Chapter 3 - Raising Seth

Seth Silverfang, son of the Hero Dai and the Saintess Bianca was an energetic young boy.

By age five he was close with his cousins and they had fun together growing up. His cousins were the twin son and daughter to his uncle the Martial arts master of the Hero party Samson. Their mother was the Sage Merilyn.

They were named Cassie and Darryl.

Together they had so much fun. They did their best to help their cousin get as much exercise and play as possible so that he could keep up with them. Even at a young age where he should have nearly limitless energy he got tired after only 30 minutes of outside play and activities. His cousins always worried for him as he seemed to only slowly improve his health and energy over the course of years instead of months like themselves.

When their parents explained what was wrong both Cassie and Darryl swore to themselves that they would do their best to protect their cousin as long as they could and help him become healthier.

And one day Seth was told that his cousins would be the new Martial Arts Master and Sage he was happy for them. He was more excited when he was told that he would be the Hero. But he was worried as he seemed so sickly and weak even after all of that exercise outside he did and even training with his father and uncle as well.

However he was confused after age 10. His friends he made in his youth began to avoid him more often. And even began to insult him calling him weak or a wimp when they played games and he kept failing to keep up or play sports properly with them. He was confused and asked his cousins about it. They said he was trying his best but that he was weaker than most other kids. They promised him that they would be by his side to help him reach his full potential as a Hero does have limitless growth possibilities.

So he went to his parents for further explanations and details about what was wrong with him and why he was so weak compared to other kids. They sighed and sat him down to explain what happened and why.

He was crushed after hearing about the curses on him and how he was doomed to be a weaker hero.

He knew that equipment had level requirements to be put on. If he was stuck at level 10. The best equipment he could ever put on was that meant for E and below ranked adventurers. He would be stuck at D rank at the most for his career and that's mostly thanks to his growth in stats per level as a hero. Even with the boosts from training his stats. He would be stuck as a powerful D ranker. Barely C rank. The only way to by pass this limit would be to find rare or higher ranked items of your level to boost your stats past their previous amount. But you would have to dive into every dungeon you can for the first clear reward.

And your training boosted stats will only give you up to your level in bonuses. So even if you train like crazy at level 20. Your stats will only ever grow by 20 points.

So at most his stats would become 110 at level 10. Stuck there except for any powerful level 10 equipment he could find.

He began to despair. But his father gave him hope.

He told him, "My son... You will feel lost at times. It will be hard. But know that somewhere in this cast world is someone. Heck many someones who will find a way through your hardships to love you. I believe you will be able to show them your abilities and be blessed by their heart. And I believe that they will show you everything they can show to be there for you and your heart. So follow me. Train hard. Push yourselves to the limits you can. And then you will see a new world. Trust me son."

With teary eyes Seth followed his father in training. Not just combat or magic though. They trained him in all manners of supplementary skills. Cleaning, washing, cooking, child care at an orphanage, forging, crafting, weaving, dancing, singing, story telling, reading, instruments, and many more skills were taught to him from his age of 7 to the coming of age ceremony on his 15th birthday.

Ironically he loved the stories like Beauty and the Beast and The Frog Prince. Showing him a glimpse of hope that someone can love him despite the curse.

He learned swords from his father, healing and curing from his mother, his uncle taught him how to fight when he lost his sword, and his aunt taught him all manners of support and defense magic. Seth had no aptitude for the finer details, he was unable to learn ki. His attack magic was better used for daily tasks. And his skills using sanctuary or blessing spells wasn't very impressive. His only saving grace was his natural talent as a hero to use any weapon. But he had to practice it. When he held a weapon he would gain a familiarity with it. But that would be it. He would need to learn the finer points of combat using it through training.

He even gained some help from traveling nomadic tribes that stopped by the village once in a while. Such as goblin tribes, orc tribes, oni tribes, centaur tribes, and many others on top of that. Seth became good friends with many of their members and even made some friends from their children who all liked him well enough to make promises to return to his side and adventure with him once they had also passed their coming of age ceremony. They decided to all meet up after they had all reached age 20 so that they all had a good amount of adventuring and levels under their belts.

With these promises made Seth vowed to do everything he could to be ready for his future party members so that he wouldn't hold them back after they meet up when they were older. So to enforce this promise he trained and pushed himself until his coming of age ceremony where he would be appraised and blessed by the goddess.

And everyone in the village was ready to see his class and hopefully ridicule the weakest teenager in the village. Many bullies would pick on him. The girls avoided him due to the bullying and how weak he was in their eyes. And only his family and cousins were there on his side along side the friends he made from the centaur tribe and oni tribe that managed to come back during this day.

The Bishop himself was there but even though he knew of the curse even he was flinching in worry at how weak Seth appeared to him.

Having grown numb to this treatment Seth stood there ignoring the look of the Bishop as he went through the ceremony.

The goddesses light flooded the church and blinded everyone for a moment. When he was revealed again he had the Heros mark on the back of his right hand. And his father looked at his own hand sighing at the loss of his own mark. But he smiled a proud smile towards his son in recognition of all he has endured to become the Hero.

With the Bishop proclaiming him the next Hero there was respectful clapping. A few cheers as some recognized Seth's efforts through the years.

But that was all.

Only his family and friends cheered loudly and whooped and hollered. Everyone else were wearing stone faces and were leaning back as if collectively thinking, 'Wait THIS weak guy is the Hero we are given? Why not a goblin instead? At least they can grow stronger than him with his lack of talent.'

Ignoring them Seth looked at his stats to see what his father had said was right.

Seth Silverfang

Age:15

Race: Human

Class: Hero (Soul curse)

Level: 1/10 (Rest of levels sealed)

HP: 50

MP: 25

Str: 11

Agi: 11

End: 11

Magic: 11

Skill: 11

Equipment:

He knew he was stuck at these stats until he went to a beginner dungeon town to gain experience and hunting abilities in. He grit his teeth and promised himself he would find a way to beat these curses that were placed on him before he was even born.

After the ceremony his parents, friends from the wandering tribes, and extended family all gathered to see him off and wish him well.

His uncle gave him combat gauntlets that gave him a boost to his stats. His aunt gave him a grimoire that would grow with him as he unlocked higher magical stats. His mother gave him a protective holy symbol that would help him harness holy energy and protect him from curses And poisons. His father gave him the Heros sword. The only sword in the world that grew with the wielder.

The centaur tribe girl he was close to, named Centorea, came up and promised she would find him in the city once she was a tier 2 class of her knight heritage. And the Oni tribe girl, named Kijo, that Seth became friends with, also came up and promised that she would be there to find him once she had evolved her barbarian class in the same way.

Both girls blushed, looked at each other with a nod before kissing each cheek of Seth. Seth was blushing while his family was silently cheering about how Seth is already getting some future hearts for a large family in the future.

He hears something in his mind about the curse but pays it no mind for now until he gets onto the road to the city.

Seth was in tears as he was given the basic supplies beyond the gifts, and he also hugged both Centorea and Kijo goodbye while returning the kiss to each of their cheeks as well. Making both girls go crimson with large smiles, and went on his way with the well wishes of his family and friends following him as he went to make his way in the new city.

His parents gazes followed him until he was a dot in the distance and then wept as they could only pray for his success in life as best they could.

Seth went on with his head held high and his hopes powerfully filling his body. Unknown to him that there are a few more years of physical and emotional torture waiting for him. But he would do his best to endure. And eventually meet his future loves.

And he had a new hope to aid him. He checks that notification and nearly trips in shock.

*Congratulations! You were given the true loves display of a proposal kiss of the Centaur and Oni tribes! You accepted it back and are now engaged to two maidens who truly love you!

Maximum level has risen to 30!*

Seth can't help but stammer out a bit before he goes, "What the hell?!"