Sieg felt the difference after their training; he was far from the weak boy he had been before. Overall, he felt more confident in himself.
If he ever encountered those thugs again, he was certain he could confront them — the miracle of discipline and training had worked wonders.
But he knew that he would have to move on soon.
Sieg developed some attachments to this cave, Mister Knight was out to fetch dinner, and for now, the boy's eyes gazed upon the inner structure.
As he walked around — he could see mental images of the first day he came here, his first swing of the sword, and all the beating he endured from Mister Knight.
I still haven't seen his face.
However, there are some not so fond memories, especially regarding hygiene.
Sieg grimaced at the memory of having to relieve himself on the snow and enduring baths in freezing water. At least Mister Knight had provided him with proper clothing during his time there — winter coats and a thick set of black boots.
He smiled, thinking he had no idea how long he had been stuck there — months, probably. He had never imagined the trial would drag on like this.
"I have to climb the mountain soon. I… I think I'm almost ready."
Familiar Footsteps were heard outside the cavern, it was no other than Mister Knight, who brought some juicy looking steak that's been sitting in spices and herbs.
"Is that for dinner, Mister Knight?"
"Not quite."
"Huh?" Sieg was confused.
Mister Knight set aside the meal on a makeshift table, "You're ready — pick up your sword and meet me outside."
"I understand, Mister Knight." Sieg obeyed, the way he gripped his long sword, it was far more confident but not perfect.
Sieg stepped outside and was met with a world transformed. His eyes widened in awe as the breathtaking scenery unfolded before him, and the warmth of the sun on his face left him momentarily speechless.
The sky was blue…
Aside from the vast snowy lands below the mountains, the frozen lakes, the white forest trees, and the jagged peaks, something else stole his breath.
He had never seen anything like it — this dimension was beautiful.
Before his eyes stood two impossible colossal sculptures: a pair of giant hands chained together, resembling a slave's bound wrists. What had once been obscured by the raging blizzard now revealed itself to Sieg in all its cold, towering glory.
"Follow me, boy."
"Ah, yes, of course!" Sieg still couldn't believe it, the spiraling concrete snowy paths were finally visible, though he paid attention to his steps, as he could hear rocks falling down the cliffs, and he wasn't that fond of heights.
The walk up was silent, but before long after crossing paths with interesting statues of fallen knights, they eventually reached a place that resembled a circular arena with adjacent pillars on each corners, and there seems to be elevated seats that allows spectators to witness the battle unfold at the center.
Sieg's grip on his sword tightly, there's only one reason why the knight had guided him to here of all places.
"I haven't taught you everything you need to know. Can you tell me which one it is?" Mister Knight asked, and Sieg knew what it was, after all it was something he had kept silent about.
"The stats. I remember making the promise to never glance at it, not even once, Mister Knight."
Mister Knight stepped forward, planting his blade into the ground with a dull thud.
"I commend you for not doing so — for that, you have my respect. But for now, go ahead, check it."
Sieg finally received permission to check his stats, and in all honesty, he doesn't know why, but he was nervous. He trained so hard, so there must be some significant improvement, right?
"Here we go…"
---
—[ Sieg Ravel ]—
Elite Level: 0
Origin Arts: ??
Orbs: ??
Requirement for the next Elite Level — Obtain an Origin arts…
[Stats: Strength 0/0, Endurance 0/0, Dexterity 0/0, Toughness 0/0, Sanity 3/3, Accuracy 0/0, Lethality 0/0.]
---
What? All that effort for zero progress?
It was hard for Sieg not to feel disheartened; the sensation of stagnation was a cruel emotion he knew all too well. But Mister Knight spoke before the feeling could settle in.
"There's a reason I forbade you. If you had realized that your stats hadn't improved at all, despite all your efforts, you would have become obsessed. It would have consumed your thoughts, clouding your mind and hindering your progress."
"Mister Knight— progress? It hasn't moved once. Not even my Strength or Endurance, what am I doing wrong?" With those words, Sieg only proved his mentor's point.
"I suggest you clear your thoughts and not jump into conclusion so hastily, those stats don't work the way you expect them too."
Sieg heeded his words — he tried to calm himself, and internally he was disappointed. He thought he had grown emotionally, but the slightest sign of no progress almost affected him. That notion, he found utterly pathetic of himself.
"Sieg, those stats will never increase, no matter what you do."
The boy's ears perch up, the words he heard from his mentor, boggled his mind, "What do you mean, Mister Knight?"
"I'll allow you — focus your gaze, and let the intention take over, see my own attributes."
Sieg did exactly that, his eyes fixed on the towering figure of Mister Knight. He met the singular iris behind the helmet, and with a mere flick, a panel appeared.
› [Elites of lower rank find it difficult to discern the stats of those above them, and it becomes even harder when concealment is deliberate. Mister Knight, however, is allowing you to see what is normally hidden.]
Mister Knight's attributes… I can actually see it?!
This feels illegal!
---
—[ ????? ]—
Elite Level: Elite 9
Origin Arts: Hybrid [Domination/Sorcery]
Ascended Arts: Permafrost Revenant
[Stats: STR VII/IX, Endurance VI/VI, Dexterity ??, Toughness ??, Sanity ??, Spell Power ??, Accuracy ??, Lethality ??.]
---
Sieg stared at the panel, confused. He couldn't see the name, and some of the stats were just question marks.
But… he already knew the name was Boreas. Why would it be hidden from him? That class… so Mister Knight wasn't human after all. And what exactly was a Revenant?
Yet Sieg stayed silent. Asking now might be too risky; he'd wait for his mentor to explain.
Chapter End.