“Elisia, wake up!”
“Elisia, wake up!”
"What happened to you?"
Elisia opened her heavy eyes. She doesn’t know why someone woke her up this early. Her vision still blurry, but she could see the silhouettes of the surrounding people. Her body also felt shaken by warm hands. It made her feel weird.
Unable to endured the nearby voices, Elisia forced herself up and sat down with her eyes still closed. If she heard it, it was the voice of her friends. She rubbed her eyes and immediately glanced at the silhouette that had surrounded her. It is true.
“Hoaaam..., what's wrong?”
Upgrade approached her with anxiety. “Elisia, are you okay? What happened?”
“Me? I’m fine. I just woke up,” Elisia answered without knowing anything. “What happened to me?”
Everyone sighed. Elisia was getting more and more confused. The girl felt like she had done something that made them anxious. Upgrade's tone reflects everyone's anxiety. Even though she just woke up.
“We heard moaning. We thought it was the sound of Dao getting up early to exercise. Turns out it came from you,” Upgrade explained.
“Yes. What happened to you, my liege?!” Rhino said, who was holding Elisia's arms and shaking her. Elisia's body shook until it made her head hurt.
Dao hit Rhino's head. “Rhino, stop that! You can hurt Elisia!”
Rhino let go of Elisia's small arm. The girl held her head, which was dizzy from the shock. Elisia didn't know what Upgrade meant because she had slept through the night. There's impossible that she's crying or whimpering.
“Upgrade, was it true that I moaned?” Elisia asked, to be sure.
“Yeah, you were moaning. We didn't know what happened, so we woke you up.” Risk gave Elisia a glass of tea. “Did you dream just now?”
Elisia held her head. “I don't know, I think so.”
“Never mind, we don't have to worry about it anymore!” Risk exclaimed. “Rhino, you better go shopping. The later you leave, the fewer vegetables you'll get!”
“Okay, Risk!” Rhino went to the front door.
“Dao has to go help farmer Frank again to repair the tractor. Yesterday Dao tried to fix it but still broken. Dao will leave soon.” Dao walked to the front door.
Upgrade was still taking care of the state of Elisia, who had just woken up and confused. He helped Elisia drink her tea while giving her arms a few massages.
“Elisia, today is your second practice. I'll be waiting for you beside the house at 10 o'clock. Don’t be late!” Risk stepped to the front door.
Elisia nodded slowly. She drank Upgrade's brewed tea, which had a distinctive rose scent. The aroma of the tea filled her lungs and made her more comfortable. Then she stood up and walked to the bathroom at the back of the house.
Elisia threw away all the weight in her body that had accumulated during her sleep. She was wondering, was it true that she cried last night? If she remembered, she felt her chest tighten like he'd been running and her stomach hurt like something had stabbed her. Elisia also didn’t know that dreams could made her body hurt like that. But what did Elisia dream about last night?
Elisia came out of the traditional bathroom and walked to the back door. The opened door made the air cool, typical of the countryside. The girl's lungs instantly drew in as much air as she could hold. Elisia also played with her messy blonde hair after sleeping. She need a comb.
Suddenly, a hand thrust a comb from behind. Elisia received the comb and turned her head. “Upgrade?”
“I know you're looking for this. Want me to help?” Upgrade bargained.
Elisia nodded. Upgrade asked Elisia sitting on a large piece of wood at the back of the house. Then Upgrade started combing Elisia's soft hair. It stunned upgrade when saw that hair, hair that was quite familiar in his eyes. Elisia sucked in a breath of air while waiting for her hair to finish combing.
“Upgrade, I didn't expect you to be good at combing my hair. I don't even know how to comb my hair,” Elisia said.
“Thank you. I'm used to combing my hair,” Upgrade replied.
“Your hair are very nice. It fits your appearance very well,” Elisia praised.
“Thanks again, but you don't have to compliment me like that.” Upgrade stop combing and enter the house. “If you need my help, especially regarding a health, call me!”
“Okay, thanks for your help this morning,” Elisia said with a smile.
After Upgrade entered, Elisia looked back at the expanse of fields that adorned the blue sky. The cool, cold air made her want to do something relaxing. Finally, she got up and stretched her limbs. She could hear the sounds of every joint. The fatigue from yesterday's training must have made her joints stiffen.
She started walking to the fields to had a look. The dew clinging to the grass wet her footwear. Elisia touched the corn leaf, which was still covered. From a distance, she could see a tractor plowing the field. Elisia saw clearly. The driver was Dao. She smiled, seeing her friend doing a funny act by falling from the top of the tractor.
Elisia looked up at the dark blue sky. A thought suddenly crossed her mind. She gripped her pendulum and closed her eyes. After opening her eyes, she checked her stats.
Elisia Naumann
Level 1 (100/500 exp)–Vanguard
Max HP: 650/650 (restores 0,5% per second)
Stamina : 521/540 (restores 5 minutes per second)
Skill Point (SP) : 100/100 (restores 7 minutes per second)
ATK : 345
DEF : 165
RES : 10%
Agility : 45
.
Skills
1. Molten Flame (level 1 (50/400 exp)
SP Requires : 45
ATK +30% and every attack gains 40% chance to ignore 10% Enemy Def
Duration: 26 second
2. [Unknown]
3. [Unknown]
4. [Unknown]
5. [Unknown]
6. [Unknown]
.
Equipment
1. Wool Jacket
2. Dublin Spear
3. Flame Pendulum
.
Elisia was curious about the abilities she had. Molten Flame, an ability she thought had a fire base. She could ignore the defenses of her enemies, which meant she could penetrate the enemy's armor. This ability sounded great, but she had to ask Risk in its better use.
Elisia continued on to the main road of the village. She saw the villagers doing their morning activities, such as driving an oxcart, carrying field equipment, carrying merchandise, to children playing. They seemed friendly to each other. Even Elisia got a greeting from a farmer who was herding sheep. The longer she was on the terrace, Elisia grew bored. She came into the house and sat in the living room.
Elisia thought about everything she had been. She didn't know where it would end, but if her previous dream was true, Elisia would end up in Gwelissa. This time, the girl didn't want to think about it at the moment. The girl looked for [Hex Aegis] and read it to relieved boredom. She red a lot about Vanguard and its abilities.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Based on [Hex Aegis], Vanguard was a class that focused on defense and small-scale attacks. Usually, this class placed at the beginning of an operation or mission to clear enemies or could use as a barrier behind defenses. Attack ability of this class was not very good, but could use its attack ability as a main attacker who could defend.
“Hmm…, good class,” Elisia said. “I wonder what other classes are here?”
Elisia continued reading while lying on the sofa chair. She admited the book was very good, let alone explained a lot of things she didn't know before. Elisia would definitely find better knowledge in the future.
Unbeknownst to her, she had been reading a book for quite some time. Until she realized it, Elisia immediately looked at the clock.
“Oh, it's about time!” Elisia got up and immediately picked up the spear she had placed near the sofa chair.
She headed to the side of the house. The field was still quiet. There were only straw dolls that had prepared there. The girl looked left and right. No one was there. Elisia used this opportunity to practice the abilities she had learned yesterday. With the straw doll as the target, Elisia gripped the spear with both hands and pointed it at the doll. She stabbed the doll hard enough to tear several parts of its body.
She continued to practice differently. Elisia wanted to try the move she read about in [Hex Aegis], which was swinging a spear. This time Elisia held the spear position at waist level. Elisia gripped the spear tightly and stared straight at the straw doll. Then, Elisia raised her spear to head height and slammed the sharp blade of her spear into the doll. As a result, it split the doll in two.
It surprised Elisia to see that. She looked at her spear in admiration. Suddenly, a man's voice startled her from behind. Elisia jumped up and directly pointed the spear at him. Elisia looked at the person, and then lowered her spear.
“Nice skill, Elisia!” said Risk, “and your reflexes are taking shape.”
“Eee… thank you. I'm just trying out a new move written in Hex Aegis,” Elisia said, denying the compliment.
“I'm sure you'll be able to master your skills with a little more practice. That spear seems to help you become more proficient,” Risk continued.
“Really?” Elisia watched her spear more closely.
“I'm just guessing.” Risk pointed his sword. “Ready to practice today?”
Elisia smiled and answered Risk's behavior with her spear. “I’m ready!”
The exercise in this time that Risk had arranged without Elisia's knowledge was to train reflexes. The man deliberately didn't say it that Elisia could build her unconscious abilities and she could alert in all conditions. However, unexpectedly by Risk, who thought Elisia would be in trouble, Elisia was quite proficient with her reflexes, and this girl could withstand all kinds of sudden attacks from the man. This made Risk happy.
Risk stepped back. “Your skills are getting better even though I've only trained you a little.”
“Really? I never thought I could do this,” Elisia replied.
“Come on, we finish today as well!” Risk mounted a stance with a neck-high sword.
Elisia stepped forward without hesitation with her spear pointed forward. Risk smiled at the girl's action, one move that Risk could break. After Elisia was close enough, Risk jumped to Elisia's right. The man was ready to stab the girl with his sword. However, Elisia twisted her body and swung the bottom of the spear. The attack hit Risk and sent him falling to the ground.
Elisia, who saw it, was a bit surprised, but she didn't dare to approach Risk.
“Risk, are you okay?”
Risk woke up with a wound on the right waist. He grabbed his waist and stood up.
“That was really painful, but it proves that you are getting better.”
In the pain he was in, Risk saw a group of people coming towards them. Risk told Elisia to turn around, and the girl did. She surprised and brandished her spear. Risk noticed all the faces that came to him. There were some people he knew.
“Elisia, back off! This is my business!” Risk walked over to them. “Well, well, well! It’s Fraaman and Fred. I thought you guys will come with your troops to attack me for my smack in the face. You should have let me know if you wanted to come.”
“It seems you already know what we're here for. You have two choices; apologize to us or use the hard way,” The man said, who called Fraaman.
Elisia could only watch from behind Risk. She was eager to help, but she didn't want to meddle in Risk's business. If things don't go well, Elisia will come forward.
Fraaman glanced at Elisia, who was holding a spear. Then he looked at Risk again. “That little girl still with you and you trained her so she can protect herself. I understand why you protected her yesterday.”
“That’s none of your business. After all, I'm only doing my duty as a protector of the weak from your dirty hands. I don't think apologizing will solve the problem,” Risk replied, smiling.
Fraaman asked three of them to came forward. They carry sharp weapons. Elisia looked at them, and all she found was the name
Seeing that, Fraaman pushed the three people in front of him forward, followed by the six behind the rather large man. Risk glanced over and sighed. Elisia didn't know whether or not Risk needed her help. She could only see her friend surrounded by many people.
Two people started approaching Risk and brandishing their weapons. Risk dodged, then kicked one of their legs. Two others, who were in front of Risk, came forward, followed by two others from beside Risk. The man was getting overwhelmed with the many enemies, but he still held on.
In a complicated state, Elisia saw an enemy who got up and raised his sword. Elisia saw her target. He wanted to attack Risk. Elisia stepped forward and stabbed the person until his HP ran out. His body fell to the ground.
Fraaman and Fred shocked. They didn't expect that a person, who was weak, to be so bold. Fraaman pointed at Elisia. People came to the girl. Risk saw Elisia was in danger, but couldn't do anything. Eight peoples who were quite large from her had surrounded Elisia.
“You cheated, Fraaman!” Risk shouted.
Fraaman smiled and clenched his fists. The eight peoples had approached Elisia. The girl had nowhere to run. She gripped her spear and closed her eyes. Everyone started swinging weapons together to end Elisia.
Unexpectedly, Elisia felt a heat energy flow through her with her weapon. It reminded the girl of one content of [Hex Aegis]. She smiled and turned around. Coals of fire shot out of her spear and threw everyone away from her.
It shocked again Fraaman and Fred to see the aura of fire emanating from Elisia's body. Her spear also emitted a flames. Everyone stood up and run towards Elisia. The girl attacked them one by one with her fiery spear until everyone fell to the ground. Then Elisia dashed towards Risk to attack the remaining four enemies. In the end, Risk survived.
Next, Elisia ran towards Fraaman and Fred. With the embers still burning, Elisia's spirit to crush those who hurt her friends was getting stronger. Fred, who saw it, immediately took out a sword. Their weapons clashed. Their fight began with swords rubbing against each other until they sparked fire. The spark burned the hay beneath them.
Elisia took the lead after successfully attacking Fred's left shoulder. Elisia's next attack launched to end the fight. This time, Elisia would thrust her fiery spear into Fred's body. However, a smoke bomb exploded suddenly in front of her and made Elisia stop. The smoke made the blonde-haired girl cough. Fraaman and Fred used this opportunity to run.
"We will come again with a message from our leader," Fraaman said.
Risk approached Elisia and pulled her from the smoke. Elisia's chest felt a little tight from the smoke that entered her lungs, but she recovered. Elisia immediately checked her stats.
Elisia Naumann
Level 1 (100/500 exp)–Vanguard
Max HP : 620/650
Stamina : 500/540
Skill Point (SP) : 55/100
ATK : 345
DEF : 165
RES : 10%
Agility : 45
.
Upgrade out of the house and checked the side page. Looked like a lot of chaos there in the eyes of Upgrade. He approached Risk and Elisia.
“What happened?” he asked.
Elisia tried to speak. “They attacked us….”
“bandits came and attacked us. Luckily, Elisia could beat them,” Risk explained.
Upgrade directly checked Elisia's body. “You look like you've inhaled something that makes your lungs hurt.”
“Y-yes....” Elisia coughed again.
“Going in!” Upgrade supported Elisia's body and carried her inside.
In the state of being supported by Upgrade, Elisia received a message.
“You have killed 13 [Bandit]s and deals 9560 damage points”
“Reward:”
“5 × 150 EXP = 750 exp”
“8 × 175 EXP = 1400 exp”
“Total EXP = 2150”
.
“Congratulations, level up to 3”
“Bonus: ATK + 5, DEF + 8, RES + 0,1%, Max HP + 32 , Skill Point limit + 6, skill EXP +100”
.
“New Achievement Unlocked: Second Day Training”
“Reward: Skill EXP +200”
.
Inside the house, Elisia laid on the carpet and received special treatment from Upgrade. He pressed Elisia's chest to allowed her to breathe properly, then gave her a respirator. Moment later, Elisia could breathe normally. Upgrade breathe a sigh of relief and removed the respirator. Elisia felt fit again.
Then, Upgrade treated Risk by covering his wounds, especially on the face and hands. The man gave treatment rudely because he annoyed with Risk.
“That's why I asked you guys not to deal with those bandits. They are dangerous people. They will definitely come again,” Upgrade said annoyed.
“I wouldn't have dealt with them either if Elisia wasn't there. I'm just trying to be a helper for her,” Risk said.
Elisia got up and noticed her two friends looking annoyed with each other. Elisia felt guilty for being among them. She looked down so tiredly that she didn't dare to look at their faces.
“Guys, sorry to have come among you. Because of me, you guys got into a big problem like this,” Elisia said, sluggish.
Risk walked over to Elisia. “That’s true, but it has become our way of dealing with problems like this. After all, this is still a minor problem. You don't have to feel like a burden between us.”
Rhino and Dao went home. They surprised to see everyone gathered in the living room. They also saw Upgrade gear scattered in the room.
“Did something happen?” Rhino asked.
Upgrade turned around. “Pack your things from now on. We will leave the house tonight as well!”
“What?!”