After walking for a while, Kazuya spotted a large city in the distance. In its center stood a massive tower. The city had a structure divided into layers, and beside it ran a vast lake that reflected part of the landscape. He was impressed by the sight and asked in his mind to Sage Noesis:
"Is that the city of Caelvaris? It really looks huge, and its structure is quite different. It seems the tower stands right at its center."
Sage Noesis replied in his mind:
"The city is divided into seven great parts, which in turn are subdivided into seven major guilds. Each part of the city belongs to one race. Each guild of the seven races has its headquarters here, in this city that became known as the city that gathers all races: Caelvaris."
Kazuya, growing more curious, asked again:
"Interesting. So that means the seven great races live together? And their kingdoms are also in this city?"
Sage Noesis explained:
"The seven great races maintain a pact of non-aggression among themselves. However, their populations do not live in Caelvaris. The kingdoms of the other races remain in their original territories. The tower, however, stands exactly on the border between them all."
Kazuya listened attentively, and Noesis continued:
"Originally, there was no city here. It was the humans who decided to unite and build a great city around the tower. Over time, the other races realized that the tower was also part of their territories and demanded rights over it. At first, humans refused to share it, and a war broke out. However, unable to face all the races at once, they were forced to yield. Thus, a pact was made, and the city became a symbol of that fragile union—the City of Races."
Kazuya commented:
"I see… So this city gathers all the races, but their original lands still lie elsewhere, right?"
"Exactly," replied Sage Noesis. "Caelvaris serves only as headquarters for the guilds and the representatives of the races."
Kazuya then thought mischievously:
"This all sounds very interesting. So I'll get to meet other races… Will there be elves? I can't wait to see a hot elf girl, just like the ones from…"
Before he could finish the thought, Ervynia interrupted, flying calmly beside him. With a teasing smile, she said:
"What are you thinking about? I bet it's something perverted."
Kazuya got nervous and tried to explain:
"Ahh, I don't know what you're talking about! And even if I were thinking about something… who are you to tell me what I can or can't think about, huh?"
Ervynia smirked mockingly and replied calmly:
"No need to get so defensive. I just said what I imagined… But I bet I'm right. You were probably thinking something inappropriate. Not that it surprises me… I already expected something perverted coming from you. After all, you're still a big virgin."
She started laughing at his reaction.
Kazuya, embarrassed and blushing, thought to himself:
"But how does she know what I was thinking? Can she read my mind? Damn it!"
He replied aloud, irritated:
"Cut it out! Why do you enjoy humiliating me so much, huh?"
Ervynia just smiled and said, "Because it's fun. Now stop talking. Look, the city is right ahead. There'll be a checkpoint, and we'll have to pay a fee to enter. If I'm not mistaken, it's four gold coins."
Kazuya replied indifferently, "I know we're almost there. I have eyes too."
Ervynia began to get irritated and said, "You idiot, who do you think you are to talk to me like that?"
Kazuya simply ignored Ervynia and said nothing more. She started getting even more annoyed for being ignored. Sighing, she said, "You think you can just ignore me like that? We'll see how long that lasts." She crossed her arms and looked away, clearly irritated.
After some time walking, Kazuya and Ervynia approached a large gate, where imposing guards held spears. They wore silver armor that gleamed under the sunlight.
One of the guards stepped forward and said:
"Identify yourselves."
Kazuya looked at Ervynia, confused, and asked quietly:
"What now, Ervynia?"
Ervynia simply smiled and replied calmly:
"Leave this to me."
She opened a portal right before the guards' eyes and pulled out a bag of money. Surprised by the sudden appearance of the portal, the guards raised their spears toward her. The second guard stepped forward and said in a firm tone:
"Identify yourself! What kind of portal is that?"
Ervynia, without losing her composure, smiled again.
"Ah, it's nothing much, just an ability I possess."
She took out a few gold coins from the bag — four in total — and handed them to the guard. The man observed the coins for a moment, then took them. Soon after, another guard said:
"Now, hand over your registration cards for entry."
Ervynia frowned, confused.
"Cards? We don't have any registration cards."
The guard replied curtly:
"I see. Then this must be your first time in Caelvaris. In that case, you'll have to pay thirty coins."
Ervynia was shocked by the absurd amount and retorted:
"What a rip-off! Why did it suddenly get so expensive, just because we don't have a registration card?"
The guard replied indifferently:
"If you had the card, you'd only have to pay the fee. Without it, the price is much higher."
Kazuya, impatient, nudged Ervynia's arm and muttered:
"Come on, just pay it. Let's not waste time arguing."
Ervynia, irritated, turned her face toward him.
"Fine! I'll pay, but stop poking my arm, idiot."
Grumbling, she pulled out more coins from the bag and handed them to the guard. The man quickly counted them and nodded.
"Very well, you may enter. Welcome to Caelvaris."
He signaled to his companion, who pulled the chains of the mechanism. Slowly, the great gate began to open before them.
Kazuya and Ervynia started walking toward the city entrance. One of the guards looked at Kazuya and said:
"You came to climb the tower, right?"
"Yes, we came to climb the tower," Kazuya replied.
The guard then said:
"I suggest you register with the Stormveil Adventurers' Guild. That way, you'll get a guild card and won't have to pay extra fees to enter or leave the city."
Kazuya smiled and replied:
"Ah, thanks for the tip."
He extended his hand to the guard and introduced himself:
"My name is Kazuya."
The guard shook his hand and replied:
"My name is Thorne. I wish you luck. Just be careful—there are always swindlers around trying to trick travelers and run scams."
"Ahh, thanks for the warning," said Kazuya.
At that moment, Ervynia, who was already entering the city, turned around and said:
"Come on! What are you waiting for?"
"Alright, I'm coming," Kazuya replied.
He then looked at the guard and, half amused, added:
"Oh, and that rude woman over there who doesn't greet anyone—her name is Ervynia."
The guard, upon hearing that name, commented:
"Oh, so that's her name? Interesting... It's the same name as the goddess Ervynia. Her parents must have been very devout to choose that name."
Kazuya thought to himself:
Oops, I probably shouldn't have revealed her name. But it doesn't matter... no one would ever believe that this woman is the actual goddess Ervynia.
Then he said to the guard:
"Ah, well... I need to go now. See you another day."
The guard simply replied:
"See you. And good luck trying to climb the tower."
Kazuya smiled, turned around, and walked toward Ervynia.
Once inside the city, Ervynia glared at him and asked suspiciously:
"What were you talking about with that guard, huh?"
Kazuya replied, "Nothing much, I just introduced myself and said my name."
Ervynia asked, "Did you tell him my name?"
Kazuya replied, "Yeah, by accident. I ended up telling him your name, but it's fine—no one's going to think you're literally the real goddess Ervynia. I mean, just looking at you, you don't even seem like an actual goddess."
Ervynia got irritated and snapped, "What do you mean by that, huh, idiot?"
Kazuya simply replied, "I don't mean anything by it."
Kazuya began looking around and noticed several people walking through the streets—elves and humans. He started feeling really happy seeing all that and thought, "Finally, I'm really in another world. Even elves exist here. It really feels like I'm in a completely different world."
Kazuya looked around, admiring the bustling streets of the city they had just entered. Merchants shouted as they offered their goods, adventurers came and went displaying weapons and equipment, and children ran between the alleys laughing loudly. He then turned to Ervynia and said:
"Well, now that we're finally inside, we need to find the Stormveil Adventurers' Guild. Where could it be?"
Ervynia raised an eyebrow and answered disdainfully:
"How should I know where this so-called guild is? You're asking the wrong person."
Kazuya gave her an ironic look, almost teasing, and commented with a slight smirk at the corner of his lips:
"Ah, of course… How could I expect you to know? After all, you're just a useless goddess who doesn't have a clue about anything. But it's fine, I won't worry. I'll just ask the Sage Noesis."
His words cut through Ervynia's pride like a knife. Her expression changed instantly—her eyes narrowed and an aura of irritation surrounded her. She clenched her fists and retorted in a firm, threatening tone:
"You're really asking to die, aren't you? How dare you call me a useless goddess? If you keep treating me like this, I swear I'll rip your head off without a second thought!"
Kazuya, however, remained unfazed. He just sighed, looked away, and ignored her words as if they were nothing but a tantrum. Staying calm, he lifted his gaze to the sky as if searching for an answer and said in his mind, addressing the system:
"Sage Noesis, in which direction, within this city, is the Stormveil Adventurers' Guild located?"
Meanwhile, Ervynia was still watching him, visibly irritated. The contrast between Kazuya's calm and Ervynia's explosive temper caught the attention of a few passersby who glanced at the scene with curiosity.
Sage Noesis replied in his mind with precise calmness:
"Follow the main avenue until you reach the Tower Square. Stay on the east side, pass by the fountain with the bronze statue, and turn right onto Banner Street. The Stormveil Adventurers' Guild is at the end of the road, in a dark stone building with a storm emblem above the entrance."
Kazuya nodded to himself and followed the instructions, walking alongside Ervynia, who still radiated irritation. As they advanced, he absorbed the city's vibrant life: merchants announcing potions and maps, blacksmiths hammering shining blades, elves in light cloaks discussing contracts, dwarves carrying heavy crates, and wolf-men patrolling with wary eyes. In the distance, atop a rocky spire, a castle overlooked Caelvaris; and beyond it, the colossal silhouette of the Tower cut across the sky.
After a few blocks, they stopped in front of a sturdy dark stone building reinforced with metal beams, tall windows, and a large silver emblem of a cloud and lightning bolt above the gate. On a carved wooden sign, it read: Stormveil Adventurers' Guild.
Kazuya looked up at the emblem.
"Hmm… this must be the place. Let's go in."
Inside, the main hall was wide and noisy. A large mission board covered the right wall, packed with scrolls sealed with wax. To the left, a long counter served a line of adventurers; beyond it, a bar poured frothy mugs and steaming bowls. Crystal lamps hung from the beams, bathing everything in warm light. Among tables and chairs, groups planned routes, compared weapons, and exchanged stories from the Tower's floors.
Kazuya crossed the hall and stopped at the reception counter. On the other side, a receptionist lifted her eyes from a few forms. She was a woman with green eyes, wavy blond hair tied in a half-braid, thin-rimmed glasses, and a black uniform with blue embroidery on the cuffs and collar. Her professional smile was still welcoming.
"Excuse me," said Kazuya. "Is this the Stormveil Adventurers' Guild?"
"Yes," she replied with a confident smile. "Welcome to Stormveil. How may I help you?"
"Ah, right. I'd like to register with the guild, along with this woman here beside me."
Ervynia stepped closer to the counter and shot him a cold glare.
"I have a name, you idiot."
Kazuya cleared his throat, embarrassed.
"Okay, okay. Ervynia and I would like to register."
The receptionist smiled again and said, "Alright, I can register you both. I just need you to sign a few forms, pay a fee of two gold coins, and have your abilities measured by an appraiser."
Kazuya looked at Ervynia and commented, somewhat impatiently, "Alright, and the money?"
Ervynia, with her usual disdain, replied, "I know, idiot." She opened a small portal in front of her and pulled out a leather pouch full of gold coins. The sudden appearance of the portal caught the attention of a few nearby adventurers; all of them looked surprised.
The receptionist, curious, asked, "What kind of portal is that?"
Ervynia gave a half-smile and answered, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world: "It's just one of my abilities. A place where I keep a few things."
The receptionist furrowed her brow slightly, still surprised. "I've never seen anything like that before." Then Ervynia pulled out two coins from the pouch and handed them over. The coins clinked on the counter; the sound echoed for a few seconds through the hall, drawing discreet glances.
The receptionist took the coins, opened a drawer, and pulled out two parchment forms. She placed them in front of Kazuya and Ervynia, along with quills and a metal inkwell. "Please fill in your information: name, place of origin, skills you handle most easily, and other basic details."
Kazuya grabbed the quill and quickly filled out the fields with firm handwriting. As he wrote, he noticed something curious: the writing of that world was completely different from what he knew in his previous world, yet somehow his hand moved naturally, as if he had always known how to write those letters. He wasn't too surprised by this — after all, just as he could speak the language of that world perfectly, it seemed only natural that he could also write in it.
Ervynia, on the other hand, filled out the form in just a few strokes, with precise and almost indifferent penmanship. When finished, they both handed the papers back.
The receptionist checked the forms, stamped them with a wax seal, and informed them that they now needed to assess their level and the level of their abilities.
She led them to a corner of the main hall, where a magical device was fixed to the floor — a stone circle encrusted with runes that pulsed with a bluish hue. Above it floated a translucent crystal that served as a measuring tool.
She explained that they only needed to place their hand on the crystal, and the runes would activate the system, automatically recording their level, attributes, and abilities.
Some nearby adventurers whispered, watching with interest. Ervynia just rolled her eyes.
Kazuya took a deep breath and said, "Alright."
Then he stood silent for a few seconds, fidgeting with his hands nervously, while an uncontrollable thought sprouted in his mind. Wait a second… Ervynia said there was no status system in this world. So why am I having to measure my damn status right now? Don't tell me that useless goddess tricked me and lied just to make me waste one of my wishes. Ah, what a damn…
Before Kazuya could finish his train of thought, a calm voice echoed in his mind. The Wise System Noesis responded precisely:
"Miss Goddess Ervynia did not lie when she said that there is no 'status system' visible on its own. Indeed, there is no native status window like in games. Here, statuses are displayed through evaluating devices—like this one—which project and record information. But in your case, you can open your status window whenever you wish; moreover, the system allows you to see other people's statuses."
Kazuya listened to the explanation and, relieved on one hand, muttered mentally,
"Alright, got it. So she didn't totally lie. Thanks for clarifying, because I was about ready to strangle that useless goddess for tricking me."
Wise Noesis replied with contained courtesy,
"You're welcome. Whenever you need, I will answer your questions."
Meanwhile, the receptionist, impatient but professional, stepped closer and spoke loudly enough for both to hear,
"I just need you to place your hand on the device to measure your status. Which of you wishes to be evaluated first?"
Kazuya, still with a serious expression, replied firmly,
"I'll go first. Measure my status first."
He approached the circle of runes, placed his hand over the floating crystal, and felt a tingling sensation run up his arm, as if tiny sparks of magic were coursing through his skin.
The runes around the circle began to glow more intensely, and a faint blue mist rose from the floor. A translucent projection rose above the crystal, displaying information. The receptionist leaned in to observe, and several nearby adventurers fell silent, curious.
Kazuya's status was revealed in the air before everyone; the data shown read:
-------------------------------------------------------------
[ Status Window – Kazuya Arakida ]
-------------------------------------------------------------
Level: 0
General Status:
Strength: 0
Dexterity: 0
Intelligence: 0
Vitality: 0
Endurance: 0
Agility: 0
Mana: 0
-------------------------------------------------------------
Active Skills: None
Combat Skills: None
Passive Skills: None
Class Skill: Wise Noesis
(Level 0)
-------------------------------------------------------------
The receptionist adjusted her glasses, frowning slightly as she tried to read the numbers and floating information before her. Her eyes widened, and she murmured in disbelief,
"Wait… that can't be right… this must be wrong. There's no way someone can have level zero in everything."
Kazuya blushed slightly, averting his gaze, feeling a mix of embarrassment and shame.
"No… there's nothing wrong," he replied, his voice trembling a little. "I really am level zero in everything. My level is zero right now."
A heavy silence filled the room for a few seconds. As disbelief spread, some nearby adventurers began whispering among themselves, exchanging surprised looks and quiet laughter.
"How can someone be level zero?" one whispered incredulously.
"That's impossible… there must be some problem with the device," another said, gesturing with his hand and frowning.
"Look… that evaluator's pretty old already, maybe it made a mistake," someone else commented, shaking their head.
As the whispers spread, Kazuya kept his face red, feeling everyone's eyes on him. The situation, though embarrassing, made it clear that he had become the center of attention in the guild.
Ervynia approached the receptionist, holding back laughter, and said in a teasing tone,
"No, nothing's wrong. This idiot really does have level zero."
Kazuya blushed immediately, averting his gaze and mumbling, embarrassed,
"Ah… shut, shut up."
The receptionist sighed and said,
"Alright, let's try again. Place your hand on the evaluator once more."
Kazuya just nodded, resigned, and placed his hand on the device again. In the background, Ervynia continued laughing quietly, shaking her head,
"It's no use testing again, it'll show the same thing."
Meanwhile, Kazuya thought to himself angrily, "I swear, when I get stronger, that useless goddess will pay for this."
The status appeared again, identical to the first time, confirming that he truly was level zero in everything.
The receptionist analyzed the numbers carefully, frowning as she tried to make sense of what she saw. After a few moments, she sighed and admitted, a bit surprised,
"Ah, well… I've never come across anything like this before, but the evaluator can't be wrong. It seems you really are level zero in everything. Based on this data, I'll set your ranking."
The receptionist gathered Kazuya's status data and, using a magical device beside her, generated a card containing all his information. She handed the card to him, explaining calmly,
"This is your Stormveil Guild adventurer card. Your rank will be F, the lowest one, determined according to your current stats."
Kazuya nodded, his voice slightly trembling and his face clearly showing embarrassment, and said,
"Ah, right… thank you for issuing my adventurer card."
As he received the card, Kazuya noticed the quiet laughter and whispers of some adventurers around him. He felt like the center of attention, the target of subtle jokes within the guild, which only deepened his embarrassment.
Ervynia approached the evaluator with a confident smile, casting a provocative look at Kazuya.
"Now it's my turn to measure my status," she said in a playful tone. "But don't worry, I guarantee it'll be much better than this… trash's status."
Kazuya, filled with anger, muttered to himself through gritted teeth,
"Ah, she's always humiliating me… But I swear, when I get stronger, she'll regret it. I don't care if she's a goddess, she'll feel it firsthand."
Ervynia placed her hand on the evaluator, but nothing appeared. The screen that should have displayed her status remained completely black. Suddenly, a loud cracking sound echoed through the hall, and the magical device used to evaluate statuses simply exploded in sparks and flashes. Some adventurers jumped from their chairs in fright, while the receptionist stepped back in disbelief, adjusting her glasses and inspecting the destroyed equipment.
The receptionist asked,
"What happened? The evaluator… exploded? I've never seen anything like this before…"
Ervynia smiled naturally, as if she had already expected it, and said proudly,
"Of course it couldn't measure my status. After all, I am a great goddess. There's no device capable of measuring a goddess's power."
The receptionist stared at her, completely confused, unable to comprehend how someone could refer to herself like that—so confidently, calling herself a goddess.
Still adjusting her glasses and visibly shaken by the explosion, the receptionist took a deep breath and said to Ervynia,
"Excuse me, I need to speak with my superiors. This has never happened before… an evaluator unable to read someone's status and then exploding on top of that."
She quickly walked toward a side door leading to the guild's inner offices. For a few moments, the main hall was filled with murmurs and whispers from adventurers commenting on the strange scene. Some laughed in disbelief, while others looked at Ervynia with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
After a few minutes, the receptionist returned accompanied by a middle-aged man with a firm posture, whom everyone recognized as the guild director. He didn't approach the counter, limiting himself to speaking quietly with the receptionist. Kazuya watched from afar, trying to catch something, but only managed to understand that they were discussing the device's malfunction.
Finally, the director nodded seriously and said to the receptionist,
"Tell her that the only one capable of attempting to evaluate her status will be the guild master. He possesses the most advanced device we have—the only one that might reveal it. Since he's away on a mission with his team in the Tower, there's nothing we can do for now. Create a provisional card for her based on the form she filled out. The initial rank will be F, until the master returns and performs the proper evaluation."
The receptionist nodded, took the notes Ervynia had made on the form, and returned to the counter. Adjusting her glasses again, she explained in a professional tone:
"I spoke with the guild director, and he decided that, for now, I'll create a card based on the information you yourself provided on the form. This document mainly serves to verify whether adventurers are being honest about their abilities, but in your case, it will be used temporarily. Your rank will be recorded as F, just until the guild master returns and performs the official evaluation with the more advanced device."
While speaking, the receptionist took a small crystal from the counter and pressed it against a magical parchment, which absorbed the information from the form. Then, the paper glowed and transformed into a provisional adventurer card. She placed it on the counter and gently pushed it toward Ervynia, completing:
"Here's your card. Consider it temporary. When the master returns from the Tower, it will be necessary to redo the evaluation."
Ervynia, visibly irritated, crossed her arms and let out a heavy sigh before grumbling:
"Fine… rank F. How ridiculous. You should've anticipated that something like this could happen at some point."
The receptionist, a bit embarrassed by Ervynia's arrogant tone, began nodding repeatedly while apologizing:
"I understand your frustration… on behalf of the guild, I apologize for what happened. We never imagined the examiner would go this far."
Meanwhile, Kazuya approached Ervynia with a mischievous smile on his face. Not missing the chance to tease her, he lightly poked her arm with his finger and said in an ironic tone:
"Looks like I'm not the only one in rank F, huh?"
He let out a muffled laugh, clearly amused by the situation.
Ervynia slowly turned her head toward him, her eyes sparkling with irritation. Her lips curved into an expression of disdain, and she replied in a firm voice, almost growling:
"Ah, this is only temporary, you idiot. Don't confuse my situation with yours. My rank F won't last long… but yours, I think it'll stick with you forever."
Kazuya simply ignored Ervynia, which made her visibly more annoyed at not getting attention. Then, he turned to the receptionist, smiled politely, and said,
"Ah, since we've got our cards, we can go now. Thank you for all your help."
His eyes passed over the badge pinned to the receptionist's uniform, and he read the name.
"Thank you, Miss Helena. That's your name, right?"
Helena widened her eyes in surprise.
"Ah, yes. That's… that's my name. How did you know?"
Kazuya shrugged, running a hand through his hair, and pointed at the badge on her uniform.
"Ahh, it's written on your uniform, right?"
Helena blushed slightly, embarrassed, and made an awkward gesture with her hands.
"Ah, right. Sometimes I forget I even wear a badge. And your name is Kazuya, right?"
"Yes, Kazuya Arakida," he confirmed with a slight nod. "Nice to meet you, Helena."
Helena smiled and extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you." She shook his hand gently, maintaining a professional posture, and returned the smile.
After the greeting, Kazuya pointed at Ervynia beside him and spoke casually:
"And her name here, by my side, is Ervynia."
Helena cast a curious glance at Ervynia, analyzing her haughty expression.
Helena smiled, adjusted her glasses, and commented gently:
"Your name is Ervynia? How interesting… it's exactly the same as the goddess's name. Your parents must have been very devoted to choose such a name for you. Either way, it suits you well."
She extended her hand to greet her, full of professionalism. Ervynia gave her a cold look, merely tilted her head, and replied in a restrained voice:
"Nice to meet you too."
Ervynia didn't shake Helena's hand; she just stared, distant. Helena looked slightly embarrassed, pulled her hand back, and forced a small smile for a few seconds, blushing a little.
Kazuya watched the scene, shook his head in disapproval, and commented, half in an explanatory tone, half in a complaining one:
"Don't worry, Helena. She's always like that — rude to everyone and thinks she's above all."
Helena smiled, trying to maintain her calm and politeness:
"Oh, that's all right. It's fine."
To ease the tension, Kazuya immediately changed the subject and pointed to the destroyed equipment.
"About the evaluator that Ervynia… broke, she'll have to pay for the damage, right?"
Helena raised her hands in a calming gesture and replied in a professional tone:
"Don't worry about that. The evaluator belongs to the guild; any damage will be handled by the guild itself. Since this was a registration procedure, it's not appropriate to charge the candidate at this time."
Kazuya simply replied:
"Oh, that's good."
Ervynia, arms crossed and with an impatient look, turned her face toward him and spoke in a disdainful tone:
"Hey, you idiot, we're done with the registration, right? Then let's go already. I want to find a decent inn and take a good hot bath."
Kazuya, already used to her arrogant attitude, felt irritation rise but forced a faint smile on his face. He replied in a restrained tone:
"Alright… we can go now."
And, almost under his breath, muttered to himself:
"Useless goddess."
Before leaving, Kazuya politely waved to Helena and said:
"See you another day."
Helena returned the smile and said:
"See you another day, Kazuya. Come back as soon as possible. When the guild master returns, he'll be able to properly assess Ervynia's status."
Ervynia only cast a sideways glance, without saying a word, and began to move toward the exit. Kazuya followed right behind, reflecting as he walked:
"This woman… she's really arrogant. Treats everyone with disdain, as if they were nothing before her. Maybe it's because she's a goddess… maybe, deep down, she sees mortals only as insignificant beings. Who knows…"
The guild hall was bustling, the murmur of voices and the clinking of mugs echoing through the air. As Kazuya and Ervynia approached the exit, a tall, muscular adventurer wearing shining armor appeared in their path. Without asking permission, he wrapped his arm around Ervynia's waist and pulled her close, flashing a confident smile while his eyes gleamed with arrogance. In a seductive tone, he said:
"Hello, miss… wouldn't you like to stay with me? I can help you with many things. I'm a high-level adventurer, one of the strongest around here. I bet you've already heard of me. I'm Magnus Crowleigh."
For a brief moment, the entire guild seemed to hold its breath, watching the scene.
Ervynia, however, showed not the slightest sign of admiration. On the contrary — her look of confusion quickly turned into pure fury. Without hesitation, she raised her hand and delivered a resounding slap across Magnus's face, freeing herself from his arm and stepping back.
"I've never heard of you." Her voice came out filled with anger, her blazing gaze piercing his. "And even if you were someone important, that doesn't give you the right to touch me like that, you worm."
An awkward silence fell over everyone present.
Kazuya, who was standing nearby, just blinked a few times, trying to process what had just happened.
"What the hell was that?" he thought, feeling the tension thick in the air.
Magnus, with his face marked by the slap, widened his eyes in fury. His fists trembled, and the vein on his forehead throbbed. He clenched his teeth and shouted:
"You insolent bitch! Who do you think you are to talk to me like that? I am the son of one of the ten most influential noble families in this city! I'm the heir of the Crowleigh family!"
A murmur spread through the guild hall; the name Crowleigh was known even among the youngest adventurers.
But Ervynia didn't back down. She lifted her chin, looking at Magnus as if he were nothing more than a mere ant crawling at her feet.
"No matter who you are or where you come from. You're still just an arrogant piece of trash who thinks he can touch any woman he sees."
Her words ignited Magnus's rage. He roared, clenched his fist tightly, and lunged forward with his arm raised to punch her in the face.
At that moment, without thinking, Kazuya moved on instinct. His body reacted on its own. He leapt forward and managed to grab Magnus's arm before the punch hit Ervynia. The force of the impact made him tremble all over; it was like holding a moving wall. Even so, with difficulty, he managed to stop the blow.
Out of breath, Kazuya stepped back, pulling Ervynia with him to remove her from the line of attack.
Magnus looked at him with hatred in his eyes, as if he couldn't believe what had just happened.
"Who the hell are you, kid?! Get out of my way before I crush you too!"
Kazuya swallowed hard. Cold sweat ran down his neck. Inside, his mind boiled with panic: "What the hell did I do? Why did I get involved?! Now I'm screwed! This guy is twice my size, not to mention probably dozens of levels above me. I don't stand a chance of defeating him… how the hell did I manage to hold his punch? It must be some crazy effect of the abilities I gained… but still, I'm just a damn level zero! And on top of that I'm stuck with an F rank! None of this is good… not at all!"
Even feeling fear coursing through his body, Kazuya kept a nervous smile on his face, trying to hide the tension.
Shit… now that I've gotten myself into this, there's no turning back. I have to see this through; retreat isn't an option. But wait… what the hell am I thinking? I'm not some fantasy anime protagonist — I don't need to act brave, or I'll end up dead.
Best now is to try to apologize to him, hope it works, and then get out of here as fast as possible. And of course… I can't forget all this mess is that useless goddess's fault, she's always getting me into trouble!
He took a deep breath, extended his arm as if trying to calm the situation, and spoke in a nervous tone, forcing a smile:
"Hahaha… look, my bad, sir. I stepped in by accident, you know? But it's okay, we don't need to fight. Right, Ervynia?" He grabbed her arm and began to pull her, trying to move away.
The whole guild watched in absolute silence.
Magnus, consumed by rage, ripped the huge axe from his back and raised it forcefully, positioning it in front of him. His voice echoed through the hall, filled with hatred. "You're not going anywhere. Kid… you dared to get in my way. Now you'll pay along with her!"
The atmosphere, already tense, plunged into a heavy silence. Some adventurers, curious and frightened, whispered among themselves as they watched from a distance. "Isn't that Magnus Crowleigh? The son of one of the Ten Great Noble Houses?" one remarked, his face pale. "Yes, it's him!" answered another. "They say he reached the 23rd floor of the Tower in just one month. That guy is a monster." Looking at Kazuya, someone else whispered, almost laughing. "And that one is just a level zero… he's completely screwed if he tries to face Magnus." A third added, shaking his head. "I'm not getting involved. Whoever tries to help will end up in the middle of the mess too." Another concluded more calmly. "Relax. The guild director will probably intervene."
From behind the counter, Helena watched the scene, her expression filled with concern. Without thinking twice, she stepped out from behind the desk and ran toward Magnus, placing herself in front of him with unexpected courage. "Stop this! You know very well it's forbidden to draw weapons inside the guild, much less fight here!"
Magnus, his eyes burning with fury, shot back. "I don't care! I'll cut those two in half! Get out of my way, useless attendant, or you'll go with them!"
Helena took a deep breath, standing firm despite the fear obvious in her eyes. "If you keep this up, you will be banned from the guild. I'll call the director right now!"
Kazuya watched the scene, seeing Helena trying to defend him, and thought to himself: It seems my apologies didn't work, and now even Helena got involved. That adventurer is really strong… I don't stand a chance. But running isn't an option. If I keep running, I'll just be another weakling, like I was in my old world. Nothing would change.
Now that I have a new chance in this world, I at least need to try doing things differently, even though I'm not some fantasy anime protagonist. So far, I've only had bad luck. But screw it. I have to face this guy, even without a chance of winning. At least I won't be just another coward running away from everything.
I remember what my father once said: sometimes a man can't run from certain things. Father… now I understand you. This is the time to face it, even knowing I'll probably lose. I won't do it to play the hero. I'll do it because I'm tired of being just a coward. I don't want to be that person anymore. I want to be reborn in this world as someone new, someone who faces their challenges with their head held high.
Kazuya took a deep breath, feeling determination grow inside him. Before Helena could take another step, he placed his hand on her shoulder, firm and confident, and said:
"Wait. Don't call the director. You can stay calm… I'll handle this."
Helena's eyes widened in disbelief. Her voice came out anxious.
"You've gone crazy? You don't stand a chance against him! You're only rank F, and he… he's a rank A adventurer! Not to mention you're level zero in everything! What do you think you can accomplish?"
Kazuya simply smiled, trying to hide the weight of the situation, and replied firmly:
"I know I'm weak. But even so, I can't back down now. I have to face this."
Behind him, Ervynia let out a sarcastic laugh, crossing her arms.
"Have you lost your mind? You don't stand a chance against him! And another thing, I didn't ask for your help. If you want, get out of the way. I'll handle that insolent worm who dared to touch me myself. After all, I am a goddess."
Kazuya cast her a sidelong glance, narrowing his eyes, and retorted coldly.
"Don't get involved. I'll handle this… you useless goddess."
The words hit her squarely. Ervynia narrowed her eyes, irritated.
"Don't call me that, idiot!"
Ervynia crossed her arms, glanced at Kazuya, and spoke in a cold voice:
"Fine. Since you want to risk your life, go ahead and do it. But I won't revive you."
Kazuya froze for a second, his heart racing, thinking to himself:
"It's true that I'm weak and probably have no chance against him, but I have the ability to copy any technique I see. Besides, I can open someone else's status window; if I can see his status, I can copy any ability he has. This wish was useful. Now is the time to test my abilities in this world. I'll fight."
Magnus Crowleigh raised his axe and rested the blade on his shoulder in a provocative gesture.
"You want to face me? Do you really think you can win?" He laughed, confident.
Kazuya smiled slightly, trying to hide his fear:
"I can defeat you."
Magnus's smile widened, mocking.
"You're very foolish. You'll die quickly. But if that's what you want, let's see."
Helena, tense, ran toward them and spoke loudly to cut the tension in the hall:
"Stop this. There can't be any fights in here, inside the guild. Kazuya, you don't stand a chance against him. Don't play the hero now."
Some adventurers began whispering among themselves, pointing at Magnus and quietly commenting on his reputation. Others stepped back, unwilling to get involved. The murmuring grew until the guild director, drawn by the commotion, came out of his office to see what was happening. Upon seeing Magnus wielding the axe, he approached with a stern expression.
The director stopped in front of Magnus and spoke with authority:
"Magnus, what are you doing? You know it's forbidden to draw weapons inside the guild. I will report this incident to the master. If you continue causing trouble, you will be expelled, no matter who your relatives are. We will not tolerate this behavior."
Magnus paled for a moment before the director's authority, but his anger was still visible. Helena remained there, frightened but firm. Kazuya felt a chill run down his spine, took a deep breath, and realized that once he was involved, there was no turning back — he would have to act carefully if he wanted to get out of this mess alive.
Magnus Crowleigh raised the axe with a defiant air and stared down the guild director. "Ahh, come on, Gorvan. Do you really think I'd be expelled from this guild? Of course not. I'll be rank S soon, and do you know how many S-rank members we have around here? Few. You need my power. And you also need my family's influence to support this guild. Have you forgotten that?"
Gorvan, the director, kept a stern expression. He was a man of austere bearing, with thinning hair and tired eyes from having seen many troubles, but the tone of his voice admitted no appeasement. "This is enough, Magnus. You're causing trouble all the time. Stop this fight and leave the guild now."
Kazuya turned to Gorvan, his face tense, and spoke with a conviction that even surprised himself: "May I ask one thing? Let me face him here. It'll be over quickly."
The director raised an eyebrow. "You really want to do this, boy? You know the risk. You just registered; your rank is F and his is A, and soon will be S. You don't stand a chance against him." The warning sounded sincere, almost pleading for them to step back.
Kazuya replied, his voice steady despite the tightness in his chest: "I know I'm weak, but I have to settle this. Please, let me fight." There was something in his eyes — a raw, unexpected determination — that made Gorvan hesitate.
Gorvan rubbed his face thoughtfully, then looked back at the young man. "Very well. If you want it that much, I'll allow it. But listen carefully: I will not tolerate things getting out of control. If the fight worsens, I'll intervene immediately."
Helena, still frightened, stepped forward again, pleading with her eyes. "Sir, please, don't let this happen. He doesn't stand a chance. Magnus will seriously injure him."
Gorvan nodded, deciding to end the discussion. "I know the newcomer has no chance. But I see something in his eyes that reminds me of our master. I'll let him try; if the situation escalates, I will end it myself." He spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, firm in his authority.
Helena sighed, resigned, and stepped back, still uneasy. The surrounding adventurers resumed their whispers; some shook their heads: "That newbie is completely screwed." Others simply watched, curious to see how this unlikely showdown would end.
Magnus, watching the scene with an arrogant smile, raised his axe and said disdainfully, "Then let's fight. It won't last even ten seconds. You'll be split in two, kid."
Kazuya took a deep breath, keeping calm outwardly, and replied firmly: "We'll see… who will win."
He looked at Ervynia and said confidently: "Now step back, Ervynia. I'll handle this."
Ervynia cast a contemptuous look, typical of her, and answered coldly: "Fine. If you're so keen to die, go ahead, you idiot." With that, she stepped back a few paces, crossed her arms, and watched the scene with apparent disinterest.
Kazuya drew the sword from his waist, assuming an instinctive fighting stance, and declared: "I'm ready. Come if you want."
Magnus looked over Kazuya's stance, evaluating every detail, and commented with scorn: "Your stance is amateurish. You'll be defeated easily. And after I finish with you, I'll teach that bitch over there not to challenge a noble of the Crowleigh family. I might even make her my slave, if I want."
Kazuya gritted his teeth, controlling the anger and tension. "Enough talk. Come on."
Wasting no time, Magnus charged, shouting as he swung a wide blow with the axe. "You think you're something special for someone so weak!"
Kazuya quickly dodged the attack, feeling the slicing air pass close to his face. He thought to himself: "That was close… I managed to evade that blow. My reflexes seem faster than usual, maybe because of the abilities I gained… But still, I don't stand a chance if I don't get a good combat skill. I need to use my skill-copying ability. Let's see if it works… I need to check this guy's stats."
Focusing, Kazuya activated his ability and carefully examined Magnus's stats. Magical numbers and information began appearing before his eyes, revealing exactly how powerful he truly was.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Magnus Crowleigh's Stats:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Level: 63
General Stats:
Strength: 500
Dexterity: 197
Intelligence: 83
Vitality: 100
Endurance: 408
Agility: 100
Mana: 200
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Special Skill: Spinning Axe, Current Level 609
Special Skill: Mastery of All Weapons, Current Level 100
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Kazuya was impressed with the stats he had seen. Even as a level zero adventurer, he could clearly perceive Magnus's strength and skill. But before he could reflect further, Magnus lunged at him with a fast strike. Kazuya had to focus all his strength into his sword to defend himself, being thrown to the side and hitting the ground violently.
Panting, Kazuya struggled to get back up, feeling every muscle aching from the impact. He thought to himself: "I was able to see his stats even at level zero… and it's exactly as I imagined. This guy is incredibly strong. I don't stand a chance of defeating him. He's a real monster."
Magnus smiled, resting the axe on his shoulder, and said confidently: "Not bad, kid. You can defend yourself… but if I land two more blows, you'll fall and won't get back up. And I'm still going easy on you. I haven't even used my special skills yet. You really shouldn't have agreed to fight me… but you're too foolish to realize your own weaknesses."
Helena shouted Kazuya's name, then looked to the guild director. "We need to stop this fight! If he keeps going like this, he's going to die!"
The director only replied firmly: "We cannot interfere. Let the fight continue."
Helena insisted, more distressed: "We have to stop it, sir!"
The director raised his voice: "I said, leave it! This fight is between them. For now, we won't interfere, but if things escalate further, I will take action."
Helena sighed, resigned, muttering to herself: "If this continues, Kazuya will die."
Kazuya, standing with difficulty, took a deep breath while analyzing the situation. "How can I defeat this guy? What can I do?" he thought. "If I try to copy one of his special skills… the spinning axe skill… it won't work because I don't have an axe. My only option is to try copying his mastery of all weapons. Maybe, if I can copy that skill, I have a chance to win."
With renewed determination, Kazuya activated his skill-copying ability, focusing all his attention on Magnus, ready to try to turn the tide in his favor.
Wise Nóesis spoke in his mind: "Warning, to use the copying ability, you need available mana. At the moment, you have no mana. I recommend using a potion to temporarily recover mana so you can activate the ability."
Kazuya muttered to himself: "Damn… I forgot my mana is zero. I don't think I have any mana potions in my inventory… I'm screwed!"
Wise Nóesis responded quickly: "You do have a mana flask in your inventory."
Before Kazuya could react, another attack came toward him. He narrowly dodged, feeling the axe blade scrape close to his face. The impact threw him to the side while Magnus held the axe, visibly enjoying the situation: "Ah, kid, why don't you just surrender? I'm not even fighting seriously, and you're already almost dead. I suggest you give up if you don't want to die."
Kazuya smiled with a hint of challenge: "This fight has barely begun."
Intrigued, he asked Wise Nóesis mentally: "I have a potion in my inventory… but how did it get there? I don't remember putting anything in before."
Wise Nóesis explained: "The goddess Aerysia placed a potion along with your clothes in your inventory."
Kazuya quickly opened his inventory and confirmed that, indeed, there was a potion and his old clothes from his previous world. He muttered: "So it was that woman… looks like Ervynia's sister is more useful than I thought."
Wasting no time, Kazuya took the potion from his inventory. As soon as it appeared in his hands, Magnus raised an eyebrow and said provocatively: "Now you're resorting to potions? Coward! Can't even fight hand-to-hand without it, huh? Fine, use the potion… it'll be fun to see if you really get stronger, but I doubt you'll catch up to me."
Kazuya smiled slightly and held the potion firmly. He drank it quickly, feeling energy surge through his body as the magical liquid went down his throat. Taking a deep breath, he said to himself with renewed determination: "Now… I'll finish you!"
He focused on Magnus again, trying to copy his special skill, Mastery of All Weapons. A blue light began to flow through his body, visible only to him. Surprised, Kazuya thought to himself: "What is this light? Could it be because of the skill I'm copying?"
Wise Nóesis spoke in his mind, calm and instructive: "Special skill Mastery of All Weapons acquired. Ready to use. (Current Level 100) Duration: 15 seconds."
Kazuya breathed heavily, his heart racing. "Seriously? Only 15 seconds to use the skill? That means I only have one chance…"
Wise Nóesis replied: "You will be able to use the skill according to the mana available. At the moment, you have enough mana to use it only once, for 15 seconds."
Kazuya closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and opened them firmly. "Alright… let's see if this Mastery of All Weapons really works."
Meanwhile, Magnus advanced slowly, spinning the axe in one hand. His gaze radiated absolute confidence, and his voice echoed through the guild hall: "Now I'll finish this quickly!" He prepared to deliver the final blow.
Ervynia watched the fight from a safe position, a cold smile on her lips. She thought to herself: "This idiot is really going to lose to this trash adventurer… but it seems I'll have to intervene. After all, he can still be useful to me.
Besides, I owe him one… — Ervynia thought, narrowing her eyes with a slight ironic smile. — That idiot put himself in front of that attack first. Of course, I could have dodged easily, but still… I'll return the favor and help him. All because I'm far too generous."
She quickly assessed her own condition. "My energy has already recovered enough to cast some lower-level spells. It's nowhere near my most powerful magic, the light magic—the only truly powerful magic I have left—but it's more than enough to handle this situation."
Ervynia began casting a spell almost imperceptibly, moving only one hand with cold precision. The only person who noticed what was happening was Helena. Observing closely, Helena thought to herself: "This is a sacred physical enhancement spell. Casting something like this so discreetly, without even uttering an incantation and using only one hand… is extremely difficult. Only a few people in the entire world can do this, and she's performing it as if it's the simplest thing in the world. Impressive."
Helena adjusted her glasses, keeping her eyes fixed on Ervynia, and continued analyzing mentally: "Moreover, she's manipulating the spell in a way that no one else can notice. I only realized it because I'm close enough to see the subtle glow emanating from her hand. This woman is truly powerful."
Meanwhile, Magnus raised his axe with force, eyes locked on Kazuya, and declared: "Now I'll finish you!" He brought the axe down with all his strength, preparing to deliver a lethal blow.
At that moment, Kazuya activated his Mastery of All Weapons skill, immediately feeling the effects of the physical enhancement that Ervynia had discreetly cast on him. His body, now strengthened, reacted with much more speed and power than he had ever experienced, ready to face Magnus's strike.
Kazuya shouted with determination, feeling the energy of the special skill coursing through every muscle in his body: "Ah, this is the opening I was waiting for!" With that, he charged at Magnus, putting all the strength he could muster into the attack. The impact of the strike was so intense that the adventurer's axe was thrown backward, crashing heavily against the ground.
Magnus, stunned, thought to himself: "How did he manage to do that…?" The shock of realizing his opponent's strength left him momentarily paralyzed.
Kazuya knew that the remaining time of his special skill was about to run out due to the lack of mana. With the last surge of energy he had left, he focused entirely on the final attack. He delivered a devastating blow, striking Magnus with such force that his armor cracked and shattered in multiple places. The impact was so brutal that Magnus spat blood, and his body was thrown through the air before crashing heavily to the ground.
Everyone in the guild fell silent, shocked and unable to believe what they had just witnessed. Murmurs and exclamations of astonishment echoed through the hall. Some adventurers covered their mouths with their hands, while others remained paralyzed, staring at the incredible scene.
Kazuya, still panting and trying to catch his breath, reflected to himself, surprised: "What just happened to me? I… got stronger than normal all of a sudden… But it seems I managed to defeat him. I really don't know how that was possible."
Meanwhile, Magnus lay unconscious on the ground, defeated by the unexpected strength of the young novice. The atmosphere in the guild was still thick with shock and tension, everyone trying to process the unexpected turn of the battle.
Some adventurers began murmuring among themselves, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.
"This is impossible… how did that novice manage to defeat Magnus Crowleigh?" one of them said, still wide-eyed.
Disbelief filled the hall. Another adventurer, trying to rationalize, commented critically:
"He only won because Magnus let his guard down. It's clear he didn't use even half of his power. Out of arrogance, he underestimated the enemy and was caught by surprise. That novice would never have a chance in a serious fight against someone of Magnus's level, which is practically rank S. It was pure luck."
A third quickly agreed, reinforcing the theory:
"Yes, that's it. There's no way this novice, especially with level zero in all stats, could defeat a warrior like Magnus under normal conditions. This kid is just lucky trash. Nothing more than that."
Despite the criticism and attempts to justify Magnus's defeat, not everyone shared the same opinion. An elf standing next to the group showed a slight enigmatic smile, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. In a darker corner of the guild, a woman with long black hair also smiled, but in an even more mysterious way, as if she knew something that the others hadn't noticed.
Meanwhile, Kazuya, completely exhausted, was struggling to breathe. Sweat streamed down his forehead as he fell to his knees, supporting himself on the ground with one hand. A thin trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth as he thought, nearly passing out:
"I… managed to defeat that guy. I don't know how, but I did. However, it seems I overexerted my body… Even without taking direct hits, the impacts were brutal. My body doesn't have enough endurance to face a monster like him. I'm still far too weak…"
Helena, seeing Kazuya fallen and weakened, ran up to him, her concern evident in her eyes. As she approached, she murmured in astonishment:
"You… you actually managed to win."
Immediately after, the guild director, Gorvan, approached with heavy steps, visibly surprised by the outcome of the battle. His expression was serious, but traces of admiration were visible.
"This is incredible… you managed to defeat Magnus. That surprises me more than I can admit. But even though you won, it's clear you're severely injured. The impacts you endured, even while defending, were more than your body could handle."
Gorvan's gaze shifted to Helena, his voice firm:
"Helena, use a healing spell immediately. If we don't treat him now, he won't recover."
Helena simply nodded. Raising one hand, she began chanting the sacred words of a healing spell. A soft light began spreading over Kazuya's body, enveloping him in a comforting warmth. Gradually, the intense pain diminished, his muscles relaxed, and he felt his breath return, though slowly and weakly.
Gradually, he began to recover, but the toll of the battle was still evident in each labored breath.
Kazuya began to rise with difficulty, his body still sore and heavy from the fight. Helena, noticing his fragility, quickly moved closer and firmly held his shoulder, helping him stay upright.
With a worried look, she stared at him and spoke seriously:
"You shouldn't have fought, Kazuya. Now you're at enormous risk. Magnus may not accept this defeat and might seek revenge. And even if he doesn't, the Crowleigh family itself could turn against you. For them, being defeated by a mere novice is already an unforgivable stain."
Kazuya, still panting, simply smiled defiantly, hiding the pain he felt.
"Let them come. If they want to come after me, let them. I won't back down."
In silence, he thought to himself, his words echoing as an internal vow:
"Facing that adventurer wasn't just a fight… it was my choice. I can't run anymore. I will never bow my head to anyone again. I won't be the same failure and useless person I was in my old world. I've been reborn here, and now I can walk a different path… I will no longer be the trash of a weakling."
As he reflected, Ervynia, who had until then only been observing from a distance, approached with her typical arrogant air. A mocking smile appeared on her lips as she said:
"So… it seems you actually managed to win, huh, idiot? Not as useless as you seemed after all."
Kazuya, still leaning on Helena, turned his face toward her and replied irritably:
"Ah, shut up, you useless goddess."
The words cut through the air like a blade. Ervynia frowned, her eyes flashing with fury.
"Watch how you talk to me, idiot! Or are you trying to die?" she said, her voice loaded with threat.
She then crossed her arms and looked away, trying to disguise how irritated she was. But in her mind, her wounded pride overflowed:
"That idiot… I helped him! I used an enhancement spell that cost me mana just so he'd have temporary strength to not die. And this is how he thanks me? Treating me like I'm nothing? Hmph! He's definitely a fool. He can't even recognize the greatness of a goddess like me."
Gorvan approached Kazuya with a serious expression that soon softened into a slight smile.
"You showed a lot of courage, boy. Facing someone who was clearly dozens of times stronger than you…and still not retreating. That's not something you see every day. I'm sure our master will like you very much when he meets you. You two are quite similar."
Kazuya, still exhausted, gave a tired smile and replied,
"Really?" Then he looked to the side, staring at Magnus lying unconscious on the ground. "Ah… and about the damage caused by the fight… well, by my fight against that guy over there. The floor is ruined in some spots, with marks from the axe blows. I suppose someone will have to pay for that, right?"
Gorvan let out a short laugh and placed a firm hand on Kazuya's shoulder.
"Don't worry about that, young man. You won't have to pay anything. Just use reconstruction magic and everything will return to its original state. Also, Magnus started this whole mess, so he will be held responsible."
He then turned to Helena and ordered,
"Use the reconstruction spell."
Helena nodded. She concentrated and began to intone arcane words, raising one hand. A soft glow spread across the cracked floor, and slowly the fissures and holes began to vanish, the stones fitting back together as if time were being reversed. In a few moments, the guild hall looked intact, as if nothing had happened.
Kazuya watched the process, impressed.
"Wow… that magic is truly incredible."
At that moment, Gorvan took Kazuya's arm and raised it high, as one might present a victorious warrior. His voice rang out firmly through the hall:
"A round of applause for this young man, for his courage in facing someone far stronger and still not giving up!"
For a few seconds, a heavy silence fell over the guild. The adventurers exchanged looks, some clearly still in shock at what they had witnessed. Then, an adventurer at the back of the room began to clap and shouted,
"That boy… was truly brave!"
The single sound of applause was soon joined by others, until the whole guild hall erupted in applause. The echo of clapping filled the place, turning the tense atmosphere into something vibrant, almost festive. Kazuya's courage, even in the face of the impossible, had earned the respect of everyone there.
Kazuya blushed and averted his gaze, uncomfortable with the attention.
"Ahh… thank you. I think I'm even getting a little embarrassed," he said, his voice betraying a shy smile.
Ervynia, watching the round of applause with her brow nearly unmoved, murmured to herself with a cold, almost indifferent smile:
"I should be the one getting that round of applause. That idiot only won because I gave him a boost."
Kazuya was still standing but staggered slightly as he walked; each step weighed on his legs as if his body was finally asking for rest.
Helena approached quickly, placed a hand on his shoulder, and looked at him with concern. "I already healed you, but you need to rest now."
Kazuya smiled gratefully and replied, his voice still weak:
"Ah, thank you so much for healing me. If you hadn't done that, I think I would have died. I really need to rest."
Helena blushed slightly, adjusted her glasses with a shy gesture, and answered modestly:
"It was nothing. I just did what the director asked."
Ervynia, in her usual cold and disinterested tone, only gave Kazuya a look and spoke impatiently:
"Hey, idiot, let's hurry and find an inn. I want a hot bath. You made me lose a lot of time here."
Kazuya rolled his eyes for a moment, still reacting to her treatment, and retorted:
"How ungrateful you are. I protected you from that adventurer who was harassing you, and that's how you repay me? Ahh, whatever… you really are a useless goddess."
The provocation made Ervynia widen her eyes for a fraction of a second. Taken by irritation, she suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Kazuya by the front of his clothes, pulling him close with force. Her gaze was sharp, cold, and imposing, and her voice came out laden with threat:
"You idiot, stop calling me that. Do you want to die, or what? I told you to stop."
Kazuya shrugged, forcing a cornered, slightly defiant smile, but he was clearly exhausted. Around him, the activity in the guild hall returned to its normal rhythm: some adventurers still whispered about the fight, others resumed their conversations, and the warm light of the hall created a strange mix of tension, relief, and suspicion.
Helena watched the scene, thinking to herself, intrigued: "Why does Kazuya keep calling Ervynia a 'useless goddess'? Is it some inside joke between them? It must be… even though her name is Ervynia, there's no way she's really a goddess. So it must just be a provocation.
But I have to admit, I'm impressed. She managed to use that spell with incredible precision, at the perfect moment, without making a mistake, and with only one hand. That's extremely difficult… and only a few mages in the world can do something like that. I'm really curious to see her power level when the guild master returns. She must be very strong."
Kazuya, still dealing with Ervynia's shouting, looked at Helena and said sincerely:
"Thank you so much for helping me with the healing magic. I'll probably be around here tomorrow."
Helena, slightly embarrassed, looked away and adjusted her glasses again, responding in a gentle tone:
"I told you, it was nothing. You don't need to thank me."
Kazuya smiled faintly and replied:
"Anyway, thank you truly. And… speaking of which, guild director, what's going to happen to Magnus?"
Gorvan sighed, running a hand over his chin, and replied:
"Well… that's something the guild master will decide. He will determine Magnus's punishment, whether he will be expelled or not. He hasn't been expelled yet because he's part of one of the ten great noble houses of this city, and his family has a lot of influence. But certainly, when the guild master finds out everything, he won't be pleased. I really can't say for sure what will happen… it depends entirely on the guild master. Ah, and boy, don't call me sir, just call me Gorvan."
Kazuya extended his hand and said with a slight smile:
"Alright, it's a pleasure to meet you, Gorvan. My name is Kazuya."
Gorvan accepted the handshake with a warm smile and replied:
"Pleasure, Kazuya."
Kazuya, still exhausted, said:
"Now I'll be going, see you later." He turned and began to leave, accompanied by Ervynia, who remained irritated with him, as always.
Watching the two walk away, Gorvan thought to himself:
"This boy really seems weak on the outside, but on the inside… he's an uncut gem. I have a feeling the guild master will like him a lot. They are quite similar, in a way."
Then Gorvan turned to Helena and instructed her to ask the adventurers present to help carry Magnus, still unconscious, to a room next door.
Some adventurers approached and, with some effort, began to lift Magnus's heavy body. One of them commented in surprise:
"Wow… this guy is really heavy, even without armor."
Another replied, impressed:
"And to think the novice managed to defeat him… really, that was incredible."
Meanwhile, Kazuya walked through the streets of Caelvaris. Night had fallen, but the city remained busy as always. Beside him, Ervynia walked, keeping the same irritated expression. Kazuya moved with some difficulty, making small pauses along the way. He thought to himself:
"That fight really exhausted me… but at least I got to test my combat skills in a real fight before going up the tower. I realized I'm not that weak for someone at level zero. Still, if that guy had used his full power… I definitely would have lost. And that extra strength I felt out of nowhere… I can't explain it, maybe it was adrenaline."
Ervynia, impatient, walked ahead and shouted:
"Hey, idiot! Stop walking so slowly! We'll never get to the inn if you keep this up. I'm tired!"
Kazuya, still trying to catch his breath, replied:
"Tired of what? Of what exactly did you do?"
Ervynia rolled her eyes, irritated, and replied, "You'll never understand a goddess like me. Now, hurry up! We're almost there."
Kazuya shrugged and asked, curious: "Do you know where an inn is? I bet you don't, you didn't even know where the guild was before."
Ervynia replied confidently: "Of course I know where an inn is around here. When we were going to the guild, I noticed one on the way. I paid attention to where we were passing, you idiot."
After walking for a few minutes, they finally arrived at a large inn. The place was cozy, with windows lit by the warm yellow glow of lamps and a neatly organized reception desk.
Ervynia approached the attendant and requested two rooms. The receptionist, with light blue eyes and dark brown hair, wearing a simple work uniform and with medium-sized breasts, smiled politely and replied: "At the moment, the inn is fully booked. We only have one room available, with a double bed."
Irritated, Ervynia huffed and said, "Ah, come on! Fine, I'll take this room. I'm too tired to look for another place right now."
Kazuya, intrigued and slightly unsettled, asked: "What do you mean only one double bed? You really think I'm going to sleep with you? Where am I supposed to sleep, huh?"
Ervynia responded coldly and disinterestedly: "I don't care about you. Sleep on the floor if you want."
Kazuya, muttering to himself, grumbled irritably: "Ah, what an unbearable and ungrateful woman. I risked my life fighting that guy just to protect her… and this is how I'm repaid?"
The attendant handed the keys to Ervynia, who paid about seven gold coins for one night. Then, they went upstairs together to the room. Kazuya walked beside her, visibly irritated at how he was being treated.
Upon entering the room, Kazuya noticed that it was spacious and well-appointed. There was a sofa in one corner, a lit fireplace in another, and farther back, a double bed. To the right, there was a bathroom with a large bathtub. The room was illuminated by several lights fixed to the ceiling, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Kazuya looked up at the lights and thought to himself: "Wait… in this world they have electricity?"
Sage Noesis replied in his mind: "This energy is generated by a magical electricity stone, which works as a conductor to produce light. There are various types of magical stones: fire stones, ice stones, and electricity stones, which is the case here."
Kazuya frowned and said: "Wow… What a clever idea! Who thought of using magical stones to generate electricity?"
Sage Noesis continued: "If you want, I can tell you who created this lighting system and also explain more about the different types of magical stones and how they are used for various purposes."
Kazuya shook his head, exhausted: "You can tell me about that another time. Right now, I really need to rest… I just faced someone dozens of times stronger than me."
Sage Noesis responded calmly: "Understood. Whenever you want to know more, just ask me anytime."
Ervynia gave Kazuya a firm and threatening look before walking to the bathroom.
"I'm going to take a bath now. And don't you dare peek, got it? If you do, you'll die," she said in a cold and provocative tone, as if testing him.
Kazuya frowned, visibly irritated.
"That's absurd… I'm not going to peek at you bathing! Why on earth would I do that?" he replied, raising his voice, already tired of her constant provocations.
Without bothering to respond, Ervynia turned arrogantly and entered the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
Alone in the room, Kazuya sighed and muttered to himself:
"This woman… why does she think so highly of herself? Too unbearable. I should have just let that adventurer punch her in the face, maybe she would've learned something. But no… as a man, I couldn't allow another guy to raise a hand against a woman, even if that woman is this 'useless and unbearable goddess.'"
With a heavy sigh, he threw himself onto the sofa and closed his eyes, trying to rest a little while his thoughts wandered. He reflected on the fight he had, on how much he still needed to improve.
Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, Ervynia lay in the bathtub, completely naked, letting her body relax in the hot water. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as the tension of the day gradually dissolved. After a while, satisfied, she got up and wrapped herself in a towel, still with drops of water running down her fair skin.
The bathroom door opened, and she walked into the room. Kazuya, still on the sofa, glanced up absentmindedly and froze when he saw her wearing only a towel. His eyes widened for a moment before he turned his face sharply, his cheeks slightly flushed.
"W-what are you doing here in just a towel?!" he asked, clearly uncomfortable.
Ervynia raised an eyebrow, irritated by his reaction, and replied curtly:
"Isn't it obvious? I'm going to change. That tiny bathroom isn't suitable for it, it's too cramped."
Kazuya blushed, uncomfortable with the situation, and said, avoiding looking: "You're going to change in front of me? Didn't you notice I'm still here?"
Ervynia rolled her eyes, impatient, and replied coldly: "Of course not, you idiot. Turn away and don't look. If I see you spying on me, you'll die."
Kazuya quickly turned around, looking away and muttering, still embarrassed: "Okay, okay. I won't look. But at least you're not going to wear the same clothes you had before, right? That's not very hygienic."
Ervynia huffed, adjusting the towel around her body, and spoke with an air of superiority: "I won't wear the same clothes. I'll put on my pajamas. Goddess clothes don't get dirty — and if they do, I purify them with sacred magic. Problem solved."
Kazuya sighed and replied: "Okay, got it. I think I'll take a bath too. I need to relax after everything that happened today."
Ervynia gestured dismissively as she turned to the dresser: "Do whatever you want."
Kazuya went to the bathroom, changed the water in the bathtub, and got in. The hot water ran over his tired body; every muscle throbbed as a consequence of the fight. While soaping himself, he let his mind wander a bit — the images of the battle, the pressure of the axe, the strange sensation of having suddenly felt stronger for a few moments. The warmth of the water helped relieve the tension, and gradually fatigue weighed on his eyes.
When he finished bathing, Kazuya dried himself calmly and looked at the clothes he had set aside. They were quite dirty from the confrontation with Magnus. He thought about asking Ervynia to clean them with her sacred purification magic, but decided to leave that for the next morning. After all, it was already late, and he just wanted to rest.
Fortunately, he remembered that Ervynia's sister had stored his old clothes in the inventory, which gave him some relief. He then took out a sweatshirt — a simple and uncommon piece for that world, but comfortable enough to sleep in — and put it on. He then stored the dirty clothes in the inventory, along with his sword, deciding to give them to Ervynia the next day so she could purify them.
Upon leaving the bathroom, he noticed the calm atmosphere of the room: the fireplace crackled softly, the air was still warm, and the ceiling lights cast a gentle glow over the furniture. Ervynia was sitting on the edge of the bed; she had already changed. She wore a white dress, light as silk, with delicate embroidery that caught the light. The combination of the flowing fabric and the details made the scene almost intimate.
Kazuya felt his face burn for a moment and looked away, embarrassed. Still unable to handle much charm, he muttered, trying to appear natural:
"Why are you wearing this kind of clothing… so… sensual?"
Ervynia frowned at his reaction and replied in an irritated tone:
"Ah, this outfit isn't sensual, it's just my pajamas. Why are you so embarrassed? I bet you're thinking naughty things, aren't you, you big virgin?"
Kazuya shrugged his shoulders, forcing a half-smile that was a little defiant but clearly exhausted. Around them, activity in the guild resumed its pace: some adventurers still whispered about the fight, others returned to their conversations, and the warm light of the hall wrapped everything in a strange mix of tension, relief, and suspicion.
Helena watched the scene and thought to herself, intrigued: "Why does Kazuya keep calling Ervynia a 'useless goddess' all the time? Is it some inside joke between them? It must be… even with her name being Ervynia, there's no way she's really the goddess. So it must just be a provocation.
But I must admit, I'm impressed. She managed to use that spell with incredible precision, at the exact right moment, without missing and using only one hand. That's extremely difficult… and only a few mages in the world can do something like that. I'm really curious to find out her power level when the guild master returns. She must be very strong."
Kazuya, still dealing with Ervynia's shouts, looked at Helena and said sincerely, "Thank you so much again for helping me with the healing magic. I'll probably stop by again tomorrow."
Helena, slightly embarrassed, looked away and adjusted her glasses again, answering in a gentle tone, "I told you, it was nothing. You don't need to thank me."
Kazuya smiled faintly and replied, "Anyway, thank you truly. And… speaking of which, guild director, what will happen to Magnus?"
Gorvan sighed, running a hand over his chin, and answered, "Well… that will be decided by the guild master. He'll determine Magnus's punishment — whether he'll be expelled or not. He hasn't been expelled yet because he belongs to one of the ten great noble houses of this city, and his family has a lot of influence. But certainly, when the guild master learns everything, he won't be pleased. I really can't say for sure what will happen… it depends entirely on the guild master. Oh, and boy, don't call me sir; call me Gorvan."
Kazuya extended his hand and said with a slight smile, "Alright, it's a pleasure to meet you, Gorvan. My name is Kazuya."
Gorvan accepted the handshake with a warm smile and replied, "Pleasure, Kazuya."
Kazuya, still exhausted, said, "Now I'll be going, see you later." He turned and started to leave, accompanied by Ervynia, who remained irritated with him, as always.
Watching the two walk away, Gorvan thought to himself, "This boy really seems weak on the outside, but inside… he's an uncut gem. I have a feeling the master will like him a lot. They are quite similar, in a way."
Then Gorvan turned to Helena and instructed her to ask the adventurers present to help carry Magnus, still unconscious, into a side room.
Some adventurers approached and, with some effort, began to lift Magnus's heavy body. One of them commented in surprise, "Wow… this guy is really heavy, even without armor."
Another replied, impressed, "And to think the novice managed to defeat him… really, that was incredible."
Meanwhile, Kazuya walked through the streets of Caelvaris. Night had already fallen, and the city remained busy as ever. Beside him, Ervynia walked, keeping the same irritated expression. Kazuya walked with some difficulty, taking short breaks along the way. He thought to himself, "That fight really exhausted me… but at least I could test my combat abilities in a real fight before climbing the tower. I noticed I'm not that weak for someone at level zero. Still, if that guy had used all his power… I would have definitely lost. And that extra strength I felt out of nowhere… I can't explain it, maybe it was adrenaline."
Ervynia, impatient, walked ahead and shouted, "Hey, idiot! Stop walking so slowly! We'll never get to the inn if you keep this up. I'm tired!"
Kazuya, still trying to catch his breath, replied, "Tired of what? Of what exactly did you do?"
With a subtle smile, Kazuya replied, "Okay."
He then thought to himself, watching her turn her back: "This goddess… she's really irritating. But, as unbearable as she is, she will be very useful to me. If she really helped me at that moment, giving me strength, it means she's not completely useless. She said she only had light magic, but she probably hides other abilities. Why does she conceal so much? And she claims she has no interest in climbing the tower… but is that true? Maybe she's hiding something bigger. She seems like the type of person who likes to play with information and secrets. Very well… I'll play that game too. It could be interesting."
Kazuya turned off the light and went to the bed, lying on the opposite side from Ervynia, keeping a good distance between them.
He stared at the ceiling for a few moments, thoughtful: "This was my first day in this world… and it was extremely exhausting. But I'm excited for what comes next. I feel that I won't be the same person I was in my old world, just a failure who bowed his head to everyone. Here, I will truly be what I always wanted to be: a winner. I will do everything differently this time… without a doubt, it will be different."
After these thoughts, he slowly closed his eyes and began to fall asleep, letting himself be carried away by the exhaustion of that turbulent day.