Alpine Blades

The year was 1300 AD.

"77!"

"Hans is an odd boy."

"78!"

"He has been an odd boy since he could crawl. Get over it."

"79!"

"Still…"

"His oddity makes our lives easier. Lay it off, woman."

"80!"

"Berthold, he should be getting married soon!"

"81!"

"He's only eighteen. He can wait a few more years."

"82!"

"You know that the girls from the village eye him every time you bring him there. And don't think I don't know how you keep meeting that innkeeper who has a daughter!"

"83!"

"So?"

"84!"

"So?! She's not good enough for Hans!"

"85!"

"Who's good enough for Hans, then?"

"86!"

"...maybe someone from the city will be better than out here in the valleys. He deserves better. I mean, look at him."

"87! 88! 89! 90!"

"Yeah, I know. He's … more than us."

"91!"

"Have you asked your uncle yet?"

"92!"

"I did. He says he'll come over to see Hans."

"93!"

"But not our other children?"

"94!"

"You know that he's not getting any younger. I'm just happy I managed to convince him."

"95!"

"Not even for Jacob?"

"96!"

"Jacob has his own wife and child to think of. I am not going to tell him what to do anymore, even if the idiot needs it sometimes."

"97!"

"What about -."

"98!"

"Woman, lay it off. He'll be fine."

"99!"

"..."

"100!"

I stopped and let out a steady stream of air. The last count echoed in the cool morning air as I completed my exercise routine. Habitually, my eyes looked up while my body continued its cooldown, and I glanced at the nearly transparent screen before me.

[The Way of Warrior] Completed!

-Monthly Quest-

Objective:

Running: 300/300 miles

Vertical Swing: 3000/3000

Horizontal Swing: 3000/3000

Diagonal Down Swing: 3000/3000

Diagonal Up Swing: 3000/3000

Reward (Choose):

*+50 EXP

*+1 LvL to any Arms Skill

*+1 to any Physical Stat

I chose to boost my Strength today. It was my middling physical stat, and I was determined to make it stronger. Once completed, I blinked to close the screen and headed towards the river to wash up.

As I walked away from my family home and farm, I opened up my status with a mental command.

[Character Status]

Name: Hans, son of Louis, of Ourzcvelt*

Age: 18

Title: N/A

LvL: 22

HP: 480

MP: 200

ST: 240

STR: 39

END: 48

AGI: 35

DEX: 44

INT: 20

CHA: 8

I was well on my way to becoming supernatural. Most adults had ten points in each of the categories with charisma being the only exception where it varied from person to person. The points gave me linear growth, making me four times stronger than the average man.

Neat, huh?

I could also use magic and make my own spells and skills. It was with these spells and skills that I intended to carve out my own little fief here in the Alps.

After washing up, I headed back home where the family was busy preparing lunch. The smell of cooking filled the air, and I approached my mother with a smile.

"Need any help, mom?"

"Yes, go and get some eggs, please!"

I quickly set off to fetch the eggs. Our lunch meal wasn't anything special despite our family's above-average affluence for the area: half a loaf of bread, a cup of diluted ale, and two fried eggs each for all six of us.

As we finished our meal, I cleared my throat, feeling the weight of what I was about to say.

"Mom, dad. I will be leaving tomorrow."

Their reactions were a mix of shock and resignation. Mom's eyes filled with sadness while Dad's expression turned to one of frustration.

"Your grand uncle is coming within the month."

I shook my head, determined. "Give Elsa, Ann, or Stephen a chance to go to the cities. I will be making my own path, Dad."

He looked at me with a mix of worry and irritation. "You sound sure of it."

I smirked confidently. "I am."

Mom interjected with concern. "But you don't own anything… At least your grand uncle Albert can help you."

"I intend to make my own farm elsewhere. Jacob will be taking over this farm, isn't he?"

Dad's guilt was evident. "Look-."

"I know. All of my siblings need your help more than I do," I said honestly. I loved them, but they weren't me. They would struggle in this harsh medieval life without help, not because they were incompetent but because life was simply tough.

Dad sighed deeply. "... fine."

Mom fussed but ultimately relented.

And so, with the next morning's sunrise, I set out to build my future, leaving behind my family's tearful farewells to forge my own path.

----------------------------

[Character Status]

Name: Hans, son of Louis of Ourzcvelt, of Travaos