“This is embarrassing… can you let go?” The villagers that saw us were whispering to each other while pointing towards our direction.

“NO!” She ignored the onlookers and just dragged me towards the wooden gate.

‘What is happening?’ I silently moaned at my current situation.

“Kelvin!” She shouted at the guard on the rampart.

The guy called Kelvin went down as soon he was called, a tall man with a stocky build. He had brown hair under the leather helmet, and he looked mature. His beard was a little puffy, but it suited him.

“Celia, what’s wrong, this young man troubled you?” He asked with a serious tone.

“No… use Peek on this guy” She pointed at me.

“Peek?” I asked.

“Sorry lad… It’s a skill that can see your Class... What did you do to have the young missy get this angry?” Kelvin showed an interest in our situation.

“Just do it, Kelvin. Expose this Liar!” She glared with the intent to bite.

‘Ahh… She must be really angry that she lost.’ I just accepted what was coming.

“Might get you uncomfortable, lad.” He warned.

I suddenly felt a very creepy feeling crawling around my body like I’m naked and countless of eyes were looking at me.

“What is this!?” I shouted as I shivered in disgust.

Kelvin was taken aback, while Celia was grinning.

“Sorry lad, very uncomfortable right?” He apologized but I was still glaring at him. I hated that feeling.

“So, what’s his class?” Celia became very excited to know.

“Nothing… I couldn’t see anything… either he’s telling the truth, or… some old monster.” He answered with interest.

My heart thumped a little because he was almost correct, I'm old but not a monster.

Celia glanced at me again with fury building in her eyes.

“Are you old? How old are you?” She started to bombard me with questions.

“I told you…I don’t remember.” About 100,000 years, but I’ll not tell you that.

“Liar! You must be very old, bearing at least purple rarity class, that’s why even Kelvin can’t see through.” She really wanted a reason why she lost.

“Ahh... wait a moment.” Kelvin speedily went back to his post and got something.

“I have this.” He immediately came back and showed a blank parchment.

“We use this to assure that the people in the village will know their correct age before doing the blessing…. Just a drop of blood.” He said with eyes glinting in curiosity.

‘Wanting blood from the son of Heavenly Venerable Emperor? This is a war trigger!’ I sighed as I looked at their eyes that gleamed with interest.

*Tsk* ‘I guess if it’s to prove my innocence’. I reached out my hand to them.

They just looked at me, wondering.

“Celia, cut his finger… take the dagger on my hip.” Kelvin reacted first and held the paper beneath my hand.

Celia was shocked as she didn’t expect to actually draw blood.

‘I knew it… she didn’t even have the experience to wound a person. But during practice… she was fine waving her sword around like a maniac…’ I don’t understand this woman.

She took the dagger and started to pant.

“I’ll hold the paper, you cut him.” She backed down too fast.

They swapped roles and Kelvin took the dagger and just poked my finger with the tip. A single droplet was forming waiting to fall. It hit parchment and the blood squiggled around. The blood danced along the corners of the paper and gathered at the center showing the figure 20.

“Impossible… same age as me?” Celia’s eyes widened in shock.

“There you go missy... Hey lad, three days from now… there’s a cart going to the nearest town. Check your blessing there.” Kelvin said as he went back to his post.

We slowly walked together, heading back to the chief’s house.

“I told you.” I assured her I wasn’t lying.

“Then, how are you strong?”

“No… I’m weak, and you’re just weaker.” I stated an actual fact, but she tried to kick me. I easily dodged.

“Teach me then… to be as weak as you.” She stopped as she stared at me with the will to learn.

‘Ah... this feeling of being needed. This is the feeling that kept me going on my endless days as a cripple.’

“Sure.” I smiled.

She smiled back.

We saw Mikel waiting on the path towards the chief’s house. He was seething in anger, his mouth frowned, and his eyes were scrunched.

“Don’t be tricked by that man! He is a thief!” He started shouting.

The villagers turned around at our direction as his loud voice attracted their attention.

"Everyone!... This was the guy that stole our crops last night!” He pointed at me.

The villagers crowded over to see the commotion, and murmurs started to sound apparent.

Mikel started to show a little smirk as this was happening.

'There is something wrong with this man.' I thought.

“Mikel! What are you doing?!” Celia started to shout as well.

“Celia, come over here! That guy is a thief!” He beckoned Celia to move towards him.

‘What is he trying to do? Was he the one that my previous body stole from the most?’ I wondered.

‘The place is starting to get crowded, even though it wasn’t me, I still need to take responsibility to what happened.’

I slowly walked forward to Mikel.

He flinched as he showed a tinge of fear in his eyes.

“WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?!” He roared in a defiant way.

I stopped in my tracks. ‘I want to slap him. His shouting is really getting on my nerves.’

“Sorry, I was too hungry at the time I couldn’t think properly.” I said and bowed in apology.

I turned and faced the crowd. “Sorry as well… to those I have implicated. My body is still recovering, I’ll be sure to pay back the damage I’ve caused.” I bowed again.

Celia was ready to defend me again, but she was also stunned by my sudden actions.

‘Father, is this how to make your people at ease?’ I wondered if I did the right thing.

There was a brief silence before the crowd started to clamor again.

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“It's fine lad, good to see you alive!” An old man voiced in the crowd.

“Sorry too!… I think we were too hasty yesterday as well.” A shout filled with regret chimed.

Voices of acceptance and apologies started to be heard amongst the villagers.

“Come to my home, if you don’t have a place to stay!” A feminine voice even said.

Celia immediately grabbed my wrist and moved towards her house.

“Happy now Mikel?” Celia’s tone was filled with disgust as we passed by him.

It’s funny how his tanned face went pale.

“Mikel that man… I told you right… that he wasn’t like this before.” She let go of my hand and sat against the house wall.

“Yeah.” I sat beside her.

“He was more carefree… We used to practice sword fighting, but… he was lazy. He beat me all the time because of his strength, and neglected training… loafing around.” She sighed as she gazed at the sky, her eyes reflected a spark of regret.

I was silent, waiting for her to continue.

“We went to the temple when we were 16, I got two choices, Swordsman and Farmer. While he only got one… He was so sure…but…” She stopped talking and stood up.

“It was his choice… Anyways, teach me.” Celia tried to shift the mood to be more cheerful as she smiled.

‘This suits her better.’ I stood up as well.

“Let me mark the ground again.”

After a few minutes, the ground was ready.

I showed her the first steps, and she copied them soon after.

“Do it slowly, you will stumble at first, but that’s how it is.”

I watched her as she tried to imitate the movements gently, and she stumbled again and again.

“Use your feet lightly. Remember, you are maximizing your speed, not power.”

This went on for hours, non-stop.

She was drenched in sweat while she was repeating the movements continuously once she failed.

“Celia, should we eat first?” My stomach was rumbling ages ago.

“No! No eating until I learn this.” She was unyielding in wanting to learn the technique.

‘She is really resilient… will my stomach be too?’ I gave my poor belly a pat.

Her movements were slightly improving as I coached her on the areas she was lacking. There were only some instances that I needed to demonstrate again which makes her a good learner. It was exhilarating that I could actually show somebody the technique myself.

“The sun is dimming Celia.” I urged her again to stop.

“Not yet… A little bit more. I’m sure that I’ll learn it... I can feel it.” She was adamant.

‘Well, I guess if I didn’t have to teach her, I would be practicing as well.’ I continued to observe her as the sun slowly disappeared from the horizon.

“Yes!!!” She started to yell. “I’ve learnt it!”

‘What?! I could see that she just completed the movement one time at a decent pace. But learned?’ She must be elated to complete it once, after so long.

She happily skipped over with a huge smile showing her teeth. “Look.”

Class : Swordsman (White)

Rank : II

Skills : Fleeting Clouds of the Silent Moon: First Stage (First stage of a movement technique that increases your evasion capabilities.), Balanced Stance (Stable stance for…), Charging strike (Quickly charge…)…

“Fleeting Clouds of the Silent Moon: First Stage, such a long name for a skill.” She commented.

“How?” I was baffled, I never told her the name of the technique. ‘Is this the power of their deities?’ I started to look at their gods in a different light.

“I told you I could do it!” She puffed her chest real proud.

‘But…. She really did… maybe, she is also a genius…’ I faced her.

“Can you try?” I wanted her to show what she learned.

She turned towards the field and started the technique. Once she stepped on the first mark, her body flickered. Her movements were fast and gentle, yet elusive, like clouds dispersing at any moment.

“Perfect Completion?” My eyes widened.

“How is it?” She suddenly appeared in front of me.

*cough* “Good!” I praised her after I cleared my throat, still flabbergasted about her progress.

‘How is it possible?! It took me over an hour for the minor completion, but this is because of my knowledge in this matter.’ I'm puzzled on how she did it.

“So, let’s try fighting again!” She was eager to get revenge.

“It’s dark, maybe tomorrow.” I avoided to get embarrassed.

“Come on… Just one fight.”

“No. I’m very hungry anyway.”

“Ah… actually me too.” It seemed she forgot her hunger while in deep concentration.

We went into the house and lit the lamps needed, one on the table, and one for the kitchen.

“Wait a bit, I’ll prepare the food.” She went to the kitchen.

I sat down and thoroughly reviewed what had just happened.

‘Is it her talent, or the ability of their gods, or both?...This world has the Skill category on their visual Class menu, and if I remembered correctly, once a skill is learned, you can use it as long as you have energy. The problem is… my understanding of learning... let's start from the top.' I rubbed my chin.

'I could easily manifest Qi based techniques because it's mostly built on the theoretical principles of manipulating the Qi essences, while physical techniques are much harder to grasp due to the constant physical training needed. And in my world, cultivators will train a technique for countless of years of dedication in practice, tempered by continuous battles to be able to be called a master of that certain art. While here, an individual could just learn the concept and application to fully master something…’

“The cultivators will weep for eons if they knew this construct.” I said in disbelief.

“You said something?” Celia was back from the kitchen then sat beside me.

“No, just having a thought...”

“How many stages?” She showed her Class visual again pointing at the skill she had learned.

“I... I.. I don’t remember.” My pride took a hit, and I lied. ‘I couldn’t bring myself to teach her something that I haven't actually learned yet, I haven’t even mastered the first stage!’

“Oh…” She hung her head in dejection.

I needed something to divert her attention from this topic.

“What about that disgusting skill Kelvin used?” My skin crawled as I remembered the feeling.

“Ah those ones…there are three skills like that. Peek, can see your Class, Observe can see your Class and Rank, while Analyze can see the three.” She explained.

“But…It’s weird though, that you can only feel pressure if you are at the same strength or stronger.” Her tone started to sound inquisitive.

“Maybe you were a higher class before you lost your memories?” Celia theorized.

“Maybe… I don’t know. But… those three skills. Does every person have them?” I asked as I wanted to avoid those people as much as I can.

“Not really… You can’t ‘learn’ these skills, but only the Gods can bless you with them. Peek is a rare skill that is sought out, especially at gates and borders. Observe, is even harder to find, probably high ranking commanders have them. And analyze…maybe one per country… I’m not sure though.” Her explanation gave me joy.

“Good! I don’t want to feel it again.” I said in relief.

A sudden strong aromatic scent wafted from the kitchen made my mouth start to water.

“Smells good!” I exclaimed while looking at Celia.

“Calm down… wait a bit.” She stood up and walked towards the kitchen.

I calmed myself, the son of the Heavenly Venerable Emperor should not be easily tempted. I meditated.

She came back with a tray with something wrapped in leaves, it was piping hot as I could see steam rising from it.

“Move the lamp.” She said.

I quickly set aside the lamp to have space for the tray.

“Pheasant… I was lucky to catch it early this morning, it was mindlessly perching on the tree!” She placed it on the middle, took two utensils that looked like small tridents and used it to peel the leaves. The smell exploded in the room. She then started to separate the meat, and it looked so tender and juicy.

“Here.” She handed me one of the small tridents after she roughly pulled the meat apart.

I took it and just stared at it. ‘What a peculiar tool.’

“Fork.” She chuckled at my reaction. “Let’s eat.”

The meat was easily pierced, and I quickly put it in my mouth. 'This is taste! Now I understood why Celia called the gruel tasteless.' With each chew, the juices splatter around my mouth making it a flavorful bite.

“Sadly, we don’t have salt. It would taste much better.” Celia said.

“What?!’ I unconsciously slammed the table with my palm.

“!” Celia flinched. “Don’t do that!”

“Sorry… but what do you mean… This… taste better?” My mouth starts watering again as I couldn’t imagine how the flavor would be.

She lightly giggled. “Yes… with salt, but sadly we ran out… Mom and dad usually go to the neighboring village twice a week… and there, they would trade for salt… But they usually come back very late.”

The door creaked open, and we both looked in the direction and saw the chief and his wife coming inside.

“Ah, Celia… you didn’t tell me you have such a good looking lover?” Her mother was surprised.

“MOM!” Celia shouted as her face started to redden.

‘Ah... embarrassment, that’s why she gets red.’ I now understand.

I stood up and bowed.

“Thank you for saving me. I was the one you saved last night.”

“Wow! Such a transformation, how did you gain your muscles so fast? I left your food this morning and you were still skin and bones!” She was amazed.

“I have no idea… but I woke up like this.” I told the same lie.

“Must have been a miracle of the Goddess of Salvation.” She clasped her hand in prayer.

“Yes.” I just agreed.

“Pheasant? Here, we got some salt.” The chief that was listening to the conversation noticed our food for dinner.

'Salt?'

Celia stood up and grabbed a small pouch from her father.

“Did you eat yet?” She asked.

“Yeah, on the way.” The chief started to put down his rucksack.

Celia came back to her seat.

“Like this.” She set aside a piece of meat with her fork and opened the pouch, pinched a little of the miniscule white crystals then sprinkled it over the meat.

“Just a tiny bit.” She held her fork in front of my face.

This brings back memories, like the pills and all sorts of medicines placed in front of me, I was used to getting fed. My mouth opened and took the food from her fork in reflex.

The taste was incredible, if the latter was like being a pheasant gliding the sky, this one is like riding a phoenix across the Highest Heavens - incomparable!

“This salt... amazing, Celia.” I glanced at her as she was absolutely correct, salt makes things much better.

She was frozen for some reason, and her fork was still in front of me.

“Celia?” She didn’t respond.

I looked at her parents and they were smiling from ear to ear.

“We’re tired, we’ll go back to the room… you young folk do your thing.” The old chief said in a very cheeky way.

The two old people were unbelievably quick in going to their room.

As the door shut, Celia placed her fork on the table. She looked at me with a sinister smile, then suddenly grabbed my neck to choke.

“What are you doing?” I was tapping her hand repeatedly to let go.

“Why did you do that?” She was red from embarrassment and was starting to shake me.

“Did what?” I started to grab her wrist as her grip was getting tighter.

“You... you…my parents…saw...” She started to push me while her grip was getting more vicious.

I exerted enough Qi to my hands and pulled her grip apart, but the force she was applying while pushing drove us both to the floor.

*Thud* My back hit the wooded flooring. She was now on top of me with her head on my chest. I could smell her scent, even though she was drenched in sweat earlier, she smelled sweet and fragrant. My heart started to pump faster as I could feel her breathing heavily on my chest.

‘What do I do in this situation?’ I was lost and my mind was blank, but I didn’t mind staying like this for a while.

We heard a door creak and both of us scrambled to sit back on the cushion and started to get a piece of the pheasant.

“Oh yeah Celia, before I forget… Mikel was waiting outside and told me that tomorrow is his harvest of potatoes and asks you for help.” The chief’s head popped out of the door and went back after he said his piece.

“Don’t go.” I instantly said, there was a faint anger that suddenly started brewing within me when Mikel asked for Celia.

“Mmm” She let out a sound agreement.

The rest of the dinner was silent, but for some reason, it was peaceful and enjoyable.