"It was not a show of skill were i danced around the beast cleverly targeting its weak points , no this was a clash of sheer strength were i either broke through or died." the elder said seriously. "i found this beast on the hotto steppe where i attacked the beast barehanded causing it to stumble backwards for a step before it swiped at me with its huge paw and a held the strike at bay with my forearms leaving a small dent on the ground from the strike." the elder paused to catch his breath.
"both myself and the beast clashed for entire day tiring ourselves out in the process and then the moment came. both the monster and myself stared each other down somehow knowing that this next clash would be the last as the entire world seemed to freeze as there was no wind , no sounds just the opponent in front of us. with mighty roars that echoed through the mountain we both placed our everything into one last strike that neither blocked and when the dust cleared i stood over the dissipating remains of my foe with my limit broken and a new set of scars to tell my story."
Alastair was amazed at this story having a new found respect for the man sitting before him. "when i grew too old to continue my journey i came to this village where i built this house in the likeness of the most meaningful battle i ever had." the elder said with a proud smile. "what is your story little fellow , what drives you to brave this road?" he asked alastair curiously. "it was hard to describe until a bit over a week ago like an instinct telling me to get stronger do you know what i mean?"
The elder nodded "i have met others in my travels that seemed drawn to a particular path as though it was natural for them." he said in understanding. alastair continued "i discovered a week ago that i was apparently the reincarnated luminary." alastair showed the birthmark symbol on his left hand. the elder looked surprised but then he looked saddened "that is a heavy burden placed on your shoulders little one , i am sorry that i am unable to help you with your dreadful task." he says sincerely before closing his eyes for a moment.
"i was there when you were born you know. yes i remember it as though it was yesterday the kingdom of dundrasil was celebrating the birth of the prince and the kings of both heliodor and dundrasil had a meeting about the very mark upon your hand. i had been hired to cater the celebration at the time due to my reputation as a chef when i over heard the conversation of the kings. but that very night monsters swarmed the capital of dundrasil slaughtering people left and right and until this day i had thought that all of the royal family had perished."
The elder released a single tear from his right eye before he wiped it away." i'm sorry lad that you had to see an old man weep like this. i am truly glad that you are alive since it tore at my heart how useless i was to save you or your parents." he said before he wished alastair a good night and headed to his bed room. alastair was left laying on the couch laying on his back staring up at the symbol on the back of his hand thoughts unknown to all but himself.
The next day alastair woke before dawn to the smell of breakfast being cooked and stretched popping his joints comfortably. the elder walked out of the kitchen with a serving of five grain oats and cured bacon on a tray. "morning lad , i can see you also have a habit of waking up early here i made food to keep you energized through the day." he said setting the tray on the coffee table. alastair ate slowly savoring the flavor of the food. the elder walked over to a bookshelf against the back wall and after searching the books pulled out a brown leather book.
Walking back to the coffee table the elder placed the book on the table next to the tray. "that book is my personal cookbook that is made of all my knowledge on the ingredients i have encountered. i want you to take it and just maybe it can be of some help to you on your journey." he said seriously. alastair shook his head "i can not possibly accept such a thing , it is far too precious for me to have." he said truly thinking he was unworthy to own something that took someone so long to create.
"i insist lad , truly nothing would bring me more joy than to see my knowledge help you in some small measure besides if you somehow manage to create a dish that has never been seen in the world using the knowledge in that book it will be completely worth it in my opinion." the elder said with a chuckle. alastair couldn't argue with the old man so he accepted the book before wishing the old man well and leaving the village heading towards heliodor slaughtering the monsters along the way finally reaching level four.
Alastair put his ten new points into athletics bringing it up to forty and selecting the educated perk to get three more skill points every level. after exiting the system screen alastair felt his control over his body finally reach completion as well as his muscles grew just a little denser. from here on alastair would be truly improving rather than just gaining true control of his body like he had been. with this new upgrade in physical ability alastair killed the monsters even faster as he practically sprinted through them while skillfully cutting them apart.