" Levi subconsciously inquired 

"oh, I didn't expect you people to use your second question so quickly, the Sapphire stone is there" Glint taunted with obvious sarcasm making Levi realize what he had just done. 

"No, that's still part of the first question" Levi attempted to protest.

"I'm sorry warrior, that's not how it works, but I'll give you one for free. You see that monster outside, it's nothing compared to the beast that is in there, so you might as well give up on your quest… now onto the final question," Glint said, almost sounding excited.