A Stubborn Idiot.

This was the trait that Trista associated with both her past butler as well as Reno.

When Trista met Reno for the first time, she was merely satiating some curiosity.

‘This guy has no vital core. Even if his reserves were almost out I should feel something but nope, nothing.’

‘It’s common knowledge that people without cores aren’t suited for combat.’

‘Even if he takes up blacksmithing, the school hierarchal as his grades are run on combat skills.’

‘What’s he trying to do?’

Due to this curiosity, Trista dragged Reno along with her to train.

She then offered Reno a product her family made, one that increased the rate of muscle growth with a side effect of immense pain.

Most others usually give up due to this side effect. Some lasted longer than others but most others would quit as soon as possible.

As such, she just wanted to see how far Reno would go.

To stay at the academy, to achieve whatever goals he might have.

When Reno used the potion and cried out in pain, she was a bit surprised.

‘The effects shouldn’t be this bad, even without a core. Did something go wrong?’

More time passed and Reno started doing more laps around the training room field.

As he went on, Trista started respecting him more.

‘He reminds me of Mr Eldon.’

‘Not very much but just because of his stubbornness.’

‘Even though it’s already been established that those with vital cores will be stronger than those without, he’s still trying.’

‘He’s an idiot.’

‘No… I’m the idiot.’

‘Looks like being around my mom has started affecting me.’

‘I’m not sure how it’ll turn out but let’s see how far he can go.’

This was the beginning of Trista’s relationship with Reno along with her goal of making him as strong as possible.

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Trista made up her mind and decided to do everything so that Reno could reach the sky.

Making sure he trained every day, Making sure he sparred at least once a week, Teaching him as much as she knew about blacksmithing.

She even went as far as to give Reno, ‘Grieving Maiden’ as a form of investment.

Was it an investment though?

Trista thought of it as such but at the back of her mind, Trista knew that it was more of insurance.

So that the chances of Reno dying were less.

So it would seem that Reno was growing stronger, that his potential was still untapped.

Reno and Trista were at the back of the academy, using a training ground that was out in the open this time instead of being inside.

Trista was sitting on a large rock that was placed at the end of the training ground while Reno was running laps on the track.

The breeze that was coming from the eastern side of the academy was cool and felt like it was dancing on Trista’s face and body.

This same breeze blew the leaves of the trees that were in the training ground.

Trista looked up into the sky which was filled with dark, grey clouds.

Not even a sliver of sunshine or clear skies were in sight.

She then looked at Reno who had weights strapped to his back and was running around the field, pacing himself.

He had done 15 laps so far and looked to be on the verge of passing out.

Even so, he kept on going.

Trista’s face grimaced.

‘Reno…’

Trista always seemed to be pissed off and annoyed, especially towards Reno at times but if anything.

It was just her twisted way of showing concern towards Reno.

Trista hopped off her rock and then clapped her hands together, causing a noise to reverberate throughout the training ground.

“That’s all Reno. You can stop now.”

Reno tilted his head as he was confused.

“Do you mean, that’s all for today?”

Trista shook her head.

“I meant that’s all, period.”

Reno’s face changed to confusion, as he didn’t understand what Trista meant.

With one step, Trista closed the distance between them.

“Reno, what are your stat values right now? I didn’t slouch training you for a month after all.”

Reno tapped his smart watch and then closed his eyes.

[Strength: E- → D- ] (3 stages progressed)

[Speed: F+ → D- ] (2 stages progressed)

[Defense: F → D- ] (2 stages progressed)

[Vitality: E- → E+ ] (2 stages progressed)

[Energy: N/A ] (0 stages progressed)

“They’re almost all D-, is there something important about that.”

“Do I need to do a more packed schedule or something?”

Trista shook her head.

“For the past month, I’ve been noting down your physical state along with getting some feedback from a trusted friend.”

“From what I’ve learned, you can’t go any further than D-, Reno.”

“If you try then instead of developing your body, you’ll start breaking it down.”

Reno’s world sank. He froze into place.

“Whuh?”

All the stress that he had been accumulating just outbursts at that one statement.

If it was anyone else apart from Trista, Reno would be skeptical but after being with Trista for some time.

He realized that she only wanted the best for him.

It was also due to this statement that old Reno and new Reno’s memories melded into one.

D- stats didn’t necessarily mean that someone was a D rank.

Being at the D rank meant that you were able to utilize techniques or your strength to take down a monster classified as such by yourself.

Humans were weaker than almost all other races so stats at the level of D rank did not automatically make you that rank.

Skills, Arts, and Techniques also played a crucial part.

Due to Reno not being able to use almost any of these, this meant that if what Trista said was true then his chances of becoming an elite combatant got slimmer.

Especially as the higher up the ranks you go, the harder it is to rise.

Along with his basic skills reaching high levels and being hard to raise their proficiency level.

Reno’s limited amount of pathways kept getting smaller and smaller it seemed.