Chương 19: Return of the Knight

It took a week for Cliff to return home. He didn't come back on some champion stallion either, but riding the wind, flying the entire way from the northern plains. Ember was playing with mana under his favourite tree and was the first one to notice. He shot towards him immediately, calling after him. Cliff noticed his figure, swooped down to scoop him into his arms, and took to the air.

"You can fly now!" Ember himself seemed more joyous than the person with the actual skill.

"You like my new skill, don't you?" Ember nodded vigorously. The wind slapped against his cheeks, yet he yelled, "Faster! Go faster!"

"As you wish." Shielding him with a layer of mana, Cliff took him higher into the sky and circled the clan's territory a couple of times before finally descending into their yard. The feeling was already so exhilarating that Ember didn't want him to stop, but he also had so many questions.

"Did you get a dedicated Flight skill after achieving silver class?" Ember asked.

"How much mana does it cost? What other skills did you get? Wait, what is the name of your new class?"

"Slow down, son. I don't even know the answers to some of your questions. Anyway, you can ask me all about it after we find your mother and sister."

"Rain is currently at the academy," Ember said. After his sister's class ascension, his father had enrolled her in Seynhold Academy, where she'd learn all about her class and be trained in basic and intermediate skills. As for his mother, Ember turned his head to find his mum coming out of the house with a bright smile on her lips.

"You have returned!" Unfortunately, it wasn't just her who caught wind of his father's arrival. Within the week, news of his advancement to silver class had already spread throughout the clan and beyond. Many even saw him flying with Ember and came swiftly to congratulate him. Over the last few days, there had been more than a few who came bearing gifts. The most notable were Brook Blackstone, along with his son Talon. He came to congratulate and apologise for his son's unruly behaviour towards Ember.

The boy seemed far too reluctant for the apology to feel sincere. Ultimately, Brook had to compensate by giving Ember a wand. It was merely a tier 2 wand, though it came with an unstructured wind spell. Still, he'd likely get a handsome amount of iron crowns by exchanging it. It might even be enough to get him a Tier 3 wand if he added all of his savings. Anyhow, after the news broke, more and more kids came to flock around him. There were only so many Silver Class knights in the entire city, after all.

A silver class carried considerable weight anywhere in the world. Not only for its superior abilities and skills, but it also added another lifetime to the ascendant's lifespan. His father still looked in his late twenties, and Ember presumed he'd appear so for the next couple of decades. As many people dispersed after congratulating him, only Aunt Zephyr remained to remind his father of the ball his grandfather would be throwing in a couple of days.

"Tell Father there is no need for it," Cliff said.

"Nonsense," Zephyr said, ruffling her younger brother's hair, which only earned her a glare.

"We only see one or two Silver classes every year, and rarely any who can match your esteem. Not celebrating it will only make it seem like we don't value you at all. Besides, Father has already invited many well-renowned dignitaries from all three bloodline clans and more. It is too late to go back now." Cliff scratched his forehead, feeling a headache coming.

"I really should have kept the knowledge to myself." Finished entertaining guests, everyone went inside, carrying all the bouquets of flowers and gift boxes.

"That reminds me, I brought some gifts as well," Cliff said.

"Let's wait for Rain before we unpack them." It was rather ironic that, despite his father being the reason for the celebration, he was the one to bring presents. Then again, he was the main breadwinner of the house. By the time Rain returned, Ember had already learned more about his father's silver class. It was called Dawn Marshall. Aside from granting him the ability to fly, all his other skills had been significantly enhanced, though the greatest improvements were in his life attunement.

At silver rank, he still would not be able to fully restore a completely severed limb, but he could mend it if it were only half-severed. Rosanna evidently didn't enjoy discussing such grim matters. She was superstitious enough to believe that even talking about them might tempt fate, so she shifted the topic to lighter matters, such as the scuffles between Ember and the other children. This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

Although Ember hadn't shared many details, his mother was livid when she learned of it from Rain. His father, on the other hand, was the calmest person he knew, though a frown crept onto his brows as he said, "I'll take care of it" in a level tone. Hopefully, he didn't mean he'd go and beat up whoever was at fault. Ember swiftly changed the topic to swordsmanship and his other skills when Rain came bursting in. Judging by her appearance, she had likely sprinted all the way from school.

Although they lived at the centre of Seynhold, the academy was still a good distance away. Cliff began unloading the gifts from his inventory. First was a pair of earrings for Rosanna, enchanted to ward off cold and other ailments. Rain received a white healer's robe, though it looked more like an elegant gown suited for a ball. Of course, it had more uses than simply being pretty. The robe would boost 10 points in her Will and Mystic, allowing greater control over her healing and other magical abilities.

It came with fire-resistance. Seeing such a brilliant enchanted dress, Ember waited eagerly. He would be delighted to have a robe that enhanced his mana skills. His father seemed to have a similar thought in mind, though the present he brought for him was vastly different in shape. It was a bronze ring with a sapphire gem on top. Without the inspection ability, he couldn't determine its properties, and his father was clearly enjoying the suspense.

"Wear it, and you'll see." Ember already had some suspicions, but the moment he wore the ring, an electric spasm seemed to run through his body and mind. [+10 Insight, Mystic.]"Wow," his voice echoed as he began pouring his mana to sense anything within the bronze ring.

"How does this even work?"

"That I can't answer," Cliff said, "though there's another function to this ring." Ember perked up.

"I'll leave it for you to figure it out." His brows wrinkled as he peered at the item.

"It can store mana, isn't it?"

"And here I thought you'd take some more minutes to figure it out." Ember grinned, still pouring his mana to see how much it could store. Unlike Rain's gown, it was a genuine tier 5 item, and Ember could easily tell it was more valuable.

"I love it. Thanks, Dad." Cliff smiled, pinching his cheek.

"Now, that's not the only thing I brought." With a wave of his palm, a small ornate box appeared. Another piece of jewellery? Ember wondered. Cliff placed it in the centre of the table.

"The reason I had to delay my return is somewhat related to this. Come on, open it." Ember took the box, his anticipation already high, but Rain perked up to interject:"It's a skill stone, isn't it?" Cliff smiled, acknowledging her. Ember could not help but glare at her, though his excitement shot through the roof. He had heard of skill stones, though he had never had a chance to see one.

"Now," Cliff said to Rain, "the gem inside might be a little rarer than the Iron healing skill I got you. Don't be too envious, or spite me for it." Unable to contain himself, Ember swiftly opened the box, and a silvery flash of light burst across his face. His breath caught in his chest.

"It can't be!" Rain shouted.

"It's a silver skill. You got him a silver skill!" She shot Ember an envious glare.

"You can't ask me not to be envious after giving him something so valuable!" Cliff let out a forlorn sigh.

"Back in your time, I simply didn't have the means to get you anything higher than iron rank. The next time I get something as good, it will be yours." While they spoke, Ember held up the coin-sized silvery gem in his palm. It exuded a radiant aura and felt cool to the touch. Most surprisingly, a notification appeared before his eyes, dampening his mood. [You do not meet the criteria to acquire the skill.] Of course I know that. Still, he glared at the message.

Skill stones were miraculous items that allowed anyone to learn a skill in mere minutes, but they still required skill slots. For a silver-ranked skill, the requirement was still the same twenty-seven slots.

"I already hired an appraiser, who confirmed it to be a defensive-type skill stone," Cliff explained.

"Of course, there's also a high requirement for mana, which makes it perfect for you."

"A defensive type," Ember muttered.

"How much did this cost?" Cliff's lips curled up.

"Only a few days within a rift." Ember made a face. Could the price be too high that he fears to tell me?

"The actual price is hard to determine, because nobody sane would sell a skill of silver rank or above for mere coins. In warring times, or even in some unlawful places, battles have been fought for a skill of this calibre."

"Now, the requirement for this is a little steep," his father explained, "but it is perfect for you."

"Requirements? There are more than just skill slots?" Ember perked up.

"Of course. In addition to the slots, you will need the mana shaping skill, as well as at least tier 4 in mana foundation." So, give or take, it would take him a couple of years at the very least to meet those requirements. Then there was also the concern of the twenty-seven skill slots. He'd have to be at Tier 5 for that. Despite all those heavy requirements, Ember had already begun imagining the evolution points he could gain from a silver skill. Even a wait of half a decade would be worth it.

Silver skills took decades to master, but he would not need full mastery. Just acquiring the skill would grant him a thousand evolution points. Reaching +4 would yield ten thousand, which alone was over half of the requirement for tier 7. There was also unpredictability in the assimilation, but it would still be a silver skill. Just a few levels in it would significantly improve his chances of reaching silver rank before his class ascension.

Yet, as he felt the cold gem in his palm, Ember suppressed his selfish thoughts for a moment and looked at his father.

"Wouldn't it be better if you took the skill?" He was assigned to the northern plains at all times, fraught with high-ranking demonic creatures and wild beasts. Among the four of them, he had the greatest need for this skill. Cliff only smiled warmly, clearly touched by his concern.

"There is no need. I already have my Knight's Mantle and an Aura Shield class skill. Adding more layers of defence does not help me much. It may even hinder me." He tousled his hair.

"Besides, even if I hadn't come across this skill stone, I would have searched for a compatible silver skill for you. It is nothing less than what you deserve." Ember almost teared up.

"With this, you will have a greater chance at tier 7 before your class ascension," he said.

"In my time, I fell short by a couple of thousand points. I wouldn't want that to happen to you, son."