Chapter 7: "Woodstone Town's Mysteries"

Before departing, Edward implored Luna to teach him some spells, and she obliged.

As Edward entered Woodstone Town, renowned for its dense woods and extraordinary mineral wealth, he found himself captivated by the tranquil atmosphere. The air carried a unique blend of earthy fragrances, and the gentle rustling of leaves from the towering trees created a melody that seemed to echo the town's harmony with nature. Deep within him, however, Edward harbored a secret—a gift and a burden: immortality. Aware of the potential consequences, he vowed to keep this aspect of himself hidden, fearing that the world might seek to exploit or experiment on him if the truth were known.

Woodstone stood apart from any town Edward had encountered. Its buildings seamlessly merged with the natural surroundings, crafted from timber that appeared to dance with the forest. The architecture achieved a flawless fusion of human artistry and the beauty of nature.

Edward, maintaining his calm demeanor, wandered through the narrow streets. He couldn't resist admiring how the town blended effortlessly with the woods, and the locals, serving as silent observers, exchanged nods and smiles, acknowledging the newcomer without direct interaction.

His initial destination, the Adventure Guild, a charming structure discreetly positioned at the town's outskirts, greeted him with Elza, a receptionist radiating an unwelcoming aura. She handed Edward a map with a terse instruction: "Go wait by the Ranking Leaderboard. Stand there until someone announces attention, signaling the commencement of the ranking test." Unfazed, Edward nodded his thanks, his confidence unshaken by the impending Ranking Test.

As people gradually formed a group, Edward, who hadn't arrived for hours, succumbed to weariness and fell asleep.

{Overseer} "ATTENTION!"

Startled awake by the sudden announcement, Edward, slightly disoriented, joined the group assembling near the Ranking Leaderboard. The once passive townsfolk transformed into eager participants, their faces revealing a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

Edward surveyed the diverse crowd as the test approached, noting the rugged attire of wilderness experts and the confident air of skilled individuals. The mysterious aura surrounding Woodstone Town seemed to extend to its residents, each harboring secrets and unique abilities.

Maintaining his calm demeanor, Edward listened as Brutus, the overseer, boomed his introduction.

{BRUTUS} "LISTEN UP, BOYS! I'M BRUTUS, AKA THE BRUTAL BUTCHER!! NOW PAY ATTENTION. WE'LL CALL YOU ONE BY ONE, AND EACH WILL RECEIVE

RANKINGS AND CLASSIFICATIONS. IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE CLASS, I SUGGEST YOU LEAVE NOW!"

{BRUTUS} "FIRST OFF, HAROLD ARCHEN! COME DOWN TO THE ARENA!"

A mysterious figure approached, clad in mage attire but armed with a sword.

{Harold} "Present."

{BRUTUS} "Swordsman or mage?"

{Harold} "WarMage."

{Brutus} "Good. You'll face another overseer."

With a thunderous shout, Brutus summoned Oliver, causing the glass to nearly crack, and contestants to wince.

{Oliver} "Jeez, no need to shout that much."

{Brutus} "He's your overseer. Mages, wait. Swordsman and martial artists, physical body required."

{Oliver} "Let's not waste time. Harold, prepare yourself."

As Oliver and Harold engaged in a magical duel, the crowd watched with heightened interest.

{Oliver} "Rebounding Fire Arrow!"

{Harold} "Fire Arrow II!"

Their spells clashed, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of magic. Oliver's arrow, flanking Harold's defenses, headed towards its target.

{Harold} "TCH! Earthen Wall!"

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Unexpectedly, the wall crumbled, and the arrow closed in on Harold once again. Switching to Warmage, Harold approached Oliver with enhanced speed and heightened senses.

{Harold} "Speed boost, Senses enhance!"

Unfazed, Oliver countered with a blinding Lightray, temporarily incapacitating Harold. A Water Arrow Unpiercing followed, with Harold narrowly evading.

As Harold launched another attack, a weakened Fire Arrow successfully knocked him out. Oliver, unmoved from his spot, showcased his prowess.

{Brutus} "Impressive, Oliver! Harold, you're out."

The crowd murmured, acknowledging Oliver's skill. Edward, still observing, analyzed each participant's abilities.

{Oliver} "Who's next?"

Edward, calm and composed, stepped forward.

{Brutus} "Stranger, what's your name?"

{Edward} "Edward."

{Brutus} "Well, Edward, step up. Let's see what you're made of."Well, Edward, step up. Let's see what you're made of."

As Edward ascended the platform, meeting Oliver's calculating gaze, the atmosphere grew tense. The crowd hushed, anticipating the clash between the mysterious newcomer and the skilled mage. In Woodstone Town, the mysteries deepened with each duel, and Edward was poised to become a central figure in its unfolding narrative.

However, before Edward faced Oliver, he had to prove himself against the imposing overseer, Brutus. As Edward positioned himself on the platform, Brutus, the Brutal Butcher, eyed him with a mixture of amusement and arrogance.

{Brutus} "You think that fancy light magic of yours can stand up to the force of Brutus? Well, let's see, shall we?"

Brutus, with an air of nonchalance, swung his colossal axe in a wide arc, sending shockwaves through the platform. Edward, though maintaining his calm demeanor, felt the pressure of Brutus's immense strength.

{Brutus} "Come on, shine-boy. Show me what you got!"

Edward, conjuring his radiant light, attempted to create a defensive barrier. However, Brutus, seemingly uninterested, sauntered forward and swung his axe with deliberate slowness.

The clash was inevitable. Edward's light barrier met Brutus's weapon, and the platform trembled with the impact. The townsfolk, who had been enamored by the elegance of Edward's earlier display, now watched as he struggled against the overwhelming force of Brutus.

{Oliver, whispering to a spectator} "Brutus is toying with him. It's like a cat playing with its prey."

Edward, feeling the strain, gritted his teeth and focused his energy to reinforce the barrier. Brutus, with a smirk, increased the pressure. The light barrier flickered as if unable to contend with the sheer brute strength of the overseer.

{Brutus, laughing} "Come on, is that all you got? I expected more from someone with such fancy tricks."

The crowd's murmur shifted from awe to concern. Edward, determined not to yield, channeled more energy into the light barrier. The struggle continued, the clash of forces creating an intense spectacle on the platform.

{Oliver, to the onlookers} "Edward's testing the limits of his magic against Brutus's raw power. This is turning out to be more interesting than I thought."

As the minutes passed, Edward's resilience began to make an impression. The light barrier, initially faltering, now held more steadfastly against Brutus's deliberate assaults. The townsfolk, sensing a shift in the dynamics, started to rally behind Edward.

{Brutus, feigning surprise} "Well, well. Looks like the shine-boy's got some backbone. Let's see how much longer you can keep this up!"

The struggle between light and brawn intensified, the platform beneath them bearing witness to a clash of contrasting strengths. Edward, though still under Brutus's imposing shadow, was determined to illuminate Woodstone Town with the brilliance of his magic. The mysteries of the town, now entwined with the ongoing spectacle, seemed to anticipate the resolution of this formidable challenge.

The struggle between light and brawn intensified, the platform beneath them bearing witness to a clash of contrasting strengths. Edward, though still under Brutus's imposing shadow, was determined to illuminate Woodstone Town with the brilliance of his magic.

Feeling the ebb and flow of the confrontation, Brutus, with a sudden shift in demeanor, disengaged from the contest of strength. A wicked grin crept across his face, revealing a new anticipation. He unslung a massive sword from his back, the metal glinting in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees.

{Brutus} "Enough of this light show. Let's see if you can dance with a blade, shine-boy!"

Edward, quick to adapt, summoned a radiant blade of light into his hand. The crowd, previously entranced by the magical struggle, now erupted in excitement as the overseer and the newcomer prepared for a sword fight.

The clash of steel echoed through Woodstone Town as Brutus swung his colossal sword with raw power. Edward, wielding his nimble light blade, danced with precision, parrying Brutus's heavy strikes. The platform became a stage for this unexpected duel, and the townsfolk watched with bated breath.

{Oliver, commenting to a spectator} "Now it gets interesting. Brutus is not just a brute; he's got skills with that sword. But Edward, he's like a living light, so unpredictable."

The fight continued, each combatant probing the other's defenses. Edward's agility and finesse were pitted against Brutus's overwhelming strength and experience. The mysteries of Woodstone Town seemed to converge in this clash, as if the very essence of the town resonated with the unfolding spectacle.

Edward, with a burst of radiant energy, executed a dazzling maneuver, disarming Brutus and leaving him momentarily stunned. The townsfolk gasped in astonishment. However, Brutus, unfazed by the setback, retrieved his sword and chuckled.

{Brutus} "Not bad, shine-boy. But let's see if you can keep up!"

Despite Brutus's earlier display of overwhelming strength, there was a subtle change in the dynamics of the sword fight. Edward, determined and resilient, seemed to find a new energy as he faced Brutus's powerful swordplay.

Brutus, who had initially gone easy on Edward, now decided to end the dance. With a sudden surge of strength, he parried one of Edward's nimble strikes and delivered a swift counterattack. Edward, caught off guard, staggered backward.

{Brutus, grinning} "You've got some moves, shine-boy, but don't think for a moment you can match the might of Brutus!"

With a series of powerful strikes, Brutus overwhelmed Edward. The townsfolk, who had been cheering for the underdog, now watched in silence as the dance turned into a display of Brutus's dominance.

{Oliver, watching closely} "Brutus is a master with that sword. Edward's skills are impressive, but he might have met his match."

Brutus, with a final, decisive blow, disarmed Edward and sent his light blade scattering across the platform. The townsfolk gasped, witnessing the conclusion of the intense duel.

{Brutus} "Well fought, shine-boy. But remember, might is the ultimate power in Woodstone Town."

As Brutus walked away, leaving Edward on the platform, a mix of disappointment and admiration lingered in the air. Edward, though defeated, stood tall, his demeanor unbroken.

{Edward, to himself} "I may not have won, but the mysteries of Woodstone Town run deep. This is just the beginning."

The participants, regardless of the outcome, acknowledged Edward's resilience.

{Brutus} "Hold on a moment. What's the story with that hair of yours, shine-boy? Ain't a common sight 'round these parts."

Edward, maintaining his composure, responded calmly, "It's a trait I was born with, nothing more."

Brutus, though gruff in demeanor, couldn't shake off his curiosity. The townsfolk, too, exchanged glances, intrigued by the exchange.

{Brutus} "Born with it, eh? Well, we don't see many folks with hair like fresh snow. Keep an eye on him, Oliver. Let's see if that hair hides more than just an odd color."

As the chapter concluded, Woodstone Town's mysteries deepened, and Edward found himself entwined in a tapestry of secrets and challenges. The enigmatic aura persisted, casting a captivating spell over both residents and visitors alike, beckoning them to explore the unknown paths that lay ahead.

CHAPTER 7 END