Seeing this message come up, I was a bit surprised but happy that Alice was finally getting training. However, for some reason I felt a bit uncertain for some reason, like something wasn’t right. I didn’t know how to describe it, but it felt like something was wrong, not with Alice evolving but something didn’t feel right with me.

“Xia?”

“Yes, Alisha?” Standing straight due to my rather stiff tone, I turned to her and explained what just happened and the strange feeling I had.

“Because of that, I want you to head to the Guild, find Elise and locate where Aubrey went. Go there and protect her until Alice has finished evolving. I don’t know why, but I have a strange feeling about this.”

I saw Xia hesitate. Knowing what was on her mind, I smiled and said “I’ll be careful. I can wear the hood that hides my face and presence and grab a different set of clothing. I’ll be staying somewhere safe for the next month in a few days, so you don’t need to worry.”

Standing straight again, Xia bowed slightly. “Yes, Alisha. May I walk you home first?”

Since it was on the way, I figured it would be best for her to follow me before departing. Once we arrived back, I gave Xia the rapier I had before seeing her off. I could still see the hesitation in her eyes but I knew this was the best course of action. This feeling had left me worried.

I had wanted to rush off myself, but with everything I had been planning I decided to send Xia. This feeling I had wasn’t one of foreboding or dread, it was strange like I needed to make sure Alice was watched over.

Watching until Xia had left down the street, I decided to take some time to use the Tome I had received from Xia. Sitting down in the lounge room, I used the Tome and had it turn into “Advanced Food Preparation and Cooking.” It felt strange being the only one around, I’d gotten used to Alice or Aubrey being nearby, and more recently Xia. I’ve never truly had time alone. I enjoyed the feeling, yet because I felt worried about Alice my mind couldn’t be completely at ease, but knowing Xia was heading off to help made it better.

Leaning back, I opened the now large book that rested on my lap and started reading.

***

Breathing out, I look out the window and see it had become midnight at some point. Putting the large book down, I had started reading it around midmorning and in that time I had read it three times. As it was natural, I had grasped almost all the knowledge it had contained.

Slowly digesting everything I had read, I was amazed at how little I knew beforehand. I doubted Gordon even knew anything I had just read, and he had said he was one of the better Chefs in Vale. One aspect that stuck out to me was the various different ways monster meat could be prepared. It was the main source of food for most, and while most tasted the same, it came down to how it was prepared. You could imbue mana into meat and leave it in a sauce called marinade for hours or days.

Not only that, but it covered more advanced techniques when it came to imbuing mana into what you cooked. The basic version just imbued mana into the food and that was it, yet the advanced techniques showed extremely detailed and precise methods. I knew it would require a lot of practice, I may have been able to memorise the information, but putting it into practice was another question.

Getting up, I decided to just make food for now. Since we were running low on coins, I didn’t want to practise just yet, even though it was very tempting.

After eating and bathing, I put on the adventurer’s clothing and sat down to read the pamphlet that I’d received from the Academy. I wanted to possibly take courses for spellcasting, using a rapier and general knowledge, like how to write and about the world.

After reading the pamphlet, I wasn’t sure what to do. There were many courses listed for spellcasting and two for general knowledge. Figuring it would be easier to head there and ask in person, I set the pamphlet aside. I’d head there once my initial training at Flowing River was done. Thinking of what to do, I remembered we had yet to buy the seeds for gardening. According to Sebastian, the work would be done today, though it might not be finished till tomorrow.

Grabbing the list Xia and I made, I put on the hood I had received from Floof and headed out.

***

After arriving home, I had found the workers had already arrived and they had started redoing the entire backyard. Sorting out and storing all the newly bought seeds, I felt my heart sink at the cost. Currently I have about thirty silver coins and a handful of bronze left over. Elizabeth had yet to return, however I wasn’t too worried, I knew she was capable of handling herself.

Taking out a small pouch, I bought a teapot and tea. I was eager to try my hand at making tea, it was something that had been mentioned in the book earlier, you could make tea and coffee imbued with mana. It could give a range of effects like increased energy, stamina and awareness.

Using a magic circle in the kitchen to produce water, I set it to boil in a pot while I looked over the various magic circles that controlled parts of the kitchen. I had grown interested in how they worked, since they could do basic functions like this with only a small amount of natural mana. I still didn’t know what natural mana was, though I imagined it was just mana in the air.

According to Xia, magic circles like these were quite common and when I asked about magic circles for combat, she’d said it was too complex. The magic circles that were generated when we used magic were done by unknown means, some believed it was the System while others believed it was natural, since the System never mentioned magic circles.

Once the water was boiled, I focused on practising the techniques that had been laid out. After half a dozen attempts, I managed to slowly imbue mana while the tea was brewing. It didn’t require a lot, nor did it exactly have much of an effect, but it worked.

[Plain Green Tea (Enhanced)

Plain tea that provides one with more energy to get through a tough day.

Crafted by: Alisha]

The tea remained looking nearly exactly like ordinary tea, but with a slight bluish tinge. Smiling in satisfaction, I took the teapot and cups and offered some to the workers and had a cup myself. After I had finished, a worker had told me that the tea had indeed given them a lot more energy, meaning they could work through the night to finish the garden. Thinking about it carefully, I considered Xia’s words once more about starting a business.

I didn’t want to work like that though, at the end of the day I wanted to fight, get stronger and return back to Crater Hell to see Sally and Gray again. Thinking of asking Elise, I remembered she’d said to meet her at the Guild. Looking out the window, it was just past midday. After tomorrow, I will be staying at Flowing River.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Since I held the key to this house, I wondered how Xia and Elizabeth could return back here. Deciding to make a stop at the courthouse before going to the Guild, I left the house once again with the hood on.

***

As the Guild came into view, I sighed as I wondered for the reason Elise had asked me to come down. After stopping at the courthouse, Sebastian gave me three additional keys at the cost of one Silver coin. Planning to give two of the keys to Elise, one for Xia and one for Elizabeth, I entered the Guild building. It was as lively as ever, with people drinking and celebrating on one side while on the other attendants worked on the other side.

Spotting Elise rather quickly, I moved over to her and waited until she was done speaking to another adventurer. Moving up to her, she looks confused for a moment before smiling.

“Come with me.”

Following behind her, she took me to a private room and closed the door. I took the hood off while sitting down. Elise sits down opposite me.

“Why are you wearing the hood again?”

“I promised Xia I would until she came back. I’m about to go training anyway so it doesn’t matter too much.”

“Ah, she did come here earlier. Aubrey is quite far from Vale at one of the more secluded hunting zones, but it’s relatively safe. Right, so about why I’ve asked you here. There are two matters I need to discuss with you.”

Leaning forward a bit, Elise’s face turned serious. “Now, the first topic is regarding compensation for the incident involving Hillock. Weapons aside, as that is due to them being stolen, the executives want to compensate you as well as reward you for being the first recorded person to solo the tenth floor. At first, they wanted to just simply give you some Platinum coins and call it a day, but some felt that was not enough.”

Picking up her bag, she searched around inside of it before drawing out a thin booklet.

“Now, the first reward they have given is rather straightforward. You’ll receive twenty percent off all purchases within the Guild, and in addition you’ll receive twenty percent more from any loot you wish to sell to the Guild. For the next reward, I need you to swear an oath on the System to never reveal anything I’m about to tell you.”

Blinking in surprise, I could tell by her tone of voice that it was something serious. Trusting Elise completely, I made the oath.

“I, Alisha, the Elite Aspiring Hero, hereby swear upon the System to not reveal any information you will reveal.”

[Oath Accepted.

If you break this oath, your punishment will be losing your humanity, turning you into a mindless, bloodthirsty monster.]

Pursing my lips while reading the message, I turned to Elise who nodded.

“This next reward is an opportunity. There is a lake underneath the Guild, a secret only known to a select few. I was informed because I’m your advisor, and now you’re being told by me. This lake is a pure mana spring and is used to assist in helping one either rank up their magic or…merge particular magic types.

“When one has an understanding of two types of compatible magic, they may merge them to a higher form. Your Wind and Lightning magic are considered to be compatible to be merged.” Passing me the booklet, I took a look at it. Its title was Storm Magic.

“I understand that your Lightning magic is on the weaker side, however that won’t matter here. The booklet you have gives you an understanding on what Storm magic is, but the basis is that it utilises Wind and Lightning together. Now, it’s not as simple as just jumping into the lake and learning it, however the lake will help provide insight. I don’t know nor understand how it works, since I was only told this much, however this is a very rare opportunity. Everyone else will be receiving this as well, including Xia.”

Looking over the booklet, I asked Elise when it would happen and how long.

“Only one may enter at a time, and the maximum amount of time they can be in there is a week. Currently Leon is in there, however from my understanding he is looking to rank up his magic. Once you’re done with your initial training, I will seek you out once it’s your turn.”

Thanking Elise, she smiles and waves her hand.

“The next reason why I’ve summoned you here is to test you for a rank upgrade. With the Branch Masters approval, mainly due to your recent achievements, we will be testing you for Gold Grade.”

Seeing her excited face, I smile slightly. “Elise, can I wait till I’m ready? I…I want to work on my shortcomings first before I take that test.”

Seeing her excited smile falter for a moment, her smile returned to being the usual gentle one. “I understand. Once you’re ready, come and seek me out, okay?”

“Mm. Actually Elise, there was another matter I wanted to ask you about.” Explaining the situation with Olivia, Elise quickly took out a piece of paper and started asking questions, like Olivia’s class, how she looked, her age and more. After writing everything down, she said she’d try to search for information but it would take some time.

We talked for a bit more and I gave her the extra keys before I left the Guild with my hood over my head once again. Returning home, I found the workers were still going, and after making them another pot of tea as well as some ration cubes, I pulled out the seeds I had bought and started imbuing them with mana. It was a tricky process, and failing would destroy the seeds, but I had bought nearly double what I required.

***

It had been nearly an entire day since I began and imbuing the last seed, I sigh and sit back. I had failed on nearly half of what I bought, but thankfully I had succeeded on what I needed. By imbuing the seeds like this, it would make them grow a lot more strongly, and the fruit they yield would already be fully imbued with mana, meaning I wouldn’t need to do that during food preparation.

Looking outside, it was about midday, the workers had left a few hours ago once the master control was set up and confirmed as working. All I needed to do now was plant the seeds and activate the master control and everything would take care of itself.

Getting up to do exactly that, I spent the rest of the day carefully planting seeds in the correct areas. The backyard had transformed, with a path running down the middle while plots of soil stretched out. At the very back was a small shed, or as the workers had called it, where various equipment sat. While it looked simple, I knew underneath the backyard laid complex magic circles that controlled everything.

Feeling a bit excited, I started planting the seeds I had in the exact places I had planned out along with Xia.

***

Laying in my bed after a long bath, I felt exhausted. Spending so long under the sun while making sure to plant everything correctly was a lot more difficult than I had thought it would be. It would take about a week for it to start sprouting, and then about a month for the plants to grow more. Within two or three months they would start growing fruits and vegetables. Feeling quite excited, I sank my head into the pillow a bit more.

As I felt myself about to drift off, my instincts flared. Rolling from my bed, a loud bang resounds as it explodes. Rolling quickly onto my feet, I turned to face a hooded figure who had just struck my bed with a palm. As it turns to face me, I step forward as I wordlessly release my Domain.

Without giving the figure time to react, I move in quickly, dodging a strike and throw a punch out at its midsection. Dodging with little movement, the figure dances back as I remain in my spot, frowning slightly. I had attempted to check their status, however it showed nothing but question marks.

My Domain fully forms and I apply a Lunar Blessing to myself. I instinctively knew this figure was powerful, much more so than anything I’ve come across. Breathing out, I keep myself calm, even though I wanted to release my anger to summon Lunaria’s Fury, but I knew doing so right now would give this person an opening.

The figure suddenly disappeared as I felt danger from behind me. Throwing myself to the ground, I avoid a blow intended for my neck then bounce myself back up while turning with a kick. Deflecting my kick with a soft palm, that same palm then suddenly bounced right towards my head. Without any other option, I throw a fist to meet it.

Before it connects however, the figure vanishes once again…no, they weren’t vanishing, I simply couldn’t keep up with their movements. Turning once again, I saw the figure standing quite far from me, clapping.

Frowning, I kept my wind around my body as a familiar voice rang out. “Very good. There was some surprise, but you never once hesitated and adapted quickly. Oddly it seems you’re on guard all the time, I had thought waiting till you were nearing sleep would be enough to catch you unaware. Brilliant, you are very promising.”

Taking a step forward, I kept my guard up, but I knew who this was already as they lowered their hood. It was Halone.