Realm of Myths and Legends

Chapter 1219: Divine Appraisal, Affinity

’The skill mastery and cooldown time have vanished. Then, let’s give it a try.’

Izroth briefly observed Malric. And, as if understanding his intent, the skill Divine Appraisal was automatically activated.

NPC Name: Vice-Head of the Apothecary Guild, Malric(???)-> Vice-Head of the Apothecary Guild(Legendary Primary Stage) [Appraised]

...

~Appraisal~

Age: 91

Physical Condition: Good

Affinity: Fire

Faction: Apothecary Guild

Likes: Dried seaweed, Fragrant tea, Birds, Being an Apothecary

Dislikes: Sour foods, Cold drinks, People with hidden motives

Potential: 89/91

~Appraisal~

’Oh? This is new. It even shows a person’s age, likes and dislikes. It’s not exactly much of an advantage when it comes to combat, but it can help when it comes to establishing and building connections. I’ve seen the faction before when dealing with those people from the League of the Eidolon, but affinity and potential—it’s the first time I’ve seen them clearly.’

Izroth had come across affinity before back when he faced Haazan, an assassin sent by Zouren some time after he won the second team’s selection. Of course, the assassination attempt failed. However, during that time, when Izroth used his Appraisal skill, it showed affinity as a bunch of question marks.

’It seems one’s affinity refers to the element they have the closest connection to. As for potential—I will have to investigate a bit more before I can fully determine what it defines. But, based on what I can see so far, the number on the left represents how much of their current potential is unlocked, while the number on the right is their limit. Then, do all NPCs in RML have a hidden growth value? This changes things.’

After observing Malric, Izroth took the time to use Divine Appraisal on Oaklein, Cryosa, and Oaklein’s disciple Grazeio.

NPC Name: Seventh Elder of the Apothecary Guild, Oaklein(???)-> Seventh Elder of the Apothecary Guild, Oaklein(Legendary Initial Stage) [Appraised]

...

~Appraisal~

Age: 48

Physical Condition: Strong

Affinity: Wood

Faction: Apothecary Guild

Likes: Seafood, Strong liquor, Horses

Dislikes: Vegetables, Coffee, Cold places

Potential: 81/84

~Appraisal~

NPC Name: Fifth Elder of the Apothecary Guild, Cryosa(???)-> Fifth Elder of the Apothecary Guild, Cryosa(Legendary Initial Stage) [Appraised]

...

~Appraisal~

Age: 47

Physical Condition: Peak

Affinity: Ice

Faction: Apothecary Guild

Likes: Vegetables, Fragrant tea, Horses, Cold places

Dislikes: Seafood, Coffee, Strong liquor

Potential: 82/86

~Appraisal~

NPC Name: Grazeio(???)-> Grazeio(Rare) [Appraised]

...

~Appraisal~

Age: 29

Physical Condition: Strong

Affinity: Wood

Faction: Apothecary Guild

Likes: Desserts, Sweet coffee, Cats

Dislikes: Bitter foods, Dogs, Fighting

Potential: 66/80

~Appraisal~

’Just as I thought—the amount of potential is different for all of them.’

In RML, players believed that unless it was under unique conditions such as a quest or it was a special named individual, NPCs could not change. This meant their level, skills, stats—everything would remain the same indefinitely.

This was not just some random theory crafted by players. It was the general consensus of the beta players, as well as the current players in RML.

However, if each NPC had a hidden potential value with room still left for growth—didn’t this mean that all, or at the very least, most of them were able to progress in some way without the need for special circumstances?

’Hm, I wonder...’

Izroth turned his attention to Celia as he used Divine Appraisal.

Name: Celia-> Celia [Appraised]

...

~Appraisal~

Physical Condition: Peak

Affinity: Fire/Wind/Wood

Faction: Order of a Thousand Blossoms

~Appraisal~

’It appears there is no potential listed for players. However, her affinity... Does she have more than one because she’s a player or is it something else?’

The next moment, Izroth concentrated on himself. Not long after doing so, his own system information popped up.

’It can work this way as well.’

Name: Izroth -> Izroth [Appraised]

...

~Appraisal~

Physical Condition: Peak

Affinity: Void/Chaos/Lightning/Wind/Causality/Undefined

Faction: Mystical Realm Palace

~Appraisal~

’Oh? I have six next to affinity. Void... It’s not unusual considering my connection to the Boundless Emperor Void Perfection and Law of Void. I also have some ties to the Law of Wind and Law of Causality. However, Chaos and Lightning—I do not have any Laws related to them. Then, does affinity represent not just a present connection to a specific element, but also a potential or hidden one?’

Izroth had multiple skills that contained the lightning element such as Call of the Thunder God or his Seventh Sword Form: Motionless Killing Stroke. Even his weapon, the Sword of the Storm, was a mixture of the lightning and wind elements.

But, even if that explained the Lightning affinity, Izroth still had no idea where Chaos came from. Though he was more puzzled by the last listed affinity registered as Undefined. Was there something that even the system itself was incapable of defining? Izroth had too many questions.

’It’s no use thinking about it too much for now. I need more data before I can start speculating.’

At present, the only players Izroth could use Divine Appraisal on was himself and Celia. Naturally, two people were too small of a sample pool to come up with anything definitive; therefore, he had no choice but to set it aside for the time being.

"Apothecary Izroth, is everything alright?" Malric questioned as he furrowed his brows in concern.

Izroth had not spoken a word since he finished showing the Twin Blossom Crest and instead, his gaze seemed to wander from person to person.

"Just a bit lost in thought. It’s nothing of concern." Izroth said in a carefree manner.

He then continued, "I have taken Apothecary Malric words to heart. If I should need your assistance in the future, I will not hesitate to seek you out."

Malric gave a nod of approval with a light-hearted smile and said, "Good, that is precisely how it should be."

"Since I have 1,000 achievement points, I assume there will be no issue participating in the grade five promotion test?" Izroth said inquisitively.

"No problem at all. You only need a total of 50 achievement points to participate in the grade five promotion test. Though if I’m being completely honest, I’m a bit surprised. I thought for sure that Apothecary Izroth would employ the same method he used to become a grade four Apothecary and invoke another Right of Challenge." Oaklein stated.

"One should never fear a challenge. However, only a fool walks into a battle without at least a minimum amount of proper preparation." Izroth said calmly.

Izroth did not thoughtlessly challenge Rygar. Ever since he planned on visiting Danaharpe to become a grade four Apothecary, Izroth had already come up with a way of approaching the situation.

While it was true that Izroth did not make the Life Gathering Pill with Malric being present during the grade four promotion test in mind, he did not choose that pill at random.

After gathering some information about the Vice-Head of the Apothecary Guild and connecting a few pieces together, Izroth intentionally chose the Life Gathering Pill.

Originally, the existence of the Life Gathering Pill was supposed to eventually make its way to the Vice-Head through word of mouth, causing Malric to seek him out personally.

Once he determined Malric’s character with his own eyes, Izroth would then determine his next course of action on whether to form a connection and use his influence as the Vice-Head of the Apothecary Guild to benefit himself and the Mystical Realm Palace.

Of course, things turned out better than Izroth anticipated. Nevertheless, he had no intention of invoking a Right of Challenge for the grade five promotion test.

’The stage set itself well since I came prepared. However, grade five pills are different. I may have crafted a grade five pill before, but it was partly due to the luck of the Natural Talent passive from my Unparalleled Craftsman skill activating. Normally, one requires Natural Energy to produce a grade five pill. I have yet to receive my Natural Energy. Nor have I had the chance to observe it being used firsthand. Naturally, relying on luck for Natural Talent to activate is out of the question.’

"Well said! Well said, indeed!" Malric said as he could not hide the proud look in his eyes.

After spending decades paying the price for his own prideful nature, Malric was glad to see that Izroth was not behaving in a reckless and arrogant way despite his great talent. The last thing he wanted was for a promising Apothecary like Izroth to follow in his footsteps filled with regret.

’The grade five promotion test will be starting soon. Before then...’

"One of my people, Apothecary Worldly Skies, is in a private room on the 4th floor. Can you have someone escort her here?" Izroth asked.

Oaklein glanced over at Grazeio.

"I will personally escort Apothecary Izroth’s guest here at once. I shall excuse myself." Grazeio said politely as he bowed respectfully before taking his leave.

"Celia, come here." Izroth called.

Celia quickly made her way before Izroth. She seemed a bit more restrained than usual. But, it was too be expected.

The Twin Blossom Crest contained the blossom scent of the Holy Maiden and it still lingered in the air of the private room. A Young Sword like Celia was practically powerless in front of it. This was one of the reasons a Twin Blossom Crest was not handed out so lightly—even if one was an Honorary Saint of the Order of a Thousand Blossoms. It showed just how much trust and respect the Holy Maiden placed in Izroth.

"Take it. Since you’re also one of my people now, I won’t allow you to suffer. In the future, if there is anything troubling you, feel free to speak your mind." Izroth stated as he handed one of the Flow of Energy Pills he received from Oaklein to Celia.