As I slowly brew awake, I feel the morning sun piercing through my eyelids.

I open the leather blinds - which didn't do much against the sun - and see a flock of bird-like monsters flying in a mass collection, possibly migrating to a warmer place.

Like Earth, Travia has four seasons, Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring.

Now, it could be considered the transition between autumn and winter.

The weather has gotten noticeably colder as well.

When I head downstairs, I hear some mild chattering.

It seems Raph and Mat have both awoken and are helping themselves to some food in my fridge.

Unlike the shower, the ice conjuring in the fridge is connected to a mana supply which generates mana by itself, meaning it can work indefinitely.

I see Melony in the corner of the kitchen, cooking some bizarre looking food.

Mat and Raph are both eating burgers with chips for brunch.

In fact, I don't seem to recognise the dish Melony is making.

I walk behind her, and ask, "What is it you're cooking?"

"I'm experimenting with the food in the fridge," she says, cooly.

I prepare an avocado and bacon sandwich.

Except, these dishes are pseudo-Earth foods.

After all, there are no 'avocadoes', 'pig', no are there any 'cows'. I'm just using the ingredients that look and taste the most like the Earthen cuisine.

Raph seems terribly energetic today.

When I ask him what the root of his excitement is, he enthusiastically replies, "The final sparring match!"

Today, Melony and I shall be competing against each other. To be honest, I admit I am assured of my victory.

Melony’s stats are simply too low to overcome the hurdle.

Besides, today, I can use [Second Wind] again.

Although [Acceptance] gauges 50% of my health, I can recover it relatively quickly due to the healing bonuses added onto my gear.

In theory, I could use [Acceptance] back-to-back and gain a 500% stat boost, before using [Second Wind] to negate any damage.

You see, [Acceptance] don’t stack cumulatively. It stacks simply, meaning the enhancements are much more powerful.

If [Acceptance] also boosted the stats of my armour, I would have stats of around 17,000. However, the maximum limit to stats is: 9,999.

An average of 7,500 is still an indomitable feat.

And to think I can achieve it so easily.

Even the most legendary warrior in the history of Travia was limited to 9,999.

I wash my dishes using a conjured tap and stroll the courtyard.

Although major damage occurred here yesterday, most of it is now fixed due of Melony’s precise [Earth Manipulation].

Some trees are gone, but thanks to the patchwork, the missing trees would be unnoticeable unless you knew they were there before.

I predict that there will be significant damage done, but Raph will also help set up the stadium this time.

He'll be using [Wind Manipulation] to knock any debris or attacks back into the arena.

We walk into the court, And Melony creates barriers much for sophisticated than last time. Raph sets up the wind barrier.

Mat announces the beginning of the battle.

Almost instantly, Melony summons an earthen Phoenix.

Clearly, she knows there will be no point in holding back.

The Phoenix spews molten pellets or rock at me. However, with a single swing of my sword, the flames extinguish, and soon after, the pure air pressure rips the rocks into pieces.

The Phoenix releases a hellfire of blazing boulders, all directed at me. I simply counter them again with numerous slashes.

Melony, beginning to see her strategy fail, switches to another.

The Phoenix repositions itself, and dives down at me like a perigean falcon. Instead of running, I charge towards it, gaining immersive speed as I bold as fast as I can.

Within seconds, we clash head on. I activate [Acceptance], furiously slicing. The wind pressure alone is enough to bust through Raph’s barrier. However, the Phoenix still doesn't fall.

I thrust my sword onto its backside, jumping onto it, bearing the pain from the searing flames. With my sword still firmly embedded, I start springing around the Phoenix, creating deep incisions. I jump off before the flames deal too much damage, and the Phoenix crumbled behind me.

I hear Raph's distant cheering.

I jolt towards Melony, but she sets up some stone walls, hindering my approach. Unfortunately for her, I shred through them with ease.

The difference in our stats is simply too overwhelming. Nothing she throws at me has much effect.

I face her head-on, the blunt side of my blade aimed toward her. I slash, trying to constrain my power.

However, right before my sword bashes into her ribs, she suddenly disappears.

I instinctively look behind me but see no one.

Where did Melony go? Downwards, into the earth?

...

[Earth Manipulation].

As soon as I figure out her play, I jam my sword onto the rocky barrier, and use it as a stand, balancing myself atop my weapon.

Melony bursts out from where I was moments earlier, her hands covered in blue flames. However, her attack hits nothing.

I hear the air sizzle.

... Are her flames so hot they burn even the air itself? The very atmosphere?

Melony scans around, before locating me. She chants something and fires the blue fames at me. They dart around, following me at an unbelievably rapid pace. I grab my sword, and use the wall as a foothold, dashing away to dodge the attack.

However, like before with Raph, the fireballs alter their path, and continue pursuing me, leaving destruction in their wake.

I vigorously slash at the infernos from a safe distance, hoping for the wind pressure to snuff them out. Instead, the flames eat the air, snuffing it out.

And they’re still tracking me, despite my wild movements.

Unlike the other three [Heroes], I have no special moves. I simply use pure power and pristine swordsmanship to push forwards. If I can't run, I feel obliged to stand my ground and fight

I leap forwards, only for some sort of chain to hold me down. I glance at my feet.

A stone shackle, latched onto the ground.

Hurriedly, I remove the encapsulating shackle, only for another to pop out of the ground, pinning me down. Then, another appears, followed by another. Two more.

Another round, and another following hereafter.

This certainly is... inconvenient. But these chains were just created from the earth beneath me; something I can easily break with minimal effort. I sway an arm, yet the shacks don't rip apart.

I add more force, but, still, nothing happens. At this rate, the fireballs will reach me. I strain my muscles. The very earth itself begins to crumble, ruptures forming on the ground. A loud, deafening creaking ensues.

However, the chains still don't come off.

What are they made of?

Did Melony somehow condense the amount of rock to strengthen it? Is that even possible? I stretch my muscles once more, exerting them as hard as I can.

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Thick chunks of earth get ripped off the floor, freeing me.

I quickly scurry away.

Attached to each of my limbs are hulking masses of stone. Large plates of earth are missing from the ground - the place where I was stuck to, the place where I managed to gauge myself out from.

I use the boulders as a shield, using them to confront the flames. I can't even stare at the hellfire directly. The light is blinding, and eve near them, the surrounding air constantly wavers.

The boulders melt almost instantly. The fireballs don't even slow down.

How much mana did she embed them with?

As the fireballs approach, the ground beneath turns sloppy, melting into molten mud.

This whole time, I was doing it wrong.

Instead of facing the projectiles, I should face the caster, Melony.

She must be low on mana after exhorting such powerful attacks without rest. And I still have seven minutes of boosted time left.

I position myself to utilise optimal footwork, before dashing towards her. Rocks break off from the ground, flying away every time my foot smashed onto the floor, leaving distinct markings.

Melony reacts almost instantaneously, retreating underground. However, I punch the ground.

I won't let you get away

A catastrophic minor earthquake ensures, and the earth beneath my grumbles. I fiercely punch the ground again, and a large slit forms.

I look inside and see Melony tunnelling around.

I jump in, chasing after her.

But, as soon as I leap in, the earth surrounding me closes, trapping me deep underground.

I scrape at the rock. I kick and punch. I trash around, until I shatter the surface, scrambling back aboveground.

Despite the huge difference in stats and theoretical power, Melony has obsolete control over the battlefield.

It seems as if she were puppeteering me.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean she's winning.

I've already healed most of my health, and Melony's mana regeneration probably can't keep up with her onslaught of attacks.

If I can prolong the battle for a long and sufficient time, my victory should be assured.

Melony creates an earthen cage around me. I smash the wall, expecting it to crumble, but it doesn't even budge.

Did she condense the rock again?

I try squirming through the gaps, but they also close in, sealing me in a room.

Then, a large flame combusts the walls.

At first, I seem confused.

But then, I realise.

She's burning the air in the room.

Without oxygen, the flames can't operate either. But by then, I'll pass out.

However, I won’t give up without a fight.

I don't have the luxury of time. Already, I feel the air in the room quickly evaporate.

I must hurry.

I cumulate as much force as possible, bashing the bedrock walls. The dust settles, and the only thing I manage to do is...create a minuscule dent on the wall.

How on earth can this cage be so hard and withstand my onslaught?

Well, ... there is nothing to gain from holding back and restraining power.

I still have three minutes before my first activation of [Acceptance] expires. Within that timeframe, I can squeeze in two more uses of [Acceptance], allowing me stats to temporarily reach the system maximum - the 9,999 marks.

During that time, no attack can damage or phase me. Afterall, no attack could possibly exceed 9,999. And since my defence is that - 9,999 - I cannot be hurt.

And since no one has a defence stat of 9,999, my attack can pierce through any armour.

I activate [Acceptance] twice, before quickly recovering with [Second Wind].

Copious amounts of suppressive power flood my veins, pumping power into every cell in my body. The energy coalescing through me makes me feel... Invincible.

Everything feels almost absolute. My perceptive abilities shoot up. My previously ragged, air0sickened breathing has stabilised. The flames seem to flicker in slow motion. In fact, the whole world feels...

...Slow. I had never accumulated [Acceptance] three-fold. Is this what the pinnacle of power tastes like?

I flick the wall with my fingers.

The wall doesn't even go flying away - it simply disintegrates.

I take a simple, light step. One. The ground beneath my literally sinks, and I dash behind Melony, creating a massive sonic boom. The wind barrier collapses into fragments.

However, this newfound power of mine is a bit ... uncontrollable. I crash past the earthen barrier, crumbling it as I uncontrollably flail, attempting to readjust my position.

The entire stadium collapses.

If that right hook, or a single finger of mine had hit Melony - she would have certainly died.

I should learn to control this power.

"And now...Melony wins the world cup!"" cheers Raph in an enthusiastic tone.

Ah, right.

I had stepped out of the rim, and automatically lost as I was out of bounds.

Although perhaps it was for the better. If the match prolonged any further, I fear that my power would reign uncontrolled if let loose.

If I cannot control it, could it really be considered a power - a blessing? And untameable blessing is simply a curse that brings hurt and misfortune.

As Melony fixes up the unrecognisable, thrashed court, Raph walks up to me, looking profound.

"You could have easily won that! Didya lose on purpose? Such a Ray thing to do"

"No. I lost control of my heightened stats."

"...Yiikes. It's like in those anime’s when some guy isn't accustomed to a big power boost, right?"

"Yes, I suppose so. I believe I should train to master this overwhelming power."

"Yeah, that sure is overwhelming. How high did your stats go up to?"

"9,999"

Raph's eyes glitter and gleam, like that of a young boy - which, I suppose, isn't far off.

"Doesn't that make you like the [Hero King]? He got 9,999, right?"

The [Hero King]. I remember him from the textbooks I had read before.

Roughly 1000 years ago, all five court mages had banded together to summon a supreme [Hero], one with nothing but purity.

Apparently, he had achieved stats of 9,999 all round, even without any boosts, just from raw training and battles.

I pale in comparison, when contrasted with such greatness.

"No, I am different to the holy [Hero King]. But I strive to follow his footsteps."

Raph looks at me like some sort of big brother.

During that time, Melony had already repaired the stadium.

"Well," starts Mat, "I'm pretty sure you could have won that match. Too much power, eh?"

"Haha... I do suppose, Mat."

Without anything else to do, we each excuse ourselves before going about our personal business. Well... most of us do.

Raph does straight to his room and takes a nap.

Without much to do, I go to the markets.

In Braiher's kingdom, there is an unfortunate divide between the rich and the poor.

The wealthy, aristocrats and nobility reside in massive mansions and profound buildings, while the poor live in slums. I have not been to thee so called slums before.

I fear my heart cannot handle the grotesque sights.

Perhaps, after the war, us [Heroes] with our immense influence can change this gap between the divide of wealth.

Yet, that is an issue for another time.

Strolling along the city streets, I hear many merchants yelling, advertising their products.

"Pranel coats! Buy 100% authentic Pranel coats, supplied by the Adventurer’s Guild!"

"Madam Youbi will predict your future, with level[Future insight Lv9]!"

Delicious Uurii soup! Buy one bowl for 11 bronze coins, four for 4 silver coins!

I purchase a bowl of Uurii soup, encapsulated in a small, coffee-like mug. before continuing to walk past the stalls. As I continue marching along the stands, I notice some commotion head of me.

I see come cilivians literally rip apart a stand, screaming in anger.

"He's a demon!"

"What’s a demon doing in human territory? I thought the tensions had separated them to move back to their own territories.

Many human merchants had retreated here, after all.

"Kill the demon!"

Peeking my head in, the man they're assuming as a 'demon' looks just like any other human - albeit - scared.

I better step in before thing get worse.

"Citizens!" I bellow, raising my voice.

I hear the crowd usher, with some occasional whispers.

Isn't that the [Hero] Ray?

"Before you convict this man of anything, you need to explain why he is suspected as a demon! Both humans and demons look identical, so I'll be needing reasons."

If this terrified shopkeeper really is a demon, I still don't think I’ll have the heart to kill him. He is still sentient, and like a human. It is simply the racial divide causing this tension.

I suppose I could bring him in as a prisoner if he were found out to be a demon spy.

The man that was tearing down a sign speaks up in a confident voice. "Well, [Hero] Ray, this supposed 'merchant' came here a month ago. All would be fine, except for one issue. My brother, a border guard, swore he came in carrying suspicious weapons in his carriage."

"And how does that link to him being a demon?" I ponder, pointing to the swords and armour stacked on his shelves, "He is a weapons merchant, is he not?"

"T-that’s probably a guise! I saw him importing demonic armaments!"

"Demonic armaments, you say? Is it strange for a merchant to have weapons from various territories? Perhaps he just kept them as they were valuable."

The merchant butts in "That’s right! These two swords may be made by Gyras, the famous Windport blacksmith, and they're both graded as a high B-rank! Almost A-rank! These two swords are worth more than the rest of my entire goods!"

"Don't talk to me, you demon spy," says the rough man in a grumpy tone.

Perhaps it would be better for me to settle this tension before troubles arose.

"I will investigate this later. For now, this man should be considered innocent until proven guilty," I state, in a flat yet commanding voice.

The gruff man looks at me inquisitively.

Right. These legal terms are probably unrecognised on Travia. I rephrase, hoping it would make more sense.

"What I meant was that the humble merchant will be allowed to roam free. During that time, his actions will be monitored by elite royal forces. If nothing suspicious occurs, he will be considered innocent"

What I had said isn’t very accurate. It isn't a direct translation, nor will guards be watching him, but it should settle the matter.

"Fine," scoffs the man, before walking away.

As the ringleader abandons, onlookers and other offenders being to disperse.

"T-thank you so much [Hero] Ray! Because humans and demons look alike, there have been many illegitimate claims!"

"No worries. It is my job to maintain peace"

And with that, my exploration of the marketplace came to an abrupt finish.

I quickly finish drinking my Uurii soup, before binning it, watching the automatic fire conjuring consume the paper cup.

Today morning certainly was eventful.

Without much to do, I take a detour to the royal library.

Some guards bow in my presence, letting me through.

I skim through many signs, before finding the History section. Waltzing in, I find the book I was looking for - a reprinted record of [Hero King] Lam's various exploits during his time of governance.

Killing the vicious troiscorns which ruled over humankind centuries ago, forming peace with all other humanoids, even with the acceptance of demons, founding the Adventurer's Guild, and much more.

Lam was not just a heroic fighter; he was also an amazing politician. The constitution governing over the monarchy is still directly derived from the very same one written 1,000 years ago by Lam.

Though, I suppose, with such a large time gap, some issues were bound to occur.

For example, the segregation between the rich and poor.

Back then, everyone had to band together just to live relatively peaceful lives. The common threat of monsters banded humanity together.

Yet, now, with the creation of magitech, better armour and weapons, and the Adventurer’s Guild, this 'common enemy' eventually just became animals of the wilderness.

Near bustling, urban areas, most people have and will never see a monster in their lives.

And so, without the constant threat of being overrun by beasts overnight, societies began forming.

Demons had stopped being nomadic 200 years before, but eventually, humans established cities and cultivated crops, staying in one place.

Then, of course, power began being split unequally.

Mighty warriors got the good huts and cottages, while the weak were less fortunate. In fact, King Braiher's bloodline is said to be from direct descent of [Hero King] Lam.

It truly is amazing how one man could change history so much in a minuscule time.

Roughly 80 years after [Hero King] Lam's summoning, it is said that he had died.

These royal documents extend this to a bit more detail - he did not die. One night, Lam suddenly went missing, and it is assumed that he died.

No human could live as long as 1,000 years.

Truly, a magnificent man indeed.

I heartily look up to [Hero King] Lam.

The most impressive thing was that the [Hero King] was not even a [Miracle Human] summoned from Earth. No, he was simply an [Angelic Knight] who was born and raised on Travia, meaning he grew to such power even without reincarnation exclusive skills and the [Hero Pack].

Most magnificent indeed.

In fact, it is rumoured that before his disappearance, Lam had cast a massive conjuring on the kingdom to ward off monsters.

Such a rumbunctious feat would seem impossible. However, after experiencing the power the [Hero King] had for a few minutes, it certainly seems possible.

I will practice fighting with 3 layers of [Acceptance] and learn to leash and tame my power.

For the goodness and peace if humanity.