The legend of the forest of wishes
"There was once a lonely mage and a bored goddess.
The bored goddess showed the lonely mage all her magic and said that she could fulfill any wish if he passed her trials.
The lonely mage agreed and then the goddess bestowed him five trials.
The first trial was to go through a forest full of monsters and escape.
The lonely mage easily completed the first trial because of his experience as a mage.
The second trial was to stay isolated in the forest for one hundred years.
The lonely mage felt loneliness creep in deeper and it took root slowly but surely.
The first years were fine due to him already being lonely.
But eventually his mental health deteriorated.
Thoughts of giving up plagued him every day.
But when it was about to get him the goddess talked to him out of boredom and pity.
They talked about the world and what the mage should wish for.
The lonely mage eventually felt something grow inside him.
The third trial was to grow the forest to be as big as a continent.
The mage decided to ask the spirits of the forest for help.
They were the only ones that listened to the mage's concerns without judging eyes.
And the mage helped them in return.
The fourth trial was to build a shrine for the goddess.
The lonely mage did so happily, he wanted to repay her for her help in the second trial.
The fifth and final trial was to destroy everything he built.
The mage reluctantly did so, starting with the forest.
The spirits saw this and escaped the forest.
Then he chased out all of the animals.
And lastly there was the shrine he had made.
His gratitude and his resolution to beat the trial clashed.
His one wish. The entire reason why he entered the forest.
But eventually he gave up on the trial.
He couldn't repay kindness with hatred.
The goddess was satisfied.
She had met a human that cured her boredom and fascinated her.
She descended upon the world and comforted the lonely mage.
Over time the goddess came to like the mage.
So, she decided to abandon her power and status to live with the mage.
Together they defended the forest and they lived happily ever after in what was left of the forest."
********
I listened interested in the story, and when she finished I got a little confused.
"Uh, nice story but what does that have to do with me specifically?"
Laura sighed and explained.
"In the legend the mage and the goddess defended the forest. A part of that still exists. It's considered ancient magic."
I nodded my head in understanding.
'Was that why I was transported in my sleep into the middle of the forest?'
But there was something that I didn't understand.
"But it wasn't hard to leave. It just took a while."
Laura made a surprised expression and sighed.
"It took less than a day. That powerful curse activates at night, and you just "walked out"."
I nodded.
Laura's eyes widened for a second but she quickly shook her head.
*Creak!*
The door opened with a loud creak and Joseph walked in looking upset.
"Wh- what? You're here?"
He immediately flinched and asked.
"Didn't you leave?"
I shook my head.
"That wasn't my intention, my bad. I still need to teach you."
Joseph's cheeks reddened slightly in excitement.
"Really! When do we start!? Can we start now!?"
I looked at Joseph and shook my head.
"Well, I would need a sword. And the sword I'm currently using is damaged."
Joseph's expression crumpled immediately.
'That must suck to hear but that's how it is.'
The best I could teach would be irrelevant in this world other than swordsmanship or general weapon usage.
"I knew it."
This time it was Laura. She shook her head and went outside.
"Huh? Mom?"
Joseph was about to follow Laura but stopped.
He looked at me for a moment and bit his lip.
He bowed lightly and apologized.
"Sorry about my mother. She didn't like it from the start. Being a swordsman let alone an adventurer. Sorry but I'll go check on h-."
Before he could check on his mother she appeared with a man holding two boxes.
The man had a big beard and a pretty big arms.
"Huh? Mom?"
Laura shook her head, sighed and looked at me.
"Take good care of him. I may not have wanted him to become a swordsman but. If he's anything like his father then he'll sneak out one day. I don't want that to happen."
She waved her hand towards the man holding the two boxes.
"His name is Clint. He was a blacksmith when he was younger and coincidently a friend of your dad."
The man waved briefly and Laura continued.
"Your dad once requested he make three swords. One for himself, one for our unborn child and one for me. I decided to refuse but he still got them made."
The man named Clint walked in and placed the two boxes on the unstable dinner table.
Laura slowly opened both boxes.
Inside were two wonderfully crafted swords with a small line pattern which was almost unnoticeable.
'Huh, those swords look good?'
I didn't have big expectations but was surprised by their quality.
"Those lines represented our connection with each other. When you brought all three swords together their strength would multiply."
[Threaded sword(A+) 1/3]
Effect 1: Passive: when brought together with one sword from the threaded sword it increases damage dealt by 70%
Effect 2: Passive: when brought together with two swords from the threaded sword it increases damage dealt by 350%
Effect 3: Passive enchant [Self repair(B+)] It is enchanted with a minor self repair enchantment (Enchantment's stop)
'Enchantment's stop? Is it like engraving your name or logo onto an item?"
"Ha, it was my life's work. I put my all into making it. I even saved up money to enchant it a little."
Clint said with a melancholic look.
"You two should have one each."
I flinched at that statement.
"Uh, are you sure it's okay for me to have it? I'm basically a stranger you 'know."
Laura shrugged and looked at Jacob.
"That's not my choice is it?"
Jacob nodded slowly.
"Since I don't plan on using multiple swords. You can use this sword until you're done teaching me, or you until you fix that sword if you prefer that."
I nodded lightly.
"Oh, now that I think about it. Who is that?"
Jacob pointed towards the werebeast in the bedroom.
I briefly looked towards her and answered.
"A kid that was lost in the forest. I got her out just because."
Laura looked at me surprised but decided not to say anything.
'Oh, did I not explain?'
I explained properly what happened.
"Ugh, I'm sorry about that. I probably should have warned you."
Laura sighed heavily.
Jacob looked at me shocked.
"Anyway, can she stay here until she wakes up?"
I pointed at the werebeast.
Laura thought about it and looked at Clint.
"I have an extra room, it's shabby but it'll work."
Clint said to Laura.
"Alright, you'll have to stay with her while she recovers."
I nodded and looked at Jacob.
"Since that's settled. Can I see your skills?"
Jacob flinched and he nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course!"
Jacob ran out of the house forgetting his sword and quickly walked back in embarassed.
"You shouldn't forget your weapon."
I sighed lightly and took one of the swords.
[Equipping: Threaded sword(A+)]
I looked at Laura and she nodded without me needing to say anything.
I nodded back and walked outside.
*******
"Yawwnn."
Alius who had just woken up yawned.
'It's not even morning.'
Alius who had been "grinding" all night was tired.
'But it was worth it.'
character: Naoki Kichiro/ Alius (Simplified)
Class: Martial artist
Lv: 24
Title: martial artist
Stats: [STR: E+] [VIT: E] [AGI: D-] [INT: G+]
Skills: [Power punch(E+)], [quick steps(E)], [martial law(C)], [Broken divine heavenly martial arts(B-)]
Items: 21 silver, 74 copper.
He had gotten his martial arts back.
'Super genius, I guess I owe him again.'
Alius sighed lightly.
Even though his level was 24 he would be able to face opponents up to 30 levels higher due to his new skill Broken divine heavenly martial arts.
'But it's still not enough.'
Alius got up and left the tavern he entered yesterday.
"Please visit again!"
Alius left while thinking about what to do.
'Fisrt I should register as an adventurer.... why couldn't the name be hunter.'
Alius personally didn't like the title "adventurer."
He was a pretty prideful martial artist and a hunter.
'Maybe if the occupations were more split up. Hunter, scout maybe even guide.'
Alius sighed and entered "the adventurers guild."
"Ugh, I shouldn't think about the name."
He went up to the reception.
Standing there was a young man, probably in his twenties looking at a piece of paper repeating the words "another one".
The man noticed Alius and asked.
"How may I help you?"
"Can I register as an, adventurer?"
The young man nodded.
"Okay first, what's your name, age and main weapon?"
"Alius, f- twenty three and I use gloves."
Alius swiftly stopped himself almost revealing his real age.
"Al~right you're registered as a F rank brawler. You can take requests up to E rank and a maximum of D if you are in a party with a least one C rank."
The man who was writing something down put the piece of paper into a machine and clicked a button.
*Brr...*
The machine made a sound reminiscent of a microwave.
*Ding!*
And like a microwave opened up and a card popped out.
The man handed Alius the card.
[Adventurer's ID: Alius]
Info:
Name: Alius
Age: 23
Class: brawler
Rank: F
"Good luck with your adventuring!"
The man said as Alius walked towards a request board.
Next to all the requests was a piece of paper explaining the ranks with an eye catching title.
[Adventurer rank for dummies(If you answer a survey you get a chance in winning 5 gold coins!)]
'Oh?'
To enter the survey you have to explain the ranks on a piece of paper.
Alius who's felt poor the entire time looked at the paper with intrigue.
Then he started reading.
Rank F: You have just registered as an adventurer! Do tasks to increase your rank and reputation.
Rank E: A middle ground for beginner adventurers. In case you can't fight or are disabled you can still do requests!
Rank D: Congratulations on passing the threshold! Now with your experience you can hunt monsters! But be careful! This is only the beginning!
'.... Is this for kids?'
There were pictures and colourful text.
Alius felt his pride getting hurt but continued because of the possibility of five gold was too enticing.
Rank C: You are now a proper adventurer! You have hunted many monsters and now all you have to do is grow!
Rank B: You are from the chosen few!
'What?'
You are able to use mana! You can forget all about the previous ranks because you were chosen! You were chosen by god! Now do god's work and fight off evil! (If you're able to utilize man effectively you may skip to this rank from F)
Alius felt a headache coming in.
'Are the people here trying to make people arrogant?'
Alius knew the price of arrogance. He's seen it thousands of times. In others and even in himself.
Rank A: Congratulations on reaching A rank. You were chosen even before you used mana. There are very few A ranks in the world and you became one of them. Be it through hard work, talent, a special opportunity or support from others. You have made it. Fight the monsters that threaten this world with pride!
'This, what the hell is this?'
Rank S: You have reached the top. Congratulations. Now, kill monsters and defend the world.
*Puff!*
And like that the paper disappeared with a little mist.
'What did I just read?'
Alius sighed and noticed a small amount of purple smoke.
'What is that? Huh?'
*Step.*
Alius quickly stepped back.
'What? Why did I step back? No, why did it make me step back?'
The smoke disappeared and no trace was left.
But Alius was on high alert.
He may not have been the strongest but his instincts were good.
'I need to investigate this.'
******
A man was staring at a message with a bothered expression.
"I wonder if this is enough?"
The man's eyes darted in multiple directions.
"Really?"
He was pretty surprised by the messages being sent to him.
"Ah."
Then he came up with an idea.
"Screw it."
For a moment his eye lit up.
And then a single droplet of blood appeared from where the man stood.