Soren spent the next few days training with his new sword, just as Beatrice had suggested. He practiced his strikes, footwork, and defenses until he felt comfortable with the weight and balance of the weapon. He was determined to be fully prepared for any combat situation.

When Beatrice and Runa found him, he felt he was ready. "I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of it."

Beatrice nodded approvingly. "Good job, Soren. But don't get too cocky. We need to make sure you're ready for anything. So let's go to the Guild; they have a training ground."

The trio made their way to the Guild training ground. The sun was high in the sky, and Soren could feel the excitement building in his chest. This was his chance to gain experience fighting against real opponents.

"Fighting people is nothing like fighting beasts and monsters, so don't get ahead of yourself. Instead, take your time and get used to it." Beatrice advised.

Soren saw that the training ground was bustling with activity as they arrived. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes were sparring with each other, trading blows, and practicing their techniques. Various weapons and shields were lined up against one of the walls.

Beatrice led the way, eyes scanning the crowd for potential sparring partners. "Let's split up and find someone to spar with," she said. "We'll meet back here in an hour."

Soren nodded and headed in one direction, scanning the crowd for someone to challenge. He saw a group of adventurers sparring together and approached them tentatively.

Soren took a deep breath as he approached a group of adventurers sparring together. He could feel the weight of his new sword in his hand, and he was eager to test his skills against others.

"Excuse me," he said, clearing his throat. "Would any of you be interested in sparring with me?"

The group of adventurers stopped their sparring and turned to look at Soren. They eyed him up and down, smirking at his novice appearance. Finally, they scoffed and turned back and continued sparring, ignoring Soren.

Soren was determined to improve his swordsmanship skills, but he knew he needed to find someone to practice with who wouldn't just scoff at him like the group of adventurers. As he was walking around, he heard a voice behind him.

"Hehe, I'll fight ya. kid." Soren turned around to see a tall, muscular man walking toward him. "I love knocking around newbies."

Something about the man seemed familiar to Soren, but he couldn't quite place it. As he approached, the man looked down and locked eyes with Soren. Soren could see the recognition dawn on the man's face as well, and he suddenly realized why the man looked familiar. Likewise, the man recognized Soren.

He was the goon in the middle of the other two goons who had accosted a Juna at the Guild not long ago, remembering how menacing and aggressive he was towards her.

"Awe, don't worry, I'll go easy on you. You see that wall full of weapons? You can grab a sword that is similar to yours. Hehe, they're all blunt, so you know I won't kill you. At least I'll try not to."

Soren felt a flush of anger rising on his cheeks. He knew he wasn't the most skilled swordsman but wouldn't back down now. So instead, he grabbed a blunt sword similar to his size and weight, then returned to the goon. "I may not look like much, but I'm willing to learn," he said, gripping his sword tightly.

The man chuckled and drew his blunt sword. "Alright then, let's see what you've got," he said, launching himself into a fierce attack.

Soren struggled to keep up with the man's quick movements and powerful strikes. The man was more skilled and experienced than Soren, but Soren refused to give up.

As they sparred, Soren couldn't help but notice the man's sneering expression, making him uneasy. The man gave a cruel laugh and fierce attack and sent Soren flying back.

Soren's anger flared up, and he realized he had been too focused on his training to recognize the danger of practicing with someone with a history of violence. He quickly ended the spar and turned to leave, determined to find a more suitable training partner.

He made a mental note always to be cautious and aware of his surroundings, even when focused on his training. He wanted to avoid making the same mistake twice and knew he needed to stay vigilant to continue his adventures safely.

As Soren was walking away, the man called out to him. "Hey, where do you think you're going? We're not done yet," he said, a menacing grin spreading across his face.

Soren stopped in his tracks, feeling a knot form in his stomach. He had hoped that the end of the spar would signal the end of their encounter, but it seemed that the man had other ideas.

"I think we are done here," Soren said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I need to get going."

But the man refused to let Soren leave, "Oh no, we're not done until I say we're done," he said, brandishing his sword again. "I want to see what you're made of and want everyone else to see it too."

Soren felt his heart pounding in his chest as he realized that he was trapped. However, the man had an advantage in skill and strength, and Soren could not escape this situation.

The man started to advance on Soren, and Soren instinctively raised his sword in defense. They began to spar again, but this time it was different. The man was more aggressive than before and seemed to enjoy the fight too much. Soren could hear laughter and jeers from the crowd gathered to watch, and he felt his face flushing with embarrassment.

As the fight wore on, Soren began to feel the fatigue setting in. His muscles were burning, and his movements were becoming sluggish. He knew he couldn't keep up this pace forever, but he also knew that he couldn't let himself be defeated by this man.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Soren saw an opening. The man made a clumsy move, leaving himself vulnerable for a split second. Soren seized the opportunity and landed a well-placed strike on the man's sword arm, causing him to drop his weapon.

Soren quickly stepped back, raising his sword in case the man tried to attack again. But to Soren's surprise, the man just laughed and slapped his back.

"Ha! You've got some fight in you, kid," he said, grinning broadly. "I think I might have underestimated you."

Soren didn't know what to make of the man's sudden change of heart, but he didn't want to stick around to find out. So he quickly sheathed his sword and made a hasty retreat, grateful to be out of harm's way.

"Next time, it's to the death."

Soren didn't like the sound of that. The man's sudden change in demeanor was unsettling, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about him.

"What do you mean, to the death?" Soren asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

The man just grinned. "I mean exactly what I said. Next time we fight, it will be to the death."

Soren's heart sank. In his past life, he had read fantasy books with stories about adventurers who had been killed in duels, and he knew that he didn't stand a chance against this man in a fight to the death.

"I don't want to fight you to the death," Soren said, stepping back. "I'm just here to train and get better."

But the man wasn't listening. "You don't have a choice, kid. Next time we start fighting, it's all or nothing.".

"I think I need to go," Soren said, edging away from the goon. "Thanks for the spar, but I need to go now."

But the man just laughed and raised his sword, pointing toward the sky.

With the goon's sword held high, a sudden commotion broke out on the edge of the training ground. Soren saw several guild workers rushing towards them, their hands on their weapons.

"Stop!" one of them shouted. "This is not how we settle disputes in the Adventurers Guild!"

The man scoffed at the Guild workers. Just then, Beatrice and Runa were at Soren's side, their weapons drawn and ready. "Leave him alone!" Beatrice shouted.

The man backed off slightly, eyeing the three of them warily. "This is none of your business," he growled. "This is between me and the kid."

But Beatrice stood firm. "It is our business when our friend is threatened," she said, her voice cold and steely.

"Threatened? I just wanted a friendly sparring match, hehe."

The man looked around at the growing crowd of adventurers gathered to watch the commotion. Then, finally, he dropped his blunt sword and walked away.

Soren took a deep breath, feeling the tension drain from his body. He was scared and didn't know how to escape that situation. Yet, he was grateful to Beatrice and Runa.

"Are you okay?" Runa asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Soren nodded, still feeling a little shaky. "Thanks to you guys," he said, looking at Beatrice and Runa. "I don't know what his deal was."

"We're here for you," Beatrice said, her voice warm and reassuring. "We're a team, and we stick together."

Soren felt a surge of gratitude towards his two companions. He knew he still had much to learn but was grateful to have such strong and supportive allies.

As the commotion died and the crowd of adventurers dispersed, Soren turned to Beatrice and Runa.

"I need to tell you, guys, something," he said, his voice low and serious. "That guy I was sparring with...he's not just any random adventurer. He's the same guy accosting Juna with the other two guys inside the Guild."

Beatrice and Runa looked at each other, their expressions turning grim.

"That's not good," Beatrice said. "What did he want?"

"He said that our next fight would be to the death," Soren said, still feeling a chill run down his spine. "I don't know what to do."

Runa walked up to Soren. "Don't worry, Soren," she said. "We're here for you. We won't let anything happen to you."

Beatrice nodded in agreement. "We'll keep a lookout for that guy," she said. "And if he tries anything, we'll be ready for him."

Beatrice and Runa smiled. "We're a team," Beatrice said. "We look out for each other. That's what being an adventurer is all about."

Now that everyone had calmed down, Beatrice turned to Soren and urged him not to let this encounter deter him. "Let's take a lunch break and return for more training."

After the incident with the goon, Soren decided that he would instead train with Beatrice and Runa instead of sparring with strangers. He knew that they were skilled fighters and that he could learn a lot from them.

The trio made their way to the training grounds again, this time with a different purpose, improving his technique.

Under Beatrice and Runa's guidance, Soren began to practice different swordplay techniques. He learned to evade an opponent's attack and strike precisely and accurately. Beatrice and Runa took turns sparring with Soren, giving him valuable feedback and helping him to improve his form.

As they trained, Soren became more confident and skilled with his sword. He was beginning to understand how to effectively anticipate and counter his opponent's moves.

After hours of practice, the trio took another break and sat under a nearby tree to catch their breath. Finally, they called it a day and continued training the next day. They prepare for several days this way.

After two weeks of intense training with Beatrice and Runa had passed, Soren felt confident that he had made significant progress in his swordsmanship. Excited to put his new skills to the test, he made his way back to the Guild training grounds.

As he arrived, he saw several groups of adventurers sparring with each other, exchanging blows and practicing their techniques. Soren walked around, looking for a suitable opponent to challenge.

He approached a group of adventurers who seemed to be at a similar skill level to him and asked if they were interested in a spar. One of them stepped forward.

Soren raised his sword, ready to engage in a friendly match. However, the man quickly proved to be a formidable opponent. He deftly blocked Soren's attacks and landed several solid blows, knocking him off balance.

Soren tried again, using some of the techniques he had learned. But no matter what he tried, the man seemed one step ahead.

Defeated, Soren stepped back, panting heavily. The man looked down at him with a sneer. "Is that all you've got, kid?" he taunted.

Soren felt his face turn red with anger and embarrassment. He had thought he was making progress, but it seemed he still had a long way to go.

Determined not to give up, Soren continued to challenge different adventurers at the training grounds. But each time, he was quickly defeated. He had been sent flying, thrown around, hit with a barrage of fist strikes, pinned down in choke holds, and endured many attacks from different adventurers.

After several unsuccessful attempts, Soren slumped against a nearby tree, feeling defeated and discouraged. "I thought I was getting better," he muttered to himself.

Beatrice and Runa appeared beside him; concern etched on their faces. "What happened, Soren?" Beatrice asked.

Soren explained how he had been unable to beat any of the other adventurers he had challenged, being quickly defeated each time.

Runa placed a comforting hand on his hand. "Well, of course, dummy. You've only been training for two weeks. It takes time to develop your skills."

Beatrice nodded in agreement. "And remember, the adventurers at the guild are some of the best in the business. So, naturally, you might struggle against them."

Soren took a deep breath and nodded. They were right. He needed to keep training and practicing, and eventually, he would become a skilled adventurer.

"We trained with Hilda for almost a year before we went on our first quest," Beatrice said. "So don't rush it."

"You've been training hard, Soren," Beatrice said. "Sometimes it's good to take a step back and observe others. You can learn a lot from watching how they move and fight."

Runa nodded in agreement. "You can pick up on their techniques and strategies. And it's a good opportunity to see how you might improve your skills."

Soren was hesitant at first. He felt he needed to keep pushing himself to improve, and watching others might be a waste of time. But he trusted their judgment and decided to give it a try.

Soren sat back and watched the other adventurers spar. He was amazed at the skill and agility of some of the adventurers, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for them.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

In one corner of the training ground, he saw two women with daggers in hand, moving with lightning speed and striking each other with deadly precision. Soren marveled at their quickness and agility, wondering if he could ever move like that.

In another corner, he saw a man with a broadsword, blocking and deflecting his opponent's attacks quickly. Soren was impressed with his strength and technique and wondered how he could learn to use his sword with such skill. It wasn't just about brute force or power but strategy, finesse, and quick thinking.

He saw a group of adventurers sparring together, each using their unique fighting style to gain an advantage. Soren noticed how they worked together, covering the others' weaknesses and playing off each other's strengths. He watched as they moved with grace and fluidity, striking and dodging with precision.

As he watched, Soren relaxed and let go of his frustration. He realized there was more to training than just pushing himself to the limit. Sometimes it was about taking a step back and learning from others.

Soren watched with curiosity as the sparring suddenly stopped, and all the other adventurers turned to face two men who had stepped into the center of the training ground. He noticed the other adventurers were standing in a circle around them, creating a makeshift arena for the two men to fight.

The air was thick with tension as the two men began to circle each other, their eyes locked in a deadly stare. Soren could see the muscles tensing in their arms and legs, and he knew this would be an engaging fight.

"Oh man, I can believe they're going to square off," one person said.

"Right! I can die happy knowing I get to witness this fight," another person said.

The girls grabbed Soren, pulling him toward the onlookers, "Come on, let's watch this fight!" Beatrice said.

Soren watched in awe as the two men in the center of the ring began their ferocious battle. They were wielding blunt swords, and steel clashing against steel echoed through the training grounds.

The first fighter was a tall, muscular man with a bald head and a thick beard. He wore a leather vest and shorts, revealing his toned physique. The second fighter was a leaner man with short brown hair and a focused expression. He wore a loose-fitting tunic and pants.

The two men circled each other more, their swords held at the ready. Suddenly, the bald man lunged forward, swinging his sword in a wide arc. The brown-haired man stepped back, dodging the blow, and countered with a quick thrust. The bald man blocked the attack and swung his sword again, this time in a downward chop.

The brown-haired man sidestepped the blow and swiftly kicked the bald man's side. The bald man grunted in pain but retaliated with quick strikes, forcing the brown-haired man to backpedal. The crowd cheered as the two fighters continued to exchange blows. Attacks both landing and being blocked, neither gaining the upper hand.

Soren was impressed by the speed and agility of the fighters. He had never seen such skilled combat before. As the fight continued, he noticed patterns in their movements and techniques. He realized that he could learn a lot by simply observing.

This intense fighting continued for a while, but the bald man finally landed a mighty blow that sent the brown-haired man tumbling. The crowd cheered as the bald man raised his sword in victory.

The brown-haired man lay sprawled on the ground, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he gasped for air.

But even as the bald man celebrated his victory, the brown-haired man began to stir. Then, finally, he slowly pushed himself up, wincing as he did so. The crowd watched in hushed anticipation, wondering if he would continue the fight.

To everyone's surprise, he did. The brown-haired man stood up and retook his stance, his sword held firmly. The bald man looked at him in disbelief but didn't back down.

Soren watched as the two men circled each other warily, their eyes locked in a fierce stare. And then, suddenly, they charged at each other with a ferocity that took Soren's breath away.

The two swords met with a loud clang filling the air. Soren watched as the fighters exchanged blow after blow, each more powerful than the last. The crowd roared with excitement, cheering on their favorite fighter.

Despite his initial defeat, the brown-haired man seemed to gain the upper hand. His movements became more fluid and confident, his attacks more precise. Soren watched in amazement as he delivered a swift strike to the bald man's chest, sending him tumbling across the ring.

The bald man struggled to get up, his sword clattering to the ground beside him. The brown-haired man approached him, his sword held at the ready. Soren held his breath, wondering if he was about to witness a knockout blow.

But instead of striking his opponent, the brown-haired man extended a hand to help him up. The bald man looked surprised but took his opponent's hand and stood up, then dusted himself off.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the two fighters bowed to each other in a show of mutual respect. Soren sat there, feeling inspired by the display of skill and sportsmanship.

As the fighters left the ring, Soren turned to Beatrice and Runa, a newfound determination in his eyes. "I want to be able to fight like that someday."

After the duel ended, it was declared a draw. The trio walked over to the two fighters to congratulate them on their impressive display of skill.

"Excuse me, that was an amazing fight," Soren said, approaching the bald man and the brown-haired man. "I couldn't help but notice how well you both fought with those blunt swords. Where did you learn to fight like that?"

The bald man turned to Soren with a grin on his face. "Thanks, kid. I learned to fight like this from years of experience. My name is Gruff, and this is my friend Thorne."

Thorne nodded in greeting; his brown hair slicked back from sweat. "Yeah, we've been fighting together for a long time. We're part of a mercenary group that travels around taking on jobs. It's tough work, but it pays well."

Soren's eyes widened in interest. "A mercenary group? That sounds interesting."

"What kind of jobs do you take?" Beatrice inquired.

"Anything from escorting caravans to protecting villages from bandits," Thorne answered.

"We'll take on any job as long as it's legal and the pay is good," Gruff added.

Soren couldn't help but admire their confidence. "How did you guys get into this line of work?" he asked.

Thorne shrugged. "It's a way to make a living. We both come from poor families, so we had to find a way to survive. Mercenary work pays well and is much more exciting than working on a farm."

"Sounds like a tough life," Runa said.

"It is," Gruff agreed. "But it's also rewarding. We travel to different places, meet new people, and take on new challenges. And, of course, there's the coin."

"Can we join you on one of your jobs sometime?" Soren asked.

"Well, we don't usually take on newbies, but if you can prove your worth, we may consider it," Gruff replied.

"Though we're mercenaries, we're registered with the Guild. You appear new to this, so give it some time and gain experience. We do tough work that isn't for the faint of heart. We don't plan on relocating anytime soon. I would say a couple of years or so, then contact us. I'm sure by then you'd make a fine addition." Thorne added.

"Two years?" Soren thought to himself.

Seeing Soren's facial expression, Gruff reassured him, "We're not trying to insult or blow you off. We're just telling you the harsh but honest truth. We've seen a lot of messed up shit doing this line of work."

"Let us tell you a story about a job we were on a while back regarding a wealthy family," Gruff said.

"Oh, that job," Thorne remembered.

Soren listened intently as the two fighters recounted their tale. The story was tragic, and it left a heavy feeling in his chest.

"So, what happened?" Runa asked quietly, not wanting to interrupt the somber mood.

"Well, we were hired to escort a wealthy merchant and his family to a neighboring city," Gruff began. "We were told that bandits were on the road, and they needed protection."

"We accepted the job, of course," Thorne continued. "It was good pay, and we were confident in our abilities. But we didn't know the bandits weren't the only threat on that road."

"The merchant had two sons," Gruff continued. "They were always bickering and arguing about who would inherit their father's wealth. It was a constant source of tension during our journey."

"Then, one night, when we were camping, we were attacked by a group of raiders," Gruff said. "We fought them off, but in the chaos, we discovered that one of the brothers had betrayed us and killed the other. He had made a deal with the raiders to kill his own family for the promise of a share of the wealth."

"It was a brutal fight," Gruff said, his voice low. "Brother turned against brother, and we were caught in the middle. In the end, the brother who had betrayed us and his own family was killed by his kin. We managed to protect the rest of the family and get them to their destination, but the damage had been done."

Soren felt a wave of sadness wash over him. He couldn't imagine the pain and betrayal that the family must have felt. "That's terrible," he said softly. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

The two fighters nodded, their expressions grave. "It's the reality of our work," Thorne said. "We see the worst in people, but we also get to help those who can't help themselves."

Gruff and Thorne asked about some of the quests the trio had been on.

Soren told them about the incident at the library and losing consciousness. Next, Soren told them about his quest to collect mana ore from a cave that became goblin-infested. He described the dark, dank tunnels, the fierce battles with the goblins, and the thrilling sense of adventure that had propelled him forward.

The fighters listened with rapt attention, nodding along as Soren spoke. Then, they asked questions, wanting to know more about the goblins and their lair.

Finally, Soren told them about the incident with Elwin and his old sword. He explained how Elwin had sabotaged the blade to humiliate him or worse and how he nearly died.

"Really? That's fucked up!" Thorne said.

"Elwin, why does that name sound familiar?" Gruff is thinking out loud.

"He was that blonde-haired guy in light armor with that big sword. He wanted to join us for a job, remember?" Thorne replied.

"Oh! I remember, but I don't think it was the job he was interested in, haha." Gruff said

"That idiot, haha. Jori would never give him the time of day. She's way too good for him." Thorne said as both fighters laughed. "I can't believe he would do that, though. Anyway, sorry to interrupt, please continue."

The conversation turned to the forest; Soren shared how they had discovered the source of the pollution and worked with Ava to solve the problem.

"What did you do with the ore?" Gruff asked.

"We brought it back with us," Runa said

"Well, if you don't have it processed, you can sell it for a good chunk of coins, depending on its size."

The trio looked at each other, "We didn't think about that. After we returned, we went to the tavern to celebrate and were interrupted by thugs. Later we turned in for the night and forgot about it." Beatrice said.

The fighters stood up, ready to depart, and encouraged the trio to keep training at the Guild. It's a great way to gain real-life experience and hone their skills.

"What are you guys gonna do to end the night?" Gruff asked.

"I'm going to go to the tavern and ask Hilda for advice about strength training. You two are more than welcome to join us?" Soren said

"Next time, we have to get up early tomorrow. So have a good night, kids." Gruff replied.

The trio went to the tavern, but Soren sat on a bench to think outside. The girls asked if he was OK, and he nodded. So they decided to leave him with his thoughts.

"Hey ladies, how was your day? Wait, where's Soren?" Hilda inquired.

"He's outside. He must still be upset about earlier," Runa replied.

"What happened?" Hilda continued.

Soren sat on a bench outside the tavern, deep in thought. He replayed the sparring matches he had lost earlier at the guild training grounds, trying to figure out where he had gone wrong.

He knew he had been working hard to improve his skills, but it didn't pay off. No matter what he did, he was no match for the other adventurers.

Soren sighed, running a hand through his hair. He knew he shouldn't let the losses get to him, but it was hard not to feel discouraged. Then, as he sat there, lost in thought, he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Hilda standing behind him with a warm smile.

"How are you doing, kid?" she asked.

Soren sighed again, knowing he couldn't hide his feelings from Hilda.

"So I hear you were getting your ass kicked all day today, haha." Hilda chuckled.

"I'm feeling a bit discouraged," he admitted. "It's not fun losing, and I lost a lot."

Hilda sat beside him on the bench, putting a comforting arm around his shoulders. "It's okay to feel that way," she said. "But remember, progress isn't always linear. Sometimes we have setbacks, but that doesn't mean we're not improving overall."

Soren nodded, taking comfort in her words. "I know," he said. "It's just frustrating."

"I understand," Hilda said. "But you're not alone in this. Beatrice and Runa are here to support you, and so am I. We believe in you, Soren. You have the potential to be a great fighter, and you will get there with time and practice."

Soren smiled, feeling a little better. "Thanks, Hilda," he said.

Hilda patted his shoulder. "That's what I'm here for," she said with a grin. "Now, let's grab you some food, and hey, if you don't improve, then I'll kick your ass until you do, haha."

Soren chuckled, feeling a little lighter. Maybe things weren't so bad after all.

"There you go, kid," Hilda smiled.

"Hilda, can I ask you something?"

Hilda looked up at him and smiled warmly. "Of course; what's up?"

Soren explained his desire to become stronger and more skilled as an adventurer. Hilda listened carefully, nodding thoughtfully.

"Well, Soren, becoming a skilled adventurer takes time and practice," she said. "It's not something that happens overnight. But there are a few things that you can do to improve your skills."

Hilda went on to explain some of the training methods she had used during her old adventures, such as sparring with other adventurers, practicing with different weapons, and studying the tactics of other adventurers.

She also advised Soren to build his physical strength and endurance, essential for long and grueling quests. In addition, she recommended that he take on challenging physical activities, such as running, climbing, and swimming, to build his stamina.

"Remember, Soren," Hilda said as he turned to leave. "Becoming a skilled adventurer isn't just about physical strength. It's also about developing your mental and emotional resilience. You need to face challenges and setbacks with courage and determination."

Soren nodded, feeling grateful for Hilda's guidance. Soren couldn't help but think about how he could apply her advice in this world. While sparring with other adventurers and practicing with different weapons were readily available, building physical strength and endurance seemed more challenging.

In the original world, Soren could go to the gym and lift weights to build strength. But in this world, gyms were not available; he had to think creatively about how to strength train.

Soren stood up from the table. He thanked Hilda for her kind words and headed towards the inn. The girls stayed at the tavern. When he arrived, he went straight to their room. Soren began his training, starting with some stretches to warm up his muscles. After warming up, he began doing basic exercises for strength and conditioning, like push-ups and squats. He also did planks, laying leg raises, and lunges.

By the time he was done, he was sweating and out of breath, but he felt satisfied that he had accomplished something.

He decided to head to the bathhouse to wash off the sweat and wind down for the night. Opening the door, he was surprised to see Beatrice and Runa standing on the other side.

"Oh.. hi, Soren!" Beatrice said nervously.

"Uh, hi? Did I open the door before you could?" Soren replied, a bit confused.

"We overheard you exercising and didn't want to interrupt you, and we couldn't help but peep a little," Runa explained, a mischievous grin on her face.

Soren blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Oh, sorry about that. Wait, why were you peeping?"

"Don't worry about it," Beatrice said, smiling. "We're just glad you're taking your training seriously."

"I'm going to take a bath. Don't you go trying to peep on me there, perverts," Soren laughed as he exited the room.

The girls watched him leave. They were both smiling as it seemed he was in better spirits.

As he entered, he was enveloped by the warm and steamy atmosphere. Soren paid the attendant and was shown a private bath.

He undressed and stepped into the hot water, sighing in relief as the warmth enveloped his tired muscles. He leaned back and closed his eyes, letting his mind wander at first but kept his mind clear, content to be in the moment, soaking in hot water and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. After a while, he got out of the bath and dried off. He wore his robe and returned to the inn, feeling refreshed and ready for a good night's sleep.

As he lay in bed, he still kept his mind clear. Then, as Soren drifted off to sleep, he began to have a terrible nightmare. He found himself alone in a dark and ominous forest, with a sense of impending danger lurking around him.

Suddenly, he heard a rustling in the bushes and turned to see a pack of snarling wolves charging him. Soren drew his sword and fought back, but he quickly realized that his weapon was no match for the ferocity of the wolves.

As the wolves closed in on him, Soren felt a surge of fear and panic grip him. He tried to run, but his legs felt heavy and uncooperative. Finally, the wolves caught up to him and began to tear at his flesh, causing him immense pain and suffering.

Soren cried out for help, but no one came to his aid. He was alone and vulnerable, at the mercy of the vicious creatures. He struggled to keep fighting, but the pain and fear were too much to bear.

Just as he thought he was about to be devoured by the wolves, Soren woke drenched in sweat and gasping for air. He realized it was only a nightmare, but the fear and trauma lingered.

Soren took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. "It was just a nightmare. I used to have them a lot as a kid," he said. Finally able to calm down, he drifted back off to sleep.

Soren woke up the following day feeling groggy and disoriented from his nightmare. As he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, he suddenly noticed two figures next to him in bed.

Beatrice and Runa were fast asleep and snuggled up next to him. Soren's heart skipped a beat as he realized how close they were, and he couldn't help but blush, squealing at the thought.

He carefully extricated himself from the bed, trying not to wake them. As he got up, he noticed that they both had peaceful expressions, as if they didn't have a care in the world.

Soren stood there momentarily, admiring Beatrice and Runa's beauty and feeling a sense of warmth in his chest. He couldn't deny that they were both attractive, and he started to wonder what it would be like to be with them but immediately stopped thinking that he shouldn't be having those thoughts about them.

He didn't want to ruin his friendships or make things awkward with them. He knew they had a special bond and didn't want to be between them.

With a heavy sigh, Soren got dressed and prepared to start the day. He knew he had to put his feelings aside and focus on exercising. Who knows what will happen, but he was content with their friendship for now.

Beatrice woke up and realized she was not in bed when she opened her eyes. She turned her head and saw a blushing Runa awake, looking at her, "Good morning," Runa said. Beatrice greeted her, and then she noticed Soren sitting at the long end of the bed, fully dressed and with his back to them.

"Good morning," he said, turning around to face them.

Beatrice blushed, feeling embarrassed about being in Soren's bed, and quickly got up. Runa followed suit, still rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Soren," Beatrice said. "We didn't mean to intrude."

Soren waved his hand dismissively. "It's no problem at all. We should accept a request today."

Beatrice nodded and started getting dressed. "Let's go then."

As they made their way to the Guild, Beatrice couldn't help but feel awkward around Soren. She didn't know what to say or how to act after waking up in his bed.

Meanwhile, Runa seemed wholly unfazed and chatted away with Soren.

When they arrived at the Guild, they were greeted by Alulia, "Good morning, guys."

The trio greeted her and went to the request board. After looking around, they each pulled a paper off the board.

"Hmm." Runa murmured, " "Urgent delivery needed to the town of Vale. High pay for fast delivery."

As the trio looked at the available quests, Yuli, the librarian, walked into the Guild to submit a request. She seemed worried and stressed, as if she had something necessary to deliver. Soren approached her and asked if she needed any help.

Yuli hesitated momentarily but then explained that she needed an escort to deliver some vital cargo of books, scrolls, and various items for magical inscriptions to the city of Vale. She had heard that the roads were dangerous and feared her cargo might be stolen or lost.

Soren, Beatrice, and Runa looked at each other and nodded. They had never been to Vale before but were eager to help Yuli and take on this mission. Soren asked Yuli for more details about the cargo and the route to Vale.

Yuli explained that the cargo was precious and contained some irreplaceable ancient manuscripts. She also told them that the road to Vale was long and treacherous and that they would have to cross through forests and a steep mountain pass.

"Oh," Runa said, " I have a request right here also needing a delivery to Vale. So we could kill two birds with one stone!"

"What does it say?" Beatrice asked.

"The quest involves delivering ten crates of rare herbs to a healer in Vale. The herbs are crucial for treating a severe illness that has plagued the city, and the healer has requested urgent delivery." Runa replied.

"Oh, it makes sense why I need to deliver such a large shipment to Vale. The books and scrolls are for healing," Yuli said.

"Can your wagon support the additional ten crates?" Soren asked.

"I don't see why not," Yuli replied.

"Sweet, then we'll accept both quests if you're okay with that, Yuli?" Soren said.

"Of course," Yuli said, "The sooner we leave, the better, so please collect those packages and get whatever you need before we head off. I'll be here waiting for you."