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Name: Lucas Morningstar (Alex Friedman)
Age: 13
Rank: E+
STR(ATT): 102/255 (204/510) [E+]/[C+]
AGI(SPD): 119/275 (238/550) [E+]/[B-]
DEF: 100/235 [E]/[C+]
Mana:570 /1000 [B]
Magic: 125/270 [E+/D-]/[B-]
Affinities: Fire [B]
Ice [A]
Lightning [B]
??????$#&@ [???][locked]
Skills:
Devour (Unique)- This ability allows the user to devour his opponents and add a portion of their power to his. Subskill of gluttony.
Appraisal(B)- This ability allows the user to scan and see the information (Stats) of anything (people and artifacts)
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As I walked into the Red Griffin Inn, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction wash over me.
I had been working tirelessly to improve my skills, and it showed.
My status screen, which I had grown accustomed to checking regularly, revealed a significant increase in my strength and abilities.
Just as I was about to head to my room, a familiar voice called out to me.
"Hey, Alex!"
I turned to see Zahara Onyx, her bright pink hair and lips a stark contrast to her piercing green eyes.
She was, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful women I had met since arriving in this world.
Zahara rushed over to me, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug.
I laughed, feeling a sense of comfort and familiarity with her.
We had grown close over the past three months, bonding over our shared love of combat and adventure.
As Zahara pulled back, her hands still grasping my shoulders, she looked me up and down with a critical eye.
"You've gotten stronger," she said, a hint of surprise in her voice. "I mean, I know you're always training, but... wow. Your growth rate is incredible."
She smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on, go change, and let's spar. I want to see what you're capable of now."
With a playful push, she sent me stumbling towards the stairs, eager to test my newfound strength.
I stood in the courtyard of the Red Griffin Inn, clad in my training gear, facing off against Zahara.
She, too, wore her training attire, but unlike me, she didn't have a weapon in hand. Instead, she relied solely on her magical abilities.
As a mage, she had chosen to focus on mastering the arcane arts, and it showed in her impressive magical prowess.
Although Zahara possessed the physical strength to overpower an E-rank adventurer like myself, our training sessions were centered around her teaching me how to effectively incorporate magic into my combat style.
I had come to appreciate her expertise and guidance, and our sessions had become a highlight of my daily routine.
As I stretched my arms and legs, preparing for our training session, Zahara spoke up. "So, I hear you've developed a new spell of your own?"
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
"Yeah," I replied, my voice casual as I continued to stretch. "I call it plasma spear. I combined fire and lightning to create it."
Zahara's eyes widened in surprise, and she let out a low whistle. "Oh, how innovative. I knew your sense for combat magic was unusual, but this... this is impressive."
Having finished my stretching routine, I summoned my training sword, its familiar weight a comfort in my hand.
"Let's get started, shall we?" I asked, grinning at Zahara. She smiled back, her eyes gleaming with anticipation, and we began our training session.
*************
Ugh, I groaned, my body throbbing with pain as I lay on the ground. Zahara, that asshole. She could've held back a little.
Instead she just pounded me to a pulp. Huh? I noticed a shadow over me.
Zahara stood over me, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Hey, you're thinking something rude, aren't you?" she teased, poking my cheek with her foot.
I glared up at her, trying to maintain a innocent expression. "Whaaat? Nah, me? Think something rude? Never." Zahara raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by my denial. She narrowed her eyes, studying me intently, and I quickly looked away, not wanting to meet her gaze.
Zahara chuckled, seemingly amused by my attempt to deflect her question. "Anyway, you've definitely gotten stronger," she said, her tone serious once again. "I don't think a regular hobgoblin would be too much of a threat to you now."
I blinked, taken aback by her statement. What was she talking about? Hobgoblins were D- rank monsters, and I was still just an E-rank adventurer.
How could she possibly think that I was strong enough to take on a hobgoblin?
But then I remembered who I was dealing with. Zahara was an incredibly powerful mage, easily above S rank. If she said that a hobgoblin wasn't a threat to me, I had to take her word for it. Still, it was hard to shake off the feeling that she was underestimating the danger.
As I stood up, brushing myself off, I couldn't help but wonder why I was getting close to Zahara in the first place. After all, in the novel, she was most likely the one who had destroyed Erantel.
But even if she did, I doubt she intends to do so at the moment. And besides, having a powerful ally like Zahara could only be beneficial.
So, I had decided to get acquainted with her, hoping that she could help me improve my combat skills and incorporate magic into my fighting style.
I stood up, stretching my tired muscles, and faced Zahara. "Well, Miss Zahara, if you'll excuse me, I have a quest to attend to tomorrow." I nodded respectfully, and with that, I turned and headed inside the inn, leaving Zahara alone in the courtyard.
*********
Meanwhile, Zahara watched as Lucas disappear into the inn, a thoughtful expression on her face. "What an intriguing young man," she mused to herself.
Just then, a soft ringing sound caught her attention. She looked up, locating the source of the noise, and vanished from the courtyard in an instant.
Reappearing in her room, she knelt down on one knee, her head bowed in respect.
"I greet the Archon," she said, her voice low and reverent.
A holographic projection flickered to life, displaying a middle-aged man with blond hair and piercing green eyes.
"Zahara, how goes your mission?" he asked, his voice authoritative.
Zahara hesitated for a moment before responding, "There has been some progress, sir. We've located the ruin where Danafor is hidden..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "It's underwater, sir."
The Archon nodded thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. "I see. And I assume you'll require backup for this operation?"
Zahara remained kneeling, her head still bowed. "Yes, sir," she replied, her voice respectful.
The Archon's response sent a flicker of discomfort through Zahara. "Very well. I'll send Egar and Athra to assist you."
Zahara's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of those names.
She didn't relish the idea of working with them, but she knew better than to argue with the Archon. "Sir, can—" she began, but the Archon cut her off.
"I'll hear no arguments on this, Zahara," he said firmly.
Zahara swallowed her protest, forcing herself to respond with the requisite respect. "By your will, your Excellency."