The Great Thief

”Thanks. I guess I’m still inexperienced,” Jeramo said as he scratched his head in embarrassment.

After closely examining the strategy, he had not found any problems with it. If they had charged straight into the cave full of enemies, it would have meant guaranteed death. Even Jeramo himself was wondering how to kill these many targets without receiving damage.

However, Lu Li had solved the problem with a bomb.

”People’s battle senses develop over time. Can you tell me about the next stage of the test?” Lu Li asked as he awkwardly reached down to pat the Gnomish Thief’s shoulders.

Jeramo was a little surprised.

”Next stage? There isn’t one.”

”There isn’t one?” Lu Li was a little shocked.

”That’s right. Was it not satisfying? My teacher designed this test with three stages. The first stage was to test your ability to take precautions for unknown dangers ahead. The second stage was to test your Skill Completion, while having you experience the taste of death and its purpose. Finally, the third stage was to test your Stealth and combat abilities. You passed all of them with flying colors,” Jeramo explained.

”Then, when can I go and meet the teacher?” Lu Li asked, as he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

After experiencing the challenges that had been presented by each of the stages, the original excitement that Lu Li felt had now disappeared. However, after realising that he was about to meet the Legendary Thief Garona, he had begun to feel nervous once again.

Garona might not have been an immensely strong expert like Medivh, but in the same vein, she had contributed to the advancement of Azeroth. All in all, she was a key element of Azeroth’s history.

”You can go and meet her any time,” the Gnome said, then made gestured towards an empty space and continued, ”Master, I have already completed my mission. I will now return at once.”

Lu Li panicked and thought that there were others here with them. He was surprised at Jeramo’s sensing ability, as not even Lu Li himself detected the presence of another person.

Just as Jeramo finished speaking, a voice resounded from behind him, saying: ”Greet your teacher for me, especially for training a student.”

The Gnomish Thief promptly scratched his head, called for a mount, and left.

Lu Li quickly spun around and saw a dark shadow standing behind him. Jeramo hadn’t actually known exactly where she was standing, but was aware that Garona was going to be present.

The dark shadow was wearing a large cloak, one that managed to mask her figure.

The cloak was weaved together in a way that the light could not penetrate it completely, but still showed its wearer’s silhouette. Although Lu Li could see the figure in front of him, he could not identify who it was.

Her equipment would have at least been Legendary grade, or Demigod grade. This was more prestigious than Medivh’s cloak, which was made out of Demigod Feathers.

”Greetings, highly respected teacher,” Lu Li said as he bowed reverently.

This was a sign of respect towards strong experts. A legendary Thief who had once stood at the pinnacle of Azeroth was now standing before him. The awe that he felt now was stronger than when he had met Medivh.

”You passed my tests, so you may call me teacher,” Garona’s congratulated in an extremely hoarse voice.

”Teacher.”

Lu Li was ready to receive all types of advice and knowledge from his new Master. Now, he had an expert supporting him. Although this expert wouldn’t help him attack or harm others, she would at least be able to teach him some Thief skills, and he would have reinforcements from Ravenholdt available to him.

”Show me the bomb that you just used,” the Halforcen Master requested.

Of course, Lu Li would not object. Due to a lack of Starwood, he had only brought four or five.

After listening to how the bomb was created, Garona exclaimed, ”Wow! It’s Ivy’s bomb! This is quite a rare item. No wonder why you managed to clear the enemies so easily.”

The Engineering profession could only manufacture a few types of bombs. Furthermore, all bombs manufactured by Engineers had their weaknesses and could not compare with Ivy’s bomb.

”If Master likes it, then I am happy to gift it to you,” Lu Li quickly offered.

If he could please Garona, she might give him a skill book which enhanced his techniques. If he could swap ten bombs for a skill book, let alone one bomb for a skill book, he would be extremely happy.

”It’s too weak,” Garona said as she shook her head, then returned the bomb to Lu Li.

”Master, I hope I am able to receive your teachings. Although my qualifications might be lacking, I’m working extremely hard to gain recognition. I’m confident enough to best any Adventurer out there in battle.”

”How do you know of me?” Garona asked, ignoring Lu Li’s words altogether.

”I like to read many books. I coincidentally met an MI7 veteran, gained her recognition, then managed to find you in Ravenholdt,” Lu Li answered truthfully.

Even if this was an excuse, it was one that was extremely well thought out. As for the possibility of anyone in MI7 knowing information about Garona, she wouldn’t even need to ask who this was.

”I agreed to be your teacher, not solely because of your excellent service in completing missions, but because of the ring on your finger. There was a time when I almost died, but was saved by the bearer of this same ring,” Garona explained straightforwardly.

”Actually, I did not meet Lord Cenarius before I had gained possession of this ring,” Lu Li said.

If this ring was supposed to be passed down to Cenarius’ heir, Lu Li would undoubtedly be worthy. However, Cenarius was not a Thief, and not many people knew of his whereabouts. Not even his two sons knew where he was.

”I hope that you don’t dishonour Cenarius’ name. Treat this book as a gift,” Garona said as she tossed a book at Lu Li.

Lu Li caught the book and immediately opened it to browse its contents. He was extremely elated when he found out that it was actually ’Greater Stealth’, an extremely rare and precious skill book which enhanced the foundational Thief skill. Although enhanced skill books were rare, there were still good and bad ones, since some skills weren’t used often. However, those like Stealth were highly regarded and sought-after, since they were frequently used and were essential to the class.

There weren’t any skills that were more important to a Thief than Stealth.

For Lu Li, this Greater Stealth skill book was undoubtedly a precious item. After learning this enhanced version, Lu Li’s Stealth abilities would be abnormally strong.

This type of enhancing skill book was not something that any equipment could be compared to. Furthermore, if the execution of the skill was further honed and improved, it was likely that the enhanced ability’s effects would change as well.

Perhaps, by that stage, Stealth might not be Stealth.

”If you can achieve 100% Skill Completion on any skill, then ask your liaison to request an audience with me. If there are any missions that need to be completed, I will also contact you through your liaison.”

Garona did not wish to improve their relationship, and planned to leave as soon as Lu Li had received the skill book.

”Can I receive your personal guidance? Lu Li promptly asked Garona.

Besides the skill books, the teachings of a Master were also extremely important, as many unattainable skills were passed on by them. It was also said that if one was able to receive personal guidance, their flow and mechanics would also greatly improve.