[Receptionist] Congratulations, with the completion of your most recent quest, you've ranked up. You're now officially a C-rank adventurer.
Finally, it's been forever since my last rank up. I knew it would be harder to increase my rank when it got higher, but I didn't think it'd take this long. Still, hard to believe it's been five years since I started this.
A lot has progressed in these past five years. The ancient city hidden in mist has officially become the new home of Kaya and all of the other women and children we saved. It took awhile to agree on a name, but we eventually decided on naming the misty city Raynemor.
Kaya decided on the name after reading the letter that was left when I first found this place. She really liked the romance of it, so we agreed on a name that meant "Rayonna's Hope".
We ended up framing the letter and keeping it in the same room it was found. That room was also turned into a personal study/meeting room for whenever I need to discuss important business with her.
Since I mostly stay in the capital, Kaya was made the official representative of the city. She's in charge of the day to day maintenance within the city, kind of like a village chief, or city mayor considering the size of the place. I trusted her to take care of everyone and gave her the Mirror of Whispered Visions in case an emergency ever occurred.
Garm and Ren are still at my side every day. I thought Ren would want to go with Kaya to the misty city, so I did offer her the chance to go. Although, judging by the heartbroken expression she gave me, I might as well have told her the world was ending. Somehow, I ended up giving her permission to sleep in my bed. I don't even remember how the conversation got to that point.
Ren's crush on me has calmed down a bit, but her feeling haven't changed since we were kids, and she still has that title. Honestly, it's been getting harder for me to deal with her. If it just goes by the passage of time, she's technically only two years younger than I was in my past life. Not to mention, she's really grown these past few years, especially in a few certain areas.
If I'm telling the truth, I don't know how to respond to her feelings. I know I'm becoming aware of her, but I've been trying to keep her at a distance for so long. It's hard to suddenly tell her I want to start a real relationship out of nowhere. Maybe I should just come out and say it.
The alliance with Raefauna has continued to grow strong with the passing years. I keep in contact with Nymera and Yukina through letters, although I never mentioned that my proposal to Yukina was an accident. I can't just bring that up in a letter, plus she never mentioned it again either. The next time I see them, I'll have to ask about it directly.
I've been doing simple quests for the guild that don't keep me away for too long. They don't give too much money, but I still save what I can. Since I'm still in charge of Raynemor, I try sending every bit I can spare to Kaya for the city.
Even though it's been so long, I'm still nowhere close to figuring out my Bloodline Ability. The damn thing just doesn't seem to want to work no matter what I try. The only good thing about it is that my control of magic has improved a bit. Thanks to the Moonclaw Coils Thrain and Sylvar made for me, I've learned how to sense and use mana, but my output is so low that I can only use beginner level spells.
Magic is more complicated than I first thought. It's not just saying a few words and making fire shoot from my hands, but instead a complex process with multiple steps. The first step is to gather an appropriate amount of mana in the area you want to release it. Most of the time, this just means your hands.
Once you gather enough mana, you need to convert it into the element you want to use. This is where my problem starts. My element is darkness, the outlier of the elements. There isn't a single spell that directly relates to this element. It's basically the element you put spells that don't fit into any other category. Since I don't know anyone else who can use the darkness element, I don't even have a reference to compare myself to. Put simply, I'm basically trying to run a race without knowing where the starting line is.
If I ever do find a way do this, once your mana is converted to your element, you then have to shape it into the spells form. Most people use incantations to do this. It's possible to use spells without incantations, but they end up weaker then normal. Once your spell takes form, you're free to use it.
Well, it's not like it's been a total loss these past few years. Thanks to the Moonclaw Coils, I was able to fill nearly a thousand mana stones. I may not be able to use high level magic myself, but with all these, I can at least make a few pieces of equipment to cover those bases. I'm glad I learned how to make enchanted accessories.
[Sakyo] (sigh) There's just too much to think about right now. Maybe I'll join the knight's training to take my mine off it. At least my ban has finally been lifted.
...
[Sakyo] (Was training always this boring? I've been here for an hour, but I've barely broken a sweat.)
The fifty laps that once gave him such trouble now seem to pass effortlessly. Hundreds of practice swings with a sword, dozens of workouts done, nothing feels difficult anymore. Everything that once took all of his energy now seems almost too easy.
[Sakyo] (Is this the results of all my personal training?)
After completing every single exercise given, Sakyo walks up to Hendrix. The knight's vice-captain stands in front of a small group of knights, overseeing their training for the day.
[Sakyo] Hey Hendrix, I'm finished. Isn't there any kind of training that can really push someone?
[Hendrix] What? You're already done? That's impossible. You couldn't have finished all those exercises in only an hour!
[Sakyo] Yeah, I did.
Hendrix turns back to the knights, giving a cold side eye to Sakyo standing next to him.
[Hendrix] Well, then do them all over again. If you finished that fast, you must've done sloppy work.
[Sakyo] I'm not spending another hour just repeating what didn't work for me before.
[Hendrix] If you don't like it, then just leave. (mumble) It seemed to work for you the first time.
[Sakyo] What's that supposed to mean?
With one swift motion, Hendrix turns back towards Sakyo. This time, he doesn't bother trying to hide his distain for him.
[Hendrix] It means we don't need a spoiled brat like you here. Just because the captain let you join our training doesn't mean you're worthy of it.
[Sakyo] Hey, I did the training just like everyone else here.
[Hendrix] As if I'd believe someone who can't even use basic magic could ever keep up with our training. Face it, brat, a cripple like you isn't worth wasting my time on. I only put up with your insolence for so long because it was the captain's orders, but now that she's training on her own, I'm in charge of these knights. I say you're not welcome here.
[Sakyo] Heh, sounds like you're just scared that someone you looked down on is growing stronger than you ever could.
Hearing such an insult finally makes his patience snap. Hendrix's body emits a cold vapor as the temperature around the two suddenly drops.
[Hendrix] Watch your tongue, brat. The captain isn't here to protect you anymore.
Reacting to the cold aura being directed toward him, Sakyo unknowingly responds with a dark aura of his own flaring up around his body. The air around them becomes heavy with tension, a few of the knights backing up from the clash of wills right in front of them.
[Sakyo] Then there's no need to hold back.
A faint red replaces the usual gray color of Sakyo's eyes. Seeing the change, Hendrix straitens his posture, looking down before speaking again.
[Hendrix] Fine, if you want to test your strength, I'll give you a real test. Knights! Gather around the sparring zone!
At his order, over one hundred knights gather in a group surrounding a sparring area within the training grounds.
[Hendrix] This brat needs to be taught a lessons, so we'll put him through the ringer: the Hundred Battles Trial!
Murmurs erupt within the crowd of knights. It's been a long time since they've heard of someone even attempting such a feat.
[Knight 1] Is he serious? I thought that was just some rumor.
[Knight 2] It's real, but the captain's the only one who's ever completed it.
[Knight 3] The last challenge was nearly a decade ago when the vice-captain tried it.
[Knight 4] I remember that. He couldn't make it past the 80th battle.
[Hendrix] Silence! Alright brat, the rules are simple. You'll face one hundred knights in one-on-one battles. The victor is decided when you or your opponent can't continue fighting. You'll fail the trial when you lose a single battle or when you give up. Armor and the use of magic are allowed, but weapons are banned. No breaks, no rest, no mercy. Everyone will fight with their full strength. Think you can take it?
[Sakyo] Bring it on.
Hearing that armor is allowed, Sakyo dons his enchanted vest from his system storage.
[Hendrix] First knight step forward!
From the group of knights, one finally steps forward, taking place across the sparring area to face Sakyo. They only wait for the signal to start.
[Hendrix] The Hundred Battles Trial begins now!