'I wondered if Raon is okay…'
Lately, a lot has been on Terrisa's mind; as time passes, her children have already grown up and are trying to have their own lives.
Sure, they are only ten years old now. But time moves fast for a mother; in just a short few years, the children will become proper adults at sixteen.
Saying she is worried is an understatement.
Ethan and Ruben have been doing well, so she has taken a hands-off approach to their quest, letting them solve it by themselves. Occasionally she would oversee their task if it was in the wilderness.
As for Dain, the oldest, having reached eleven in age, a kid with the potential to become a great mage, though it is still unknown if he is going to awaken a Core or not, his scholar-like wonders are undeniable.
His future looks bright, but Terrisa can't help but be more concerned the more talented her children are.
Stella now was still in her youth, not yet reaching ten years old. But her birthday is coming up soon, around the 63rd of Moon; soon she too would have the qualification to become an auxiliary adventurer.
And Raon, the most worrisome of her children, a kid too mature to be called a kid and a born prodigy. In terms of intelligence, Raon would be lacking compared to Dain, but the same can't be said for his wisdom.
Sometimes she suspects that Raon was possessed by a [Specter], but her examination does tell her that his soul and body are 100% compatible.
It was quite vexing back when he was a baby, but now she has already gotten over it.
"Chirp. Chirp."
The bird was singing outside her window; it was a beautiful melody filled with vitality. The bright sunshine hit her face, waking her up from her stupor.
'Hah… I don't want to wake up…'
Being a mother at such a young age, she grows to miss her students' days where she could do as she pleased, sleeping until noon and having no responsibility.
It was twelve years ago, so she was around 14 years old back then.
But work is work; she has children to take care of.
Getting out of bed, she then tied her hair into a ponytail. Following her routine, she then cleans her teeth using delicate fire control, something she thought of during wartime.
Opening the old wardrobe given to her by a comrade, she looks at the old uniforms and various old-fashioned dresses she used to wear during parties.
Her gaze tells a deep longing for the past.
Opting for a simple white dress with no extravagance, she went out of her room, going straight for the kitchen.
'Since Raon will be back soon, I should prepare something special. He hasn't had anything decent for the past five days. I concur.'
Today was the 53rd of Moon, but she knows the old man Luben to realize what he would throw at the young Raon, having suffered from the same treatment, maybe even worse, given the circumstances in the past.
"Hum~"
Humming a bright, cheerful tune back in her childhood, Terrisa leisurely began her cooking.
"Let's make omelets today since it's Raon's favorite."
At the radiant rose, Terrisa was preparing a feast for her sleeping babies while reminiscing about her nonexistent childhood.
***
"I'll never get used to this sensation…"
Using my sword as a walking cane, I stabilized my standing.
It was a lot better than before my ascension to G-status, but Portal is indeed the antithesis of someone with a severe case of car sickness like me.
"Well, you'll have to since we are going to use this a lot to get around."
The damn old man says as a matter of fact.
I can't deny its utility, but puking out stomach acid while my insides haven't finished healing is much more agonizing than I expected.
Since my mana is dangerously low right now, my body has to opt for natural regeneration, making my previously healing wounds tear up again.
"Grit your teeth. This should be something you can overcome."
'I already am!'
Tap.
Hitting the ground in frustration, my insides were rattled somewhat.
"Ugh."
"Hmm… Let's walk for a bit. The day is still bright; I'm sure you have many questions, young Raon."
Step.
Step.
Step.
Disregarding my state, Luben walked forward, seemingly blind to my predicament.
"Yeah, I do in fact."
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
I answered irritably. There are so many things I could complain about.
Swallowing back then flowing blood, I asked through gritted teeth.
"What's up with that forest? Why am I stuck there for five days yet only one day has passed?"
Is it really the Room of Spirit and Time like my conjuration back then? Sure, it was a lot weaker; the essence is the same.
"What you were in is called [Manifestation Zone]. You don't exactly need to know about [Manifestation] right now, but I will explain."
[Manifestation] is a phenomenon where an accumulation of human belief is gathered, coupled with some other aspects related to mysticism, giving birth to an artificial miracle.
In [Manifestation Zone], various weird and strange occurrences can become reality. Like the forest I was in, where the [Dilation] phenomenon ran rampant.
Apparently, locals have been reported missing for a season just to come back saying they were inside the forest for years.
At first, it was just an exaggeration, but when more people went missing and reported the same things, beliefs started to become reality.
And the forest, or Forest of Frozen Lakes, is now regarded as a military resource, used to train soldiers in case of a sudden war.
"… How fascinating."
Master Luben's explanation was swift and condensed, yet that leaves a lot of things to be unpacked.
The Forest of Frozen Lakes is just one of many [Manifestation Zones] scattered throughout the country, yet it left me pondering about the infinite possibility of this world.
'This is a fantasy world alright…'
"But how did you get access to it? Isn't it a military resource?"
"I have my way. Don't be too privy toward an old man's secret, young Raon."
'How ominous.'
I wasn't that interested anyways; after all, anything can be solved with money.
"Then what about the cave I was in? Surely you know what's up with it."
"… Hump… What you encounter in that cave is a dungeon instance, specifically a trial dungeon. A dungeon, in simple terms, is a place for nurture, handcrafted by the Sun God."
"It is that impressive?"
"Nah. That was in the past; lately, technology has boomed, and artificial dungeons can be made with complicated magic circles and principles. I won't go into details; just know that those pricks at the Tower have their nose touching the sky with that achievement."
"So, was mine artificial?"
"No, it was the real deal. You know how hard I have to prepare so that you 'happened' to stumble onto it; if it was artificial, it would be much easier."
"So it was your doing."
"Of course."
"Can't you at least tell me first before putting my life in danger?"
"If you know you're going to be fine, how can you experience life and death battles?"
There are merits to what he is saying, though I would appreciate it if he didn't take my life so lightly; it's not like I want to commit suicide again.
My stored-up resentment was about to burst then, after all, all adults—especially Luben—in this world seem awfully apathetic toward children's lives.
'Considering they allow children to become adventurers at the age of ten, I should have known that there's no CPS in this world.'
Honestly, this world is too barbaric and brutal for someone from Earth who experiences the luxury of modern life like me to handle.
But humans are adaptable creatures. Sure, it may seem cruel to treat kids like this, but at the end of the day, I still have to accept this if I want to integrate myself with this world.
After that it was just me complaining about various stuff while walking our way home. Like how he didn't teach me anything really, or how he's too neglectful toward his supposed successor.
It feels like I was talking to a wall, but at least he did respond to me a couple of times when I asked.
'He really only answers questions he wants to be asked. How inconsiderate. People in this godforsaken world seem to like withholding knowledge.'
Occasionally, blood would threaten to spurt out of my body, but thankfully my remaining mana can form a temporary blockage, avoiding further blood loss.
Steadily, I was becoming more resilient. That's a good thing.
Like that, we peacefully went back to the orphanage. It was a peaceful day that day.
***
Days passed by after that; my wounds were already healed after Terrisa called Ema to the orphanage to examine my body.
Ema advised I should rest for a few days, but Luben and I have different ideas.
Master suggests I should do some imagery training since I lacked visual cue in combat. What he proposes is to do mental sparring while my physical body is recovering from traumas.
Mental sparring is a high-level match where both parties need to have certain achievements in the art of combat, yet as someone who lacked it… It is safe to say that I was beaten one-sidedly again.
My mental sparring consists of using foundational sword skills and movement to battle masters who have the same moveset, so I wasn't exactly in a disadvantageous position, but the gap in experience is massive.
Closing in on Stella's birthday, I finally picked up the sword again, yet it feels very different from before, as if a vague outline of the sword has shown itself to me.
It was blurry and unidentifiable, but surely this is the reward of my mental training. When sparring with master—real sparring—I somehow have a better grasp of my and master's movement.
Is mental sparing that good? I should do this more often.
Of course, in those days, I also used them to regain and refine my mana. Now that I know the importance of mana capacity, I need to accumulate much more mana for emergencies.
There wasn't much to talk about with Stella's birthday since it was the same every year. But there's an additional gift, given by master Luben.
"Here you go, young lady; have a happy birthday."
Master handed over a gift box; it was small and a handful at best. Stella was ecstatic having gotten a gift from somebody outside of her family.
Before even opening the box, she goes around all boastfully about her gift, rubbing it in Ethan's and Ruben's faces.
Due to her bias toward me and Dain, we don't have to suffer her harassment.
"What's in it anyway! No way, it's better than the sword-like branch I found!"
"Yeah! My rock is definitely better than whatever it is!"
Ethan gifted me a sword-like branch he found in the forest nearby; I must say it was quite excellently crafted. I almost believe it is a wooden sword.
As for Ruben, he has a rock collection, so he simply took one of the more beautiful rocks in his collection and gave it to her. Apparently it is a pearl-like rock—whatever that means.
Terrisa's gift is a new dress. It was a simple gift, but it was a nice gesture, nonetheless.
Dain gave her a fairy tale and promised to teach her how to read complicated words.
While I had given her a pass to do whatever she wanted with me for a week, it was her idea, not mine.
Our gifts are humble, reflecting our upbringing and circumstances, but the joy and memories of that day are priceless.
"Wow!... A… hammer?"
"What? Why is it a hammer?"
"See, my gift is clearly better."
"My rock is sturdier than this hammer for sure!"
"Hammer? Is there… some kind of mistake, master?"
"Hoho."
Master Luben gazes at Terrisa, conveying silent messages.
***
1st of Decay, Thursday, noon.
"Hah! Ha! Ten thousand! I'm done!"
"Great job, Raon. Your foundation seems to have been studier now."
"Thank... hah… for the praise master."
"It was your effort, now… Have you ever wondered why I haven't taught you any technique thus far?"
"I have…"
I turned my head, my blind gaze turned toward Master Luben's eyes; with my current skill and Mana Sense, it wasn't that hard to determine someone's position.
"Can you feel my sword when we were sparring?"
"Yes. It was very different from my move despite being the same simple slashes."
"Then have you seen anything different from your normal slashes after half a season of training?"
"Not… really?"
"I see… Then… I will teach you your first technique. It's a movement technique, so it would be a bit hard for you to follow."
Whoosh.
"Follow my footpath, and you will successfully learn the first stage."
I tapped my sword on the ground; there were small dents resembling footprints right in front of my eyes.
"I will teach you this for the next four years; your physique has already met the requirements. So… before entering the Academy, you need to master this footwork to at least the third stage."
"Yes, master!"
Suddenly? It's not like I'm complaining, though I wouldn't have guessed the first thing he would teach me is footwork instead of wielding a sword properly.
"… As for your swordsmanship… keep doing what you are doing, and don't be lacking in your daily training. I will have a test for you every year."
"Are you… going somewhere, Master Luben?"
"Sadly yes, but I left the footwork here. I will check on your progress every season and give you the next part when appropriate, so don't worry too much. Huuu…"
What is he doing?
Taking a deep breath, the master raised his voice.
"From now on! You, Raon Laviet, have the prerequisite to become my official disciple! Inheriting my [Nine Steps Before Heaven], our bonds are enforced by the celestials above. Are you, Raon Laviet, willing to accept me as your master?
'A vow?'
It was a vow before heaven and earth, signifying a lifelong, unbreakable contract.
"I, Raon Laviet, am willing."
My heart filled with conviction sounded with burning passion.
"Then… farewell, my disciple."
"Wait a minute, master! Old ma-"
Whoosh.
Silent remained in the desolate field; Terrisa, from afar, looked toward the place where Master Luben disappeared; it was an agonizing gaze filled with many emotions.
Four years have passed, yet I haven't heard from master since.
***
"{That was how Raon's training started and how he met his master; there were many ups and downs and plenty of deathly situations…}
-Honestly, I must have been insane back then, but it did pay off.
{Yet Raon's will will remain steadfast, taking on his master's challenges with increasing ferocity and determination.}
-There was a time I missed his rough teaching, but I chalked it up to Stockholm Syndrome.
{Though Luben Everest was gone, his visage lingers, and Raon's training continued until he reached the third stage of the [Nine Steps Before Heaven], completing the task his deathbeat master had given.}
-Oh? Yeah, he wasn't really there; Terrisa was the one to manage my teaching. She has the copy of all nine stages of [Nine Steps Before Heaven] given by the master. She was also the one conducting tests; it wasn't as cruel and unreasonable as the master's test, but it was definitely challenging.
{The path of transcending is long and arduous; even with enormous talent, reaching esoteric status is a monumental achievement. Raon struggled, yet it was insufficient.}
-Still, Fabled at fourteen is quite good; I was vastly stronger than my peer for your information.
Did you know most aristocrats awakened at thirteen, three years younger than the average? That was why the Academy takes 14-17-year-olds as first-year students.
{Though Raon hasn't archived E-Status yet, back then he was close; soon he will get a chance to advance in the Academy—the Nexus of the world.}
{Raon Laviet's journey has only in its first phase…}
…
Haha, it's kind of awkward talking like this, don't you think so?
-You know… Being more proactive in an interview would make me more comfortable… like… how about asking me about my favorite food, perhaps? It's eggs.
-...Alright then… You're the boss."
---
A/N: At first, the prologue would have 13 chapters in total, and contents including Stella's birthday and Luben's farewell would have their own chapter, but I feel like that would be a bit too much for a prologue, so I shorten it. Don't worry; no content was missed during this fast-paced chapter.
Also, this chapter is a bit short, but I don't really want to drag the prologue out for too long, so I shorten the length by 1000 words. I will compensate for this by making the first main story chapter 4000 words+ (…Maybe; I'm not too sure).
Also also, I will be uploading once every two days after this chapter. Since this was just the prolouge, I decided to release it daily but I definitely can't write a 3000+ words chapter in one day, so expect 3 chapters a week with one break day for me.