The three of them were sitting in a bar, learning that Athena was a princess caught them off guard. To think the mysterious 9nth princess was that brutish womam.
They also learnt that Lisa was the daughter of a duke, she was not only the childhood friend but also cousin of Athena. So what your plan from here? Asked Cathra.
He shrugged. I'm going with Mr Mountwave to train in another star world, said Iron. What about you? Iron asked looking at Cathra. I don't know, take care of my sister I guess, maybe find a new party, a more relaxed one, being with you guys was stressful, do you know many times I thought I might die? She said jokingly.
They continued their meal and drinks in silence, both Iron and Noel were not talkative and Cathra looked a bit too dejected to chat. After that they went their separate ways.
Noel knew he might never have to interact with them again and thought it was a pity, they were not an unpleasant company. The next day he met up with Athena in the guild.
He had almost wasted two years in this world, he did not have all the time in the world so it was about time he fully focused on getting stronger.
He wanted to learn martial art but she had yet to give him that, she kept implying he was not ready. His routine revolved around doing poses with acid bowls on his body.
Thousands of pushups and sit ups in a high gravity room. Although he could feel the benefits to his body he was still not satisfied, he wanted to level up and grow stronger.
It was the only way he could find a way back home. This is a waste of time. Excuse me? I want to go hunt some monsters, i need to grow stronger quick.
Rushing is never the solution, even if your body grows stronger, without proper training all that strength would be wasted. That for me to worry about, he said as he turned around to leave.
Stop. What? She whistled, within a minute a young looking man with short black hair came in. You called for me vise guild master? Yes, Clark,meet Max.
He is a new G adventurer, I want you to have a spar with him. Excuse me? You heard me brat. Vise guild master you have to be kidding, he is much stronger than I am, how can I fight him.
The kid is right, the fight would be unfair on him. Are you scared? He frowned, then turned to leave without a word. You brats, I told you to fight and you will fight.
He ignored her and the next thing he knew his head was buried on the floor. She picked him up by his neck and threw him back. Okay, you may begin, she told them.
Noel stood up and dusted himself, alright kid let get this over with. Max took a stance, his spear held diagonally with it head facing the floor.
Noel moved, he wanted to end this charade and go net himself some level ups. He was fast, much faster than his opponent, that was pretty obvious.
From what it seems, the boys eyes could barely follow his movements. He sent a punch to his face and the kid moved slightly to dodge.
It was unexpected but nothing to worry about, just as he was about to turn he found his body falling to the ground, before he can even react a spearhead was already on his neck.
He lay there, his emotionless eyes filled with confusion. He did not see what the kid did but he felt a foot trip him, it was a slight touch, not something that should've effected him yet his body fell uncontrollably.
He looked at the boy and he looked confused as well. The boy looked at him, mister, thank you for taking it easy on me, that punch would've killed me if you did not intentionally miss, the boy whispered.
Don't worry, I won't tell aunt you did that, she will kill us both if she finds out. He just gazed at the boy with blank confusion. Took things easy? No he was not, he genuinely lost to a kid a rank below him in a second.
He was not one to care about peoples opinions but even he felt embarrassed by the thought of others knowing this. Max, you can go now. Thank you vise guild master.
Athena crouched and looked him in the eye with a mocking smile. Still think you're ready? I don't know why you are in such a rush for strength boy and I'm not going to pretend like I do.
However this world is not a kind place, strength is everything, I don't mean to brag but I'm strong, I am amongst the powerhouses in this world yet even I have to crouch my head to survive.
This world is filled with danger in every conor, having higher stats does not mean much or beast and monsters would be ruling this world as we speak.
I don't understand, what happened? You lost. How? Control, anybody with a bit of training can see you lack control of your own body, minor disturbances can make you lose balance.
He merely took advantage of that, you were much stronger and faster than he was so there was not way he could compete with you in terms of strength so he used yours against you.
So you see now, other races can survive because they are born with advantages, stronger bodies, better affinities for magic and some are born as martial experts but we are different.
We are not born with any strength, we are a blank page, the weakest of all sentient races, we have to work a hundred times harder to achieve the same strength as others but that also makes us more versatile than them.
We can wield the strength of dragons or magic of elves, the endurance of dwarfs and body control of beastmen race but we still have to work for it.
I don't have time, I don't have the liberty to train for years like others or I will lose all I hold dear, he said with a hint of sadness and longing which surprised Athena, she was not used to sensing any emotions from him, even though Lisa said he was more emotional now, she wondered how he was before.
That simple then, she grinned, if others train a hundred times harder,you just have to train a thousand time more, ten thousand time or even a million times more and lucky for you, I know how you can do just that? She grinned excitedly.