"As expected, Ark is strong." Silvia started saying nonsense. "You unhesitently reached out to help."

"It was you who found Phia."

(It's your damn fault! Don't shift the responsibility to me!)

"But when I tried to help, the only method that came to my mind is using the money and power of my family. I couldn't heal Alma's wound. I am not knowledgable about herbs." She was frustrated.

It was harsh not being able to help with your own power. Silvia realized that if she wasn't a duke's daughter, the only thing she had left is her strength and talent. Only brute force, that was what she cultivated all these years.

Depite receiving education from top class instituations, she had no practical knowledge like Ark. Ark not only can use magic to incredible versatility, but also knows many types of herbs.

"Honestly, I would give it all up for more power. All the knowledge only means I am still weak."

Ark couldn't rely on his own strength to survive. He needed to use everything around him to the fullest. It was because of such weakness that he ended up injured to need the herbs and healing magic.

The young man named Ark had many worldly desires. Money, fame, women—it was these unimportant things that emphasized his rotten personality—but above all, stands his supreme unquenchable thirst for power.

The will to be strong reverbrated endlessly in his heart. He wanted the power to mow down his enemies with ease. He wanted battles to be simple from the gap between sides.

Being strong. That is the desire and core according which Ark acts upon, before all else.

"But you are so strong already!"

"I'm still weak. I can't help but want more and more power, enough to never take even the slightest injuries from the fiercest battles." Ark was in sync with his thought, a rare occasion. "That's just who I am. I just want to attain absolute strength, regardless of how delusional and impossible it may seem."

It is a cruel wish. Many talented people work to improve themselves, and there are many techniques to fight one strong opponent. Absoluteness is a concept that even the Hero and Demon King simply cannot materialize.

"And what would you do if you ever reach such a state?"

What'd an aboslute do given the power? What would Ark do if his impossible goal is accomplished?

"What'd I do?" Ark looked at Silvia as if she asked a silly question. "Obviously, I will be the Hero who protects the world. I won't allow a single casualty."

(That and use the money to live luxurily, duh. Oh, and massacre some dragons to flex!)

Forget being Hero, Ark still hasn't figured out how to be a decent human being. Give this man the power of the Hero and you'll find yourself in deep shit.

But taking his words at face value, Silvia found no words to express her admiration. Thinking Ark of someone with noble desires, only to be sorely mistaken.

"Haaa, I will work even harder to catch up."

"Eh?"

(No! No no no no no!!! Spare me from more effort! Just kick the bucket, or else I will die! How can you shamelessly want mt death so badly!? Noble my ass! Murderer! Training fantatic!)

It seem Ark had no second to spare. He might have done better to keep his mouth shut had he known, but it's already too late.

Losing all sense of leisure he had gained, it was time to call the end of this date. Bidding farewell (swearing inwardly), he reunited with Elizabeth and teleported back to the Solitary Wolves.

Had Ark not been so pressured by Silvia's declaration of pouring more effort, he might have noticed the discerning gaze of his commander trying to penetrate his nature.

"Ark! You are finally back!" Storming at Ark was the red haired elf, Liliana. She was anxious all the time waiting for Ark to return. "How did it go?"

While it was still not on the level of 'love', Liliana had developed a strong attachment to Ark, who was the first to ever complimented her cursed hair and shared a life and death experience with her. Knowing he went on a date left her uneasy.

It was regrettable that it's Ark. Anyone else would've been fine, but the one-sided bond she felt was to a man who'd discard her to save his own skin if left no choice. Not to mention, he was only nice to her because she was his type, and he often referred to Liliana as an idiot in his mind.

"Urg! I don't want to talk about it, okay?" Ark was preoccupied with his thoughts and didn't even notice the relief in Liliana's face. "I've got to go training..."

There were no breaks for Ark.

It is the price of being a fraud that deceive everyone he meets with. The innocent ones who believed in Ark's character are claiming their payment like loan sharks.

(Recently, all I do is train or fight. Damn you Silvia... I will kick your ass in our next bout!)

"I don't think so." Elizabeth casted paralyze on Ark who was heading to a training ground. "You used magic, didn't you? Now your condition has slightly worsen."

As expected of the Sage. She accurately saw through Ark's condition in a flash. It wasn't on the level of deep concern, as Ark was reluctant to use magic, but some minor damages were indeed there.

"It can't be helped. Something important (my pocket money) was at stake!"

He was skillfully ignored. "Liliana, take this training fanatic and patrol around the village. I trust you'd keep an eye on him."

"Yes, commander."

That was an order, one Liliana was happy to comply. She dragged the immoblizied Ark who was swearing in his mind.

(What training fanatic? If it wasn't for that damned Silvia, I wouldn't have been forced to train so hard. Or rather, I wish I could take it easy!)

Ark was a being above all else. Only he could be so shameless. Only he could curse a cute girl he just went on a date with.

"You will recover fully in three days. Nothing but physical effort is allowed!"

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

(Then let me train! It's a million times better than patrolling in a boring village.)

With no other choice, he surrendered to Liliana pulling him.

"I am not a training fanatic."

"I... know."

"No, I'm really not. Please believe me."

"Of course." It was a pitying expression, as if she looked at someone crazy.

(This idiot... I will remember this.)

Ark is petty. No doubt he will. But for now, it was time to patrol the village. With such quiet place, the atmosphere is tranquil and no threat is at sight.

It was a waste of time for Ark, but he couldn't think of a way beyond it. The troublesome task is a direct order from his commander, after all.

(Even so, this is just making me angry.)

He had already consumed his philantropic quota for eternity a long time ago. It was the act of helping others that usually brings a sense of fulfillment, instead made him uncomfortable. Doing good deeds without benefit is painful.

Maybe it wasn't suitable for Ark to be a decent human from the very beginning.

"Young miss, how have you been?" A farmer amicably approach Liliana with a smile.

"Mister Boris, I am fine. Thanks for asking."

"Here, have a potato."

"Thank you."

It was a very natural conversation. No doubt Liliana is well known and liked around the village. It is thanks to her effort in subjugating monsters as well as communicating with the common folk on even ground.

(You are like a pet dog.)

"...Liliana, make sure not to receive candies from strangers."

"Hmm?"

"Nevermind..."

He was sighing at the munching Liliana as Boris finally took note of him.

"You are that kid joining that mysterious knight order. Except for the little lass, we barely got a sight of the other members."

"Yeah, they are all kinda eccentric."

(Also psychos. I don't recommend meeting them unless you are an idiot.)

Boris laughed. "To put it mildly. Here, have a potato as well."

"Thanks."

Ark would never refuse free food. He galdly accepted it and started munching on his own. Maybe he is the one who should be careful not to take candies from strangers.

"How is it? Mister Boris raises one of the best potatos in the country!" Liliana boasted as Boris scratched his head with a gleeful smile.

"Dunno. It's my first time eating a potato."

His taste buds were also ordinary. Having been dulled from eating mostly dried meat during his adventurer days, he wasn't picky and couldn't tell much on food.

"What, yer telling me your mother never cooked you a potato before?" Boris was surprised.

Ark's manners were that of a commoner. He could act as noble, but there was no such need now. He is a commoner after all.

But even commoners get to eat a potato often in their life. It's one of the cheapest ingredients and is used widely in various forms of dishes.

"She tried, many times." Ark explained, the traumatic experience briefly rises before he suppresses it. "My mother has a unique ability to transform any edible substance into charcoal, regardless of her will."

His childhood had him constantly take raw ingredients or hunting. Ark nearly died several times trying to avoid his mother's cooking.

"T-that's an amazing ability!"

"I think it just means she can't cook, young lass."

"...I knew that."

(As expected of Liliana. A true idiot.)

Thereafter, the two continued their patrol while receiving various crops. No abnormality detected, just as expected from a rural village with the base of a knight order nearby.

Peaceful scenery of the village surrounded by mountain range from one side and forest from the other, with fresh clean air induced tranquility into the heart of the people.

Sunset took place. Orange, pink and purple filled the sky as the stars slowly revealed their presence.

"How was it? Did you have fun?"

"It was refreshing."

"Training is important, but also rest. Make sure to take a break and enjoy the peace."

It seems Liliana was watching over Ark. She knew that he had exhausted himself not only physically, but also mentally, and tried to make this patrol an opportunity for Ark to relax.

"Thanks,"

Ark smiled, but only on the surface.

The importance of a break? Even a dunce like Ark was aware of it. He took small breaks whenever he was practicing to cool his head. However, Ark is different from other people.

He loathes training from the bottom of his heart. Every swing of the sword or a casted spell highlights his incompetence. Pushing his body to the limit is nothing but torture. Never once had he enjoyed immersing in such training.

Ark's firm desire to be the strongest is the only thing allowing him to continue. And yet, if he doesn't torture himself with training, deep anxiety gnaws him.

(But it's worth it. Being the strongest is the best.)

Reminiscing his recet battles with Silvia and Orcus, he vividly remembered the sense of thrill back when he overwhelmed these strong opponents.

A body moved with sheer speed and force incomparable to anything else he had ever experienced. Blasting powerful magic without break, annihilating the enemy and decimating the ground.

It was intoxicating. The faint sense of absolute power that couldn't be afforded often left him drunk, wanting for more.

Power is his drug. The more he takes, the more he need it. His weakness pains him like a junkie with withdrawal symptoms. Ark cannot stop himself, nor does he want to.

The desire for power, the anxiety of standing in place, and the desperation of the weak. Ugly emotions swelled inside Ark under the mask of a calm smile, going undetected.

◇◇◇◇

"Expanding mana veins? You sure have picked a dangerous subject, Ark."

Patrolling with Liliana for three days, Ark was now fully recovered and could use both magic and spirit.

It was now time to delve into the newly discovered concept to further enhance his magic. The expansion of mana veins he had experienced is perfect for speeding up spell casting, a necessaity for a swordmage.

"Dangerous how?" Standing in the office of Commander Elizabeth, Ark questioned.

Who is better to ask for advice in this world if not the sage? Elizabeth may be a hundred years ahead of all the researchers across the continent at all magic-related subjects.

"Think of your magic power as this cup of water. The glass is your mana veins, and my hand tilting the cup as the velocity of the mana flow. Our body makes sure to balance the glass and water to a minimum degree." All amusement left the commander's face as she stared at Ark with her ice-blue eyes. "Messing with this balance at best cause a continuous mana overflow or shatter the mana veins completely at worst."

That would end Ark's path as a mage. As his surperior, and even more as a fellow magician, Elizabeth could not bear see him ruin himself.

"I will take my chances."

"...No, you won't. There's practically no benefit. What is the highest grade of magic you can cast instantly?"

"Intermediate..."

"With that level and that flimsy magic power you'd drain yourself pretty quickly anyways. Sorry, but there're no shortcuts to getting stronger."

Saying so, Elizabeth scruitinized the sighing Ark. She had been curious since the day they met about him. Because he was unfathomable in many ways, it revealed difficult to gauge him.

"No, not a drop of talent in your blood."

"Urg.."

Ark flinched as though being pricked by a needle. It was a sensitive spot for him, as he could not deny it.

"Hey, don't be so dejected. Just because you are so talentless to the point of anomally, so talentless in magic even beastkin are better suited, so talentless with sword spirit even elves are better suited... what was I trying to say?"

(This bitch! Did she really try to say something good, only to forget while insulting me?)

The worst is he cannot refute. It was only truth Ark had to face when he first took the path of a mage and swordsman. Since he was equally inferior to any race's weak points, there was no way he didn't realize.

He tried his best but had it no been for Phantom, he would never have managed to survive, let alone achieve his dreams and ambitions.

"Sorry, but I had to reaffirm your lack of talent. Otherwise I may forget."

Intermediate instantaneous magic cast. It is a feat that may sound simple, but the reality is anything but.

Magicians are rarer than warriors, only one out of a hundred. Among these already rare magicians, only one out of a hundred could perform insta-cast of mid level spells.

It is ludicrous that a talentless individual is one in a ten thousand rare people. Anyone would make the mistake of seeing talent in Ark.

They are all mistaken.

"Supplementing the control you lack with concentration. It seems everything you do is reaching the realms of the talented merely with that beastly mental strength of yours." There was a rare admiration in her voice.

"I guess it's something like that."

Ark felt proud of himself for impressing the sage. It should be obvious since he defeated both the Sylphid and ancient gluttony demon, but he had always wanted to make the members of the Hero Party who saved the world impressed.

The Sage. She was a cruical component in the Hero Party and is arguably the best magician in the continent. Possibly the world.

Of course, he had full intentions to surpass her, but that didn't deny a slight admiration. It's especially true as Ark dreamt to be the Hero.

"Your stupidity is at the peak of the world. Are you aware of your body's burden? From now on, come regularily for check-ups."

With that said, Elizabeth kicked Ark out and contemplated.

'That brat, he really is desperate. He was desperate even before meeting Silvia. Just don't let it consume you, or else your fate wouldn't be better than the Demon King.'