Chapter 303: Twin Little Lolis
That's right, this should be the Priest Training Base that Akara told me about before, no doubt. Not only Priests, but I also heard there are lost Classes like Monks and Clerics.
"Come, I'll take you for a look inside."
While I was in a daze, Akara had already calmed down from her earlier excitement. Tapping her Staff, she led the way down.
"It's a pity, only Priests are left inside the Base now. The other Classes have all gone out."
As we walked, Akara introduced me, "Look, that is the Priest Training Camp."
She pointed to the large training ground we had just seen from above and said, then led me over.
"The Base currently has a total of 1682 Cleric Trainees, accounting for over sixty percent of all Trainees in the Base. Hehe, perhaps it's because the Priest Class is a bit easier to Train than other Classes. Among these over a thousand Cleric Trainees, 367 of them have already Job Changed, and the highest Level among them has reached Level 28. Among the remaining over a thousand Cleric Trainees, there are also over 200 Cleric Trainees who are about to Job Change..."
Akara explained to me in detail. During this time, we arrived at the Priest training ground. The number of Priests coming and going had increased. Among them, the more restless Children around ten years old still retained a sense of innocence and playfulness, constantly chasing and playing on the training ground. The other Priests were not annoyed; they all looked with a smile and then continued with their own tasks—each of these Children is the hope of the Diablo World's future.
"Akara Grandma..."
These Children saw Akara walk over and immediately gathered around her, forming a group, calling out affectionately with innocent tones. Towards me, this Stranger, they showed sufficient curiosity and timidity.
"Hey hey, Xiao Aiven, you too, Duo Jia. Did you cause trouble for the Teacher again today? And Beth, I know you are the most diligent, did you understand all of today's Course?"
Akara gently stroked each of their heads. The smile on her face was like that of the kind old Director in an Orphanage.
Taking advantage of this time, I looked around. Besides these lovable little kids, there were also many adult Trainees on the training ground. The age range roughly covered from around 15 years old (excluding the Children) to around 40 years old. I didn't see anyone older.
Seeing this, I somewhat understood what Akara meant about the highest Level reaching 28. I thought, even if it's hard for Priests to Level Up, after so many years, it shouldn't be possible to only reach Level 28. Looking at the current situation, it should be that those older Priests are not here. The rest are all young people (given the lifespan in the Diablo World, anyone under 40 can be called young).
At this time, the other Priests on the training ground also one after another directed curious gazes on my person, this Stranger. Where our gazes met, I slightly nodded. They also returned a friendly smile.
Akara finally sent away those troublesome little kids, turned back, and smiled at me.
"How is it? What are your impressions of this place?"
"Very good."
I smiled. Whether it was those mischievous Children or the friendly Priests in the surroundings, everyone inside this Secret Base made one feel like a family, not at all feeling loneliness or solitude because of being isolated from the world.
"By the way, Akara, how exactly do the Priests here Level Up?"
I felt very curious. Generally speaking, Classed Adventurers improve their Level and strength through slaughter. However, Priests with weak combat power received special care from God. Thus, they gained an additional path—using skills can also gain some experience, although this method is much slower compared to through combat killing.
"This? There are many methods. For example, those Villagers who were accidentally wounded, after being sent to the Infirmary, will receive healing from Priests. Of course, when they are unconscious. There are also many wounded animals. They also make for a good target for healing..." Akara smiled mysteriously.
When Akara mentioned "wounded animals," I couldn't help but maliciously guess. The wounds those animals received couldn't possibly be man-made, right? After all, if they didn't do this, where would so many "wounded" animals come from?
"Also..." Akara paused.
"When they reach a slightly advanced Level, we will also organize Priest Parties to go outside for training and combat. Monsters will be scouted beforehand, and weapons and equipment will also be equipped with the best and most suitable. After all, unlike restricting other Adventurers, Priests focus on training not combat experience, but Level."
I nodded, expressing strong agreement with Akara's words. Indeed, compared to combat experience, a Priest's Level is more important. As long as they learn the Tier 4 Skill Banishment, with hundreds of Priests all casting it together, whether you are an Elite or a Mini-boss, you'll be instantly killed. Taking a step back, when a Party must even have Priests step forward to combat, then a party wipe is not far off.
Of course, although that is said, a certain degree of combat awareness still needs to be trained. Otherwise, watching teammates fall into danger while you just stand there foolishly without moving is no different from certain high-score low-ability groups.
"Come, I'll introduce you to a few People."
Saying this, Akara led me into a wooden house somewhat resembling a simple Church. Indeed, inside was a large hall, with rows of long bench wooden tables on both sides capable of seating more than ten People at once. Directly opposite the Entrance, at the end of the long Passageway, was a wooden High Platform. On the back wall of the High Platform, a Cross was embedded, and on top of it was a wooden table. The entire decoration was like a small Western-style Church, simple and solemn.
Now, sitting on those long benches were nearly a hundred White Robe Priests, all around twenty years old. They all used focused gazes, looking at a White Robe Priest on the Stage. A gentle yet powerful voice was coming from this White Robe Priest's mouth, and then was firmly remembered in their hearts by every Cleric Trainee below.
I and Akara did not rush in, but stood at the Doorway/Entrance. The Priest on the Stage saw us, smiled slightly, but did not stop because of Akara's arrival. Instead, he continued to sow his knowledge deeply into the hearts of these diligent young Priests.
After waiting for about ten minutes, following the signal from the middle-aged Priest, these young Priests stood up one after another and bowed on their own. Then they walked out in twos and threes. As they passed by me and Akara, they did not forget to show respect with a bow or a gaze.
Seeing this, I was very satisfied with the education at this Secret Base. Regardless of the strength of these young Priests, at least their quality is excellent. The principle of 'to achieve great things, one must first be a good Person' was thoroughly implemented here.
"Elder Akara, you have arrived."
At this time, that middle-aged Priest walked down from the High Platform and bowed deeply to Akara.
"Time passes so quickly." Looking at this middle-aged Priest, Akara suddenly sighed.
"I clearly still remember the scene of your first time coming to the Base and becoming a Trainee. You were only this tall and still had snot running down your nose. I didn't expect time to flow by. Now you are already a Teacher who is able to stand on the Stage and educate Trainees."
"I didn't expect Elder Akara would remember so clearly, this is my honor." The middle-aged Priest was a little embarrassed. Compared to the dignified expression when teaching on the Stage just now, it was completely not the appearance of the same Person.
"Wu, I'll introduce you. This is Doken Aizake, an Elite Priest from the past few batches of our Priest Training Camp. Doken, this is our Rogue Encampment's new favorite, the new topic, and of course, also the new Elder, Druid Wu Fan."
"Level 25 Druid Wu Fan, it's an honor to meet you, Priest Doken. By the way, a small correction, I am just an Elder responsible for odd jobs, not as exaggerated as Elder Akara said."
"Level 42 Priest Doken Aizake, I just arrived at the Priest Training Camp a few days ago and am currently a Trainee Teacher. It's also an honor to meet you, Elder. By the way, a small correction, I wouldn't dare call myself an Elite."
We bowed to each other, both of us made a little embarrassed by Akara's slightly teasing introduction.
"Where are Luos and Jia Diya?" After some pleasantries, Akara asked casually.
"The two of them each took a Priest Party and went out."
Doken smiled. But this smile was a little strange.
"Sigh, these two Children. They are already so grown up and still always like to bicker?" Akara shook her head and gave a wry smile, then said to me.
"Level 45 male Priest Luos. And Level 41 female Priest Jia Diya. Both are Training Camp Teachers. I originally planned to give them a greeting, sigh~~"
With a long sigh, her tone seemed rather helpless.
Seeing my confused gaze, Doken leaned closer and said to me softly, "The two of them have that meaning towards each other, but neither is willing to make the first move, so they keep dragging it out and bickering."
I suddenly understood, then couldn't help but laugh. I didn't expect there would also be such Walking Treasure Lovers, bickering nemesis inside the Diablo World.
"Forget it, let's talk about it another day. Let's go, let's first let the other People get to know you." Akara shook her head, tapped her Staff, and walked outside.
Next, on the large training ground, the remaining thousand-plus Trainees in the Training Camp were gathered together. Akara solemnly, almost exaggeratedly, pulled me forward and gave a good introduction. Fortunately, she still knew my limits and didn't make me step forward to speak. Otherwise, facing thousands of eyes without having prepared a speech, it would have been a miracle if I didn't make a fool of myself.
After all that, the sky was already gradually entering dusk. Just as I and Akara were about to leave, two small Figures emerged from among the dismissed Trainees. With sweet and childish voices coming from behind, they instantly made me stiffen.
"Priest Uncle~~"
This, this, this, they couldn't be calling me, right? It shouldn't be, right? I paused and did not turn my head back. Unexpectedly, the voice and footsteps quickly approached me. Now, I finally confirmed that this address of Priest Uncle was indeed directed at me.
Who could it be? Who would call me Priest Uncle? I don't seem to know such a Person, right?
Turning my head back, two very innocent and very cute Little Lolis, around ten years old, stood prettily behind me, looking at me with faces full of joy, with radiant smiles that could melt steel.
What surprised me the most was that these two Little Lolis actually looked exactly the same. The only difference was that one had a cute black Ponytail tied on the left side of her head, while the other's Ponytail was tied on the right side of her head. If one day they had a sudden whim and swapped their hairstyles, I dare guarantee all People would be fooled.
They looked a little familiar, but I couldn't remember where I had seen them. My head suddenly started to hurt.
(end of chapter)