As I left the old man's smithy I tried to get my mood up as I walked towards the adventurers guild. Well, today I will take a simple herb gathering quest. I mean I can't have as bad luck as the first time, I am also stronger so it should be alright. Even though hunting quests tend to have a far better reward they are harder to complete since finding and hunting down the objective is a rather tough job. First of all, I have a new weapon I need to get used to. All the weapons I had before were short swords. However this time it's a fighter's sword with a blade of about seventy-five centimetres not to mention the material went from being simple iron to steel. In other words, this sword is heavier do to both the increase in the material density and overall volume. Well, it's not much of a problem for me since I can boost my physic to the point it's like swinging a stick. However, that does not remove the fact it's a weapon I am not used too. So this gathering mission is more of a side quest for my real purpose coming out today, and that is to test this blade on horned rabbits. I won't repeat my mistakes.

Why is my luck so shit?! I didn't mean to I swear so please leave me be. Once again I was running from the horned rabbits, this time I didn't kill a special rabbit or anything of the sort. No, this time I thought it would be a good idea to start a small fire at the entrance of one of their rabbit holes to get them out. Little did I know over twenty of them would sprint out of the nearby holes to hunt me down. A big sigh escaped me. oh the irony, the hunter has become the hunted. Now you may be wondering why I am running away if I got stronger. It's not because I have some kind of trauma or anything, it really isn't. As I took a peek back I realized their numbers had grown even further. Why me! why are you guys so angry at me, do they have some kind of personal vendetta?! do they remember what happened last time and they want revenge!? and moreover, why won't they stop chasing me even after I have run so far. If this were a game they would have already dropped the agro.

"HA! f*ck it all"

As I shouted with all I had I slammed my new sword against the nearest rabbit. Maybe it was because of my frustration. Maybe I simply wasn't paying attention. and because of that, I couldn't pull the brakes on my soul ability on time. The horned rabbit exploded into a gory mess the sword shattered and its pieces shot out in all directions. Many horned rabbits died and many more were injured. Of course, I wasn't fine and dandy either. A few pieces had lodged themselves on my arms and legs I even was hit on my abdomen. Thankfully the damage was only superficial thanks to my armour. Even though I say that it hurts like hell.

Perhaps the rabbits knew what was coming next after I shot them a glance with all my frustration and hatred. That sword was brand new! I believe in comics and books they call it killing intent. Well, right now I was filled to the brim with it. There is something I should clarify about my ability. Even though it makes me faster and stronger it does not make me tougher only heal faster. In other words, what is going on at this very moment is unpleasant for any who sees it. I was smashing the horned rabbits left and right. As of now, my conscious restraints were off so my arms and legs were being put under stupid amounts of abuse. my bones broke and mend before being broken again. My mana was being depleted at an alarming rate but I didn't care. After all, if it ran out I would just stop. I am smart I learn from my mistakes.

About an hour has passed since the incident with the pests, I mean horned rabbits. my wounds have healed but my mana is at rock bottom. At least I have enough to not pass out like before. Mana depletion is no fun, I have experienced it a few times while training with George. He would make me squiz every last drop of it out of my body as a quote on quote training. The reasoning was that one's mana pool can be increased by the constant usage of one's mana. Normal people including Dan or Lizz would collapse and be unable to recover from mana depletion for at least an entire day or week depending on their constitution. Me on the other hand as long as I am not injured one to four hours should be enough. Why? no one knows but that fact granted me a ticked to Georges hellish training regimen. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful but I don't want to ever do something like that again.

Talking about that I remember a debate surfacing over that fact too. Since mana regeneration is dependent on multiple factors it was a heated yet entertaining discussion. I also learned a few things. For example, mana can be either generated inside the body or absorbed from the surroundings. It's similar to osmosis were a liquid commonly water enters a cell through a semi-waterproof membrane. In the case of mana when its concentration in the body is low it will flow from the surroundings inwards. That's why regenerating mana is quicker in mana reach environment and when one's mana is at rock bottom. However, when the mana concentration in the body is higher than the concentration on the outside mana will try and flow outwards. Because of this mana regeneration when one's mana is at high values is harder. There is also the mana that is generated by the body naturally. Just like the body cells consume carbon-based sugars to generate energy they also consume something called ether to generate mana or at least that's the theory. It's believed that when mana is consumed through the usage of magic it turns back into ether and then living beans or natural phenomenon turns it back into mana. It is quite interesting but truly complicated as many scholars have been trying to figure out how mana and magic work for the past millennia. Going back on the main topic. The conclusion of our little discussion was that my body's efficiency of absorbing and transforming ether into mana is better than that of normal people. Of course, this is just an idea and there is no definite proof.

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Either way, I have finished collecting the horned rabbits, or at least what remains of them. I do wonder how will horned rabbit minced meat tastes like. I guess I will have some for dinner, even though right now it's more like a soft paste made out of meat than minced one but who cares. As I was getting in a good mood a sour realisation came to my mind. The sword, that sword that I had to spend so much time saving for was completely ruined. These horned rabbits aren't worth enough to repay me for it, moreover, my armour got damaged too. Please don't cry mister wallet I will make it up to you I promise.

I dragged myself back to town. I bet if it was night time and a guard saw me they would think I am a zombie or something. I do feel like one though. At this point I am broke I have no money left to buy a new sword, not even a bronze one, which are the cheapest ones. I kept walking aimlessly before entering the old man's shop. As he saw me he had a surprised look, no words were needed, a slight nod and a sigh and both of us were on the same page.

"This must be a new record"

He gave me an awkward chuckle before placing his hand in front of me obviously asking to see the poor sword, or at least what remained of it. Gave him a slight nod before handing the hilt of what used to be a steel sword.

"I guess there is no fixing this"

Another awkward chuckle and then silence. It felt like an eternity but it must have been half a minute at most.

"So would you like explaining what happened or?"

After a moment I began telling the tale of the horde of horned rabbits and me losing my cool. By the time I finished, he was at his limit and laughter resounded through the whole workshop. Even though I wanted to get angry at him for laughing I couldn't as I was laughing myself. It was, after all, a pretty stupid and somewhat funny tale I must admit.

"So what now? here to buy a new one? ya know if you keep this up I might be able to retire early"

He grinned at his bad joke that only made me feel like crying.

"I have no money left! I don't think I can afford anything I feel like crying you know!"

I truly did. He simply shook his head before entering deep thought. After a minute or two he finally talked again.

"Well, I have an idea. Am sure you won't like it but beggars can't be choosers"

And now you call me a beggar. I know it's just a saying and that I am as a matter of fact begging but please don't rub salt on the wound!

"Am listening. But just to be clear if you say anything perverted I will kill you okay"

He laughed loudly as if I had just told him the funniest joke in the world. I simply stared him down as he tried to regain his composure with teary eyes.

"Don't worry lass. I like my women with more meat in certain places ya get me?"

As he said that he made a motion as if weighting his on breasts and I received the message loud and clear. My face turned red like a tomato, but don't be fooled it was from boiling unadulterated rage.

"that's it I guess your skull should do as a great weapon"

I jumped over the counter and choked him slightly. Over the past months, we had grown to be good friends despite the age gap. Even tho this whole event was a first between the two of us, in the end, we laughed as we got back on track.

"I didn't know you had that kind of preference I guess I can make you a human skull-shaped maze for next time"

He said while slightly rubbing his neck. There were red marks were my hands had been. It seems I used too much force though he deserves it.

"Come on stop joking and what is that idea you talked about?"

He made a signal with his finger denoting to give him a minute before going into the back room. After said minute he came back with a box filled with metal pieces of different shapes and sizes they looked like shards from broken weapons.

"So here is my idea. you hand me your leather gloves and I will attach this to them. It won't be the prettiest but since everything here is pretty much thrash already I can't see why not. I would only charge you for my actual work which would be a negligent amount of only fifty copper coins. How about it?"

I looked at the sharp shards and then at the back of my hands. He was right it would not be pretty and the difference in fighting style amongst other things would be humongous but then again beggars can't be choosers.

"I guess I don't have any other option"

With a deep sigh, I handed my gloves along with the money. The job should be done by tomorrow morning so until then I can't do any adventuring, at most I can cry myself to sleep. Not like I would but still, I do feel like crying.