Test of the Champion

Things are not so different from the time when I was an active soldier. Perhaps a bit more chaotic and violent. The Blue Shark, the Black Lion, the Storm Blade and the Iron Rose which I belonged to... Many soldiers are battling alien armies in many different locations at the moment. There has never been a time in history when the aliens were so bellicose.

The leaders of each tribe, and the Masters, Magisters and Priests from many other guilds are all complaining that the situation now is very unnatural. All the secret agents from every domain are looking behind the scenes, but for now we have no choice but to face the aliens and destroy them in order to protect ourselves.

I wish to do something useful before I retire. Although I am too weak to participate in the war myself, I shall teach you. While you are taking the test, you must do exactly as you are instructed. Is that clear?

Before doing anything else, go meet my friend Mason. He is from Iron Rose, just like me, and has fought beside me in many battles. That was long ago, of course, and the most action he probably sees now is chopping wood for his cooking fire. But even if his spear-arm is weaker and his belly broader, he still knows more about the races that threaten the Dion villagers than anyone. And who knows? Perhaps your youthful enthusiasm will even motivate him to take his spear from its place above his hearth and again venture onto the field of battle. He was a master of the spear in his day, you know . . .

I heard long ago that he settled somewhere in southern Dion with his wife and family. If you show him this letter with my signet, I'm sure he will welcome you.

Finally, please accept this Dimension Diamond as my gift. You can trade it for something special from the village gatekeeper. I hope it will help you on your journey.