Rogelio continued to walk deeper into the forest, searching for a good spot to figure out the ring's abilities.
Clenching his fist, he said, "Ring, I know you can hear me. I've trained my body to harness your power. Now, allow me to use it!"
The ring glowed brightly in response to its owner's words, and information about its powers flowed into Rogelio's mind and body. He began to harness the power of time. Surging with energy and learning of the ring's other abilities, Rogelio smiled with excitement, eager to test them.
"Damn, this ring is so overpowered! I can't believe it can do all these things. For now, I'll train with abilities that will help me in battle without raising suspicion," he said.
Rogelio grabbed a rock, threw it, and commanded, "Time manipulation: accelerate!"
The rock flew so fast that it pierced through a tree.
Raising his hand, he said, "Time manipulation: rewind!"
The rock flew back into his hand.
He threw the rock into the air and mumbled, "Time manipulation: stop."
The rock froze mid-air. Rogelio released the power, and the rock fell to the ground.
"That was pretty good," Rogelio mused. "There's also age manipulation. If I stop my aging… Damn, I'd be immortal!"
He continued, "And with time-walk abilities, I can stop time. Time manipulation lets me accelerate or rewind objects. But what if I rewind everything instead of just one object? Does that mean I can time travel?"
Pondering the immense energy that time travel might require, Rogelio said, "I should only use that if it's absolutely necessary. For now, let's focus on what's practical. Let's find a guinea pig."
After wandering the forest, Rogelio encountered another Lord Wolf. The wolf dashed toward him without hesitation. With his heightened senses, Rogelio saw the wolf's movements in slow motion.
As the wolf closed in, Rogelio raised his hand and shouted, "Time manipulation: stop!"
The wolf froze mid-charge. Unsheathing his sword, Rogelio slashed it, wounding but not killing the wolf.
"Now, let's see if this works," he said, focusing on the wolf's wound. Mumbling, "Time manipulation: accelerate," the wound began to heal rapidly. Releasing his power, Rogelio watched as the wolf, now healed, trembled in fear. Instead of attacking, it fled.
"I didn't think it would get scared like that," Rogelio remarked. He continued to hunt and test his powers, honing them for battle.
One Month Later
Arthur and Drake returned to the forest to find Rogelio. They were greeted by the sight of a dead B-rank ogre and the carcass of an A-rank Lord Wolf.
"How much stronger has he gotten to take down such powerful monsters?" Drake asked.
Arthur replied, "I guess we'll find out when we see him."
Following Rogelio's trail, they found him.
Drake shouted, "Rogelio! Where are—"
Before he could finish, he felt a heavy aura pressing down on him.
Arthur smiled. "I can't believe this guy."
Drake muttered, "Just how much has he improved?"
Seeing them, Rogelio walked over and said, "Oh, you're finally here! I've been waiting for ages."
Arthur replied, "Well, we got busy and were a little late. But I think you should release your pressure now."
"Pressure?" Rogelio asked, confused.
Arthur thought, Unbelievable. He's mastered the sixth sense and doesn't even realize he's been emitting pressure.
He explained, "Instead of focusing your sixth sense on your surroundings, focus it on yourself to stop releasing pressure. Drake is affected by it. You've mastered the sixth sense, right?"
Rogelio nodded and adjusted his focus, completely hiding his pressure. "Sorry, I didn't know it could do that."
Drake smiled. "It's okay. But to master the sixth sense in a month… Even I, after training for a year, couldn't do that. You're a genius, Rogelio."
Arthur added, "We should head back now; there's still important work to do."
Rogelio replied, "Before we go to the North Wall, I need to stop at the Adventurers' Guild."
At the Adventurers' Guild
Guild members whispered, "Hey, isn't that Knight Arthur and Drake? What are big shots like them doing here?"
Rogelio approached the front desk. "I want to take the B-rank exam."
The receptionist directed him to the training ground.
"This is Abe and Cen, B-rank adventurers. They'll fight you in an orderly manner," the receptionist explained.
Abe's Status:
Strength: B-rank
Speed: B-rank
Swordsmanship: Veteran
Sixth Sense: None
Aura: None
Cen's Status:
Strength: B-rank
Speed: B-rank
Swordsmanship: Veteran
Sixth Sense: None
Aura: None
Rogelio smirked. "I'm not underestimating you, but instead of fighting one-on-one, I want you both to come at me at the same time."
Abe shrugged. "No problem. But are you not drawing your sword?"
"Don't worry," Rogelio replied. "This won't take long."
With determination, Abe and Cen drew their swords and dashed toward Rogelio. Even without using the sixth sense, their speed was slow in Rogelio's eyes. In an instant, he vanished from their sight and reappeared behind them, gripping their shoulders and emitting intense pressure.
"It should be over with this," Rogelio declared.
Feeling the overwhelming difference in strength, Abe and Cen surrendered, acknowledging Rogelio as a B-rank adventurer.
The receptionist, shocked by how quickly the fight ended, exclaimed, "That was incredible!"
Rogelio turned to her. "Do you have any A-rank adventurers? I want to take the A-rank exam."
The receptionist replied, "Yes, we do. I'll call the branch manager."
Drake, watching from the sidelines with Arthur, interrupted. "No need to call the branch manager. I'll test Rogelio myself. That's okay, right?"
The receptionist nodded. "Of course, Sir Drake, as an A-rank apprentice knight, you're authorized to administer the test."
Rogelio grinned. "Looks like it's time for round two."
Drake smirked. "I want to see just how much stronger you've gotten."
The A-Rank Exam
Both Rogelio and Drake drew their swords and assumed fighting stances. Rogelio released his sixth sense, putting pressure on Drake.
The receptionist, feeling the pressure from a distance, whispered, "He's mastered the sixth sense."
Despite the pressure, Drake dashed toward Rogelio.
Rogelio observed, His speed is around mid-A rank, while mine is at low-A. But with my sixth sense, it won't matter.
Drake tried to predict Rogelio's movements using his own sixth sense, but Rogelio didn't move. When Drake swung vertically, Rogelio sidestepped with minimal effort, redirecting the attack.
The two clashed repeatedly, but Rogelio continued to evade and redirect Drake's strikes. None of Drake's feints worked.
Frustrated, Drake thought, Has the gap between us widened this much in just a month?
Rogelio smiled. "Time to change the pace."
He cast a spell on himself, murmuring, "Time manipulation: accelerate."
His speed surged, matching Drake's. "Now, let's counterattack," Rogelio said.
Rogelio dashed forward, swinging his sword horizontally. Drake was taken aback. "Did he just speed up? Was he hiding his strength all along?"
The clash continued, but now Rogelio was on the offensive, pushing Drake back. Determined, Drake used all his might to force Rogelio into retreat.
Rogelio smirked and said, "Time to get serious."
Dashing forward, he seemed to vanish again, reappearing behind Drake. Turning quickly, Drake slashed at him but hit nothing but air.
"A mirage?" Drake muttered in disbelief.
Rogelio, now mid-air, spun downward, grabbed Drake's head, and slammed him into the ground.
Arthur, observing with a smile, remarked, "He created a mirage with his speed. When did he learn to do that?"
Rogelio stepped back. "Do you still want to continue?"
Realizing the vast gap in strength, Drake admitted defeat.
The receptionist declared, "Congratulations, Rogelio! You're now officially an A-rank adventurer."
Rogelio's Updated Status:
Adventurer Rank: A
Strength: Low-A rank
Speed: Low-A rank
Swordsmanship: Master
Sixth Sense: Master
Aura: None
Arthur approached Drake and said, "Train hard. One day, you'll surpass even this. Don't let it discourage you."
Drake smiled. "I'm not discouraged. This will only motivate me to improve."
The three of them then returned to the North Wall.
Arthur said, "Rest for now. Tomorrow, you'll meet the king."
Rogelio raised an eyebrow. "The king?"
Drake echoed, "The king?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes. The three of you, along with another, will embark on an important mission."
With a smile, Rogelio said, "Finally, it's time for me to roam outside!"
And so, Rogelio's new journey began—a mission that would test his strength, resolve, and destiny.