52 Approval!

Covinus shifted uncomfortably under the intense gaze of the middle-aged beastman before him. The air, previously thick with an unspoken challenge, seemed to lighten as the beastman demeanor changed.

"You're a guest in my home; please, take a seat," the beastman said, gesturing to a plush sofa nearby.

"My name is Lalar. I'm Agif's father," he introduced himself, his voice a mix of pride and scrutiny. "My daughter speaks very highly of you. She says you possess remarkable qualities."

"But, from what I see," Lalar continued, his eyes narrowing slightly, "while your appearance is indeed striking, your strength does not match up. It's somewhat... underwhelming."

Covinus felt a flush of embarrassment warm his cheeks as he sank into the sofa opposite Lalar. He remembered feeling strong among the Silvermane tribe, where being a young fourth-level warrior was an impressive feat. Yet, here in Canyon City, surrounded by numerous fourth and fifth-level warriors, his prowess seemed merely average.

"And, to be candid," Lalar leaned forward, eyeing Covinus thoughtfully, "while you stand at the fourth level, my son Agif has not only reached the fifth level but also boasts the talents of a sixth-level magician. The disparity is quite significant."

Caught off guard by his prospective father-in-law's frankness, Covinus struggled for a response.

After a brief, awkward silence, he managed to muster, "I appreciate your honesty, Uncle."

Lalar's laugh broke the tension. "No need for such formality or reservation. I'm always straightforward. If Agif holds you in high regard, you must have qualities that truly stand out. You're young yet, freshly an adult; there's plenty of time for you to grow stronger."

Relief washed over Covinus as Lalar's tone warmed with amusement and a hint of approval. "Just the day before yesterday, I returned home to hear from my eldest that she'd set her sights on a beastman," Lalar shared, shaking his head in bemusement. "You can imagine my surprise. She's met many promising young men since reaching adulthood, yet none caught her fancy until you."

Curiosity piqued, Lalar leaned in closer, his expression one of genuine interest. "Tell me, how did you come to meet my daughter Agif?"

"Uncle, to be honest, I've only been in Canyon City for five days," Covinus replied, his voice steady but honest. "And I've known Agif for just as long."

Covinus nodded thoughtfully, a knowing smile playing on his lips. It seemed this formidable father-in-law might just be more understanding than Covinus had initially feared.

"Five days?" Lalar repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. He couldn't help questioning his own hearing, even though his senses were as sharp as ever.

With a puzzled frown, Lalar sank into his thoughts, his gaze drifting away momentarily. Covinus, noticing the furrow in Lalar's brow, shifted uneasily on the plush sofa, its softness suddenly seeming less comforting. He cast a hopeful glance towards the door, silently willing Agif's timely arrival.

Minutes crawled by without any sign of interruption, leaving Covinus to the mercies of the intense atmosphere. Finally, Lalar relaxed his expression and fixed his eyes back on Covinus, his voice steady but filled with curiosity. "You have only known each other for five days. Honestly, it's rather astonishing," he admitted.

"What is it about Agif that caught your attention so quickly?" Lalar inquired. There was a hint of irritation in his tone, stemming from the brevity of their acquaintance.

Lalar's mind whirled with thoughts of his daughter Agif, a woman who had traveled widely and seen much of the world, far beyond what traditional beastman society usually offered. She wasn't one to make hasty decisions about potential partners. It baffled him that Agif, who had turned away many accomplished suitors, could be so taken with Covinus in mere days. But as his irritation ebbed, he recognized that Covinus must possess qualities that genuinely appealed to Agif.

Covinus sensed the critical nature of his next words. Taking a deep breath and gathering his courage, he began, "Uncle, I value your directness, and I will match it. I've only known Agif for five days, and to claim I'm in love would be premature and, frankly, absurd."

Lalar's gaze sharpened at this confession, but inside, he felt a surge of respect. He knew well that true connections required time to develop.

Covinus continued, "You might have heard from Agif that I lead my tribe, though it's small. I've vowed to elevate them, to carve out a significant place for us by mastering the wastelands. My ambitions are great, and perhaps that's what Agif sees in me."

The air between them seemed to shift as Lalar processed Covinus's words. He nodded slowly, a thoughtful look crossing his features. "Ambition and a clear vision can indeed be very compelling," Lalar conceded, his earlier skepticism giving way to a more contemplative stance. "It's clear you possess a leader's resolve, and that's not something to be taken lightly."

"Master of the wasteland!" Lalar echoed, a mixture of skepticism and amusement coloring his tone. He was torn between applauding the young beastman's audacity and cautioning him against such grand ambitions.

"The master of the wasteland? That's quite the declaration, a direct challenge to the royal court!" Lalar mused, unable to hide his astonishment. Despite the decline of the Greymane's royal court, it still boasted at least one epic-level powerhouse. To Lalar, Covinus's small tribe taking on such a formidable challenge seemed as ludicrous as an ant challenging a dragon.

Almost impossible.

Lalar scrutinized Covinus, noting the serious set of his jaw, and couldn't help but smile. "Youth and vigor often lead to grand declarations," he remarked, a note of nostalgia in his voice. "I, too, was quite the braggart in my younger days. Some of those boasts shaped the man I am today, though not all came to pass."

Unaware of whether his father-in-law's smile was tinged with mockery, Covinus chose to overlook it. He was resolute, his ambitions not merely boastful dreams. "Time will bear out the truth of my words," he stated calmly.

"So, I am bound by my destiny to prioritize my ambitions, but Agif possesses the courage, knowledge, intelligence, and independent spirit that captivate me," Covinus continued earnestly. "She is the kind of partner who would truly understand and support me."

Lalar nodded thoughtfully. Indeed, Covinus had accurately appreciated Agif's qualities.

"Yet, you must realize, as a father, it's unsettling to hear a potential son-in-law admit he cannot fully devote himself to love," Lalar pointed out with a gentle firmness. "Why be so forthright about it?"

"I believe in honesty, Uncle. I think you and I are similar in that regard," Covinus responded with a small, confident smile. He was sincere; his goals for his tribe meant he couldn't afford the luxury of a conventional romantic focus.

Lalar paused, struck by the young man's candor. In recent years, his own commitments to his mercenary group had indeed led him to neglect his familial and emotional ties. Covinus's openness resonated with him, eliciting a reflective sigh.

Lalar sighed deeply, the weight of parental love etched into his voice. "Boy, men who prioritize their careers can indeed be admirable."

"You've passed the test!" he announced, a grudging respect in his tone.

"But remember," Lilar's voice grew serious, "she is my eldest daughter, my pride. My love for her surpasses everything. I've been strict, even harsh at times, but I never want her to face such hardships in marriage."

Covinus listened intently, understanding the depth of a father's concern. "Uncle, please be assured, I may be stern, but I would never mistreat my partner," Covinus vowed earnestly.

"And frankly, I couldn't best her even if I tried!" he added with a wry smile.

Lalar paused, then laughter erupted from him, breaking the earlier tension. "That's true! Her talents might even surpass yours. It seems unlikely you'll ever outmatch her."

The room's atmosphere lightened considerably at Covinus's candid admission.

"I admire your spirit," Lalar said, his tone now teasing, "but aspiring to be the master of the wasteland is like an ant challenging a dragon."

"Uncle, an ant cannot challenge a dragon," Covinus conceded with a chuckle. "But what if that ant is a young dragon itself, not yet fully grown? Then, perhaps, it might not be so far-fetched."

Lalar was taken aback, then smiled broadly. "Alright, I'll be watching you grow then!"

Just then, a voice called from the doorway, "Father, I've been looking for you everywhere! Why are you here?" It was Agif, her figure framed in the doorway, a curious crowd visible behind her.

The sudden appearance of Agfi and her entourage added a new layer of excitement to the conversation, signaling a shift from private discussions to more public interactions.