A year has pass and Shino became acquainted on the ways of living in another world, Shino study throughout the year and made numerous discovery that helps him in a certain situation
Shino found out that Kuro and Shiro, his spirits, sheds their scale each month and share the same ˹Storage Box˼ skill, therefore Shino asked Shiro and Kuro to store their shedded scale in the ˹Storage Box˼
Shino throughout the year study the unique skill ˹Alchemy˼ via book in the public library and learned the concept of it. ˹Alchemy˼ allows the user to manipulate the structure, size, and property of an existing object in exchange for a large amount of mana, meaning Shino already use ˹Alchemy˼ in his ˹Thread Magic˼ by changing his clothes material and color
Using ˹Alchemy˼ Shino made various items as his trump cards using Shiro and Kuro's scale that boast on its toughness and store it on the ˹Storage Box˼ for later use
Creating and discovering things that Shino don't know before is not the only thing he do throughout the year. Shino also trained his body to be more suited in the battle and be able to wield his swords properly
Using his knowledge in his original world, Shino applied what he know and just discover to his fighting style.
Shino made a name for himself and sometimes join a party as a temporary member, but he still prefer to be alone as Shino is secretly training himself and even going back to the cave, where he wake up, to test some magic theory
Through the year Shino raised his rank to Gold tier so fast that others even doubt him, but it was always resolve with a little spar. He is also about to be raised to the Diamond Spectrum but raising to the second level requires another test so Shino postpone it for a while
All the adventurers that know him dub him as "The Warrior Saint" because he never point nor pull his sword to another person and only use it to hunt some monster, but it is also thanks to Natalia, the one who spread the word behind Shino
Shino is blending in and was contented to his lifestyle, he also learn to write and read the Alibata language without using ˹Decipher˼, sending a mail to the princess every once in a while and sending an invitation to drinking out the night with the pals he made through the year.
His status also increased, they are now currently at, Strength: 162, Agility: 178, and Intelligence: 302, since his job class is Healer, Shino learn a lot of support magic via fellow healer
Currently Shino is at the guild hall, reading a newspaper while drinking his self-made coffee.
"Shino, you are not doing anything right now right? Help me move this boxes" Natalia requested
"Is that a quest Natalia-san? How much is the reward?" Shino asked with a smile
"Shino!! Stop joking around and help me, what is that you are drinking anyway in such early morning?" Natalia asked
Natalia look at Shino's cup of coffee and didn't recognize it and asked, "What is that? The aroma is refreshing, can I take a sip?"
"Well… If you want go ahead" Shino replied
Natalia took a sip and like a lightning coming down, the bitterness of Shino's coffee shivers through Natalia's body
"UuuWaaa!!! So bitter! What is that?! How are you able to drink that?" Natalia asked as she tries to take the bitterness out by drinking water
"Ahahaha, but it wakes you up right? You'll get used to it, want some? I can brew you one, with a sweeter taste" Shino said as he laugh
"Yeah please, it woke me up, can I have some that is a bit sweeter" Natalia asked
Natalia get a cup and bring it to Shino, while Shino took a bottle of coffee, sugar, and milk out of his ˹Storage Box˼ and then boil a hot water and brew Natalia one coffee Latte
"If it still bitter for you here are some sugar" Shino said
"Sugar? Isn't this expensive and yet you manage to buy one? Are you a secretly rich person Shino-san?" Natalia asked
"No I'm not, if I am you are probably head over heel on me by now" Shino replied
"HA! If it's you no thanks, I rather choose another person" Natalia annoyingly said
In the middle of their conversation, three people approach Shino and the guy in a blue fancy armour asked, "Excuse me, sorry for interrupting, but are you the one they call 'Warrior-Saint'?"
Shino look at the person that asked the question and said to himself, "Isn't this guy the one that nearly survive the demon attack last year?"
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Moving back in time, a year prior….
The aftermath of the demon incident, Hiroko Yusha woke-up at the hospital and was heavily bandage
"Ugghh…I can't remember it well… what happen? Right I was save by a person in white but what happen next?" Hiroko said to himself as he hold his head
The door for his room was slam open and it was Murakami Takasashi, the mage of their team, she rush towards Hiroko bed and gave him a big hug
"Thank goodness you are still alive!!" Murakami said with her tear flowing
"Murakami, how long was I out?" Hiroko asked
"The whole 5 days! Geeeezzz… why did you need to rest that long! I was worried you know!" Murakami replied
Hiroko then loudly asked, "Wait! The demon, how did it go? Th-the person in white, is he okay?"
Murakami was about to answer, when Crocus knocked on the door and with a bag of fruit in hand he said, "The demon was terminated, the person in white was okay, although he disappeared after he applied healing to every one injured, he is completely unharmed"
Hiroko was happy to know Crocus was okay and the person he is worried about and said, "I guess I was worried for nothing, I'm glad"
Crocus sat down and started peeling an apple for Hiroko and said, "But no one technically won the tournament because of the interference"
"As long as everyone was okay, it is a win for me" Hiroko replied with a smile
Murakami and Crocus laugh and Murakami replied, "There you go again with your embarrassing statement"
They laugh and catch up to each other, sharing stories for what happen while Hiroko was asleep to what is currently happening
Later on a messenger from the King came knocking to the door and said, "Hiroko Yusha, it seems you are awake, I have a message from the King, please read it"
Hiroko read the message and was surprise and said, "Wait! There seem to be a mistake, I didn't kill the demon, the person in white deserve this reward"
The messenger replied, "As the last one standing competitor for the tournament and recommendation from Mr Kitsune, the person in white you are referring too, and with the approval of the King, you are to be announce as the winner of the tournament and be the Hero, Once the doctor discharge you please travel to the Kingdom of Megiddo to receive your reward, the king will be waiting"
The messenger bow and said, "If you excuse me Hiroko-sama, I shall take my leave"
The messenger left and Hiroko, Crocus, and Murakami was left with their mouth open and simultaneously shouted, "EEEHHHH!?!?!?".
Few days has passed and Hiroko fully recovered himself and ready to be discharge, but still can't get over the fact the he won by being the last man standing
"Kitsune, the person in white, why did he gave his glory to me? Did he see some potential on me?" Hiroko asked
Crocus arrive back and saw Hiroko staring at the distance and said, "Still bothering you? It can't be help that is the royalty's decision"
"hhmm? Well, I just wonder, why did that person gave me what supposed to be his glory? Does he not seek fame?" Hiroko asked
"It is a big world, he probably has his reasons for doing it" Crocus replied
Hiroko ponder deeply and asked, "Hey Crocus, are you guys will still follow me if I accept this reward? I mean that demon shows us how weak we still are, forming a group to subjugate them is a hard task"
Crocus replied with a smile, "Of course, we are friends here, let's take one foot forward together, with enough training we will be proper heroes in no time"
"I guess you are right… No take backs, I'll count on you" Hiroko replied back with a smile
"Trust your allies, I have your back and you have mine, let's make a group that is fun and strong" Crocus said
They laugh at each other and without them knowing a person heard they conversation, it was Murakami,
Murakami approach slowly with embarrass face and asked, "I'm part of this group so don't leave me out!"
Crocus and Hiroko laugh at Murakami and said, "Of course, let's find a new comrade through our journey"
They laugh and spend another day together celebrating Hiroko's discharge.
A day after it a carriage was waiting for them along with the messenger they met back in the hospital and said, "This way Hiroko-sama and his comrades, the King is waiting for you"
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˹Alchemy˼: allows the user to manipulate the structure, size, and property of an existing object: Large mana consumption