The sun had begun to set, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape as we set up camp for the night. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers and the sound of birds chirping their evening songs. Joseph and Viona were busy securing the perimeter, their footsteps quiet on the soft earth as they checked for any signs of danger. Meanwhile, Jessica and Katherine had headed out to gather firewood, their laughter and chatter carrying on the breeze.
Grant and I worked together to set up the tents, our hands moving in tandem as we drove stakes into the ground and secured the canvas. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment as we finished up, the tents standing sturdy and strong against the gentle wind.
As I looked around at my companions, I felt a sense of reassurance. Through my appraisal ability, I had seen their ranks, and I knew that each of them was capable in their own way. Katherine's [E+] rank was impressive, while Joseph and Jessica's [C-] ranks spoke to their skill and experience. Viona and Grant's [D+] ranks may not have been as high, but they made up for it with their enthusiasm and work ethic.
With the camp set up, I decided to take the opportunity to train. I told Joseph to holler at me when dinner was ready, and he nodded in agreement. I then headed about a mile away from the camp, the sound of my footsteps echoing through the stillness.
As I reached a small clearing, I began my sword training. But first, I did my basic exercises - squats, sit-ups, jogs, and the like. The familiar routine helped me to focus, and I lost myself in the rhythm of my training.
An hour passed, and I was just starting to get into the zone when I heard Joseph's voice calling out my name. I stopped, wiping the sweat from my brow as I saw him approaching. I quickly pulled on my shirt, feeling the cool breeze on my skin as I waited for him to reach me.
"Yo, dinner's ready, so I thought why not come call you myself, Alex," Joseph said with a grin.
"Thanks," I replied, smiling back at him.
"No problem," Joseph said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at me. "But still, you're quite skilled with the sword. How old are you?"
I chuckled, feeling a sense of pride at his praise. "Thanks, and I'm thirteen," I replied, picking up my sword and sheathing it.
Joseph's expression changed, his eyes widening in shock as he stared at me. I could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he processed the fact that a thirteen-year-old adventurer was standing in front of him.
I decided to give him some space, nodding towards the nearby lake. "Uhm, I'm going to have my bath first before going for dinner."
Joseph nodded, still looking a bit stunned, and I walked away, leaving him to process his thoughts.
The sound of the water lapping against the shore was soothing, and I felt my muscles relax as I made my way towards the lake.
'Thirteen,' Joseph thought, his mind reeling in shock as he watched Lucas walk away, the younger boy's figure disappearing into the trees as he made his way towards the lake.
The sound of Joseph's own breathing seemed to echo through the stillness, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside his mind.
Although it was technically possible for anyone to become an adventurer as soon as they awakened to their abilities, it was rare for thirteen-year-olds to take the leap.
In fact, the nobility typically didn't start adventuring until after they graduated from the academy, while commoners usually began their adventuring careers around the age of fifteen.
So, whether Lucas was a noble or not, he was incredibly young to be an adventurer.
Joseph's eyes narrowed, his gaze drifting towards the ground as he pondered the implications.
He was twenty-nine years old, and even he wasn't as skilled with the sword as Lucas was.
A depreciating sigh escaped his lips, the sound carrying on the breeze like a mournful whisper.
"Haaa," he sighed again, the weight of his own inadequacies settling heavy on his shoulders.
He started walking towards the camp, the sound of his footsteps crunching through the underbrush the only accompaniment to his thoughts.
As he walked, the trees seemed to loom above him, their branches creaking softly in the fading light.
The air was filled with the scent of wood smoke and roasting meat, the smells wafting from the camp and mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest floor.
Joseph's eyes felt heavy, his eyelids drooping as he trudged towards the camp.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he was stuck in a rut, that he was being left behind by the younger, more talented adventurers like Lucas.
The thought was a bitter pill to swallow, and Joseph couldn't help but wonder what the future held for him.