The ethereal glow of the moons spilled through the open window, casting a silvery sheen upon the quaint interior of the modest cabin.
As a solitary beer bottle rolled languidly across the wooden floor, it joined the scattered array of its brethren, some resting on the ground, others abandoned on the timeworn table.
Reclining in a well-worn armchair, a woman stretched out her legs, her booted feet perched nonchalantly atop the table.
With a languid air, she raised another bottle to her lips, savoring the amber liquid as it trickled down her throat.
The pungent aroma of alcohol hung heavily in the air, a testament to the evening's indulgence, as the moonlight continued to bathe the scene in its otherworldly luminescence.
An abrupt knock on the cabin door shattered the prevailing tranquility, compelling Aeris to direct a discerning gaze towards the source of the disturbance.
After a few moments of contemplation, she called out, "Come in," and proceeded to sip her beer with an air of nonchalance.
As the door creaked open, an elderly gentleman and a woman bearing a stoic countenance stepped into the room.
"You haven't changed, Aeris. Still a drunkard, I see," the man admonished, his hands clasped firmly behind his back.
"What brings you here, old man Kalinski?" Aeris inquired, setting her beer aside to grant him her undivided attention.
Kalinski's voices assumed a solemn tone as he elucidated, "Under normal circumstances, I would be the one to instruct someone. However, an unforeseen and pressing summons from the King has arisen. In my stead, I need you to teach this individual the art of the dagger. You are, after all, the most skilled and precise instructor I know."
Aeris contemplated the proposal thoughtfully before inquiring, "What is the daily remuneration, and for what duration?"
"200 gold coins per day, for a period of one week and a few additional days," Kalinski responded.
Aeris' eyes widened in astonishment at the munificent offer. "Who is this individual you're willing to invest so heavily in?"
Kalinski simply said, "You'll be astonished by the potential and willpower of the one you'll be instructing. When I last encountered him, he had lost much of his strength for some reason, but I believe it has been exchanged for these newfound qualities. All things considered, it's a fair trade. His name is Sucura, the fallen hero."
Aeris scrutinized Kalinski's countenance as she murmured, 'the fallen hero, huh,' and he interpreted her silence as acquiescence.
The elderly man tossed her an insignia, which she skillfully caught. "Seek out Nicolette; she is already apprised of her role in this. We shall leave you to make the necessary preparations."
With that, Kalinski and the woman withdrew from the cabin, shutting the door in their wake.
Alone once more, Aeris took a final, melancholic swig of her beer, as she found herself immersed in the moons ethereal twilight embrace.
***
"You are Sucura correct?" Aeris inquired, her gaze carefully assessing the aura that enveloped him.
She studied the posture and demeanor of his body, contemplating inwardly, 'Could this truly be a fallen hero? Even in their diminished state, there should be something captivating about them such instance an erratic fluctuation of mana swirling around, or an imminent sixth sense. However, I sense nothing extraordinary about this individual.'
The man offered a subtle nod in response. Aeris then introduced herself, "I am to serve as your instructor. My name is Linda, and I am an Assassin of [Adept] rank." She gestured for him to follow and said, "Follow me."
***
Under the watchful gaze of the three resplendent moons, their light illuminated the man's striking features, casting an ethereal glow upon his dark crimson hair.
His monolid eyes, a matching shade of deep crimson, seemed to pierce the night itself. His attire, a black tunic adorned with silvery lines and dark gray trousers, only served to further accentuate his mysterious presence.
Aeris gazed at him with a deadpan expression, her eyes betraying a hint of sarcasm. She mused to herself, 'Isn't that rather unfair? So, his strength manifests itself in his pale visage and physique?'
Sucura subtly rolled up his sleeve, his expression turning serious. Aeris felt an inexplicable sensation in her lower abdomen, and her panties subtly dampened in response.
As she scrutinized the veins in his arm, she inadvertently gulped and shook off her thoughts. Sighing, she mused, 'I should focus. I hope he doesn't disappoint me, as the old man suggested.'
With a subtle gesture from Aeris, Sucura sprang into action, his movements swift and agile as he brandished his dagger.
He aimed his slashes and thrusts at vital points, intending to inflict severe damage. Yet, Aeris nimbly evaded each assault with grace and precision.
'His expertise with the dagger is remarkable, as though he knows exactly where to strike,' she mused. 'However, his body isn't quite in sync with his intentions. He simply needs more practice and time to refine his skills.'
Without warning, Sucura unleashed a potent kick, targeting Aeris's face.
She managed to intercept the blow with her hand, but the sheer force sent her staggering backward, a faint wisp of smoke emanating from her palm. Startled, she blurted out, "What the—"
In an instant, Sucura closed the distance between them, executing a rapid series of five stabs in a fraction of second. Aeris parried each strike with ease, her movements fluid and confident.
As Sucura pivoted his body to deliver another powerful kick, Aeris deftly sidestepped the attack and retreated.
Sucura tilted his head slightly, and upon noticing this, Aeris's eyebrow twitched involuntarily. 'Hhmm... I'll beat this guy up,' she muttered as she lunged forward.
***
As Sucura gingerly sipped the Health Potion provided to him, he tenderly touched his wounded abdomen, feeling the soothing effects of the elixir.
Aeris contemplated thoughtfully, 'He's an astoundingly quick learner, occasionally managing to block my attacks. His proficiency in unconventional combat and dedication to training are truly commendable.'
Sucura inquired, "Might I request some solitary time to indulge in stargazing and marvel at the intricate celestial tapestry woven across the night sky?"
Pondering the fallen hero's intentions, she thoughtfully provided her response before vanishing onto the circular platform.
Materializing gracefully upon a distant tree branch, she surreptitiously observed Sucura, who remained on the platform, her gaze unwavering and keen.
"What could he possibly be doing?" Aeris mused, curious about his actions.
Sucura gripped the guitar that materialized from a dimensional ring, and he began to sing an unfamiliar song with soothing rhythms while gently strumming the strings.
Aeris found herself enveloped in tranquility as she observed him from her secluded vantage point, pondering, 'What is this enchanting melody?' and adding, 'His voice is utterly captivating, and he is indeed a most peculiar hero.'
She slowly turned her gaze toward the moons and wistfully thought, 'If only I could enjoy a booze while listening to this performance.'
***
Morning in Kalinski Manor, Training Ground
"Should I simply visualize my mana flowing into my dagger in small increments, Instructor Linda?" Sucura inquired, seeking guidance.
"Yes, precisely," Aeris responded with a subtle nod, confirming his understanding.
Following her instructions, Sucura soon managed to faintly imbue his dagger with a red hue of mana.
Observing this remarkable feat, Aeris was genuinely astonished, yet she maintained a stoic expression, keeping her thoughts to herself.
'Monster!' she mused, and added, 'Infusing mana into weapons requires the utmost concentration and focus. Even a beginner would typically need several hours to achieve this, yet he has mastered it in mere minutes.'
"Just like that, you're doing well. You just need more practice," Aeris complimented him and continued, "Now, let's move on to evasion. Stand over there at a distance, and I'll throw this at you."
Sucura slightly flinched as he eyed the pointy rocks in Aeris's hand, which seemed to be imbued with something nefarious.
A faint smile graced Aeris's lips as she prepared to test his skills.
***
As he stepped out of the bathroom, Aeris couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat.
With an air of nonchalance, he removed his upper garment, revealing his chiseled, pale body and toned muscles.
She found herself involuntarily swallowing as she took in the sight. As he deftly unfastened his trousers, she could feel a subtle warmth emanating from her body, stirring her senses.
With a composed demeanor, Sucura finished dressing and confidently announced, "I am ready."
Aeris couldn't help but admire his taut physique, the slender curve of his neck, and his striking visage.
She quickly gathered her thoughts, determined not to let her mind wander. As she prepared to leave the room, she turned to him and said, "Follow me."
***
Aeris was momentarily stunned by the unexpected surge of air mana fluctuations that had begun to swirl within him earlier. It was as if his body was greedily absorbing the energy.
She couldn't help but wonder, 'Has he achieved some form of enlightenment, or is this a manifestation of his unique ability?'
Now within the confines of a private chamber, Aeris diligently assisted him in regulating his erratic mana flow.
After several minutes, his eyes fluttered open, and he gazed at her with sincere gratitude. "Thank you, Instructor Linda," he expressed wholeheartedly.
A shiver ran down Aeris' spine as she mused, 'I must regain my composure, or else…'
She replied, "It is my duty as your mentor," and gracefully rose to her feet. "I shall take my leave now," she announced before making her exit through the door.
***
Several days had elapsed since their rigorous training sessions, and Aeris found herself gazing around her room.
Aeris contemplated, "Sucura is undeniably an exceptional individual. His capacity for rapid learning is extraordinary; within a mere few days, he nearly thwarted my relentless onslaught and mastered the intricate art of evasion. It's astounding that he remained oblivious to the fact that I was engaging him with utmost sincerity."
Her thoughts drifted to another matter, "It's rather peculiar how I feel that even if I were to stand naked before him, he wouldn't care or exhibit any lecherous inclinations. Could he be a eunuch? No, my intuition tells me otherwise."
She further observed, "Of late, his thoughts appear to be consumed by something, as he scrutinizes his parchment for hours on end, treating it as though it were the most precious treasure and of paramount importance in his life."
Pausing for a moment, she continued, "It's not in my nature to pry into the affairs of others."
Her reflections then transitioned to her forthcoming plans, "Once our training reaches its conclusion, what path should I pursue? Perhaps a visit to the Daca Kingdom would be a fitting next step?"