The sun was just beginning to rise as Keir finished his morning training. He completed his session with a series of quick Pressure Burst dashes, each burst propelling him from one end of the field to the other with impressive speed. The precision and power of his movements highlighted how much he had refined this skill.
As he caught his breath, Keir reflected on his daily quest. Every day, he was tasked with pushing one of his skills further, a routine that seemed to be part of a larger plan. He wondered why the system pushed him to improve so rapidly. Was there something it knew or anticipated that he wasn't aware of?
He glanced at his hands, thinking about his true magic ability. "Could this intense training be connected to my real power?" he mused. The idea that his skills might be leading him toward something bigger made him curious and slightly uneasy. The system's insistence on rapid improvement suggested there was more at stake than just mastering his abilities. Before he could think more on that subject, he received a SYSTEM notification.
[Daily Quest Completed: Practice a Skill]
• Experience Earned: 10 XP
Keir grinned at the notification. "Looks like leveling up has its perks. More XP means more growth," he said to himself. He considered the versatility of his Pressure Burst skill, envisioning its potential for both speed and powerful attacks.
For now, he needed to focus on mastering speed. He hadn't yet invested any stat points into his speed, and he knew that having the upper hand in quickness could be crucial in both battles and dangerous situations. Additionally, despite having increased his strength, he still felt his current level wasn't sufficient for using Pressure Burst offensively. He recalled the pain from last time, when he had hurt his hand by applying Pressure Burst to a punch, trying to boost its speed. Until he was confident in his strength and control, he would stick to perfecting his speed with the skill.
Keir finished his morning training with a sense of accomplishment and headed back to the house. As he approached, he saw Mira and Valentinus already in action, preparing for the day ahead. Mira, brimming with her usual enthusiasm, was stretching with fiery determination, small flames flickering playfully on her hands. Meanwhile, Valentinus was meticulously inspecting his whip, making sure every detail was in perfect order. Off to the side, Remy was quietly organizing some supplies, his timid demeanor reflecting his careful attention to the task at hand.
"Morning!" Keir greeted cheerfully.
Mira's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Good morning! Ready to get started?"
"Definitely," Keir replied, brushing off imaginary dust. "Do you all remember the plans we went over last night?"
Valentinus nodded, still focused on his whip. "Yes, we're clearing the space behind the shack."
"Right," Keir said, pointing to the area they would be working on. He activated his Barrier skill, shaping the barriers into solid stakes. With a swift motion, he slammed them into the ground at each edge of the space they could currently see. "We'll start by clearing out the trees between these markers. Once that's done, we'll burn the brush and prepare the ground."
Valentinus raised an eyebrow. "That's quite a lot of space for one house."
Keir's smile widened. "Oh right, sorry, I forgot to mention we're actually building two homes." He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. "One for Valentinus and Remy, and another for Mira and me. That's why we need to clear such a large space."
Mira's excitement bubbled over. "Two homes? That's amazing!" She grabbed Keir and spun him around in a joyful embrace. "I'm so thrilled!"
Keir laughed, slightly dizzy from the spinning. "I'm glad you're excited! Let's get to work."
The group set about their tasks. Keir took a moment to consider the best way to clear the trees. He focused on his barrier magic, layering barriers in a new way. Using his knowledge from his past life, he created a barrier shaped like a massive circular saw, with one layer reflective and the other a force field. He subtly applied a spin to the barrier with a single, discreet use of his Pressure Burst skill, giving it the momentum needed to slice through the trunks with precision.
To guide the falling trunks safely and avoid any risk to the workers, Keir quickly created another set of barriers. These barriers were suspended in the air, forming a protective path to direct the trees away from where the group was working. The trunks fell with controlled crashes, their thuds echoing through the clearing as they hit the ground in the designated area.
Valentinus watched in awe as Keir's method proved highly effective. He deftly managed the logs with his whip, flicking them into neat piles. "I've seen barrier magic before," Valentinus said, still marveling at the display, "but I've never seen anyone use it like this. What exactly is your magic ability?"
Keir's eyes flickered with a hint of unease. He hesitated for a moment, a nervous smile tugging at his lips. "Oh, well, I do have barrier magic," he said, trying to sound casual. "I just like to think outside the box and find new ways to use it more effectively."
Valentinus raised an eyebrow but accepted the answer. "Well, it certainly makes a difference."
Mira, observing from her spot, gave a knowing smirk. There had always been something different about Keir, but she had never felt the need to pry. If he wanted to keep a secret, she had no reason to push.
The group continued their work, cutting down trees and managing the logs until the entire area was cleared. Remy, sitting beside Mira, watched quietly, unsure of how he could help with the heavy lifting. He contentedly observed the others, feeling a mix of curiosity and admiration.
As they worked, the noise of falling trees and crashing trunks attracted the attention of a small group of villagers. Drawn by the commotion, they approached cautiously. From a distance, their eyes widened in a mix of curiosity and fear as they observed the spectacle. The display of Keir's precise barrier manipulations and Valentinus's powerful telekinesis was unlike anything they had seen before.
The villagers whispered among themselves, their voices tinged with a blend of awe and unease. Some exchanged nervous glances, while others simply stared, trying to make sense of the scene unfolding before them.
Once the trees were cleared and the trunks neatly stacked out of the way, Keir turned to Mira, who was already fired up. A mischievous smile spread across her face as she clenched her fists, small flames flickering from her palms. "Looks like it's my turn," she declared with enthusiasm.
Keir's eyes widened in alarm. "Wait!" he shouted, quickly realizing the need to control the situation. Given Mira's potent fire magic, he knew that the flames could easily spread if not contained properly.
He swiftly began conjuring barriers to surround the area. His barriers took shape around the intended burn zone, forming a protective shield to keep the fire contained. While he knew this would drain a significant portion of his MP, he understood the importance of preventing any unintended destruction.
Mira, noticing Keir's urgency, raised an eyebrow in curiosity but waited patiently as he set up the barriers. Her excitement was palpable, but she respected Keir's precautionary measures, understanding the value of a well-thought-out plan.
"Alright, Mira, you're free to let loose," Keir said, nervously glancing toward her. Mira's fire magic roared to life, burning away the brush and debris with fierce, controlled flames.
Suddenly, a majestic stag appeared bursting through the tree's nearby. Its white fur glowed softly, and its antlers were crystal-like, refracting light in a dazzling display. The stag's rare appearance was breathtaking.
Mira's eyes widened in awe. "I've never seen a stag like that before. It's beautiful!"
Valentinus, examining the stag with a keen eye, nodded thoughtfully. "That's an albino stag. They're incredibly rare. Its materials are highly sought after for crafting powerful magical gear."
Just then, a group of hunters emerged from the forest, their expressions grim and determined. They were clearly tracking the stag, their eyes locked onto their quarry.
"Get out of the way!" one hunter shouted, his voice sharp and commanding. "That's our prey! We're taking it!"
Keir and Mira exchanged puzzled glances. "They're not from around here," Mira remarked, noticing the unfamiliar faces. "I don't recognize them."
The stag, clearly startled, darted straight toward Remy, who had been quietly observing Mira's impressive display. The stag's speed was astonishing, and before anyone could react, the situation escalated. Mira was focused on controlling her fire magic, ensuring the flames didn't spread, while Keir was busy holding up barriers to contain the fire, his concentration fully on his magical defenses. Valentinus, too far away, couldn't use his whip or telekinesis in time.
As the stag charged, Remy was paralyzed with fear. His eyes widened in shock, and he instinctively raised his hands to shield himself, not knowing what he was doing. To his amazement and horror, a massive earth wall erupted from the ground, rising abruptly in front of him. The wall blocked the stag's path, protecting Remy and the creature from harm.
Remy's face was a mask of disbelief and confusion as he looked at the wall he had unknowingly created. The stag, now safe from immediate threat, bolted deeper into the forest. The hunters, frustrated and fuming, could only watch helplessly as their prey vanished from view.
"You let it escape!" one hunter yelled, glaring at Keir and his team. "You were in our way!"
Valentinus stepped forward, trying to stay calm. "We were clearing the land. We didn't know you were hunting the stag."
The lead hunter's face darkened. "That doesn't matter. Now you're going to give us something in return!"
"Oh?" Valentinus asked, bewildered. "For what?"
The hunter's gaze locked onto Remy. "We want the slave boy," he demanded. "You owe us for the trouble."
Remy's eyes widened in fear, his body trembling slightly. "P-Please, I'm not… I don't want to…"
Valentinus's face darkened in anger. "Is that right? You think you can just come here and demand a person be handed over?"
The lead hunter's eyes were cold and unyielding. "That's right. We've lost valuable time and effort because of you. The boy will compensate for our loss."