"Ridge, hold on tightly, I'll start running now."
"Okay." Since she was sitting on my head, she grabbed some strands of my hair and settled herself in.
System, stop Cell to cell remodeling. Use spirit energy to enhance physical capabilities.
{Acknowledged: Cell to cell Remodeling stopped after 9 hours 11 minutes. The Body has improved exponentially. Spirit energy flow in the body has improved.
Deploying spirit energy enhancements. Speed increased by 100%, strength has not been suppressed.}
Okay then, let's see, can I use that technique now? In my 2nd life, it needed mana to use it but since now I have an earth spirit contracted, I could probably use it.
Alright Flash step… take the right stance… hold your ground and think of taking one step….
Shooooo...…..!
I vanished from my place and now stood far away from where I was. This blinding speed was the original Flash step used not only to increase your speed, but in a way it actually bent the laws of the world to reach the height of speed one could hardly reach.
"Yeah it worked."
The speed was also 3 times faster than before, and because I was using magic induced technique, its characteristic bypassed the resistance that should have come along with it. Making me move incognito, if now I erased my presence, hardly anyone can see me going past them. with pure technique my speed increased by three folds, really some techniques are really cheating.
With my superior perception ability, this speed could be handled easily, in an hour or so, I got used to this speed and I was moving unlike any way I did before. Truly, getting powerful and stronger was one of the best sensations. Until now when I sped up, I saw the world get blurry, but now I looked at the world as if it was moving and I was standing still.
Power, strength and money was something that someone should have then to not have. At least that's the way I thought of it. But the way I tend to work for it, maybe others don't do it as such.
Soon I crossed all the grassy fields and entered a forest zone.
Leila had told me, 'You could hunt for some good meat here, also some small sized animals like rabbits.'
I didn't reduce my speed much and went around and started hunting along the way. I would make a small pebble on my hand and then I could flick it towards the target. It was a one shot kill. I killed some big birds and 4 rabbits. They were quite big in size. Then I came along a cow or rather it looked like a cross between a cow and a deer. I moved Amanori by the hilt and swiftly cut the animal's head from the neck. It was a swift kill and the system promptly took it inside storage. That's how I moved along the forest. After the cow I killed, I stopped hunting and moved along. This was plenty. I mean, I didn't even need to hunt myself since now I was living in a house but what can I do? I just got accustomed to my life before, so I just did it by the habit of hunting.
when I finally got out of the hunting region, I had hunted 4 deer's, a cow and a dozen of birds and rabbits. I couldn't keep myself from catching them once they just appeared in front of me like that.
...…..
"Wow, I didn't think I would be here so soon. I think it's been 4 hours." That's right, I was now in front of my home. My speed and technique had taken some time to adjust but after it had adjusted, my speed had increased like none other time.
even after all the hovering around I did while coming back, it was absurdly fast. and I wasn't out of breath yet, this was the power of magic the supplement of power that got my muscle strength and stamina to another level entirely.
"Wow, do you even need magic? You know you are a lot stronger even without it." said Ridge, she was right. I was strong but I liked to see how far I could go pursuing strength. I mean in my first world this type of concept could only be hoped for in a manga or novels. Also my 1st life's powerlessness was the fuel to my current hunger for strength. If you can acquire it then you certainly should. As someone who doesn't like to be under another's rule… I really like power that could bring me boundless freedom.
"Well it's better to have then to not you know." hearing me, Ridge nodded as if understanding and I walked towards the gate of the mansion. The guards promptly opened the door.
"Welcome home young master, hope your journey was well." Said the guard greeting me. His name was Freed, he didn't have any intimidating aura to him and he looked to be very easy going too. I waved at him and said it was great.
"Did Gramps and Granny come home already?" I asked Freed.
"Yes they just arrived yesterday. They were quite worried after hearing about you leaving like that, so I advise you to go meet them first."
"Hmm you are right, alright then." I moved along the way and Mai was the one opening the front gate and welcoming me.
"Welcome home Young master. I am happy to see you in good health." She said while bowing. She was the main maid who was equipped to handle duties regarding me. Apart from Systy handling matters outside.
"Hello… Sorry if you got into trouble because of me." I also said sorry on this occasion. Since she was in charge of me, she must have had to cover for my abrupt going out.
"Do not worry Young master. But I do hope you would at least come and say so yourself before leaving from now on..!" She said with a big sister-like tune, I bowed again in apology and said I will do that from now on. She gave me a smile and we went to where Gramps and Granny were hanging around.
"Hmm she seems to be a good girl.." said Ridge from on top of my head, by now she was lying down and seemed to have made it as her personal property. I did feel a bit itchy on my head sometimes but seeing her be happy like that made me stop from saying anything. Even with her mature look, I guess she was more like a kid in aspects of how she handled herself and for some unknown reason, it actually suited her.
Mai first led me towards my grandparents.
"Master and Mistress have been very worried. So I think You won't be able to go around alone like this at least for some time. I mean even I was worried, `` Young master you did live in the wild all your life before, so the towns and villages must have been a new experience to you."
"Come on I can take care of myself…..but I will receive help too from now on okay…?"
I was going to say that I would be fine on my own and people didn't need to fret over me much but seeing Mai's big sisterly aura coming out again, I changed my tune. it was better to not make beautiful girls angry at you, at least that's what someone in my 2nd life had taught me.
While on my way to Gramps and Granny, many maids greeted me. They looked relieved to see me in good health. After a while, I saw Gramps and Granny. They were sitting around a tea table when Granny saw me and she immediately ran toward me with blinding speed. And got a hold of me
"Dear, how can you leave your Granny and go around like that?! Oh my, I was so worried and look how much you have changed! I can't even recognize you anymore." I thought she was overreacting.
"What? It's been only 3 days, come on…"
"She wasn't talking about how you look Rekka, she was talking about your presence. I too believe that you have changed quite a bit. What happened? and listen, from now on you're not allowed to journey alone, you're still new to society! so you should always keep someone with you…. I know you are strong enough but you need more than strength to go around everywhere, do you understand me?"
Hearing grandpa's lecture I nodded and apologized but hey I was still young so they promptly forgave me after my earnest apology. It was easy to get forgiveness thanks to being young I suppose. man, being young is like cheating...
"I mean who can even keep up with me. I think I need someone who can at least run for a day at the very least." That was the issue. I didn't really like to move around slowly. I knew that you needed to enjoy your journeys too but nothing like saving some travel time.
"OOh! I can easily accompany you everywhere, don't worry~" said Granny happily, she was still hugging me.
"No, I heard from people you two are very popular. I wouldn't like people crowding over me everywhere because of you Granny." I said what I truly thought.
"Noo! That can't be! my popularity is making me lose! ohh god why have you forsaken me!!" her over reaction was much more than I had anticipated.
"No no that didn't mean I wouldn't be happy if you came with me Granny. It's just I don't like crowds so much, it feels like a hassle." even now I could not stand in a crowd. It might be because I was stranded for so long...
"Ohh is that it?! then it's fine, we can just close off some streets so people don't come out when we go out okay?"
"What!? don't do that okay? That's a wrong use of power." I dismissed this entirely.
"Yes, Rekka is right. Melinda you always tend to take things too far."
"Hmph!" Granny just shrugged like that. man I can't believe I had encountered these people in the wild. They were like the big boss in the society.
"Hey! Did you guys forget about me!??" from behind Granny, an angry voice came around and Granny suddenly made a face as if she had just remembered something troublesome.
"OOh! Rekka, this is Alice. She is Overlord's daughter and she is like our granddaughter."
Letting me go, Granny introduced me to a girl. she was standing up proudly puffing up her chest as if she was the most esteemed of all others in this room. She started to introduce herself.
"I am Alice Asadeli and the closest one to the 2 heroes, so never think that you can replace me!" It was like she was venting her anger on me. She might be 1 or 2 years older than me and that red hair was long and messy which could easily reach past her knees. It was kept up in a ponytail and still looked like it could be more cared for her beautiful face with that temper did make her look beautiful like a bratty noble looking girl. But I couldn't see why she would be so mad at me. I mean I've never even seen her before. Still, I could feel the curses she was hurling at me.
"Hi there! I am Rekka...Wolford...hmm I don't know about how close you are or what you mean by that but I never really heard anything about you from them really." I said because I could see that Gramps and Granny were avoiding my gaze for a while now, is something happening behind my back?
"Wha..! wha! What do you mean to say that I am bluffing…..?!! This.. thi..s! is a humiliation!!! now you fight!!! You can't be forgiven after saying such things!" For some reason, she was getting irritated for no reason. I was getting a little worried there. This girl always looked to be in a bad mood, or did I just come at a bad time here? As her ultimatum was done, She suddenly came lounging at me.
Man, do I feel some killing aura!! even for a little girl, she was... one heck of a killer type!
"Wait! I just came home. I don't wanna fight anyone now!" I promptly said because she was making a combat stance. Then Gramps cut in and said
"Okay Alice, let Rekka rest a little, he did just come back…from a long journey."
Alice made a bitter face hearing that, but she did listen and went to sit on the chair where she first was. As a matter of fact, her walking was also like a bratty child even her heels were making noise. Her overly condescending glances really annoyed me but in a way I was still composed. She was still a child after all.
Mai made a wry smile looking at me. Granny quickly regained herself and asked
"Okay dear, have you eaten yet?"
"Oh no, not really. I will have lunch but first I think I'll take a bath…" the journey did get me a bit dusty not to mention the summer heat was very taxing.
"It is ready.." Mai showed a look as if she already knew I was gonna say that. And the four maids who accompanied me first came along too. Ridge on the other hand got up from my head and said she would look around. so I headed to the bath.
"Young master, what did you bring for us?" Said Lia, Elia also nodded hearing that. Both of them looked very eager to see what I brought. As twins, their expressions look the same so from both sides, I felt as if I was seeing a single person in a mirror… It was amusing to see the both of them acting and looking identical. more so since it brought the idea of a needy cat that always wanted to be pampered.
"Yeah I bought stuff for everyone!" I replied giving a thumbs up to Lia and Elia. I hadn't just went around the capital for no good reason after all.
Then both of them got a chop to the head by Mai who was glaring at them. Both of them shivered a little taking the hit.
"Did you forget a maid has to be humble and selfless? while you two are showing much unrefined attitudes."
""We are sorry"" both of them apologized. Mai was like a big sister to everyone.
"Don't worry, soon After I get freshen up, I'll get to it, so wait a little." I said to them,
Both of them brightened up, but after Mai gave them another look making both suppress their happiness and act humble.
I entered the bath and took off my clothes. I just had to release the miasma if I wanted to make the clothes disappear but I took it off normally. I wanted to keep this pair.
Just like before, the 4 of them were scrubbed all over my body. Man, I'll never get used to this.
[heh. You still like it don't you.]
Well yeah I do...heh you know me too well.
Yes I mean who wouldn't like service from cute and beautiful looking maids. I was no saint so I didn't have to avoid the truth. This should be my bonus after the rough start. To think a few months ago I could only see and hear monsters howl at night and in the mornings. Now look at my life…
Men are such creatures who can justify anything if they want to satisfy their urges… it seemed that I was also among those men.
As I went along, my body was washed and rinsed, I could see that traveling had made my hair a lot dirty. Lia and Elia both scrubbed it. It was a really comforting feeling. I nearly fell asleep to the amazing relaxation it brought me.
"Ohh man this feels great..!" I said, they both were pro at hair washing. Actually this was the first time that they were washing my hair. Maybe it was because I was sitting now so they could reach my hair easily. They were young like me so unlike the others, they were still growing.
"Why thanks! no one can wash hair like us!" both of them puffed up with pride.
"Hmm you guys are the best!" I praised them.
Both of them gave a smug "Ehem!". Really, it had a charm of it's own I suppose. Once you focus on little things in life, only then can you really get to live a full life I suppose.
After that I moved to the hot springs to soak a little but unlike last time, they all went inside with me.
"Young master, you fell asleep last time so we will be here from now." Mai reassured me as if saying you can relax as much as you need. She even showed the others as a leaning post… yeah, I don't think I will do that… more than that, they really were floating, among the girls, Mai was actually the largest, and it was showing it's power in full form, I did all I could to not stare at them much but I sure understood that Mai knew I was looking, even how she looked unconcerned for my sake felt like divine, was she being this way so I don't get embarrassed? what a kind girl...
[Your too much.] Amanori hardly could realize the power of breasts.... sigh...
"Yeah!" and all others chirped in hearing Mai say that they will be joining me in the bath from now. Man this was a little embarrassing. I mean I did fall asleep the first time, but I mean that can happen to anyone for the first time, but I still agreed with them. There were worse things than being in a hot spring with girls.
As I relaxed, we started to talk about my journey.
"So young master, what did you see on the journey?" Asked Seri.
"Hmm, I rode some carriages and then went around the capital eating many new foods and meeting some people. It was fun! Ooh yeah on the way, I found some bandits too."
"Ooh yes, Young Master you did send a letter about that with some people. They came yesterday and we bought their products. they were really happy about you saving them." Mai reported. ooh yeah something like that did happen.
"Their products were good, so I thought this way we could get some good stuff."
"Yes you were right, all of their vegetables and fruits were top quality. I even made a deal with them. I told them to bring some of their produce every month. It's rare to get such fine vegetables." Mai was a really fast thinker; she didn't take long to see that the things were too great to let go off, but why would such good stuff be unknown to people? That was a mystery to me.
"So Young master, what did you do to those bandits?" It seemed that Sarah, who was a little timid in nature, liked fighting, so she got interested in the end and asked. She was the only one who was still embarrassed to see me naked… man.. .I was still a kid you know? It made me wonder what her reaction might be when I get older… I can't wait to see it…. Although she could get used to it by that time...
"I killed them and captured the leader. He had a bounty on his head. I gave him to the villagers, thinking they should get some money out of him, since he broke some of their stuff."
"How did the fight go, Young master?" Asked Sarah again. She thought that I had actually fought with them but in reality.
"Well actually we didn't really fight. At least I don't think so, I just slapped every one of them on the head and then saw that everyone was dead by just that. The leader even wet his pants seeing me approach him, so I don't think there was any fighting."
"Master is amazing…" Sarah said in a daze hearing me.
That was the case. I haven't really controlled my strength that much. They were trash so it doesn't matter if they were killed like that. This world was just this ruthless. I knew that regret or other things didn't really cross my mind. I could guarantee that if I weren't there, they would have kidnapped the girls and killed the old man then would have taken off with the clothes. The males would have been badly treated and sold as slaves, the girl's life after that would have turned to hell so there was no point in thinking over it like that. and little kid... I can't even think what her future might have been.
This world was as close to lawless as it could be. In my sense, if I wanted to save a life then that life has to be able to save some more lives, but if a life makes others life unbearable, then the most sound thing to do should be to get rid of them.
"Wow but I heard there were 30 of them from the old man." Said Mai, hearing me.
"So what? not one of them could follow my movements." I replied. If you can't see your enemy's movements then death is all that awaits you.
"Young master, I would like to train with you too, maybe then I can get stronger faster." Sarah said that in a longing tone. I could understand that she wanted to be stronger. I didn't know the reason but her feelings were true. still to think a timid girl like her liked fighting.
"Why not, sometimes it gets boring training alone." Also I like to try seeing people train in my manga Ideas and as surprising as it may be, they do get strong that way.
Either my world had some other worlders or they were pro at this other world business.
As such thoughts and talks went on, we got out of the bath. I got dressed in a trouser and shirt. It was a leisure wear I made using Miasma.
[My all powerful Miasma is being used to make child clothes kuh! How far I have come.]
Come on, this is great, maybe one day I can make a cursed armor like this too from your Miasma, just think of the possibilities.
[Don't flatter me! I know the possibilities!]
Alright alright.
That's that, now time to see what that bratty miss wants...ooh first my lunch.