Ray was no longer seen as a child in anyone's eyes.
Harold and Edward were relentless, testing his limits in physical combat day after day. Trina, ever the taskmaster, pushed him into grueling, borderline dangerous training regimens designed to harden his instincts. Maggie found her own use for him, treating Ray as a living catalyst for her magic. She'd demonstrate her spells, then challenge him to enhance or refine them, learning from his intuitive improvements.
The only sanctuary Ray found was with Merle. In her private research space, magic wasn't a test of strength or will but a collaborative exploration. They tossed ideas back and forth, her experiments fueling his curiosity while his insights enriched her understanding. With Merle, magic felt like a partnership rather than another burden.
Luna, however, was a different story. The noblewoman tasked with tutoring him in the ways of aristocracy seemed determined to rob him of every peaceful moment. Her lessons in decorum and etiquette felt tedious, almost oppressive. Whenever the constant pressures became too much, Ray would seek solace with his mother, Crystal, who provided rare pockets of comfort. But even her motherly protection couldn't shield him forever.
By day, Edward, Luna, and Maggie occupied every waking moment with training, studies, and spell-work. By night, Trina took over, turning his existence into a gauntlet of ambushes, booby-trapped quarters, and even excursions into monster-infested woods. No one treated him as the three-year-old-or even four-year-old-child he truly was.
At last, a glimmer of hope surfaced: if Ray could defeat a D-class monster, akin to the Spirit Wolf he'd encountered early on, his knightly training would be scaled back. The proposal seemed absurd to most. How could a mere child stand against such a foe? But Edward remained confident. Ray had shown an uncanny ability to adapt and evolve-though what no one realized was that much of his brilliance came from Liza, the advanced AI still operating within his mind, analyzing and suggesting strategies pulled straight from his former world.
For Ray, it wasn't just a test of strength. It was a chance to reclaim a fragment of his freedom, even if only for a little while..
The day was set. He would venture into the Forest of Monsters, the outer layer of the infamous monster lands. In preparation, Ray had poured himself into research, absorbing every scrap of knowledge adventurers were willing to share. From their stories, he realized just how vast and varied the classification of monsters truly was.
There were mythical creatures like dragons and wyverns, whose very existence inspired awe and terror. Then there were the miasma-born beings, twisted creations like goblins and orcs, birthed from the toxic energy of negative mana. Some monsters were merely ordinary animals—bears, wolves, and such—that had been corrupted or strengthened by miasma. And then there were magically enhanced creatures, altered through spells or exposure to ambient magic. To his surprise, even humans weren't exempt from the monster label. In fact, many adventurers claimed that the most dangerous monsters were once human, their forms warped by overwhelming surges of mana tainted with rage, hatred, or despair.
Ray's research also introduced him to the adventurers' system of mapping the monster lands. Explorers had divided the region into zones of escalating difficulty, a critical resource for anyone accepting a monster-slaying quest. Monsters were classified based on three key attributes: destructive power, intelligence, and aggression. This system formed a tiered ranking, starting with F for the weakest and scaling up to A for the strongest within normal classifications. Above them loomed the S-class monsters-beasts of such extraordinary power that attempting to fight them was considered utter foolishness. These special-grade creatures, such as dragons, phoenixes, cockatrices, and basilisks, were capable of wiping out entire villages, towns, cities or races with ease. They were the stuff of legends and nightmares.
Adventurers themselves were given similar rankings, though aggression was replaced with coordination. The system was practical, born from necessity, and Ray found it fascinating how it reflected the harsh realities of surviving in this dangerous world.
Armed with his newfound knowledge, Ray felt more prepared than ever. This wasn't just a test-it was a defining moment, a chance to prove his strength and adaptability in the face of the dangers that defined this world.
Edward accompanied Ray to a zone deemed relatively safe-a middle-tier area often referred to as "Upper One." It was a region known for its population of magically enhanced hogs, creatures renowned for their aggression and formidable strength. For seasoned adventurers, these hogs were a manageable challenge. For a four-year-old child-even an extraordinary one-it was a true test of skill and endurance.
"Stay sharp, Ray," Edward said, his tone more mentor than guardian. "These hogs might not look like much, but they're fast and pack a punch. And remember, no magic beyond basic mana enhancement. This is about mastering control."
Ray nodded, his small frame dwarfed by the oversized sword strapped to his back. Despite his young age, his focus was unwavering, his bright ember eyes scanning the dense greens for movement. The forest was alive with sound: the rustle of leaves, the distant chirping of birds, and the occasional grunt of something far larger than a squirrel.
Then he heard it-a low, guttural snort, followed by the crunch of hooves against the forest floor. Ray turned toward the noise, his hand tightening around the hilt of his blade. From the forest, emerged a hog the size of a small bull, its body rippling with unnatural muscle and its tusks gleaming with a faint magical glow. Its eyes locked onto Ray, and with a challenging snarl, it charged.
Ray braced himself, his feet digging into the dirt. As the hog barreled toward him, he sidestepped at the last possible moment, swinging his sword in a powerful arc. The blade bit into the creature's flank, drawing a spurt of dark, steaming blood, but it wasn't enough to stop it. The hog skidded to a halt, enraged, and spun to face him again. Ray felt weird emotionally with this first draw of blood.
The beast lunged, and Ray leapt back, barely avoiding the razor-sharp tusks. His small size was both a disadvantage and a strength; while the hog's massive bulk could overpower him in a direct clash, his agility allowed him to sprint around it like a shadow.
With every swing of his sword, Ray poured a trickle of mana into his strikes, enhancing his speed and power. Each clash sent vibrations up his arms, his muscles straining against the relentless force of the beast. Finally, with a perfectly timed strike, he drove his blade into the hog's chest, piercing its heart. The creature let out a final cry before collapsing in a heap at his feet.
Ray exhaled heavily, sweat dripping from his brow. The fight had taken more out of him than he anticipated, but victory was his. His mind still adjusting to his fist attempt at a life.
"Not bad for a first hunt," Edward called from a distance, a proud smile on his face. But before Ray could bask in his success, a low growl made his blood run cold.
Emerging from the deep woods were three more hogs, their eyes beaming with the same magical fury as the first. They surrounded him, snorting and pawing the ground. Ray's grip on his sword tightened, his mind racing.
"Alright," he muttered to himself, stepping into a defensive stance. "Let's see what you've really got."
The first hog charged, and Ray dodged, striking its flank. The second lunged immediately after, forcing him to duck and roll. The third was waiting as he came up, slamming its tusk into his side and sending him sprawling. Pain flared through his ribs, but he forced himself to his feet, adrenaline dulling the ache.
The fight became a blur of movement and sound: the clash of tusks against steel, the roars of the hogs, and Ray's own ragged breathing. He used every trick Edward had taught him-precision strikes, misdirection, and stubborn determination. His mana-enhanced strength kept him going, but the beasts were relentless, their coordination forcing him to stay constantly on the move.
One by one, he took them down, each victory grueling. By the time the last hog fell, Ray was covered in blood-both his own and the monsters'-and his limbs felt like lead. He collapsed to his knees, his sword digging into the ground for support.
Edward approached, his expression a mix of pride and concern. "You've done well, Ray. Better than I expected. But remember this-strength without control is a double-edged sword. You survived today because of your instincts and training. Hold onto that."
Ray nodded, too exhausted to reply. As Edward hoisted him onto his shoulders and carried him back to camp, Ray allowed himself a small smile. He had passed the test-but more importantly, he had proven something to himself.