Chapter 144: Depart
"Bang bang bang..."
Bursts of intense collision sounds came from inside the Amazon Training Camp.
"What's wrong? Just defending isn't enough, you know." The Staff in Kashya's hand seemed to transform into countless snake-like shadows before my eyes. Just trying to track them was already difficult enough; how could I possibly have the presence of mind to think about counterattacking? I was holding a Short Sword and struggling to defend, almost suffocated by the pressure.
"Whoa..." Prolonged defense is bound to fail. I don't know how long I defended, but Kashya finally found a Weakness in me and knocked me flying. I landed on my Buttocks on the ground, breathing heavily. Looking at my Life, damn it, I had lost almost half of it! You have to know that the wooden Staff in Kashya's hand was just a regular one, and I had been defending the whole time. Truly, a woman's heart is the most venomous. I rubbed my Buttocks, glaring at Kashya with a resentful Expression.
"Kid, you're a bit out of form today..." After the fierce Attack, Kashya, however, acted as if nothing had happened, Leisurely taking a sip of wine in front of me.
"No, I think you just hit too hard."
I said, widening my eyes. This old woman has been like this ever since Older Sister left. Could it be that besides training me and Older Sister, her Life has no other Fun/Enjoyment? If that's the case, it's truly pathetic~~
I viciously fantasized about Kashya looking down-and-out, and the depression in my heart finally eased a little.
"Kashya, I want to go out for Trial."
Taking advantage of the Rest Time, I proposed my decision to Kashya.
"Is that so? Uh... I see. Unconsciously, more than a month has passed."
Kashya leaned roughly against the Weapon Rack and said thoughtfully.
"If you want to go, then go. Combat Skill should only be honed in actual combat. However..."
Looking at me, she hesitated for a moment. In the end, she still sighed.
"Forget it. It's better to wait until you decide to go to Lut Gholein and let Akara tell you."
"Is there something?"
I was seeing Kashya's hesitant manner for the first Time.
"Heh heh, it's not a big deal. Perhaps it's somewhat related to your future Quest. However, before you go to Lut Gholein, it's better not to bother with these for now. Focusing on improving yourself without distractions is the key."
I don't know if it was my illusion, but a deep feeling seemed to flash in Kashya's eyes. Then she smiled and gestured towards me twice.
"You guys are always so Mysterious..."
I muttered softly.
"It's not that we're deliberately hiding it from you. We're just afraid you'll get distracted right now. Alright, you've had enough Rest, right? Let's continue our Practice. On this last day, I won't hold back anymore. Think of it as a memento."
Kashya patted her Buttocks and stood up, revealing a sinister smile towards me.
"Just as I intended."
I glared back at her without smiling, as if I had completely forgotten the hardship I had just suffered. In an instant, an inexplicable fighting spirit was ignited.
"Ah, simple-minded people are truly enviable."
Kashya chuckled and muttered, the Staff in her hand fiercely Thrust towards me...
Early the next morning, I came to Akara's Place to bid her farewell.
"Has your Body fully recovered? Don't strain yourself." Akara was nagging like an old mother, but it didn't feel bothersome at all.
"There's absolutely no problem."
"It seems you've made quite a bit of progress this month. That puts my mind at ease." Her pale eyes were looking directly at me, as if sensing something, nodding with satisfaction.
"After all, I've been Training for a month, there's bound to be some progress." I said with Confidence.
In this past month or so, I never slacked off for a single day. Even the monotonous Meditation every night, I endured it by forcing myself with supreme willpower. One part effort, naturally yields one part Gain. As for Kashya's side, putting other things aside, just my Ability to take hits and reaction Ability have improved quite a bit.
Of course, the biggest progress was in Magic. After more than a month of Meditation, my Mana actually increased by 3 points inexplicably. The first Time I saw my Mana increase, I thought my old eyes were playing tricks on me.
I've also become much more Proficient with several Magic Skills, especially Firestorm. It has now broken through the one-second Bottleneck, reaching Instant Cast Speed. Hmm, the next step is to shorten the Cooldown. After further delving into it, then start improving it. Then, based on its form, I can create new Magic. Every Time I think this way, I get the Feeling that it's a long march of ten thousand li, and I've only taken the first step.
Besides this, I don't know if my Brain has been trained into confusion, but I always feel like I've become much more "stable". No longer like before, immediately becoming restless and uneasy whenever I encounter an issue. Perhaps this is the Change brought about by the increase in Mental Power. And this Change, directly through my Gaze and the Aura I emit, allowed Akara to sense it. That's why she said what she did.
"Ah, right, Wu. Regarding the Request you made last Time."
"Is there some problem?"
Not long after accepting the position of Elder, I requested Akara to temporarily conceal this Status. As a great Otaku of the new era, I could easily find hundreds of negative examples to illustrate the unchanging truth that one should be low-key. Anyway, my Fame in Rogue was already high enough.
"Heh heh, I also think your Suggestion is very good. I strongly agree. But in that case, I won't have a reason to activate all the Waypoints in the Rogue Camp for you."
"Ah...?"
That is to say, I still have to keep looking for those Waypoints whose Mysterious Degree is comparable to puzzle Games? My face instantly fell...
After coming out from Akara's Place, I went to Charsi's Blacksmith's Shop on the way to retrieve my Equipment. As soon as the Monster Attack Battle ended, the workload of this Barbarian beauty instantly increased by dozens of times. However, I seemed to have a little bit of priority. When I arrived at her Blacksmith's Shop, she had already repaired all my Equipment.
After retrieving my Equipment, the next step was to purchase enough Trial Reserve supplies. However, before that, I needed to go to the Stash first. The last Time I made a generous donation, I almost emptied all the Money on my Body. And recently, due to the Grain Crisis, prices throughout Rogue have generally risen quite a bit. The Small Change left in my Inventory probably wouldn't be enough.
Beside the huge diamond-shaped Crystal pillar in the center of the Plaza, I focused intently and made contact with it. Instantly, the Stash's huge Space appeared before my eyes. Inside, besides a large pile of glittering Gold Coins, there was also that Bugged Crystal Sword, emitting a dreamlike deep blue Glow, as if it were the master of the entire Stash, floating silently in the very center.
I tried gently gripping the sword hilt. Although it didn't resist my touch like the Holy Sword - Everlight, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't move it even a fraction—540 Strength Requirement, 3( points of Dexterity requirement, Level 99. Then looking at my own Stats: Level 18, 44 Strength, 30 Dexterity. Besides Level, my other Stats weren't even one-tenth of that. Sigh...
Ever since that conversation, I had been using every Method I could think of, trying to make contact with the Holy Sword inside. But without Exception, I failed. It was as if the Holy Sword had been completely sealed inside, or had fallen back into slumber.
After giving up on struggling with the Bugged Sword, I casually took out some Gold Coins and quickly ran towards the Market in the West District without hesitation. Sigh. If I don't hurry, there won't be any stock left. Now not only are prices rising, but even purchasing seems to have Quantity restrictions. Akara's move really targeted the Achilles' heel of those Adventurers who like to squander recklessly...
By the Time I returned to the Small Tent of the Mage Guild from the Market, it was already afternoon. The Stall Owners in Rogue Camp were very enthusiastic towards me. Not only did they take out their reserved stock, but they also didn't limit the Quantity I could purchase. The Items piled up in my Inventory this Time, if I use them sparingly, would be enough even for three or four months of Trial outside.
Of course. Even if I finish them, it doesn't matter. As long as you don't mind the taste, places like tombs and Jail actually still have many Small Animals like Mouse / Rat that can be eaten. Not to mention the Plains outside. In short, experienced Adventurers will definitely not starve themselves during Trial.
Entering the inner room, Velas was inside helping me pack with many bags. This little girl, neglecting her great Talent, spent most of her Time in this past month or so taking care of my daily life. Compared to being a Lightning Mage, she seems to prefer becoming a housewife. Sometimes I really don't understand what she's thinking. However, thanks to her, during this period, besides Training, I almost lived the life of a landlord, with food served to my mouth and clothes handed to me. Sigh, if this continues, I'll be spoiled.
"Heysho~~ Lord, wait, I'm almost done packing."
Velas wiped the sweat from her temples, turned her Head and said, smiling gently at me.
"..."
I looked Dumbfounded at the large bags in front of me. They almost occupied half of the entire inner room. What is this for? Moving out?
"Lord, please remember this carefully. Here, these few bags of vegetarian Dry Rations. Eating Jerky all day is bad for your Body. However, these Food only last for a month. Lord, remember to eat them quickly. Also, this is Cotton Clothes. I heard that places like Caves are quite cold, so I specially prepared some for you..."
Velas raised her index finger and spoke eloquently in the tone of an expert.
"Hmm... hmm hmm..."
After a round of explanation, she continued to put unknown objects, continuously adding them into the bags, while humming that clear Plains Melody. She seemed very infatuated with this kind of work. Really, if only she could put this inexplicable drive into learning Magic, she would probably have achieved something by now.
In the blink of an eye, another half-person-tall bag formed before my eyes.
"Hmm..."
Tilting her Head cutely, lightly tapping her lips with her plain finger, Velas's eyes continuously scanned the mountain-like pile of bags, revealing a serious thinking Expression.
"That should be about it..."
She seemed unable to think of anything else that needed preparing, she clapped her hands, nodded with satisfaction and said, her eyes revealing a satisfied smile.
"Sigh..."
I sighed with Helplessness. Under Velas's strong Gaze, I stuffed one bag after another into my Inventory. My Inventory was already filled with three or four months' worth of Reserve supplies. Coupled with Velas's "good intentions", my entire Inventory instantly became packed.
"Alright, I'm almost ready to Depart..."
Stuffing the last bag inside, I smiled and gave Velas a Thumb up.
"Wish me good luck. While I'm not here, you should also seriously study Magic..."
"Lord, you..."
Just as I turned my Body, preparing to leave before the sadness of parting arrived, Velas bit her lip and suddenly spoke.
"Aren't you waiting for Miss Sarah!?"
Although I didn't know how Velas knew, I had never thought of hiding it from her. So I was just slightly stunned, and then reacted.
"She's in the Training Camp right now. She probably can't come to see me off. But it doesn't matter. I already said goodbye to her last night..."
I touched my cheek. That warm kiss of blessing last night, the soft touch of her lips, seemed to still linger on my cheek.
"Is that so?" Velas lowered her Head to her Chest, continuously fiddling with that Small Hair Tie.
"Velas, I'm sorry..."
Seeing her silent and anxious manner, for some reason, a sentence slipped out.
"Lord, you're apologizing again. Why are you apologizing..."
She gently raised her Head, pointing at my face, revealing a gentle smile.
"Anyway, I'm very sorry..."
Velas's Intent, even an idiot could probably see it. I clearly knew it, but the current me cannot give her any promise.
"Lord..."
I don't know when, but Velas had already walked forward, only half a meter away from me. Using her pair of fair, soft hands, she gently held my right hand. Instantly, a warm, Jade-like touch came from my entire palm.
"As for me, I'm just an ordinary girl. So when Lord goes out, I will be waiting and worrying..."
She treated me like Ai'lula, gently pressing my hand against her Chest, embracing it tightly with a nurturing Aura. An ineffable contradictory touch stimulated my Brain. Her soft Chest, her strong heartbeat. The sound of "thump thump..." heartbeats echoed in my Brain. I could no longer distinguish whether it was Velas's, or my own stirring.
"For a person, if they can have something to wait for, something to worry about, isn't that also a kind of happiness? Therefore, Lord, I am very happy right now. This happiness is all given by you..."
Velas tightly held my right hand, raised her Head, her dark eyes seriously met mine. On her pretty and serene face, she was using the most beautiful smile to prove the happiness and satisfaction in her heart.
I was stunned for a long while. I suddenly couldn't help but hug the girl in front of me tightly, very forcefully.
"Velas, I like you..."
I said softly in her ear. Then I gently released my hand, quickly turned my Head and walked towards the door. If I didn't let go now, I was afraid I would never want to let go for the rest of my Life.
In the entire room, only Velas was left alone, standing there dumbfounded, seemingly not yet having reacted from the recent event.
"Ah... Whimper... Whimper..."
After a long while, her face gradually became rosy, getting redder and redder, spreading all the way to her neck and earlobes. Before long, it was as fiery red as a ripe apple. Her small mouth, with cherry lips slightly parted, emitted some meaningless moans. She suddenly covered her face, which felt like it was about to steam. With a "bang" sound, she fell straight back onto the bed behind her...
"Sorceress, Sorceress... I want to go to the Outer Cloister. Please help me prepare."
While stepping with a light pace, while wearing the brand new Equipment on my Body, from far away across the Main Waypoint, my voice, unable to suppress its joy, carried over.
"Which idiot is that, getting so happy about going out for Trial."
Several Soldiers Guarding the Main Waypoint, after hearing the Voice, whispered softly to each other. Then they turned their faces to look and immediately closed their mouths. Their Bodies stood straighter than a polearm.
"Lord is indeed Lord. Look, going out for Trial is like strolling through a garden. Unlike other Adventurers, who always have a face like they're going to the Battlefield."
"Exactly, exactly. This is the legendary Gap/Difference..."