Professor Lichtenstein looked to be the type of person obsessed with history. He looked like the typical nerdy hermits who would know everything about a specific niche topic that was thought to have been lost in history.
What kind of discovery are they talking about?
Michael couldn't help but be curious about whatever Professor Lichtenstein was interested in. Perhaps, it was something that he too would like to know.
So, he secretly brought out his Drone and piloted it to fly closer to the professor and the three Werewolves right next to him.
The Drone's surface flickered, with its individual hexagonal shapes slowly becoming more and more transparent as they took on the exact color and light intensity of their environment, effectively turning it invisible.
Of course, there was still the problem of the propellers making too much noise to be stealthy, but he already had a solution to that by shrinking it to a size that can fit squarely on his palms.
At this size, the propeller's noise would be reduced to a mere buzzing sound that could only be heard in a few meters.
Still, there could be a chance in which the Werewolves had a distinct sense of hearing that surpassed that of humans. After all, that was what Werewolves were famous for back in his previous life.
The Werewolves still looked human and had mortal characteristics for the most part, but he still didn't want to risk it.
He decided to submerge the Drone underground, making use of the [Phase-Through] upgrade that he purchased a while back.
As soon as the Drone sank into the soil beneath his feet, the buzzing sound practically turned nonexistent. The deeper he went with the Drone, the more stealthier it became.
He didn't go too deep though, as he too wouldn't be able to hear the conversations between Professor Lichtenstein and the people next to
him.
Once he was directly under the professor, he slowly ascended the Drone, he finally picked up on the sounds above him.
"I can't be late for this meeting. Tell your patriarch that I appreciate his hospitality, but I cannot stay here for much longer. I must leave. I'm so close to finally discovering the history of modern humans," Professor Lichtenstein said, looking haggard.
"The Patriarch insists. He greatly values your insight in Werewolf history," said one of the tanned 'humans' next to him.
For a brief moment, he could hear a sound of a low growl emanating from the humans.
It didn't look like it was on purpose, but rather a product of their nature as half man, half wolf.
"Don't you get it?" the professor asked, grabbing his hair passionately. "We can finally find out what happened in the Ancient Era-why we lost our ability to wield all eight elements!"
Michael was shocked as he heard the professor's passionate words.
If what he said was true, then his impatience definitely made a lot of sense. If he was in the same position, he wouldn't have even bothered with honorifics and would have teleported away without a second thought.
The professor seemed to have been searching for the lost history that separated the Ancient Era to the modern one.
And it seemed that he was finally close to getting an answer-an answer to why humans lost the ability to use...
"...unity...," Michael muttered to himself.
As soon as he said that, the professor turned his head towards the group of humans in the distance.
His eyes were searching for someone, with insanity almost reflected in his irises.
But a couple of moments later, he shook his head.
"Look, I must be getting crazy because of my impatience. I'm sorry, but I must go now," Professor Lichtenstein said, pulling on the rucksack on his back and turning away from the persistent Werewolves. He wasn't entertaining any of their arguments and kept on walking.
Seeing this, Michael had an intense urge to follow after him.
Whatever the professor was about to discover, he wanted to discover as well.
He and all the Rebornians he awakened were the only ones who could wield Unity. If somehow the professor figured out the truth about its mystery, then maybe he could find out why the bratty Goddess gave him this power when he reincarnated.
He quickly turned around and followed after the professor. He didn't even hesitate.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Brock asked him.
"I'm sorry, but I have something more important to attend to," he
replied.
Brock then pointed behind him. "But look! The Brownblood Tribe has finally shown themselves. They're ready to announce the
competition!"
Behind him, a group of tanned and muscular men, all wearing only loinclothes in their lower body.
These were the Werewolves of the Brownblood Tribe.
They had numerous black and red tattoos chiseled on their faces,
neck, and chests, symbolizing their strength within the tribe.
The one with the most tattoo on his body, a man with a square jaw and a feathered hairdress, walked up and greeted the humans in front
of him.
"May the moon be with you!"
The Werewolves looked at the humans with anticipation.
"...may-may the moon be also with you!" Brock hurriedly said,
performing an awkward bow.
Once he did that, the other humans followed his lead.
"That is how the Werewolves greet each other," Brock whispered to
Michael.
Only then did the Werewolf wearing the feathered headdress nodded
in satisfaction.
"I am Lupan, Chief and Patriarch of the Brownblood Tribe. I have come here in search of a great warrior, one that will be worth enough
to serve alongside us in this territory!"
Lupan's words brought excitement to many people looking for this
exact opportunity.
If they became of service to the Brownblood Tribe, then the potential
business ventures and Sand Dollar salaries that they could earn could set them up for a lifetime!
"However. Only those blessed by the moon shall be allowed in our
tribes."
The other Werewolves beside Lupan crossed their arms on their chests and glared at the humans in front of them.
A subtle wolf's howl emanated from their bodies, followed by an invisible shockwave of pressure that brought up a gust of wind that blew towards the humans.
This was a test. Those who flinched would know to themselves that this competition was above their level.
A few people dejectedly turned around and left, with their bodies still
shivering from fear.
Brock looked shaken, but he was still able to stand still and face the Werewolves with conviction.
"Good," Lupan praised. "We value humans who show great talent with the sword, one that could cut even the toughest of hides.
We are not looking for mediocre. We only want the best. Therefore
you humans must prove yourselves to be worthy by besting other humans of your level in a duel."
Brock inwardly celebrated as he heard that. "Did you hear that Michael? They're searching for swordsmen! It's going to be a tournament that I have a chance to win in!"
But contrary to Brock and the rest of the humans around him,
Michael was way too caught up in another thing to be excited at this revelation.
He was in a dilemma.
Should he follow Professor Lichtenstein, or should he pursue the chance to make a connection with the Werewolves?