"I... understand," Hero nodded with difficulty.
To utter the phrase 'I understand,' one requires even more courage than imagined.
"That is to say, I need to learn the knowledge my grandfather passed on to me, and then go defeat that darkness, kill Hunting Knowledge."
Hero pursed her lips; the person she was thinking of thanking had now become her enemy and arch-enemy, which was truly a complex emotion.
"Moreover, such profound knowledge, can I really learn it..." That was her biggest concern.
Since it is considered a taboo, it surely isn't just about understanding through reading one or two massive volumes.
"It seems you have listened carefully and thought deeply," the grandfather nodded in approval.
"But I need to correct one thing, you don't need to kill Hunting Knowledge, you just need to disprove it, and it will retreat on its own. Besides, Elemental Life does not entertain the notion of death."
Grandfather slowly explained under the soft light.
"Whether it's a scholar or Hunting Knowledge, both are merely seekers of knowledge.
"On this endless and ignorant wilderness, you, I, it, we are all but the same trivial beings.
"Just as not every hearth will have a Fire Elf, Hunting Knowledge can't capture each lost knowledge, which is why it is so fixated on the ones it finds.
"Its emergence, disappearance, and how it determines the uniqueness of knowledge, are all mysteries to my learning.
"But as long as you defeat Hunting Knowledge, tell it that the knowledge should be preserved and handled by you, it will naturally give up. Because they are ultimately just custodians and recorders, not plunderers.
"—At least they should think so themselves."
"Does that mean, grandfather and the scholars, and Hunting Knowledge are actually equal?" Hero raised her hand to ask.
"Um, you can understand it that way. To them, as long as it's someone pursuing knowledge, moral stance doesn't matter, their perspective is consistent, something humankind can't have—a pure vision." Grandfather nodded.
"If the discoverer of knowledge can't preserve it, they will; if the owner of the knowledge is stronger than them, they will willingly step down—just that, they can't be persuaded in words, maybe that is where they differ from human beings.
"As for whether or not you can learn, you shouldn't worry too much about that."
Hero tilted her head in confusion.
"When you possess the wisdom to understand that knowledge, you will understand," Grandfather chuckled.
"The knowledge that transcends human intelligence will become part of life."
Hero opened her mouth wide.
"Although the Mage Association and the Warlock Association have always been at odds, and your father dislikes those guys very much, I still agree with some of the Warlock's philosophies.
"You haven't reincarnated yet, right? You can also consider this for the future, inheriting knowledge doesn't necessarily require becoming a Mage."
Just because of her own warlock identity feeling somewhat lost, Hero waited eagerly for her grandfather's words.
"The people in the Warlock Association think this way," the grandfather coughed lightly, and continued.
"All creation ceased at the birth of the world, everything exists just waiting to be evolved and discovered.
"Just like why humans are born and how they operate, what we understand is just the surface, much is still unexplained, but we still live and grow stronger.
"We have never created knowledge, nor has knowledge ever favored us.
"—We are knowledge itself."
[Warlock: Pursuit of "Inner" strength.]
Grandfather's voice was deep, as if coming from a distant place.
"And the knowledge that transcends human intellect, when you obtain it, it will be engraved in your soul and life...
"Even if it can't be applied, can't be understood, the knowledge has been passed down.
"When you have enough qualifications, it will naturally emerge from your abyss.
"Alright, granddaughter, go back to sleep, let's stop here for today, you look dizzy..."
[Event Requirement: Intelligence 84+ (Regardless of form, applicable for Transformation benefits)]
[Hero's actions for tomorrow—]
1. Listen to grandfather
2. Play with Little Girl
4. Go thank Hunting Knowledge
10. Critical Success / Extreme Failure