“Even if it is a powerful trait, she still should consume a lot of stamina to move that fast… perhaps a few times more than she would do by covering the same distance without using her trait.”

The other kids showed some interesting traits, but nothing like the girl who defeated Zelos. Still, getting used to them would be worth the hassle, for experience’s sake. In the end, Zelos went to his tent, thinking that he had done the right thing by coming to that place… if he could spar with everyone like that, he would be able to gain the experience that he wanted. Unfortunately, the next day, Heirina decided to return to the basic training. Her intentions were obvious… she wanted to let everyone think for a while about how they could improve after watching all that.

At the end of the week, when Zelos joined the other kids, he received another day off. He couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows since he didn’t have to work or train that day. Just when he felt motivated to do so because on the previous day, he had gotten a bit stronger and on the day before, Regeneration had improved as well.

Health: 510/510

Magic: 120/120

Stamina: 400/400

Strength: 28

Vigor: 23

Precision: 17

Wisdom: 10

Willpower: 12

Traits:

Regeneration Lv 38

“I guess I will spend the day training and only a break to eat at noon,”

After making up his mind, Zelos did that… while he wasn’t used to training during the day and in the open, he ignored the stares that he had. He had to stop, though, when some people approached, and then he saw Hei among them.

“Sorry for bothering you. I imagined that you would take it easy today.”

“There was no need to treat me differently when I accepted your offer. As far as I can tell, there are other people around who deserve more that kind of treatment than me.”

“You think I was doing that? I was just being a bit cautious because of your origin and behavior. It is quite hard to get a good read of your facial expression, after all. I also don’t interact with kids often, aside from Heirina.”

“That must be the name of the short-tempered instructor.”

“I don’t know what she said to you, but don’t take it to heart. She has her reasons, even though I told her to ignore them a bunch of times.”

“No worries. Whatever she said was soon forgotten after I gave her my responses.”

He studied Zelos for a while, and then his club was made of several planks. It was a weird training tool. It was too big and heavy for a kid of his size unless he had a trait that increased his strength, but if that were the case, there would be better ways to improve that.

“All the kids showed promise, and Heirina won’t do anything that will push you guys beyond the necessary, so you don’t have to worry about that. However, I will have to tell you today that soon enough, the training sessions will have to come to an end, at least for a while.”

“Why?”

“I am planning to send her to gain some experience doing something else. That job might take a few weeks. However, she doesn’t have to go alone, and she can choose whoever she wants with her.”

“I am not suited for any kind of job now, and I am satisfied with what I am doing right now. The sparring sessions are interesting, though.”

“You can continue with that along the way. It isn’t like you will travel day in and day out.”

“Our personalities aren’t compatible.”

“That I can’t deny. Anyway, you can refuse the offer. This is just my prediction anyway, and it isn’t like it is certain that she will choose you.”

Hei left without even saying what was that about… still, his previous idea of what it could be good for Zelos worked, so perhaps the second one would be the same.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Any experience is a good experience… is that how it goes? Where did I hear that again?”

Zelos also felt like improving in silence and focusing on what he could do would be a better option for efficiency’s sake. However, he also couldn’t deny that he could learn more about some abrupt changes. All in all, there was no clear path that he could follow. There is no such a thing as perfection, after all.

For the next few days, Zelos realized that Heinara was deep in thought, so she apparently already received information about the job that she was going to do. Thanks to that, he had time to think about his surroundings more and realize that he was severely lacking when it comes to information. He needed to learn more about the world… strength would give him the chance to defend himself when his life was being threatened, but knowledge will give him the tools to thrive in other fields and improve himself in other areas as well.

At the end of that week, Heinara called everyone that had been working under her. That was a first. She rarely said anything after the training sessions, after all.

“In one month, my father will start the tests for those who can join our clan. You all have priority, but you still need to undertake the test. Still, considering the spirit and the skills you have shown until now, you should be able to join with no problem. Continue training until then and you should have no problem pulling it off. I am going on a mission out of our territory and this will take a few weeks, so you will be on your own until then. That is all.”

Although they kept their distance, the kids around said bye to Heirina and thanked her for a bit before leaving. Zelos couldn’t understand the need for such a drama, even more so when their distance was still the same. Regardless, much to his surprise, she called out for him, the tall guy with good reflexes and the insanely fast girl.

“Thank you for staying behind. As I said before, I am going on a mission. Someone called for me to do a job outside our territory, but it will be pretty boring and I don’t want to fall behind on my training. While you all are younger than me, I believe that you can be of some help in that regard.”

Zelos raised his eyebrows… that was an unusual way to ask for a favor… or to hire someone for a job. Since there was nothing in for Zelos, he thought that it would be better if he refused the job altogether. Heirina will be the leader of the mission and with that attitude, one could tell how insupportable she would be during the whole thing.

“I wanted to refuse the job, but that would put the clan in a bad light. It is an escorting job, so you guys will be paid three sapphire coins and you won’t have to worry about food.”

That was the same amount that Zelos could get by working for three months on the farm… and free food! He couldn’t have asked for more. Still, he calmed down, since he couldn’t fall for such easy temptation. Not everything that shines is gold.

“Who are we supposed to escort?”

“You will learn when we find them.”

The tall guy studied Heirina… he didn’t look bored that his question was answered like that. He could tell that it was someone relatively important, but if that was the case, why would they hire Heirina alone? She might be the next head of the clan, but she was still far too inexperienced, and those who knew her also knew her short temper. If someone called for her, that someone should know her fairly well…

“I am in.”

The quick girl said without hesitation. She seemed to be in a good mood for some reason, to the point that she didn’t even care that much about that mission… Zelos couldn’t help but think that her judgment needed some work.

“If you are still interested after hearing just this much, then come here tomorrow at sunrise. That is all.”

Heirina left the area and then the other girl left. She looked determined already, but the other two were not so much. Since the quick girl was going as well, Zelos could tell that the mission would be more annoying than actually difficult, but the idea of free food was too appealing to ignore. Unless something really happens, he will be able to train as much as he wanted, eat as much as he wanted and be paid for it…

“This is quite the tough choice, don’t you think? But the merits outweigh the demerits.”

“I am not so sure about that.”

After saying that, Zelos decided to leave… The sun had already set, so he had to make his choice soon and tell the chubby farmer that he would be out of the town for a while. Perhaps that will be good for Zelos, since he will miss his work, so he might be willing to offer him a raise.

“I would accept a bucket of cow’s milk every day.”

In the end, Zelos decided to accept the offer and told the farmer about the mission. He didn’t even try to convince him to stay since missions outside were important. He didn’t even ask for the details.

After doing some light training, Zelos began to pack his things for the trip. He didn’t have much, so traveling would be easy. Still, he felt like he should buy some things along the way. He had been saving a lot of money despite the fact that he currently eats enough for three people. He felt his health improving and so was his training speed and efficiency, so he didn’t feel many reasons to stop with that.

“I was starting to get used to life here, but this will be helpful. No need to second guess myself.”

With those thoughts in mind, Zelos went to bed and woke up a bit earlier than usual. After a couple of minutes, he had packed his last things and tent as well… ten minutes later, he was on the training grounds and the tall guy and the quick girl were there. From the back of Hei house, Heirina showed up while riding a large carriage being pulled by four horses.

“Hop on. We need to be moving before the sun rises. It isn’t like we are in a race against time, but I would rather finish this as quickly as possible.”

Those three entered the carriage and confirmed that it was basically a small, but comfy room… there was no food there, so Zelos felt like he had been tricked. Soon enough, the carriage began to move, and then he sighed.

As Zelos sat down and watched the scenario moving through the window of the carriage, he realized that he had never ridden anything in his life. Not even horses… he had always been a slave, so he felt weird by the fact that he was moving without using his legs.

“This might be a bit late, but we should introduce ourselves… I am Heirina, but you should call me captain during the mission. This is official business, after all.”

Zelos was amazed that she called people to work with her that she didn’t even know their names. It looked like she was only planning to hear the names of those who truly join the clan…