Ella: "The events that happened in LURENO were only small pieces of a small part of the real battle we'll have to face in the future. Still, I can't help but think that it marked some kind of beginning to our story, and that it will affect the future in one way or another. The fact that Maxuel survived and Shadow died will surely have consequences later on. Anyway, I won't bore you any longer with long stories."
In front of her is a small table. A bouquet of flowers, a cup of tea and its saucer sit on the other side. In front of the saucer, Alex—wearing a simple brown top, loose black pants, chocolate-colored leather shoes and a matching leather jacket—is seated.
With crossed legs, he drinks his tea, staring indifferently into the distance.
Ella, dressed in a white shirt and a black skirt lined with white, her hair tied back in a ponytail, looks at him and bursts out:
"Are you even listening?!!"
Alex slowly sets down his tea cup, looks at Ella and answers:
"Yes, I heard everything. In short, you fought all night and came out as a heroine. And yes, it ended sadly for someone you didn't think was truly bad. I heard it all."
Ella shows a face that's both surprised and disappointed at the same time, then thinks:
(Ah! Right, we're talking about Alex. On his own, he's a real problem when it comes to expressing feelings. Still, it's nice to have someone to talk to, especially since Tanya is traveling with her family to visit a new barony.)
These events take place one week after LURENO. Ella is in the capital, having tea with Alex in front of a bakery that serves outdoors so that people can enjoy the morning.
Ella then rests her elbows on the table, bringing her hands together to support her head. She looks at Alex and gently asks:
"And you never told me what happened with the princess."
Alex looks at her strangely, blinking, but Ella answers that with a smile. Alex sighs, then says, looking away:
"Nothing huge. I went to find her, neutralized the people who had captured her. We went back. The King, of course, granted me forgiveness and I no longer work for her."
Ella: "His Majesty, our King, how did he feel?"
Alex: "Him? He was really annoyed that he had to thank me, but he did. Especially since he was so relieved. I even got a gold coin bonus."
Ella (surprised): "Really?!"
Alex: "Seriously!"
Then, behind Ella, a voice interrupts them:
"Ah, I finally found you two!"
Ella turns around and sees Silone, as usual wearing armor.
Ella: "Sir Silone?"
Silone smiles and says:
"I heard you two were out. It wasn't easy to find you."
Meanwhile, Alex calls a waitress, gives her some money, and continues drinking his tea.
Silone continues:
"Well, to keep it short, we've got something to do. We should get going now."
Alex finishes his tea and sets the cup down. He watches them.
Ella: "Where to?"
Silone: "To the church of DEA. We're going to take a level test."
Ella hears this and answers:
"Oh, I see! Let me pay first, then we'll go."
Alex stands up and says:
"Let's go, I already paid and finished my tea."
The two of them look at him strangely. He asks:
"What? What's wrong?"
A few minutes later, Alex and Ella walk behind Silone toward the church of DEA.
They walk until they reach a fenced area with a giant dome-shaped building visible from afar.
Alex: (Now that I think about it, DEA is indeed the goddess of destiny, the one worshipped by Nora and known everywhere. It's the first time I'm going to a church, and it's the central cathedral, no less.)
They enter. Silone tells them:
"Once inside, we'll go into the central cathedral. The others are waiting for us there."
Inside, as usual, Alex starts observing everything.
The dome serving as the cathedral contains benches arranged in a circular pattern. The ceiling is covered with diverse illustrations, and at the center stands a statue of a woman wearing a long robe, eyes and hands raised toward the heavens.
Alex: (That must be her, DEA.)
Then, below the statue, a woman in a white robe wearing a stole stretches out her arms with a scepter in one hand and says:
"Welcome, my dear children."
But before she finishes, Ella yells:
"Lady Iris?!!"
Iris, the priestess on duty that day, sees her and also shouts:
"Ah! My little Ella! How are you?"
Ella runs to her and responds:
"Good. I did notice you were absent. So you're the one examining us?"
Iris: "Yes, that's right!"
Hands in pockets as always, Alex thinks from behind:
(There goes the entire charisma, instantly.)
He walks to the center where he sees Arthur sitting. He greets him, then sits down.
Silone, standing, says:
"We should probably hurry a little, don't you think?"
Iris, while petting Ella's head:
"You're right. That's why, Ella, you'll stand under the statue."
Ella goes there, then says:
"Okay."
Iris stands before her and says:
"Don't worry, you've already done this several times."
Then, holding her scepter with both hands, Iris says:
"Under your grace, may the truth be revealed."
A magic circle appears under Ella and another under Iris. Then a panel appears in front of Iris with the following:
Strength: 2 lower stars
Speed: 1 mid star
Agility: 2 mid stars
Intelligence: 7 intermediate stars
Mana quantity: 1 upper star
Magic mastery: 7 intermediate stars
Elemental magic: Light, Lightning, Fire, Earth, Water, Air
General level: 6 intermediate stars
Seeing this, Iris tells Ella:
"Congratulations, my dear. You leveled up. This is huge! You've literally doubled your level since last month, and your mana core is simply exceptional."
Ella, a little uninterested, replies:
"Okay!"
Then she steps away. Iris turns and says:
"Now it's your turn, Arthur!"
Arthur stands up and steps forward, still calm and wearing partial armor. Iris performs the same process and the panel shows:
Strength: 3 intermediate stars
Speed: 1 intermediate star
Agility: 5 mid stars
Intelligence: 5 intermediate stars
Mana quantity: 6 intermediate stars
Magic mastery: 1 intermediate star
Elemental magic: Lightning
General level: 7 intermediate stars
Heroic Blessing: 1 upper star
The heroic blessing can boost all abilities when used.
The hero evolves quickly and benefits from the following passive abilities:
Healing of the suffering
Ineffectiveness against abyssal curses
Effectiveness against abyssal creatures
Rapid regeneration
Reading this, Iris says:
"Every time I see this, I feel like you're cheating. And now you're a 7-star intermediate, and your blessing reached upper star."
Arthur steps back and says:
"Thank you."
Iris looks surprised for a moment, then says:
"Your turn, Silone!"
Silone takes the place, and again:
Strength: 5 mid stars
Speed: 2 intermediate stars
Agility: 2 intermediate stars
Intelligence: 6 intermediate stars
Mana quantity: 7 intermediate stars
Magic mastery: 3 intermediate stars
Elemental magic: Darkness
General level: 5 intermediate stars
Title: Great Sword Expert
Curse detected
Iris reads Silone's stats carefully, then asks:
"Silone, is this the first time I've checked your level?"
Silone replies:
"No! Why?"
Iris tells him:
"I just noticed a curse."
Silone: "Leave it. I've had it since birth. I've tried removing it, but it's in my soul. If we take it off, I die."
Iris stays quiet for a moment, then asks:
"And what does it do?"
Silone answers without hesitation:
"It consumes my soul and shortens my lifespan. But don't worry, I have ways to block it, like I always do."
Iris sighs and says:
"Alex, your turn."
Alex stands and Silone steps aside. Iris says:
"Congratulations, Great Sword Expert. You're at intermediate level with 5 stars, but be careful."
Silone looks at her and says:
"Don't worry, priestess, I'm far too young to die."
Alex steps into position and looks around a bit. On the other side, Iris casts the spell and upon seeing the panel appear, she is shocked and reads aloud:
"The selected one stands out, with normal abilities that exceed normal standards, beyond what is usually indicated."
A list appears with:
Strength: 5 mid stars
Speed: 1 intermediate star
Reflexes: 7 intermediate stars
Endurance: 4 intermediate stars
Pain resistance: 8 intermediate stars
Agility: 1 intermediate star
Intelligence: 1 upper star
Mana core: inaccessible, but heightened magical sensitivity
Magic adaptation
Curse immunity: below superior
Under DEA's eye
General level: indeterminate due to lack of magic
Passive ability: Due to reaction to holy magic, the individual's skeleton becomes reinforced, harder than steel.
Seeing the panel, Iris simply says:
"You're exaggerating now!"
END OF CHAPTER
(Author's Note)
I was way too lazy, haters. Also, we're soon reaching the end of the prologue. I'll take a break and come back at Christmas. Until then, Spirit of Hero will be launched on Royal Road and there will also be a Patreon where it'll be available, though not for free—just $1.1 per month. You'll get the continuation. Anyway, I'm not sure about you, but I love you as long as you support me just by reading, even though I would've liked lots of comments!
This was Ben, see you soon!
NEXT CHAPTER: The Cursed Village Case