AN: I know there has been a lot of Grammatical mistakes and stuff. I'm thankful for all of the support and questions despite that. I'll do my best to reduce the errors so that your reading experience will not be poorly affected. With that being said, I hope that those of you reading are in good health and stay well. Not just because you wouldn't be able to read my work otherwise, but also because as a person I believe that I shouldn't wish ill on others for no reason. Anyways, on with the chapter. This one will be a bit shorter compared to previous ones.
Since for some reason I had actually fallen asleep and ended up remembering something unpleasant, I decided to stay awake. I don't know why I chose to become a Magic Swordsmaster, I had decided never to pick up a sword again, yet at that moment my body moved on its own and I ended up picking that option.. Something like that.
Regardless of what the reason was, I decided and I can't exactly change now.
"Azaroth, how long until my skills are recovered?"
[ Notice ]
[ For the complete restoration of your skills, you will need to wait for 3 days. ]
"Woah, 3 whole days? That's the soonest? "
To be honest, this was truly shocking news because Azeroth has always somehow managed to do things right away regardless of what those things were. Be it gathering information or creating skills, Azeroth has always been quick, efficient, and reliable.
[ Notice ]
[ The speed at which I am able to restore them is not the issue. Since those skills are yours and have been saved, I could immediately recover them even if you somehow lost them. ]
Azeroth spoke with such confidence and surety that it could almost be considered arrogance, except for the fact that it was definitely true. Azeroth has never stated anything untrue, so far everything Azeroth has said has come true to the point that I feel as though I could blindly rely on the skill and would still be able to survive and maybe even reach my goal, just fine.
"Then, why? Not that I doubt your abilities or anything, but it's still surprising that it will take so long."
[ Notice ]
[ Because of the vast amount of Special and Ultimate skills that you've acquired. While giving them back to you wouldn't be hard, your body may not be able to take it if I just gave you everything at once. That's why for the past few hours I have been slowly returning your skills. Though if you would like to risk it and receive all of your skills at once, there is a 20% chance that you won't die. Would you like— ]
"No. Absolutely not."
[ Hmph… Understood. Then, please wait for 3 days for a complete recovery. I've already recovered most of the important things anyways. ]
Is it just me or does Azeroth seem.. upset? They're not mad because I cut them off right? No.. they couldn't be, I must be imagining it.
"Anyways.. Let's have a look at these skills."
[ Skill status: Incomplete 15.5%]
[ Skills - Analysis, Graphing Location, Self-Healing, Authority, and Fear resistance, Absolute Defense, Body Double, Teleportation, Telepathy, Familial Control, Mana Sense, Self-healing, Fear Resistance, Elemental resistance, Absorption, Mind's eye, Synthesis]
Looking at my skills I couldn't help but nod in satisfaction. Not even 20% had been recovered but what I did have was quite good and I could see that they would be useful on my journey.
" That's good. Thank you for your hard work Azeroth. "
[ Notice ]
[This is nothing, no need to waste your thanks for something this trivial.]
Once again, Azeroth sounded just a bit smug. No, more than a bit, I could practically see them smirking. It made me chuckle to myself a bit.
'It seems I'm not the only one adapting.'
Since I woke up early, I decided to walk around the new town, looking at the surroundings and familiarising myself with it.
The town was quiet and as it was early morning I saw many shop owners waking up early and preparing to open their shops doors. I had no need for food but I couldn't help but want to buy bread from the bakery as I passed by and smelled the scent of fresh bread. Unfortunately, I had no money and could only sigh.
After strolling around for a hit and greeting a few of the locals I made my way to the guild where I planned to spend most of my time as an adventurer for the next year.
You may be wondering why, and the reason isn't too complicated. There's someone I want to meet. However, meeting them wouldn't be enough, I plan to build a reputation, even if it's not a big one, I need a bit of fame in the guild as being strong. That way, when I meet this person, they'll be more inclined to listen to me.
Ah, you want to know who it is right? Well, that's a secret for now.
"Oh, sir Verdanthel, it's lovely to see you! What brings you here so early?"
The first person to greet me as I entered the guild was Mary. She seemed in good spirits despite it being so early in the morning.
"Please.. there's no need to be formal with me. Just call me Vaelis…and I'm here for information."
In order to guard someone I would need to know at least a bit about them. Furthermore, I need information about the environment that we will be in. I'm also curious as to what kind of place it is that they'd need to hire someone to guard their carriage as they travel.
" T-Then, I will tell you everything I know, but you must be hungry right? Here, you can eat this hehe. "
We walked towards the counter and just as I was about to sit down Mary handed me a bento box. That in itself wasn't too surprising since as I already knew, it was just one of the many modern world things added to the game, what was shocking was that she gave me one. Even in-game she never gave such an item to the player. Not that I was complaining, I had been curious as to what the food of this world tastes like for a while now.
However, I don't feel right about just accepting a gift when I have nothing to give in return.
" Sorry, I can't accept this. It wouldn't be right to take something without having anything to offer in return. Though I am grateful. "
Mary looked a bit dejected by my rejection which, I have to admit, made me feel a bit bad but in the end she accepted it and started telling me about my mission.
" The person you will be escorting is the youngest prince of the Eastern Empire and his mother, the king's second wife. Apparently they're going to be travelling through Keziths peak, the draconic mountain peaks that are known for their dangerous and rocky terrain as well as being the home of most of the world's most dangerous species. "
Hearing the news made me sigh. Not that I was expecting the job to be easy but doesn't it sound too dangerous? I mean, why would the second queen need to go through such a dangerous place when there had to have been safer ways to travel..right?
It's clear that something else is going on. It must be the classic noble fantasy trope where the hierarchy between the king's lovers is muddled and the environment is toxic. Honestly, I feel annoyed just thinking about it.
I listened to Mary's explanation and learned a few things. Most notably, the creatures that live throughout the mountains include but aren't limited to: Lesser Dragons, Wyverns, Serkha, and Demonic Spiders.
Honestly if not for the pictures provided for each creature I probably wouldn't have known what half of those were but now that I know, I can't help but feel excited. The mission itself seemed a bit boring but being able to see so many creatures that I've never seen has given me the moral boost I needed.
I decided to leave early, since luckily it would only take about 3 days to get to the mountains from the guild. Well, it would probably take longer if it weren't me though.. Since I don't need to eat or drink, travelling long distances proves to be not very difficult for me.
" Well then, this is the start of our adventure, huh? I… don't really have anything cool to say though. "
"In times like these, not saying anything can have its charm too."
I turned to see that Eos had emerged from my shadow. Eos had been hiding in it since we got to the guild. This was the first time that she was coming out since we got here though so it was a bit shocking.
Her words worked to calm my nerves. To be honest, this was probably the first time I had ever moved to do something that I wanted to do without a proper plan. It was exciting.
***
Standing on the edge of a grass covered hilltop were two people. One, the pale, turquoise-haired Adventurer named Vaelis, his hands held behind his back as he stared up at the sky with a small smirk spread across his lips. Next to him stood a beautiful young girl with short purple hair like fine wine and sun-kissed dark skin that seemed to shine. Their voices were carried on the gentle winds that blew.
" Eos."
Vaelis spoke, referring to the beautiful girl, his voice sounding just as calm and yet carried more of an almost nostalgic weight in it than usual.
" Yes, master? "
The girl spoke with a voice that was as smooth and sweet as honey, she did not wear a smile on her face as she looked at the world in front of her. Yet, her eyes held a warmth as she gazed at the world from atop the mountain.
" This will be our first of many steps towards a great future. "
" Yes, master. "
" Are you nervous?"
After asking that question, Vaelis turned his gaze towards the girl and wore a knowing expression.
This made the girl close her eyes, smirking ever so slightly as she shook her head and then looked up at the sky. The moments of silence that followed after were carried by the gentle breeze blowing through. Then, she parted her lips to speak again.
" Not at all, master."
" No matter the outcome or circumstances, and regardless of the situation… I will never falter or regret a thing. Every step taken, will surely lead us closer to your goal, not just for a better life, but for a better world for everyone. That is why… I will never be nervous or afraid."
Hearing her heartfelt words seemed to have satisfied Vaelis as he chuckled lightly and then turned his gaze back upwards at the sky above and reached out his hand, his palm covering the sun and then he squeezed his hand shut as if grabbing it.
" Then it's only right that I live up to those expectations of yours. The life that I live will not end as pathetically as the last. This time, I will save others, and I will not die. This time, I will protect everything dear to me, so that not only I.. but everyone else who follows me can live a long happy peaceful life without worry or fear. "
Coming to a mutual understanding and with resolution and determination in their heart, the two nodded and silently embraced the future.