The competition that'll be held in two month's time, Kai has decided to make this a test for himself. He'll strictly only use physical attacks and would not use even a hint of magic. Also he'll only use at most ten percent of his total strength.

This would make the competition quite a challenge, especially because Kai hasn't trained much in terms of physical strength and is much stronger with magic that he could blow away everyone with five percent of his magic.

Therefore he took this chance to get a tutor, of course this tutor is the girl who has learned [Redirection Arts]: Kanako. They have only met yesterday but Kanako already owes Kai alot! Dispelling a [Curse] that has plagued her for years itself is basically granting a new life.

So she gladly accepted Kai's request, she was thinking of ways to repay Kai so this was giving her an idea to repay him, even if he was playing dumb. She could tell that Kai was trying to keep a low profile so she didn't tell anyone. Not like anybody knew about the [Curse].

Training area: Combat. Private Area.

"So you can get your own place in the training area?"

Kai asked her.

"Yeah, as long as you have learned the [Redirection Arts], you'd be treated as a crowned jewel. Since there are only two or so dozen people who have it."

There are roughly fifteen thousand in the guild, so if only two dozen people have it, they'd really be a big deal. Only four people who have [Redirection Arts] aren't high-ranking here. One is Kanako, the other two girls that Ryo talked about are also some of them, the last one is male, he went missing a few weeks ago or so I've heard.

"Hmph!"

She striked out, her fist headed for Kai's shoulder.

Kai was calm, he moved his feet slightly and grabbed her wrist.

This is gonna be easy. Kai immediately thought.

Kanako smirked. and her hand that was heading for Kai stopped and a kick was let out. Kai got hit on the abdomen and crouched.

"Ow ow ow."

Kanako smiled while looking at an injured Kai on the floor.

"Hahaha, you're too overconfident. You should remember that it's a battle, anything goes!"

Kai stood up slowly with his hand still covering his stomach.

I forgot to add defenses to my body, I've rarely been struck so I haven't been paying attention to it.

I don't need to work on adding defense, just by surrounding myself in my mana, I'll be invulnerable against anyone in the village. But dominating power with no experience will be the end of me.

This is why I'll fight at the competition without using mana, if I can fight with no mana then I'll be able to gain some experience. My defense stat is really high but it won't do anything unless I prepare myself. Basically I need to improve my reaction time, like when Kanako struck me with her foot, I was caught surprised cause I let my guard down.

I shouldn't let that happen again.

Kanako struck once more with her left leg heading straight for my neck. I decided to attack instead of blocking. If I strike out towards her heel and redirect it towards the floor and counter-attack with a kick, I'll win.

Kai carries out his plan and strikes her heel, her foot was headed towards the floor with impact.

"Eh?"

She looks at Kai with surprise, her left leg redirecting like that is probably an unexpected move.

Kai smirks before launching his right leg forward.

As expected!

Before Kai's right foot could reach him, her surprised expression turned into a smirk as Kai's face changed. He knew she found out during that moment.

Her other leg turned and launched upwards.

"Crap!"

Her leg striked downwards and made Kai's head sink down to the floor.

Crack

The ground cracked, anyone can tell the impact of that move if they weren't stupid. Even a blind person could tell that would hurt.

"Kai!"

Kanako rushed out and shook Kai's body.

"Are you okay? I forgot to hold back!"

My head is spinning, I should really stop letting down my guard.

"Geez, you let down your guard again! I told you to not be overconfident even if victory is assured!"

"Ow, sorry.. I forgot. I thought you got caught by surprise and purposely let down my guard."

She giggled as she looked at Kai.

"Well, you can't become experienced in combat with just one spar so this is only natural."

If it was that easy, I would've just challenged the strongest person here. She's very experienced in [Martial Arts] so she should suffice as a training partner for the tournament.

"But at this rate, I don't think you'll make it in time for the competition."

She sighed.

"As long as I hold enough skill to hold up against you in regular combat would it be enough."

"Well, with your power you could just wipe away everyone with mana. You don't need to train physically."

Kai looked at her.

"I do. Just by having domineering power and no skill will be the end of me."

"That's true."

He's too strong, I can tell he lowered his power to be lower than mine just to give me a handicap.

Kanako pouted when she thought of that.

"Kai, put your power on the same level as mine."

"Eh? You can tell?"

"Of course, I'm not stupid!"

"Hehehe."

She must have [Battle Sense], gramps told me that some people should have it. I guess she has good talent. Even I wasn't born with [Battle Sense] she must be really favored by the heavens.

"How do you 'sense' my power?"

"I don't know, I just feel it. But I feel an aura from you if I try, I can tell that you're holding at least seventy percent of your power!"

"Hahaha."

Looks like [Battle Sense] isn't as reliable as sensing with magic. Kai's hid at least ninety-seven percent of his power to match her and hid ninety-eight percent before.

My power is just too high! How could everyone else have this low of a power! And she's even considered as a prodigy! Kai thought this world was unbalanced as it could be.

"Close but when you count it in numbers, you're at least hundreds of numbers far."

"S-seriously?"

Kai nodded and smiled.

"You're a monster.."

"Sorry, but I already know."

Kanako sighed and shook her head.

"You should use at least ten percent in the competition, or else I can guarantee your loss."

"I was gonna use ten percent but are there people who can take on my ten percent?"

"Yes."

An immediate answer, guess they must be the prodigies of Blue Waters. Even more of a prodigy than her, never thought that someone could take my ten percent.

He thought of all possibilities and became excited. If someone could take on ten percent of his physical power, and they had a good attitude, he'd definitely recruit them. They have good potential if they can really do that. He'd train them and mentor them, although Kai is most likely the youngest one who's gonna compete.

Of course people would only follow him; a kid, if Kai shows his supreme power.

"Oh by the wa-"

Before she finished, her fist struck out and was aimed at Kai's chest.

Too obvious!

Kai caught her attack with his left palm and gripped her hand tightly.

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"[Shockwave Palm]."

Kai aimed his right palm towards her chest and said those words. Compressed air flew out and sounds could be heard before anyone could react but the pressure one would feel was immense. It was like a car was about to hit you. The sound itself felt as if it was tearing into your very souls.

Before the compressed air had hit her, Kai retracted his palm and kicked one of her foot while she was in shock as Kai gripped her other hand tightly and threw her with the leverage the kick gave.

"Wha-?"

She fell down. That was it.

"Ow ow ow. What did you just do...?"

"It's one of my original moves, I saw a hand-to-hand battle the other day, I could tell that once they reached close quarters, whoever is the smartest wins. So I made a move that can defeat my opponents from afar. I compressed air using [Martial Arts] and no magic at all. It's like making a loophole for my 'no magic' rule."

"I see.."

Kanako had her eyes wide open.

"Amazing, to think you can pull it off like that, and you're even three years younger!"

"Yeah.."

I am technically sixteen years older than you so you don't need to feel to overwhelmed. Kai inwardly thought to himself.

"Wait, I can see that you retracted that move before it hit, what would happen if I WAS hit?"

"Er.."

Kai looked away to the side avoiding her question.

"Kai?"

There's no way I can tell her that it would instantly kill anyone at her level! She'd beat me up for using that sort of move in a spar for sure!

"Err...something..."

"Suspicious.."

She stared at him for quite awhile and just sighed in the end.

"Alright fine, I won't pester you anymore. But don't use any killing moves like that in a spar!"

"Eh!? How'd you know!?"

She glared at Kai.

"So I was right! Why would you use a move like that!?"

Eh? I've been tricked haven't I? Was it the guilt or did I let my guard down cause I thought she wasn't capable of seeing through me?

"Well I retracted it anyway.."

"That's beside the point! Anyone would pee their pants if they were to face a move like that! The sound itself is frightening, and when I saw the air around me changing like it was about to explode, I panicked!"

"Sorry sorry."

"Hmph!"

She turned her head to the side, it was obvious that this was an act now. Kai could see through her. Looked like she was quite happy for him instead for finding a move to keep himself safe.

"Hahaha...Well should we continue?"

"No, I think that's enough for today. Continuous training is good but also bad. It can stress the mind."

"I see."

She sounds too smart for a thirteen-year old. Contrary to the fact that I used to think the opposite. That [Curse] only affected her personality so I wonder how she could change THIS much?

Maybe she's actually that smart?

No use thinking about it, I should head back to my room and rest.

"I'll head back to my room first then."

"Nn."

Kai nodded slightly then left without another word.

"Nobody can beat him in the competition, I'm sure of that. Not even my big sister would win."

She sighed and went back to her room as well.

Kai's room

I'm progressing quite nicely in terms physical training. At this pace if I just keep going for a month and a half, I'll be ready.

Kai sat down cross-legged on his bed while chanting. A faint blue aura could be seen surrounding him if someone looked closely.

The faint blue aura is actually a new technique he created by recreating [Mana Surge], [Mana Surge] is a violent burst of mana inside the body, it enhances the body for a limited period of time, of course with Kai's mana regeneration rate, the time limit is non-existent.

He made the violent burst of mana into calming waves that flow through the body and fix mana flows. It would make mana purer and even enhance it. His level increases while he uses this method.

"Hm, I'm satisfied, I should probably name it."

He pondered for a moment before looking up.

"Ah I know."

He bumped his fist on his palm to emphasize that he figured something out.

"[Mana Veins]."

That should do for now, if I ever upgrade it in the future I'll change the name with it.

"I'm gonna keep training for the rest of the night."

Next Morning

Kai stands up from his position and yawns while stretching.

"Tired.."

His eyes were half-closed as he staggeringly walked outside.

"I guess a child's body still can't take staying up twenty-four seven."

I used to stay up for two or three days straight without trouble. Of course, I also took care of my body and had sufficient rest after a marathon.

"Err..Kai?"

"Hm?"

I turn my head to the left and saw Aine-san standing there.

"Why do you look like you battled for a whole day and just came back the day after?"

Do I look that bad? I just stayed up for a bit. Could it be the training?

"I had physical training yesterday and stayed up the whole night."

"Oh so you found a trainer?"

"Yeah."

The tone of her voice changed from caring to serious.

"How much did it cost..?"

"Free."

She looked surprised as she asked again.

"Why was the training free?"

"It was more like repaying a favor, she told me she'd train me all I want."

"She?"

Aine shot a questioning look at Kai.

"A girl I freed from a [Curse]. She decided to train me to repay the favor."

"A [Curse]!? You.Removed.A.Curse?!"

"Yeah.."

She looked at Kai with eyes slightly wide but retracted it as fast as it appeared.

She sighed.

"I'm used to it already.."

She said in a low voice.

She shook her head slightly and looked at Kai.

"I've got news, a rumor has been spread around that the main branch of the Dark Guild had been attacked and suffered major damage."

"Gramps' work?"

"Yes, it appears that the Dark Guild did all they can to hide the truth but a rumor still managed to slip from under their noses. It's probably one of your grandfather's tactics. Using outside help to deliver a blow to the Dark Guild."

So gramps is gonna use righteous guilds or people who have a feud with the Dark Guild to lessen their power and fight the [God] once more? It's a very smart plan but I get the feeling that the [God] should be stronger and smarter than that, he should've already figured it out.

I doubt that the guilds would round up power over a few rumors. Dwindling the forces of the main enemy is good but that won't erase the fact that the enemy is a [God].

A guild has to be extremely careful, rounding up an army would take enormous amounts of resources, and even more so attacking a guild with so many branches and back-up support because of a rumor.

Especially the Dark Guild, they're extremely crafty and would make great preparation and make deadly traps once they hear of armies preparing to attack.

"Do you think he'll succeed?"

"Speaking frankly, no."

Kai sighed. He had the same thoughts.

"Do you think it's just for them to increase their guard against others and lessen the heat on them?"

Aine got surprised by Kai's deduction.

"I haven't thought of that. But it's highly unlikely."

"Why?"

Aine's expression turned serious.

"That's because he'd do anything he can to save you. He'll destroy them before they even have a chance to retaliate, I'm sure that's what's on his mind."

".."

She's telling the truth, I doubt gramps won't charge in there alone if he knew I was held captive.

Kai sighed after he realized her point. It was the irrefutable truth, his grandfather loved him too much to let even the slightest harm befall him. He was like his own son.

"Enough about that."

Aine waved her hand.

"Have you gone and done quests yet?"

"Quests?"

Those exist in this world, she told me before, I have no idea how to take a quest though.

Kai shot a confused look implying he didn't know what to do.

"I told you about quests but I forgot to tell you how to take them huh?"

Kai simply nodded.

"Well, you'll first have to join a guild. Since we've already done that, we're clear."

Kai nodded again.

"Next you'd have to go to the main hall. The quest board should be visible from there. You take it and go to the counter to indicate you're taking it."

"That's it?"

"Yeah, if it took a long time to do then nobody'd take quests."

That's actually pretty simple, just like a real game.

"Are you going out on a quest, Aine-san?"

"Nn."

She's fast.

"How many quests have you done?"

"Twenty or so."

"..."

No matter how you look at it, that's too fast. It's been only three or four days since we've arrived.

"Aren't you doing..too much?"

She raised her eyebrow as if she didn't know what Kai meant.

"They're all B-class quests anyway."

Wait, isn't F-class the starting point?

"How'd you get from F to B so fast..?"

"Well, some circumstances happened and I got to B faster than expected."

Aine wasn't looking at Kai when she said that.

I wanna ask what sort of circumstances they were. Kai thought to himself.

Did she beat up someone high-ranked? Was her level too high for the requirements? Nobody could figure it out.

Kai let it slip by and decided to look for a quest before training.

"If there are any quests I can finish before noon, I'll take it."

Kai walked towards the spacious main hall, the quest board was in full view. It had paper attached to it from bottom to top.

"I guess it is pretty obvious."

Kai walked towards the quest board. It's size was at least seven meters, when compared to Kai's body it looked like a [Human] challenging a [Titan].

[Titans] are part of the [Hybrid] race, like the name implies, they are huge creatures. They are mostly all violent and don't listen to reason, but a [Titan] who is actually open to communication is called a [Giant].

[Giants] are scarce compared to [Titans]. Although they are both few in numbers, their power far exceeds [Humans]. It once said that if they ally themselves and attack the [Human] race, [Humans] would be on the brink of extinction before defeating them.

"The quest board is filled with quests like: Find my cat, Kill goblins, hunt boars and bring back the pelts, and find missing people."

Typical.

"Hm?"

Train my daughter with magic, required: level fifty [Mage].

"I can actually try to do this in my spare time, it doesn't say I have to do it daily. I doubt her parents would let me train her though."

Well there's nothing here that requires me to be an adult, I bet that's because there are only a few people here who are level fifty.

I might try this in the future if it's still available. Kai made a mental note.

Using magic was easy, but teaching it to another person was a different story. Without sufficient experience, all you'll be able to teach are parlor tricks.

With Kai being as strong as he is, alot of people would line up just for a shot at being his disciple, although right now, nobody even knows his name.

"I'll go and find her now."

Kai walked away from the quest board and headed towards the combat area.

Thump

Someone crashed into Kai with a thump sending Kai falling down.

"Ow.."

Kai groaned. His body was too small, it felt like he got hit by a truck.

"Oh, my apologies for not looking, young one!"

Kai looked up and saw a man at least six feet tall.

'Too tall!' Kai's first thoughts after seeing the man.

"My name is Kane Farengar. Pleasure to meet you."

His name.. is different?

"I'm Kai."

Kai said as he stood up.

"Are you heading towards the combat area, Kai?"

"Nn."

Kai nodded his head in response.

"I'm going now."

"Okay."

Kane stepped aside allowing Kai to pass.

Kai nodded and continued down the hall.

So that means all names aren't based off of a single origin, just like the previous world. Kai thought.

Kai got to the training area with no other complications and saw Kanako meditating on the floor.

Looks like she's training, better wait for her.

Kai sat down next to her after that.

......

"Are the magical cannons ready?"

A man who looked to be in his fourties yelled out.

"Not yet! We need the shipments from the supplier!"

A man who wore a bandana saluted and answered back.

"Tell them to hurry up! We don't have time to dilly-dally. We've wasted enough time!"

The first man yelled.

"Calm down, Shiro."

That's right, this man was none other than Shiro, Kai's foster grandfather.

"Just because Kai's identity is revealed doesn't mean they'll attack him face to face. He's still a formidable magician."

Shiro sighed.

"I know, but once you have a grandson who's like your own son to you, you'd be as anxious as me, Gai."

The man who threw a bucket of water over Shiro's temper was the [Celestial] Gai.

"Besides, Aine is watching over him. We all know she's a descendant of Hana."

Gai told him.

"Slow and steady wins the race."

Gai said before Shiro could speak.

Shiro sighed again before turning around and walking towards his quarters. There was a book inside it, he flipped it open and started writing.

"Looks like he's gonna be in there for awhile."

Sai the [Druid] had come up from behind them and said to Gai.

"Yes, he's been writing plans in that book ever since we got here."

They both sighed and turned towards the horde of people rustling.

"Soldiers! The operation to destroy the Dark Guild, namely Operation: Cleanse will begin in a fortnight!"

"OOOOOOOOHHH!"

People shouted as they raised their arms.

"Just you wait, Dark Guild."

Gai mischievously smiled.