In Defiant Challenge

Some days ago (make it two weeks, hehehe), my friend Shukie and me noticed that our training had become stagnant. No matter what we did, we just couldn't improve ;_; It was frustrating... specially for Shukie: imagine a Dark Knight who realizes she can't hit harder!

Well, it happens that, apparently, the bodies of the 5 races have limits. The experts of the Orastery discovered that some time ago, during the Crystal War, trying to find a way to optimize our power against the Beastmen. They even drew a diagram split into levels. The top level of the Children of Altana was level 50. We had just reached that level.
*sigh*

"What, Lumin? That's stupid! What do you mean by that?"
"Apparently, we have met the limits of our bodies... or so say the research papers from the Orastery."
"They're full of it! I know i have met plenty of people who is a lot stronger than me!" *clenching fist* "There has to be a way to go beyond that level 50 you said, Lumin! >_<"
"But Shukie... the papers..."
She didn't let me finish that sentence. She turned around and started running. I ran trying to catch up with her. Thankfully i have longer legs than her :D
"Hey Shukie!" *pant* *gasp* "Shukie... where are you going?"
"I am going to Jeuno! I know there is an old man there who always have strong people hanging around him! >_<>
"But Shukie... wait just a second..."
"No! You can't stop me! I am going there! If you trust your books so much, you can stay here! >_<>
"But Shukie!... Shukie wait!"
"Now what?" *finally stopping, but frighteningly mad*
"If we are going to go to Jeuno, you are taking the wrong direction ^_- We need to go to the Port, not to South San d'Oria."
"uh... hehehe ^_^ *blush*"

After the necessary wait in the docks, and some wrong turns in Jeuno we finally reached the doors of the Archduke's chamber, in the Auroral Palace.
"Shukie, are you sure that the old man is inside the Archduke's bedroom?"
"What are you talking about? I wanna see the Archduke! :D"
*staggers* "Shukie... focus, please. The Archduke isn't even here!"
"Damn, Lumin, you're no fun!

We finally found the old man. He was Maat... that name rang a bell... and i am still trying to figure out why. As soon as we approached, he greeted us.
"Wow, two beautiful young ladies who are on their prime! I see you have raised to your bodily limits, hehehe."
For some reason, i didn't like how he said 'bodily'.
*whispering to Shukie* "Shukie, i think he is checking us out"
*whispering back* "Well, he should, to know how strong we are." *replying to Maat* "Whatever, old man... you know we have topped up our potential, but we want to get even stronger... i and i know you know something about it! >_<"
"Well, well, well, aren't you hasty? But i have to congratulate you for your instinct. Certainly, i can help you to go beyond your level... but..."
"But what, old man? We don't have all day, you know?"
"Hehehe, that's the spirit, alright! Well, i have a little challenge for you! ^_-"

And *sigh* that's how we got to have to look for 3 damned items: an Ancient Papyrus, an Exoray Mold, and a Bomb Coal. By then, i thought it was just a "fetch quest"... but no, not by a looooooooooong shot...