《Elemental Awakening: From Salaryman to Legend》 Chapter 0: Into the Unknown World The day I died was just another ordinary day. I woke up late, rushed through my morning routine, and barely managed to catch the train to work. The same corporate grind, the same endless meetings, and the same mind-numbing paperwork that made me question my life choices every single day. I wasn¡¯t special. Just another middle-aged salaryman drowning in deadlines. But fate had other plans for me. The accident happened in an instant. One moment, I was crossing the street, half-distracted by my phone. The next, blinding headlights filled my vision, and the screech of tires rang in my ears. Then¡ªdarkness. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. No pain. No last words. Just an empty void swallowing me whole. I thought that was the end. But when I opened my eyes again, I wasn¡¯t in the city anymore. I was lying on a bed of grass, staring up at an endless blue sky. A gentle breeze brushed against my skin, carrying the scent of trees and fresh earth. I slowly sat up, my body strangely light. ¡°Where¡­ am I?¡± I muttered. And then¡ª Ding! A blue screen appeared in front of me, glowing with strange symbols before shifting into words I could understand. > [Welcome to the World of Eldoria.] Initializing System¡­ Assigning Starting Class¡­ I blinked. What¡­ the hell was this? Before I could even process what was happening, another screen popped up. > [Starting Class: ???] Status: Locked. Unlock conditions must be met.] I stared at the floating text, my heart pounding. Was this some kind of dream? Had I finally lost my mind? I reached out to touch the screen, half-expecting my fingers to pass through it¡ª But the moment I did, a shockwave of energy surged through my body. Memories that weren¡¯t mine flashed before my eyes¡ªmonsters, dungeons, ancient warriors, and powerful magic. A world unlike anything I had ever seen. And at that moment, I knew the truth. I wasn¡¯t in my world anymore. I had been thrown into a new reality¡ªone governed by magic, monsters, and an unknown system that had already decided my fate. And whether I liked it or not, I had just become a player in a game where survival was everything. Chapter 1: Thrown into the Unknown Pain. That was the first thing I felt. A sharp, unbearable pain that shot through my body like fire. My vision was blurred, my head spinning. I tried to breathe, but my lungs felt tight, like I was drowning in air itself. What¡­ happened to me? One moment, I was just another corporate worker, pushing through another late-night shift, my mind half-numb from exhaustion. The next¡ªdarkness. A crash. The screech of tires, the shattering of glass¡­ and then nothing. Now, I was lying on cold, hard ground. The scent of damp earth filled my nose. The distant sound of rustling leaves and chirping insects told me one thing¡ªI wasn¡¯t in the city anymore. Slowly, I pushed myself up, my muscles aching with every movement. My suit was torn, my hands scraped, but that wasn¡¯t what caught my attention. The sky above me¡­ wasn¡¯t the sky I knew. Instead of the dull, polluted cityscape, I saw a vast expanse of deep blue, speckled with stars that felt too bright, too close. A moon¡ªmassive and golden¡ªhung overhead, illuminating the strange forest around me. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. This wasn¡¯t Earth. I took a shaky breath, trying to process the impossible. But before I could think any further¡ª Ding! A sound echoed in my head, followed by a floating screen appearing before my eyes. --- [Welcome, Player.] [You have entered the System.] [Initializing Awakening¡­] --- ¡°What the hell¡­?¡± My voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper. A system? Like in those RPGs or fantasy novels? No, that¡¯s ridiculous¡ªthis had to be a dream, right? But the pain in my body felt real. The cold air against my skin, the damp soil beneath my fingers¡ªeverything felt real. Then, before I could even attempt to understand, the bushes behind me rustled violently. A low, guttural growl sent a chill down my spine. Slowly, I turned. A massive wolf, its fur blackened like burnt charcoal, stepped into the moonlight. Its eyes¡ªglowing crimson with a hunger that sent ice through my veins¡ªlocked onto me. I didn¡¯t need a system to tell me what was about to happen. I was prey. My body screamed at me to run, but my legs refused to move. The beast lowered itself, muscles tensed, ready to pounce¡ª Then, another figure darted between us. A young boy, no older than ten, holding a wooden training sword with shaking hands. His face was pale, his breaths ragged. He wasn¡¯t trying to fight¡ªhe was just trying to protect himself. He¡¯s going to die. Something in me snapped. Without thinking, I lunged forward and ripped the sword from his hands. Ding! --- [Weapon Equipped: Crude Wooden Sword] [New Action Unlocked: Weapon Combat Basics] [Do you wish to use the Element of Wind?] (Yes) / (No) --- Wind? I didn¡¯t have time to question it. The direwolf charged, and my instincts made the decision for me. I selected Yes. A surge of energy flooded my veins. My body felt lighter. The air around me shifted, as if it was responding to my very movements. The direwolf lunged. And for the first time in my life¡ª I moved faster than I ever thought possible. Chapter 2: The First Battle - Awakening of Power The corrupted direwolf lunged. Hiroshi barely had time to react. His body¡ªthis new, unfamiliar body¡ªmoved purely on instinct as he dove to the side, rolling across the dirt. The beast¡¯s claws tore through the air, just inches from his head. His heart pounded. His breath was ragged. I¡¯m going to die. The thought was loud in his mind, but his body refused to freeze. He scrambled backward, eyes darting around. A weapon¡ªI need a weapon! And then, he saw it. A wooden training sword, barely more than a stick, lay in the hands of a trembling village boy. The kid, no older than ten, was frozen in fear as the direwolf turned toward him. No time to think. Hiroshi rushed forward, snatching the weapon from the boy¡¯s grip. The child gasped but didn¡¯t resist¡ªhe was too scared to do anything but watch. Ding! --- [Weapon Equipped: Crude Wooden Sword] [New Action Unlocked: Weapon Combat Basics] Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. [Do you wish to use the Element of Wind?] (Yes) / (No) --- Hiroshi¡¯s eyes widened. An element? He hadn¡¯t been assigned one before, but now the system was offering it. Did this mean he could actually fight? The direwolf growled, its crimson eyes locking onto him. No time to hesitate. He selected ¡°Yes.¡± --- [Element Chosen: Wind] [Skill Unlocked: Gale Step] --- A rush of energy surged through his body. His limbs felt lighter, his movements faster. It was like a weight had been lifted off him. The direwolf charged. Move! His body reacted before his mind caught up. He sidestepped at the last second, his movements now unnaturally quick¡ªlike a gust of wind pushing him out of danger. His eyes widened. That was Gale Step! For the first time since waking in this world, a thought flickered in his mind. I¡­ might actually have a chance. --- The Struggle Hiroshi swung the wooden sword, aiming for the direwolf¡¯s head. The weapon connected¡ªbut it barely did anything. The wolf snarled, whipping around and slamming its body into him. The impact sent him flying backward, his ribs aching from the blow. Shit, this thing is strong. He staggered to his feet, breathing heavily. His hands trembled around the sword¡¯s hilt. The wolf lunged again, its fangs glistening. Gale Step! He activated the skill again, dodging to the side, but this time he followed up. He spun with the momentum, swinging his sword directly at the beast¡¯s exposed neck. CRACK! The wooden weapon splintered on impact, but¡ª Ding! --- [Critical Hit!] [Enemy Staggered!] --- The direwolf howled in pain, stumbling back. Hiroshi didn¡¯t let the chance slip. He grabbed the sharpest piece of broken wood and dashed forward. His enhanced speed made him blur for a split second. With all his strength, he drove the broken weapon straight into the wolf¡¯s throat. The beast gurgled, its glowing eyes flickering. A moment later, it collapsed. --- Victory & Awakening Ding! --- [Corrupted Direwolf Defeated!] [Mission Complete!] [Element Affinity Confirmed: Wind] [New Skill Unlocked: Wind Cutter] Create sharp blades of wind with each swing of a weapon. --- Hiroshi stood over the corpse, gasping for breath. His body was sore, his arms numb from the effort. But he had won. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt the thrill of survival. This wasn¡¯t just a random accident. He had been thrown into this world for a reason. And if he wanted to live¡­ He had to become stronger. Chapter 3: Into The World Of Unknown The direwolf collapsed with a heavy thud. I stood over its body, my breath ragged, my heart pounding in my chest like a war drum. My hands trembled as I clutched the broken remains of the wooden sword. The rush of battle, the fear of death, and the strange energy that had surged through me just moments ago¡ªit was all too much to process. I just killed something. The thought made my stomach twist, but at the same time¡­ I had no choice. ¡°You¡­ you saved me!¡± A small voice snapped me out of my daze. I turned to see the young boy, his wide eyes filled with awe and relief. He looked no older than ten, with messy dark hair and dirt-streaked cheeks. He was still trembling, but his expression had shifted from terror to admiration. ¡°T-Thank you, mister!¡± He bowed deeply, his tiny hands clenched into fists. ¡°I thought I was going to die¡­¡± I took a shaky breath and forced myself to stand straight. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ nothing. Are you hurt?¡± The boy shook his head quickly. ¡°No! But you¡ªyour clothes are all torn, and you look hurt! You should come to my house! My village is close by!¡± I hesitated. This boy¡ªhis clothes were simple, almost medieval in design. His speech was unfamiliar yet somehow understandable. And then there was the system, the direwolf, and my newfound ability to move like the wind itself. This wasn¡¯t just another country or some hidden part of the world. I was somewhere entirely different. ¡°¡­Alright,¡± I said after a pause. ¡°Take me to your village.¡± The boy beamed. ¡°Follow me! I¡¯m Kaito, by the way!¡± The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. I nodded absentmindedly, still lost in thought. ¡°Hiroshi. My name is Hiroshi.¡± --- A Strange Land We walked through the dense forest, the moonlight barely piercing through the thick canopy of leaves above. The night air was crisp, and the ground felt oddly soft beneath my feet¡ªalmost too natural, too untouched. As we moved, I started noticing things. The trees were massive, their trunks easily three times the width of any tree I had ever seen on Earth. Some of the plants had a faint glow, pulsing softly in the darkness. And the air¡­ it carried a strange energy, something I could feel deep in my bones. I clenched my fist, recalling the surge of power from earlier. [Do you wish to use the Element of Wind?] The system had asked me that. And when I accepted, my body moved in ways it shouldn¡¯t have been able to. That wasn¡¯t normal. That wasn¡¯t human. Kaito turned to me, his face still bright with excitement. ¡°Mister Hiroshi, you¡¯re really strong! I¡¯ve never seen anyone fight like that before!¡± ¡°I just got lucky,¡± I muttered. ¡°No way! You even used wind magic! Only trained warriors can do that!¡± Wind magic. That confirmed it. This was no ordinary world. This was a place where magic existed. I exhaled slowly, trying to remain calm. This wasn¡¯t a dream. I was here, in this unknown world, and there was no guarantee I could ever return home. ¡°¡­What is this place?¡± I finally asked. Kaito blinked. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°This land. This world. Where am I?¡± The boy tilted his head, clearly confused by my question. ¡°You¡¯re in the western forests of Eldoria. Our village is just past this hill!¡± Eldoria. A name I had never heard in my life. There was no denying it now. I wasn¡¯t on Earth anymore. --- The Village of Beginnings After a few more minutes of walking, the dense forest finally cleared, revealing a small village nestled between rolling hills. Wooden houses with thatched roofs lined the dirt pathways, and in the center, a large bonfire burned brightly, casting warm light over the village square. I could hear laughter and conversation¡ªpeople gathering around, sharing food, living their lives as if monsters didn¡¯t lurk just beyond the trees. ¡°We made it!¡± Kaito cheered. ¡°This is my home¡ªRivermill Village!¡± A few villagers turned to look at us as we entered. Their gazes landed on me, their expressions shifting from curiosity to wariness. A stranger arriving at night, with torn clothes and bloodstained hands. Yeah, I couldn¡¯t blame them for being cautious. Kaito didn¡¯t seem to notice. He ran ahead, waving toward a small house near the edge of the village. ¡°Mama! Papa! I¡¯m home!¡± Two adults¡ªa man with a rugged face and a woman with kind eyes¡ªrushed out of the house. Their faces were a mixture of relief and pure panic as they saw Kaito. ¡°Kaito! You¡ªwhere have you been?!¡± the woman cried, dropping to her knees and pulling the boy into a tight hug. ¡°There was a monster in the woods, but Mister Hiroshi saved me!¡± At those words, the parents turned their eyes to me. The father¡¯s hand immediately went to the axe strapped to his waist, his stance shifting defensively. ¡°Who are you?¡± I raised my hands, trying to appear non-threatening. ¡°Just a traveler.¡± Silence. The mother looked between me and Kaito, her eyes softening slightly. ¡°You¡­ saved our son?¡± I nodded. ¡°Yeah. A direwolf attacked him. I killed it.¡± The father¡¯s eyes widened, his grip on the axe loosening slightly. ¡°A direwolf¡­?¡± he muttered. ¡°You¡­ killed it?¡± Their reactions told me everything I needed to know. Direwolves weren¡¯t just common threats. They were powerful monsters. If killing one was supposed to be impossible, then the power I awakened¡­ was far greater than I reali zed. For now, I kept my mouth shut. I needed answers. And this village might be the key to understanding this world. Chapter 4: The Direwolfs Rank Kaito¡¯s parents stared at me as if I had just told them I had slain a god. ¡°You¡­ killed a direwolf?¡± Kaito¡¯s father repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. His rough hands trembled slightly as they clenched into fists. I nodded. ¡°Yeah. It attacked Kaito in the forest, so I fought back.¡± Silence fell over the small gathering. The other villagers who had been watching from a distance started murmuring among themselves. Some looked skeptical, while others seemed outright fearful. Kaito, oblivious to the tension, beamed proudly. ¡°It was amazing! He used wind magic and moved like a warrior! The direwolf didn¡¯t stand a chance!¡± At those words, Kaito¡¯s father¡¯s face darkened. His eyes sharpened as he took a step toward me. ¡°Traveler,¡± he said in a low voice, ¡°do you have any idea what you just did?¡± I frowned. ¡°I killed a monster that was trying to eat your kid. What else is there to know?¡± The murmurs grew louder. A few villagers gasped outright. Kaito¡¯s mother placed a hand on her husband¡¯s shoulder, worry etched deep in her features. ¡°Dear¡­ should we call the elder?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he muttered, eyes still locked onto me. ¡°We must.¡± Something about the way he said that made me uneasy. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. --- The Weight of the Kill A few minutes later, we were gathered inside Kaito¡¯s house. The wooden walls were adorned with simple decorations, and the scent of freshly cooked stew lingered in the air. Kaito¡¯s mother had offered me a seat, but his father remained standing, pacing near the fireplace. ¡°The direwolf you killed,¡± he finally said, breaking the silence, ¡°wasn¡¯t just any monster. It was a Grade 3 beast.¡± Grade 3? I didn¡¯t recognize the ranking system, but from the way he said it, it sounded serious. ¡°And that means¡­?¡± Kaito¡¯s father stopped pacing and turned to me, his face grave. ¡°Grade 3 monsters are powerful enough that it takes five elite mages to take one down. A squad of trained warriors can barely hold their ground against it. And you, a lone traveler, killed it by yourself?¡± I stiffened. That was not normal. I had struggled against the creature, but when the system activated and asked if I wanted to use the Element of Wind, my movements had become sharper, faster¡ªalmost unnatural. I had no training. I was just an ordinary office worker before coming here. And yet, I killed something that required five elite mages? Something wasn¡¯t adding up. Kaito, on the other hand, looked thrilled. ¡°See, Papa? Hiroshi is really strong! Maybe he¡¯s a hero!¡± I nearly laughed. A hero? Me? I was just a guy who had no idea what was going on. Kaito¡¯s father, however, didn¡¯t share his son¡¯s enthusiasm. If anything, he looked even more worried. ¡°If what you say is true, then you are not just a simple traveler,¡± he said. ¡°You either possess monstrous strength¡­ or you have a power beyond human limits.¡± His words made my chest tighten. Beyond human limits? The idea terrified me more than it excited me. --- The Elder Appears Before I could respond, a knock sounded at the door. A hush fell over the room. Kaito¡¯s mother quickly moved to open it, and the moment she did, the entire atmosphere changed. A figure stood in the doorway, bathed in the soft glow of the village¡¯s lanterns. An elderly man, draped in a long robe embroidered with symbols I couldn¡¯t recognize, stepped inside. His presence alone made the air feel heavy, as if reality itself bent slightly around him. His eyes¡ªclouded yet piercing¡ªsettled on me with quiet intensity. Kaito¡¯s father immediately bowed. ¡°Elder Jiro¡­ thank you for coming.¡± The old man nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. ¡°So,¡± he said in a deep, measured voice, ¡°you are the traveler who slew the direwolf.¡± I swallowed. ¡°Yeah. That was me.¡± Elder Jiro studied me for a long moment. His face betrayed no emotion, yet I felt as if he was seeing through me, peeling away the layers of who I was. Then, suddenly¡ª DING! A sharp, mechanical sound echoed in my mind. My body stiffened. The system was activating again. [A higher being has taken interest in you.] My breath hitched. What the hell does that mean? I didn¡¯t get the chance to ask. Elder Jiro took a step forward, his voice calm yet undeniably firm. ¡°Come,¡± he said. ¡°We have much to discuss.¡± Chapter 5: The Seventh One I followed Elder Jiro through the dimly lit hallway of Kaito¡¯s house. The wooden planks creaked under my steps, the air thick with an unspoken tension. Kaito¡¯s father trailed behind us, his expression a mix of wariness and curiosity. As we entered a separate room, a sharp ding echoed in my mind. [Analyzing Presence¡­] [Displaying Information] A transparent blue screen materialized in front of me. My breath caught as I read the details. --- [Status: Jiro Hasiraba] Age: 431 Strength: Level 54 Agility: Level 36 Stamina: Level 65 Mana Type: Water --- My body tensed. Four hundred and thirty-one years old? This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. I stole a glance at Elder Jiro. He looked old, sure, but nowhere near that old. He had a commanding presence, his face weathered but strong. His robes shimmered faintly under the lantern light, and his piercing gaze held wisdom beyond comprehension. Was this some kind of immortality? Or just absurdly long lifespans in this world? I clenched my fists. This was no longer just some game-like experience. This world had real monsters. Real warriors. And now, real living legends. Elder Jiro¡¯s voice pulled me from my thoughts. ¡°Hiroshi,¡± he said, his tone slow, deliberate. ¡°There is something you must know about this land.¡± --- The Six Unrivaled Beings He walked over to a wooden chair and lowered himself into it, motioning for me to sit as well. I hesitated before taking a seat across from him. ¡°You may not understand yet,¡± he continued, ¡°but this world¡­ Eldoria¡­ has long been governed by the strong.¡± I kept quiet, listening intently. ¡°There are many powerful warriors, mages, and beasts in this land. But in the entire history of Eldoria, there have only ever been six humans who possessed power beyond reason¡ªbeings who could single-handedly decimate entire armies.¡± His words sent a chill down my spine. Six humans capable of wiping out entire armies? ¡°Each of them,¡± Elder Jiro went on, ¡°was born with a gift. Strength beyond human limits. Abilities that defied logic.¡± He leaned forward slightly. ¡°And now¡­ I believe the seventh one has been born.¡± I froze. The weight of his words sank in like a stone. My voice came out quieter than I expected. ¡°You think¡­ that¡¯s me?¡± Jiro studied me for a moment before nodding. ¡°All signs point to it.¡± --- The Seventh One I swallowed hard, my thoughts racing. This couldn¡¯t be right. I wasn¡¯t some chosen warrior. I was just an ordinary guy who had been thrown into this world by accident. Sure, I had somehow killed a direwolf¡ªan elite monster¡ªbut that was because of the system. Wasn¡¯t it? Jiro must have seen the hesitation on my face because he sighed. ¡°You don¡¯t believe me,¡± he said simply. I rubbed my temples. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to believe.¡± Jiro¡¯s expression softened, but his voice remained firm. ¡°Then tell me, traveler¡­ how do you explain what happened earlier?¡± I had no answer. I thought back to the fight. How I had moved faster than I should have. How the wind had answered my call. How my blade had struck with unnatural precision. That wasn¡¯t normal. And yet, I had accepted it in the moment. Like it was meant to be. Jiro sat back, his gaze never leaving mine. ¡°You may not realize it yet, Hiroshi¡­ but your journey is only just beginning.¡± I clenched my fists under the table, feeling the weight of his words press down on me. Who was I in this world? Was I truly¡­ the seventh unrivaled one? I had no answers. Only confusion. And a creeping feeling that this was only the beginning of something much, much bigger. Chapter 6: Morning Training Disaster The cool morning air sent a chill through my body as I stood outside, gripping a wooden training sword. The village was still asleep, the sky painted in shades of deep blue as the first hints of sunlight peeked over the horizon. I took a deep breath and adjusted my stance. Last night¡¯s conversation with Elder Jiro kept replaying in my mind. The seventh unrivaled one. It sounded ridiculous. Me? Some kind of legendary warrior? But¡­ what if it was true? If I really had power, I needed to control it. And if I didn¡¯t¡­ I needed to survive anyway. So, I decided to train. --- Step One: Warming Up I stretched my arms, trying to recall the warm-ups I used to do back home. A few squats, a couple of push-ups, some basic footwork. Simple enough, right? Wrong. After about twenty minutes, my muscles were already burning, and I was gasping like a dying fish. ¡°Damn it¡­ I thought I was in decent shape,¡± I muttered, wiping sweat off my forehead. I wasn¡¯t some weak office worker, but my body felt heavier here. Maybe it was this world¡¯s gravity? Or maybe I was just weak compared to the monsters out there. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Either way, I wasn¡¯t stopping. --- Step Two: Sword Practice (A.K.A. Swinging Sticks Like an Idiot) I grabbed the wooden sword and started swinging it in controlled motions. One. Two. Three. At least, that¡¯s what I thought I was doing. From an outsider¡¯s perspective, I probably looked like a drunk idiot flailing a stick. That¡¯s when I heard a yawn behind me. ¡°Hiroshi-san, what are you doing¡­?¡± I turned to see Kaito, still half-asleep, his hair sticking up in every direction. He rubbed his eyes and stared at me like I was a madman. ¡°I¡¯m training,¡± I said, trying to sound serious. Kaito blinked. ¡°You look like a dying goose.¡± I nearly dropped my sword. ¡°What?¡± He grinned. ¡°I mean, what kind of sword stance is that?¡± I frowned, looking down at my posture. It wasn¡¯t that bad¡­ right? Kaito stretched his arms, then picked up a stick from the ground. ¡°Here, let me show you.¡± --- Step Three: Learning from a Kid Kaito took a stance, his movements suddenly sharp and refined. SWISH. His stick cut through the air with a satisfying sound. SWOOSH. Another swing, perfectly balanced. I stared. ¡°You¡­ you actually know what you¡¯re doing?¡± He smirked. ¡°Of course! My dad was a soldier before he retired. He taught me how to fight when I was little.¡± I sighed. ¡°Great. So I¡¯m getting lessons from a twelve-year-old.¡± Kaito grinned wider. ¡°Thirteen, actually.¡± ¡°Right. That totally changes things.¡± Kaito laughed. ¡°Come on, watch closely! You need to stop swinging like an old man trying to swat flies.¡± I groaned but followed his instructions. Surprisingly, he was a good teacher. ¡°Keep your knees bent a little.¡± ¡°Hold your grip firmer, but don¡¯t tense up.¡± ¡°Move with your whole body, not just your arms!¡± At first, it was awkward. But after a while, I started getting the hang of it. --- Step Four: Sparring Disaster ¡°Okay, now let¡¯s spar,¡± Kaito said, spinning his stick like a pro. ¡°Wait, wait, wait,¡± I said quickly. ¡°I just learned how to hold the damn sword. Can we¡ª¡± WHACK. Before I could finish, Kaito lunged forward and smacked my leg. ¡°OW!¡± I yelped, hopping on one foot. Kaito laughed. ¡°Too slow, Hiroshi-san!¡± ¡°Oh, you little¡ª¡± I swung back, but he dodged easily, poking me in the ribs. ¡°ACK!¡± ¡°Come on, you need to react faster!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll react when I¡¯m NOT BEING ATTACKED BY A GREMLIN!¡± For the next few minutes, I desperately tried to land a hit, but Kaito danced around me like a damn ninja. SWISH. Missed. SWOOSH. Another miss. BONK. Right on my forehead. I collapsed onto the grass, groaning. ¡°I hate this.¡± Kaito burst into laughter. ¡°You¡¯re not bad for a beginner!¡± I glared at him. ¡°I hope a direwolf eats you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s rude,¡± he snickered. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, Hiroshi-san. You¡¯ll get better. Eventually.¡± I sighed, staring up at the sky. Maybe this world wasn¡¯t so bad. At least, I had a friend. Chapter 7: The Path of the Wind Morning training had already been exhausting, and I was still rubbing my bruises from Kaito¡¯s relentless sparring session. But the kid was dead serious about making me a proper fighter. ¡°Alright, Hiroshi-san! You¡¯re not bad with a sword, but you need more than that to survive,¡± Kaito said, tossing me a small wooden staff. I caught it clumsily. ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± ¡°Magic,¡± he grinned. I blinked. ¡°Magic?¡± ¡°Yeah! You fought a direwolf, right? You¡¯re lucky you didn¡¯t die! Most people use magic to fight monsters. Swords alone aren¡¯t enough unless you¡¯re an elite knight.¡± I frowned. That actually made sense. The direwolf was a nightmare to fight, even with the system''s help. If I had magic, maybe I wouldn¡¯t have struggled so much. Kaito stepped back and raised his own staff. ¡°Watch carefully!¡± He took a deep breath, his expression turning serious. Then, he swung his staff in a wide arc. WHOOSH! A small burst of wind shot forward, rustling the grass. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. I gaped. ¡°That was¡­ wind magic?¡± Kaito grinned. ¡°Yep! It¡¯s the easiest element to learn. Perfect for someone like you.¡± ¡°Hey, what do you mean by ¡®someone like me¡¯?¡± He just chuckled. ¡°Now, try it! Close your eyes and focus on the air around you.¡± I sighed but did as he said. Focus on the air? What does that even mean? I stood still, gripping the staff, feeling the morning breeze against my skin. Breathe in. Breathe out. I imagined the wind wrapping around me, flowing through my fingertips, waiting to be shaped. And then¡ª DING! A bright blue screen appeared in front of me. --- [SYSTEM ALERT] Do you wish to master Wind Magic? [YES] / [NO] --- I nearly dropped the staff. The system again?! ¡°Uh, Kaito¡­ I think something¡¯s happening.¡± ¡°What? Did you feel the mana?¡± ¡°Not exactly¡­¡± I pointed at the glowing screen. ¡°I got a system message.¡± Kaito squinted at the empty air. ¡°System message? I don¡¯t see anything.¡± Right. Only I could see it. I hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath. ¡°Yes.¡± DING! Another screen popped up. --- [Wind Magic Mastery Path Unlocked!] To master Wind Magic, complete the following tasks: ?? Feel the Wind (0%) ¨C Sense the natural flow of wind around you. ?? Control the Breeze (0%) ¨C Create a small gust of wind. ?? Shape the Air (0%) ¨C Direct the wind with precision. ?? Call the Storm (0%) ¨C Summon a powerful wind attack. --- I stared at the list, my hands trembling with excitement. I can actually learn magic?! Kaito waved his hand in front of my face. ¡°Hello? Hiroshi-san? You good?¡± I snapped out of it. ¡°Yeah. Just¡­ thinking.¡± I glanced at the first task. Feel the Wind. Maybe this was why the system asked me to close my eyes earlier. I did it again, shutting out everything else. No distractions. No thoughts. Just the air. I took a slow breath. For the first time, I noticed the way the wind moved¡ªbrushing against my skin, weaving through my hair, swirling around me. It wasn¡¯t just air. It was alive. --- [Task Completed: Feel the Wind (100%)] --- A rush of energy flooded through my body. My eyes shot open. ¡°I¡­ I can feel it.¡± Kaito¡¯s eyebrows raised. ¡°Huh? Already?¡± I grinned. This was just the beginning. Chapter 8: A Trainer Appears The rush of energy from completing my first task still lingered in my body. I had actually felt the wind. It was like discovering a new sense I never knew existed. Kaito tilted his head. ¡°You sure you¡¯ve never done magic before?¡± I grinned. ¡°First time.¡± Before he could reply, a deep voice echoed across the training ground. ¡°Oh! Early morning training, huh? This is good.¡± We both turned to see Elder Jiro approaching. Despite his 431 years, the old man moved with the confidence of a seasoned warrior. His long, graying hair was tied back, and his sharp eyes scanned us with amusement. ¡°But training without a proper guide won¡¯t get you far.¡± He smirked. ¡°Luckily, I know just the person to help.¡± He turned to the village and shouted. ¡°Ryoji! Get over here!¡± A few moments later, heavy footsteps approached. A towering man, easily over six feet tall, stepped into the clearing. His muscular frame and broad shoulders screamed war veteran. He had short, jet-black hair with streaks of gray and piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me. Kaito¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Father!¡± Wait. What?! Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Kaito¡¯s father? This absolute monster of a man was Kaito¡¯s dad? Elder Jiro chuckled. ¡°Hiroshi, meet Ryoji Kazama¡ªa retired elite soldier from the army¡¯s frontline. He¡¯s also the father of that boy you¡¯ve been sparring with.¡± I swallowed hard. I fought a direwolf. But this guy looks ten times scarier. Ryoji crossed his arms. ¡°So you¡¯re the outsider who killed the direwolf.¡± His voice was deep, filled with authority. I felt like I was standing in front of a drill sergeant. ¡°Uh¡­ yeah.¡± I rubbed the back of my head. ¡°Got lucky, I guess.¡± Ryoji¡¯s sharp eyes narrowed. ¡°No. That wasn¡¯t luck.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± He took a step closer, and I instinctively straightened my back. ¡°I saw the wounds on the direwolf¡¯s body. You weren¡¯t just swinging blindly. You aimed for weak spots¡ªeyes, throat, joints.¡± His voice was steady. ¡°That¡¯s the instinct of a trained fighter.¡± I gulped. Trained fighter? Me? I was just a middle-aged corporate worker! Sure, I played games, but I wasn¡¯t some martial arts master! Before I could argue, Ryoji clapped his hands together. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see what you can do.¡± Kaito¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°Ooooh! Father¡¯s going to train us? This is gonna be fun!¡± Fun? This felt more like a death sentence. Ryoji picked up a wooden sword from a nearby rack. ¡°Hiroshi, pick one.¡± I hesitated before grabbing one. BAM! Ryoji¡¯s sword smacked mine before I could even lift it. The impact nearly knocked me off my feet. ¡°What the¡ª?!¡± Ryoji clicked his tongue. ¡°Slow.¡± I barely had time to react before he swung again. BAM! I staggered back, gripping my sword tightly. ¡°Too stiff,¡± Ryoji muttered. ¡°Loosen your grip. Let the weapon flow like an extension of your arm.¡± I took a deep breath and adjusted my stance. He attacked again¡ªthis time, I managed to block. But the force still rattled my arms. ¡°Better,¡± he said. ¡°But you lack endurance.¡± Kaito was dying of laughter on the sidelines. ¡°Hahaha! Hiroshi-san, you look like you¡¯re fighting for your life!¡± ¡°I am fighting for my life!¡± I snapped. Elder Jiro chuckled. ¡°Ryoji¡¯s training is brutal, but if you survive it, you¡¯ll become a real warrior.¡± I groaned. Great. Just what I needed. Ryoji lowered his sword. ¡°Enough for now. Show me your magic.¡± I hesitated. ¡°I¡­ just started learning.¡± Ryoji smirked. ¡°Then show me what you¡¯ve got.¡± I took a deep breath, recalling my earlier lesson. Feel the Wind. I closed my eyes, letting the air flow around me. I raised my hand and focused. WHOOSH! A small gust of wind burst forward, rustling the grass. Ryoji nodded. ¡°Not bad.¡± I blinked. ¡°Wait. That¡¯s it?¡± Ryoji¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°You have potential.¡± I exhaled in relief¡ªuntil he spoke again. ¡°Tomorrow morning, we start real training.¡± Kaito cheered. I panicked. What have I gotten myself into? Chapter 9: The Dragon Fire Soldier I was still catching my breath when I heard laughter from the side. Elder Jiro was leaning against a wooden post, arms crossed, shaking his head in amusement. ¡°Hey, kid,¡± he called out, grinning. ¡°You need to toughen up a bit before Ryoji reveals his real training.¡± I frowned, still gripping my sword. ¡°This isn¡¯t real training?!¡± Jiro chuckled. ¡°Oh no, this is just him testing you. The real training hasn¡¯t even started yet.¡± Kaito whistled. ¡°Heh. If you think this is bad, wait till Father gets serious.¡± I turned to Ryoji, who stood there with his arms crossed, watching me like a predator watching prey. Jiro¡¯s voice lowered. ¡°Did Kaito tell you his father¡¯s old title?¡± I wiped the sweat off my forehead. ¡°Old title?¡± Jiro smirked. ¡°Ryoji Kazama was once called the Dragon Fire Soldier.¡± My stomach dropped. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Dragon. Fire. Soldier. That sounded way too strong. Ryoji simply shrugged. ¡°That was a long time ago.¡± Jiro raised an eyebrow. ¡°Maybe. But that title wasn¡¯t just for show. You were feared on the battlefield.¡± Kaito grinned proudly. ¡°Yep! Father was a monster in combat!¡± I gulped. Great. Just great. Then a thought hit me. Wait¡­ if he was this strong, was he one of the six unrivaled warriors Jiro mentioned before? I quickly whispered to Jiro. ¡°So, Ryoji¡­ he¡¯s one of the six strongest humans, right?¡± Jiro snorted. ¡°Hah! Not even close.¡± I blinked. ¡°Wait, what?¡± Jiro shook his head. ¡°Ryoji is strong, but he¡¯s not one of the six. Those six¡­ they¡¯re in a different league.¡± I turned back to Ryoji, who was still standing there like a mountain of muscle and intimidation. And he wasn¡¯t even one of the strongest? Just how terrifying were those six?! My hands trembled a bit. I needed more information. I pulled up my system menu and focused on Ryoji Kazama. --- [Character Profile] Name: Ryoji Kazama Age: 56 Stats: Strength: Lv. 54 Agility: Lv. 36 Stamina: Lv. 65 Mana Type: Fire --- I froze. ¡°Wait a second¡­¡± His stats matched Elder Jiro¡¯s. I quickly compared the numbers in my head. They were almost the same. I looked back at Jiro, who was still smirking at me. ¡°You figured it out, huh?¡± I swallowed hard. ¡°Elder Jiro, you and Ryoji¡­ you¡¯re almost equal in strength.¡± Jiro just chuckled. ¡°I¡¯d say I have a slight edge, but yeah, Ryoji isn¡¯t far behind.¡± I looked at Kaito in shock. ¡°Your father¡¯s this strong?!¡± Kaito beamed. ¡°Of course! He used to be an elite soldier, remember?¡± I turned to Ryoji, still struggling to process the information. This guy was a monster. But if he wasn¡¯t one of the six unrivaled warriors¡­ then what kind of monsters were they? I took a deep breath. No matter what, I had to get stronger. Ryoji¡¯s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. ¡°Alright,¡± he said. ¡°You¡¯re done thinking, right?¡± I blinked. ¡°Huh?¡± A dangerous smirk appeared on his face. ¡°Good. Because now, your real training begins.¡± I felt my soul leave my body. Elder Jiro laughed harder. ¡°Hahahaha! Good luck, kid! You¡¯ll need it.¡± I gulped. I was doomed. Chapter 10: Fire vs. Wind I barely had time to react when Ryoji moved. With a wooden sword in one hand, he raised his other palm, and suddenly, the air around us changed. A wave of heat rolled over me, and I felt my skin tingle. I took a step back, my instincts screaming at me to run. ¡°Alright, Hiroshi,¡± Ryoji said, his voice calm but firm. ¡°It¡¯s time to show you what true power looks like.¡± He took a deep breath, and I saw fire flickering in his throat. Wait. Wait, wait, wait¡ª ¡°Dragon¡¯s Fire Breath.¡± A roaring flame erupted from his mouth, taking the shape of a dragon. The burning beast twisted in the air, its eyes glowing like molten lava as it rushed toward me. I wanted to move. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. I really wanted to move. But my body had completely frozen. My instincts screamed, my brain shouted, but my muscles refused to obey. I was trapped in place as the flaming dragon came straight at me. This is it. I¡¯m gonna die. Just as the fire was about to swallow me whole¡ª It vanished. I blinked. The air was still hot, my face still sweating, but the fire was completely gone. Did I¡­ survive? I looked at Ryoji, who was standing there with his arms crossed, a smirk on his face. ¡°Training¡¯s over,¡± he said casually. I stared at him. ¡°What?!¡± Ryoji shrugged. ¡°That was the strongest attack in my arsenal. If you had real experience, you would¡¯ve tried to counter or dodge it.¡± My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the ground, clutching my stomach. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was from relief or stress, but my stomach hurt like hell. Jiro, who had been watching from the side, burst into laughter. ¡°Hahahaha! Look at his face! He thought he was really going to die!¡± I glared at him, still panting. ¡°Because I almost did!¡± Ryoji walked over and knelt beside me. ¡°Listen, Hiroshi. Wind is strong¡­ but fire is stronger.¡± I looked up at him, my stomach still aching. ¡°You¡¯re saying that because you use fire magic,¡± I muttered. Ryoji smirked. ¡°Of course.¡± Kaito, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke up. ¡°You should¡¯ve seen your own face, Hiroshi! You looked like you were about to cry!¡± I groaned. ¡°I felt like I was about to cry.¡± Jiro patted my shoulder, still laughing. ¡°Get used to it, kid. Training under Ryoji Kazama isn¡¯t easy.¡± I groaned louder. Kaito helped me up. ¡°Well, at least now you understand the difference in power levels, right?¡± I nodded weakly. Yeah. I understood perfectly. I wasn¡¯t even close to their level. If I wanted to survive in this world, I had to become stronger¡ªmuch stronger. As I stood up, Ryoji crossed his arms. ¡°Alright, you can take a break for today. But tomorrow, we¡¯ll start real combat training.¡± My stomach churned. ¡°That¡­ wasn¡¯t real combat training?¡± Ryoji grinned. ¡°Nope.¡± I collapsed again. Jiro and Kaito started laughing even harder. I sighed. I was doomed. Chapter 11: The Brutal Struggle I collapsed onto the ground, my lungs burning, my arms trembling, and my legs refusing to move. Ryoji stood over me, arms crossed, shaking his head in disappointment. "You call that dodging? You were standing still like a tree waiting to be cut down!" I groaned. "Maybe because you''re too fast!" "Excuses," he said, rolling his eyes. "Get up." I didn¡¯t want to get up. Every muscle in my body was screaming, my sweat-soaked shirt clung to me, and I was pretty sure I had already died three times today. But I forced myself to stand. Because I had no other choice. This world was cruel, and if I stayed weak, I''d die. Ryoji smirked as I rose to my feet. "Good. Again." He swung his wooden sword at me, and I barely managed to dodge sideways, the tip grazing my shoulder. The air around me shifted, and my instincts screamed¡ªhe was coming again! I had learned one thing from this training¡ªpredicting attacks through the flow of wind. It was subtle, but whenever Ryoji moved, the wind around him changed. And that was my only advantage. I steadied my stance and whispered, "Wind Step." Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. A sudden gust of wind pushed me forward, letting me barely avoid his next attack. My footing wobbled, but I quickly regained control. "Not bad," Ryoji admitted. "But not good enough." He swung again, and I tried to dodge the same way¡ª But this time, he read my movement. Before I could react, his sword slammed into my stomach, knocking the air out of me. I hit the ground hard, gasping. Damn it. Too predictable. Ryoji sighed. "Wind magic is not just about speed. It¡¯s about control. If you let the wind carry you blindly, you¡¯ll be easy to counter." I wiped sweat from my forehead. "Then how do I control it?" His eyes glinted. "You¡¯ll figure it out." --- Days Passed¡­ The training continued¡ªbrutal, exhausting, and relentless. Ryoji made sure I had no time to rest, pushing me beyond my limits. Every time I collapsed, he forced me to stand. Every day, my movements became sharper, my wind magic more precise, and my stamina stronger. Then one morning¡ª It finally happened. I stood in the training field, facing Ryoji. He attacked, his wooden sword moving faster than ever. But this time, I felt it¡ªthe perfect flow of wind. Instead of simply dodging, I adjusted my body, letting the wind guide me. My movements became fluid. I wasn¡¯t just using the wind¡ªI was moving with it. Ryoji''s eyes widened slightly. "Finally." I stepped forward, the wind swirling around my arms, and swung my own wooden sword. For the first time¡ªI actually landed a hit. It wasn¡¯t a strong hit, but it was enough. Ryoji stepped back, rubbing his shoulder. "Hah. You actually got me." I grinned, breathing heavily. "Does this mean I passed?" He smirked. "Not yet." --- Mana Manipulation¡ªThe Next Step "Now that you can use wind magic properly," Ryoji said, sitting cross-legged in front of me, "it''s time you learn the true foundation of all magic¡ªmana manipulation." I frowned. "I thought I was already using mana." "You were," he admitted. "But you were letting the system do the work for you. Real mages don''t rely on pre-set abilities. They bend mana to their will." He raised his hand, and a small flame appeared on his fingertip. "This isn''t a spell. This is me controlling my mana freely." I stared at the flame, fascinated. "So how do I do that?" Ryoji smirked. "Close your eyes and feel the mana inside you." I hesitated but obeyed. As I focused, I became aware of something deep inside me¡ªa faint current, like a flowing river. "That¡¯s your mana," Ryoji said. "Now, try moving it." I concentrated, attempting to push it toward my fingertips¡ª And suddenly, a gust of wind exploded from my hand, knocking me backward. I landed face-first in the dirt. Ryoji burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! Too much power, idiot!" I groaned, spitting out dirt. "You could''ve warned me!" "This is part of the learning process," he said, still chuckling. "Welcome to real magic training." I sighed, rubbing my sore face. It was going to be a long journey. Chapter 12: The Nature of Elements I sat cross-legged on the ground, still rubbing my sore face from my failed mana manipulation attempt earlier. Ryoji was standing in front of me, arms crossed, watching me with an amused smirk. "Alright, kid," he said, stretching his arms. "Before you break more of your bones trying to use magic, you need to understand the nature of elements." I blinked. "Nature of elements?" Ryoji nodded. He snapped his fingers, and a small flame flickered to life above his palm. "Each element has its own nature, its own personality. Just like how different people have different fighting styles, different elements have different ways of attacking, defending, and controlling battle." He closed his palm, extinguishing the flame, and then raised a finger. "Now listen carefully, because this knowledge separates real mages from those who just rely on system skills." --- The Six Elemental Natures Ryoji took a deep breath before starting. "There are six main elements in magic. Let¡¯s go one by one." 1. Fire ¨C He snapped his fingers again, and the flame reappeared. "Fire is destructive, wild, and explosive. It represents passion, rage, and power. Fire burns fast and hot, but it can also be reckless. That¡¯s why fire magic is ranked as a third-grade element¡ªit¡¯s powerful, but hard to control." 2. Water ¨C He flicked his wrist, and a droplet of water floated in midair. "Water is adaptive, fluid, and unpredictable. It represents calmness, intelligence, and patience. Water magic is used for both attack and support, making it one of the most balanced elements." 3. Earth ¨C He tapped the ground with his foot, and the soil beneath us trembled slightly. "Earth is solid, unshakable, and defensive. It represents stability, endurance, and strength. Earth magic is excellent for defense and close combat." If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. 4. Wind ¨C He waved his hand, and a gentle breeze blew around me. "Wind is swift, elusive, and untouchable. It represents freedom, unpredictability, and speed. Among all elements, wind is considered the weakest." I frowned. "Wait¡ªwhy? That doesn¡¯t make sense! Wind is fast and flexible!" Ryoji smirked. "It''s not because it''s weak, but because it depends entirely on the user''s mana level. Wind doesn¡¯t have the raw power of fire or earth. Its strength relies on how well the user can control it. A weak mage will have weak wind magic. But a powerful mage¡­" He snapped his fingers, and suddenly¡ªa massive gust of wind exploded from nowhere, nearly knocking me over. Dust swirled in the air, leaves flew past me, and I barely kept my balance. "¡­can turn wind into the deadliest force of nature," Ryoji finished, smirking. I swallowed hard. So wind magic wasn¡¯t weak¡­ it was just difficult to master. 5. Lightning ¨C He clapped his hands, and a small bolt of electricity sparked between his fingers. "Lightning is pure speed and destruction. It represents quick thinking, aggression, and precision. But it''s extremely mana-consuming¡ªonly a few can wield it effectively." 6. Darkness & Light ¨C His expression darkened. "And finally, the rarest elements¡ªDarkness and Light. These elements are almost never seen, and those who possess them¡­ are either feared or worshipped." I nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "So," I said, scratching my chin, "you''re saying that my wind magic isn¡¯t weak¡­ it just depends on how strong my mana is?" Ryoji smirked. "Exactly. Unlike fire or lightning, which have built-in power, wind¡¯s strength scales with the user. Meaning¡ªthe stronger you get, the more unstoppable your wind magic becomes." --- The Meaning of Mana Type Ryoji let out a sigh. "Now, let¡¯s talk about mana type and why it matters." I tilted my head. "Mana type?" "Every person is born with a specific mana type that determines their natural affinity to an element." He pointed at me. "Yours is wind. That means wind magic comes naturally to you." He then pointed at himself. "Mine is fire. That¡¯s why I was known as Dragon Fire Soldier." I nodded slowly. "So¡­ does that mean a person¡¯s mana type decides their personality too?" Ryoji chuckled. "Not completely. But it does influence a person''s nature. Fire users tend to be hotheaded and aggressive. Water users are usually calm and strategic. Earth users are stubborn but reliable. Wind users¡­ well¡­" He smirked at me. I narrowed my eyes. "What?" "Wind users are reckless, unpredictable, and sometimes a little stupid." "Oi!" Ryoji laughed loudly. "Relax! I¡¯m just saying¡ªwind magic is for those who refuse to be bound by limits. That¡¯s why wind users often defy fate itself." I paused at those words. Defy fate itself? --- A New Understanding As I processed everything, I clenched my fists. Wind magic wasn¡¯t weak. It was just waiting for me to become strong. If my power depended on my mana, then I had only one choice¡ª I had to raise my mana to the absolute limit. Ryoji watched me closely, then smirked. "I see you¡¯re finally getting it." I looked up at him, determination burning in my chest. "Then tell me how to make my mana stronger." Ryoji grinned. "That¡¯s the spirit. But be careful¡ªonce you start down this path, there''s no turning back." I smirked. "Good. I don''t plan on turning back anyway." This was just the beginning. Chapter 13: The Path of Mana The sun had barely risen when I found myself standing on the training ground once again. My muscles ached from yesterday¡¯s brutal session, but there was no time to rest. Today, Ryoji was going to teach me how to control my mana properly. I stretched my arms, feeling the cool morning breeze against my skin. ¡°Alright, brat,¡± Ryoji¡¯s voice boomed as he approached, carrying a wooden staff over his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re finally going to stop swinging that sword around like a headless chicken and start understanding how mana actually works.¡± Kaito stood next to me, yawning loudly. ¡°Why do we have to train so early?¡± Ryoji smirked. ¡°Because you two are weak. And if you want to survive in this world, you¡¯ll need to be stronger than just a bunch of flashy moves.¡± I clenched my fists. I wasn¡¯t about to argue with that. The Fundamentals of Mana Ryoji pointed at a rock nearby. ¡°Mana is the foundation of all magic. Every person has a mana core within them, but how they use it depends on their affinity.¡± He continued, ¡°Fire is destructive, aggressive, and powerful. Lightning is wild, unstable, and hard to control. Wind is free, fast, and adaptable. Water is fluid, calm, and versatile.¡± Kaito perked up at the mention of lightning. ¡°Wait, so my mana type is lightning¡­ does that mean I¡¯ll be able to summon storms or something?¡± Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Ryoji chuckled. ¡°Storms? You can barely make a spark right now, kid.¡± Kaito pouted. ¡°Hey! I can do this!¡± He ran to a small pond nearby, raised his hand, and focused his energy. A few sparks flickered around his fingers before he shot a small bolt of lightning into the water. Instantly, several small fish floated to the surface, stunned. ¡°¡­That¡¯s not exactly impressive,¡± I muttered. ¡°It¡¯s useful for fishing,¡± Kaito grinned, picking up a fish and waving it in front of me. Ryoji sighed. ¡°You¡¯re hopeless.¡± Feeling the Flow of Mana Ryoji turned back to me. ¡°Hiroshi, before you can master wind magic, you need to learn how to feel mana. Close your eyes and focus on the air around you.¡± I did as he said, shutting out the sounds of nature, the rustling trees, and even Kaito mumbling about grilled fish. At first, there was nothing. Just darkness. Then¡­ something shifted. I felt it¡ªa faint presence, like invisible threads flowing around me. The air moved, not just with the wind but with energy. My skin tingled as if I was standing in the middle of a storm without any rain. ¡°Good,¡± Ryoji¡¯s voice cut through my focus. ¡°That¡¯s mana. It¡¯s everywhere, but only those who train can control it.¡± I opened my eyes, breathless. ¡°I¡­ I think I felt it.¡± Ryoji nodded. ¡°Now, try drawing it into yourself.¡± The First Step to Mastery This time, I focused harder. I imagined the mana around me as threads of wind, pulling them into my body. For a brief second, I felt something rush into my chest. It was light, fast, almost intoxicating. But then¡ª ¡°GAH!¡± I staggered back, coughing. Kaito laughed. ¡°Wow, that was pathetic.¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± I grumbled, wiping my mouth. Ryoji smirked. ¡°Not bad for a first attempt. But you¡¯re trying to take in too much at once. Your body isn¡¯t used to it yet.¡± I took a deep breath and tried again, this time drawing the mana in slowly. The energy wrapped around me, settling into my body without resistance. I grinned. I was finally getting it. Kaito crossed his arms. ¡°Alright, if he can do it, so can I.¡± He closed his eyes and concentrated. Sparks flickered around him, but unlike me, his mana was unstable. The air around him crackled with electricity, uncontrolled and dangerous. Ryoji frowned. ¡°Kaito, stop.¡± But it was too late. A bolt of lightning shot from Kaito¡¯s hands, striking a nearby tree. The entire thing exploded into flames. We all turned to look at the burning tree. ¡°¡­Oops,¡± Kaito muttered. I sighed. ¡°We¡¯re so screwed.¡± Ryoji rubbed his temples. ¡°This is going to be a long training session.¡± Chapter 14: The Return of Maito Kasama The rhythmic sound of hooves against the dirt sent a strange tension through the village. The mist parted, revealing a tall, armored man riding atop a black warhorse. His movements were sharp and disciplined, his posture rigid like a seasoned warrior. Before I could even process what was happening, a loud scream broke the silence. "BIG BROTHER, YOU¡¯RE BACK!" I turned just in time to see Kaito sprinting toward the man, his face lighting up with pure excitement. His voice echoed through the village, instantly waking the sleeping villagers. Windows creaked open, doors swung ajar, and murmurs spread among the people. The armored warrior dismounted effortlessly, his blue cloak swaying in the morning breeze. He removed his helmet, revealing sharp features, piercing eyes, and dark blue hair¡ªa striking resemblance to Kaito. His gaze scanned the area before landing on Kaito, a small smirk forming on his lips. "You¡¯re still as loud as ever, Kaito," the man spoke in a deep, composed voice. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Kaito practically tackled him in a hug. "Maito! It¡¯s really you!" Maito Kasama. The name felt heavy¡ªit carried weight, respect, and power. The villagers who had gathered around whispered among themselves. ¡°Maito-sama has returned.¡± ¡°The prodigy of the Kasama family¡­ an elite soldier of the kingdom¡¯s army.¡± ¡°With him here, the village is safe.¡± I noticed something odd. My system didn¡¯t display his stats. Usually, when I focused on someone, their stats would appear¡ªbut for Maito, there was nothing. ¡°System?¡± I whispered in my mind. ¡°Why can¡¯t I see his stats?¡± > [System Restriction: Target exceeds Grade B+. Information unavailable.] That meant¡­ Maito Kasama was at least a Grade A- warrior, stronger than his father, Ryoji. I clenched my fists. Just when I thought I was starting to catch up, I was reminded of how vast the power difference truly was. Maito¡¯s sharp eyes finally landed on me. I felt a chill. ¡°And who¡¯s this?¡± he asked, his voice carrying authority. Kaito grinned. ¡°Big brother, this is Hiroshi! He¡¯s my friend¡ªand guess what? He¡¯s the one who killed the Direwolf!¡± The moment Kaito said that, the murmurs around us exploded into full-blown shock. Maito¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°You? You killed a Grade 3 monster?¡± I swallowed hard but nodded. ¡°¡­Yeah.¡± He studied me for a long moment before smirking. ¡°Interesting.¡± Without another word, he turned to his father, Ryoji Kasama, who had just stepped out of his house, arms crossed. ¡°Father, let¡¯s talk inside.¡± I watched as the two men walked into the Kasama household, leaving me standing there with Kaito. Kaito, still buzzing with excitement, turned to me. ¡°Hiroshi! You have no idea how awesome my brother is! He¡¯s one of the youngest elite soldiers in the kingdom! He¡¯s fought on real battlefields!¡± I exhaled, still processing everything. Maito Kasama. A Grade A- elite soldier. His arrival¡­ was going to change everything. Chapter 15: The Challenge of Maito Kasama Inside the Kasama household, the air was thick with tension. Maito and Ryoji sat across from each other, their voices low and serious. ¡°This village has been peaceful for too long,¡± Maito muttered. ¡°But something feels off. The sudden increase in monster activity¡­ and now a Direwolf appearing near the village?¡± His fingers tapped against the wooden table. ¡°This isn¡¯t normal, Father.¡± Ryoji sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°I know.¡± He leaned forward. ¡°That¡¯s why I trained Kaito and why I¡¯m helping Hiroshi. If danger is coming, we need fighters.¡± Maito¡¯s sharp gaze narrowed. ¡°Tell me about this Hiroshi.¡± Ryoji paused, then smirked. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ interesting.¡± Meanwhile, outside the house, Kaito fidgeted with excitement. ¡°Hiroshi!¡± he whispered, grabbing my arm. ¡°Let¡¯s eavesdrop on them!¡± This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. I raised an eyebrow. ¡°You sure that¡¯s a good idea?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Kaito grinned. ¡°My brother always talks about crazy stuff. Maybe we¡¯ll hear something important.¡± I sighed but followed his lead as we crept toward the window. Kaito was practically bouncing on his feet, but just as we got close enough to hear¡ª The front door swung open violently. Maito stepped out, his sharp eyes locking onto us. ¡°Kaito,¡± he said in an amused tone. ¡°I know you¡¯re trying to eavesdrop, but our conversation is already over. So, stop wasting time and come here now.¡± Kaito froze mid-step, his mouth hanging open. ¡°H-How did you¡ª?¡± Maito smirked. ¡°You¡¯re predictable.¡± I exhaled, relieved that we weren¡¯t in trouble. But then Maito turned to me, his eyes analyzing me like a predator sizing up prey. ¡°Hiroshi.¡± I stood up straight. ¡°Yes?¡± A gleam of excitement flashed in Maito¡¯s gaze. ¡°I heard you killed a Direwolf.¡± I nodded slowly. ¡°I did.¡± Maito crossed his arms. ¡°That¡¯s impressive¡­ but I want to see it for myself.¡± I blinked. ¡°See what?¡± Maito¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Your strength. Let¡¯s have a duel.¡± The words hit me like a thunderbolt. The villagers around us gasped, murmuring in shock. An elite soldier challenging an outsider? Kaito¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Wait, wait, wait¡ªbig brother, are you serious?! You want to fight Hiroshi?¡± Maito nodded. ¡°Not a real fight. Just a friendly duel.¡± He looked at me. ¡°You¡¯ve fought monsters, but have you fought a trained warrior?¡± I clenched my fists. The answer was no. I had been fighting for survival, but a duel with a real soldier was an entirely different battle. But still¡­ I wasn¡¯t going to back down. I met Maito¡¯s gaze and gave a determined nod. ¡°Alright. I accept.¡± Maito¡¯s smirk deepened. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got.¡± Chapter 16: The Storm Against the Mountain Maito stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders casually as we stood in the training ground. His calm, confident posture made it seem like this was nothing more than a simple warm-up. ¡°I won¡¯t use my mana,¡± he said, his voice polite but firm. ¡°But you can use yours freely. I heard your element is wind¡ªso come at me like a storm, Hiroshi.¡± His words weren¡¯t mocking. They were encouraging. I clenched my fists, feeling a mixture of determination and nervousness. Maito was an elite soldier. Even without mana, his skill was undoubtedly on another level. But this was my chance to prove myself. Kaito stood at the side, bouncing with excitement. ¡°Hiroshi, give it your best shot!¡± I took a deep breath and focused, feeling the wind gathering around me. Then I moved. I dashed forward, enhancing my speed with wind mana, aiming a punch straight at Maito¡¯s chest. But he wasn¡¯t there. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. In the blink of an eye, he sidestepped, completely avoiding my attack. ¡°Not bad,¡± he commented. ¡°But predictable.¡± I gritted my teeth and spun around, sending a blast of wind toward him. The gust howled as it rushed toward him, kicking up dust and leaves¡ª But Maito simply walked through it. Not dodging. Walking. Like my attack wasn¡¯t even worth the effort of avoiding. I widened my stance and tried something else. If wind alone wasn¡¯t enough, I had to use speed. I pushed off the ground with a burst of wind, launching myself behind him and throwing a kick¡ª But Maito¡¯s hand shot out and caught my leg effortlessly. ¡°Too slow.¡± With a simple push, he sent me stumbling backward. This is insane! I thought, regaining my footing. He¡¯s not even using mana, and he¡¯s still too fast! Before I could react, a sudden burst of fire erupted from the training ground¡¯s edge. One of the trees was engulfed in flames. Maito turned his head and shouted, ¡°Kaito! Don¡¯t go destroying the village, okay?!¡± Kaito scratched his head, looking sheepish. ¡°S-Sorry! I was just practicing¡­¡± Maito sighed and turned back to me. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to attack while I¡¯m distracted?¡± I froze. He was giving me an opening. Without hesitating, I dashed forward, wind swirling around me. This was my chance! I threw everything I had at him. A rapid flurry of wind-powered punches and kicks. My strikes were faster than before, sharper, more precise¡ª But Maito dodged every single one. He wasn¡¯t even breaking a sweat. I tried a feint, pretending to go left before striking from the right¡ª But Maito caught my wrist. In a single motion, he flipped me over and pinned me to the ground. It was over. I gasped for breath, my body aching from the struggle. I had lost. Maito released me and stood up, smiling. ¡°Not bad. You¡¯ve got potential.¡± I groaned, rubbing my sore back. ¡°That felt more like a beating than a lesson.¡± Maito laughed. ¡°That was a lesson.¡± I sat up, catching my breath. Even though I lost, one thing was clear¡ªI was still weak. But I wouldn¡¯t stay that way forever. Chapter 17: The Path Chosen by Fate The midday sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows over the training ground. Kaito was drenched in sweat, panting as he practiced his lightning magic. Sparks crackled at his fingertips, small but controlled, flickering in and out like fireflies. Maito and I sat nearby, watching him struggle with the element¡¯s unpredictability. My mind was still reeling from my conversation with Maito about my past. Even now, I wasn¡¯t sure how to process it all. Just then, a familiar voice cut through the air. ¡°You all look troubled.¡± We turned to see Ryoji Kasama walking toward us. His presence alone was enough to make the air feel heavier. His eyes, sharp and knowing, scanned us one by one. Even Kaito, who had been fully focused on training, straightened up at the sight of his father. Ryoji sighed and crossed his arms. ¡°Everyone here has something weighing on their mind. I can see it on your faces.¡± I glanced at Maito, who gave a small shrug, clearly not denying it. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Ryoji stepped closer and placed a hand on Kaito¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Yet despite everything, this boy is still training. Why are the rest of you just sitting around?¡± Kaito grinned. ¡°That¡¯s because I¡¯m the best, obviously.¡± Maito rolled his eyes. ¡°You just don¡¯t want to get scolded.¡± I chuckled, but Ryoji¡¯s voice turned serious. ¡°Listen to me. No one here met by accident.¡± That statement alone made us go silent. Ryoji continued, his deep voice carrying wisdom that came from years on the battlefield. ¡°There is no such thing as coincidence. Everyone in this world follows a path chosen for them. God does not play dice¡ªhe separates each person¡¯s fate with purpose.¡± He looked directly at me. ¡°Even you, Hiroshi.¡± I tensed at his words. ¡°You were brought here for a reason. You may not understand it yet, but I promise you, one day, you will.¡± I swallowed hard. Could that be true? Maito frowned. ¡°And what about us?¡± Ryoji smirked. ¡°The same goes for you. None of you should waste time sitting around when there¡¯s so much to learn.¡± He turned toward Kaito. ¡°Even though Kaito struggles, he is still pushing forward. That¡¯s something you all should learn from.¡± Kaito puffed out his chest. ¡°See? Father finally acknowledges my greatness!¡± Maito flicked his forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself, idiot.¡± Ryoji sighed. ¡°Enough messing around. I came here because I have something to tell you all.¡± We straightened up, sensing the shift in his tone. ¡°There is a reason why I trained you, Hiroshi. And why Maito returned now. Things are moving faster than expected.¡± I frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡± He didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, he looked toward the sky, as if searching for the right words. Then, in a quiet but firm voice, he said, ¡°A storm is coming.¡± The air around us felt heavier. Even Kaito, usually carefree, looked serious. Ryoji¡¯s eyes met mine. ¡°You must all be ready. The world will not wait for you to catch up.¡± His words sent a shiver down my spine. This wasn¡¯t just about training anymore. Something big was coming. Chapter 18: The Shadow’s Warning The sun had just begun its descent, casting a golden hue over the village as the cool evening breeze rolled in. It had been an exhausting week of relentless training, but progress was undeniable. I could feel it¡ªmana no longer felt like an unstable force within me. It flowed smoother, more naturally. Kaito, despite his struggle with lightning magic, had also improved. He could now summon small controlled bolts without shocking himself. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s take a break,¡± Maito announced, stretching his arms behind his head. I wiped the sweat off my forehead and sat on the grass, catching my breath. Kaito collapsed next to me, completely drained. ¡°I swear, if I have to meditate for another second, I¡¯m going to pass out.¡± I laughed. ¡°Hey, at least you don¡¯t get dizzy from wind magic like I do.¡± Just then, I felt a shift in the atmosphere. A strange sensation crawled up my spine¡ªlike the temperature had dropped, yet the air around us felt heavier. Maito¡¯s playful expression vanished. He stood up suddenly, his gaze sharp as he scanned the surroundings. Ryoji, who had been observing us from a distance, narrowed his eyes. ¡°¡­You feel that too, don¡¯t you?¡± he muttered to Maito. Maito nodded. ¡°Yeah. Something¡¯s off.¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. I exchanged a look with Kaito. What was going on? Kaito frowned. ¡°What are you guys talking about?¡± Ryoji didn¡¯t answer right away. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword. ¡°An eerie presence¡­ just beyond the village.¡± Maito¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°It¡¯s faint, but it¡¯s definitely there. Something is lurking in the shadows.¡± The air became unsettling. Even Kaito and I, who weren¡¯t as experienced, could now sense it. A chilling aura creeping in from the distance. Then¡ª DING! A familiar sound echoed in my head. The system had activated. A message appeared in front of me in glowing letters. > [WARNING: GRADE 2 BEAST DETECTED] [LOCATION: SHADOW REALM PRESENCE CONFIRMED] My heart pounded. A Grade 2 beast? I turned to Maito and Ryoji, whose expressions had darkened. This wasn¡¯t normal. And whatever it was¡­ it was coming. Chapter 18.5: The System¡¯s Bestiary As the system notification faded from my view, another screen appeared in front of me. Unlike the usual blue-hued messages, this one had a darker shade, almost as if it carried a heavier weight. > [BEAST CLASSIFICATION UNLOCKED] [Displaying Known Beast Grades] A list appeared, showcasing various creatures along with their stats. My eyes widened as I read through them. Grade 5: Crawling Lizard Strength: 60 Agility: 34 Mana: 68 A large reptilian beast that hides in underground caves. Known for its high mana affinity and ability to regenerate severed limbs. Grade 4: White Fox Strength: 50 Agility: 64 Mana: 47 A mystical creature often associated with deception and illusion magic. Its speed makes it almost untouchable in battle. Grade 3: Direwolf Strength: 47 Agility: 54 Mana: 68 The beast I had barely managed to defeat. Seeing its stats now, I felt a chill. If that was only Grade 3¡­ then what about the higher ones? Grade 2: Black Panther Strength: 63 Agility: 47 Mana: 70 The system had just warned about this one. A predatory beast known for its deadly precision and shadow-stealth abilities. Grade 1: Black Unicorn Strength: 80 Agility: 80 Mana: 85 The final name sent a shiver down my spine. A Black Unicorn? I had never heard of such a thing before. With those stats, it was practically an unstoppable force. As I stared at the list, a new message appeared at the bottom. > [You are currently facing a Grade 2 Threat. Survival Rate: 34%] I swallowed hard. This was bad. Chapter 19: A New Threat The system message lingered in my mind as I turned toward Maito. My throat felt dry, and my fingers trembled slightly as I relayed the warning. ¡°Maito¡­ the system just alerted me. A Grade 2 beast has appeared.¡± Maito¡¯s usual composed expression shifted instantly. His eyes sharpened as he stepped closer. ¡°What grade?¡± I hesitated before forcing the words out. ¡°The Black Panther.¡± The moment the name left my mouth, Maito¡¯s face darkened. A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead, something I hadn¡¯t seen before. If even Maito¡ªan elite soldier¡ªwas reacting like this, then this thing was no joke. Kaito, who had been training nearby, turned to us with a confused expression. ¡°Black Panther? What¡¯s that?¡± Maito inhaled sharply before answering. ¡°A predator. One of the deadliest beasts in the wild. It doesn¡¯t just hunt its prey¡ªit plays with it. Unlike the Direwolf, which relies on brute strength, the Black Panther is a master of stealth. If it¡¯s already nearby, it¡¯s probably been watching us for a while.¡± Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. A heavy silence filled the air. The idea that something had been lurking in the shadows, studying us without us even realizing it, sent shivers down my spine. I clenched my fists. ¡°Can we take it down?¡± Maito shook his head. ¡°If it were just me and my father, maybe. But even then, it would be a gamble. A beast like this doesn¡¯t fight fair. It strikes from the darkness and vanishes before you can react. If you don¡¯t kill it in one hit, it will escape¡ªand come back when you least expect it.¡± Ryoji, who had been sitting in the distance observing our training, stood up and walked toward us. His face was serious. ¡°So it¡¯s finally appeared, huh?¡± He sighed. ¡°I had a feeling something was coming, but I didn¡¯t expect it to be a Grade 2 beast.¡± I turned to him. ¡°You knew something was wrong?¡± Ryoji nodded. ¡°When you train in mana control long enough, you start to feel distortions in the flow of nature. For the past few nights, something has been disturbing the balance around the village. But I wasn¡¯t sure what it was¡­ until now.¡± Maito tightened his grip on his sword. ¡°We need to act fast. If the Black Panther is close, that means it¡¯s already chosen its target.¡± Kaito gulped. ¡°Target?¡± Maito looked at me. ¡°It¡¯s probably you, Hiroshi.¡± I felt my heart drop. ¡°Me?! Why?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re the weakest one here.¡± Maito¡¯s voice was blunt but firm. ¡°Beasts are like predators in nature¡ªthey go for the easiest prey first. You may have magic, but you lack experience. That makes you vulnerable.¡± I gritted my teeth. I knew he was right. Compared to Maito, Ryoji, or even Kaito, I was still just a beginner. Ryoji crossed his arms. ¡°We need to prepare. If the Black Panther attacks, we either have to kill it instantly or drive it far away from the village. But failing isn¡¯t an option.¡± Maito nodded. ¡°Agreed. And we can¡¯t let the villagers panic. If they run, they¡¯ll only become easier prey.¡± I exhaled, trying to calm my racing heart. ¡°Then what do we do?¡± Maito unsheathed his sword, the blade reflecting the dim light of the setting sun. ¡°We hunt it first.¡± Chapter 20: A Dangerous Plan I stood there, frozen for a moment, trying to steady my breathing. The weight of the situation pressed down on me like a mountain. A Grade 2 beast¡ªsomething that even Maito and Ryoji took seriously¡ªwas now hunting me. I exhaled and forced a smirk. ¡°Hey, Maito¡­ do you know that in my world, we also have black panthers?¡± Maito raised an eyebrow, still gripping his sword. ¡°Oh?¡± I nodded. ¡°Yeah, but they don¡¯t go around attacking humans. They stay in the wild, and as long as we don¡¯t bother them, they don¡¯t bother us. So, we never really worry about them.¡± Kaito blinked. ¡°Wait, really? That sounds way better than this situation.¡± I sighed. ¡°Yeah, but now it¡¯s different. This thing is actively hunting me.¡± Maito narrowed his eyes. ¡°What are you getting at?¡± I clenched my fists, determination setting in. ¡°I have a plan.¡± Kaito leaned in. ¡°Oh? What¡¯s your idea?¡± The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. I turned to Maito. ¡°All we need to do is lead the Black Panther away from the village, right?¡± Maito hesitated before nodding. ¡°Yes, but that¡¯s easier said than done. If it¡¯s already picked you as its target, it won¡¯t just walk away.¡± I smirked. ¡°Then leave that part to me.¡± Kaito immediately looked worried. ¡°Wait, wait, wait¡ªwhat do you mean, ¡®leave that part to me¡¯?! Hiroshi, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re planning to use yourself as bait?!¡± I glanced at him and shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m planning.¡± Kaito¡¯s mouth fell open. ¡°HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!¡± Maito sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°I should¡¯ve known you¡¯d say something reckless.¡± Ryoji, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. ¡°You want to lure it out?¡± I nodded. ¡°That¡¯s the best way. If it sees me running, it¡¯ll chase me down, right? That¡¯s what predators do.¡± Maito crossed his arms. ¡°That¡¯s true¡­ but do you understand what you¡¯re up against? This isn¡¯t just some wild animal¡ªit¡¯s a Grade 2 beast. If it catches you, it won¡¯t hesitate to tear you apart.¡± I gulped but stood my ground. ¡°That¡¯s why I won¡¯t let it catch me.¡± Maito shook his head. ¡°I get what you¡¯re trying to do, but it¡¯s too risky. If we mess up, you¡¯ll be dead in seconds.¡± Ryoji nodded. ¡°I agree. We need a backup plan.¡± I thought for a moment, then grinned. ¡°Then how about this? I¡¯ll lead it toward the river outside the village. If I can get it close enough, you guys ambush it.¡± Maito rubbed his chin. ¡°The river, huh¡­ That¡¯s not a bad idea. The water will slow it down, making it harder for it to use its speed against us.¡± Ryoji smirked. ¡°I see¡­ and if we catch it off guard, we might be able to land a fatal blow.¡± Kaito still looked nervous. ¡°But¡­ are you sure you can outrun it?¡± I stretched my arms. ¡°I don¡¯t have to outrun it forever¡ªjust long enough to lead it to the river.¡± Maito sighed. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying this, but¡­ fine. We¡¯ll go with your plan.¡± I grinned. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit.¡± Ryoji placed a hand on my shoulder. ¡°Just don¡¯t die, kid. We don¡¯t have time to mourn an idiot.¡± I laughed nervously. ¡°Yeah, yeah. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Maito cracked his knuckles. ¡°Then let¡¯s get into position. We don¡¯t have much time.¡± Chapter 21: The Call of the Hunt [System Alert!] Stats temporarily increased by 10 through sheer will. I stared at the glowing notification in front of me, blinking in disbelief. Then, instead of feeling cautious or worried, I laughed. A deep, confident laugh that I hadn''t felt in a long time. ¡°Oh, now we¡¯re talking!¡± I grinned. Kaito looked at me like I had lost my mind. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?! We¡¯re about to deal with a Grade 2 Black Panther, and you¡¯re standing there laughing?!¡± Maito and Ryoji were still trying to process what was happening, but I didn¡¯t wait for them. Without hesitation, I turned toward the overwhelming aura coming from the dense forest and ran straight at it. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°Hiroshi, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!¡± Maito shouted in shock. Ryoji frowned, gripping his sword. ¡°Is that idiot seriously rushing toward it?!¡± I ignored them. My body felt lighter, my senses sharper than ever. Was this what it felt like to break past my limits? The temporary level-up from the system was a blessing in disguise. If this power boost was real, I needed to take advantage of it before it wore off. As I sprinted into the trees, the golden glow of the evening sky began to fade. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world into darkness. Within moments, the sky transformed into a deep shade of navy blue, and the moon ascended to its peak. The perfect hunting hour. A chill ran down my spine, but I clenched my fists. I wasn¡¯t prey¡ªI was here to fight. Suddenly, the oppressive aura in front of me grew even stronger. The shadows between the trees shifted unnaturally, moving like living entities. I could hear the faint rustling of leaves and the soft sound of paws pressing against the dirt. It¡¯s here. The Black Panther wasn¡¯t revealing itself just yet, but I could feel it watching me. Stalking me. Waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I inhaled sharply and steadied myself. ¡°Alright, big guy¡­ let¡¯s dance.¡± Chapter 22: Blood Moon and the Hunt Begins A low, guttural growl rumbled through the trees, sending a shiver down my spine. My breath hitched as I caught sight of the beast emerging from the shadows. [System Alert!] Warning: Grade 2 Beast¡ªBlack Panther detected. Prepare for battle. Right at that moment, the panther lunged. Fast¡ªtoo fast. Before I could even react, a sharp force slammed into me, sending me flying backward. My body crashed against the hard ground, knocking the air out of my lungs. A searing pain spread across my chest where its claws had raked me. I groaned, struggling to get up. The system warned me, yet I still got hit¡­ Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. But something was wrong. As I tried to regain focus, an immense pressure filled the air. A sudden rush of mana erupted from the Black Panther¡¯s body. Its dark fur shimmered unnaturally under the moonlight, and then¡ª The moon turned crimson. I froze. It was as if real blood had been spilled across the sky, painting the full moon in a deep red hue. The eerie sight sent a wave of unease through my body. Even the wind seemed to howl in warning. ¡°What the hell¡­?¡± Maito whispered, his face turning serious. He had been watching from a distance, but now, his expression shifted. He saw it too. Then, without hesitation, Maito leaped into action. ¡°Vampire Shark!¡± Water swirled around his arm, forming into the shape of a massive shark. It twisted and coiled like a living entity before launching toward the Black Panther at an insane speed. The beast sensed the attack and tried to dodge, but it was too late. SLASH! The Vampire Shark attack sliced cleanly through its back left leg. The panther let out a bloodcurdling roar, staggering as dark liquid gushed from its wound. I forced myself to stand, gripping my sword. The air around me shifted. Wind. Not just any wind. This time, it was different. A powerful gust surged from my weapon, wrapping around me like a raging storm. My eyes widened in realization¡ªthis was real wind magic. My mana, my strength¡­ something had awakened. I clenched my jaw, lifting my blade. The wind howled in response. ¡°Your move, beast.¡± Chapter 23: Awakening of the Wind God The wind roared around me, swirling like a storm waiting to be unleashed. My grip on the sword tightened as I steadied my breath, ready to face the injured yet still terrifying Black Panther. [System Alert!] New Ability Unlocked: Beast Mode ¨C Wind God F¨±jin A new screen popped up before me, the text glowing ominously against the crimson-lit battlefield. Do you wish to become a god of wind? I hesitated for only a moment. My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the question. This power¡ªwas it even something a human could handle? But there was no time to second-guess. If I held back now, the village would be in danger. I clenched my fists and made my choice. "Yes." The instant I accepted, a violent storm exploded from my body. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. WHOOSH! A monstrous gust of wind erupted from the ground beneath me, sending dust and debris flying in every direction. The air around me twisted into a tornado-like vortex, forcing Maito and Ryoji to shield their faces as they braced against the sudden pressure. ¡°W-what the hell is this?!¡± Maito shouted over the deafening roar of the wind. The sky above trembled as my surroundings blurred into a chaotic storm. I could feel it¡ªthe power coursing through my veins. It wasn¡¯t just ordinary wind magic anymore. This was something far greater. But then¡­ I noticed something strange. My stats¡­ hadn¡¯t changed. Despite the overwhelming force surrounding me, my Strength, Agility, and Mana levels remained the same. The system hadn''t boosted my abilities, nor had I suddenly gained monstrous power. Yet¡­ why did I feel so different? The Black Panther, despite its injuries, stood tall. Its glowing eyes locked onto me, its instincts warning of the new force before it. It let out a low growl, tensing its muscles as if ready to counterattack. I took a step forward. The wind responded. A sharp whoosh followed my movement, and I realized¡ªthis wasn¡¯t about raw power. This was control. I lifted my sword, and the wind wrapped around it like an extension of my own body. The weight of the weapon vanished, replaced by an almost unnatural lightness. My footing felt effortless, as if the very air beneath me carried my steps. This wasn¡¯t strength. It was finesse. ¡°Hiroshi¡­ what did you just do?¡± Ryoji¡¯s voice was wary. Even Maito, the elite soldier, seemed uneasy. I turned toward them, feeling the storm settle slightly around me. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted. ¡°But it feels like¡­¡± I glanced down at my hands, watching the wind coil between my fingers like a living entity. ¡°¡­like I¡¯ve become the wind itself.¡± The Black Panther roared, snapping me out of my thoughts. It wasn¡¯t going to wait for me to understand my power¡ªit was going to kill me now. But this time, I was ready. "Let''s finish this." Chapter 24: The Fall of the Black Panther The battlefield was painted in chaos¡ªwhirling winds, raging fire, and the crimson glow of the blood-drenched moon. The Black Panther, though heavily wounded, still refused to fall. Its glowing eyes burned with fury, its muscles coiling like a tightly wound spring, ready to pounce at any moment. Ryoji took a step forward, his presence towering like an immovable mountain. He let out a deep breath, then turned to me with a grin. "Let''s go with our flow, Hiroshi." His words carried weight, as if something monumental was about to happen. Without hesitation, Ryoji raised his right hand, summoning flames that spiraled upward like a living entity. His mana surged through the air, igniting a brilliant golden fire that took the form of a massive dragon, its eyes blazing like miniature suns. "Dragon¡¯s Fire Breath!" The flaming dragon roared, its mouth opening wide as it prepared to unleash hell upon the Black Panther. Seeing this, something clicked inside me. The wind was mine to command. Without thinking, I swung my arms forward, my mana surging through my veins like a raging river. The wind around me howled, merging with the inferno Ryoji had summoned. The flames twisted, shaped by the force of the storm, transforming into something far greater. The fire dragon expanded, growing in size and intensity. Its body became a swirling inferno, its flames sharpened by the razor-like currents of my wind magic. It was no longer just a dragon of fire. It was a storm of destruction. Ryoji¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "This... This is the attack of the Six Strongest!" The Dragon King¡¯s Lynn Breath. With an earth-shattering roar, the dragon unleashed its breath, a devastating blast of fire and wind combined. The sheer force of the attack shattered the ground beneath it, sending shockwaves that made the very air tremble. The Black Panther had no time to react. The firestorm engulfed its entire body, flames licking at its dark fur, burning away its very existence. The once-mighty beast, feared for its strength and agility, could do nothing but let out a final, agonized roar as its form was reduced to ashes. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. But it still wasn¡¯t over. As the last remnants of the flames dissipated, a shadow flickered within the smoke. Despite its scorched and tattered body, the Black Panther still stood. Blood dripped from its burned flesh, its legs trembling. Its once-powerful aura had faded, yet its will to fight remained unbroken. Maito took one step forward, his face calm yet resolute. ¡°I¡¯ll finish this,¡± he said, his voice carrying a chilling finality. He lifted his hand, and the air froze around him. The temperature dropped instantly, and a swirling mass of water gathered at his fingertips. It wasn¡¯t just ordinary water¡ªit was pressurized, sharpened, condensed into something far deadlier. His mana surged, and the water shaped itself into a massive blade¡ªa dragon¡¯s fang, forged from liquid yet harder than steel. "Water Blast: Dragon Slice!" In one swift motion, Maito swung his arm, and the water blade tore through the air. A blinding flash of blue light followed. The Black Panther didn¡¯t even have time to move. In the next second, its body was sliced clean in half. A deafening silence followed. For a moment, none of us moved. The beast¡ªone of the strongest creatures we had ever faced¡ªwas dead. The battle was over. Maito exhaled, lowering his hand. His attack had been precise, swift, and absolute. There was no unnecessary suffering, no drawn-out agony. Ryoji stepped forward, placing a hand on Maito¡¯s shoulder. "Well done." I, too, let out a breath, my body suddenly feeling heavy. The battle had drained me more than I realized. The power of Wind God F¨±jin was still coursing through my veins, but I could tell that it wasn¡¯t infinite. It was a temporary gift¡ªone that could vanish at any moment. As the Black Panther¡¯s body disintegrated into mana particles, the crimson glow of the moon slowly faded, returning to its normal pale-white hue. The village was safe. Chapter 24.5: The Taste of Victory? The battlefield had fallen silent. The Black Panther was no more, its body having disintegrated into mana particles, leaving nothing but a faint, eerie mist. The tension in the air slowly faded as exhaustion settled in. Maito wiped the sweat from his brow and let out a satisfied sigh. "That was tougher than expected," he muttered. Ryoji stretched his shoulders. "It¡¯s been a while since I had to use that much mana," he admitted. As for me, I just stood there, still in disbelief. I had fought side by side with warriors far stronger than me. I had seen power beyond anything I could imagine. And yet... "Hey!" A loud voice suddenly broke through my thoughts. I turned my head to see Kaito with his arms crossed, staring at the spot where the Black Panther had been. His expression was serious. Too serious. "Uh... what is it?" I asked hesitantly. Kaito narrowed his eyes. "We should¡¯ve saved some of it." Maito blinked. "Saved... some of what?" Kaito pointed dramatically at the empty ground. "The meat!" Silence. Ryoji¡¯s face twitched. Maito¡¯s mouth hung slightly open. I just stood there, trying to process what he had just said. "You¡¯re joking," I finally said. Kaito shook his head firmly. "Nope. That thing was huge! Can you imagine how much meat we could¡¯ve gotten out of it? We¡¯re in a village. Food is important! And who knows? Maybe Black Panther meat is delicious!" Ryoji facepalmed. Maito let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples. "Kaito¡­ you do realize that was a Grade 2 Beast, right? Its body was full of mana. Who knows what would¡¯ve happened if you ate it?" Kaito shrugged. "Maybe I would¡¯ve leveled up." I stared at him in disbelief. "Or maybe you would¡¯ve exploded." Kaito scoffed. "Tch. We¡¯ll never know now, will we?" Ryoji let out a long sigh. "Kaito, listen to me carefully¡­ we do not eat mana beasts." "Why not?" Kaito protested. "Maito, back me up here!" Maito shook his head. "No way. I¡¯m not risking food poisoning from a mana-infused predator." Kaito looked at me. I crossed my arms. "Not happening." Kaito groaned in defeat. "Man¡­ what a waste." Ryoji chuckled. "You¡¯re lucky it disappeared on its own, or else I would¡¯ve made you carry that entire panther back to the village." Kaito shivered at the thought. "Okay, okay! I get it!" The mood finally lightened, and the exhaustion of battle was replaced with laughter. The tension had passed, and for the first time in what felt like forever, things felt normal again. And with that, our first true battle had come to an end. Chapter 25: Two Years Later The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the village. The once-quiet training grounds now echoed with the clash of wooden swords, the sharp hum of mana techniques, and the occasional grunt of effort. Two years had passed since Hiroshi and Kaito began their training under Ryoji Kasama. What had once been the fumbling steps of beginners had now evolved into the disciplined strikes of trained warriors. Hiroshi wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing steadily. His body had become far stronger, and his movements now carried precision and purpose. He glanced at Kaito, who was standing across from him, his hands crackling with tiny sparks of lightning. "You¡¯ve improved," Kaito said with a grin. "Not bad, Hiroshi." Hiroshi smirked. "You too. You don¡¯t just zap yourself anymore." Kaito¡¯s grin vanished instantly. "Hey, that only happened a few times!" Their friendly banter was interrupted by a deep chuckle. Ryoji Kasama stood nearby, arms crossed, watching them with an approving nod. "You two have come a long way," he said. "Your mana control is solid, your combat instincts are sharper, and you¡¯ve both reached a level that would put you on par with a Grade C mage." Hiroshi and Kaito shared a look. Grade C. It was a huge leap from where they had started, but compared to the true powerhouses of this world, they were still just stepping onto the battlefield. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Understanding the World Over the past two years, they had learned not just how to fight, but also how the world functioned. Mana was the foundation of everything. Those who could harness it were divided into different Grades, starting from the weakest at Grade F and rising all the way to the legendary Grade S. But power alone wasn¡¯t enough. The world was filled with creatures far beyond human comprehension¡ªMana Beasts. Mana Beast Rankings: Low-Grade Beasts ¨C Common creatures that were dangerous to ordinary people but manageable for trained fighters. Numbered Grade Beasts ¨C Special beasts classified from Grade 5 to Grade 1, each significantly more powerful than the last. Grade 1 Beast: The Black Unicorn ¨C The pinnacle of existence. Unlike the other mana beasts, which varied in numbers, the Black Unicorn was a unique entity. Only one had ever existed, and no one had ever slain one. Even the Six Strongest Warriors of the World refused to challenge it. A legend surrounded the creature, a warning passed down through generations: "Don¡¯t ever try to approach or even think about it. If you do, you die in a millisecond." Even hearing those words sent a shiver down Hiroshi¡¯s spine. "To think that something like that exists," he muttered one evening as he and Kaito sat by a campfire, discussing their training. "Yeah," Kaito said, tossing a small spark of lightning into the fire. "But you know¡­ I kinda want to see it one day." Hiroshi stared at him. "Did you not hear the part where even thinking about it can get you killed?" Kaito laughed. "I didn¡¯t say I¡¯d fight it! I just wanna see it. From a safe distance." "With your luck, you¡¯d sneeze, and it¡¯d notice you." Kaito groaned. "Come on, have a little faith in me." Hiroshi chuckled but stayed silent. The world was much bigger and more dangerous than he had ever imagined. Growth and the Road Ahead Despite their progress, they knew they still had a long way to go. The warriors they had trained under¡ªRyoji, Maito¡ªwere strong, but even they weren¡¯t among the legendary elite. The Six Strongest Warriors were on another level entirely, individuals who had achieved near-godlike mastery over their elements. But even they feared what lay beyond Grade 1. Hiroshi clenched his fists. One day, he would stand on the same battlefield as them. But for now¡­ Ryoji¡¯s voice snapped them out of their thoughts. "Your basic training is done. From now on, you¡¯re no longer just students¡ªyou¡¯re warriors. It¡¯s time for you to see the world with your own eyes." Hiroshi and Kaito¡¯s eyes widened. They were finally leaving the village. Chapter 26: Farewell and New Beginnings The morning sun painted the village in golden hues as Hiroshi and Kaito stood at the entrance, their bags packed and ready for their journey. Today was the day¡ªthey were finally leaving to explore the world beyond. Before stepping onto the road of adventure, there was something important they had to do. Farewell to the Village Their first stop was Elder Jiro''s house. The old man had been one of the wisest in the village, always offering advice and encouragement during their training. Hiroshi bowed deeply. ¡°Thank you for everything, Elder Jiro. I won¡¯t forget the lessons you¡¯ve taught me.¡± The elder smiled, his wrinkled face showing warmth. ¡°The world is vast, young one. Strength alone is not enough. Never forget that wisdom is just as important.¡± Hiroshi nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll remember.¡± Next, they visited Kaito¡¯s mother. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. She pulled Kaito into a tight hug. ¡°You¡¯ve grown so much¡­¡± Her voice wavered with emotion, but she quickly wiped her eyes and smiled. ¡°Stay safe, and don¡¯t be reckless.¡± Kaito laughed nervously. ¡°No promises.¡± Hiroshi sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure he doesn¡¯t do anything stupid.¡± She smiled at Hiroshi. ¡°I¡¯m counting on you.¡± With their goodbyes said, they turned toward the village gate¡ªonly to be met with Maito riding in on horseback, fresh from a mission. A Choice for the Future Maito dismounted, his sharp gaze landing on them. ¡°So, you two are finally heading out, huh?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Kaito grinned. ¡°Ready to see the world.¡± Maito crossed his arms. ¡°Listen, I have some advice for you. If you¡¯re not planning to join the army, then go to the Wanderers¡¯ Association and get your licenses. It¡¯ll make your travels much easier.¡± Hiroshi and Kaito exchanged glances. ¡°We¡¯re not joining the army,¡± Hiroshi confirmed. ¡°Then go for the Wanderers'' Association,¡± Maito said. ¡°It¡¯ll open up jobs and opportunities you wouldn¡¯t have otherwise.¡± Kaito smirked. ¡°Sounds like fun.¡± Maito sighed but smiled. ¡°Then go with a smile and don¡¯t die, idiots.¡± With that, Hiroshi and Kaito turned, stepping out of the village with determination in their eyes. The world awaited. The Four Human Races As they walked, Hiroshi reflected on what they had learned about this world¡¯s people. There were four divisions of the human race: 1. Normal Humans ¨C Those with no magical abilities at all. 2. Low-Magic Humans ¨C Could use magic only for forging weapons and minor enchantments. 3. Magical Humans ¨C Those with combat-capable mana, like Hiroshi and Kaito. 4. Elves ¨C A race with immense magical power, far beyond humans. Hiroshi clenched his fists. He had trained hard, but there were still beings in this world far stronger than him. But that only made his desire to grow even greater. Chapter 27: The Wanderers’ Association After days of traveling¡ªand getting lost more times than they could count¡ªHiroshi and Kaito finally arrived at their first town. It was nothing like their small village. The streets were lively, filled with merchants shouting about their goods, blacksmiths hammering away at weapons, and adventurers in rugged armor walking with pride. Getting Lost... Again ¡°This place is huge,¡± Kaito muttered, looking around. Hiroshi sighed. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t have gotten lost so many times if you had a better sense of direction.¡± Kaito crossed his arms. ¡°Hey! You were the one leading half the time!¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. They decided to ask for directions, stopping a kind-looking elderly man. ¡°Excuse me,¡± Hiroshi said politely. ¡°Could you tell us where the Wanderers¡¯ Association is?¡± The old man stroked his beard. ¡°Ah, looking to become official wanderers, huh? Head straight down this road, take a left at the big fountain, then go past the market. You can¡¯t miss it.¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± Kaito grinned. With that, they hurried off. ...And still got lost twice before finally arriving. The Wanderers¡¯ Association The Wanderers¡¯ Association was a massive building, its entrance guarded by two armored men. Inside, adventurers of all ranks were gathered¡ªsome registering for missions, others sharing stories of their travels. A woman with sharp eyes sat behind the front desk. As Hiroshi and Kaito approached, she gave them a quick glance. ¡°New applicants?¡± she asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Hiroshi nodded. She handed them forms. ¡°Fill these out. Then, you¡¯ll be tested.¡± The Power Test After filling out their names and basic information, Hiroshi and Kaito were led to a training arena behind the building. Several examiners stood watching, all of them seasoned warriors. One of them, a muscular man with a scar across his cheek, stepped forward. ¡°Alright, brats. You want to be licensed wanderers? Show us what you¡¯ve got. You¡¯ll be fighting against our examiners.¡± Kaito grinned. ¡°Sounds fun.¡± Hiroshi took a deep breath. This was it¡ªtheir first real test outside the village. Chapter 28: The Intense Battle Begins The training arena fell silent as Hiroshi and Kaito stepped forward. The examiners stood tall, their expressions unreadable, watching the two newcomers closely. One of the examiners, the scar-faced warrior, crossed his arms and spoke in a firm tone. ¡°Pick a weapon of your choice. Let¡¯s see what you can do.¡± Choosing Their Weapons Kaito didn¡¯t hesitate. He immediately grabbed two short swords from the weapon rack. Dual-wielding had always been his preferred fighting style¡ªfast, aggressive, and relentless. Hiroshi took his time, scanning the weapons carefully. Then, his eyes landed on a katana. Something about it felt familiar. As he held the hilt, memories of his past life surfaced for a brief moment. "This feels... right." He gave the blade a few practice swings. It wasn¡¯t just a weapon¡ªit was an extension of himself. Kaito¡¯s Test Begins The examiner stepped forward, a tall warrior with sharp eyes. He pointed at Kaito. ¡°You go first. Show me what you¡¯ve got.¡± The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Kaito grinned. ¡°I was waiting for this!¡± As soon as the examiner said ¡°Start,¡± Kaito vanished from his spot. In a flash, he reappeared behind the examiner, his swords striking lightning-fast. Sparks of electricity crackled from his feet as he used his Lightning Magic to boost his speed. But the examiner barely moved. With a single step to the side, he dodged Kaito¡¯s attack effortlessly. Kaito gritted his teeth and attacked again¡ªone sword from the left, the other from the right. A perfectly synchronized dual strike. The examiner lifted his arm and blocked both swords with one hand. Kaito¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What the¡ª?!¡± The examiner smirked. ¡°Your speed is decent. But your power is lacking.¡± Before Kaito could react, the examiner sent a light push to Kaito¡¯s chest. It felt like getting hit by a boulder. Kaito was sent flying backward, crashing into the ground. Hiroshi¡¯s Turn Kaito groaned as he got up, rubbing his ribs. ¡°Damn¡­ that guy barely even tried.¡± The examiner turned to Hiroshi. ¡°Your turn.¡± Hiroshi exhaled slowly, gripping his katana. He wasn¡¯t as fast as Kaito. But he had something else¡ªstrategy. As soon as the battle started, Hiroshi didn¡¯t charge in recklessly. Instead, he waited. The examiner raised an eyebrow. ¡°Not attacking?¡± Hiroshi smirked. ¡°Not yet.¡± The moment the examiner took a step forward¡ªHiroshi vanished. With a burst of wind magic, he appeared behind the examiner, slashing downward with his katana. The examiner turned just in time, barely dodging. A strand of his hair was cut. A flicker of surprise crossed the examiner¡¯s face. ¡°Interesting.¡± Hiroshi didn¡¯t stop. He kicked off the ground, his wind magic boosting his speed. With precise strikes, he slashed from multiple angles. The examiner dodged most of them, but Hiroshi¡¯s control over his wind magic allowed him to maneuver unpredictably. Finally, Hiroshi created a burst of wind pressure, knocking the examiner a step backward. The other examiners watching from the sidelines nodded in approval. The Results After the match, the scar-faced examiner announced their grades. ¡°Kaito Kasama, you receive a grade of C-Minus. Your speed is excellent, but you rely too much on it. Work on your power and control.¡± Kaito sighed. ¡°C-Minus, huh¡­ I¡¯ll take it.¡± Then the examiner turned to Hiroshi. ¡°Hiroshi, you receive a grade of C.¡± Kaito¡¯s head snapped toward Hiroshi. ¡°Wait, he¡¯s half a step ahead of me?!¡± The examiner nodded. ¡°Your wind magic enhances your movement, but what makes you stand out is your timing. You wait for the right moment to attack, which is a rare trait among young warriors.¡± Hiroshi smiled. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was progress. Chapter 29: The Mysterious Elf Girl The training grounds were still buzzing with energy as Hiroshi and Kaito stood by, waiting for their official Wanderer¡¯s License. Both of them were still processing the results of their battles. Kaito sighed, crossing his arms. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you got a higher grade than me.¡± Hiroshi smirked. ¡°Maybe if you thought before you charged in, you¡¯d get a better score.¡± Before Kaito could respond, a new presence stepped onto the training ground. A young elf girl with flowing silver-blue hair walked gracefully forward. She had striking ocean-blue eyes, and her pointed ears peeked through her neatly tied-back hair. She wore a simple yet elegant light blue battle robe, and the way she moved gave off an air of calm confidence. One of the examiners turned toward her. ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re here for the test as well. State your name.¡± She bowed slightly. ¡°My name is Lyara Aeloria.¡± Hiroshi blinked. ¡°An elf?¡± Kaito whispered, ¡°Not just an elf, dude. Look at her aura. She¡¯s a mana user¡ªlike us.¡± Hiroshi nodded. Among the four types of humans, elves were the rarest. Known for their immense magical abilities, elves were often leagues ahead in terms of mana control. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. But something about Lyara was different. Her mana presence wasn¡¯t overwhelming. It was calm, controlled. Lyara¡¯s Test Begins The examiner gestured toward the weapon rack. ¡°Pick a weapon.¡± Without hesitation, Lyara stepped forward and picked up a thin, elegant rapier. Its blade shimmered under the light, almost as if it were made of flowing water. The examiner gave a nod of approval. ¡°Your opponent will be me.¡± Lyara simply nodded, gripping her rapier. Her expression never changed¡ªcomposed and unreadable. The examiner raised his hand. ¡°Begin.¡± The moment he said the word, Lyara moved. It wasn¡¯t an explosive start like Kaito¡¯s. It wasn¡¯t a strategic delay like Hiroshi¡¯s. Instead¡ªit was flawless. Her footwork was perfect. Not a single wasted movement. Her rapier flowed like a stream of water, her attacks swift, precise, and unpredictable. She wasn¡¯t the fastest. She wasn¡¯t the strongest. But she made no mistakes. The examiner parried her first few attacks, but his expression slowly changed from neutral to impressed. Lyara adjusted mid-fight, reacting to each of his counters smoothly, as if she had already predicted them. Her water magic enhanced her swordplay, making her movements even more fluid. It was like watching a dance¡ªgraceful yet deadly. Hiroshi and Kaito watched in awe. Kaito whispered, ¡°She¡¯s¡­ really good.¡± Hiroshi nodded. ¡°But her attacks don¡¯t have much force.¡± And that was the problem. While Lyara was technically perfect, her raw power was lacking. The examiner blocked one of her attacks and suddenly pushed forward, countering aggressively. Lyara was forced to dodge, but she couldn¡¯t push back. Finally, after a few more exchanges, the examiner raised his hand. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Lyara stepped back, lowering her rapier. Not a drop of sweat on her face. The examiner nodded approvingly. ¡°Your form is impeccable. However, your attacks lack power. You¡¯ll struggle against stronger opponents.¡± He turned toward the other examiners and announced her grade. ¡°C Grade.¡± The same as Hiroshi. Lyara bowed slightly. ¡°Thank you for the evaluation.¡± As she stepped away, Kaito chuckled. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re not the only C-rank rookie anymore.¡± Hiroshi smirked. ¡°At least I have power behind my attacks.¡± Lyara glanced at them, her expression unreadable. Then, to their surprise, she approached them. ¡°You two¡­ you¡¯re Wanderers, right?¡± Hiroshi blinked. ¡°Uh, yeah. We just got our licenses tested.¡± Lyara nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Then perhaps¡­ we¡¯ll see each other again.¡± Without another word, she turned and left. Kaito scratched his head. ¡°She¡¯s kinda mysterious, huh?¡± Hiroshi crossed his arms. ¡°She¡¯s strong. But I feel like there¡¯s more to her than what we just saw.¡± As they watched her walk away, a thought lingered in Hiroshi¡¯s mind. Something about Lyara Aeloria felt important.