"The voices I'm hearing... So, it's all true?"
Elric took a deep breath and slowly stood up.
According to the voice he heard, he still had nine lives left.
All his strength from his 10th to his 2nd lives would accumulate and he could only use it in his final life to defeat the Demon Lord.
But what if he could defeat the Demon Lord without using that strength?
The answer was 'impossible.'
Elric slowly walked, remembering what had happened, gripping his fist tightly until it bled from the anger.
"Elric!"
Elric looked at the woman calling him.
"Sarra."
She was his childhood friend.
In his previous life, Sarra had married his friend Darwin in this village.
Darwin died in battle.
As far as Elric knew, Sarra was captured by demons and her life was ended by them.
Elric took a deep breath.
If there was one thing he should avoid now, it was forming relationships, friendships, love...
He would only do that in his final life; for now, he needed to focus on getting stronger.
Elric walked straight and didn't look back at Sarra.
He need to do this.
Elric entered his house and searched for supplies because he planned to leave the village.
Elric noticed that an axe was missing; it meant his father was in the forest cutting trees?
He wouldn't say goodbye for now because he needed to get stronger and get used to this.
He would make up for all his shortcomings in his final life when he slays the Demon Lord.
He would create a world without danger for everyone.
____
Elric quickly traveled to the nearest city, carrying a few coins and a machete.
The nearest city to their village is called Ironspire City.
Even though he couldn't gain his strength and could only use it in his final life, he had a significant advantage to become stronger.
It was his experiences and knowledge about future events.
He would use these to become stronger.
Elric entered the city, planning to join the patrol team here in Ironspire City, to learn the basics of weapon use.
"Brat, you must be in the wrong place," said a man who also wanted to join the patrol team, seeing Elric's thin body, doubting his ability to wield a sword.
"Hahaha, kid, if I were you, I'd leave now. You'll just get hurt here," said another.
Elric stood silently, not caring about his surroundings or what they were saying.
'Brat? I'm older than you,' Elric wisphered to himself.
A few moments later, the tester for those wanting to join the Patrol Team arrived.
A 1-Star Knight had arrived.
"Form a line!" he shouted, and those who wanted to join the Patrol Team quickly complied.
"The task to join the Patrol Team is simple."
"You need to fight me, and I'll choose who gets in."