...7 years and 1 month later...
The sound of running boots hitting grass, followed by wood hitting wood. It had been a while since you came into this world. The more you lived in it the more you got accustomed to it. Not many things happened from your time as a child until now, only some side quests provided by the system. Like helping your mother cook, or things similar to that. They happened very rarely, but since those quests gave a little XP you managed to level up a bit.
Another neat thing is that as you grew up your stats also increased! For a little while, at least. They all hit 10 around the time you turned five and didn't seem to increase further without using Stat Points.
[X Status] [Skills] [Magic] [Battlewills] [Quests]
Name: Y/N Mythrize
Title: [...]
Level: 008
5/14XP
HP: 1000/1000
SHP: 1000/1000
MAG: 500/500
AUR: 500/500
Stats:
VIT - 10 (+)
MIN - 10 (+)
MAG - 10 (+)
AUR - 10 (+)
STR - 10 (+)
AGI - 10 (+)
INT - 10 (+)
Stat Points: 70
(A/N: Hello, author here. I made a little mistake last chapter. I had all the stats written down to start at 10 for simplicity's sake, and wanted to change them including HP and the like for only chapter 1, but I didn't do that, and now you have very weird stats for me to use, so... I had to change that. Once I'm done with the story I'll change the stats in the first chapter to 100/100 HP and SHP, and 50/50 MAG and AUR. Thank you for your understanding.)
You haven't spent the Stat Points you had since you wanted to figure out what you wanted to become first. With no real fighting experience, you had nothing to go off of in real fights. You knew what you liked to be in video games, but this was your life. Every stat point you spend is gonna stay that way. And yes, if you presume the maximum level is 999, you'd gain a whopping 9.990 Stat Points to spend. But that wasn't that much considering you had your whole life to gain levels.
You desperately needed experience in battle, even if they were just a form of dueling. So what were you doing now?
[Active Quest]
Side Quest - Battle Experience
Fight against your father to get accustomed to battles.
- Defeat [Royal Guard Luke Mythrize] (0/1)
Reward:
250XP
As the quest made clear, you were currently fighting your father in the backyard of your family house. You had asked him to teach you how to use a sword a few months back, and he, with the disapproval of your mother, agreed. Thanks to [Learner] you managed to get the basics down in record time. So, as another form of training, you and your father decided to spar using wooden swords. You weren't gonna make it easy for him, of course! He had beaten you every time before, but you still fought. You basically had his move set down now. And his skills too!
Temporary Skill Slots:
-> Common [Strengthen] (43/100)
-> Extra [Future Attack Prediction] (49/100)
->...
->...
->...
You had copied both his skills and used them a bunch as well. Your father took a step forth, which is a move you recognized. In a fast motion, he got the wooden sword over his head and swung down at you. Predicting it using [Future Attack Prediction] you managed to put your sword in the way to block.
Luke: "You're amazing! I can't believe you got all of this so fast!"
Y/N: Chuckles while being out of breath. "I learned from the best, after all!"
Both of you jumped back to get out of the sword lock. Then you circled each other, waiting for the other one to strike, and after a little time, you went for a hit. Your father, being experienced due to his job as a Royal Guard, instantly set up a block with the purpose of launching a quick counterattack. But unbeknownst to him you saw that coming! Instead of going through with the attack you quickly ducked, and your father's wooden sword soared over your head with the momentum that was meant to block your strike.
Luke: "Wha-"
Without thinking twice you activated [Strengthen] and swung upwards at his sword, hitting it at such an angle that he lost his grip, causing the sword to fly out of his hands. It landed on the grass behind you with a soft thud. Your father raised both of his arms with a perplexed but proud expression on his face as you pointed your wooden sword at his neck.
Y/N: "You..." Panting. "Lose..."
Luke: "Wow... I'm- I'm speechless. I admit defeat."
A massive smile crossed his face as he rushed forward and hugged you.
Luke: "Oh I'm so proud of you! Just how fast you grew up!"
Y/N: Laughs. "Dad! Stop it!"
You look to the side and see a notification from the system.
[Congratulations! Quest Complete.]
Side Quest - Battle Experience
You need to fight against your father to get accustomed to battles.
- Defeat [Royal Guard Luke Mythrize] (1/1)
Reward:
250XP
Claim reward?
[Yes] [No]
You figured out a few months ago that no one else could see your status and notification windows. But you were surprised you actually managed to beat your father in a duel! Even if he wasn't going all out, this was a great accomplishment. And the reward was the highest you received until now.
Y/N: (I didn't even realize... Just how many levels will this bring? [Yes]!)
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
The ding that sounded when you increased a level played in your mind multiple times. You open your status to check your new progress.
[X Status] [Skills] [Magic] [Battlewills] [Quests]
Name: Y/N Mythrize
Title: [...]
Level: 021
23/27XP
HP: 931/1200
SHP: 1200/1200
MAG: 402/600
AUR: 600/600
Stats:
VIT - 12 (+)
MIN - 12 (+)
MAG - 12 (+)
AUR - 12 (+)
STR - 12 (+)
AGI - 12 (+)
INT - 12 (+)
Stat Points: 200
Y/N: (This one quest gave so much more than all the others! Where was it in all the other years?! But why did it even give so much in the first place? Was it because the person I fought was simply strong, ignoring the fact they were holding back?)
You admired your new level, and even the low increase in stats was very noticeable. What you figured out in the last years was that your strength also increased by stuff like training. You believe that the stats are a simple form of additional power to that. Significant power apparently, as you could feel it coursing through your entire being.
Your father ruffled your hair.
Luke: "I knew you were special, you little prodigy!"
Y/N: "Ugh, dad! I'm not little anymore, you know that."
Luke: "But of course you are."
"Sigh, seriously... You boys and your antics."
Looking at where the voice came from you found your mother standing in the open door to your family's home.
Y/N: "Hi, mom! Back from grocery shopping?"
Alice: "Mhm! And I've managed to cook something up too. Now come in you both or the food is gonna get cold."
Luke: "Right away, honey."
Eager for food you and your father walked up to her.
...
You and your parents get into the house and go to the dining table. It was neatly decorated and tasty food was waiting on top of it. For some reason, your mother's food always tasted the best. No five-star restaurant could even begin to get close to the level of this cooking.
While you were enjoying the cooking, as did the other two at the table, your father began to tell your mother about your strength, how well you'd be suited to become something like an adventurer, and that you managed to disarm him today. ...She didn't seem all that thrilled, however.
Alice: Sighs. "Sweetie?"
You looked up from your food, swallowing the portion you were chewing on.
Y/N: "Yes, mom?"
Alice: "If it's truly your wish to become an adventurer, I won't stop you, but... I can't let you do so without having heard what I'm about to tell you."
You stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.
Alice: "Working for the adventurers guild is very dangerous. In my years of work, it wasn't uncommon to hear that a party had been wiped out. Having friends in the profession also meant the not far-fetched possibility of waking up without ever seeing them again... So please, be absolutely sure when you go for it."
You've put down the fork you were holding.
Y/N: "That... sounded like it came from experience..."
Alice: Looks away. "... I had a friend at the adventurers guild... and... she took on a quest she couldn't complete..."
Your father kissed her cheek and rubbed her back. The reason for the worry your mother had about you becoming an adventurer was clear to you now.
Y/N: "Don't worry, Mom!"
She looked at you and you gave her a confident smile.
Y/N: "I don't plan on just becoming any adventurer!"
Alice: "You're... not...?"
Y/N: Shakes his head. "Nope! I'm gonna go even further beyond! I'll become a true hero!"
Both your parents looked at you perplexed. But after the initial shock, your father crossed his arms and gave a proud nod while your mother had a big smile on her face.
Alice: "A hero, ey?" Giggles. "That's an amazing goal, sweetie. Don't ever change."
Y/N: (They probably think it's one of the typical childish dreams a child at my age would have. But little do they know that it's truly the end goal I have. If I want to stop worrying about the little things I'll have to be strong enough to ignore them.) "Not planning on it! But I'll have to get stronger, though."
As you started to eat again your parents looked at each other. Your father gave your mother a nod and she put on a thoughtful expression as a response.
Alice: "... I'll see what I can do." Remembers something. "Oh, but talking about strength! I got you the book you wanted. I'll go get it, wait a second." Stands up and walks towards the front door.
Y/N: "What bo- oh, right. That book!"
You managed to eat up what you had on your plate before she got whatever she was looking for. After that she made her way back to the table, sitting down.
Alice: "Here you go."
She placed a book on the table and slid it over to you. It was bound in leather, and the words "Collection of Skills and their effects" were written as the title. You took it and opened it to look through. That was only for show, though, since you'd just use Knowledge Absorption once you're alone.
Y/N: Smiles. "Thank you, mom!"
Alice: "No problem at all, sweetie. Now run along, I know you can't wait to read it."
Y/N: "Really? I can help clean, it's no problem."
Alice: "No, it's alright. Your father will clean the dishes."
Luke: "Wha-"
Your mother shot him a side glare.
Luke: Sweating bullets. "Y-yeah! Of- of course, I will, honey! I'd love to! Yeah..."
Y/N: (Sorry, Dad.) "Well, if it's really no problem, then... thank you!"
Luke: Sighs. "No problem, champ."
You stood up and left to go to your room, making sure you took the book with you.
...In your room...
You closed the door behind you and sat on your bed.
Y/N: "Alright, let's see here. Knowledge Absorption."
A familiar yellow light goes through each page of the book and its information manifested in your mind. There was a bunch of useful stuff in it, and it made you have a feeling for what skills you could come across. And there were some skills you'd love to get your hands on.
Y/N: (Okay... Regeneration skills are a given. It'd be great to have something passively regenerating my HP while I fight. Resistances are great too. But the one I'm really after is..."
You open the book on exactly the right page. While you had the information already you just wanted to look at it. The name of the skill on the page was "Magic Sense".
Y/N: (This skill allows the perception of magicules around the user. All 360 degrees. It doesn't exactly sound strong if it was just that, but magicules interact with the world. Sound or light waves especially, which can then be converted into perceptional data. This leaves no blind spot in the users' perception, you're able to fight even if you get blinded, and to be able to see in the dark is a nice bonus too. If I want to get stronger this is crucial to have.)
And it appears that The System had read your mind again.
[New Quest!]
Sub Quest - A whole new outlook.
You want to learn Extra Skill [Magic Sense] to gain an upper hand in battles.
- Reach level 50 (21/50)
- Increase MIN to 50 (12/50)
- Increase INT to 30 (12/30)
Reward:
Extra Skill [Magic Sense]
Y/N: "Oh." (It seems like The System thinks so too. And the fact I need to increase Mind is also plausible. While the skill is super strong and fairly easy to get for an Extra Skill, a normal human would have their brains melted to a crisp due to information overload. I guess this is what I saved the points up for! Actually, while I'm on it, I'll just raise the other stats a little too.)
[X Status] [Skills] [Magic] [Battlewills] [Quests]
Name: Y/N Mythrize
Title: [...]
Level: 021
23/27XP
HP: 2500/2500
SHP: 5000/5000
MAG: 1000/1000
AUR: 750/750
Stats:
VIT - 25 (+)
MIN - 50 (+)
MAG - 20 (+)
AUR - 15 (+)
STR - 20 (+)
AGI - 20 (+)
INT - 30 (+)
Stat Points: 104
The goals were updated too.
- Increase MIN to 50 (50/50)
- Increase INT to 30 (30/30)
You didn't like having to put so many points into Mind. And the reason for that was quite simple, you haven't encountered anything that damages it yet. You knew it had to be done eventually once you find an opponent that targets your soul, but you would've rather put it into normal Vitality.
Y/N: (Whatever. It'll probably work out in the long run. But now I actually need to find a proper way to level up. Mom said something about getting stronger, right? Maybe I should wait out what she has planned. There is no reason to rush.)
And so you did.
...6 Months later...
It had been 8 years and 1 Month since you came into this world. And you could feel that, ever since you leveled up a bunch thanks to your dad, the frequency in which quests were appearing had increased. It was one of your theories that The System grew more powerful itself with each level. You didn't know how or why exactly, but it probably did. And speaking of level-ups, you managed to level up 7 more times in the 6 months that passed. That's mostly thanks to training with your dad. Doing that his Common Skill "Strengthen" became permanent.
And your mother never said anything about the getting stronger part again. Not even on your birthday last month. You were starting to wonder if she forgot about it. That was until now.
Alice: From downstairs. "SWEETIE? COULD YOU COME TO THE DINING ROOM PLEASE?"
Y/N: (What would she want with me in the dining room? Did I make a mess or something? No, I'd definitely remember that. This is weird.)
Stepping out of your room you made your way downstairs.
...The dining room...
As soon as you entered the room your mother beckoned you to come to you saw a weird middle-aged man with a mostly red and white outfit and black hair. The left side of his hair was white for some reason, and he seemed to be an experienced fighter based on the scar on his eye.
(WEBNOVEL NOTE: I don't know if you can add pictures here. Nevertheless I've added the source to the image so you can at least look at it that way.
Source: https://www.nautiljon.com/persos/tensei+shitara+slime+datta+ken/fuze.html)
Alice: "Ah, there you are. Y/N, this is Fuze, the Guildmaster of Free Guild's Bulmund branch."
Y/N: (Guildmaster? Now this is getting interesting.) "Nice to meet you, sir."
Fuze: "Nice to meet ya too, kid."
You turned to face your mother with a questioning gaze, but she just motioned you to sit down beside her. You did as instructed and took a seat.
Fuze: "So he's the "prodigy" you were talking about?"
Y/N: "Prodigy?"
Alice: "Well, if you believe the words of my husband, then yes."
Fuze: "Luke? Did he say that? Hm..."
He eyed you kind of skeptically, and you could feel that he didn't believe it.
Alice: "Yes, and... as much as I don't like it... he's planning to become an adventurer when he grows up. And his father has reached the limits of how much he can teach him. I was wondering if you could teach my son to become even stronger. Please?"
Y/N: (So that's the reason he's here.)
Fuze: "You did say it'd be a weird favor... Fine. I'll see how much this kid is really capable of. And if he actually proves to be a prodigy I'll see what I can do."
Alice: "Thank you."
Fuze: "Don't thank me yet." Turns to you. "Well, kid? How about a spar."
You were following the conversation quietly, and as I heard that a smile grew on your face.
Y/N: "Sure! But be careful not to break any bones, old man!"
Fuze: "Puh! Got spunk, ey? I may be retired as an adventurer but that doesn't mean I can't back up my words with power. Let's see if you can back that up too."
He stood up from the table, and you did so too.
Fuze: "Luke has training swords, right?"
Alice: Stands up, a bit perplexed at your confidence. "Yeah. They're located beside the back door."
Fuze: "Good."
You all make your way outside.
...In the garden...
You and Fuze were now standing in front of each other. The wooden sword in your hand was tightly gripped, and you held it in front of you ready for battle. He, however, was simply standing there, the tip of his wooden sword on the ground and his hands resting on the handle.
Y/N: (He doesn't appear serious at all, even after I insulted him. Just what makes him so sure to win? ... Actually that's a stupid question. I'm 8 after all.)
In typical system fashion, you got a new quest.
[New Quest!]
Sub Quest - Prove Your Worth
Show [Guildmaster Fuze] that you're indeed a "prodigy".
- Hit him at least once (0/1)
Reward:
Fuze's respect
Bonus:
-Defeat [Guildmaster Fuze] (0/1)
Bonus Reward:
1000XP
Y/N: (What? A bonus quest? That's just as much XP as my current main quest gives! What the hell?! Is this guy actually that strong? Shiiit...) Takes a deep breath. (Okay... I need to go all out. All of my Stat Points need to be spent. And hopefully, this guy has some good skills I can use too. Learner: Temporary Replication!)
Your eyes started to shine in a yellow-golden light, similar to the one that appeared when you took the knowledge of an object. And normally you'd see the skills of the opponent by now but... there weren't any. You stopped using the skill and your eyes stopped glowing.
Y/N: (What? No skills? So he uses something else... damn it. I just hope using Overpower won't surprise my mom too much. And this means I desperately need to get my Stats up.)
Fuze: "What's the holdup, kid? I thought you wanted to "beat my ass"."
Y/N: "Shut up! I'm preparing here, damnit!" (I don't need to worry about protecting my soul, so mind is pointless to increase since I did so already for Magic Sense. Aura isn't needed since I don't have any Battlewills. So my physical stats and more magicules are the best bet.)
Based on that assessment you increased your stat using almost every stat point you have.
[X Status] [Skills] [Magic] [Battlewills] [Quests]
Name: Y/N Mythrize
Title: [...]
Level: 028
5/37XP
HP: 5000/5000
SHP: 5000/5000
MAG: 3000/3000
AUR: 750/750
Stats:
VIT - 50 (+)
MIN - 50 (+)
MAG - 60 (+)
AUR - 15 (+)
STR - 70 (+)
AGI - 70 (+)
INT - 30 (+)
Stat Points: 9
As soon as you increased the stats your body was filled with newfound power. Everything you increased a number you could feel that your being had just become stronger. This rush you felt was exhilarating, almost like a drug. But you quickly caught yourself again.
Y/N: (This should be enough to at least make a difference. Since Overpower is a skill that increases power based on percent and isn't just a raw predetermined power buff it should help more too. What else do I
need-)
Fuze: Yawns. "I'm waiting, kid. You have the first move."
Y/N: (- I need to punch this guy in the face. That's what I need. And I know what I need to do, even if I don't like it... I have to use Parallel Analysis.)
The reason you didn't like that one aspect is quite simple.
..Flashback...
It was the day after you managed to summon your status screen for the first time.
Y/N: (One thing I've been wondering about is that weird Parallel Analysis. Its wording is... weird... and just seems very similar to Rapid Learning. Maybe I should try it out to see what it does? Parallel Analysis!)
What happened next was weirder than you expected. Your mind was split into two! And you could feel that it took a strain on you since your head instantly began hurting. Both "yous" could focus on different things and they share your senses, but your body didn't know what to do since both were trying to control it at the same time. ... So it started to cry.
Y/N: (OKAY, OKAY! SHUT THAT OFF!)
You returned to one train of thought.
Y/N: (That was just... ugh... So it can make me be able to have two consciences at the same time who operate independently from each other. But it seems that they know exactly what the other is doing too, so they can coordinate. It'll be useful, but... I don't ever want to experience that again.)
...Flashback end...
You did try to use the skill a few times after that, but you never came around to get a hold of it. Now, though...
Y/N: (If I want to win here, I'll have to use it. I'm not gonna use the full extent of Overpower from the get-go since that can leave me quite vulnerable, but a little shouldn't hurt.)
Common Skill [Strengthen] (STR +10 = 80)
Unique Skill [Overpower] - Stat Overload [Fuze | STR +20% = 96], Area of Power
Your strength increased even further as you activated both skills. Here it was important to activate a flat buff before activating the percentage buff because you got more out of it. As you activated Overpower a dark red mist-like aura started to surround you.
Fuze: Notices himself getting weaker. "Oh?"
As Area of Power did its thing and decreased his power by 10%, Fuze kicked his wooden sword into an upright position, put one hand behind his back, and used the other hand to face you with the wooden sword.
Fuze: (What is this? An Extra Ski- No. This is a Unique Skill! Maybe he really has something in him.)
You in return activated the one skill you didn't really want to activate.
Unique Skill [Learner] - Parallel Analysis
Your eyes began to glow a golden yellow, like when you used Temporary Replication, and your conscience instantly became two. But this time you were prepared.
Y/N: (I take on the fight. | I talk shit and look out. Got it.)
Since the two of you were linked you didn't need to talk like that, but it made things just a little easier for now.
Fuze: (And there is that weird glow again. Is it another...? No, that's ridiculous.)
You disappear.
Fuze: "Huh?" Looks around.
All that could be heard were steps coming from all around him.
Y/N: (Gotcha! | GG.)
You appeared behind him, sword raised, and were about to strike him. But before you could do that he turned around and blocked your attack almost effortlessly using only one hand on his sword.
Y/N: "Ah dang it."
Fuze: "Damn kid. That hit got some force behind it."
He put more pressure on his sword and began to push it further to you.
Y/N: "Thanks, I guess. Bummer it didn't land though!"
You jumped back and began to run again. This time you actually notice the man's eyes following you, having seemingly no trouble catching up to your speed.
Fuze: "Say, is that a Unique Skill you're using?"
You attack again, this time with a jump.
Y/N: (He figured it out?) "Yes, it is."
He parried your attack and you got blown back. But thanks to your 70 points in AGI you managed to land on your feet.
Fuze: Grins. "I guess I'll have to say I was wrong! You might have what it takes to become an amazing adventurer."
The conscience in charge of talking returned the grin. It had control over the lungs, vocal cords, and facial muscles. The other conscience was in charge of everything else since it was focusing on fighting. After you landed back on your feet you made sure to deactivate Stat Overload. The red mist decreased in potency as only Area of Power was active. Stat Overload was draining too many magicules, the punishment wouldn't last that long if you stopped early, and you obviously needed to reassess the situation. You quickly checked the punishment and your remaining magicules.
STR - 68
MAG: 2480/3000
Y/N: (Luckily the punishment isn't that severe thanks to Strengthen. | Pretty useful. But what should we do now? | I don't know! He's stronger, faster, and way more experienced than we are! This is bullshit. I'll try to think of something. Distract him. | I'll try my best, I guess.) "Really? What were you like as an adventurer, actually?"
Fuze: "Ha! Back in my prime, I was one of the best. Considered A- rank. Oh, those were the good old days! Sadly age catches up to you pretty fast in this job, especially in the higher rankings."
Y/N: (I think I got it... we'll have to put everything into one onslaught. | Are you sure? | Yes. 50% of stat overload on strength and agility should allow us to at least land one hit on him. ...Hopefully. | That'd mean that we'd only have about 24.8 seconds before we run out of magicules! Maybe we should tire him out before trying that? | That wouldn't work. He hasn't attacked us himself ever since we started, and I doubt he's gonna start. He just wants to know our strength. | And so we show it to him... I see.)
Fuze: (That aura around him decreased. I still feel the same from after he used that unique skill the first time. So it must have a boosting effect on his strength. And the fact he stopped attacking probably means that it has some form of cooldown.)
Y/N: "I can see I won't win in a drawn-out battle."
Fuze: "You wouldn't win in any battle against me right now, kid."
Y/N: Rolls his eyes. "So I'll stop trying to draw this battle out more." (You'll have to help too. | I know. Let's do this.)
The effect of Punishment Phase runs out, returning your STR to 80. And as soon as that happened you were ready.
Unique Skill [Overpower] - Stat Overload [Fuze | STR +50% = 120, AGI +50% = 105], Area of Power
From the time of activation, you had a little less than 25 seconds before your strength and agility were debuffed to oblivion. So you wasted no time in starting to attack. You disappeared and reappeared beside Fuze, who saw it coming and blocked, but as soon as he did you disappeared and reappeared somewhere also around him. This happened really fast.
Fuze: Continues blocking. (This kid doesn't stop to surprise me. He could even get through to D tier at this stage. And once he's older probably C tier, maybe even B tier if this unique skill can boost him even further.)
The barrage of attacks continued, and the rapid blocking Fuze needed to do worked in your favor. Not because he was getting tired, but because... Rapid Learning started to have his block pattern down. 20 seconds had passed, it was now or never. With the newly acquired knowledge, you put everything into the next swing. Fuze of course goes to block with a vertical swing, but you sidestepped quickly and twist your sword far enough so it went above his.
Fuze: (What?!)
It seemed like time slowed down. Your wooden sword was shortly before hitting his face, but he managed to realign his sword, which is now about to hit your stomach. If he'd hit before you you'd be sent flying, and you wouldn't be able to continue fighting due to Punishment Phase. If you hit him first, the same will happen, with the addition of you getting one hit off.
Y/N: (COME ON!)
You felt your sword colliding with the side of his face, and in the next moment, you got flung away by his hit. You managed to twist your body just enough to roll on the ground and not land awkwardly. With the strength leaving your body the battle was over.
[Congratulations! Quest Complete.]
Sub Quest - Prove Your Worth
Show [Guildmaster Fuze] that you're indeed a "prodigy".
- Hit him at least once (1/1)
Reward:
Fuze's respect
Bonus:
-Defeat [Guildmaster Fuze] (Failed)
[Confirm]
You pushed yourself up and sat on the ground. The lack of magicules caused Stat Overload to stop the boost and trigger Punishment Phase, and you decided to deactivate all the other buffs too and your mind went back to normal. After that, you confirmed the completion of the quest, and you also looked at your status. The fight got you so exhausted that [Stat-Driven Body] gave you a fatigue status effect, which was pretty annoying.
HP: 3657/5000
MAG: 0/3000
STR - 30
AGI - 35
Y/N: (This is... I'll have to have some good sleep after this...)
You stood back up and looked at Fuze, who was holding his cheek with an impressed look on his face.
Fuze: "Damn, kid. You've got some power for your age. I see why your father would call you a prodigy."
Y/N: "Yeah, well... still didn't manage to beat you."
Fuze: "But that was to be expected. I'm leagues better than you right now, but you could even surpass me with time."
Y/N: "You think so?"
Fuze: "I know so. But I guess congratulations are in order, you did manage to hit me after all. And sorry for that hit, it must've hurt."
Y/N: Awkwardly grins in Pain Nullification. "It's fine."
Fuze: "Really? Well, alright then. To give you a form of reward I was thinking of giving you the chance to attend an adventurer exa-"
As soon as he wanted to say adventurer examination, a test needed to become an adventurer, he felt an overwhelming presence from behind you. Looking there, he saw Alice Mythrize glaring at him with overwhelming pressure. He didn't know where the power of that pressure was coming from, but it made him reconsider what he was about to say.
Fuze: "Uh... Actually, kid, let's save that for when you're older. Once you become 15 I promise to get you free access to an adventurer examination. Until then is there anything else you want?"
Y/N: (Wait, this is a chance I need to take!) "I want to travel to Ulg Nature Park!"
Fuze: Raises an eyebrow. "The one in the Republic of Ulgracia?"
Y/N: "Yeah! I have something I must do there."
Your mom came up to you both.
Alice: "Now, now, sweetie. You don't need to make a far travel such as that at your age!"
Y/N: "No, mom. It is important that I get there."
Alice was unsure if that was right, but her mother's intuition told her that it was.
Fuze: "Well, if the kid's so sure I could make it a quest and have an adventurer party bring him there."
Alice: "No! Out of the question!"
Y/N: "Come on Mom, pleeeaaase?" Gives her puppy dog eyes.
Alice: "I- Well..."
Y/N: "How about when I'm older? Can I go when I become 9?"
Alice: "I don't know, sweetie, I-"
Y/N: "10?"
Alice: Sighs. "Fine. When you're 10 I'll let a party escort you to Ulgracia..."
Y/N: "Yay! Thanks, Mom, you're the best!" Hugs her. (The power a child has over their parents is kind of frightening...)
Fuze: Shrugs. "Works for me. I'll organize it."
Alice: "Now go inside and wait for us there. I have to talk this through with Fuze."
Y/N: "Okay."
You made your way inside the house. Meanwhile, Fuze was confused about why you couldn't listen to the conversation. That confusion soon turned into panic as he was grabbed at the collar by a very angry mother. He gulped.
Alice: "Now listen here, and listen well. You better put together a team of the strongest, most reliable adventurers this world has ever seen for my son's trip to Ulgracia, or I'm gonna make sure the world won't see you anymore. Do you understand?"
Fuze: "I- Well-"
Alice: "I asked... do you understand?"
Fuze: "Yes! Y-Yes, I do!"
Alice: "...Good."
She let go of him and turned to a more happy attitude.
Alice: "Let's get inside! I don't want to bother you any longer, after all." Giggles.
Fuze: (...Women are scary...)
Both of them went inside too.
...A little later, at the front door...
You all were at the front door, ready to say goodbye to Fuze.
Y/N: "It was nice having you here, Mr.Fuze."
Fuze: "Now you're being polite, ey? Heh. Be proud of yourself, kid. You've earned my respect today."
Alice: "Thank you for coming, Fuze. It was a pleasure."
Fuze: "The pleasure's all mine. If I wasn't here today I wouldn't have known this little guy existed. And don't worry, I keep what I promise. We'll meet again in two years, kid."
Y/N: "Can't wait!"
Fuze: "Well then, I'll be off."
He walks out of the front door and you and your mother wave him goodbye. Then your mother closed the door.
Alice: "I'm gonna start making dinner. Is there anything you want, sweetie?"
Y/N: "Oh, yes! I'm starving! I don't care what I'll get, I just want something to eat..."
Alice: "You must be spent after that fight. Talking about the fight... what was that skill you used?"
Y/N: (Oh, uh... forgot I revealed that...) "Don't know, really. Fuze said it was a Unique Skill or something."
Alice: "I see. Oh, my little baby boy is becoming so strong at such a young age! I really don't know what to do with you, you know?"
Y/N: Chuckles. "It's gonna be fine, mom. As I said, I'll become the best hero the world has ever seen!"
Alice smiled and patted your head.
Alice: "I'm sure you will, sweetie."
And with that, you ended the day with your mom's amazing cooking.
...One day later...
It was the next day and you were currently in your library. You wanted to check something you found weird. Both the Guildmaster and your mother didn't know that the Dwelling of the Spirits is located in Ulg Nature Park. So you were searching for the book that gave you knowledge about it a few years ago.
Y/N: (It doesn't make any sense. It was literally in our library. Just what book was it... Ah, gotcha!)
You find it and pull it out. You expected it to be a little old, but the thing was even older than you expected. Its title was unreadable. But as you opened it, you realized something.
Y/N: (Wait... this isn't the writing my parents taught me. This looks way different.)
It was true. The book wasn't written in the current language of the central world. Instead, it was something almost ancient, something you feel like not many humans or Majin could read. And that was the point where you understood something crucial about Learner's Knowledge Absorption. It didn't care about the language the information was written in. As long as it's a form of knowledge it could be absorbed.
Y/N: (I guess I'll have to look out for that too if I don't wanna out my other unique skills.)
You put the book back and went back to your room.
...
Next Chapter: An adventurer's party, a journey, and a magisteel golem.
Words: 6136