Riku blinked in surprise, taken aback by Lady Arisu's unexpected response.
"W-Wait... W-Why can't I become a guard in your village?" he stammered, his confusion evident in his wide eyes.
"I'm not saying you're incapable of becoming a warrior in Arzotoc village; however, the training is quite rigorous, and we can't predict how the other guards might treat you," Arisu explained before taking a seat on the bed.
Becoming a guard here wasn't a straightforward process. It required a year of preparation to condition both one's body and mind. Arisu offered Riku this insight.
He couldn't help but wonder then, why were the guards so easily defeated by the mythical beasts if they had undergone such intense training? Something seemed amiss.
Despite this, his current dilemma was convincing Arisu. He needed to strengthen himself in this unfamiliar realm while also seeking a way back home.
As he remained silent, Arisu approached him. "Don't take it to heart, Riku; I'm simply trying to avoid any potential harm that could befall you."
"I respectfully disagree, Lady Arisu; I have a genuine interest in learning to protect myself," he responded earnestly, his gaze fixed on her, conveying his determination.
Arisu noticed the faint, white mana beginning to spread through his body. 'Does this person not possess the ability to deceive?' she pondered silently, before posing another question. "Tell me, Riku, what has prompted this sudden desire to become a guard in our village?"
"I don't have a specific reason, Lady Arisu; I just felt a strong urge to pursue it, and I believe I could contribute given my familiarity with the various monsters," he replied in an unconcerned tone.
His response left her taken aback. Was his desire to become a guard truly without a clear motivation? Most of Arzotoc's guards aspired for higher positions within the village hierarchy, or aimed to accumulate wealth.
Rubbing her chin thoughtfully, her gaze remained fixed on the man seated on the plush bed. 'Hmm... Despite his current low level, with proper training, he might have the potential to ascend to the level of a warrior.'
A new idea crossed her mind then. "Considering your expertise in overcoming monsters, why not consider applying for a position as a tactician?"
Arzotoc village boasted only a handful of tacticians. Why? Because there was one individual responsible for crafting all the strategic plans to secure victory in battles. Moreover, the role came with a significant burden of responsibilities.
Tactician? This might aid in honing his cerebral faculties, helping him devise solutions for various scenarios. However, it didn't align with his preference—or more succinctly, his goal of fortifying his physical prowess to become a better host for the genes of different monsters.
"I appreciate your suggestion, but I must respectfully decline. My heart is truly set on becoming a guard. Nonetheless, I am more than willing to aid you in conquering a specific monster by sharing the insights I possess," Riku offered, his persuasion evident in his tone.
Arisu released a deep sigh, her expression one of mixed concern and resignation. "Are you absolutely certain about this, Riku? I've done my utmost to steer you clear of perilous situations, yet you've chosen this path."
Riku held her gaze with unwavering resolve. "I understand the risks, Lady Arisu, and I accept the challenges that come with it. I wish to contribute to this village in my own way."
Arisu's eyes softened, realizing the determination behind his words. She placed a hand on his shoulder, her tone gentle. "Very well, Riku. If this is your decision, I won't stand in your way. But promise me that you'll exercise caution and prioritize your safety."
"I promise," Riku affirmed, offering a sincere smile in return.
Arisu nodded, her initial reservations yielding to a newfound trust in his conviction. "Then, let us work together to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. As your friend, I will support you every step of the way."
And so, Riku's resolve to become a guard remained unshaken, bolstered by the unexpected camaraderie he had formed with Lady Arisu, the first person to offer him friendship in this unfamiliar world.
"This is what I am, Lady Arisu," Riku chuckled, "but thank you for always helping me."
After this man laughed in front of her, Arisu felt something in her chest. 'He's the first person to laugh beside me...' She clutched her chest, puzzled as to why her heart was racing so fast.
She cleared her throat, assuming she was simply ecstatic about the situation. "I'll ask the commander to add your name to the list for the new applicants; it's supposed to be next week, so get ready," she stuttered as Riku smiled brightly in front of her.
"Thank you so much, Lady Arisu; I'll cherish the time I've spent with you," Riku said as he bowed his head, unaware that his head was closer to Arisu's thigh.
"Ahem! Ahem! Riku, I think it's time for me to leave your room because the maids would have other ideas if I stayed any longer, and we need to go to the library to work on your first invention," she said, her face flushed as Riku's black, long hair tickled her.
He pushed himself into a standing position. "If you say so... But before that, I want to ask you something so I can have an idea of what the first item I'll build."
It piqued her attention, so her heart and face returned to their original state. "What is it, Riku?"
"For my first invention, I'd like to create something that will be useful for this village."
Riku's first invention in this world appears to depend on what the main problem of this village is. For him, it's a well-thought-out plan. Why? The villagers would easily recognize him and his work if he did this.
To be more specific, Riku desired to create an item, and when the villagers saw it, they would simply state that it was created by "Riku Hirota."
"Something like... the thing this village needs the most?"
He nodded, hoping that their village doesn't require a power plant or electricity because it must have taken a long time to build.
Arisu was deep in thought when she recalled that they were running out of water due to the extreme heat.
"Our farmers have been having difficulty harvesting their crops in the western part of our village; could you help?"
The issue in this village was not solely one of technology, as he had mentioned to her. Regardless, he should do something to demonstrate his abilities.
In the current year, where did he come from? The farmer was the second-highest-paid individual to become a mutant because it was difficult to grow vegetables due to the constant destruction caused by monsters.
'I know exactly what I need to do to assist them. I should also conduct some research on how the two pillars will fall again,' he said to himself, then changed his clothes.
He must be cautious of the sun, as it can cause far more harm now than it did the first time the system alerted him.
"What do you mean? He's still wearing it."