Supreme Archer: Taking The Game's Weakest Class To The Top

"Yer will be able to meet Minerva," Aaron said as he caressed his long beard.

Jake didn't expect to hear the good news so soon! He thought that Minerva would be so busy that she'd send someone else to speak with Aaron and Viktor on her behalf, then decide about their request down the line.

Such a fast response meant she was undoubtedly against Viktor's house's downfall.

Viktor crossed his arms.

He leaned against the wall.

"The old hag said that you'll help her deal with a troublesome fellow," Viktor said.

"A troublesome fellow?" Jake repeated, confused.

Who could trouble the imperial mage that even The Emperor himself respected? It was something that even Viktor inwardly pondered about, as he couldn't imagine Minerva having any problems.

She came in anywhere she wanted and imposed her views on everyone.

That was Viktor's image of Minerva.

Master Aaron said, "As mysterious as it is, yer couldn't have expected to take her time without any price. We mentioned that yer wants to see her magic to work on yer inspiration for a bow, but that didn't change anything. She knows yer wouldn't want to see her for no reason, so we can only trust her judgment."

Jake chuckled, "It's fine. I understand this much. I'll see what I can do. We must do our best not to disappoint Mrs. Minerva for all her help so far."

He was also interested in that troublesome fellow and what his meeting with him would entail.

Since NPCs in Legend Enigma Online lived their own lives, Jake had to make an exception to his schedule. He decided to skip his college on the day he'd meet Minerva—all for a greater cause!

The said day had arrived faster than Jake had expected.

-

Jake was told to wait for Minerva at Last Night's main gate.

He didn't expect to meet someone so grand here… it was like waiting for friends to head out to level up or for a quest.

Jake stared at players going in and out.

It was so early in the morning, yet Legend Enigma Online had so many players eagerly logging in at this hour to have lots of fun. A few sleepyheads unconsciously rubbed their eyes, though.

"Greetings, Archer," an old voice flew into Jake's ear.

It jolted him awake.

He turned around and noticed an old woman strolling toward him. Every resident of The Warmonger Empire greeted her as she went past them, to which the grandma replied with a faint smile and a nod.

She stopped before Jake.

"Good morning, Mrs. Minerva," Jake replied. "Thank you for taking in me today! I'll do my best to help you with that troublesome fellow, whoever that might be."

Minerva smiled at him like a grandma would.

She said, "I count on you. The troublesome fellow is a descendant of my house whom I teach about magic. She's The Emperor's youngest scion—Elizabeth. The problem is that our Elizabeth is a little too naughty and doesn't put sufficient work into her lessons. It troubles me, but I must have a weak spot for her. She's such an adorable kid."

It was Minerva's duty to teach Elizabeth about magic, but she loved Elizabeth so much that she never considered it her work. She'd spend more time with her were it not for her duties.

Jake smiled, "Haha! Viktor thought so much about the person who could trouble Mrs. Minerva! He was so curious about it that he looked like a demon about to slaughter an army as he thought about it. Yet, it turns out it's a lovely kid who turns Mrs. Minerva into a simple grandma who is a troublesome fellow!"

"Your read of him is spot-on. How's he doing?" Minerva asked.

"Master Aaron told me that Viktor has begun practicing archery again. I haven't had time to see his skills yet, and I don't want much of his style to influence me. That said, I think I've developed strong enough to take a few glances at high-level archery before getting influenced by it. We're working to keep The Bow Household."

"You have my thanks," Minerva said stoically and calmly. Inwardly, she was much more thankful to Jake.

"I haven't done much! There's no need," Jake smiled.

"Your presence has given Viktor hope. This child might have crumbled had it not been for you," Minerva said before curving her lips into a much softer smile. We didn't come here to talk about him. Shall we meet Elizabeth?"

"Yes!" Jake nodded.

"Before that…" Minerva raised her hand and pointed her index at Jake. She channeled mana through an orb hidden in her sleeve and weaved it into a pattern that silently and inconspicuously wrapped around Jake.

In an instant, he could hear something popping on him!

It was like he was a bubble wrapper, and Minerva had squeezed her mana on him! Those sounds were pleasant but also confusing.

It took Jake a while to realize what was happening.

Minerva cleared his doubts. "A few assassins have marked you. You're in clear now."

"Ah… this is because I stole a legendary boss from the three guilds vying for your empire's attention. I must have bored them to death as I spent the last weeks in Master Aaron's basement. Oh, they could have killed me when I was out to cut trees for a bow craft lesson, but I don't know what they are doing, honestly." Jake explained.

Minerva curtly replied, "Players' affairs currently do not concern us."

Jake also doubted anyone would try to kill him with The Imperial Mage nearby him. He hadn't found a solution yet to the bounty for his head, but he'd not bother himself so much with it so long as he could develop himself in a way or two.

While Jake contemplated his future, Minerva walked past him and took the mantle of their duo team. Jake followed her in her shadow.

There was a carriage waiting for them across the main gate.

After boarding it, Jake and Minerva spent a few minutes in silence.

It was awkward, so Jake started a typical conversation.

"Elizabeth lives outside the capital?" Jake asked.

"She lives in the inner castle," Minerva replied. "Her naughtiness knows no bounds, however. She knew I'd be coming to teach her today, and so she ran away from the capital."

"…that doesn't sound safe or mage-like," Jake said.

Minerva genuinely smiled, "That's because Elizabeth is far from a stereotypical mage. She was born with a unique talent for translating and using any language. She turned herself into a beast tamer with that peculiar magic, but if we consider magic and its spells a language on its own, then her potential is perhaps limitless.

She can easily travel a long distance with her few beast friends and worry her parents to no end."

Jake nodded. "I was hoping to meet a beast tamer to get a subclass. Is there a chance I could receive it from Elizabeth?"

"There is." Minerva nodded. "I want you to catch Elizabeth with your pets. That has been my idea since I heard from Viktor and Aaron that you wanted to meet me."

Jake confidently smiled, "Odin's so adorable he will turn Elizabeth into a good child!"

"Oh, I hope so, I hope so," Minerva laughed. First, however, you'll have to play hide-and-seek with her. Elizabeth often runs away to neighboring nobles and uses their mansions to play games with her beast friends. I reckon she must have hidden herself in Baron Senzo's mansion. I'll have a royal tea with him while you search for her."

"Got it," Jake nodded.

It wasn't odd for Minerva to know Elizabeth's exact location. It was a royal descendant with a limitless potential, so there must have been various precautions put on her. She could have been marked with the same track skill other assassins had put on Jake or perhaps even with something stronger.

Jake didn't know that Elizabeth was protected all night and day by skilled assassins from the imperial house. Minerva was in contact with them through her magic and always used their eyes to win hide-and-seek with Elizabeth.

Jake wouldn't have any of those advantages, which should provide lots of fun to Elizabeth.

It was a grandma's kindness to her descendant.

At last, Jake stood before Baron Senzo's mansion. The owner of this land had already come out to greet Minerva, and his language and choice of words were as flowery as flowers.

A minute later, Jake could separate himself from the grandma and begin his mission to find the imperial descendant.

"It feels like I'm in a museum… definitely not my vibes," Jake said aloud. His companions were already summoned, so it wasn't like he was talking to himself.

Odin took the helm and walked before Jake, sniffing for a human presence.

Ender was also in the shadows, stretching his wings across the darkness to find Elizabeth first.

He was in a contest with Odin…

Wukong's interest had been piqued as he hung on Jake's arm while stretching his neck around to look at various paintings, furniture, and vases.

Medusa didn't seem interested in anything. She slept in Jake's pocket.

"My current plan was to learn more of artisan class to craft a bow… then either get a beast tamer subclass or learn a movement skill! I didn't expect to be given a chance to learn a beast tamer subclass so fast and even in The Warmonger Empire. This mission is important, but we're also dealing with a kid, so just have fun, guys."

Odin and Ender didn't reply.

These two were too serious.

Jake sighed.

The hide-and-seek game began in such a mood.