Marvin and Aurora spent four days in the hotel. At night they returned to their room to sleep and by day they practiced in the underground training ground. During this time new mercenaries came by, drawn by reputation, and challenged them one after another – only to be mercilessly beaten. There was nothing to it. With Marvin's prowess as a professional, dealing with these mercenary NPCs who were not even Level 1 was a walk in the park.

  Aurora's absorption of the Sanguine's Thirst trait advanced greatly during these days. Though she still did not understand why Marvin accepted these mercenary challenges (did he himself harbor undeveloped extraordinary power that needed to be transformed into physical strength through combat?) since Marvin never explained, she asked no questions and quietly sorted through the combat insights she had learned.

  One morning, Marvin went to the blacksmith shop and picked up the custom-made chainmail. Aurora tried on the all-steel ring chainmail and, looking at herself in the mirror, felt it did not suit her appearance.

  "If you find it unattractive, you can wear a dyed cotton cuirass over it," Marvin said. "Like the one I wear."

  "Just wear a black robe over it and it will be fine," Aurora replied. "No need to spend more money."

  "Let's go," Marvin said.

  At the underground training ground, many mercenaries had already gathered early in the morning. Soon the training area filled with cries of pain and muffled groans as challengers were thrown or knocked to the ground. In no time, the arena was empty of fighters, leaving only the onlookers staring at one another in disbelief.

  Marvin approached a female warrior. This young woman had not only been the first to volunteer for a sparring match but had also been the most persistent challenger in recent days. At this moment she lay on the ground once again, clutching her abdomen and moaning heavily as if unable to stand.

  "I am curious," Marvin said in a relaxed tone. "In the past few days, my strikes have been rather heavy. For instance, the mercenaries who fought yesterday were injured so badly that none have stepped forward today. Yet you seem unaffected, coming out to challenge me every day. Are your injuries not a problem?"

  "They are not," the female warrior shook her head. "I have a friend who heals me every day."

  "Let me guess," Marvin said, "a professional healer? Ordinary doctors do not have the ability to accelerate wound recovery."

  "Military nun," she replied frankly.

  "Very good," Marvin said as he squatted beside her. "I plan to form a team, but at the moment it is only you and me. We are missing a melee tank, a mage, and a healer. From my observations these days, I sense great potential in you. You are well suited to develop as a tank."

  "A tank?" the female warrior asked, puzzled. "You mean someone who takes the hits?"

  "An excellent defender not only knows how to ensure their own survival but also strives to protect their comrades behind them," Marvin explained. "This requires a defender with a resilient will, a good sense of the big picture, and a steady, cautious character. I believe you have that potential."

  "So you want to recruit me for your team?" she asked, now understanding.

  "Not only you," Marvin replied, "but also your friend. An outstanding healer is an indispensable role in any team since injuries in battle are inevitable. I do not want a doctor who only shines in a hospital operating room with fancy equipment. I want someone who, on a bloody battlefield, in remote wild mountains or deep, dark underground ruins, can perform emergency treatment with limited tools. That role must be found among mercenaries."

  "Recruiting me is no problem," the female warrior shrugged. "As for my friend, she is not very interested in fighting, but …"

  She coughed and continued, "You could mention things like 'remote wild mountains' or 'deep dark underground ruins.' She is very fascinated by those ideas."

  "Very well," Marvin said, understanding her hint. Her friend was nothing more than an adventure enthusiast.

  "Your name?" Marvin extended a hand.

  "My name is Alice Edelweiss," the female warrior said as she grasped his wrist and stood up. "My surname comes from my father. He is a lord of the Holy Pendragon Empire. But my given name was chosen by a devout Xiris ascetic passing by."

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  "Your father must admire ancient Xiris culture very much," Marvin said. "Otherwise he would not have given his daughter a Xiris name."

  "No," she shook her head. "He was on a pilgrimage to the emperor when he happened to see Empress Theresa. He was utterly enchanted. You know, before she married Emperor Otto, Empress Theresa was a princess of the Eastern Pendragon Empire. So he immediately fell madly in love with everything of the Eastern Pendragon culture. He even decreed that the castle maids must greet him with in Xiris language every day."

  "I hope he does not become interested in my Xiris name," Marvin joked lightly as he shook her hand. "My name is Marvin Fontaine. And this is Miss Aurora."

  "Hello, Marvin," Alice said politely with a nod. "Hello, Aurora."

  The three walked out toward the training ground. The onlookers, far enough away, did not catch their conversation. When they saw that the female warrior and the master were leaving together, they realized that the true reason Marvin had been sparring with challengers was to recruit members (whether to join his team or become disciples remained uncertain). Immediately, a gloomy mood spread over the training ground. Especially those mercenaries who had been injured in recent days and had stayed off the field now rued, wishing they could smash their swords in frustration.

  After leaving the underground training ground, it was already midday and the sun overhead was scorching. Alice removed her helmet and faceplate, tying them around her waist so that her breathing became easier. Her true face was that of a mature beauty of Jamanni descent, radiant, with cascades of golden, wavy hair, a high, straight nose, deep-set eyes with sapphire-blue irises, and lips of perfect balance that curved charmingly.

  On forums, such a beautiful NPC was nicknamed "Golden-Headed Persian Cat." Domestic players were more blunt, simply calling her "Oceanic Mare."

  Yet her appearance seemed somewhat familiar – as if she had been seen in a previous game. Marvin only glanced at her and then lowered his head, lost in recollections.

  Alice, noticing that Marvin showed no reaction to her striking looks, felt a quiet relief. She had resolved to inherit her father's castle and title in the future, and so she had come out to travel the continent and hone her martial skills. What troubled her most was being seen as a pretty face rather than a warrior. Many larger mercenary groups were reluctant to accept her because of her feminine identity. If a master of great skill also minded that, she would be left with no choice but to weep in silence.

  Of course, to Marvin with his player mindset, an NPC's gender did not matter. Even if it were a dog, as long as it could fight, it was acceptable!

  "Let me explain my plan for the team," Marvin said casually as they walked. "You all know I intend to form a team. My team's focus is on quality over quantity. Every member must be among the elite. Of course, you two do not yet meet that standard, but you can strive to reach it."

  "We will do our best," Alice and Aurora promised in unison with nods.

  "A small yet elite team can follow a classic triangular model — one who takes the damage, one who dishes out the damage, and one who heals," Marvin continued. "But the triangular model is outdated now. What is in vogue is the golden pentagram. That is, a tank to absorb damage, a mage to control, an attacker to burst damage, a cleric to heal, and a commander to set tactics. With these five roles, a team can handle almost any battle situation."

  "Alice, you will serve as the team's tank, responsible for absorbing damage. I will take command and provide support. Aurora will lead the assault," Marvin summarized. "We will also need a control mage to lure enemies toward the tank. I have already secured a strong candidate for that role. And as for the healer, what is your friend's situation?"

  "She is a college student, the team leader," Alice replied. "She studies at the Pendragon St. Maria Theological Academy, majoring in military nuns. She is due to graduate in the latter half of this year and is currently preparing her thesis."

  Oh, a college student should be easy to handle, Marvin mused. After all, at that age one does not have much exposure to different social circles.

  Following Alice, the group arrived in the core square of Zephandrel, where commercial skyscrapers, large shopping malls, and metro stations lined every street. At the entrance of a luxurious hotel, the expressions on the faces of the other two changed immediately.

  Could this person be that wealthy? The highest-end St. Orie Hotel of Zephandrel, a VIP suite costing ten pounds per day, was the official reception venue for foreign royalty designated by the emperor himself. Who in their right mind, other than an ordinary college student, would be staying here?

  "Marvin," Aurora asked awkwardly, "are you sure this person is easy to handle?"

  "Do not worry," Marvin steadied his nerves. "I have a net worth of a thousand pounds at the very least. I cannot show weakness in this regard."

  (Though he had a thousand pounds, he secretly cursed that he could not afford such a hotel himself.)

  "She is very easy-going," Alice interjected to ease their tension. "Do not worry."

  The group strode into the hotel. The doorman greeted them immediately with a polite expression that hid a trace of wariness. When he recognized Alice, he exhaled in relief.

  "Good day, Miss Alice. Are you here to see Miss Nora?"

  "Yes," Alice nodded. "Is she in her room?"

  "I will inform her private butler," the doorman said with a nod. He moved swiftly to the reception desk, picked up the phone, made a call, and after a brief conversation, hung up. He then returned and said, "Miss Nova has finished breakfast. You may meet her in her reception room. Please follow me."

  "Who exactly is this Nova?" Aurora finally asked. "Is she a great noble?"

  "Her family seems to be in business," Alice said. "I am not sure if they are truly nobility."

  "Then how much salary does she command, Marvin?" Aurora sneered. "Hiring the daughter of a rich merchant as a mercenary? With her allowance she could hire an entire mercenary group."

  "It appears I must win her over with my sincerity," Marvin said half-jokingly. "Do not forget, I am also considered a noble in the empire, even if my family has fallen on hard times."