--- In the neutral regionʼs Nupokute Forest ---
Archibald Melvis Pendragon. 11 years old.
The young boyʼs journey had begun. All it took was a single step.
("So, I'm currently in the Nupokute Forest, which is in the neutral region. I've already passed the Azapita Mountains, and it's only been two days since I left home.")
The Nupokute Forest.
It was a place of wonder and enchantment. Teeming with spirit particles, it imbued the air with a sense of magic and mystery.
The trees and shrubs were abundant and diverse, creating a rich tapestry of life that was both beautiful and awe-inspiring.
Archibald had tied his red hair into a ponytail and worn a hand-sewn black short-sleeved shirt with a V-shaped cut on the chest which was tied with a light brown cord. He had paired this with trousers and hand-sewn leather shoes.
He carried a large bag which contained traveling supplies, including his Velgrynd <
("It wasn't easy leaving my little sister Arcelia behind. She didn't want me to go, but I can't blame her. I mean, I'm pretty awesome, and I wouldn't want to see me go either.")
To better observe the area, he stopped to gain better awareness of his surroundings. Far better than walking aimlessly.
("Michael, my trusty advisor... Ahem, I mean my father, told me not to register in any of the guilds in Velvana. Apparently, the High Elves there like to look down on humans and demihumans. Can you believe that? I mean, come on, we're all just trying to make a living here. So, Michael suggested the Galdruos territory as my best bet.")
Since his father was once an Adventurer, he didn't take his word for granted.
("Overall, it's been quite the adventure so far. I want to find Sakura, but I do miss my family and friends back home.")
In order to gain information on Sakuraʼs current status, he had to play Muramasaʼs game.
Even if he had nothing to prove or atone for, this journey felt like a way for him to clear his head of all that'd happened.
He wanted his parents to be proud of him.
After what happened at the Blackwaters District, he believed he'd never be able to gain their trust again. But he never lost it to begin with.
It was natural to make mistakes, provided one fixes them.
("As much as I'm trying to be my new self, Archibald... It isn't easy... I should be broken about Velrossaʼs death but the truth is I never really opened up to him. I couldn't risk it... What if he betrayed me?")
His fears always crept up at the wrong time.
In his previous life, people were only his friends when they wanted something.
After that, they'd toss him away akin to garbage.
No one could blame him for not entirely feeling bad for what happened to Velrossa. In the end, Archibald never claimed to be righteous.
("Well, I did it. Finally. It took me a couple of days, but I got myself lost even with a map. These medieval maps are pure trash. I mean, who even uses paper maps anymore? I certainly never learned how to read them in my past life.")
He squeezed the map and tossed it aside. The look on his face was obviously a frustrated one.
("I was too busy gaming or... Well, never mind. Anyway, I'm here, lost and confused. But hey, at least I have a good story to tell, right?")
BATOOOOM!!
A loud crashing sound attracted Archibaldʼs attention.
In a flash he ran in the direction of the sound. His bag made it a difficult task, but he was physically fit enough to handle himself.
"What the hell is going on?! It sounds like a dungeon raid down there?!"
In some few minutes he arrived.
Archibald witnessed a green-haired girl wearing a large robe in battle.
In her right hand was a magic stave.
The stave was made from fine wood, with the shaft adorned with an aquamarine ribbon. At the tip was a large Manastone of a radiant green color.
A magic stave known as the <
Merely looking at her, Archibald had two words for her:
("Total babe..")
At the time, she had before her, an Ogre - A brutish giant known to eat human flesh.
It stood at a height of six meters.
She seemed to be struggling. Archibald wanted to help, but preferred to stay hidden for the time being.
"Oh great spi..."
Before she could finish her chant, the ogre charged for her with its wooden club.
Fortunately, she jumped out of the way with the ogre only missing by a few inches. Its club struck the earth, fracturing the ground as a result.
She barely dodged that, she thought. Now that she was in the clear, she could attempt the incantation:
"Oh great spirits of wind! I beseech thee, that thou may grant me guidance of they path. I converge before me, [Gale Sphere]"
For such a spell, it was supposed to be the usual Mana output. But, she employed the use of the <
The mighty sphere of wind traveled for the ogre, but it was unable to do any damage, other than pushing it back a bit.
The [Gale Sphere] was only an Azure-ranked spell after all. It could only do so much.
("Okay, this is perfect! Don't screw this up Archie-dono, first, you need to make a great entrance. It'll add to the building tension. Okay... Start!")
He sprung out of the bushes leaving his bag behind.
THUD!
A hard, dull impact. Archibald had fallen on his face after getting his foot wrapped in a thick stem.
"Damn, gotta work on those landings.."
He rubbed his head gently.
Frozen, the elven girl retracted her stave and stared at the figure.
The ogre mindlessly roared.
"Go! Get out of here now! It's not safe here!"
Defensively, she held her stave whilst relaying this warning to Archibald. In her opinion, he didn't know what he was getting into.
This was a rank C monster she was facing after all.
Having risen to his feet and dusted his pants, Archibald sighed." I really thought I'd nail that one.." he cleared his throat.
The ogre charged for the girl again. There was only three meters between them.
There wasn't enough time for her to cast a defensive spell.
On the other hand, Archibald was a safe seven meters away.
"Hate to interrupt... But let me handle this..."
A grin appeared on his face as Archibald whipped out <
After uttering those words, he leapt towards the ogre, and before she knew what happened next, he'd torn the monster to shreds.
The quick and merciless attack came to a halt. Archibald stroked his sword across the air to wipe off the blood.
"I didn't need your help.."
The girl said in a slightly annoyed manner.
("A Tsundere I see... And she's big too.")
He looked at her chest before he arrived at the conclusion.
"I'm guessing sixty-eight centimeters.." he rubbed his chin as he spoke to himself.
"Hello? Can't you hear me?"
She sounded exasperated.
"Oh! Sorry about that!"
Immediately, Archibald turned to face her before he waved.
Every cell in his body screamed "touch her," but he wasn't so stupid that he'd do that to a random girl in the forest.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Archibald Pendragon."
Instead of returning a greeting, she stared at him in a condescending manner.
"So what do you want? A thank you? Or perhaps some money?"
From her point of view he didn't look like he could afford much.
"Could I just lick your feet?"
A completely random but expected response from Archibald.
He slid <
"How dare you?! Pervert!"
Without consideration, she swiftly pointed her magic stave at him.
Raising his hands in submission, Archibald swiftly said:
"I swear I was just kidding!"
("Or was I...")
There was a moment of silence.
In that time, the girl wrapped the tip of <
After she'd done that, "So, what's a Swordsman like you doing around these parts... Were you also on a quest?" she could now focus questions.
The arch of hair above his eye rose. He was confused.
("Quest? Oh yeah, I guess she's an Adventurer..... Makes sense why she'd be here, maybe her job was to slay the ogre or something.")
Initially, Archibald thought he'd save her and then leave. If there was a possibility she was an Adventurer, then he'd have to stay by all means.
"Actually, I just left my village now, I'm planning to join a guild.."
If he could immediately create some semblance between them, maybe she'd open up a bit.
Hence, his reason for hitting the nail on the head.
"You're an aspiring adventurer? Really?"
"Well yeah, couldn't you tell from my sweet sword moves?"
"I mean, it was alright.."
"Hey?!"
She only joked around a bit, but seeing him get worked about having his sword moves described as "alright," got her laughing.
Extending her hand, her next words were:
"Still, you saved me... It'd be impolite of me not to thank you. My name is Rumia, it's nice to meet you."
The two shook hands.
Was this a fated meeting? Or perhaps, coincidence.