Chapter 19

"Could we refrain from using nicknames... Honestly..."

Seeing a towering man like Odino looking small from chagrin only made Naell feel awkward.

• That lady over there is liking it, HOOT. •

• Right? •

Owly and Naell couldn't agree more from noticing the snickering Tahina.

As to change the topic, Odino shifted his bulky body of muscles and gazed upon Naell. His scruffy-looking face had small scars that could be associated with his berserker like aura.

"Ahem--- Naell, how's your father?"

"My father is fine. He wanted me to relay his genuine apology for not keeping in touch with you, Guildmaster."

"HAHAHA-! As if! That brat is still the cold one as usual."

"..."

"Still, I more or less expected Sebastian's, but I didn't expect you to get even that couple's recommendation."

"Uncle and Auntie are both decent people." Naell said with a gentle smile.

Odino, of course, heard the rumor of Naell's duel with Andrew and the beating that followed, so jestingly he said,

"Even with what had happened in the PAST?"

Odino's huge grin was a terrifying sight, yet the message behind his words was what Naell was truly fearful of.

Naell's swift reply was just as awkward, even if it was wise.

"PAST experiences are things that one should learn and move on from, HA...hA...ha..."

Odino's sharp gaze and words were sufficient enough to intimidate the young mage.

"Then--- you won't mind meeting THEM?"

Naell was smiling calmly even if his heart was wavering in fear.

"Hence my PASS Guildmaster..."

"HAHAHA-!"

Tahina could only sigh seeing the interaction of the two. As for Owly, the cakes that were served before them were a great distraction at the moment.

"Young master, why do you wish to join the guild?" Tahina was the one who spoke as to divert the conversation.

Of course, it was not common for nobles to apply as adventurers, but it wasn't rare either. Rinca Arigare, the daughter of Duke Mard, even joined the guild with Andrew a few months ago, the reason being the camaraderie between them.

"I long for adventure and companionship?"

Naell's dubious reply made the two of them smile awkwardly. Tahina thought as handsome as the young mage might be, socializing was not one of his priorities. She then asked again,

"Then why apply here at Taglagas? Arigare estate was closer."

They saw Naell's smile crack for a second before returning with the usual cold look. His exaggerated actions with his hands to his heart, were truly a spectacle as he said,

"The same as everyone--- It was my dream to apply in the capital."

"..."

Odino yet again laughed heartily as he thought of something mischievous. He then spoke to stop the shenanigans that would've continued without restraints.

"Ahem. Well Naell, I don't mind passing you here now but..."

"But?" Naell's confused looks were answered with Odino's eyes as he shifted his gaze towards Tahina who understood it quickly.

"As you will, Guildmaster."

With a snap of Tahina's fingers, bright mana engulfed the room. Immediately, the four of them were teleported onto the field of the Adventurer's guild. Owly was left behind and was thankful as the cakes were oh so delicious to ignore.

As to continue, Odino with his grin remaining still, untangled his hammer necklace from his neck. Soon, the hammer grew a meter as the head of the hammer was beaming with silver-like stones that radiated with his black oozing aura.

"But you have to pass my exam! HAHAHA-!"

.

.

.

The field they were transferred onto was a spacious field at the center of the first floor of the Adventurer's guild. The people that were there and some bystanders had already gathered upon seeing the guildmaster.

As the guildmaster of all guilds in the continent, he was rarely seen staying in one place for long. The vice guildmasters were often the ones managing the guild but coincidentally, Odino happened to be in the same place when Andrew and Naell visited Taglagas.

"It is very simple Naell, you just need to stop my hammer from hitting that dummy."

Odino was pointing towards a wooden looking doll that was usually used to examine one's magic or aura.

Naell was glad that the hammer wouldn't be thrown at him. Still, he needed precaution.

"Guildmaster, I do not have the strength to block your hammer."

Upon hearing those words, Odino snickered at him. He misunderstood the cautious face of Naell as mockery. The guildmaster would never dare use more strength, even if he wanted to, as that could destroy the guild itself.

"No worries, I will just use a small amount of my aura."

Upon hearing those words, Naell was now beaming with complacency. He knew he could block it if Odino would use just a little bit of power. He nodded and with a [ poof ] summoned his staff confidently. A surge of mana then scattered around the field.

The onlookers were in awe upon seeing the clear wave of mana emitting from the smiling young mage.

"Please go easy on me..."

Naell then positioned himself in between the dummy and the hammer-wielding guildmaster.

Odino was grinning so hard. His chaotic aura was trying to come out as to respond to his urges. He thought the cheeky young mage infront of him was trying to make the so-called JACKhammer retaliate with his full power.

"HAHAHA-! Here I go---!"

With a huge circular swing, Odino's left arm was pumped with muscular veins as he threw the obnoxiously huge hammer towards the wooden dummy.

The onlookers felt the bravery of the young mage who would be going toe to toe with the guildmaster's might. Even Tahina thought Naell was more handsome and cool at that moment.

Little did she know, it was Naell’s intention.

His plan was to simply hit the hammer with his staff to look cool. He would then use his ice magic upon impact and freeze the hammer to look way cooler. He knew completely that it was a foolish thing to do, but as childish as it might seem, he was still a man who would grab the opportunity to look awesome once in a while.

The collision between the chaotic hammer and the mana filled staff generated a brilliant, light explosion of black and white.

Then again, a cool Naell was still a fearful Naell. His nerves took over as the collision got longer, so instead of freezing it, he unconsciously made a blunder.

Naell instead of using his ice magic used the spatial teleportation within the guild. The heated collision of his staff and Odino's hammer ended with a [ POOF ] as the hammer suddenly teleported above the guildmaster.

"..."

The speed should not have been too much for the likes of Odino, but with his dumbfounded face, his hammer traveled straight down his head.

*thump*

.

.

.

All the guild members, most of all, the employees, knew that the teleportation magic that was constructed in the guild was impossible to perform if you weren't an employee. Even then, not all employees could do it since it was complex magic.

Odino, with all of his experience, did not foresee Naell's actions. Moreso, anyone including Tahina wouldn't either.

Naell knew having a huge hammer fall on one's head would surely be painful, even if that someone was a renowned martial artist. Soon enough, a bump on Odino's head was slightly forming.

The onlookers that were baffled were already getting a grip on reality as murmurs began to spread.

Yet like them, Naell was also shocked. He was confident that the old man would have been able to grab it before it could land onto him.

Seeing each of their puzzled looks, Tahina was the first one to speak. There was no doubt she was curious, but her professionalism took hold of her.

"...If it is okay, let's move to another venue."

Naell nodded, his face blatantly showing concern for the old man.

"Guildmaster, let us go..."

Tahina's words woke Odino who was still a tad late with his reply.

"Ah... right."

Upon grabbing his hammer, the three with Tahina's magic teleported away from the field.