Hearing Faulerei's final reminder, Valyr and the other three looked at each other in confusion, wondering whether what they had heard was correct. From what they could recall, and from what they had been told all this time, the inheritance would only accept candidates that were at the peak of Rank 2 at most.
Yet, the elder from the Imperial Production Guild was telling them to ascend to the next rank as soon as possible? Was he telling them to ascend right now?
"Elder Faulerei, I apologize for asking." Wanting to know why the elder had blurted it out all of a sudden, Hal decided to ask him in the stead of others. "If I remember correctly, the reason why we've limited ourselves to the peak of Rank 2 is so that we could enter the inheritance, right?"
Looking at Hal, Faulerei nodded in response. "That is correct."
"Since that's the case, wouldn't ascending to the next class rank sound counterintuitive?" At those words, a great part of the group nodded in agreement. After all, as far as they knew, entering the Four Pillars' Inheritance could only be done before the candidate has ascended to Rank 3.
Fortunately, at that moment, the elder's words clicked in some of the people's minds, finally understanding what he was trying to say. Seeing that, Faulerei flashed a wry smile as he continued to look at Hal. "It seems you've misinterpreted my words."
"I'm not asking you four to ascend to Rank 3 right now," said Faulerei. "I'm asking you four to ascend after you've entered the inheritance."
"Ahh…" Thankfully, with those words, the four finally understood. Inferring from what the elder had told them, they only needed to be at the peak of Rank 2 to enter the inheritance proper. However, once they got in, the strength limit did not matter anymore, allowing them to ascend to the next class rank without a problem.
Then, with a greater level of strength, they would be able to explore more of the inheritance and obtain more out of it.
"Aside from what you might be thinking, ascending within the inheritance also increases the abysmal concentration of mana within the inheritance by a considerable degree." Giving the four and the others time to think, Faulerei faintly nodded with a slight smile. "As we continue having more people enter the inheritance, the concentration of ambient mana within the inheritance will eventually be equal to the concentration of ambient mana here."
"In any case, I have told you four everything you need to be reminded of." Feeling like now was time for the four to enter, Faulerei started to walk off the large stone wheel at the center, causing the golden energy within the structure to start moving. Within seconds, the golden energy within the stone wheels at the structure's periphery made their way to the stone gate, gradually opening a rift as more and more golden energy was absorbed by the gate.
"To the four of you, I wish you all the best of luck and a bountiful harvest." Standing where the four's escorts and the reconnaissance teams were, the old man looked at the rift with a wide grin as he watched the four gradually make their way into the rift.
However, just as the first person among the four was about to enter the rift…
"Wait a second!" All of a sudden, everyone in the area looked in the direction of the voice, with some of them becoming slack-jawed at the sight of the two people that had arrived.
"Imperial Alchemist!" Faulerei was the first one to recognize one of the two people that had arrived, giving them a respectful half-bow as the two gradually landed on the clearing before the structure. "Might I ask what brings you and your apprentice here?"
"What else if not for the Four Pillars' Inheritance?" Hearing the question directed at her, Mystia let out a bit of laughter as she wrapped her arms around the shoulders of the one she brought along. "I plan on having my apprentice here join the four right there in their exploration of the inheritance. Would that be fine with you, Faulerei?"
At those words, Faulerei slightly frowned. "Your apprentice, Vera?"
Looking at the young woman that had accompanied Mystia, the old man felt like she could not match even the weakest among the four chosen candidates in terms of strength. However, after looking at her for a while, he eventually felt a mysterious aura passively emanating from her body, causing his eyes to widen in surprise as it felt familiar.
'Why does she has a similar aura to the Imperial Alchemist?' asked Faulerei himself, wracking his brain to come up with a plausible answer. Though, in the end, he let out a low sigh, nodding as he gestured for Vera to join the other four.
"I may not be sure as to what might happen if five people were to enter the inheritance," said Faulerei. "However, considering that we've attempted to have multiple people enter the inheritance in the past and all of them left unscathed, your apprentice can tag along."
Hearing that Vera could join in, a wide smile swiftly appeared on Mystia's face. "Don't worry, Faulerei. I'll make it up to you once all of them have returned from the inheritance."
"If that's what the Imperial Alchemist wishes to do, then I shall express my sincerest gratitude in advance." Though he was inwardly ecstatic at obtaining her favor, Faulerei made sure to not show it on the outside, shifting his attention on the five that would enter the inheritance.
'Vera's joining us, huh.' Seeing Vera walk up to them, Valyr shifted his attention towards Mystia, who noticed the young man looking at her. Winking at him with a slight grin, she swiftly returned her attention back to Elder Faulerei while Valyr tried to understand what she meant by her sudden gesture.
'Ah, whatever.' In the end, the young man decided to put those thoughts to the side for the meantime, returning his attention on the rift in front of him. As they had to go through the rift one by one, Valyr decided to be the last to enter, having Vera go before him.
However, just as Valyr's turn to enter the rift had arrived, a notification sound had resounded in his mind. Taking a look at what notification he had received, he looked at Mystia once more as various expressions briefly appeared on his face.
'What are you planning?' Faintly scratching the back of his head at the notification he had received, he had decided to put the thought to the side for the meantime as well, finally entering the rift that would lead them to the inheritance.
