《Spear Wielder of Destiny》 Chapter 1: The Legend Chronicles – A Foolish Dream The continent of Eldoria is a vast world, divided into many different lands, where not only humans live but also ancient races such as Elf, Dwarf, Beastkin, and countless other magical creatures. The peace between the races is just a thin shell, hiding the conspiracies and conflicts that rumble in the dark. In the flow of history that spans thousands of years, the battle 200 years ago was the most important milestone. At that time, the Dark Dragon Dargoth, the ruler of darkness, led his army to spread terror throughout Eldoria with the aim of conquering this land to serve him. Wherever he went, wherever he set foot, only ashes and ruins remained. Then in the darkness of that destruction, when the heart was left with only the echo of nothingness, a Hero appeared, leading humanity and other races to fight against Dragoth. No one knew who the hero was or where he came from. The power he possessed was always worshiped and praised by the people. The war lasted for many years, finally ending when the Hero and his comrades successfully sealed him in the "Abyssal Pit", a forbidden land located at the edge of the world, where no one dared to set foot. But the price to pay was too high¡ªthe Hero sacrificed himself. And then, when the land gradually took shape, the hero was built a statue and praised by the people. Over time, the world fell into peace again. That legend only remained in history books and was gradually forgotten by the following generations. Later, when the kingdoms gradually expanded and prospered, academies training warriors and mages increased in number. The people no longer believed in that legend, considering it a made-up story to tell about the most fierce era of the Eldoria continent. Venwood Village, Solmaria Kingdom. Far away from the bustling cities. "That hero defeated the Black Dragon Dragoth and brought peace to the continent of Eldoria....And so, the Hero fell, but it is believed that his soul still exists somewhere, waiting for a worthy successor....that''s the end of the story!" A young woman with black eyes and soft brown hair. Her voice gently rang out, telling the old legend. Her gentle eyes looked at the small child beside her and slowly closed the book. "Mom! When I grow up, I also want to become a strong adventurer like that hero!!" The innocent little boy, lying in his mother''s arms, obediently listened to his mother tell the story, his sparkling blue eyes opened wide, his small hands clenched tightly. A strong feeling welled up in his heart¡ªadmiration, admiration. The mother laughed, her eyes shining with love, and patted his head. "A hero is not only the strongest, but also the one with a kind heart, who knows how to protect the people he loves. Can you do it?" He nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with determination. He did not understand the world outside, but a burning desire was already burning in his heart. "Good boy, as long as you never give up, I believe you will do it one day, Hagan. Now let''s go to sleep, remember to take good care of your little sister!" The mother patted the heads of her son and daughter who had fallen asleep before and walked out of the room. She returned to her own bedroom. A while later. Dawn had just broken over the Eldorian sky, the sunlight dyeing the endless barley fields around the village of Venwood golden. The warm rays of light shone down, sparkling the dew drops on the leaves and the rustic thatched roofs. The morning air was fresh, carrying the sweet scent of flowers. The stone-paved road leading to the center of the village was bustling with people. Farmers carried hoes to the fields, blacksmiths wiped the sweat from their foreheads as they continued their work in the red-hot forges. The sound of hammers hitting metal rang out steadily, mixed with the cheerful laughter of children playing by the small stream. The market in the middle of the village was bustling from early morning. Stalls were set up close together, selling all kinds of fresh food that had just been caught, meat from the nearby forest, succulent vegetables, and even eye-catching red wild berries. Merchants from neighboring regions also gathered here, bringing with them rare items such as exquisite textiles, medicinal herbs, and even sparkling magic crystals. In another corner of the village, young warriors and adventurers were training in an open space. The clanging of wooden swords and the shouts of instructions from veteran trainers rang out. Some people were experimenting with simple magic, occasionally sparking with sparks or magical light in the air. Further towards the edge of the village, the shady canopy of ancient trees covered the small paths leading into the forest. Chocobos, popular riding birds, preened their feathers in their cages, occasionally making their characteristic calls. Several horse-drawn carriages loaded with goods rolled down the main road, ready to be sent to the nearby large city. In the deep blue sky, clusters of white clouds drifted lazily. A few giant eagles, mounts of magic knights, flew through the wind, leaving long shadows on the ground. Venwood Village, although it was just a small village in the vast continent of Eldoria, still carried within it a vibrant life and peaceful beauty. On the outskirts of the village, going straight towards the hills, there was a vast grassland, in the center of which was a house, surrounded by a wooden fence surrounding the land of the house, which was quite large. There were also livestock raised there, but it was true that such a large land without livestock would be a waste. In front of the house was a part of the yard, there was a boy who didn''t look too big. That was me. (I am Hagan Reinhard, I am 13 years old this year, currently studying at a training academy in the village and because it is in the village, its scale is not large. My family consists of my father Tyran Reinhard who is an adventurer, my mother Talia and my younger sister Evelyn, she is now 11 years old, yes I miss her very much. Because she is currently studying at the Royal Magic Academy, Solmaria Kingdom. She is very cute, always following behind me and always calling me big brother. She has shown talent in magic since she was young so she was accepted into the academy as a young trainee, to be honest I am a bit jealous. I am not so lucky. From the time I was born until now, I have never once revealed any hidden potential or magical power. The only thing I can say here is that my thinking sometimes seems more mature than my age age, is it called luck. Haha Up until now, the only magic I can do is...) "Heal" He put his hand on the wound and chanted the incantation, the small wound was immediately healed. "And...Fireball!!!" When he shouted the incantation loudly, a spark appeared on his hand, he shot it towards a nearby tree branch, burning it to ashes. He was practicing in his yard, looking quite diligent. (I can only use those two basic spells and since my mana isn''t that much, it''s obvious that I can''t use them much. Fortunately, I read a book before, which said: In addition to magic, there''s also a type of power called "qi", which can be used as a physical strengthening power. Utilizing the original power means absorbing the power of nature and converting it into qi and putting it into the body, this is a type of body strengthening power that can be used to strengthen weapons, helping us increase speed and damage when causing... because it has been lost for a long time, up until now I have very little information about it, in fact, very few people know about it and use it as a type of power, almost all rely on magic to serve combat. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Few people can use it, but that doesn''t mean there aren''t any...) He held his wooden weapon up, closed his eyes, regulated his breathing, the air currents around him seemed to gather and surround him before entering his body. He opened his eyes and his whole body seemed to be surrounded by a small golden light. He rushed forward and slashed at the tree in front of him. The slashes after being strengthened gradually became stronger, the marks on the tree trunk seemed to be deeper than usual. (Well, I can only do that much now, I only realized recently, it is quite suitable for people who like close-range speed combat like me.) "Are you still practicing!? Come in and eat, son, your father is about to come back, if there is anything bothering you, ask your father to show you, tomorrow your father is free!." Talia stuck her head out, speaking towards him, her gentle tone made him forget the fatigue after practice. "Yes!" Hagan called back to his mother. Reinhard Family Dinner The sunset cast a warm orange glow over the Reinhard family''s small wooden house. In the simple kitchen, the aroma of stew spread, mixed with the sound of bowls and chopsticks clinking together. The whole family sat around the dining table, enjoying dinner after a long day. Tyran Reinhard, a man with a muscular body, put down his bowl, looked at his son with warm eyes. "Hagan, how was your training today?" ¨C He asked, his voice calm but full of concern. Hagan, who was chewing a piece of meat, quickly swallowed it and excitedly replied: "Today I tried to chop a hundred times as you taught me! But I still feel very weak..." ¨C He lowered his head, his voice a bit disappointed. Talia smiled gently, reaching out to put more food into her son''s bowl: "The important thing is that you persevere, Hagan. Every day, you will improve! Oh, right, why don''t you try learning magic, it will be more useful in combat!" "Yes, but magic is not suitable for me, I don''t have the talent like Evelyn, my mana is limited so I can only use it when necessary, instead I want to focus on physical arts." He shook his head and replied. Tyran laughed loudly, nodding his head in satisfaction. Then, he turned to his wife: "Today has been a long day. At the border checkpoint, I heard that some monsters appeared near the northern forest, but fortunately, nothing serious." Talia frowned slightly in worry: "Monsters are appearing closer and closer to the village... I hope everything is fine." Tyran patted his wife''s hand, reassuring her: "Don''t worry, we''ve already dealt with it. If there''s anything unusual, I''ll check it myself." Hagan clenched his fist, his eyes shining with determination: "One day, I also want to help protect the village like you!" Tyran smiled, nodding his head in satisfaction: "Then tomorrow, after finishing the field work, we''ll practice together. Okay? I''ll teach you swordsmanship." Hagan immediately nodded: "Yes!" Talia just shook her head and smiled lightly, looking at her small family gathered together in the warmth of the peaceful evening... (Swordsmanship, hmmmm it seems to be a type of weapon that is almost very popular, my father is a typical example, he is also a dual sword user. Assassins will use small swords or knives as weapons, whether they are tankers or fighters, I mostly only see them using swords. I am different, I don''t seem to be very interested in swords, I have a little experience with swords taught by my father, instead I am quite interested in spear techniques, to be exact, I am quite talented in using it. Only when using spears can I use 100% of my abilities. Although about using spears, I haven''t told anyone yet, I simply don''t want my old man to feel disappointed because there is no one to inherit that dual sword skill, Haizzz bored, I can only figure it out myself and secretly I''m just secretly practicing spear techniques.) "That reminds me, tomorrow is the day of the ability test to see if you''re qualified to register as a rookie adventurer. Wow! Tomorrow will be crowded, our current batch is even larger than the previous batch. So there will probably be a lot of strong people coming. So today I have to go to bed early." Hagan thought for a while and spoke. After eating, Hagan helped his mother clean up, his father took the opportunity to take a bath and rest with his wife. Although he said so, because it was still early, he asked his family to go to the village to play, but in reality he ran into the forest, to the place where he often practiced alone, there were training tools that he had prepared in advance. First, he picked up his wooden sword, then began to practice. Hagan stood in the middle of a large open space, which had been cleared of weeds to make a practice area. The ground under his feet was dry, with old marks from many years of continuous trampling and practice. Around him was a green lawn that stretched to the edge of the forest, the blades of grass swaying in the gentle breeze of the sunset. Nearby, old and cracked wooden figures stood silently, having endured countless attacks during training sessions. Some had marks Some were slashed deeply, others were dented by powerful stabs. Yet they stood firm, continuing to serve as mindless opponents for those who wanted to practice their fighting skills. Further away, the dense canopy of the forest surrounded the training ground like a natural wall. The evening light filtered through the gaps between the leaves, creating patches of light on the ground. The wind blew, rustling the leaves, blending with the chirping of birds before nightfall. This space was all too familiar to Hagan. This was where he had spent countless hours practicing, honing each movement. To many, this was just an ordinary empty lot, but to him, it was the beginning of his dream, where he had fallen and stood up again, where drops of sweat mixed with the strong desire in his heart. Sweat rolled down his forehead, Hagan clenched the hilt of his wooden sword, took a deep breath before continuing his training. "I have to be stronger... At least strong enough to be able to freely move around this village, that was my original goal." He swung his sword, each powerful slash cutting through the air, but it still felt like it was not enough. "Father was an adventurer. He traveled everywhere, faced monsters and did countless quests until he met mother and settled here. I want to become an adventurer too, I want to be like him. I want to explore this vast world, I want to see more things, and... become stronger." Hagan paused, adjusting his posture. He recalled the books he had read, the records of the outside world, of distant lands, of majestic kingdoms and dungeons that contained treasures and deadly dangers. Hagan picked up his wooden spear and took a deep breath, feeling the cool air of the sunset, then slowly tightened the wooden spear in his hand. He closed his eyes, trying to recall every word in the book on spearmanship he had read last night. "The spear is a weapon of speed and agility. A fatal stab is faster than any slash. A good warrior must not only rely on strength, but also understand how to control his center of gravity and utilize his entire body when attacking." Opening his eyes, Hagan began to move. He stood firmly on the ground, his legs slightly bent to maintain his balance. According to what he had read, a low center of gravity would help him be more stable when attacking. He tightened his grip on the spear shaft, put strength into his arm, and thrust forward, a basic yet powerful thrust. The air was torn apart, creating a slight whistling sound. Hagan took a step back, rotating the spear in an arc, performing a horizontal sweep. "This feels... still a bit stiff." Hagan frowned, adjusting his posture. The book mentioned using the entire body to generate force, instead of just relying on the arm. He took a deep breath, then tried again. This time, he rotated his hips at the same time as the sweep, allowing the spear to draw a stronger arc. The difference was immediately evident, the spearhead glided faster, lighter yet still powerful. "That''s right, it should be like this!" Hagan continued to practice, trying to feel its weight every time he swung the spear, adjusting the path to make it as smooth as possible. He didn''t want to just know spear technique, but also deeply understand how to use it. "If I want to become a good adventurer, I have to master both spear and sword techniques. Even though the spear has the advantage in range, what if the enemy gets close? I can''t let myself be passive just because I lack close combat skills." That thought urged him to continue training. Sweat dripped down his forehead, his breathing became rapid, but Hagan''s eyes still shone with determination. He knew that the path to becoming a strong adventurer was not easy. But that was the path he had chosen. "Never stop trying. Never stop. Every slash, every drop of sweat brings me closer to my goal!" He was panting, but his eyes still burned with determination. One day, he would leave this small village and carve his name into history as a true adventurer. At least he dared to think so The sun had already set behind the mountains, the orange sunset of the evening had now changed color. It was also the time for Hagan to finish his practice and return home before it was too late. He also didn''t want to come home too late and get scolded by his mother because that must be hell, even his old man was afraid of her, she must be the most powerful woman in the house. The space became quieter when the sun disappeared completely. The moon rose, emitting a gentle light, illuminating the entire land. Darkness began to creep into every corner, but it was not gloomy but carried a peaceful beauty. Fireflies also began to appear, flickering in the grass like small gems glowing in the dark night. Hagan stood in the middle of that space, taking a deep breath. The night air carried a bit of chill, but it was extremely pleasant. He felt the pulse of the world, an eternal cycle between day and night, between light and darkness. And somewhere deep inside, he knew that he was just a small part of that flow, someone who was searching for his own path in this vast world. Hagan clenched the wooden spear in his hand, sweat beading on his forehead, his breathing still gradually stabilizing after a long training session. He raised his head to look at the night sky that had just fallen, the twinkling stars reflecting in his determined eyes. "I don''t have natural abilities, I don''t have powerful magic like Evelyn, nor am I from a noble family or anything..." He tightened his grip on the spear hilt. "But that doesn''t matter. One day, I will leave my mark on this world." Hagan took a deep breath, then swung his spear forward. A gentle breeze blew by, carrying the chill of the night, but in his heart, a smoldering fire was still burning brightly. "Because... this is my story, and only I can write its ending!" Chapter 2: First Step The sun had just risen in the Solmarian sky, dyeing the entire steppe with soft golden rays. The morning dew still lingered on the leaves, reflecting the light like small crystals. A gentle breeze blew by, swaying the branches and carrying the cool scent of the early morning. In the distance, the mountain ranges stretched out like a majestic natural wall, protecting this land from the great storms from the north. In the small training ground behind the house, a middle-aged man stood with his arms crossed, waiting. He had black hair that was streaked with silver, a sharp face, and sharp, majestic eyes. He wore a simple leather armor, but the wooden sword in his hand clearly showed that he was no ordinary person. "Hagan! Are you awake?" His deep but powerful voice rang out, breaking the quiet morning air. The door of the wooden house opened, and a young boy walked out, still looking a little sleepy but his eyes shining with determination. Hagan was wearing a simple training outfit, his short black hair was a little messy, but his hand was already tightly gripping the familiar wooden sword. "Today I will register as an adventurer." He said, his voice full of excitement. The man nodded, his eyes shining with pride but also a bit of contemplation. "Before you leave, we need to do some things. See if you are ready." "Just by looking": Hagan smiled, he had been looking forward to this. The two of them walked into the middle of the yard, standing opposite each other. The surrounding atmosphere suddenly became tense, as if everything was holding its breath waiting for the match. "Begin!" As soon as the command sounded, Hagan rushed forward, swinging the wooden sword straight at his father''s shoulder. But he just took a step back, blocking the attack with his sword easily. "Faster than before." ¨C He commented, then immediately counterattacked. A powerful downward slash forced Hagan to quickly dodge to the side. But he did not stop, swinging his sword horizontally, forcing him to raise his sword to block. Clang! The impact made Hagan''s arm numb. He gritted his teeth, took a step back, and counterattacked. His attack was sharper than before, but still a bit immature. He chuckled softly: "Good, but still too hasty." With that, he suddenly disappeared from Hagan''s sight. A gust of wind blew by. "!" Hagan immediately retreated reflexively ¨C just in time to avoid a lightning strike from behind. But he did not have time to catch his breath, because his father continued to approach. "Try to defend yourself, son!" The two wooden swords clashed repeatedly, creating a loud clanging sound. The duel lasted for several minutes, but for Hagan, every second was a challenge. He was panting, sweat beading on his forehead. But despite his exhaustion, he maintained his stance. The man looked at his son, then suddenly stopped. "That''s enough." Before Hagan could understand what was happening, he patted his shoulder. "You''re much stronger than before. You may not be perfect, but you''re ready." He looked up at his father, and for the first time, he saw a proud smile on his stern face. "Go, Hagan. Prove yourself on the path you''ve chosen." Hagan tightened his grip on the sword, bowing deeply. "I won''t disappoint you." --------------------------------------- Today was the day he would undergo the test before becoming an adventurer. But before that, he had to do a few things. Hagan stopped by a weapon shop in town. He picked out a longsword that fit his hand and a spear that was also his main weapon. After equipping himself, he told himself, "This will be the first step on my path." The Adventurer''s Guild building stood tall in the middle of the square, with the symbol of an eternal flame on its sturdy wooden door. Inside, the atmosphere was bustling as adventurers exchanged quests and drank. Hagan walked up to the reception desk, where an elf receptionist with long, neatly-tied silver hair stood behind the counter. She paused for a moment when she saw the boy in front of her: "Welcome to the Adventurer''s Guild. Huh? A boy... you want to register?" "Yes. I want to become an adventurer." In recent years, the number of monsters has suddenly increased compared to many years ago, many people want to reach a more mature age, along with certain skills at that time to register to ensure safety. It seems that this is the first time she has seen someone as young as Hagan wanting to register as a rookie. But it is true that with the age of the Elf race, Hagan is like a kid to them. It is surprising, but the task must be done. She nodded, handed him a form: "Then fill in the information and participate in the ability test. There will be a master to test your physical strength, and the guild''s magician will measure your magical potential. If you qualify, you will officially become a rookie today." "Yes." The test consists of three parts: physical strength, combat ability, and magic. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Hagan entered the arena, and there were already quite a few adventurers gathered around, their curious gazes focused on him. "Who is this kid? Is he a rookie? Why does he look so small?" "Maybe another brat wants to show off." "Add a punching bag to Aret-sensei." Murmurs and discussions arose everywhere. A few people shouted loudly, stirring up the atmosphere. Standing opposite was Aret - a B-rank adventurer, considered a senior sword master in the guild, anyone who wanted to become an adventurer had to be recognized by him first. A middle-aged man with silver hair, strong muscles despite his age. His eyes were sharp like an eagle, standing observing Hagan. In his hand, he held a long wooden sword, simple on the outside but there was not a single flaw in his posture. Aret squinted at Hagan: "Oh! A kid?...You call yourself a brat. Why do you want to become a rookie at such a young age?" "Hagan...Hagan Reinhard". Hagan''s eyes were determined: "I simply want to become an adventurer, at least that''s my current goal!" Aret paused for a second, his eyes flashing with surprise: "A Reinhard''s son...Interesting. Let me see how he trained his son!" "Begin!" Aret''s deep voice rang out. As soon as the command was given, Aret immediately stepped forward, without hesitation. The wooden sword in his hand swung down in a sharp slash. Hagan was surprised, immediately leaned to the side, feeling the wind brush past his cheek: "Too fast!..". Not allowing himself to fall into a passive position, he counterattacked immediately. The wooden sword swung horizontally, aiming at Aret''s waist. Slap! Aret gently turned his wrist, his sword easily blocking the attack as if he was playing around. Immediately after, he changed direction, flipping his wrist and slashing upwards from below. Hagan was startled, quickly jumping back to avoid it, but at that moment¡ª Slap! A sudden kick from Aret hit his shin. Although the force wasn''t too strong, it was enough to make Hagan lose his balance. Without thinking much, Hagan turned around, put his sword on the ground to maintain his balance, and at the same time used the momentum to push himself forward. He swung his sword upwards, aiming at Aret''s sword-wielding arm. "Oh?" Aret raised his eyebrows slightly. But instead of dodging, he used the hilt of his sword to lightly tap Hagan''s wrist. Slap! A simple but accurate strike. The numbness spreading throughout his arm forced Hagan to loosen his grip. The spectators kept talking around, and even laughed when they saw Hagan get hit: "Hahaha, if you go home and practice more, you might be able to pass this test!" ........ "The speed is not bad, but it''s too predictable." Aret said, taking a step back. "Try again." "He''s too strong": Hagan tightened his grip on the sword, his eyes filled with determination. He knew that this was not just a simple match but a real test! Hagan tightened his grip on the wooden sword, his breathing gradually stabilized. He knew that if he only relied on basic swordsmanship, he would not be able to overcome Aret. His blue eyes flashed with determination. Concentrate... feel... let the flow of internal energy blend into each breath... A gentle stream of air radiated from Hagan''s body, the surrounding wind shook slightly, the ground shook slightly, and dust rose slightly. It wasn''t too strong, but there was clearly a change. He had not yet fully mastered the Qi like the masters, but at this moment, it was the key to help him go further. "What?! That kid has something changed?" "This kid has some tricks?!" "But he must have put magic power into his weapon again" "It doesn''t look like magic power to me..." ................ The entire arena erupted in commotion, and Aret was momentarily stunned. A second later, he curled his lips in interest. Aret narrowed his eyes, the smile on his face gradually disappearing: "Hmm?...it changed its state?" There was no time to reply, Hagan charged forward! This time, he did not simply swing his sword, but also poured Qi into each strike. The wooden sword whistled through the air, the sword''s path was sharper and more powerful than before. Bang! Bang! Bang! The sounds of collisions rang out as the two continuously exchanged blows. Aret still had the upper hand, but he could no longer easily parry each blow like before. Hagan was more agile, and his speed had also increased significantly. Swoosh! A lightning-fast slash came from the left! Aret quickly raised his sword to block¡ª Slap! At that moment, Hagan changed direction, turning around and swinging his sword from below! The unexpected counterattack left Aret unable to adjust his stance. He was forced to jump back to avoid being hit. ............... The surrounding square suddenly fell silent, no longer filled with laughter. "Tsk, this brat..." Someone muttered, his eyes now completely different. "Not bad at all." "Good job, brat! Let''s fight!" A voice rose from the crowd. At first it was just one, then two, then three... Gradually, some people began to cheer. "Come on, kid! Don''t get too overwhelmed!" "That''s right! Keep up that attack!" No more laughter, no more contempt. All eyes were now on the fight, following Hagan nevery move, every strike. ........... Even Aret couldn''t help but chuckle, his eyes filled with interest. "... you''re interesting, but that''s not enough!" Aret laughed, but his eyes were a little more serious. From a passive position, Aret took the initiative to counterattack. He charged forward, the wooden sword in his hand like a gust of wind, light but powerful. Hagan immediately raised his sword to block, but¡ª Bang! The shockwave from the blow made him stagger! One beat, two beats... Hagan was gradually forced back. His eyes lit up! This was the limit he needed to overcome! Hagan adjusted his breathing, focused his Qi into his legs, and held on firmly. He didn''t retreat anymore, but directly confronted Aret! The two charged at each other, the wooden swords clashing at high speed, each strike blending technique and power. The arena echoed with dense collision sounds. A minute passed¡ª Two minutes passed¡ª Until¡ª BAM! Aret swung his sword in a sharp arc, Hagan had to use both hands to block it. And at that moment¡ª Aret lowered his center of gravity, turned around and threw a sweeping kick, sending Hagan flying dozens of steps away The air was silent for a moment. "... Hahaha." Aret''s low laughter rang out. He adjusted his posture, lowered his sword, and nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. Your swordsmanship is still crude, but your fighting spirit and ability to utilize it far exceed my expectations." He looked at Hagan for a moment and nodded, he reached out to catch his hand and helped him up. "Congratulations, you passed the test. As expected of a son of the Reinhard family, you did not disappoint me at all." Hagan was breathing heavily, but the corners of his lips curled up into a smile. He did it! ............. Next came a magic test. Hagan walked to the magic test table, where a transparent magic crystal was placed on a stone pedestal. In front of him was an elderly magic examiner with a long white beard and deep eyes, as if he had witnessed countless adventurers passing through this door. "Put your hand on it, pour your energy into it." He said in a calm voice. Hagan took a deep breath, placed his hand on the crystal, closed his eyes and concentrated. A thin stream of magic power was transmitted into the stone, but only created a weak light, dim like an oil lamp in the dark night. Around, some adventurers were lining up to be tested, looking at the scene and laughing softly. "Ha, so this kid doesn''t have much talent for magic." Hagan opened his eyes, noticing the weak light from the crystal, but he didn''t show any disappointment. From the beginning, he knew he didn''t have any talent for magic. The appraiser looked at the results and nodded. "Not much magical potential, but you can still use some basic spells. You''ve probably passed the requirements." He placed his seal on the results board, his tone not disdainful at all, simply confirming the facts. At that moment, a gentle but clear voice rang out from the reception desk. "Congratulations, Hagan! You''ve officially become an F-rank adventurer. Here''s your rank card." She hadn''t given him a card yet. Hagan turned around and saw a female Elf with long silver hair tied behind her neck, and pointed ears typical of her race. She was wearing the guild''s blue and white receptionist uniform, which accentuated her elegance without losing her professionalism. "Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself earlier, I''m Syl, Syl Eldariel. From now on, if you need help with quests or information, just come find me!" She smiled, her green eyes shining with friendliness. ¡°Yes¡±: Hagan nodded slightly, taking his F-rank badge from her hand. (I finally got it) Chapter 3: Meeting - Encounter After officially becoming an F-rank adventurer, Hagan decided to take on his first quest. (Hmmm, let''s see...huh?) - Exterminate a pack of wild wolves that were harassing a farm in the suburbs - Collect medicinal herbs. (These two low-level quests are quite close to each other, the danger isn''t too high, I can do it...) Low-level quests like this are usually given to rookie groups or adventurers with moderate experience. In the afternoon, Hagan left the town and entered the forest near the farm. The sunset dyed the forest red, creating a scene that was both beautiful and ominous. The occasional cries of wild birds rang out among the dense trees, but he knew that there were more dangerous predators here. Suddenly, a howl rang out from afar. Hagan immediately stopped, his eyes quickly scanning the surroundings. A cold wind blew by, carrying with it the stench of blood. He gripped the sword at his waist, tensely waiting. Squeak! From the bushes, a wolf rushed out at a fairly fast speed, its sharp claws ready to dig into him. Hagan quickly jumped to the side, swinging his sword down at the same time. The sharp iron sword cut into the wolf''s shoulder, causing blood to spray everywhere. It howled in pain but did not fall. Suddenly, its claws grew longer, sharper than before. Its breathing gradually turned into a deep roar. Its bloodshot eyes glowed in the gradually falling night, filled with fury. There was no time to hesitate, the wolf charged again, this time faster, more ferocious. Hagan took a step back, but he knew that if he just dodged, he would fall into a passive position. "There is a way." He raised his hand, concentrating his meager magical power. A small flame flared up in his palm - weak but still enough to cast the spell. "Fireball!" The small fireball shot straight at the wolf. It roared, taking a few steps back in pain, but Hagan did not stop. He charged forward, swinging his sword vigorously. One accurate strike finished the wolf off. He let out a breath, sweat beading on his forehead. The battle did not last long, but the tension of facing the enemy really made his heart beat faster. "It''s true that my magic is weak, but it''s still enough to give me an advantage." (This is only the first one. From what I know, these are Rustfur Wolves that usually move in packs. That means there should be a few more in the near future) Continuing deeper into the forest, Hagan followed the trail. When he approached a gap in the trees, he saw an unpleasant sight: three wolves surrounding a torn deer carcass. Judging from their attitude, this was probably the pack that was causing trouble. (Just as I thought) He picked up a stone and threw it in another direction, aiming to attract their attention to another direction. At the same time, he activated his aura, strengthening his strength, without hesitation, he held his sword, and quickly rushed forward, not giving them a chance to turn around. Just like that, one, two, and then three were all defeated by him. He breathed a sigh of relief: "Finally, the trouble has been resolved now, a mission completed" He bent down slightly, taking their claws as proof of the mission. (Oh! This one dropped magic stones, although it wasn''t anything valuable, but it was considered lucky on the first day of work. Bringing this back to the guild to exchange for some money would also give him some money.) "Next is the second mission": he said and turned around and continued walking into the forest. (Although they were just some ordinary medicinal herbs, the place where they grew was in a dense forest.) While he was searching, Hagan suddenly saw something from afar. He hid on a tree a few meters high, standing behind the leaves and observing. (Damn it!! It''s MaLang. This type of wolf usually operates alone, but they are very big and fast, more specifically they are classified as B-rank monsters. But why is it here??? That''s not important...) Thinking of this, Hagan''s face suddenly darkened, his mouth opened in dismay, his face was a bit unsightly, trembling slightly. (What should I do now...what should I do. No, what should I do... With an F-rank like me, what can I do that makes me think so much...) "That''s right, at times like this, of the thirty-six strategies, running away is the best strategy": he said and turned around, his posture was a bit cowardly, intending to run away. "Ahhhhh" "Miss, run quickly, we will stop it here, you must run forward, at the end of the road is Venwood village. There you will meet the butler, you will be safe...!!!" "Hmm?": he stood on the tree and observed the front. There, there were infantrymen holding shields and swords trying to stop that monster, trying to help someone escape. But it seemed hopeless, the people there were basically no match for that Malang, some were torn apart, some had their heads bitten off and only their bodies remained, its claws were so sharp that if it hit someone, that person would be severed. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! "The situation doesn''t seem good, they definitely won''t last long...what should I do....I don''t have the ability to save them...or should I just run, then tell everyone...": his legs were trembling, his face was pale. "A hero is not just someone with strength...but also a strong will and courage...": Memories ran through Hagan''s head (No!) ....... "Roar!!!" That monster, it was gnawing at a soldier who had just been instantly defeated by it, around that area was a sea of ??blood caused by that monster. It was walking step by step towards the remaining two. "No, Mr. Fant, if you want to go, let''s go together!" "No!!! But then you''ll be in danger, I won''t be able to explain to you if something happens to you... go pee...": the tall, middle-aged man wearing silver armor, was panickingly replying. "Whoosh!!!" Right at this moment, a swishing sound rang out, Malang rushed forward like lightning, with a swishing sound he had already arrived near the young lady, he raised his claws, powerfully striking straight at her. Because she was too surprised, she panicked, only had time to shout the spell to summon a fireball and shoot towards the monster: "Three spells: Great Fireball!!" "Roar!!!" The great fireball only flew close to the monster before it was blown away by its roar, then continued to rush towards her. "Young lady!!!!!" "Swoosh!!!" Fant ran to help her, before Malang''s fierce attack, he also collapsed. Blood splattered everywhere, Fant fell down, but still did not forget to say: "Run... away! Hurry.." "Huh... Fant... it can''t be...": Her face turned pale, her mouth mumbled. Her legs were hit just now and could not move quickly, the amount of mana in her body was not much left, she completely dropped her sword, seemingly accepting her fate before an opponent she could not escape. "But... but... I don''t want to die like this...": She cried out, the hat on her head was also thrown off, her red hair also fluttered strongly in the wind. At this moment, the monster rushed forward again, swinging its sharp iron claws towards her. Even though she had to die, at least she had to die in a meaningful way. Standing up, she grabbed the sword in her hand and pointed it straight at the monster in front of her, then closed her eyes. "Ken!!!" Just when she thought she was close to death, its claws almost touched her, a metallic sound rang out. From above, a sword swooped down and stabbed hard into the ground, blocking the monster''s claw attack from the left hand. His hand held the hilt of the sword tightly, aiming to use his strength to stab it as deep into the ground as possible, helping it to stay in place and not be knocked out too quickly. But the sword almost shattered. "Huh?": She slowly opened her eyes, next to the statue in front of her was a boy who was about her age, standing in front of her "Damn... the sword is almost broken!": He held the sword that was broken into pieces with only the handle left. "Who are you?...run away, it''s a high-level monster, you can''t win against it!": the pale-faced girl shouted "Yeah, I know": Hagan calmly said "W...then why?...-" "To...save you!": Before she could finish her sentence, he interrupted her, with a not-so-optimistic smile. "Huh?": She didn''t know why, but in this life-and-death moment, she felt her heart beat a little faster, feeling excited, her face suddenly turned red. "Listen! Me, no¡ªwe only have one chance, get up and get ready." "Eh...eh??": She stood up still not understanding what was going to happen next. That monster, it charged forward at an extremely fast speed, it raised its sharp claws once more. At that moment, Hagan took out the spear from behind his back. This was the weapon he was most confident in using. "Focus!": Many winds began to gather around Hagan, he prepared his stance, gathering all the air into his body, converting it into energy and pushing it all into his arm and spear. "Piercing Spear": Taking advantage of Malang''s fast charge, he shouted out his skill, then used all his strength to throw the spear at Malang. The spear flew towards the monster at high speed after being strengthened, making it unable to react in time and was hit right on its front calf, causing a hole in its skin, blood started to flow out, Malang screamed in anger. "Right now! Fireball!!!!": Hagan shot out small fireballs onto the ground. Causing the surrounding ground to collapse, dust also rose from it. He turned his back, quickly picked up the girl. "W-what are you doing?!" "Run, what else!!! Just stand there and let it kill you two??.." "I...I mean....": She instinctively hugged Hagan''s neck, her face red But Malang did not let go easily. It roared angrily, its bloodshot eyes shining brightly in the darkness, its massive body rushing forward like a deadly storm. Hagan clenched his teeth, picked up the girl in his arms and ran as fast as he could. But because he was carrying her in his arms, his speed was greatly reduced. "ROAR!!!" The beast''s roar shook the entire forest. In just a blink of an eye, a cold wind blew past Hagan''s neck. Right after that¡ª "GUCK!" A streak of red light erupted from his shoulder. Intense pain erupted as three deep scratches tore open his flesh, blood gushing out. The heat of the blood mixed with the cold of the night, creating a deadly shiver. Both of them fell to the cold ground. Hagan felt the mud seeping into his burning wound, but he had no time to care about the pain. Malang was approaching, each step slow but filled with murderous intent. The smell of blood excited the monster, driving it even more mad. A foul breath exhaled from its mouth, sharp fangs peeking out in the moonlight. Hagan gasped, realizing he could no longer run. "Damn it..." He used all his strength to flip over, put the girl on the ground, then quickly placed his hand on her ankle. "Heal!" A pale light emitted from Hagan''s palm, surrounding her ankle. Warmth spread, soothing the pain. The girl looked at him in shock, her eyes shining with surprise. But Hagan didn''t have time to pay attention. He looked at Malang. "Run! I''ll hold it off!" She looked up at him, her heart pounding. This boy, even though he was seriously injured, even though he had almost no chance of living, was still willing to stand up to protect her. In the cold night, the smell of blood filled the air, yet she felt something hot in her chest. No, she couldn''t let him die. "No! I don''t want to leave you!" After saying that, she bit her lip, propped herself up with her hands. Even though her legs were still shaking, she still drew her sword, standing close to Hagan. The two of them faced off against a B-class monster. While defending and retreating, Hagan gritted his teeth, blood from his shoulder flowed down his arm, dyeing the cold blade red. They were still running towards the village. It seemed like they were almost there, I could see tiny dots of light in the village. "ROAR!!!" Malang roared, then suddenly charged forward. Its claws swung down with great force¡ªIn that moment, time seemed to slow down. He immediately pushed her towards the road. She was surprised by Hagan''s actions. "Huh?..." Then suddenly¡ª "FIRE SLASH!!!" A crimson blade tore through the darkness, slashing through the air. Malang screamed in pain, being pushed back. Hagan looked at the figure that had just appeared in surprise. It was a middle-aged man with silver-white hair, sharp eyes like an eagle, a handsome middle-aged face, and a murderous aura covering his entire body. (Thank goodness!! I''m still alive. I was able to repel that monster in one blow, looking at the murderous aura this person exuded, he must be Rank A.) "Miss, are you okay?" The girl trembled. "Butler! Beat that dog for me": she said and pointed at the monster. Then she walked over to Hagan and helped him up "Yes sir" The man''s eyes were sharp, exuding a terrifying murderous aura that covered the entire space around the monster, the anger in his eyes was not hidden at all on the man''s face. "You dare to make the king''s lovely little lady like this!? This is unforgivable...." .............................................. Fate Begins Amidst Peril "Well-I''m going home, I''ve been gone for quite a while, I don''t want my parents at home to worry anymore.." Hearing that, Elaina frowned, her lips pouting slightly as if she was dissatisfied: "Can you stay a little longer, at least let me repay you, like a meal! Hagan thought for a moment and then agreed: "Alright then, your housekeeper has done me a favor, I should at least thank him" "That''s the way to go!" Hagan chuckled softly. He wasn''t the type to be ungrateful, and more than anything, after the battle with Malang, his stamina had been depleted quite a bit. A delicious meal after all that had happened wasn''t a bad idea either. (But this girl''s expressions were so varied, she could do anything, haha) ......... The sky gradually turned to night, the lights made of magic stone lit up the entire villa. The fragrant smell of food spread throughout the dining room, creating a cozy yet solemn atmosphere. The dining table was not too large, but was delicately arranged with a full range of dishes, from soup, stew to hot bread. guava. The butler was a calm person, exuding the aura of a veteran swordsman. He did not speak much, only occasionally observing Hagan with sharp eyes, as if he wanted to evaluate him. Hagan glanced at the butler, a person with a calm appearance, a solemn demeanor, sharp eyes as if he could understand people''s hearts with just a glance. When his eyes met his, Hagan felt a bit of invisible pressure, but immediately after, it quickly disappeared, replaced by a calm and authoritative demeanor. Elaina sat across from Hagan, her hands gently squeezing the plate in her hands. She silently looked at him, but every time their eyes threatened to meet, she quickly turned away, pretending to focus on her meal. However, the confusion in her heart made it difficult for her to concentrate. Her mind kept replaying the scene back then-the image of him standing before her, his spear broken, his body covered in wounds but still stubbornly fighting against the bloodthirsty Malang. His eyes at that time... had no hesitation, nor any fear. They contained only one thing: the determination to protect. She clearly remembered the moment he smiled at her after everything was over. "You can see it as my foolish actions or... the impulsive actions of someone who once dreamed of being a hero." Those words echoed in her mind, causing her heart to suddenly swell with an indescribable emotion. (What the hell is he thinking? We just met. Does he... always act so recklessly? Or... just this once?) Elaina frowned slightly, gripping her fork a little tighter. Hagan was unlike anyone she had ever met before. He didn''t seem like the strongest person, but he was willing to confront a huge monster just to protect someone he had just met. "How... stupid." She muttered under her breath, trying to find a reasonable reason to explain his actions. But no matter how she thought about it, she still couldn''t understand it. She glanced at him again. Hagan seemed completely unaware of the gaze on her, just calmly enjoying his meal with a relaxed expression. There wasn''t even a trace of worry or regret on his face. Seeing him so carefree, Elaina couldn''t help but curl her lips and thought to herself: (Look at his carefree face! As if it''s no big deal... I''ve been worried all this time, but he''s just so carefree. How annoying...!!!) The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she felt, but she didn''t know what she was annoyed about. While eating, the butler spoke up: "Mr. Hagan, do you have any plans for the future?" Hagan put down his chopsticks and thought for a moment: "I plan to finish eating, go down to the yard to warm up a bit, then return to my family and continue my work." "Ah no, I mean what your future goals are or what path you want to take next or do you want to stay here and just live day by day?" He shook his head slightly, smiling and speaking. Hagan thought for a moment and then spoke: "I''m just a rookie, so for now I''ll still focus on the mission and improve my skills first. But later..." He smiled slightly, his eyes looking into the distance as if imagining the future ahead. "Maybe I''ll go further, set foot in places I''ve never been before, discover new things I don''t know. Staying in one place forever wasn''t my original intention." The butler nodded, the corners of his lips curling up in amusement: "That sounds good. It seems like you''re the type of person who can''t sit still?" Hagan chuckled lightly, shrugging: "Haha, I guess so. Right now I don''t want to tie myself down to a fixed place. The world out there is so big, right?" The butler chuckled, his eyes filled with admiration: "It''s worth looking forward to. With that spirit, I believe you''ll go very far." Elaina listened quietly, her eyes shining with a hint of confusion. The meal ended in a rather comfortable atmosphere, although Elaina was still a little confused when Hagan teased her from time to time. ......... "Phew..." Hagan took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Sweat was beading on his forehead, but his breathing was still steady. He had just finished a simple physical exercise after dinner, and was about to leave when he suddenly felt a gaze from behind. He turned his head and caught Elaina with her arms crossed, the wooden sword resting on her shoulder, her eyes shining with a sharp look mixed with interest. "You look like you''re still in good shape?" She tilted her head and asked, her tone mixed with a hint of teasing. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Hagan raised his eyebrows, the corners of his lips curling up into a slight smile. "Well... I''m not so weak that I''ll be bedridden just by resting." Elaina snorted softly, tapping the wooden sword hilt rhythmically as if she was considering something. A breeze blew by, carrying a few dry leaves spinning in the air. Suddenly, she gripped the sword tightly, her eyes full of provocation as she looked straight at Hagan. "Then, do you want to fight me?" Hagan raised his eyebrows slightly, a little surprised. "Why do you suddenly want to fight me? Are you sure?" Elaina curled her lips into a confident smile, her tone challenging. "Hmm? Don''t tell me you''re scared?" Hagan could only smile wryly, but a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes. "Alright, if that''s what you want, then I''ll indulge you. But I''ll tell you in advance that I won''t hold back." The butler standing beside her also smiled, softly continuing. "Mr. Hagan, don''t worry, the young lady may look like that, but she''s a talented swordsman. Moreover... her magical power is also quite impressive." Elaina tilted her head slightly, her lips curling up confidently. "I''m afraid you''re not capable of defeating me." Hagan narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze becoming sharper as he observed the opponent in front of him. He gripped the wooden sword tightly in his hand, slowly getting into a defensive stance. A tense silence, only the sound of the wind blowing through the yard. Elaina stood opposite Hagan, the wooden sword in her hand firmly held, her eyes as sharp as a knife blade. "Begin!" The butler spoke, and immediately, Elaina charged towards Hagan. As a natural reflex, Hagan immediately raised his sword, blocking her first attack. Elaina''s wooden sword swung down like a bolt of lightning, fast and powerful. Hagan blocked it with his sword, but the collision created a loud "clack", forcing him to take a step back. Elaina did not stop, she continued to turn around and attack more powerfully. "Your speed is really fast." Hagan''s forehead was sweating, his breathing was still even, but his eyes had become more alert. Elaina did not reply, only continuing to focus on the match. She used a powerful arc, forcing Hagan to hastily jump back to avoid the attack. Hagan saw the opportunity when Elaina lost her balance after the attack, immediately swung her sword to attack back. But Elaina was too fast, she only needed a slight turn to avoid Hagan''s attack, then immediately counterattacked, forcing Hagan into a completely defensive position. Elaina''s attacks, although not hasty, were always accurate, not giving her opponent any chance to counterattack. "You did well, but it''s still not enough." Elaina smiled faintly, her tone proud. She rushed forward with a speed faster than her fragile appearance. The first strike was powerful, her wooden sword swept horizontally aiming at Hagan''s waist. He raised his sword in time to block, the sound of wood hitting each other rang out loudly. Hagan immediately counterattacked. He pushed Elaina''s sword away, turned around and slashed downward. Elaina dodged to the side, her legs moving flexibly to avoid the attack by a hair''s breadth. Not missing the opportunity, she immediately counterattacked with a stab straight at Hagan''s chest. He was a bit surprised by her speed but still managed to lean to the side to avoid. Instead of retreating to defend, Hagan advanced, closing the distance between the two. "Nice attack, but...." Hagan smirked. Elaina''s eyes widened when she realized she was being cornered. Hagan didn''t give her any room to react, he continuously launched quick and decisive strikes, forcing her to retreat step by step. Every time she tried to find an opportunity to counterattack, Hagan blocked them easily. After a while of struggling, Hagan gained the upper hand. A stronger than usual blow caused Elaina to lose her balance, her steps faltering. At that moment, Hagan seemed to be able to easily end the match. In a flash, a smile flashed across his lips. His attack had suddenly slowed down. Elaina immediately realized it, but she did not hesitate. She quickly took advantage of the opportunity, turning around and swinging her sword with all her might. "I hit it!" Elaina''s wooden sword swept across Hagan''s shoulder, causing him to take a step back. He chuckled lightly: "Looks like I lost." Elaina was panting, sweat beading on her forehead. She stared at Hagan, her eyes filled with doubt. "Hehehe, you lost! See? I told you you would lose to me!" Her voice dropped. Hagan shrugged, smiling wryly. "Alright, alright, you won, Miss." Elaina narrowed her eyes, clearly annoyed that his expression wasn''t what she wanted, but she didn''t ask any further. She had won anyway. She put her sword back, tilting her chin towards Hagan. "You''re stronger than I thought, but you still lost to me, Hehe." Hagan laughed: "If we meet again, next time we''ll be stronger than now. So try to be stronger, young lady." Elaina smirked: "Hmph, no need for you to remind me!" The match ended in a harmonious atmosphere between the two. ........ The gentle dawn shone down on the vast garden, covering everything with a layer of warm light. Hagan stood at the gate, putting on his luggage, ready to head home after a night''s rest. The butler stood beside him, nodding in satisfaction: "Good luck on your journey." Hagan smiled and bowed his head in thanks. "Thank you for your help too. The food here is delicious." At this moment, Elaina also walked out. Today, she was no longer wearing her usual dress, but instead wore simple but neat clothes that were convenient for moving around. She looked at Hagan, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "Finally going?" Her voice was a bit teasing, but her eyes were filled with a hint of reluctance. Hagan shrugged: "Um, it''s not early anymore." Elaina was silent for a moment, then let out a sigh. "Then be careful." Hagan replied softly, his hand holding out a bracelet made from magic stone, which he had made using his items from the previous mission: "I know! Here''s a gift for you." Elaina was surprised, but also accepted it: "This is...-?" "Thank you gift!": He smiled and left Watching his back as he left, she couldn''t help but shout out: "In the future... will we have another chance to meet?" She only saw Hagan turn his back to her and still walk away, his hand raised high and waving back and forth, indicating that there would probably be a chance. Anyway, if it was fate, they would meet again. After Hagan left, Elaina still stood still in the same place, her eyes following his back until he was completely out of sight. A gentle wind blew, causing her hair to sway slightly. The butler - who had witnessed the whole story from beginning to end - quietly walked to her side, his kind eyes carrying a thoughtful look. "Miss, it seems like you''re quite interested in him, huh?" He spoke softly. Elaina paused for a moment, then snorted softly, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "What nonsense are you talking about? What does he have that I should care about, huh!" The butler smiled, his tone full of meaning: "That''s right, right? After all, you rarely talk to anyone." Elaina opened her mouth to refute, but then fell silent. Indeed, she was not the type to start a conversation or express her emotions too much. However, since meeting Hagan, not only did she take the initiative to talk, but she was also annoyed by him many times. She glanced at the butler, trying to keep her expression calm. "It''s just that he''s a bit different. Sometimes he''s serious, sometimes he''s playful, but he''s not the type that makes people hate him." The butler smiled lightly, his tone full of meaning: "That''s right, isn''t it? After all, the young lady doesn''t like people who don''t know how to keep their distance from her?" Elaina pouted, turning her face away: "Hmph, no more talking to you! Let''s go too!". The butler looked at her, his eyes seemed to have understood everything, but he didn''t say anything more. He only softly reminded: "In everyone''s life, there will always be people who come and go. But if there is someone who can make you change even a little, then that person must be very special. Miss, please don''t forget that." Elaina didn''t reply, just squeezed her hand lightly and turned to leave. But deep in her heart, she knew that the butler''s words were not without reason. Although Elaina was still quite young, the time spent with this butler was enough to understand her personality. The carriage had arrived, she would also set off. The location would be the Royal Academy.