Pantheon Online-Chapter 264 Master and Apprentice (Part 3)

"This is a Bo Staff," Paul said as Colt eyed the weapon. "It's light, has decent range, and be used defensively or for offensive manoeuvres."

"Doesn't it require two hands, though?" Colt asked as he held it up.

"You're right, but it's light enough that it won't be unwieldy. You can easily hold it with one hand when using a runestone." Paul replied while nodding. "It's long enough that if you have one made in-game, you can have plenty of sockets added to it. That'll further increase your options and make you less predictable."

Colt scratched his cheek as he glanced from Paul to the staff in his hand. He felt dubious about Paul's judgement and thought it looked lame. 'Who would even be afraid of this?' Colt sighed. 'It's going to ruin my image in the game. It's not exciting to look at, so why would our viewers want to watch my fights?'

"You look disappointed," Paul chuckled. "I admit, it's not flashy. But this is a training weapon. You can always have your in-game one made to look more elaborate with decorations."

Colt sighed as he explained his other concerns to Paul. He could not see his followers understanding why he would use a staff. "I wouldn't worry so much," Jay chuckled as he approached the pair.

"How long have you been there?" Colt asked as Jay's statement startled him.

"He's been there since the start of our fight. You were too focused on beating me to realise it." Paul smirked as he patted Colt's shoulder.

The latter groaned as he shot a curious gaze toward Jay. "What do you mean I shouldn't worry about it?"

"Hm, this weapon could be a great choice," Jay said as he handed a holopad to Colt. "This is an overview our writers have come up with for your character moving forward. I suggest going with it if you want to draw popular support."

Colt scanned the report on the holopad with a frown. 'What the hell? This can't be right!' Colt groaned as he glanced sideways at Jay.

"Is this right? Midas, Winter, and Mikari are the three most popular players for Ragnarok?" Colt asked with a grim expression.

"To be more accurate, they're the most popular newcomers. Your share is still higher, but that's because of your existing fanbase." Jay shrugged. "If things keep going this way, they'll overtake you."

"Why are they gaining so many followers?" "Our analysts believe it's because they're showing uncommon strengths." Jay sighed. "Midas is an excellent negotiator. He's been behind much of the now booming trade across Skardia and with the Dwarves. Winter is creating entertaining dreams and nightmares. She works behind the scenes, but her results are spectacular. As for Mikari, well, his strategies, intuition, and how his mind works have the viewers fascinated with him."

"Whereas I'm all combat, and rune enchantments are boring to watch." Colt hummed as he rubbed his chin. "So, how does the staff improve my situation?"

"As you can see, on page four, the writers want to rewrite your character. We have to change aspects of your behaviour in-game to make you appear like you have hidden depths." Jay's grin split his face from ear to ear as a glint appeared in his eyes. "They want to create an air of mystery around your character. To make you appear wise, as a warrior, and a father figure to all of Skardia."

"So the staff will make you appear wiser, like a wizard, as well as make your figure appear more welcoming." Jay chuckled. "After all, meeting with a god who has a spear and shield on him at all times can be intimidating. I'd have your new staff in-game engraved with mystic symbols and runes to help reinforce the wisdom aspect."

Colt groaned as he realised where this was going. "At the same time, the Bo Staff is a good all-round weapon for close combat and doesn't interfere with my runestones or spells. Basically, it'll serve to make people lower their guard around me as they don't perceive much of a threat."

"Correct!" Jay laughed. "In reality, you'll be deadlier than ever. Even more so if you have runestones at your fingertips embedded in the staff. The only problem left to deal with is your choice of armour."

"Wait! What's wrong with my armour?" Colt asked as Paul chuckled.

"Lighter armour would be better," Paul replied. "It'll reinforce the unthreatening vibe the writers are going for as allow you to move more freely. Which will help when using the staff. It'll be better to use it as a counter-attack. So deflect and follow up with an attack. When your opponents are at range, use your magic and runes. It's definitely the way to go."

"God damn it!" Colt groaned as he glanced from Paul to Jay. "This is a complete change from what I'm used to! How am I meant to learn all this before I'm forced to use it?"

"You'll have to spend more time here with me." Paul sighed as he shrugged his shoulders. "I'll drill it into you in no time. Well, the basics anyway. It'll take us some time to come up with effective combos using the staff and your spells. But we'll get there. In my opinion, it sounds like a solid hybrid build. Which is what you need."

"There was always going to be growing pains when you decided on this." Jay sighed. "Which is why it's better to start on this path now. Plus, Paul's an expert with weapons. You should trust his judgement."

"I know, I know," Colt groaned. "It's just so different to anything I've done before. It's like saying I've wasted my potential all this time."

"It happens," Paul said with a slight smile. "Most people will use the wrong weapon for them their entire lives. Simply because it looks cool. Or they lack guidance. This is the best thing for you, trust me on that."

"Well, I'll leave you, boys, to it. I'll let Mike know you'll be cutting down your time in-game for a few days. Oh, has Mike spoken to you about his concerns yet?" Jay asked with a frown.

"What concerns?" Colt asked with surprise on his face.

"Hm, he came to us to get the opinion of the writers. I guess he thought they could confirm if his opinion was plausible. Anyway, he doesn't think all these recent events are coincidence." Jay hummed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "He thinks someone was behind the elves invading, the dwarves discovering Harik's actions, and whatever caused the hunt for the Eagle called Allyce."

"Wait, my brother thinks someone is manipulating all these events? Why?"

"To destabilise Skardia before it solidifies its foundation with Ragnarok at its heart. Maybe you should talk to him about it. The writers thought it sounded too farfetched. Maybe the elves and dwarves are linked. But they thought the events surrounding Allyce were likely a coincidence. They couldn't see any way that could have been controlled."

"Thanks for letting me know," Colt replied as he nodded his head. 'Damn it, Mike, why didn't you tell me this first?'

"No problem. I'll leave you, boys, to it." Jay waved as he walked away while Paul wore a pensive expression.

"I hate to say it Colt, but maybe Mike is right." Paul suddenly said as he rubbed his chin. "It's too much happening at the same time. It would make sense for it to be a coordinated attack on Skardia."

"Even if it is, who's behind it? They're three different races. It would be hard to make them do what you want without controlling them all. I met Laskia, and I can't see someone being behind her giving her orders."

"So, if Mike's right, she was manipulated into moving that way. Though, I do agree there was little room for controlling the outcome of Allyce's events. So maybe that was a fluke. But you should look into the events concerning the dwarves and elves more. Otherwise, you might find yourself in hot water without knowing it."

"I'll let Mike know to go with his gut when I see him again. Even if everyone else thinks it's unlikely. If he's got a bad feeling about it, I'd rather trust his judgement than ignore it." Colt replied as he gripped th Bo Staff tightly. "Now, should we get on with training? I have no idea how to use this thing."

Paul chuckled at Colt's embarrassed smile before nodding his head. "Let me grab one for myself. That way you can follow along with my movements. The basics are easy enough, the hard part comes when we develop a free-flow combat style."

Colt nodded as Paul ran off to pick a training staff for himself. 'It feels different in the centre.' Colt thought as he tested how it felt in his hands. He noticed the middle was thicker than its ends. "Ok," Paul said as he returned with a staff of his own. "The first thing you should know is that your staff's ideal length depends on your height. So the one you'll use here is smaller than the one you want to be made in Pantheon. You know, since your avatar is taller than you now."

"You'll want it to be slightly shorter than your height. Ok?" Paul said as he fixed a stern expression on his face. "Luckily, we've already warmed up. So we can move on to simple movements. The first thing we'll go through is spinning. Now, these aren't ideal for fighting. But they'll build up strength in your wrists and start producing muscle memory. They'll help when you want to confuse your enemy as a distraction of switch stances. Now, let's begin."