Chapter 313 - 292: Apprenticing to Learn a New Profession
Da Fei returned once more to the long-missed Ranger Guild. Since he was there to return something, meeting the legendary "almost impossible to meet" Guild Master was not difficult at all.
As expected, Jilrien still had an arrogant demeanor. "Even though you’ve delayed the return for several months, but considering that your Pool of Radiance task is still incomplete, I’ll let it slide!"
Damn, it’s like I owe you something! Fine, let’s pretend I do! If I’m not mistaken, that Storm Master’s soldiers normally require high reputation or task completion to recruit, right? Alright, being a career-focused high-level player, I won’t bicker with NPCs.
Da Fei chuckled. "Thank you, Mr. Guild Master, for your understanding. This Blood Eagle Flute played a huge role in this mission; without it, I couldn’t have completed the task. That would not only be my personal loss but a loss for the Kingdom and the Bright Alliance too..."
Just as Da Fei continued rambling, Jilrien widened his eyes and stared at Da Fei with an incredulous expression on his face!
Da Fei asked in surprise, "Mr. Guild Master, is there something wrong?"
Jilrien exclaimed, "It seems you’ve taken on the Ranger profession as a side job?"
Da Fei’s heart skipped a beat! Hmm? This Guild Master really lives up to the reputation, recognizing right away that I took up the Ranger role? Hahaha! There’s potential here! As a career-driven high-level player, what’s my next move?
Da Fei chuckled, "Yeah, during the Pool of Radiance mission, I encountered the spirit of an Elf General who fell in battle. He provided immense help for me to enter the Abyss Blood Pool and allowed me to take on the Ranger role as a side job!"
Jilrien gasped, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How can a human take on the Ranger role as a side job? The Ranger is a main hero profession; how can it be a side job?"
That’s the reaction I was hoping for. You don’t know everything, do you? Can’t act aloof now, can you? Time to play nice. Da Fei smugly replied, "Well, it is a main profession, but the professional attribute points are only halved when taken as a side job."
Jilrien shook his head urgently. "Who is this Elf General’s spirit you’re talking about?"
Aha, this is what I was waiting for! When the old lady first heard this name, she was displeased. I wonder how you’ll react to it?
Da Fei casually replied, "Taranna, supposedly a genius of the Elf Clan, and supposedly not very well-liked. Does Mr. Guild Master know him?"
Jilrien’s brow twitched and murmured, "So it’s him..."
Oh, that tone! Looks like he had no friends while he was alive. If the Guild Master were his friend, maybe I could leverage that relationship?
Da Fei coughed and said, "Anyway, despite his arrogance, training me to be a Ranger proved he had a reason for it. I personally believe that anyone with real talent, no matter how bad their temper and popularity, deserves respect in some form."
Jilrien snapped back, "Indeed, those with abilities always have reasons to be respected!"
Da Fei chuckled, "Actually, in my view, someone with both ability and modesty is even more deserving of respect. I believe the Guild Master repairing this Blood Eagle Flute is an incredible skill. The Guild Master is more deserving of respect!"
Since I couldn’t build a relationship through Taranna, I’ll just resort to flattery to establish it myself.
Jilrien frowned and shook his head. "Repairing the Blood Eagle Flute was just a trivial task. Now that everything is returned as agreed, you may leave."
Huh? Being shown the door already? Damn! That can’t happen! I still have questions about advancing to God-level skills! And since we’ve already discussed Taranna, it clearly triggered a storyline event. I absolutely can’t leave now. Otherwise, next time, how would I get to see him again?
But, since I haven’t completed any tasks under him nor have extra support from the Mayor, it might be quite hard to get anything substantial from him! A simple "please leave" from him could nullify all my efforts. Given his interest in my taking on the Ranger role, I just need to make an outrageous offer!
Da Fei quickly said, "Mr. Guild Master, actually, in this Pool of Radiance, Abyss Blood Pool mission, albeit slightly beneficial to me, the Guild Master helping me repair the Blood Eagle Flute makes you the hero behind the scenes. I have a suggestion to repay you!"
Jilrien raised an eyebrow. "A suggestion?"
Da Fei eagerly nodded. "Exactly, I know that training a human to become a Ranger is a truly outstanding feat. If everyone knew this was due to your achievements, wouldn’t the Guild Master’s fame spread far and wide?"
Jilrien raised an eyebrow and slammed the table in anger. "Nonsense! Am I the kind of person who’d steal others’ technical findings? Get out!"
Did I mess up? Damn it! I spoke rashly in a panic! How could I bring this up directly? No way, hold it together!
Da Fei quickly responded, "No, no, no, what I mean is, I would like to formally become your apprentice, Mr. Guild Master! I believe, with my already acquired Ranger status, there’s no issue in principle in becoming your apprentice. This way, when I achieve something for the Kingdom, you’ll also be celebrated as the achievement behind the scenes! Okay, I know that as a human, some of my ways may not be well-accepted by Elves, but as long as there’s mutual benefit, you can gain your deserved recognition. It’s all for the Kingdom, for the Alliance’s cause, wouldn’t everyone be happier?"
Jilrien’s eyebrow twitched wildly as Da Fei spoke animatedly, causing his heart to race as well. It’s now or never!
Finally, Jilrien coldly said, "Are you finished?"
Da Fei swallowed, "Finished!" Damn, just don’t say "get out" again! If the first attempt to dismiss didn’t work, saying it again would be unnecessary!
Jilrien coldly replied, "I just said I dislike dealing with humans. I don’t even know how you became a part-time Ranger, so I can’t teach you! As for apprenticeship, I refuse!"
Ah, I see! Then I have one last move left!
Da Fei urgently said, "Mr. Guild Master, with your help, I’ve advanced to the God-level Reconnaissance Technique, which you indirectly taught me! I also know that in the Dwarf Kingdom, there’s a Flying Eagle Scout, a profession beyond the God-level Reconnaissance Skill, and I believe the Elf Kingdom is even better in this area. I want to surpass the God-level Reconnaissance Skill and comprehend a whole new profession; Mr. Guild Master, you can teach me this, right?"
Jilrien’s expression suddenly changed. "You actually comprehended the God-level Reconnaissance Technique? You even know about professions beyond the Reconnaissance Technique?"
Hahaha! That’s exactly the reaction I wanted! Now it’s time to play my ace, the self-promotion move. If you still refuse, it’s not because you don’t want to teach, but because you lack the genuine skills to teach me! Damn, I also suspect whether you have the capability, being just a city-level Guild Master, to teach me! If you won’t do it, I’ll just have to head to the capital to find the Chief of Staff, who surely has better mentors!
Da Fei bowed deeply. "Mr. Guild Master, I believe my aptitude and comprehension are decent, and won’t tarnish the teacher’s reputation. I sincerely hope to receive your guidance, and I wish to formally become your apprentice!"
Jilrien remained silent for a long while.
Da Fei kept bowing, heart pounding wildly, thinking about NPCs backed by the system who could think at lightning speed; there shouldn’t be so much hesitation, right? Maybe he’s just putting on a show for me because he has some unresolved issues with the Mayor, triggered by the unexpected storyline?
Finally, Jilrien sighed heavily. "Alright, being a human and taking the Ranger as a second job is something worth my interest and attention. Over all these years, you are the first human disciple I’ve taken."
—System Prompt: Jilrien, the Ranger Guild Master in Elorin City, has become your Ranger profession mentor!
Oh yes! Success! Getting someone who doesn’t like you to take you on as an apprentice is even more satisfying than being Makar’s easy student!
Da Fei happily exclaimed, "Thank you, Mentor!"
Jilrien shook his head. "Honestly, I don’t have much to teach you, but based on your mention of the profession beyond the Reconnaissance Skill, I can teach you that!"
—System Prompt: You have received the "Kingdom Apprentice Sentinel Introduction Guide" from your mentor Jilrien!
—Kingdom Apprentice Sentinel Introduction Guide: A profession specific to Elf trainees, granting the ability to tame a Reconnaissance Hawk. Learning requirements: Basic-level Ranger, Basic-level Druid.
Da Fei was ecstatic! As expected! There really is this profession! I found the right person! I’ve always said, the iconic move of the Elf Clan is releasing hawks in the forest, and if the Dwarves know this profession, of course, the Elves should be even better at it! Hahaha! Jilrien turns out to be warm-hearted despite his cold exterior, giving such a big gift once I became his disciple!
Da Fei once again bowed deeply and thanked, "Thank you, Mentor!"
Jilrien waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t thank me yet! This profession is primarily military, and normally, it’s not to be disclosed, hence I can only teach you an apprentice role for training soldiers. Apprentice professions can’t improve your professional attribute point bonuses, so you must understand it yourself!"
What? No attribute points from a secondary profession? That’s too weak!
Da Fei hurriedly asked, "How can I comprehend it then?"
Jilrien shook his head. "I don’t know about sentinels from other races, but the Elf Kingdom’s sentinels are based on developing the Ranger and Druid professions. If you can improve your Ranger Level, I can naturally improve your Sentinel Level. Once you become a formal sentinel, you can receive the professional attribute bonus."
Da Fei’s heart skipped a beat, improving the Ranger Level? Didn’t Taranna mention going to his hometown?
Da Fei quickly said, "Thank you, Mentor, for your guidance. How do I tame the Reconnaissance Hawk?"
Jilrien shook his head. "Being human, I find it hard to believe you can communicate normally with avian species. I don’t think normal taming methods will work for you, so it depends on whether you’re willing to pay a price." After speaking, he took out the Blood Eagle Flute Da Fei had just returned.
Da Fei asked in surprise, "What do you mean, Mentor?"
Jilrien seriously said, "Using your bloodline as a guide, support a Spiritual Eagle, but the price is your Life Value will decrease by 100 points! As the Spiritual Eagle grows, your Life Value will also decrease!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian.com or mobile site m.qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)