Five days after he started his training, Adem had achieved near-perfect mastery over the spear. His control over his body had advanced to the point where he could perform complex movements without straining himself. With minimal motion, he could unleash terrifying power. On top of that, he practiced hand-to-hand combat on his own, refining every movement through repetition and instinct.
"If I remember correctly, magic crystals are a necessity for acolytes without credentials to enter the academy. And I don't have any right now," Adem muttered, exhaling slowly as he rose from his meditative state. His grandfather had once tried to find some but never succeeded, so now Adem would have to resort to robbery to get them.
"That idiot Ourin and his friends should have some," he thought seriously.
He didn't want to approach their camp as it was full of teenagers too arrogant and too horny for their age but he had no choice.
"Hey, Ourin," Adem called out as he approached the red-haired youth sitting with his friends. "I'm here to collect protection fees. You and your friends should hand over your magic crystals."
"Ha! You're quite the clown, as expected of a minor noble," one of them laughed, followed by the others. They thought he was just another fool looking for trouble.
Adem tilted his head slightly. "If you don't want me to break your bones one by one, obediently hand them over."
Ourin stood up, smirking. "Well, it seems beating up that Leylin wasn't enough of a warning. How about I make an example out of you?"
What followed was a one-sided beatdown.
Adem didn't even use his spear. Every punch and kick landed cleanly and precisely, each strike filled with practiced power. Within moments, Ourin and his friends were sprawled across the ground, bruised and groaning. In the end, they obediently handed over their magic crystals. They were the first targets of the protection fee collector, with many more to come.
Of course, he only took enough to get around ten magic crystals. His real goal was the Wetland Gardens.
The journey continued for twenty-five more days, crossing through several small kingdoms and border towns. The road was long and rough, but not without its share of excitement. A few beasts and bandits tried their luck along the way, yet none managed to injure anyone, not with the black-robed knights standing guard. The acolytes didn't even have to lift a finger.
Adem used every spare moment to train. When the carriage stopped for rest or meals, he would be off to the side, practicing strikes and movements with tireless focus.
Having already mastered the spear, he began expanding his weapon repertoire, experimenting with sabers, short blades, and even cross-blades. His movements grew sharper and smoother, his transitions more refined. Every swing carried precision born of frighteningly fast comprehension.
Days turned into weeks, and a small but noticeable change began to show. His hair had started to grow back. It was still short, barely half a centimeter long, but its color was strange, a pale white-gray that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. He didn't pay it much attention, though; people of this world had all sorts of unusual hair colors.
"Hi, Adem! You're always training, how about you come play with me for a while?"
A noble girl from the same carriage approached him with a playful tone. She wore refined attire, with stockings that accentuated her long legs, the kind of fashion that reminded Adem of his previous world.
In this world, strength commanded respect, and Adem was by far the strongest among the group. Naturally, the noble girls were drawn to him. Several had already invited him to spend time with them, but he always declined.
This particular girl, Lilith, shared the same carriage as him. She smiled sweetly, but Adem only gave a polite nod before turning back to his training. He knew what would happen once they reached the Great Wilderness, distractions now would only lead to regret later.
During this time, he'd also grown close with George and Leylin since they often sparred together. Still, Adem made sure to keep their friendship hidden so that Ourin would continue to provoke Leylin without hesitation, just as in the original events he remembered.
Their travelling party headed north, passing through numerous dukedoms and kingdoms until they reached the northern edge of the continent.
Beyond the wilderness stretched a long expanse of narrow plains. On the other side, it was said, lay an endless ocean. But these plains were infamous, a land no human dared to cross lightly. Rumors spoke of beasts lurking in every shadow, of mercenaries and adventurers whose corpses littered the grasslands. Even the most ruthless bandits stayed away from the area.
Now, the caravan of Magus acolytes was preparing to cross that deadly region, the Great Plains of Death, on their way to the distant coastline
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Same as always, correct me if I'm wrong or can improve on any aspect.
Don't forget to drop your power stones here