The First Legendary Beast Master novel Chapter 185

Chapter 185 Test Location

Sergeant Rita cleared her throat to get Karl's attention. "The test will be administered by a group of High Clerics, using a combination of Divine Magic and technology, to determine if your combat power and maximum energy output meet the standards of an Ascended Elite. Your class is a bit of an anomaly, so I am not certain whether they will count your beast's maximum as your own, but it is almost certain that they won't allow you to combine the outputs to get a more impressive number.

The look on your face says you never even considered it, but it has come up in the past with druids and Rangers who had summons. They count the summon as a separate effect, and while they do allow you to have it active if you gain a buff from it, their attack power is not added to your own.

For that reason, the total effective combat ability of mages who can use Golems or Elementals, as well as classes with various types of summons can be much higher than a single warrior."

She stepped toward the door, and Karl turned to follow, eager to get through the test and find out what the plan was to find another way for the beasts to advance.

He had an idea of his own. A simple one, but effective so far. The Lizardmen and Ogres tended to carry magical gems on them, which could be used in potions to enhance warriors. Those should be effective on the beasts as well, and he even had some coming from his share of the loot from this mission.

Most of it was in coins, but they had a rather large pile of magical gems in Doug's bag as well.

"Will we have time to drop in on the Commander Rank tests? The team I was with before are all testing for advancement today, and I think they would appreciate the extra bit of moral support." Karl asked.

"Possibly. Not all of them, as they're running at the same time as your test, but the last few we should be able to go see unless they are faster than expected or close the temple." Alice agreed.

She led them to a small temple off to the side of the compound, past the stables, where a small group of older clerics had gathered.

An ancient looking man with golden eyes that were slotted like a goat's turned to look at Karl with a curious expression.

"This must be Elite Karl. You have a lot of the World Dragon's Luck about you. Are you confident in your ability to pass the Ascended Rank trial?" He asked, speaking slowly, as if each word was an effort.

"Yes, High Priest. I am confident that I can pass the trial." Karl replied politely.

A younger priest stepped forward. "Then we will use the Divine Trial to test whether you are Ascended or not. When you come back out, your mark will be glowing golden if you passed, black if you failed."

Alice and Rita both looked shocked at his words, but Karl wasn't sure why. The cleric had just said it was a trial to confirm his status. Obviously, the Church would have their own way, and not the power meter thing that the Golden Divine Academy used along with the teachers' judgment.

"The Divine Trial has been activated?" Alice asked.

"Is it such a shock? It is active for twenty-four hours when it is used, and we have a High Priest testing later today." The old man slowly answered.

"Forgive my impertinence, High Priest. I was just shocked that it was active. I didn't know that you were elevating a High Priest today." Alice replied.

That must mean that they were confident that Doug would pass the trials and become an official Commander Rank Green Dragon Cleric, which would grant him the role of High Priest by default.

There was still some internal ranking among the High Priests, but Karl had no idea how it worked, and he didn't really care, as it was unlikely to ever affect his daily life. The protocol for dealing with them was all the same for those outside the church, and he already remembered the rules of courtesy.

Danni and Donni came over while they were talking, with Bob not far behind them, having an animated conversation with one of the guards.

From the hand gestures, it seemed that they were deeply engrossed in the finer points of swordplay, so Karl just waved to them and waited for instructions.