Masteria Online: Shattering the Dark God's Grand Scheme-Chapter 68 - Meet the Team

She’s not Second Rank as she claims.

Lumi pondered the issue for a few moments, though temporarily let it go as the conversation continued.

"Orders are orders." she said. "But I’ll admit to curiosity. It’s not often the Grand Tactician personally assigns me under a First Rank. You are now our leader. Let me introduce the team."

She gestured to each member in turn. "Marcus, our Fire Wizard."

A younger man with red tinged robes nodded. Despite being ’young,’ he was probably still in his late twenties. He was young by the standards of Masteria, where power often came with age, and ages could easily go to the hundreds.

Marcus gave a respectful nod. "It’s an honor to work with one of Merath’s students. Though he has many, you are of particular importance to him, that I know." He gave a smile, and continued. "I attended one of his lectures years ago. I loved every second of it."

Valeria continued introducing. "Zara, Shadester."

Lumi turned to Zara first. She had been standing in plain sight, yet the light bent around her, making her hard to notice. Zara gave just the smallest sign of surprise, her eyes widening, seeing that she was exposed before she even stepped into the open. She gave a small wave. "Greetings. I’m looking forward to seeing what secrets Mora hides."

Next. "Jin, Lightning Caller."

An energetic man with runes charged into his light armor grinned broadly. Where the others showed professionalism, he radiated enthusiasm. "Heard you took down Afton. Impressive for a First Rank. Really impressive. What was it like? Did he summon those creepy puppets? Did you set them on fire?"

"Jin." Valeria said warningly.

"Right, right. Professional. Got it." But his grin didn’t diminish. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Valeria introduced the last member. "And Elara, our Windshot."

The archer studied him with sharp eyes. "Mora is an interesting place." She spoke smoothly, yet cryptically. "It’s interesting. So, so interesting. It’s interesting because nothing ever happens there. Just a bunch of citizens living their lives."

Valeria took a deep breath, wanting to say something, but decided not to.

"I’m glad to be in your care." Lumi respectfully addressed them. "What we will do is very important. Let’s do our best."

Seeing that her team hadn’t entirely acted as professionally as she would have wished, Valeria added a reassurance. "Rest assured, we are Aria Knights. You do not have to worry about us not taking this seriously. We are not narrow minded. Being an outsider, nor you being First Rank, will cause us to be arrogant and ignore your orders. You are the leader here."

"Though," she added with a slight smile, "unless necessary, please let me direct my team."

"Of course." Lumi accepted. "I do not mean to question your professionalism, just emphasizing the importance of what we will do."

"Of course." Valeria nodded with grace.

They boarded the ship, making their way in. Valeria made her way to the captain’s quarters and manned the steering wheel. "Will we set off immediately, Lumi?"

Lumi nodded, and so they set off.

As they left Herene, Lumi looked back at the floating island. It was a wonderful sight, akin to a small slice of heaven descended down onto Masteria. The island’s underside was just as intricately carved as its top, with an immense innate divine aura that helped maintain its elevation. Looking below was a sea of clouds, making it feel like they were sailing through a sky ocean.

Lumi sat off to the side and took the time to think.

Why would Valeria lie about that?

At level sixty, you can advance to a Third Rank Class. While Masteria in reality isn’t as hard coded as the system, it is extremely unlikely that one would reach a power level sufficient to advance, and yet not do so.

I cannot see her level.

If she were level 59, I would still be able to see her level. The fact its obscured on the system proves that it’s above 59.

Therefore, she is at the Third Rank, not Second. Yet I cannot see a reason for her to lie.

Unless... it wasn’t her choice to lie, but Azir.

"Hah." Lumi couldn’t help himself from letting loose a short laugh.

"Whatcha giggling about?" Jin casually slid himself onto the bench next to Lumi, earning him a glare from Valeria from her post guiding the ship.

"Ah, I just remembered something funny." Lumi casually replied. He wasn’t stuffy about rules, or perceived disrespect. He gave a slight smile.

Of course it was Azir. What a cautious man. Good thing I discovered this, it could have torn a hole in my plans otherwise.

"Ah!" Jin continued, seeing that Lumi didn’t disapprove of his behavior. "There are tons of funny things in this world. You know, one time I helped a girl out with her first few Lightning Caller moves. She was really doing her best, and it’s not that she did bad, but the sounds she made..."

He gave a lecherous grin. "They were great."

"...I see." Lumi now understood what type of man Jin was. "How’d that end up going?"

"I commented on it and she hit me." Jin replied with a grin. "Completely deserved. But still. Wish she would have hit me harder."

"...?"Lumi was speechless.

Lumi decided that asking follow up questions would only encourage Jin. Before he could respond, a voice cut in from behind them.

"You’re disgusting." Zara spat out, though there was amusement in her tone rather than actual disdain.

Jin looked delighted. "You heard that from all the way over there? Your stealth is getting worse."

"I wasn’t hiding." Zara replied flatly.

Marcus coughed into his fist, clearly suppressing a laugh. Elara, seated near the railing with her bow across her lap, said nothing, though the corner of her mouth twitched.

Valeria’s voice drifted from the helm without her turning around. "Jin, if you embarrass the Aria Knights in front of our assigned leader again, I will personally throw you overboard."

"Orders acknowledged," Jin said, raising both hands. "I’ll limit my honesty to acceptable levels."

Lumi found himself smiling. The team dynamic was lively.

Some people might think it was unprofessional. It was the exact opposite.

Being a Knight was a life, not a 9-5 job you clocked into. Anyone who expected a small squad who had fought together for years to act like an office worker didn’t understand what a Knight was.

When there was nothing to do, there was no need to keep up a stiff act.