After a moment of silence, Adam stood up and returned inside the castle. He carefully collected the ashes of Luros, placing them in a vase, which he set on a shelf. His gaze lingered on the ring that had once connected him to Luros. He stared at it for a while before checking for the instructions to open a portal. The System promptly provided the step by step guide, and Adam prepared for the next stage.
Following the System's instructions, Adam activated the portal, the space around him shifting as the familiar glow enveloped him. He took a steady breath, trying to keep his focus. There was a purpose to all of this.
With a soft hiss, the portal stabilized, and Adam stepped through it.
As his feet hit solid ground, Adam took a moment, grounding himself before setting off toward his village. He kept his pace steady, walking calmly, trying to keep his emotions under control. The journey was quiet, but his mind raced. The village was close, and it would be a relief to return at least, that's what he thought.
But as he rounded a corner, his eyes caught the faint plumes of smoke rising into the sky. His heart skipped a beat, and without another thought, he broke into a run. The smoke grew thicker, the air feeling heavier with each step. It wasn't long before he reached the center of the village, only to stop in his tracks.
The village.. was gone.
The once bustling homes, the familiar paths, the comforting sights nothing remained. Only rubble, ashes swirling in the wind like forgotten memories. His eyes burned as he stood there, unable to believe what he was seeing. The remnants of his past, scattered in every direction.
"No.. this can't be.." Adam whispered, his chest tighten with the weight of what was lost. His hands trembled as they reached for what was left of his home, but all he could grasp was cold ash.
Adam sank to his knees, the weight of it all too much to bear. His gaze lifted to the sky, tears streaming down his face. His breath was ragged as he whispered, "Father.. forgive me. I failed to protect Mom.. and our home village. You told me I was next to becoming chief.. but I wasn't ready. I'm sorry for failing you."
He wiped his eyes, trying to steady his trembling hands. With a deep breath, Adam pressed his palms together and whispered a prayer. A final goodbye to those he had lost, the ones who had given him everything.
For a moment, he stayed there, feeling the heaviness in the air around him, but it wasn't just sorrow he felt, it was a resolve. He had to keep moving.
Adam bent down, carefully placing a few delicate flowers on the ground, their soft colors a stark contrast to the darkened village. It was the only gesture he could make, a small tribute to the fallen, to those who couldn't be saved.
Standing tall, he took one last look at the ruins of his village and turned away, walking toward the forest. There was no turning back. No more time for regret. Adam wandered through the forest, his mind clouded with thoughts of the village. What was he supposed to do now? Where would he even go? His steps were slow, almost aimless, as he wrestled with the weight of everything that had happened. His home, his family, everything was gone.
Just as his thoughts began to spiral, a familiar voice broke through the silence. Adam's eyes widened. He knew that voice.
Without hesitation, he ducked into the bushes, moving carefully as he followed the sound. Pushing past the leaves, he spotted a figure near the river, hunched over, washing a pan in the water. The way the sunlight reflected off the pan, the careful movements there was no doubt. It was Alexavier.
Relief surged through him like a wave, his chest tightening. Someone was still alive. Without thinking, Adam bolted forward, his feet kicking up dirt as he ran.
Arthur barely had time to look up before Adam crashed into him, knocking him to the ground.
"Whoa!" Arthur barely managed before Adam's arms wrapped around him in a desperate embrace.
Tears spilled down Adam's face as he clung to him, his shoulders trembling. He didn't care how it looked. He didn't care about anything else right now, Arthur was alive.
Minutes passed before Adam finally calmed down, his breathing steadier as he pulled away. Arthur sat up, brushing off some dirt while giving him a curious look. "Damn, you almost crushed me," he joked, but his smile faded when he saw Adam's expression.
Adam swallowed hard before speaking. "My village.. it was attacked," he said quietly. "I'm the only one left."
Arthur froze. His body tensed as his mind processed the words. For a moment, he just stared at Adam, and then, without warning, he turned around and pulled him into another hug.
"I'm sorry.."Arthur whispered. "I should've been there. I should've helped."
Adam shook his head. "It's okay," he murmured. "The enemy was too strong. Someone already tried to stop them, but.. he didn't make it." His voice wavered slightly, but he forced himself to stay composed.
Arthur let out a deep sigh before finally pulling back. He placed a firm hand on Adam's shoulder. "Then stay with me for now," he said. "I'll help you get stronger. You won't have to face this alone."
A small, grateful smile tugged at Adam's lips. "I'd like that."
With that, the two stood up and began making their way back to Arthur's home.
As they walked, Arthur suddenly perked up. "Oh! I almost forgot-" His eyes lit up with excitement. "I found some weird-looking rocks in a cave nearby! Never seen anything like them before, so I mined them. Thought they might be valuable or something."
Adam glanced at him, surprised by the sudden enthusiasm. "You mine?"
Arthur smiled. "Yeah, kinda. I collect materials when I can. Never know when something useful might turn up."
Adam nodded, taking in the new bit of information about him. He hadn't known much about Arthur before, but he was starting to get a sense of who he was.
The tension from earlier hadn't disappeared completely, but for the first time since the attack, things felt just a little bit lighter.
Once they arrived at Alexavier's home, Arthur led Adam to a small forge he had set up near his house. Inside, an anvil sat at the center, surrounded by tools and half finished weapons. Arthur grabbed one of the strange rocks he had mined and placed it onto the anvil.
"You see this?" he said, gesturing at the ore. "No matter what hammer I use, nothing can break it. Heat doesn't soften it either. It just refuses to be worked with!"
System Alert: Rare Ore Detected
Type: Aetherium Crystal
"This rare mineral is known for its extreme durability and resistance to heat, making it nearly indestructible. No ordinary tools, iron, diamond, or typical spells can break it. Only those with the right tools or specialized magical abilities can soften or break it. It can be used for forging powerful weapons if processed correctly. Proceed with caution."
Adam raised a brow. "So.. are you a blacksmith?"
Arthur let out a small chuckle. "Not really. I want to be one," he admitted. "My old job was being a knight, but I got kicked out for something stupid."
Adam tilted his head. "What happened?"
A scowl crossed Arthur's face as he picked up his hammer. "I tried to protect a citizen from some arrogant high ranking knight, my own boss, actually. But since he outranked me, I was the one who got punished. They threw me out for 'disrespecting authority.'" He let out a bitter sigh. "So now, I'm just figuring things out. Blacksmithing is kinda my new hobby."
Before Adam could respond, Arthur suddenly grabbed his hammer and raised it over the ore. "But right now, I need this thing to break!" he cried out dramatically, slamming the hammer down. The ore didn't even chip.
He tried again. And again. And again. Each time, the hammer bounced off uselessly. Tears welled up in his eyes as he shouted, "Why won't you break?! I need you to work!" He kept hitting it, his frustration growing with every failed attempt.
Adam couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "Alright, let me take a look," he said, stepping closer.
Arthur huffed but handed him the ore. Adam studied it for a moment. System Alert: To soften the Aetherium Crystal, channel magical energy or use a heat source capable of altering its molecular structure.
Adam slowly followed the directions, focusing on channeling his energy into the ore. A faint glow surrounded the rock as he gently concentrated on softening it. Once he felt it give way, he tossed it back to Arthur. "Try now."
Skeptical but hopeful, Arthur lifted his hammer and struck the ore again. This time, the metal gave way. His eyes widened. "No way.."
His excitement suddenly exploded. "Adam, look! It's soft now! This is it!" His smile was so big, it could have split his face in two. "I can finally work with it!" He danced around the forge, showing off the new ore like it was the most precious thing in the world.
Adam laughed softly, watching him spin around with glee. "Well, go ahead then, show me what you can do with it."
Arthur smile only grew as he took the softened ore and placed it into the fire. Once heated, he pulled it out and began working it with a newfound sense of urgency and joy. His hammer rang out in a rhythmic beat as he shaped the material, sparks flying with every strike. The time seemed to fly by as Arthur poured his energy into the process, crafting it into something useful.
When the sword was done, he didn't wait a second longer. With a proud grin, he held up the blade, its edge gleaming under the light. "It's finished."
Then, in a complete shift of tone, Arthur screamed with joy, spinning in circles as he clutched the sword. "I did it! I finally used the ore!" He laughed wildly, kissing the blade, only to immediately yelp as it cut his lip.
Adam blinked. "Are you okay-"
Before he could finish, Arthur casually wiped his lip, and in an instant, the wound disappeared.
Adam stared. His mind raced. "Wait.. how did you just heal?"
Arthur froze. His excitement faded slightly as he turned to face Adam. A small smirk played at his lips before he simply said, "What, you've never seen magic before?"
Adam blinked again, trying to process what had just happened. "How did you just instantly heal it?"
Arthur chuckled, casually picking up the sword. "It's a bit of a personal thing," he said, twirling the blade. "I'll tell you later. Now, check this out!"
Without waiting for an answer, he found a massive boulder nearby. "Watch this," he called to Adam, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Arthur took the sword and, with a steady hand, touched the tip to the rock.
In one smooth motion, he sliced through the boulder like butter. The rock didn't even crack. It just sliced in half effortlessly, as if the sword itself held incredible strength.
Arthur grinned wide. "Yes! Finally! I've created the perfect sword!"
Adam, still in shock, watched as Arthur danced around with the blade, singing and laughing like a child. He was so caught up in his celebration that Adam had to wait a few moments before asking.
"Arthur, how the hell did you just do that?"
Arthur paused and said, "I don't know," then walked back inside laughing.
Arthur quickly grabbed two wooden swords from a nearby rack, handing one to Adam with a confident grin. "Alright, kid, let's see what you're made of." He tossed the second sword into the air and caught it smoothly. "We're starting with basic swordplay, but once you've mastered the basics, we'll move on to hand to hand combat. Got it?"
Adam nodded, his hands gripping the wooden sword, feeling the weight and balance. He was ready to learn.
"Good," Arthur said, his tone shifting to that of a seasoned instructor. "For now, just follow my movements. I'll show you the basic stances and strikes. You've got to feel the flow of the weapon first before you can make it your own."
He took a wide stance, holding his sword out in front of him. "First, we'll start with the most basic form this is called the 'Guard Stance.' From here, you can transition into any strike, block, or dodge. It's your foundation. Always be ready."
Arthur moved fluidly, demonstrating a swift strike followed by a quick block, then a defensive twist of his body to show the proper form. Adam watched carefully, mimicking his moves with concentration.
"Alright, now it's your turn," Arthur said, stepping back and watching Adam carefully. "Show me what you've got."
Adam took a deep breath and assumed the stance, trying to recall Arthur's movements. His first strike was a bit wobbly, but he quickly adjusted and made another attempt.
"Not bad, but remember," Arthur said, his eyes narrowing with focus, "a sword is an extension of your body. Don't just swing it around move with it, let it flow. The key is precision."
Adam nodded, sweat beginning to form on his brow, but he didn't stop. He adjusted his grip and stance again, striking with more control this time. It felt better, but it wasn't perfect.
"Better," Arthur smiled" Now, we'll work on a few more strikes. Watch closely, and keep your focus sharp."
The next few minutes were filled with the sound of their wooden swords clashing, each practice stroke building Adam's confidence, but also showing him just how much more there was to learn. Arthur's speed and skill were impressive, each movement deliberate and graceful.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor, Arthur gave Adam a small nod of approval. "Alright, kid. You've got the basics down, but I think you've earned a break. Tomorrow, we'll dive deeper into the forms and footwork."
Adam lowered his sword, his muscles sore but feeling accomplished. "Thanks, Arthur," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I think I'm starting to get it."
Arthur laughed, slapping Adam on the back. "You're getting there. But don't get too cocky. We've only just scratched the surface."
Adam chuckled. Dont worry im not!"
"Good attitude," Arthur said with a wink. "Now, let's get something to eat. Tomorrow's going to be another full day of training."
With that, the two of them walked back toward Arthur's house, the day's lessons settling in. There was a lot to learn, but Adam felt ready for the challenge. That night, Adam was outside once again, the cool night air brushing against his skin. The stars were scattered across the sky, shining brightly like little diamonds. The soft rustling of leaves surrounded him as he continued to practice, his movements fluid as he worked on strengthening his techniques. Each swing of the wooden sword felt more natural, like his body was starting to remember the motions on its own.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Arthur had long since fallen asleep. The room was quiet, save for the occasional snore that escaped from Arthur. It was no surprise that Arthur snored like a bear, but tonight, it was particularly loud. The sound was so intense that, at one point, Arthur rolled off the bed and onto the floor with a loud thud. Adam couldn't help but laugh at the sound of his mentor snoring away on the floor, not even phased by his sudden fall.
"Guess he's really out of it tonight," Adam muttered to himself with a smile before turning back to his training.
His thoughts wandered back to Luros. The sacrifice Luros made.. it weighed heavily on Adam's heart. He had promised Luros he would become stronger, that he would do what was needed to bring peace to this world. He wasn't sure how he would do it, but that promise burned brightly in his mind, pushing him forward.
Adam looked up at the stars, the light of each one reflecting his determination. "I'll get stronger, Luros," he whispered to the night. "I'll pass you. I'll bring peace to this world you left me."
The night sky stretched endlessly above him, and for a moment, Adam felt the weight of the world on his shoulders, but also the strength to carry it. Luros' sacrifice wouldn't be forgotten. Adam would make sure of that.
Just then, the familiar beep of his ring pulled him out of his thoughts. He raised his hand he looked at it, watching the screen flicker to life. The words that appeared were clear:
*Practice on the chopped log next and turn it into a block of iron.*
Adam blinked at the screen, his jaw dropping. "Oh my god. Are you sure I can do that?! I can barely create an apple from a feather."
The ring stayed silent, not offering a single word of reassurance. The quiet response was almost too perfect.
Frustrated, Adam rolled his eyes. "You're useless when I need answers." He huffed, shaking his head, but after a moment, a small chuckle escaped him. "Well, if it helps me grow quicker.. then so be it."
With determination setting in, Adam stood up, dusting off his pants. He turned his gaze to the chopped log nearby, ready to take on the challenge. It was time to push himself further. He'd promised Luros, and now it was his turn to make sure that promise was more than just words.
It took Adam all night, but by the time morning broke, he had finally transformed the log into a block of iron. His body ached from the hours of focus and concentration, but his mind was still buzzing with the possibilities of his growing abilities.
As the first light of dawn peeked through the trees, Arthur stepped outside, rubbing his sore shoulder. He winced, muttering to himself as he massaged his arm. "Man, I didn't realize you were still out here.. Did you sleep outside, kid?" He yawned loudly, stretching his arms above his head.
Arthur glanced around, but his eyes landed on Adam, who was passed out on the oddly shaped log. His brow furrowed with curiosity, and he walked over to Adam. Without thinking, Arthur nudged him gently, but the movement caused Adam's head to knock against the log with a soft thud.
"Ooof!" Arthur bit his hand in surprise. "I hope he's okay.." His voice was filled with concern as he looked at Adam, slightly nervous. He then turned his attention to the block of iron beside Adam. His eyes widened as he touched it, feeling the solid metal beneath his fingers.
"Wait a minute.." Arthur mumbled, his voice trailing off. This wasn't just any regular block of iron, it was something extraordinary. It would normally take years of mining or complex forging to create something like this.
Arthur began to smile and giggle as he went to inspect the iron block, his hands running over its cool, solid surface. "It's so cool! I didn't even think I'd see something like this today!" He laughed to himself, squeezing it as if it were some kind of plush toy.
Still caught up in his excitement, he turned his attention back to Adam. "Okay, wake up, sleeping beauty!" He began to shake Adam gently, but there was no response. Frowning, he shook him a bit more, his voice growing louder. "Adam, wake up!"
When Adam still didn't react, Arthur gave him a firmer shake. "Come on, wake up already-"
Before he could finish, a fist suddenly struck him straight in the face.
"STOP!" Adam shouted.
Arthur fell to the ground, rubbing his cheek, surprised that Adam actually landed a blow. "Ow.. seriously!?" he muttered, blinking up at him.
Adam groggily sat up, still exhausted. "What's your problem? I just woke up, and my head's killing me!"
Arthur got back up, still rubbing his cheek, and let out a sigh. "Alright, alright.. Let's try this again." He clasped his hands together and pointed at the iron block. "Adam, how did you.. actually, where did you get this?"
Adam froze. He didn't know if he should tell Arthur the truth. His mind raced, his body tense. But then, his thoughts drifted back.
Arthur had been the only person who had genuinely helped him through the dark times, the only one who had shown him a true path forward. The memory of how Arthur had trained him, had given him hope, made Adam realize that maybe it was time to trust him fully.
As Adam sat there in silence, Arthur completely oblivious to the serious internal struggle Adam was going through, continued to hug the iron block with a dumb smile, giggling to himself.
Adam took a deep breath, shaking off his hesitation. "Okay, I need to be honest about something," he finally said, his voice quieter this time. "I didn't just learn how to use these powers by myself. A God gave me this ring."
He lifted his hand, showing the shimmering ring that had been with him since the day he met Luros. "The God transferred Luros' power to me. Luros was the one who died protecting his village.. he was the one who failed and didn't make it."
Adam continued, feeling a weight lifted off his chest as he spoke. "I've been learning how to use the abilities since then. But this.. this is the first time I've been able to do something like this."
Arthur stood frozen for a moment, his eyes wide with shock. Then he began to pace back and forth, clearly processing what Adam had said. "This is.. important, Adam. This is huge," he muttered to himself. Finally, he stopped, facing Adam once more.
"Who else knows about this?" he asked, his voice serious now, his tone shifting to one of concern.
Adam hesitated. "Only me.. Luros was the only other one who knew. But now.. it's just me."
Arthur nodded, his face hardening with understanding. He placed his hand firmly on Adam's shoulder, his gaze steady and sincere. "Adam, you must never tell anyone else about this," he said, his voice low but firm. "I'm grateful that you trust me with this, but this is something.. dangerous. You cannot let others know. Do you understand?"
Adam nodded. "I understand," he replied softly, his gaze steady.
Arthur gave him a small nod of approval before releasing his grip on Adam's shoulder. "Good. Now, get some rest. We've got a lot more training ahead of us, and I need you at your best."
Adam sat there for a moment, reflecting on everything that had just happened. It was a lot to take in, but somehow, he felt a bit lighter. Arthur had trusted him with this secret, and Adam trusted him in return. With that bond in place, Adam knew that whatever came next, he wasn't alone.
Arthur clapped his hands together, snapping Adam out of his thoughts. "Hey, kid! Help me get this beautiful block back into the house, would ya? I need this."
Adam blinked, shaking off his lingering thoughts, and nodded. "Oh-uh, yeah, sure." He stepped forward, and the two of them pushed the heavy iron block across the ground, struggling slightly but managing to get it inside.
Once they had it settled in a corner of Arthur's home, he dusted off his hands. "Phew! Thanks, kid." With that, he walked over to a small cooking area and started preparing something. Adam sat down, watching curiously as Arthur worked. Soon enough, Arthur placed a plate in front of him. "Here we go! Fish sandwiches!"
As Arthur sat down with his own plate, he giggled to himself. "I sure do love these kinds of sandwiches!"
Adam glanced at the food, tilting his head slightly. "Oh, wow! Never had one of these before!"
Arthur nearly dropped his sandwich as he looked at Adam in shock. "You haven't?!" Without hesitation, he pushed his plate toward Adam. "Here, try some!" He smiled eagerly.
Adam blinked in surprise before nodding. "Oh, thank you!" He picked up the sandwich and took a bite. The moment the flavors hit his tongue, his eyes widened slightly. The fresh fish, the tender, seasoned meat, and the rich blend of spices melted together in a way that made him pause. He gasped softly, then took another bite, chewing slowly to savor it.
Arthur chuckled, watching his reaction. "It's good, huh?" He gave Adam a firm pat on the back before taking another bite of his own sandwich. "You know, the reason I chose this place as my home is because I can see everything from here. The clear, shining river, all the fish swimming around.. land the mountains, look at that angle! You can see every peak perfectly." His voice carried a certain admiration, his gaze drifting toward the scenery outside.
As he continued eating, his eyes wandered to the sky, a gentle smile appearing on his face. He placed his plate down beside him and leaned back slightly. "You ever wonder what else is out there? Beyond this world? Stuff no one's ever seen before?" He let out a soft breath, as if letting his thoughts drift along with the clouds.
Then, with a sudden shift in energy, he pushed himself up. "Welp! Time to grab my trusty old axe and chop some more wood!"
Adam, still chewing, mumbled, "Don't push yourself too much."
Arthur laughed, waving him off. "Gotcha!" With that, he headed out, leaving Adam alone with his thoughts.
As he finished his meal, Adam placed his plate on top of the other, his gaze eventually landing on the iron block. He thought for a moment. Maybe I should keep working on this while I have the time.
With that, he raised his hand, activating the ring. A faint beep sounded, and the screen materialized before him. His eyes scanned the various options, creating new ores, upgrading his abilities, unlocking new weapons, or even learning techniques that Luros once knew. There were so many possibilities, but as he scrolled, something unusual caught his eye.
A phrase appeared in a strange, glowing script: "Kaerai shou'renak."
Adam stared at it, his brows furrowing slightly. What is this? He had never seen this language before. It shimmered in bright gold, standing out from the rest of the options. There was more information below, but the text remained unreadable.
What does it mean? he wondered. Is this some kind of code? Or.. is it something else entirely? The thought unsettled him for a moment. Should I even be trying to figure out what this is? Should I even be able to see it?
His fingers hovered over the screen, hesitation creeping in. Something about it felt.. different. Like it wasn't supposed to be there. Yet, at the same time, it was calling to him.
Adam stared at the screen, his fingers hovering over it as he tried to make sense of the strange code. What could this possibly mean? he muttered to himself. It was annoying not being able to understand it, and yet.. part of him couldn't stop thinking about the potential it held. Maybe this was more than just a code it could be something that would help him, or something that would make him even stronger.
Time passed, and still, Adam was lost in the code. An hour slipped by unnoticed as he tapped and swiped through the screen, trying to find patterns, any hint of what it all meant. He could feel the weight of the unknown pressing on him. It could be dangerous, yes, but there was also a chance it could be the key to unlocking something powerful.
Frustrated, Adam leaned back and sighed, deciding to give his brain a break. He held out his hands and began to focus on a small glowing light that formed between his fingers. It flickered like a firefly, moving gently in the air as he concentrated. He formed more, letting them swirl around him, their soft glow filling the space. As he watched them float, he began to think of a solution. Maybe he'd figure it out eventually, but for now, this distraction was helping clear his mind.
A few moments later, Adam heard the crunch of footsteps on the ground, and Arthur appeared, walking back from the woods with an armful of chopped wood. He smiled as he spotted Adam. "I'm back with the wood!" he announced, dropping the pile onto the ground with a satisfying thud.
He noticed the small glowing lights floating around Adam. "Whoa, what's this? Playing with fireflies now?" Arthur chuckled, crossing his arms. "That's pretty cool!"
Adam smiled sheepishly, shrugging. "Just messing around. Thought it'd help me focus." He glanced back at the screen, still glowing with that strange code. "I'm still trying to figure this out."
Arthur tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. "Anything interesting?"
Adam sighed, a little defeated. "Maybe, but I can't make heads or tails of it. It's in some weird language.. and there's more below it, but I don't get any of it."
"Huh," Arthur said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Sounds like a puzzle." He took a step closer, looking at the screen. "Well, I'm sure you'll crack it sooner or later."
Adam nodded, but his mind was still focused on the code. "I hope so."
Arthur smiled and gave him a gentle slap on the back. "But for now, you wanna help me bring this wood inside? Or are you too busy with your glowing lights?"
Adam chuckled and stood up, stretching. "Alright, alright. Let's get that wood inside."
While Arthur and Adam were organizing the wood on the wall, making a triangle shape, Alexavier spoke up.
"I might have an answer for your weird language problem," Alexavier said, while placing the logs away.
Adam looked at him with wide eyes, excitement flashing across his face. "Really?! You do?!"
Arthur nodded. "Yup! I don't know if he's still there, though. After all, it's been years since I've been there." He paused, stacking another log carefully. "He's a librarian. Knows all types of languages and has every kind of info you need. He can probably help!"
Adam's eyes lit up with excitement. "Ok! And can we go?! Can we go now?!"
Arthur chuckled, shaking his head. "Woah there, buddy! Calm down." He patted Adam on the shoulder. "We'll go tomorrow. He opens up early, and I don't want to get caught by any other knights. It'll be quieter then."