After Mina was saved from slavery, her troubles were far from over. Losing her job left her unable to provide for her family, a heavy burden that weighed on her shoulders. Determined to find a solution, Mina decided to become an adventurer, fully aware of the inherent risks involved.
When Masaki learned of Mina’s plan, she tried to persuade her to find another path, as Mina wasn’t a trained fighter like her. However, Mina seemed determined to become an adventurer and had already made up her mind.
“I’ve made my decision, Masaki,” Mina said firmly, her eyes filled with determination. “I need to provide for my family, and this is the only way I can think of.”
Seeing her resolve, Masaki sighed and placed a hand on Mina’s shoulder. “Alright, if you’re set on this, then let’s form a party together. It will be much safer that way.”
Mina’s face lit up with relief. “You’d do that for me?”
“Of course,” Masaki replied with a reassuring smile. “But first, you need to train with me. I’ll teach you the basics of combat and survival. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s necessary.”
From that day onward, Mina regularly visited the Kaya residence in the mornings to train with Masaki. After their daily training they then usually go to the adventure guild to do some mission.
Given Mina’s lack of fighting experience, Masaki, as the party leader, decided to only take on E-rank missions. These missions are usually more like manual part-time jobs such as herding animals, clearing debris, and other tasks that pose little danger. These jobs can typically be completed in a day and pay relatively little, but they still offer enough for Mina, though not as much as her previous job as a shop helper.
Hikaru also felt a sense of relief, knowing that because of Mina, Masaki chose to only take on E-rank missions. He considered training Mina as a party member a good investment, especially since Rabbitmen were known for their superb hearing abilities. This auditory acuity could be utilized for tracking others or as a warning system against potential threats, making their future adventures safer and more efficient.
While Masaki and Mina were caught up in their own lives, Hikaru teamed up with Lydia to successfully complete another D-rank mission. The assignment went off without a hitch, earning him a well-deserved promotion to be a D-rank adventurer. Throughout the week, everything ran smoothly. Hikaru diligently continued his daily physical training sessions with Lydia, honing his physical skills. His hard work paid off as he mastered the first level of Hand Arts skill, enabling him to envelop his hands in protective chi.
After mastering the Hand Arts skill by the end of the week, Hikaru proceeded to check his current stats.
Name : Kaya Hikaru
Cell Regen Rate : Moderate
Age : 18 years
Lifespan : 395 /400 years
Race : Human Lord
Sub-race : Bamborean
Soul Space : 20 Vose
Sacred Essence : 7.6 /7.6 Vose
Chi : 125k /125k
Chi Regen : 20.83 chi /minute
Mana : 174k /174k
Mana Regen : 4.83 mana /second
Attributes:
Str: 48 (16); Def: 39 (16); Int: 107 (24); Wits: 70 (24)
Affinities:
Fire: 64 (20); Water: 20 (20); Earth: 20 (20); Wind: 20 (20)
Resistances:
Heat: 3%; Cold: 3%; Electricity: 3%; Poison: 9%.
Traits & Talents & Imprints: Amun-Ra Elemental Sovereign Bloodline (trait)
Existential Essence composition:
12.4 Vose (12 Vose of Skill Anima + 0.4 Vose of Incomplete Skill Anima)
Fire Sovereign (Innate Skill/L1-L2): Phoenix Spiritual Booster (passive/L1), Phoenix Wings (active/L1), Fiery Breath (active/L2), Blazing Assault (active/L2)
Fire Sovereign (Innate Skill/L3-L4/locked): at least 200 points of fire affinity.
Body Arts (Solo Skill/L1): Body Fortification (active/L1), Chi Control (passive/L1)
Hand Arts (Solo Skill/L1):
* Arm Chi (active/L1): This technique allows the user to reinforce their hands with a protective chi layer, ensuring protection against various forms of kinetic damage while preserving full hand mobility.
Leg Arts (Solo Skill/L1): Leg Chi (active/L1)
Fire Magic (Solo Skill/L1): Fireball (active/L1)
Neutral Magic (Solo Skill/L1-L2): Mana Control (active/L1), Magnifying Glass (active/L1), Mana Modulation (active/L2), Kudu Shrimp's Vision Mimicry (active/L2)
Illusion Magic (Solo Skill/L1-L2): Sleepy Touch (active/L1), Project Image (active/L2)
Status Effects: Irregular Soul, Extremely Severe Bloodline Regression
“Good, I can channel protective chi into both my arms and legs now, making me feel much more confident in close-quarter combat,” Hikaru mused to himself.
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Today was New Year’s Day, and the bustling streets of Bailey were alive with festive cheer. The city was adorned with colorful decorations, and the air was filled with the laughter of families and the scent of all kinds of food from the temporary stalls along the streets.
At one of the streets of Bailey’s second ring, the Purple Walnut, Bailey’s beloved bakery shop, was abuzz with activity. Customers filled every corner, eager to purchase Starryberry, a seasonal confectionery available exclusively during the New Year festivities. This Starryberry presents itself as a small, orb-like confection, its surface shimmering softly under the light like a faint constellation. The exterior is coated with a thin glaze of honey, lending it a golden sheen reminiscent of moonlit honeycombs.
Inside the shop, Hikaru and Lydia, who typically dedicated their mornings to physical training, had chosen to assist Loyd today. Hikaru busily interacted with customers, offering recommendations, while Lydia assisted the kitchen staff in the kitchen.
As the day wore on and dusk approached, the Purple Walnut finally closed its doors. On New Year’s Eve, Loyd and Lydia decided to join the festival on the street together and closed the shop early. Meanwhile, Hikaru had his own plan to meet Masaki and accompany her to the festival.
Outside, lanterns were lit along the streets, casting a warm glow over the festivities. Hikaru, excited for the New Year's festival, made his way to the Kaya residence to pick up Masaki. She had already informed her family that she would be joining Hikaru and Mina for the evening.
They met outside the ornate gate of the Kaya residence, where lanterns flickered softly in the gentle breeze. Together, they joined the throngs of people flowing towards the heart of the celebration. The air was filled with the scent of street food and the sound of lively music and performances.
Hikaru, Masaki, and Mina wandered through the festival grounds, sampling delicious treats from vendors, watching colorful traditional performances, and sharing laughter amidst the cheerful crowd.
As the trio made their way from the bustling streets, they found themselves at a spacious public field where crowds had gathered to watch the grand display of fireworks illuminating the night sky. The air was crisp with excitement, and the distant sounds of laughter and cheering added to the festive atmosphere.
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They found a spot among the gathered families and friends, their eyes drawn upwards to the colorful bursts of light painting intricate patterns against the dark canvas of the sky. Several blimps floated gracefully overhead, their illuminated shapes adding a touch of whimsy to the spectacle.
Hikaru, Masaki, and Mina stood together, silently taking in the beauty of the moment. Each of them felt a sense of anticipation and reflection as they watched the fireworks cascade and shimmer above them. It was a time for new beginnings, for hopes and dreams to take flight along with the fireworks.
In the quietude of their hearts, they made resolutions — promises to themselves for the year ahead, inspired by the magic unfolding before their eyes. With each explosion of color and light, their spirits lifted, filled with optimism and determination to embrace whatever the New Year would bring.
As they basked in the atmosphere of the New Year’s festivities, a sudden commotion disrupted the tranquil evening. A heated argument erupted between a young Gatorian Lizardman and a Crimsonrage Dracoman, their voices rising above the murmurs of the crowd.
The trio of Hikaru, Mina, and Masaki were drawn to the commotion that disrupted the festive atmosphere of the New Year’s celebrations. As they approached, Mina’s surprise was evident when she recognized the young Lizardman at the center of the argument—her friend Ullot. Concerned, they inquired about the cause of the disturbance.
A kind elderly woman explained the situation to them. “Sigh,” the elderly woman began, gesturing first towards Ullot who stood with a troubled expression. “Looks like that Lizardman there made a mistake during his delivery job,” she continued, now pointing towards a noble-looking Frostfolk woman holding an opened gift box with damaged contents inside, her expression stern and unyielding. “When she opened the box, she found the delicate porcelain vase inside shattered. She demanded compensation of ten gold coins from the Lizardman, believing him responsible for the damage.”
Hikaru furrowed his brow in concern, exchanging glances with Masaki and Mina.
“The lizardman refused,” the elderly woman continued, “insisting he didn’t cause the damage and didn’t have the ten gold coins to pay. The situation escalated when the woman’s companion, a Crimsonrage Dracoman,” she pointed towards the imposing figure beside Ullot, “suggested that the lizardman repay her with the pendant around his neck, which apparently was a family heirloom. So he adamantly refused!”
The crowd, predominantly humans, began to jeer and mutter among themselves. Some shook their heads in disdain, while others whispered derogatory remarks about beastmen and their supposed lack of honor. The tension thickened as Ullot stood firm, refusing to bow to the pressure to relinquish his cherished pendant.
The Dracoman sneered, exploiting the crowd’s prejudice against Ullot with a smug grin. “You know, our ancestors were once the same lizard-type beasts,” he mocked. “But it seems your lineage got the short end of the stick—too ugly and undesirable for even the deities to take interest! Perhaps that’s why your kind didn’t inherit any divine virtues! Just look at you, more like a lizard than a man. Maybe your brain’s also wired like a lizard’s too!” His deductions elicited a mixed reaction from the crowd.
Some found his remarks amusing and cheered him on, feeding off their inherent biases. After capturing the crowd’s sympathy, the Dracoman raised his voice confidently. “So, do you all think this lizardman should hand over his pendant to compensate for the broken vase?” His words resonated with the humans in the crowd, who nodded and murmured in agreement, their disdain for lizardmen apparent.
The comment and the crowd’s reaction struck Ullot’s nerve as he clenched his fist tightly. It was a stark reminder of the injustices he faced throughout his life. This incident underscored the deep-seated prejudices against Beastmen, particularly lizardmen like him, lurking beneath the surface of Bailey’s supposedly harmonious society. Unlike other Beastmen that only received prejudiced because of their origin, Lizardmen also received prejudiced because of their looked, which resembles more toward lizards.
This situation mirrors prejudices found on Earth, where unconscious judgments based on appearances often shape social dynamics. People unconsciously judge others based on appearances, much like how we befriend dogs and cats because they are cute, but perceive pigs as farm animals. Interestingly, pigs possess a larger brain-to-body ratio than both dogs and cats, suggesting they are as smart as, if not smarter than, their counterparts.
Witnessing the unfolding conflict, Masaki and Mina exchanged a glance of concern before stepping forward together. Masaki approached the noble-looking Frostfolk woman with a mix of determination and empathy in her eyes.
“Young noble, please,” Masaki implored gently, “have mercy on him. Let me assist in reimbursing you.”
Meanwhile, Mina moved closer to Ullot, her voice soft but reassuring. “Stay calm, Ullot. We’ll sort this out.”
Hikaru, sensing something amiss, swiftly made his way to the opened gift box. His sharp eyes didn’t miss the telltale signs of wear on the broken vase inside—evidence that it had been damaged long before Ullot had taken charge of it.
Turning to Ullot, Hikaru asked calmly but pointedly, “When were you given this gift to deliver?”
“About two hours ago,” Ullot replied, his frustration palpable.
A spark of realization lit up Hikaru’s face. Straightening with resolve, he addressed the growing crowd. “This vase was broken before it even reached Ullot,” he declared firmly, his gaze piercing the noblewoman’s facade. “She’s using this as a pretext to swindle him, taking advantage because he’s a lizardman!”
The crowd, initially swayed by prejudice, began murmuring among themselves. Hikaru seized the moment, raising his voice to cut through the tension. “Look at this vase. Do you guys honestly believe it’s worth ten gold coins? It’s barely worth one! This is a scheme to extort the public, and if it succeeds here, they’ll do it again!”
“I’ve seen a similar-looking vase sell for less than a gold coin!” one of the people from the crowd exclaimed.
The Dracoman, sensing their credibility waning, interjected confidently. “Nonsense! What proof do you have of this supposed swindle?”
Hikaru didn’t falter. “Look closely,” he urged, gesturing to the grime on the broken edges of the vase. “This grime indicates it’s been broken for some time. She’s exploiting a false claim to deceive everyone here.”
“Don’t be so quick to judge,” the noblewoman retorted, her composure slipping.
Hikaru pressed on, his voice rising with righteous indignation. “Bailey’s nobles have a history of manipulating the truth for their gain. Remember the Aran War? How many lives were lost over their greed? Now they want to deceive us again!”
The crowd, now more attentive, exchanged uncertain glances. Some started to see the truth in Hikaru’s words, while others remained skeptical but less certain of their earlier prejudices.
The noblewoman, sensing the tide turning against her, adopted a defensive stance. “Let the courts decide then,” she challenged, her voice tinged with unease.
Hikaru, undeterred, saw through her ploy. “She knows the court won't be fair to a lizardman,” he proclaimed boldly. “It’s another tactic to maintain her unjust advantage.”
The murmurs in the crowd swelled into a chorus of agreement, now largely swayed by Hikaru’s impassioned defense of Ullot and his scathing indictment of Bailey’s nobility.
“My son, only eleven years old, lost his life in the Aran War!” cried out a grief-stricken man from the throng, tears streaming down his face. His anguished voice cut through the air, resonating with the pain of countless families who had suffered loss in the name of nobility's greed.
Another voice joined in, filled with raw bitterness. “My brother fought in that war and never came home!” The crowd around him murmured in solemn agreement, each person bearing their own tale of loss and betrayal at the hands of those who claimed power and privilege.
The noblewoman, now visibly shaken by the swell of emotion against her, attempted to maintain her haughty demeanor. But the facade was crumbling, exposed by the collective grief and anger of those she had exploited.
Hikaru stood tall, his voice carrying over the crowd. “This isn’t just about a broken vase. It’s about justice and accountability for all those who’ve suffered under the tyranny of Bailey’s nobility!”
The atmosphere crackled with tension and resolve. The crowd, once divided by prejudice, now stood united against injustice. They had seen through the noblewoman’s scheme and were ready to demand justice, fueled by their shared losses and newfound solidarity.
As tension gripped the air, Hikaru turned to Mina, signaling for her to step forward. His voice rang out with conviction, cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.
“This young woman, Mina,” he proclaimed, gesturing towards her with unwavering confidence. “Even after facing condemnation in court, she walks freely because justice isn’t blind.”
The noblewoman, her composure faltering, approached Mina cautiously. “Are you Mina from the tailor shop?” she asked, her voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.
Mina advanced gracefully, her gaze unwavering. “Yes, that’s correct. I am Mina,” she affirmed resolutely, her words echoing with quiet strength.
The crowd, now focused intently on Mina, murmured among themselves. Her presence, coupled with Hikaru’s impassioned defense, underscored the contrast between their fight for justice and the noblewoman’s attempt to exploit Ullot’s predicament.
The noblewoman, visibly unsettled by the mounting support for Ullot and Mina's unwavering resolve, exchanged a wary glance with her Dracoman companion. They stood on the precipice of accountability, their arrogance challenged by the unity and determination of those they had sought to manipulate.
Finally, after a tense moment of deliberation, the noblewoman reluctantly relented. “Very well,” she conceded with evident reluctance. “I... I suppose there has been a misunderstanding. I will remember your face, young man.”
Ullot breathed a sigh of relief, his tense posture relaxing. Mina offered him a reassuring smile, while Masaki nodded in approval at Hikaru.
Bailey's once-tense festive atmosphere began to ease, replaced by a palpable sense of justice restored. Hikaru's astute observation and Masaki's unwavering resolve had triumphed, dispelling the prejudice that had clouded the scene just moments earlier.
As the crowd erupted in cheers for Hikaru's group, they celebrated what they saw as a victory for justice.
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Once the crowd’s cheers gradually subsided, Ullot stood amidst the dispersing throng, his expression a mix of relief and lingering frustration. The events of the evening had shaken him deeply, casting a shadow over his trust in the fairness of Bailey’s society.
Masaki, sensing Ullot’s turmoil, approached him gently. “Ullot,” she began, her voice soft yet resolute, “this city may not always treat you fairly, but that doesn’t mean that everyone is the same.”
Ullot glanced at Masaki, grateful for her words but still uncertain. “I don’t know if I can go back to be a courier after this,” he admitted, his voice tinged with disappointment.
Mina stepped forward, her empathy clear in her eyes. “You don't have to,” she said firmly.
“Masaki and I have been looking for a third member to join our adventuring party. We could use someone reliable like you, Ullot.” Mina said.
Ullot’s eyes widened in surprise. The idea of embarking on adventures with Masaki and Mina offered him a glimmer of hope amidst the recent turmoil. “Adventure with you two?” he asked tentatively, his spirits lifting at the prospect.
Masaki nodded encouragingly. “Yes, Ullot. We face challenges together, but we also stand up for what’s right. It won’t always be easy, but we’ll have each other’s backs.”
Ullot hesitated for a moment, then a small smile tugged at his lips. “Alright,” he said finally, determination edging into his voice. “I’ll join you guys.”
Masaki added warmly, “Since you’re new to adventuring, you’ll need to follow Mina’s training regimen. You’re welcome to come to the Kaya residence regularly for training. Is that alright with you?”
“Absolutely,” Ullot replied eagerly.
With that decision, a new chapter began for Ullot, Masaki, and Mina—a journey where they would confront dangers, forge bonds of friendship, and stand united against injustice in Bailey and beyond. Masaki had finally found another reliable party member, bringing a sense of relief to Hikaru, who knew well that lizardmen were renowned for their resilience and strength. Unbeknownst to Masaki, her popularity among the Beastmen in Bailey began to rise as she helped them with their problems.