The following morning, Hikaru joined Briana's small family for breakfast, a simple yet intimate gathering of just three souls. This family lost their family head, Oliver Fonte, in a manner similar to how Hikaru lost his parents, as they all perished during their adventure quests. As they gathered for breakfast, Briana began to strike up a conversation.

Briana asked: “Loki, what are your plans for the day?”

Hikaru: "Oh that reminds me. I'd like to do some physical training. May I use the clan training ground?"

Hearing Hikaru, Lucretia put on a cute expression while asking: “Mom, can I join him for training? Pleeease?”

Calvin teased Lucretia by saying: “Well, well, look who's got the luxury of setting her own working hours! Living the dream, isn't she?”

Briana then replied with a smile: “Of course, Loki! And it's a package deal, so don't forget to bring Lucretia along!”

Lucretia cheerfully added: "Thanks, Mom! You're the absolute best!"

After savoring their breakfast together, Briana and Calvin set off for work, while Hikaru and Lucretia made their way to the Fonte Clan's training ground. At the training ground, one of the Fonte Clan children is performing her training regimen.

Lucretia recognized the child and greeted her: “Hey, Emma, putting in the hard work as usual, I see!"

Upon catching sight of Lucretia approaching, Emma paused mid-training and greeted her with a cheerful smile. Noticing Hikaru with Lucretia, she asked: “Good morning, Sister Lucretia! May I ask who this is?”

Lucretia then answered: “Ooo, he's my savior! He rescued me from a group of skippers. Now, he's staying with us as an honored guest in my home.” Emma nodded in surprise, her eyes widening slightly.

Hikaru then introduced himself warmly, saying: “Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Loki. Currently, I'm staying at Lucretia’s home.” After Hikaru finished his introduction, they chatted for a while before Emma resumed her training regimen.

As they distanced themselves to allow Emma to resume her training, Lucretia made a suggestion: “Hey, remember when you mentioned wanting to master Chi Control, Loki? How about I show you the ropes?”

Hikaru agreed, and Lucretia began instructing him on the fundamentals of the technique, which involved moving chi through specific points inside the body. Hikaru started to circulate his chi in this specific pattern while focusing on his Body Arts skill anima in his soul space. He could feel his Body Arts skill anima slowly transforming with every cycle he circulated his chi. Meanwhile, Lucretia also did her own training regimen. Each day they spent hours, driven by their shared determination to excel.

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This whirlwind of focused effort and unwavering commitment lasted for ten days. Just as they were settling into their routine, Briana delivered news that stirred anticipation within Hikaru's chest. He was informed that he would meet the awaited man named Cyril the next morning at the Oliver clinic.

The next morning, Briana and Hikaru went to the clinic together. Shortly after the clinic opened its doors, a slender Bamborean man knocked on the office door, and Briana welcomed him inside. She took the initiative to introduce Cyril to Hikaru, setting the stage for their negotiation.

Briana gestured towards Cyril to come over and said: "Loki, this is Cyril. He's here to discuss the business arrangement you've been anticipating."

Cyril introduced himself with a warm smile. "Hey there, I'm Cyril."

Hikaru smiled back. "Hey Cyril, I'm Loki."

Cyril chuckled lightly. "So, I heard you're looking to borrow my identity, huh?"

Hikaru nodded. "Yes, I am. I'm hoping we can reach a mutually beneficial agreement."

Briana chimed in: "Cyril, just a heads up. If Loki uses your identity to leave the kingdom, you'll need to stay put to avoid any suspicion. The guards might investigate the card's real owner, and if they check the kingdom's aura database, they might catch on."

Cyril's expression turned serious. "Don’t worry, it won’t happen. After my last D-rank quest, where my team got ambushed by monsters and I was the only survivor, I've had no plans of leaving this kingdom."

Briana frowned sympathetically. "I'm sorry to bring up such a painful memory."

Hikaru nodded in understanding. "Yeah, that sounds tough."

Cyril nodded, then shifted the conversation back to business. "Alright, let's cut to the chase. Briana briefed me on your situation. I won't pry, but considering the risks, I'm expecting fair compensation, you know?"

Hikaru leaned back, considering. "How about we discuss the monthly fee? There isn't really a standard price for borrowing an identity, right?"

Briana interjected: "Cyril, how much were you making back in your adventuring days each month?"

Cyril nodded, considering Hikaru's proposal. "During D-rank quests, my team typically completed them within a week, earning around 5 gold coins in total. The leader got 2 gold coins, while the rest of us, including myself, received 1 gold coin each."

Hikaru nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, how about this? I'll pay you 1 gold coin per week, just like when you were adventuring. It's like transferring the risk of being killed to the risk of being persecuted by the kingdom. Seems fair, right?"

Cyril's face brightened with a smile. "That sounds fair to me. I'm on board with your proposal!"

After reaching a final agreement, Cyril proceeded to replace the chi on his D-rank adventure card with Hikaru’s chi.

Cyril then lent the card to Hikaru and turned to Briana, saying: “I will come to Oliver’s clinic to collect the fee every four weeks. Briana, could you hold onto the money until I come?”

Briana responded with a reassuring smile, saying: “No problem. I'll keep it safe until you swing by.”

After finalizing their business, they exchanged a few words until Cyril decided it was time for him to bid his farewell. Once he left, Hikaru shifted the conversation with Briana to focus on alchemy ingredients. He asked Briana about the specific ingredients she wanted him to obtain and inquired about their respective locations.

Briana informed Hikaru about the two ingredients: Learna Mushroom and Sylvan Fern. She provided him with a rough map pinpointing their locations, a detailed book outlining their shapes and characteristics, a common steel knife, and a basket for carrying his adventuring haul. Hikaru listened closely to all of her explanations, feeling excited about the prospect of his first adventure. Shortly after, he bid Briana farewell and exited the clinic, having already acquired all the essential items and information.