Well, I honestly thought I could win that duel. Up until this point, I felt that if I actually tried, no matter the endeavor, I could succeed. But this world had a way of disproving my thoughts with its reality.
Regardless, Esvian seemed willing to teach me, and that's what mattered. At this point I had to grow—with Aeloria's wanted status already progressing, who knows what was in store.
Upon my loss, Esvian declared, "It's late now. You three should get some rest. Make your way back here tomorrow and we will enroll you into my dojo."
"Enrollment," huh. The word felt strange. This was actually the first time it hit me—I was broke.
I had zero dollars to my name.
On Earth, I never had an issue with money. I never even had to think about it—it was always there, as normal as having daily meals.
So these were the struggles of the average person, huh? I couldn't even think of where to start. Get a… job?
You know what, I'll just cross that bridge when I come to it. Considering how this world revolves around strength and battle prowess, if I became strong it would alleviate any financial struggle, right?
Ah. I was not suited for the life of financial contemplations.
"Reed, what are you over there contemplating so hard?" Elias asked, breaking my train of thought. "You should get some rest. Tomorrow will be your first day… and who knows what's in store. This will be your first official training." He continued with a grin.
"You're right, Elias… There are just a few things that have been weighing on my mind." I decided to be honest and get the thoughts of these two—after all, they were my only companions in this world.
I glanced over at Aeloria, who was fixated on a crystal charm she had picked up upon our arrival to this town—just as she had in the Carboniferre Forest. She seemed to find pleasure in shiny, crystalline objects. I'd have to ask about that.
"First off, with that wanted poster of Aeloria, I fear our freedom is at risk again. Who knows what kind of rumors are surfacing through the world right now after that riot and our escape." I started with the problem that involved the three of us. Aeloria glanced over attentively.
"And besides that, we have no money… no source of income. My life up until this point has been veiled in abundant wealth, and I've never really had to deal with any financial struggles. It's a daunting thought."
Neither Elias nor Aeloria seemed surprised, their expressions portraying solidity.
"Reed," Aeloria began. "We decided to follow you down this path of uncertainty—this path that fate seemed to will upon me. Regardless of the trials and tribulations that trail alongside."
"Don't worry about those things, Reed," Elias added. "We will take care of them. Now you—your only focus should be perfecting your battle prowess. You have the potential to be something this world has never seen."
Man. That feeling again. I couldn't tell what it was. Was it hope, optimism, or friendship? I honestly couldn't put my finger on it, but it felt good. It was something I had never felt on Earth.
"You guys… Fine, you're right," I said with a snarky tone. "With my potential, I'll be great. Honestly, I can probably become the strongest—so you better try to keep up!" I exclaimed, a smile tugging at my lips.
With that brief heartfelt moment, at The Amethyst's Charm—true to its name—we decided it was time to rest. Aeloria and I got the soft beds, and Elias got the makeshift.
The following morning, we sprang into action. Even with our late-night excursion, we were ready by the crack of dawn, excitement radiating through our souls. This marked the first day of proper learning, the first day of refining my unstable power.
As we headed over to Esvian's dojo, we passed by a herbal company's sign which read: "Blessed by the Divine: Medoria." The name sparked some curiosity about the religions and beliefs in this world. Considering Paisos and the all-powerful god Voz, tales of divinity seemed to be a recurring theme here.
"So the people of this world follow polytheism, yeah?" I asked as we trotted through the streets of Masva.
"Correct," Elias quickly interjected, seemingly excited by the academic shift of the morning. "The myths of the olden gods still run rampant—even if through myth and literature. Many people of this world still follow the will of these gods. Though some people, like the Dracovenians, have shifted more toward a studious approach to battle and magic. All glory is to the living king—Braunus, the current—rather than a dead, unseen god."
"Though as you can see," he continued while eyeing the sign, "a good bit of the world still believes in these gods. I, personally, call it a simple myth. Real elevation comes through academic ability."
"So how many supposed gods were there?" I asked, still intrigued despite his atheistic reply.
"According to myth, they are basically innumerable. There was a god tied to any category of life you can think of—from gods of war and bounty to goddesses of healing, like the one on that sign." Elias finished.
Hm. So it really was like an ancient civilization—though in this case, mana made the difference.
As our conversation ended, the wide doors of Esvian's dojo came into view. Esvian stood directly in front, hands folded, waiting.
"I'm glad to see you haven't been disheartened by our duel, Reed. Why don't we head inside?"
"Of course not—I came here for a reason, and I intend to fulfill it." I said with a grin, the motivation from last night's conversation still lingering.
Following Esvian in, we soaked up the image of the dojo bathed in dawn light. It was massive—not beautiful, but it wasn't made for beauty. It was made for rigorous training.
Seven students stood there in identical uniforms—likely Esvian's pupils. They were tall, unmoved, reminding me of Nazis back on Earth. I wondered how Esvian could fund a dojo with so few students.
Esvian stood ahead of them, perfectly centered, as if this were a cult.
"Reed. Today you will be introduced to your new comrades." One synchronized hand rose from every pupil. "Your initiation will be—"
Oh boy. How would I tell this guy I had no money, but could pay him back later? Would he believe I came from wealth? Maybe that would help.
"Just so you know," I cut him off. "I have no mon—"
"Survive a battle with my students, then your training will begin!" Esvian cut in, finishing his own sentence.
All I had to do was survive? I was really starting to question the importance of currency in this world. Now that I thought about it, in an aristocratic society, gradations of rank dominated over finance anyway.
Happily, I obliged. "Let's do it." After last night's conversation, I was pumped again. I knew I was one of a kind. All I had to do now was spread my wings—my way.
The instant I agreed, each student fell into a battle stance, each slightly different—likely suited to their individual style.
From right to left, they revealed their names. None mattered to me. Honestly, they all seemed mediocre. I was here for Esvian. I'd destroy these trivial lives if that was the way to him.
I fueled my body with mana, enhancing both physical and external abilities. "It's nice to meet you all," I said condescendingly. "I'm Reed Grant."
With that, all hell broke loose. Esvian, Elias, and Aeloria shifted to the corner, outside the combat zone.
Immediately after introductions, I flung myself at the student directly ahead. With my magic control still betraying me, I plowed us straight into the wall, leaving the man unconscious and embedded there, blood trickling from his nose.
The others lost focus, shocked by the speed at which I had taken him down. Maybe fifteen seconds after announcing my name. Frankly, I was shocked too. I couldn't even tell—let alone control—my direction after the first step. But I'd pretend I knew what I was doing.
Taking advantage of their shock, I released a freezing haze toward the two on the left, then a wind gust toward the two on the right. The last two had created distance the moment I began to cast.
Snapping back into reality, the students defended against my spells. Too late for the two on the left. As they recovered from the icy haze, I appeared in front of them. One went down with a sharp clock to the face. The other lashed out with a spinning kick, which I blocked with a forearm fortified with mana.
He collapsed, agonizing in pain as if the leg he'd used had broken. The kick had serious force, though—the impact shoved me back, arm burning with lactic acid like I was back in the Dracovenian labor camps.
Three down. Four to go.
Just then, the two students who had defended against my wind gust reached me—one in front, one behind.
That's when the barrage began. I crossed my arms in front of my face and fortified my body with as much mana as possible. Their blows were hard. Hard and fast. I couldn't even follow them with my eyes.
But this pain was nothing compared to confinement and humiliation in the camps. This was child's play.
"That's enough!" I roared, swinging my arms down and releasing a powerful gust. The one in front blasted into the wall while the one behind was knocked down with me.
With just two left, I was on one knee, breathing hard. It finally hit me—I was really fighting. Battling living people to reach my goal. The moment felt surreal. Dream-like.
In my lapse, one of the last two approached.
"I can't say that was impressive, Reed. You fight like a beast… there was absolutely nothing refined about your performance. You seem to contain some power but lack poise. This is the end of your little charade."
He seemed mad at my success. "And who are you to judge my performance? All I have to do is take you down and I get what I came for," I smirked. "Get ready to end up like your comrades."
What was his name again? This one stood out with his boldness. I would crush him and show my dominance.
"I, Rojas Souzka, Master Esvian's best student, will show you the difference in our abilities. Prepare to be humiliated, Reed."
Rojas. That was his name. I gestured him forward with both hands.
"Bring it."