As Alex and Ruth entered the kitchen, they were greeted by the ever-cheerful Hugh, who looked a bit surprised by their early arrival.
"Well, if it isn't the two early birds," Hugh said with a grin. "Good morning, both of ya! What's got you up at this hour?"
"Good morning, Hugh," Ruth replied, her voice light but still carrying a trace of concern. "Alex had a rough night, so we're up early to get ahead of things."
Hugh glanced at Alex with sympathy, his expression softening. "Ah, lad. Those nights can be rough sometimes. You hang in there." Hugh gave him a consoling pat on the shoulder before turning to his stove. "I was just prepping some rations for Sir Bartlow before he heads off on his mission."
Hearing that Bartlow was still at the estate, Alex's eyes lit up with urgency. "Is Bartlow still here? Do you know where I could find him?"
Hugh paused, then nodded. "Aye, he should be up at Lady Mane's office. They've got some last-minute business before he leaves."
Alex was about to turn and head straight to the office when another thought crossed his mind. "Hugh, are starred beasts worth anything? Like, is there a market for them?"
Hugh's face shifted to one of hesitation, as if weighing his answer carefully. "Starred beasts, huh? Well, they're a luxury, not a necessity. Not too many cultivators focus on them—mostly shopkeepers looking for hides, meats, or the occasional spirit stone."
"Spirit stone?" Alex's curiosity piqued even more.
"Spirit stones," Hugh explained, "are the essence of a beast's spirit, left behind when they die. Usually found in the heart of the beast. They're valuable to blacksmiths and enchanters. They use 'em to enhance blades, make weapons more durable, or increase enchantments. Fetches a pretty good price, too."
Alex's mind started racing with possibilities. "Are there any starred beasts near Gorin City?"
Hugh's expression grew uneasy. He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed heavily. "Lad, I know what you're thinking, and I can't say I like it. Yes, there are starred beasts in Gorin Forest, but most of 'em are stronger than the one you fought. That was just a one-star beast. The forest around here? You could run into two, maybe even three-star beasts if you're unlucky. The only reason we went to Vana Forest was for Master Lucas and Miss Emily to explore. You'd be dealing with a whole different level of danger here."
But Alex, undeterred by Hugh's warnings, pressed on. "So it's possible to hunt them? And you could make a decent profit from it?"
Hugh sighed, clearly conflicted. "Aye, it's possible. If a cultivator focused solely on hunting starred beasts, they could make a good living. But it's dangerous work, lad. You have to know what you're doing."
Hugh's words seemed to only fuel Alex's resolve further. "Thanks, Hugh," Alex said, his excitement barely contained. "I've got an idea, but I need to speak with Bartlow and Lady Mane first."
Ruth, sensing the determination in Alex's voice, smiled. "Good luck, Alex. I hope it goes well."
"Be quick, lad," Hugh added, his tone a mix of support and caution. "And don't get ahead of yourself."
With a nod, Alex turned and sprinted down the halls toward Lady Mane's office, his mind buzzing with his new plan. He just hoped he could reach Bartlow and Lady Mane before Bartlow left for his mission.
As Alex's heart raced with excitement, he approached Lady Mane's office. He gave the door a light knock and called out, asking permission to enter.
"Come in, Alex," Lady Mane replied, her tone carrying an edge of impatience. As Alex stepped inside, he immediately noticed Bartlow, already dressed in his armor with his sword at his hip. Alex bowed, greeting them both and wishing them a good morning.
Bartlow, a bit surprised to see Alex up so early after his rough condition from the previous day, gave him a nod. Meanwhile, Lady Mane, eyeing Alex's energy and enthusiasm, arched an eyebrow. "Bartlow, did you train him yesterday, or were you just spoiling him?" she asked in a teasing yet serious manner, implying that Alex's quick recovery might be a sign of an easier regimen.
Sensing the weight of her words, Alex quickly stepped in to explain. "I've been recovering well, and I do have an idea that I wanted to run by both of you," Alex said, trying to keep his tone respectful, aware of Lady Mane's growing impatience.
Lady Mane, already pressed for time with Bartlow's upcoming mission, crossed her arms and gestured for him to get on with it. "Speak quickly, Alex. Bartlow and I have matters to attend to."
Alex, understanding the urgency, quickly outlined his idea: hunting starred beasts to not only further his training but also to help repay Lady Mane by selling the items he could collect from his hunts. "I can sell what I find to contribute to the estate's finances and to cover my training expenses," Alex finished, his voice full of conviction.
Bartlow looked at Alex with a mixture of curiosity and caution. He admired Alex's drive but was worried about his safety, knowing the beasts near Gorin could be dangerous for someone of Alex's current cultivation level. Lady Mane, however, after a moment of consideration, saw potential in Alex's proposal, but her concerns were practical.
"And how do you plan to transport these beasts back?" she asked, her tone sharp. "What if you get injured or worse, killed? Have you considered those risks?"
Alex, feeling the weight of her words, nodded in agreement. "I understand the dangers, and I'll stay within my limits. If something happens to me, it would be no loss to the estate. I will be careful."
Lady Mane's mood shifted slightly as she turned to Bartlow. "What do you think?"
Bartlow, reflecting on his own past, sighed and then nodded. "At Alex's age, I trained by hunting starred beasts as well. It tests your skills in ways few other things can." He reached into his pouch, pulling out a ring and tossing it to Alex. Alex caught it, eyes widening as he examined the unfamiliar object.
"That's a storage ring," Bartlow explained. "It's low-level but can store a few hundred pounds of items. You'll need it if you plan on bringing back what you hunt. Infuse it with your mana, and the subspace will open to store whatever you need."
Alex's excitement grew, but he hesitated for a moment, unsure how to use the ring. Noticing his confusion, Bartlow added, "It's simple. Just channel your mana into it."
Lady Mane, however, seemed uneasy. "If that ring is lost or damaged, the estate won't be able to repay you for it, Bartlow. It's a valuable item."
Bartlow merely chuckled. "Don't worry, Lady Mane. Alex is my disciple. His success and his failures are my responsibility. I don't expect compensation."
Feeling the energy in the room shift in his favor, Alex bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude. "Thank you both. I will only hunt on the days Bartlow can't train with me personally, and I'll continue working on my spirit and mana cultivation between hunts."
Bartlow nodded, impressed with Alex's resolve. "Good luck, lad. Train hard and stay sharp."
Before Alex could leave, Lady Mane added with a reluctant sigh, "If you're going out there, take Ruth with you. She's been wanting experience as a healer, and as much as I dislike the idea of her going into the forest, she'll need the practice. It's best you both prepare now if this is the path you're choosing."
Surprised but pleased, Alex nodded eagerly. "I will, thank you, Lady Mane."
With excitement bubbling inside him, Alex excused himself and raced back to the kitchen, eager to share the news with Ruth and Hugh, his mind already planning the next steps.
As Alex approached the kitchen, he noticed Ruth and Hugh setting up the table for breakfast. Ruth spotted him first, waving him over with a smile. "Come on, Alex, join us," she called, motioning to the table. "We've just finished giving Rebecca her breakfast, and Hugh's taken care of Lady Mane and Bartlow. Now it's our turn to eat."
Alex walked over, grateful to join them. As they sat down, Hugh wasted no time getting to the point. "So, how did your talk with Lady Mane and Bartlow go?" he asked, curious about the outcome.
Alex's face lit up with excitement. "It went better than I expected!" he began, explaining the plan to Hugh and Ruth. He detailed his idea of hunting starred beasts as part of his training, emphasizing how Lady Mane and Bartlow had given their approval, with the condition that Ruth would accompany him to act as a healer. Alex turned to Ruth, adding, "I wanted to make sure you know that you don't have to come if you don't want to. I didn't want to push you into anything you're not ready for."
Ruth, however, didn't hesitate for a second. "Are you kidding?" she said, her eyes wide with excitement. "This is exactly what I've been wanting—real-world experience, both in battle and healing! This will help me reach my goal of becoming a skilled healer." Her enthusiasm was palpable, and Alex couldn't help but feel a wave of gratitude for her support.
Hugh, who had been listening quietly, nodded thoughtfully. "That's all well and good, but we've got to think about the logistics, too," he said, pointing his fork at Alex. "If Ruth goes out with you, it'll disrupt the daily routine here. But…" He paused, a mischievous grin creeping across his face. "If you save me a few slabs of meat from the beasts you hunt—especially the good cuts—I'll be happy to cover for Ruth while she's away. Some star beast meat is considered a delicacy, and having first pick at it would be a fair reward for my trouble."
Alex's eyes lit up at the suggestion, grateful for the solution. "That's a great idea! I can definitely do that," he replied eagerly. "I'll make sure you get the best cuts of whatever I hunt."
With the deal settled, Hugh leaned back in his chair, clearly pleased. "Then we've got ourselves a plan. I'll keep the kitchen and meals running smoothly here, and Ruth can focus on helping you in the field. Everyone wins."
Alex, feeling relieved that everything was coming together so smoothly, grinned at both of them. "Thanks, Hugh. I really appreciate the help."
Ruth smiled warmly, "It'll be nice to see how all this training pays off. Plus, I get to work on my healing skills under real pressure."
The three of them finished their breakfast, discussing the details of how they'd manage the coming days. The plan for today was to focus on preparations—making sure they had the right supplies, figuring out their approach to hunting, and getting Ruth ready for her new role in the field.
Alex and Ruth shared a quiet understanding as they finished their breakfast and began tidying up the estate. The two of them worked efficiently, the excitement of their upcoming adventure driving them to complete their tasks faster than usual. Ruth had explained earlier that they would need to make a few stops before heading out to the Gorin Forest, about an hour's walk from the estate, to pick up supplies—rations from Hugh and some potions from Rebecca in the infirmary.
As they finished up the cleaning, Alex felt a growing sense of anticipation. His mind was already wandering to what the day would bring: the thrill of hunting star beasts, the challenge of testing his new skills, and the added excitement of having Ruth by his side.
Once the estate was spotless, they headed toward Rebecca's office. Rebecca greeted them with a warm smile as they entered. "Good morning, Alex. How are you feeling after last night?" she asked, glancing between Alex and Ruth. Teasingly, she added, "I'm sure with Ruth watching over you, you're in good hands."
Ruth blushed, and Alex, slightly nervous, responded, "I'm feeling great, thanks to both of you. And, well, we came by to grab some potions for our training today."
Rebecca nodded, understanding the seriousness of their request. She warned them, though, as she handed over two healing potions and two mana potions, "I can only give you these. We need to make sure we have enough in case the guards Bartlow left behind have any emergencies." Her eyes softened with concern. "Use them wisely."
Alex and Ruth thanked her for the potions, and as they turned to leave, Rebecca added, "Make sure to come see me after your training. I'll want to check you both over before you head to bed."
"We will," Ruth promised with a smile, and they made their way to Hugh.
Hugh, as usual, was cheerful and optimistic as they entered the kitchen. He handed them their rations for the day, including some jerky for a quick snack along the way. "Good luck out there, both of you," he said with a wink. "And don't forget to bring back some of those star beast delicacies. I'll make something special out of them."
Alex grinned. "Thanks, Hugh. We'll do our best."
With their supplies gathered, they headed to Lady Mane's office for final permission to begin their training in the Gorin Forest. As they stood before her, they respectfully bowed and explained their plan.
Lady Mane listened carefully, her eyes narrowing slightly in concern as Alex spoke. "The Gorin Forest is not a place to take lightly," she warned, her tone serious. "There are dangers there beyond just star beasts. But I trust Bartlow's judgment. If he thinks you're ready, I'll grant you permission." She paused, her gaze shifting between Alex and Ruth. "Good luck. Keep each other safe."
"Thank you, Lady Mane," they both said in unison, bowing again before they were dismissed.
After leaving Lady Mane's office, Alex and Ruth headed to their rooms to change into their training gear. Alex slipped on his lion leather armor, the weight of it reminding him of his first kill and how far he'd come. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride wearing it. As he secured the lion head shoulder brace, he felt a rush of excitement for the journey ahead.
Ruth appeared shortly after, dressed in her own armor—a mix of leather and metal that allowed for agility without sacrificing protection. A dagger was strapped to her hip, and a bow was slung across her back. She looked every bit the capable and confident warrior. Alex couldn't help but admire her as she asked, "Ready to go?"
"You look incredible," Alex said, impressed. "I didn't know you could use a bow."
Ruth waved off the compliment with a modest smile. "Bartlow told me a bow and dagger would suit me best. He said my agility, precision, and flexibility make me more effective at a distance, and it's safer for a healer to attack from range while assisting in battle."
Alex nodded, amazed at Bartlow's ability to assess everyone's strengths so accurately. "He's really something," he said, thinking of how much he hoped to live up to Bartlow's expectations.
Ruth chuckled. "You'll get there, Alex. Just give it time."
Together, they gathered their things and set off, ready to begin their journey to the Gorin Forest. The day ahead promised adventure, challenge, and growth, but Alex felt confident knowing that Ruth was by his side. As they walked, the anticipation of what lay ahead only grew stronger. This was the start of something big.
As Alex stored all of their weapons and supplies into the storage ring Bartlow had given him, something caught his eye. Digging a little deeper into the ring's subspace, Alex found a sword and a shield tucked away, gleaming faintly as he pulled them out. The sword had intricate, glowing inscriptions etched along its blade, and the shield had similar markings, though less elaborate.
Ruth's eyes widened as she examined the equipment. "That looks like a level 3 sword and a level 2 shield," she said, sounding impressed. "You can tell by the inscriptions. The craftsmanship on these is top-tier."
Alex, equally impressed, ran his fingers over the smooth surface of the sword. "How much would something like this cost?" he asked, still trying to grasp the fact that Bartlow had just left these in the ring for him.
Ruth thought for a moment before responding, "The shield alone would cost two months' worth of salary, and the sword? Easily four months."
Alex blinked, shocked by her answer. "Bartlow just left these in the ring without even mentioning it?" he muttered, bewildered by his master's generosity.
Ruth smiled softly. "Bartlow must really believe in your potential, Alex. He wouldn't leave something like this behind for just anyone." She glanced at him, her tone growing more thoughtful. "You should thank him when he returns from his mission. These are gifts meant for a real cultivator."
Alex nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude for Bartlow's confidence in him. He was beginning to understand more and more how much Bartlow was investing in his future. The weight of the sword in his hand felt like more than just steel; it felt like responsibility and expectation.
"I will," Alex said quietly, gripping the sword with a newfound sense of purpose. "I'll make sure I'm worthy of these gifts."
After admiring the sword and shield for a moment longer, Alex carefully stored them back into the ring. He noticed Ruth fidgeting slightly, her usual confidence tempered by a hint of nervousness. Sensing her unease, Alex smiled and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Are you sure we're ready for this?" Ruth asked, her voice betraying her nerves despite her attempt to appear composed.
"We've prepared as much as we can," Alex replied, his voice steady. "But if you're not feeling up to it, we can always try another time. There's no rush."
Ruth met Alex's gaze, her eyes softening for a moment before she shook her head, a smile spreading across her face. "No, I'm ready. I'll be right by your side today. We've got this."
Alex gave her a nod of appreciation, feeling more confident with Ruth's support. "Alright then, let's head out."
Together, they made their way out of the Mane estate and passed through the quiet streets of the city, the morning air cool against their skin. The hustle and bustle of Gorin City was just beginning to stir, shopkeepers opening their stalls, and townspeople going about their daily routines. As they passed the outskirts, the familiar sights of the city gave way to the dense woods of Gorin Forest.
The path ahead was quiet, the trees towering above them, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The air felt thick with anticipation, both of them knowing that today would be a test of their skills and trust in each other.
"Ready for this?" Alex asked one last time, turning to Ruth as they neared the forest's edge.
Ruth took a deep breath, her grip tightening around her bow, and nodded firmly. "Ready as I'll ever be. Let's do this."