Levi woke up a few hours later. It wasn’t a lot of sleep, but it was better than nothing. And yeah, he still felt like shit. At least the warmth of the sun washed it away a little. What wasn’t washed away however, was the smell of his body odour.

And then came the sudden prang of hunger. His stomach grumbled deep and loud. Languidly shifting over to the table, Levi prepared some food. And by preparing, all he did was open the tin, and eat the slab of meat whole. It was already cooked, or at least that’s what it said on the tin, at least. It tasted like spam, just without the added preservatives. Honestly, if he ignored the jelly substance coating it, it was quite nice. He doubted it would last as long as spam did, but that was okay.

After having something to eat, drink, washing his body, and basking in the sun, he felt completely refreshed. Reborn.

He left the house and strolled through the streets. He had four things to do today.

1: Practice mana.

2: Scout his surroundings. On one side of the town, there was the mountain range where the sun peeked out from. Then there was the cobbled paved road that led out of the town, and into a tall forest. He needed to get a lay of the land, to know if there were other people around. Maybe there was a safer place than this town? Or if everywhere else was just as dangerous?

3: Find another house on the other side of town and create better defences this time.

And finally, 4: He had to get ready for the Round Table in a week's time–whatever the hell it was. It sounded like he’d be summoned… into heaven? Honestly, it was taking all of his brain power not to freak out, but just like before, one thing at a time.

Maybe he’d get some information out of the gods from above? Were they even gods, or people like him? Levi stopped thinking, lest he’d sprout an aneurysm.

As he walked, Levi trailed his fingers through the mana. It was as if he was one with it, playing with it like it was sand. It didn’t have a feeling. It was as if it didn’t exist in the first place. Only because of his Class and Path, was he capable of seeing it.

He continued practising until he reached the far end of town towards the mountains, and discovered a few notable things.

For one, he couldn’t attack with it, much to his dismay. He had to focus on the mana in the air, then speak; often of curse words. He seemed to be good at that. Yet his magical ability didn't seem to do anything.

He tried to Fus-Ro-Dah a window on his travels, but that didn’t work, either. He tried again, shouting profanities walking down the street. No matter what he tried, nothing worked.

Maybe he needed a target? A living one.

***

Gazing up at the mountain range, Levi sighed in defeat. And he hadn’t even tried scaling it yet. He wanted to make sure that no monsters could come from this way, and it seemed entirely possible that he was right. It was just sheer cliffs, and no caves, or entrances from what he could see.

Now the forest.

***

Now, Levi was on the other side of the town. It wasn’t too long of a walk, only around 30 minutes or so. However, even after all that walking, his legs didn’t burn. His heart didn’t struggle. His breathing was normal.

Is this what it felt like to be in a body that regularly exercised? It felt amazing, even though he was in the body of a child. It was still a sour thought to dwell on. Even better, however, was the notification that arrived the moment he arrived at the forest, host of the titanic trees.

You have gained 1 point in Dexterity.

It made him feel a little lighter; it was a strange sensation when the point of the system added the point. A warmth hugged his body, and then all of a sudden, he was stronger. It was as magical and mysterious as he thought it was going to be.

Now that he was on the road that led into the forest. He couldn’t help but gasp at the magnitude of the trees. He craned his neck up, and it felt like they went up forever. Each tree was also as thick as 20 or so average humans all huddled together. They were prehistoric.

I need to find another civilization. I can’t survive on my own for very long. Food will run out, then I’ll be in trouble, Levi thought as he found his confidence. With a big step forward, he made his way down the road.

Eyes scanning left, right, and above, he felt his nerves as taught as tightened bundled steel wire. The further he travelled, the darker it became. Thankfully, it wasn’t a dark like the night brought with it, but a manageable one.

As he continued, cleaver in hand, words at the ready, Levi couldn’t shrug off the feeling like he was being watched. His head was like it was on a swivel, constantly moving, checking everywhere he could. After a while, Levi heard something. A crackling of a twig, and then another. He saw a bush move.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Holding his breath, Levi rushed to a tall tree for refuge. He waited. Minutes later, a strange, green creature appeared. Holy shit, it was a goblin. Only, a little different. It had scales covering the most vital parts of its body, and small, budding horns emerging from the top of its head. It wielded a small curved blade. The back of it was serrated.

There was only one. But Levi knew, if there was one, there could be many. In the games he played, many monsters were pack animals. Although it was dangerous to use game knowledge for a real, dangerous world. For this one, it was best to use it.

Levi quietly, and cautiously stepped back. At least, that’s what he tried to do. But he stepped on a stick. Crack. Levi’s heart dropped. The green monster’s head snapped in his direction. It let out a shrill, hissing screech.

Darting back to the road, Levi ran straight. The monster was hot on his heels. Levi cursed under his breath. His heart burned. Not out of exertion, but fear. It gripped him like death’s hand, and it wouldn’t let go. He knew why. The monster was catching up. He could hear the intense patter of its steps, its breath–he could even smell it, too–like cheese left out in the sun too long.

Levi glanced over his shoulder. It was right there. Shit! Levi cursed.

Mana coiled around his tongue as words instinctively left his mouth. “Stop chasing after me you little shit, you smell like festering garbage!”

You have obtained the Skill – Mana Control (★): From using a Mage Class Skill, you have learned how to control mana beyond regular means.

| Mana control is 5% greater.

| Progress to next Level-up → 0/1,000xp

The creature stopped in its tracks, shaking its head. Then, unbridled rage took over as it continued its chase.

However, it had bought Levi some time, along with it, a realisation. His words had an effect. Although he felt a little weaker using the mana in the air, it was manageable. He spotted a jagged bush not far from him. It looked like razor-wire. It seemed dangerous; Levi headed straight for it, and quickly moved behind it. Realising that his words had the power of provocation, he hoped to hell this would work.

The goblin neared.

"Stupid goblin," Levi spat, feeling the surge of mana intensify within him. But he pressed on, his voice dripping with disdain, "Scared to take a little stroll through the bushes? How would the mighty goblin chief hunt its prey? Certainly not like you, you pathetic coward. No, he’d show the bush who’s boss!"

Incensed by his words, a haze cast over its two, beastly eyes. Without thinking, it rushed straight into the deadly bush. The thorns tore into its flesh, eliciting pained screams. The more it struggled, the more blood that spilled.

After a few minutes, the creature dropped all resistance, falling deeper into the bush.

You have defeated: Greenkin (Level 4)

| You have Levelled up: 1->2

| You have 2 unspent Stat points.

You have defeated your first enemy as an adolescent!

| You have been awarded 1 point to Magic and Vitality.

You have received the Quest – Defeat 20 greenkins as an adolescent.

| Reward: +5 to any stat, a Birthright Seed.

A phantom nausea attacked him all at once. His mind spun, shivers assaulted him, goosebumps rose from his flesh. Unable to resist, Levi found himself vomiting on the grass and soil beneath him.

He took a moment to gather himself before standing straight and wiping his mouth with whatever was left of his sleeve. He felt like shit. And that was why without hesitation, he placed one point into Vitality, and one into Magic.

Levi, not feeling much different to before, gazed at the greenkin he had killed. He still felt a little light headed, but he was certain it wasn’t because of the fact he had killed the monster. No, he didn’t feel anything like guilt. But it was the suddenness of the attack, and the intensity of the situation that had gripped him like the hand of death. One mistake, and he was dead. Or maybe it was from controlling so much mana?

Breathing again, Levi swore to himself that the next time he would be ready. He knew now what it took to survive.

Snapping out of his absentmindedness, Levi forced himself to check the body of the goblin. If there was one thing that he had learned during the games he had played, was that each monster had weaknesses.

Killing 20 of them seemed impossible, but if it granted him another Birthright seed, then there was no choice. He had to do it.

Rounding the razor-sharp bush, Levi got a hold of the goblins arm, and pulled. It wouldn’t budge. Come on, Levi thought as he heaved once more. Finally, the body jolted free, landing atop him. It was heavy, much heavier than something of its size should be.

Now that it was on the floor in front of him, Levi paused. He listened out for any noise that may have been attracted from the fight–but there wasn’t any.

Just because there isn't any noise now, doesn’t mean it's friends aren’t coming. I better be quick, Levi thought as he grasped the greenkin’s blade, and started poking and prodding its body.

As he had thought, the scales covering the vital areas on its body were hard–and heavy. He sliced the side of the creature’s neck where the scales were located on either side. Again, they were pretty much impenetrable for his current strength. Then, he checked the area located at the front of its throat. His hand jumped forward as the tip of the blade found purchase. It disappeared into the greenish yellow flesh.

Levi’s hands trembled at the sensation of slicing skin, and resisting the bile threatening to shoot up and out of his throat, he retreated his hand.

After a few more minutes, he discovered the goblins' weak areas; throat, inner thighs, and back.

If there’s more of these greenkins, I’ll have to rely on traps to deal with them. Since I know their weaknesses, I can create traps accordingly.

However, as Levi thought about the plan forming in his head, he couldn’t help but lament. There was going to be a lot of digging involved.

Now to see what the greenkin can give me as an Ingredient, thought Levi as he focused on the body of the humanoid.