"Good little Dominic. You've passed my test." Elena patted my back gently.
Wait... The whole mana barrier thing was just. A test?
As if reading my mind, Ray's lovely mother only smiled in a sultry manner. Sending my heart beating and making me anxious. That smile looks lovely and gentle but why do I feel threatened?
Elena let go of me. Standing up again and towering once more before a faint pressure emanated out of her body. The air became heavy, breathing somewhat turned to be a little harder than before. Her gentle smile vanished, replaced by outmost seriousness. "Only earnest and honest people could benefit from my special skill. And even if you do benefit from it, the person must be smart enough to grasp the meanings and methods behind magic casting. Dominic, listen well to me." She sighed at the end.
"The world's system is a gift. A gift to all but one must not rely on it too much. If leveling up is all a person seeks then one day his future would be permanently limited. He would be strong. But against real powerhouses, they are nothing but ants." She warned me. The seriousness lacing her face disappeared. Replaced by her usual sweet smile.
Elena sighed. Smiled at me again and raised a finger.
"Dominic... I have high expectations for you. Although you are still a novice right now, one day you would be able to wander this world unhindered as a strong master of mana manipulation. Do not fret over not learning any offensive magic. A supporter may not necessarily be useless on their own. And I am sure you would one day realize what I mean."
I know full well what she means. I have my own vision and my own path. I just have to work harder than before to make the dream come into fruition. And Elena's indirectly telling me to do one thing.
To focus more on skills rather than level-ups.
Happy, I bowed.
"Thank you, Mrs. Elena!" With a heart full of warm appreciation, I smiled at Elena. And my smile disappeared. Elena was glaring at me with daggers.
"Hmph! Just call me Ms. Elena or mommy Dominic my dear. I know full well of your background and since you and Ray are the bestest of friends then don't be a stranger! You make me sound old and decrepit with your words." Elena snorted. Tilted her head to the side as she pouted all the while crossing her arms underneath her bust. She eyed me at the side while speaking and berating me at the same time.
Alrighty then. Time to redo my bow.
"Sorry... Again, thank you, Ms Elena!" I thanked the woman again. Elena scrunched up her brows and smiled bitterly. She nodded.
Wait wait wait... That disappointment present on your face.
You want me to call you mom? What the hell?
Confused, I stood there gobsmacked. I am not damn dense and I am actually perceptive. What was this whole thing about?
Weird ideas flashed into my head but I just shook them off. After telling Elena of my goodbyes, I ran off towards my little house.
It's really late. And I need some sleep. Tomorrow would be a brand spanking new day and I have a tight schedule to run.
I only have 39 days left. 39 days before all hell descends down onto Cain village.
Bandits. Seasoned killers who did as they pleased. By the time they arrive, those bandits would be no match for me due to my newfound methods. But they numbered in the hundreds. And they have an unknown leader spearheading their attack.
Banditry is heavily frowned upon by all. Mercenaries are often hired to deal with them or garrisoned soldiers would actively hunt those unsavory felons. For a bandit invasion to descend into Cain village. The leader has to be strong or smart enough to evade pursuit from enemy forces.
I took off my clothes. Switched to a set of cottony pajamas before laying down on my hammock. Sweet dreams it is.
-----
Elena hummed a tune as she shut close all the windows and locked all the doors to their home. She covered her mouth with one palm and yawned as she stretched.
Her eyes trailed over to the lit candle that bathed the living room in sunset hues. Licking her fingertips, the woman pinched the candle and easily extinguished it. After making sure that everything was turned off or locked, the white-haired woman made off into her room.
Her room which she shared with her daughter.
She headed upstairs. Walked down a corridor and gently twisted the doorknob leading to her boudoir. A fancy queen sized bed. Golden shimmering metal lined it's skeleton and extended upwards. Forming a small roof as purple silk curtains hid whatever treasure was resting within.
Royal red carpet lay silently on the ground, It's fluffy texture making the need for shoes or sandals unnecessary. Elena took off her sandals. Set them to the side of the door along with a smaller pair of sandals.
After sneakily making her way towards the bed. She lunged forth.
Landing on the bed and quickly enveloping Ray into a deep hug. Ray, oblivious to these events, slept like a rock.
Elena giggled and nuzzled her face against her lovely daughter's head. Her eyes glazed over. The gray pupils becoming duller seemingly losing their light. Dull as a dead person as she muttered to herself.
"I love you my little cute daughter... You're the only one mommy has and that stupid man whore does not count. You've managed to attain the sword's approval but I desperately wish you didn't."
The woman started coughing out of the blue. Each cough soon turning into a hoarse wheeze, Elena hammered her chest. A desperate attempt at trying to stifle her little outburst of weakness.
Retracting her palm, Elena frowned at the sight of black blood. Black blood resembling rotten matter.
Ray who was sleeping scrunched up her eyebrows at the scent of death pervading the room.
The two moons hanging up in the sky visibly brightened. Silvery moonlight pierced the moon's windows as it bore down on the weakened mother. Allevating her coughs. Pale white skin returned to a healthy sheen of rose.
"My dear daughter... Mommy is sorry that she wouldn't be able to watch you get married in the future." A heart full of solemnity, Elena gave her daughter a little peck on the forehead and fell into slumber. Faintly mumbling one last sentence.
"I've truly picked a good spot. This little backwater village would be enough to let Ray flourish. And as long as the lizardmen are around, no harm would fall onto this cute settlement."
A satisfied smile spread from the mother's lips. Her figure hugging her dear daughter to sleep in the bed painted a simple image of a complete family.
If only the two knew of the waves of discord the future has yet to throw.
Would they leave like a certain enabler or stand their ground?
A question none knew the answer to.
-----
Westward of the Twin forest and Cain Village was Danzo's plains. A prairie full of yellow tall grass all year round. A favorite spot of farmers to plant their crops and all the while teeming with the eventual kobolds who pass by or live within underground openings hidden by grass.
Moonlight illuminated the surroundings.
The yellow tall grass reaching up to an individual's waist had been dyed red. Torn large husks formerly being backpacks lay on the ground. Their insides scattered.
Copper and silver coins. Dried meat. Water canteen. Bread wrapped with fresh green leaves. The items littering the flatland varied. All shared one common trait. They were items fit for a long journey.
It was ghostly silent. Even mere crickets dared not to let out an eek.
Ragged breaths ended the perpetual silence of the night. Two decently armored lizardmen stood proud and tall. Their backs pressed against one another with their signature gladius copper swords gripped tightly and ready to strike.
Damage nicked their leather armor. With the tough animal hide either being cut up or burnt. Likewise, wounds piled up on the Lizardmen's bodies.
With gritted teeth, the two called out to each other.
"Yellow scale!"
"Green scale!"
The two Lizardmen were not of the same house of colors. They were yellow and green respectively. If any of the Lizardmen chiefs saw the two who were relying on each other's backs for support, they would be gobsmacked at the little miracle.
Yellow and Green. Close without bickering nor fighting amongst themselves.
The green-scaled Lizardman's chest rose up and down erratically. Blood seeped out of his long mouth as his tail had become nonexistent. Meters away on the ground, that green tail was lying lifelessly. Cut off and charred. "We're in the same boat... Never had I thought that in my last moments, the one who would fight alongside me is my enemy." He gritted his teeth. Tightened his hold on the gladius but not because he was fighting with his life on the line with a yellow scale as an ally.
It was because the situation was hopeless for both of them.
They were warriors. And they knew their bodies well. Long had the two reached their limit. And the assailant was still hiding in the darkness. Waiting.
Toying with them. Like a cat playing with pitiful mice.
The yellow lizardman sighed. "Same goes to you."
His posture was unsteady. Ribs burnt off, exposing flesh and slightly charred bone. He was clutching his right shoulder. For he had lost his arm.
Vision becoming hazy and dark. The yellow scaled Lizardman forced himself to stay standing. His body had already become as cold as a corpse. But he refused to go just yet. Forcing himself awake by sheer will.
Laughter echoed through the night. Both tensed up. Ready for the next attack.
A sudden epiphany struck the yellow Lizardman. 'At this point I myself is just dead weight.'
A fireball condensed from thin air. Shooting straight onto the two. It was fast. Faster than their injured selves.
None of them are able to dodge.
Thrown back by a sudden shove, the green-scaled lizardman's eyes widened in horror.
"You fool!"
The yellow-scaled lizardman dashed off. Blocking a hit for the green lizardman who fell to the floor.
Boom!
A hit too fatal for even a strong lizardman.
Flesh and blood scattered into the fields. Further staining the yellow long grass in red.
Furious flames spew forth into existence. Reducing the yellow lizardman into charred meat. Staring at that burning slab of incinerated meat was the green lizardman. His pupils shrank into dots.
Seeing that he was saved from imminent peril, the green lizardman erupted into a full-blown roar of untold anger.
His muscles bulged. Scales grew darker and his size shot up. Instantly reaching the height and physique of the grim guard chieftain.
"You fucking coward! I'll rip you to shreds!"
All that followed was mocking laughter. And a somber tune.
A requiem.