Chapter 3 Malicious Rune
The week goes by like lightening. I woke up on my futon. After stretching my arms high above my head I went to my closet. I was elated to check the results of my training. I don’t know why but I couldn’t fall asleep with my equipment on. I look down slightly embarrassed about new size of my friend. After quickly putting on my clothes I went to check my license plate.
Lain
Level:1
Class: Mage
Blessing: unknown
HP: 100%/100%
MP: 100%/100%
The front of it has my basic information. The back contains my actual rating.
Strength: 20
Vitality: 10
Dexterity: 10
Intelligence: unknown
Luck: 8
Known Skills
[3-step]- Novice
[Blood Pact]- Novice
[Fireball] – Basic
I will have to get Tay that skill book quickly. If she had been able to heal me continuously then I wouldn’t have such weak results.
I sigh loudly. At least I can wield a broadsword now but at this strength I don’t think I will be able to hold it up for longer than a few hours. I will have to stick to the short sword if I want to fight monsters. It is not all in vain at least. I have unlocked the berserker skill [Blood pact]. I will be relying on it to boast my weak strength. I started to examine my body. I gained a little muscle. This scrawny body will be back in shape in no time. I wonder why I can’t see my intelligence. It can’t be that high. I glanced at the small magic book on my desk. Especially if all I have been reading is such a low level book.
I had taken up a new habit of waking up before daylight. I like to start my day as early as possible. I opened my front door to see it is still dark out. I stretch my legs out before taking a running stance. I sprinted as fast as I could towards the school grounds. I got there after about 15 minutes. I can finally run without losing my breath. I started to do some light training on my [3-step] technique. I improved greatly. I have increased the meters that I could dodge from one-half to 1.5. This may still be only half of what is possible in its full-potential but improving this much in a week is still good. It takes regular soldiers at least half a year to master the [3-step] technique. If I keep advancing at this rate I will master it by next week.
After I finished my light training in the school grounds I waited in front of the gates. The sun started to rise. Several students passed by and went into the school. A student stopped in front of me. He has a short sword and was equipped in light leather armor. I could tell he was a soldier. Usually soldiers equip light metal armor but it is unaffordable for students to purchase. So they use the cheap leather armor of rogues until they can afford to purchase it.
“I remember you. You are that mage that wanted to become a berserker,” the soldier said. “How is that coming along?”
I am surprised he hadn’t made jokes about me like some of the other students. He looked interested in my progress.
“I think I am getting the hang of it. I am Lain. What is your name?” I asked.
He extended his hand toward me.
“I am Russell. If you need any pointers you can ask me,” He offered. I shook his hand and noticed it was rough. He must be practicing the sword diligently. I wanted to have a duel with him. Seeing the strength and talent of someone in my generation will be useful. I will be able to tell how much I have to hold back in future fights. I will make them think I am an average talent at first.
“I will have to take you up on that offer. Do you know a good place we can spare?” I questioned.
He looked at me with a blank expression on his face.
“Spare? Are you sure? I am not a braggart but I don’t think I can avoid accidently injuring you if I go all out. I will try to go easy on you.” Russell said with a hint of concern in his voice.
“Don’t worry. Please go all out. I want to experience a decent fight,” I said.
“Okay but I warned you. We can head toward the forest behind the school,” He said while pointing behind me. He started to walk toward the forest. I followed behind him.
“Also make sure not to get to close to the forest. There are several monsters that can come out at anytime. I once saw slime redder than a fire come out unexpected. Lucky I ran quicker than it could chase,” Russell warned.
I laughed.
“A simple slime is not a thing I would run from,” I said.
“I thought you were brave but now I can see you are crazy if you think you can kill a red slime,” Russell said as he looked at me with his eyes wide.
“Let me tell you this. Red slimes are not average. They can use magic. If you get hit by its magic in that basic robe I don’t think you would live. I heard it takes at least 5 experienced soldiers to take it down. Even they wouldn’t come away without any injures,” Russell informed.
“I will keep that in mind,” I replied. Why is he so scared of a basic monster? I don’t remember too far back but I know one thing. Basic monsters were easy to kill. Really it takes that many soldiers. Are they fighting with their eyes closed and hands behind their back? Either he is exaggerating or this kingdom’s soldiers have poor fighting skills.
When we stopped walking the school was barely in sight. We were about a mile away from the forest. I looked at it from a distance. The trees extended far into the sky. I could see a lot of activity. The trees rustled even though there was no wind. I saw shadows moving at the base of the trees. Occasionally I would hear a blood curding screams that didn’t sound human. The eerie forest had a life of its own. After school I will have to get a closer look at it. I can’t help but see what they are scared of. Did the monsters get stronger or did this kingdom simply have no talent.
He lifted his short sword. We stood only a meter away from each other.
“I will let you have the first strike,” Russell said.
“No need come,” I reassured him.
“Don’t blame me when you get hurt,” As he said that he rushed towards me with his sword held high. He stroke downward. I braced myself. When his sword hit mine I barely felt any pressure behind it. I blocked it easily. After I reflected his sword he lost his footing. I took this chance to swipe at him with the wide side of my short sword. I didn’t want to injure him. When my strike hit he flew half a meter and fell on the ground. The sword fell from his hand as he gripped his side.
“Ouch. Why did you hit me so hard,” Russell complained.
“Sorry,” I quickly apologized. I scratched my head. I didn’t hit him that hard at all yet he fell. Maybe he is acting to get me to let my guard down.
“Damn. Okay I won’t hold back this time,” He shouted as he stood up. His light face turned red. I saw his nostrils flaring.
He regained his stance and attacked again. This time he went with a stabbing motion. I dodge it with ease. I didn’t even have to use the second step of my [3-step] technique. He nearly fell again as he went pass me. I wasn’t expecting much but this really it. Maybe in this part of the kingdom they don’t have capable teachers.
After he regained his stance he stood there.
“Okay I wasn’t planning on using my skills but you have forced me. Try to dodge this,” Russell roared as a blue aura covered his sword.
[Triple Strike]
He approached at me smoothly. I could hear his sword approaching as it made an unusual sound as it swiped through the air at a high speed. I had to use the first step of the [3-step] technique to block it. After blocking one strike a second and third approached instantly. They couldn’t pierce through the defense of my first strike technique. That skills strength was as weak as his other strikes but the speed was unexpected. I can see he must have used it several times to get it at such a speed. Maybe he should think of become a rogue instead of a soldier.
I feigned a surprised look.
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“Okay. I had enough. That skill was really something. I could barely keep up. You win. I don’t think I can take a second one of those,” I surrendered. There was nothing more he could show me. I know now how much I have to hold back.
He laughed loudly as he holstered his sword.
“They don’t call me the best soldier in class for nothing. I can teach you how to do it latter if you want. It only took me 5 months to master,” Russell bragged.
“I thought you weren’t a braggart?” I teased.
He puffed out his chest and stared at me.
“It doesn’t count if I am stating facts,” He said confidently.
He really is full of himself. I laughed instantly when he said that.
“What are you laughing at,” He said while looking at me with a confused look on his face.
I put away my sword and walked towards him.
“Thanks for the offer,” I said as I put my hand on his shoulder. He may be weak compared to me but I do like this is guy’s confidence. It wasn’t a blind confidence but one build upon diligence. That hard work might get him to be someone big someday.
“Let’s head back to class. I don’t want to be late,” I said.
He nodded. We both ran back toward the school. Of course I ran slower than him on purpose. He reached it before me. After I walked passed him he waved toward me before walking into the school building. I went back toward the gates. I had to catch James before he starts to teach. I am planning to skip class today and would rather get my broadsword before he goes in. I don’t want to embarrass him in front of all the students. Then again he might be too drunk to care. I decided to wait by the broken gates of the school.
“Hey Lain,” Luci greeted me while pouting. I wonder why she is frowning. I can see Tay approaching behind her. They both walked up to me.
“Did something happen?” I asked.
Luci walked passed me. She totally ignored my question and walked toward the school building. When I saw her enter the school building I noticed that Tay stayed behind. She was leering at me. It was getting uncomfortable so I tried to make small talk.
“Hey Tay, Thanks again for healing me the past days.” I said.
“It’s no big deal.” She replied while shaking her head side to side. The long dark gray hairs of hers end up covering her face. She brushed it out of the way casually and proceeded to start to leer at me again.
“Is there something on my face?” I asked while wiping my face. It may have gotten dirt on it from the spare with Russell.
She shook her head from side to side again. I pondered on what it may be. Why is she staring so hard at me? Please tell me already. I glance toward the school building wondering what Luci was doing. Wait. That might be it.
“Is there something going on with Luci?” I asked.
She shook her head up and down. Finally we are getting somewhere.
After she brushed the long hair out of her eyes she started to talk.
“Luci usually wakes you up,” Tay informed me.
I chuckled.
“I know that what does that have to do with anything?” I questioned. I don’t see it as a big deal. So what I wake up earlier now.
“You don’t seem to understand.” Tay said while sighing.
“You know she has been saving up to help you pay for a cart of alcohol.” Tay informed me.
“Why? I am going to win. There isn’t anything to save up for.” I said while looking behind her. Why isn’t James here yet? School should have started 10 minutes ago. Tay stepped into my line of sight.
“You should listen when someone is talking to you. I said she is saving up to help you pay off your debt and you stare into the distance,” Tay complained. She crossed her arms. It only lifted her breasts. They weren’t overly large but it was definitely bigger than someone her age should have.
“If you keep doing that how do you except me to pay attention,” I said as I let my eyes take a quick look at her breasts. I averted my eyes to not draw suspicion.
“Keep doing what? Don’t you know how much she cares about you,” Tay said. She leered at me even more. I guess that is her way of expressing anger but when a girl stares at me for that long I get a different idea.
“Of course she cares about me. We grew up together.” I said. I was reminded throughout my week of training by envious students how lucky I am for having her as a childhood friend. How is it lucky to have someone nag at you all day? I want her to believe that I will win. Not to save up behind my back.
“Then why don’t you call it off before it is too late?” Tay questioned.
My patience was starting to run low. I accidently glared at her with an evil look in my eye. She flinched and took a few steps back.
“I mean you don..n’t ha…ve to if you want,” She said with a trembling voice. “I just don’t want to see her sad like this.” She backed off a few more steps. I could see James finally arriving behind her. He was stumbling along the road with an overly large bottle in one hand and a broad sword in the other.
Tay looked at me with a pleading look in her eyes. I walked passed her and whispered.
“Just watch me. I won’t lose such an easy task.”
When James saw me approaching a huge grin broke out on his face. He staggered toward me. I saw him take a large gulp of the bottle in hand. The smell of alcohol was even stronger than ever. He must have drunk more than usual last night. I am considered about him. I am sure even he has his limits. It seems like he can’t go a day without a bottle.
He stopped in front of me and started to laugh madly.
“Why are you laughing so hard?” I asked.
He toke a swig of his bottle.
“It is because I am about to win the easiest cart of alcohol ever in my life. Did you prepare it yet? It is too late to back out,” He said while he had a glint in his eye.
“No need to. I haven’t lost.” I said calmly. It got irritating listening to him talk.
“Let’s get this over with already.” I said.
“Okay you shouldn’t be in such a rush to lose. All you have to do is hold this broadsword for 1 hour. It cannot go below your waist. I bet you won’t even last 5 minutes,” He said while chuckling.
He handed me the sword. I when I grasped it my feet sunk into the ground. My arm was shaking uncontrollably. I had to use my other arm to grasp it and held it up. My joints had a small dull pain that throbbed every other second. This sword is definitely heaver than it should be. I glared at James.
“Is there something wrong?” He said as he sneered. This drunken bastard made the sword heavier than usual somehow. I tried to examine the sword. When I checked I nearly lost my footing. The sword almost dropped below my waist. I jerked it upward. Afterward I stabilized it the best I could. I was starting to shake again and only 10 minutes passed. If this keeps up I will lose. I can only hold it for 40 minutes at this rate. Time passed slower than a snail. Large beads of sweat build up on my forehead. I felt my legs start to ache. 15, 20, 25 minutes passed. I am reaching my limit.
“Damn it,” I said through my teeth. My mouth was clamped shut. If I gritted my teeth any harder they would start to crack. 39 minutes passed and I felt my arms getting lower. I tried exerting more strength but I was already at my limit. If this continues I will have to use my [Blood Pact] skill. I want to refrain using it in front of people. I don’t think it is wise to expose that I can use berserker skills as a mage. From a distance he won’t be able to tell how ever when he is this close to me it would be hard to hide. The thin red aura would be noticeable.
The sword was almost near my waist when I saw a white light surround me. I felt the pain resigning. The strain on my muscles lessened. Even the dull throbbing in my joints disappeared. I immediately lift the sword high again. I glance behind me to see Tay healing me. A huge smile appeared on my face. I look toward James and see him with his mouth wide open.
“That’s cheating,” James complained.
Without missing a beat Tay replied immediately.
“You never said he couldn’t receive healing during the bet.” Tay looked me up and down before continuing.
“Plus anyone can see that sword is abnormal. Why did he sink into the ground after holding it?” Tay interrogated.
I could see James start to sweat a little. He rubbed his neck. He tried to take another swig of his drink but sadly only a drop came out. He threw the empty bottle away.
“What do you know about swords? I brought this sword today. Why did I not sink when holding it? It is because I am not weak. Clearly Lain is too weak to wield it. That is why he sunk,” James explained. Tay and I weren’t buying into his bullshit. Once the hour had fully passed James reluctantly gave me the sword.
“I shouldn’t let a cheating punk like you have this. Consider it a gift.” James said bitterly as he walked into the school building.
I didn’t refute his statement. After Tay and I examined the sword it clearly had an unusual rune on it. From what I can tell it was a basic weight increasing rune. I could tell it was even without my past knowledge. It is even listed in my basic magic book. It has no use in real battles because of its long imprint timing. It takes over 5 hours to imprint it into a weapon or armor. It is usually only used for training. It makes items weight 5 times their original weight. No wonder it was so hard for me to hold onto it.
“That scoundrel, we should report him to the knights,” Tay shouted angrily. I could see her face flushed in red.
“No need. I got my sword. I don’t want unnecessary trouble,” I comforted.
I don’t think they can do much about it anyways. Plus betting and gambling can be illegal for all I know. I won’t deliver myself to them. They would lock me away. Perhaps even kill me if they are strict. It is better to let that old fool go for now.
“What is wrong with you? If I wasn’t here you would have lost. Doesn’t that make you angry? I am telling Luci. She will do something. She wouldn’t let you be bullied by a drunken foul and neither will I,” Tay said quickly. She started to talk so rapidly that I barely understood her. I never took her for a vengeful person. It felt great knowing that she got so upset for me. We haven’t even known each other for more than a week. Well as far as I know I haven’t meet her before then. A friend of a friend is also a friend.
As we were talking I saw Luci run from the school building. She made a b line towards me. Is she really that mad that I didn’t let her wake me up? When she got near me she was staring into my eyes.
“Luci, I can explain. I get up early for..,” Before I could finish my sentence she hugged me. I nearly fell over because I wasn’t excepting it. As she clung onto my neck I smelled her nice scent. Her scent had a feminine allure which was as refreshing as freshly made tea. After a few seconds of spinning like a top in each other’s embrace she let go. She had a smile on her face that shined bright. She opened her eyes wide like she saw me for the first time.
“I can’t believe it. You really did it.” She said excitedly. Tay cleared her throat loudly. I glared at her. She took a few steps back. She then approached and quickly hit behind Luci escaping my glare. I hope she gets the message. Please do not tell her. I don’t want this to get out of hand.
Luci seemed to catch on.
“Lain stop staring at her. Can’t you see you are scaring her,” Luci complained.
I scoffed at her remark.
“I wasn’t doing anything of the sort. If anything she needs to stop staring at me.” I blurted out remembering her white eyes leering at me.
Luci playfully hit me on the arm.
“She wouldn’t do that. Don’t spread such rumors. Just because you won one bet you think you are on top of the world now?” She joked.
“Whatever,” I said.
I am the innocent one.
Now that this is over I wanted to go hunt in the forest with my broadsword. This however will be impossible as long as that weight increase rune is on it. The crappy thing about it is even if I somehow am able to wield it won’t even have the extra weight hitting the monster. The monster will feel as if I hit it with a normal broad sword instead of one that weights 5 times the amount. That rune is really useless besides for training. I guess I will use training until I can find a way to dispel the rune. It shouldn’t be too hard as it is a basic one.
I still feel the urge to fight a monster. I will go at it with my short sword. I walked toward the forest. Before I knew it I was at the edge of the forest. I was about to walk in when I heard a Luci’s voice.
“Lain, Are you crazy,” She said in a high pitched tone. She grasped my arm with an iron grip. I could see the fear in her eyes.