-Word count: 2800-
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-Next morning-
The room was quiet except for the sound of steady breathing and the rhythmic thud of palms hitting the floor. Nouflex, now at 632 push-ups, felt every muscle in his body tense and relax with each movement.
Sweat trickled down his forehead, but he didn't stop. He could feel the strain in his arms, but it was a good kind of strain, the kind that reminded him of just how far he'd come.
"633... 634..." He counted under his breath, his voice steady, determined.
"I guess this is enough for today." Nouflex after finishing his morrning training went to take a bath accompanied by Fubuki, of course, they did some naughty things inside then proceeded to dress up and walk downstairs to have breakfast.
The dining room in Felix's mansion was a grand affair, with polished wooden tables, high-backed chairs, and an elegant chandelier casting a warm glow over the room.
Nouflex descended the stairs, Fubuki by his side, both moving with an air of calm confidence. As they approached the table, the scent of freshly prepared food filled the room, and Nouflex couldn't help but feel a small pang of satisfaction.
This was far from the life he'd known on Earth.
Felix and his family were already seated. Felix himself, ever the dignified nobleman, greeted them with a polite nod though his gaze flickered with a hint of apprehension as he remembered their conversation the night before.
His wife, a graceful woman with soft features, smiled softly at them. The twins, a boy and a girl no older than four were busy with their breakfast, their innocent laughter adding a lighthearted touch to the room.
Nouflex took his seat without hesitation, while Fubuki sat next to him, exuding her usual aura of calm confidence. His eyes scanned the room, noting the absence of two figures. 'Where are Ayanokoji and Ringo?'
Nouflex wondered as he scanned the room.
Then it clicked. He quickly recalled the orders he'd given them. Ringo was deep in the mansion's basement, overseeing the mining operation he'd tasked her with, her intelligent AI robot assisting in the work. Ayanokoji, on the other hand, had taken a temporary leave to train and grow stronger, a necessary step in his journey.
As the breakfast started, Nouflex decided it was time to learn more about Felix and his family. With Fubuki sitting beside him, ever watchful, he leaned back in his chair, looking at Felix and Rose with a curious glint in his eyes.
"So, Felix." Nouflex began casually, still munching on a sausage. "Tell me about your family. I've heard about you in action, but I'm curious about what drives you outside of business."
Felix glanced at Rose, who smiled warmly at him, and then back at Nouflex.
"Well, as you know, this is my wife, Rose." He began. "We've been married for six years now. Rose has been my greatest support through thick and thin." Rose blushed slightly at the compliment, giving her husband a loving look.
"And these two." Felix gestured toward his children "Are our twins, Evan and Elara. They're four years old and full of energy."
Elara, the more outgoing of the two, looked up at Nouflex with wide eyes, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Mister, why are you wearing that blindfold? Can you even see?" she asked innocently.
Evan, quieter but just as curious, nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on the blindfold as well.
Nouflex chuckled, amused by the children's straightforwardness. "Ah, this?" He pointed at his blindfold. "It's a special accessory of mine. It helps me see things more clearly… In a way that others can't."
Elara seemed to consider his answer, then nodded as if satisfied. "That's cool!" She exclaimed. "You must be really strong, like a superhero!"
Rose laughed softly, reaching over to gently ruffle Elara's hair. "You'll have to forgive them. They're very curious about everything." She said.
"No need for forgiveness." Nouflex replied smoothly. "Curiosity is a sign of intelligence. And who knows? Maybe one day, they'll grow up to be even stronger than me." He winked, causing the twins to giggle.
Felix observed the exchange, feeling more relaxed. 'This man… he's certainly not what I expected. But that makes him all the more intriguing.' He thought.
"What about you, Nouflex?" Felix asked, steering the conversation back. "Do you have family?"
Nouflex's expression darkened for a moment, but he quickly recovered not letting anyone pick up on that, memories of his mom and some other people flashed in his head.
"Family… that's a complicated question." He said vaguely. "But right now, my focus is on those who stand by me, Maybe I'll have a family later." He glanced at Fubuki with a teasing smile, who blushed while looking down.
The uncontrolled smile on her face proved that she loved the idea of having a family with her master.
Rose sensed the slight awkwardness in the room and decided to lighten the mood. "Well, you and your… companions are always welcome here. Our home is your home." She said warmly.
Nouflex smiled. "Thank you, Rose. We appreciate the hospitality."
Everyone proceeded to enjoy their meal until out of nowhere Nouflex spoke again. "Oh, by the way, Felix. I have a bunch of things to do today so I will need some money. After breakfast give me 40 golden coins.
Felix "..."
Rose "..."
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After finishing breakfast with Felix and his family, Nouflex and Fubuki decided to head to the Adventurers Guild. The city was bustling with activity as usual, and the duo attracted attention wherever they went.
This time it wasn't just their striking appearance that was drawing attention this time, there was something more. Some people were whispering and pointing in his direction He caught snippets of their conversations as they passed by.
"Isn't that the guy who broke the record?" One man murmured to his companion.
"Yeah, that's him! The youngest to ever reach A-rank… and the fastest too." The other replied, awe evident in his voice.
"They're calling him The Rising Shadow." a woman whispered, her eyes wide as she watched him pass. "They say he strikes with a power that seems to rise from the darkness of the shadow itself."
Nouflex smirked beneath his blindfold. 'The Rising Shadow, huh? Not bad.' He thought, more or less pleased with the nickname. They probably called him this because of his recent display of the shadow technique against Sunny and Harry.
Fubuki, walking beside him, caught the whispers too. She glanced at him, a small smile playing on her lips. 'Master's reputation is spreading fast… and fittingly so.' She thought proudly.
As they approached the guild, more people turned to look, some nodding in respect, others simply staring in awe. The whispers of "The Rising Shadow" followed them all the way to the entrance.
As they entered the guild, the usual lively atmosphere quieted for a moment. Adventurers turned to look at them, whispers spreading quickly. Nouflex ignored them, striding confidently toward the front desk, where a man dressed in a sharp uniform was waiting.
"Nouflex, correct?" the man asked, bowing slightly in respect.
Nouflex raised an eyebrow, glancing at Fubuki before turning his attention back to the man. "That's right. And you are?"
"My name is Alric, and I've been assigned as your personal guide in the guild." the man replied with a polite smile. "Considering your recent promotion to A-rank, the guild has decided that you deserve special attention and service."
Nouflex frowned slightly. 'Why the sudden change?' He thought. "What about Sandy? Isn't she working here anymore? She's the one I used to deal with."
Alric quickly nodded, sensing the question's importance. "Oh, Sandy is still here, of course! She's a valuable member of our team. It's just that with your new rank, I've been assigned to ensure you receive the best service possible. Sandy will still handle regular matters, but for anything more advanced or important, I'll be your point of contact."
Nouflex shrugged it off, not particularly invested in the change. 'As long as things run smoothly, I don't care who I deal with.' He thought. "Alright, whatever. Lead the way then, Alric."
Alric nodded enthusiastically and gestured for them to follow. As they moved through the guild, Nouflex noticed the respectful distance the other adventurers kept from them. 'A-rank really changes things around here.' He mused.
Fubuki walked beside him silently, her eyes always scanning their surroundings. 'I need to stay vigilant, no matter where we go.' She thought, ready to react to any threat.
The group moved further into the guild, with Alric leading the way confidently.
As they walked through the bustling guild, the guide led Nouflex and Fubuki to a private lounge, a space reserved for high-ranking adventurers.
The lounge was quiet, well-furnished with plush chairs, and offered a sense of privacy away from the commotion outside.
Once they were seated, the guide turned to Nouflex with a respectful nod. "How can I assist you today, Lord Nouflex?"
Nouflex leaned back in his chair, his eyes glancing briefly at Fubuki before settling on the guide. "I want to register her as an adventurer." he said, his tone straightforward.
The guide's eyes widened slightly as he looked at Fubuki, then back at Nouflex. "Ah, of course. Normally, new adventurers have to pass a test to gauge their abilities. But since she's being recommended by an A-rank adventurer like yourself, there's no need for that. She'll be registered directly as a C-rank adventurer."
Fubuki remained calm and composed, while Nouflex nodded in approval. "Good. Make sure it's done quickly."
"Of course." the guide replied smoothly. "Her adventurer card will be ready by the time we finish our conversation. Is there anything else you would require assistance with, Lord Nouflex?"
Nouflex leaned forward slightly. "There is one more thing." He said, his tone indicating that this was his true purpose for the visit. "I want to test my mana affinity."
The guide blinked in surprise as someone of his status still didn't know his mana affinity but quickly regained his composure.
"Ah, normally such tests are conducted at the church, Lord Nouflex. However, considering your status, I'll arrange for it here." He nodded politely before excusing himself.
While the guide was away, Fubuki glanced at Nouflex. 'Master seems to be more interested in understanding his abilities in this world. Testing his mana affinity… This should be interesting.' She thought, feeling curious about what the results might reveal.
Nouflex, on the other hand, was already speculating about his potential. 'In this world, the powers and summons my system provides are already a cheat, but having another source of power is always welcome. Whatever my affinity turns out to be, I'll make sure it's something I can exploit to its fullest.'
After a few moments, the guide returned, holding a round crystal in his hands. He placed it on the table in front of Nouflex with a reverent demeanor. "This is the mana affinity crystal." the guide explained, gesturing toward the object. "When you place your hand on it, it will reveal your affinity by glowing in a specific color. Each color corresponds to a different element."
The guide began to list them off. "Red indicates fire, blue is water, green represents air, white is for ice, brown is earth, black means shadow, purple indicates space, and yellow signifies thunder."
"Of course, if we see two or more colors it means you have multiple affinities." The guide added.
Nouflex nodded, absorbing the information. He placed his hand on the crystal, feeling a slight warmth as his palm made contact with the smooth surface. He watched it intently, waiting for the colors to reveal his affinity. 'Let's see what this world has in store for me.' He thought, a sharp grin tugging at his lips.
Fubuki, standing beside him, watched with eager anticipation. 'Whatever it is, it will only add to Master's greatness.' She mused silently, already picturing how powerful Nouflex could become with mastery over mana.
As Nouflex's hand remained on the crystal, the room seemed to hold its breath. He stared at the object, waiting for it to change color, expecting to see some indication of his mana affinity.
Yet, as seconds turned into a minute, nothing happened. The crystal stayed just as it was—clear and unresponsive.
The guide's face turned pale as he realized the implications. His voice quivered slightly as he spoke. "L-Lord Nouflex… it seems that the crystal… hasn't detected any mana affinity. This means… you don't have a natural affinity for any element."
Nouflex's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening with disappointment and a wave of simmering anger. 'No affinity?' He thought, his mind racing with the unexpected revelation. 'How can that be? After all the power I've gained… how could I have no affinity?'
The guide's internal thoughts mirrored his fear. 'How did someone like him reach A-rank without any mana affinity? Is he some kind of monster?' He quickly tried to console Nouflex, not wanting to incur his wrath.
"B-But, Lord Nouflex! Even without an affinity, you can still use mana to amplify your body's strength! You've already proven your power by reaching A-rank. And… and there are permanent skill scrolls that can teach you magical abilities, even without an affinity. You won't be at a disadvantage!"
Nouflex took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. The guide's words registered with him, but they did little to ease the irritation gnawing at him. 'No affinity… but I've already come this far. I can still become the strongest with what I have. This is just another obstacle to overcome.'
*Sigh*
He let out a sigh, deciding that dwelling on it wasn't worth his time.
Fubuki, noticing the sigh, misunderstood his frustration. She stepped closer to him, her voice soft and concerned. "Master… please don't be disheartened. You're already incredible, and with your strength and intelligence, you'll continue to surpass everyone else, affinity or not."
Nouflex glanced at her, seeing the genuine concern in her eyes. 'She's worried about me…' He gave her a small nod, appreciating her attempt to console him. "You're right, Fubuki. I've never needed anything more than my own willpower to achieve my goals."
The guide exhaled in relief as he saw Nouflex's mood stabilizing. 'Thank the gods he isn't furious…' He thought, still trembling slightly from the tension.
Nouflex removed his hand from the crystal, his focus shifting back to the larger picture. 'This won't change anything. I'll carve my path to power with or without this world's limitations.' His determination renewed, and he prepared to move forward with his plans.
"I appreciate your help Alric, I guess I don't need you anymore for now. Cya later." Nouflex waved his hand while walking out of the private lounge, Fubuki following closely behind.
Nouflex then made his way to the reception area of the Adventurers Guild. The atmosphere there was lively, filled with the clatter of mugs and the hum of conversation. Fubuki had gone to retrieve her new adventurer card, leaving Nouflex to wait.
He found a seat at one of the tables, ordering himself a couple of large glasses of beer. As the cold, frothy drink was placed in front of him, he leaned back, savoring the taste of the strong brew.
'Nothing like a good drink to clear the mind.' He thought, taking a long sip from the first glass.
While he waited, Nouflex's mind drifted back to his earlier disappointment with the mana crystal. But as the alcohol began to warm him from the inside, he let those thoughts fade away. 'Affinity or not, I'll make my mark on this world,' he reassured himself, finishing the first glass and moving on to the second.
As he was mid-sip, he noticed a large, burly man approaching him. The man's muscles strained against his armor, and his swagger suggested that he was no stranger to battle.
But there was something in his eyes, a glint of arrogance that Nouflex instantly recognized.
The man stopped just short of Nouflex's table, crossing his thick arms over his chest. "So, you're the one who made A-rank without a mana affinity, huh?" His voice was loud, drawing the attention of some nearby adventurers. "Didn't think that was even possible. Must've been some kind of fluke, right?"
Nouflex calmly placed his glass down, his expression indifferent as he looked up at the man. 'What is this fool trying to do now?' He thought, already growing bored of the conversation.
TO BE CONTINUED --->