“Ah~ You’re right. Instead of asking you, I should just ask Miss Miel at the Phoenix Tavern.”

At the mention of Miss Miel, Thuke practically melted. A faint twitch flickered at the corner of Agnes’s eye. Sasha, who noticed the detail, couldn’t guess what he was thinking—but surely he wasn’t jealous? These two didn’t seem to be *that* kind of couple.

“By the way,” Tina’s voice refocused everyone’s attention, “let me formally ask: what are all your current ranks?”

Agnes took the lead. “High-tier Martial Artist, Earth Rank.”

“High-tier Martial Artist, Mystery Rank,” Thuke raised his hand next, then grumbled reluctantly, “Miss Agnes is actually one minor realm above me—how infuriating!”

*Aren’t you the one who claims not to care about ranks?* Roland muttered inwardly, then added aloud, “Sasha and I are both Mortal Rank.”

Celestial, Earth, Mystery, Mortal—the Mortal Rank was naturally the most basic. Yet Roland never believed raw power alone could crush an opponent even one minor realm lower. Skill and strategy mattered. Over the years, he’d defeated Mystery Rank foes using unconventional tactics.

Still… leveling up sooner *was* the easier path. Roland had to admit that.

“Also Mortal Rank.”

Xue Die replied without looking up from her handheld console. Though utterly focused on her game character, she’d clearly absorbed every word of the meeting—including Thuke and Agnes’s earlier bickering. Sasha even caught a fleeting smile on her lips.

“Celestial Rank,” Autumnwater said with modesty, “though I only reached it this month. The realm isn’t stable yet.”

His humility felt genuine. Roland knew wolves in sheep’s clothing existed—polished on the outside, hollow within. But Autumnwater radiated the calm reliability of a trustworthy adult. If forced to pick a partner from the group, Roland would choose him. *Though honestly… better to pick no one. First impressions lie.*

“I’m Celestial Rank too. So our realms are practically on the same starting line.”

Miss Tina’s words left Roland speechless. Technically, as fellow High-tier Martial Artists across the five major tiers, yes—they stood on one line. But in minor realms? The gap was heaven and earth. Roland had zero confidence beating a Celestial Rank fighter right now.

“Now… onto mages.”

Agnes steered the topic back, expression turning serious.

“‘Mage’ is the unified term. Long ago, over eighty element-based classes existed—clerics, wizards, spirit callers, word mages… But after the unification of the four races of gods and demons, all element-wielders are simply called mages. Only ranks differ.

The base rank: Elemental Apprentice. Online, they’re jokingly dubbed ‘outlaws beyond the law’—too many injuries from clumsy magic, and the Public Trial Bureau’s rulings stay murky. Hence the sarcastic nickname twisting ‘fa’ (law) in ‘mage.’

Mid-tier: Elemental Envoy. Often teased as ‘vegetarians.’

High-tier: Archmage. Call someone a ‘carnivore’? That’s them—just the counterpart to ‘vegetarian.’

Above that: National Archmage. Blessed by kingdoms and empires. Far stronger than standard Archmages, and can cast one designated spell instantly, no incantation.

Beyond lie the [Archmage Emperor] and [Celestial Emperor].

…Ranks irrelevant to us for now.”

“I can’t use magic!” Thuke shot his hand up. “Zero talent. Telling me this is pointless.”

“At least hearing ‘Celestial Emperor’ should make you run for your life,” Agnes shot back smoothly.

“Vegetarian.”

“I’m also a vegetarian.” Autumnwater shrugged with a faint smile.

“Magic should at least include basic healing. Outside fights rarely kill you outright—it’s blood loss or infected wounds. Healing magic saves lives. Even speeding scab formation slashes mortality.”

*Clearly aimed at Thuke… though whether he’d get it was doubtful.*

“I’m an Elemental Apprentice. My brother Roland is an Elemental Envoy.” Sasha avoided the online nicknames—they felt disrespectful to ancestral knowledge.

Agnes continued: “Miss Tina and I are both Elemental Envoys. The leap to Archmage isn’t just power accumulation—it demands solidified experience.”

“Exactly,” Tina added, tone shifting slightly at “magic,” then catching herself. “Mages carry heavier theory than martial artists. Bodies can memorize strikes, but mages must memorize formulas, adapt them to weather, and counter elemental volatility with mature tactics.” She pivoted sharply. “So—now that ranks are clear—I give you all a ‘main quest.’”

“Main quest?!” Xue Die jolted upright, head snapping up.

The group exchanged baffled glances. *What task could she possibly assign now?*

“Relax. Simple and direct.” Tina scanned every face, then raised her right hand, index finger extended.

“I hope everyone here—including myself—becomes a Deity… within ten years.”

…

Silence was inevitable.

Even Roland blinked, doubting his ears.

But she’d said it.

*Become a Deity in ten years.*

What *was* a Deity?

Step into the Third Ring, and you’d see.

A Deity was true power incarnate.

The mortal martial peak [Sage]? The mortal mage pinnacle [Celestial Emperor]?

Before a Deity, they were ants.

Deities gathered legions of followers, forged worlds, ignited divine flames, molded life from clay.

*That* was sacred. Inviolable.

Even Roland felt awe.

“D-did I hear that wrong?!” Thuke voiced the room’s shock.

“Become a Deity in ten years? Life isn’t a game—you can’t cheat!”

“But *you*… can do it.” Tina’s gaze held no trace of jest.

“For this new organization to truly function… becoming a Deity is merely the beginning.”