The hot water hit Theodore Strange's back, transforming the steam in the small bathhouse into a dense mist that muffled the sound of the outside world. Theo pressed both hands against the stone wall, letting his head hang as he felt his muscles—tense and battered by weeks of physical rigor—finally yield to the heat.
Never in his previous life, that of an 18-year-old orphan worried about exams and his grandfather's funeral, would he have imagined his body could feel this way. He felt heavy, as if he were carrying the weight of the mountain itself, but beneath that exhaustion lay a vibrant sense of achievement. He was no longer the boy who died in an alley; now he was someone who could look death in the eye and, thanks to a mixture of luck and sweat, walk away.
He recalled the week and three days he spent with Chris. She had been an impeccable mentor, even if her "tie them up and leave one loose" method had bruised his pride at first. Thanks to that controlled training system, Theo had reached Level 13. Considering Kazuma didn't even reach Level 30 after spending months in this world, he believed his progress was remarkable. He had learned that in this world, fear was the greatest inhibitor of experience, and Chris had beaten it out of him through sheer force and extermination missions.
He looked at his adventurer card, which rested on a nearby bench. Thanks to the points accumulated from leveling up, his repertoire of skills had grown substantially:
Two-Handed Sword: Increases mastery and precision in the use of two-handed weapons.
Foresight: Allows one to see at a great distance and grants night vision.
Create Water: Generates a stream of pure water from ambient humidity.
Detect Trap: Perceives hidden mechanisms based on agility and luck.
Detect Treasure: Allows one to sense objects of great value by their "preciousness."
These skills were not just ornaments. The sword mastery allowed him to improve his swordsmanship much faster than he normally should. Foresight and Detect Trap had become his best allies in the forest, allowing him to see threats before they saw him, compensating for his lack of heavy armor. On the other hand, Create Water was his logistical lifeline, ensuring clean water anywhere, while Detect Treasure was the perfect tool for someone whose survival depended on his economy. They were pieces of a puzzle that were turning him into a natural survivor.
Chris had advised him to save the rest of his points. "You never know when someone will show up who can teach you something truly special," she had told him with a wink. Theo agreed with that, although it wasn't as if he had anyone else to teach him a good skill.
When he finally stepped out of the bath and got dressed, Theo looked at himself in a mirror. The change was undeniable. He was no longer the skinny, slightly hunched boy who faked extroversion out of necessity. His shoulders looked broader, his muscles were toned and defined, but the most striking part was his gaze. His light brown eyes no longer reflected only wit or gullibility; now they had a sharp glint, the aura of a man who knows he can defend himself.
He was still surprised by how much he had changed in less than two weeks, but it isn't surprising when you live through what he did while doing missions with Chris.
He walked toward the Adventurer's Guild, feeling the fresh afternoon air. As he crossed the doors, the roar of laughter and clashing mugs enveloped him. He noticed heads turning as he passed. Several veterans who remembered the mediocre rookie from two weeks ago frowned, confused by his new bearing. Theo ignored the murmurs of amazement; his focus was on the counter.
"Hello, Luna" - Theo greeted with a voice that sounded more confident and deep, nothing too exaggerated.
Luna, of course, had been one of the people seeing his change every day, so one could say she was used to it and wasn't that surprised to see him.
"Hello, Theodore. How have you been?" - Luna asked while smiling and looking at him.
Theo noticed she was looking at him a bit more than usual, a gesture he caught with his new sharpness. It made him vaguely remember that in the original story, Luna felt pressured by her age and the lack of suitors. For a moment, an idea crossed his mind: 'Luna is an incredibly beautiful and kind woman... I wonder if I have a chance?'. However, the insecurity from his past relationships, none of which lasted more than a month, held him back. He didn't want to ruin the only solid and professional friendship he had in this city over an impulse.
"The training with Chris gives no respite, but I'm getting there" - he replied with a light smile. - "Well, see you, I'm going to go have dinner."
He said goodbye and headed to a table in the back where Chris was already waiting for him, a mug of alcohol in one hand and an expression of absolute satisfaction.
"Theo! You're late!" - she exclaimed, already a bit flushed from the drink. "Order something expensive, today the 'boss' pays!"
Theo ordered a plate of premium meat along with other sides and a juice, sitting across from her while the guild's bustle became the background noise of their conversation. They were peaceful, enjoying the fruits of their labor, until an imposing figure stopped in front of their table.
Theo looked up and felt his breath escape him. It was Darkness.
The woman was of a dazzling beauty that made the anime illustrations look like childish sketches. Her alabaster skin contrasted with her polished silver armor and her long blonde hair tied in a perfect ponytail. Her light blue eyes radiated a nobility and elegance that were immediately intimidating.
"Chris, I have been looking for you" - the woman said in a refined and melodious voice. - "Who is your companion?"
Chris, with a mischievous smile and her face flushed by the alcohol, swayed a bit in her seat.
"Ah, Darkness! You're just in time. This is Theodore, my 'apprentice'..." - Chris said with pride. - "Theodore, she is Darkness, a crusader... and one of my best friends."
Theo rose from his chair, maintaining his composure while his mind processed that he was standing in front of Lalatina Ford Dustiness.
"Pleasure to meet you, Darkness" - Theo greeted with a slight smile. "I am Theodore Strange."
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