Hunters: The Prequel - Chapter 244

“Excuse me, 1st elder. What do you mean when you say that the tested may occupy another body? Aren’t we in charge of everything that has to do with the tests?” one of the many fairies asked the question that was on the minds of all the others.

“It is exactly as I said. Although we control the tests, that is only true for the first seven difficulty levels, and that is why we usually do not bother to inform you about the other four” the 1st elder was particularly patient and didn’t mind the constant interruptions. Rather, he revealed why the other four levels were hidden from the fairies.

“For the first seven difficulty levels, we can choose the setting and starting point, as well as the tested’s goal in order to pass the test. But for the other seven, the Dreamscape takes total control of their test administration process.”

“If that is the case, should we really have a lower ranked fairy handling the affairs of such a character?” one of the fairies asked. The Dreamscape was a virtual universe, but it also possessed its own will. The fairies knew this because although they were invited here by Odin, the Allfather only did so after approval from the Dreamscape’s Will. The Will maintained the Dreamscape and was basically their superior. So in other words, the Dreamscape’s Will was their boss.

Mane’s fairy’s heart grew cold at the mention of the topic she very much wanted to avoid. As the 1st elder revealed more and more about the secret of the difficulty levels, she feared that her position would be lost. After all, for a race that took ranks very seriously, there was no way they were going to allow a lower ranked fairy to handle a talent of Mane’s caliber. They needed a better fairy for that, and the reason was simple.

“I am of the opinion that his chaperone should be changed. We need to show our utmost sincerity to the boy” one of the elders was quick to suggest a replacement for Mane’s fairy. This was the reason why they needed a better fairy. Although the Dreamscape was a separate dimension, the fairies who dwelt here had the ability to travel between universes. They wouldn’t give up the chance to go under the wing of a person with Mane’s level of talent.

Actually, there was something the elders had hidden from them. A person’s talent wasn’t fixed when they were young. Rather, a person’s talent was set in stone after they passed their teenage years. The fairies had always attended to tested who were young a.d.u.l.ts, and usually between the ages of 21 and 35. They had never handled such a young talent like Mane, so they didn’t know that it was possible for Mane’s talent to reach the highest level – Origin – by the time he was twenty. The only person in the universe who was destined to have such a bright future was the Supreme. Although the possibility was low, the elders believed that the boy was possibly the 7th Supreme. And even if he wasn’t, he was still a talent they could befriend. After all, the Allfather’s fate wasn’t kind. It was believed that he would fall in the final war. The fairies were looking for someone else to depend on if the Allfather indeed fell on the day of Ragnarok.

“I also believe that a new chaperone must be chosen. Perhaps, someone from the higher rank, or even an elder” one of the elders chimed in. Before long, several elders, with the exception of the 1st and 5th elder had agreed to replace Mane’s chaperone. However, the Fairy King was silent. He hadn’t given his opinion yet. As for Mane’s fairy, she despaired as her ticket to increasing her rank in the shortest possible time, Mane, was slowly pulled from her grasp.

“Enough” the haughty voice of the Fairy King silenced the murmurs of the fairies. “You have no right to make his decision for him. Am I wrong, Mane, Son of Ray?”

At the words of the Fairy King, the fairies looked down at where their King stared. There was a small ripple in that space, and the figure that had been hidden until now, revealed himself.

“How did you get here?” one of the elders asked in shock.

Mane smirked and tied his long blond hair behind him. “I followed her of course” he replied and pointed at his fairy.

“Impossible. Even if you have immeasurable potential, you are only at the earth realm. It isn’t possible for you to follow her speed” Another elder was quick to refuse Mane’s explanation. Several fairies acknowledged his words. It was true that while the fairy was lower ranked, her speed couldn’t be matched by Mane.

“I put a mark on her the first time we met. You see, we scholars have several means” Mane smiled and replied. He kept his gaze fixed on the Fairy King and two of the elders – the 1st and the 5th elders. They were the only ones who noticed that Mane was here. Mane assumed that they were the best of the fairies gathered here.

“Be quiet” the 1st elder finally spoke. Although he didn’t have the prestige of the Fairy King, the fairies were silenced all the same.

“So, what do you say, Mane, Son of the Brute King?” the Fairy King asked once again.

“I don’t need a new chaperone. I quite like this one. She’s cute. Plus, I can’t stand the superior attitude you fairies have deeply engraved in your bones. My pride as a godling wouldn’t allow it” Mane coldly remarked. His words caused many of the fairies to seethe with rage, but one of them shared a very different emotion.

‘He chose me!’ Mane’s fairy screamed elatedly in her mind. She totally ignored the annoyed looks of her superiors.

“Come to think of it, I still don’t know your name” Mane smacked his lips in mock disbelief and said.

“It’s Hildegarde, Sir” Mane’s fairy spoke very politely, much to his discomfort.

“Just call me Mane. Let’s go. I want to take my test” Mane ignored the angry fairies. He patted his shoulder to indicate to his chaperone to sit there, and walked out. His fairy looked to the Fairy King and was about to ask if it was okay when he read her mind and nodded his head, “Go. He chose you”. At his words, she happily flew out and landed on Mane’s shoulder.

“This is unacceptable. Such disrespect to the Fairy King must not be tolerated!” one of the fairies screamed once Mane disappeared. If it wasn’t because of the restriction that bound them, it would have attacked Mane when he was still here.

“Shut up if you value your life” a cold voice resounded. The blabbering fairy looked to the originator of the voice. It was the 6th elder.

“Right now, he is being personally attended to by the Dreamscape’s Will. We aren’t on his level. We who serve the Dreamscape couldn’t possibly hope to go against him. Basically, he is above us in terms of hierarchy.” The 4th elder chimed in. The noisy fairies were silenced by his words. They respected hierarchy, and finally understood why their elders had remained calm after the insolence the boy had shown. But the words the Fairy King spoke shortly after the 4th elder had spoken, caused their blood to run cold.

“Also, you would do well to remember that he isn’t just related to the Allfather. He is of direct descent: Grandson to the Thunder God Thor, and Great Grandson to the Allfather Odin. His father, Ray, is the son of The Olympian King, Zeus, and is rumored to be capable of matching the Thunder God in one on one combat. Tell me, which of you is willing to trade your lives for your petty pride?”