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nTaking the sword, Vivian could feel that it immediately stirred something inside of her. Focusing on this, she felt a connection growing between her and the blade.

nThis connection was similar to how players bound themselves to their weapons. It was not something added by the system for players, rather it was how magic weapons functioned. It was the only way to gain access to a weapon's hidden abilities. Vivian already knew this, but this connection felt different.

nAs Vivian focused on it, she could feel the weapon wanting to bind with her. As if it had a will of its own. It pulled at her soul. Vivian did not fight it, instead, she welcomed it. As soon as she did, she could feel the sword becoming one with her.

nFeeling a heatwave hit him, Eldrian was brought back from his thoughts on the XP needed for his current level. Looking up he saw to his wonder, Vivian's sword aflame.

nThis... This is like when Boran... Eldrian's thoughts sprang back to when Boran had finished the craft.

nThe wavy patterns of the blade seemed to come alive again. Giving birth to more flames as they did. Each flame a different color and intensity. This rainbow of flames moved, slowly at first, but with each second it seemed to gain more energy.

nFlowing down the blade, the flames enveloped Vivian's hands. From which they continued to grow, covering both her arms in a mix of color.

nEldrian could clearly see that the flames were not hurting her, but he still worried as he looked on. The flames spreading more and more until it even covered her shoulders. Where it stopped and calmed down.

nThe vibrant energy it gave off dissipated as the flames started forming into waves. Which was slowly being absorbed by Vivian who was in a trance as she learned of what the sword was capable of.

nThis took some time, during which Eldrian continued to watch in silence and curiosity. Once the flames all disappeared, Vivian seemed to come out of her trance. Looking up she smiled at Eldrian, her mood greatly improved.

nSeeing her smile Eldrian felt relieved, yet his attention was quickly drawn to the patterns now covering Vivian's arms.

nLike healed scars, her arms now had light white lines tracing all the way to her shoulder. In a similar way as dryads had patterns over their bodies. These on Vivian resembled those on the blade of the sword.

nWait, those patterns are gone. Eldrian realized as he looked at the sword, bringing even more questions to Eldrian.

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"Wha... What happened?

" Eldrian asked after some more time passed.

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"This is a great sword,

" Vivian replied as she recalled the feeling when the weapon bonded with her. It was unlike anything she had felt before. Nothing close to bonding with the Tier 4 sword she had been using.

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"O-okay.

" Eldrian replied, not knowing what to do. He wanted to know what the sword was capable of, but it seemed like Vivian needed some time to become used to what she had gained.

nTurning around Eldrian planned to go back to his post, his quest complete. After his second step, a hand clasped his shoulder.

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"Haru...

" Vivian spoke softly, both of them now alone as the rest had continued traveling. Sabrea having felt it would be best to give them some privacy.

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"Yes?

"

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"Thank you,

" Vivian whispered as she hugged Eldrian from behind.

"For everything...

"

nEldrian could feel her crying softly as she hugged him. Not knowing what to do he simply stood there, holding her arms softly in support as he waited for her to regain her composure.

nAfter a few minutes, Vivian let him go. Turning around Eldrian saw her wiping her tears as she too discovered the patterns on her arms.

nSmiling Eldrian quietly started walking to rejoin the group. Leaving Vivian to herself to sort out the questions in her mind, as well as all the emotions which had resurfaced.

nTime to take things seriously again. Eldrian told himself as he caught up with the group. Taking his post he started to practice his mana manipulations while walking. Making sure to keep it at a level where he could also keep a good lookout.

nVivian joined the group a little later, after having recomposed herself. The others were curious about the patterns on her arms, but they did not go to ask her. No one felt that they were close enough to her, and as such, no one felt it was right to bother her.

nIn their casual formation, the group set out from the forest of Avgi. Eldrian was naturally the one to determine their path, since he had a direct line where they had last walked on his map. This line was quite wide, but it was better than simply following their memory.

nThe plan was quite simple, they would try their best to backtrack on the same path with which they had reached Avgi forest. Hoping that with them having crossed the area once, there would be fewer monsters and that they could use the knowledge of the terrain to find shelter for thirty-plus people.

nAs before, the group traveled during the day, setting camp as soon as the sun started setting.

nThe first few days went by without any trouble, the group had spotted a few groups of monsters and had actually taken to placing Terlas in front. As a Tier 4 range class, he had by far the best vision, not to mention the skills he had which could even further improve his vision.

nWith him acting as their scout, they managed to make it five days before landing in a fight.

nDuring that time Eldrian had constantly been making small improvements in his training and meditation. He was still unable to cast spells without a spell module, but now it was more a case of his mana just dissipating. He had managed to beat his memory crutch, but now he needed to figure out how to cast spells without the crutch.

nWith his meditation, Eldrian felt that only 15 or so mana was left in his mana pool. Yet his mana was already moving through his entire body. The web formed was simple, a pathway of mana going to each limb and one to his head. Those going to his limbs split at his hands and feet. Turning from one large pathway to five smaller ones, where they went to each finger and

/or toe.

nEldrian had first thought this would be Tier 1. Now he found himself with some mana left over. He had been trying to add this mana to the pathways, but found it to be really hard to do. He could not accomplish this while walking, and when he tried at night, he found that adding half of the leftover mana was his limit.

n...

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"To the left!

" Eldrian shouted as he spotted a group of orc rushing from behind a small hill.

nHe did not wait for the others to react. Rather he started running towards the group of orcs right after shouting. Using Observe to confirm their Tiers and counting their numbers as he neared them.

nThe orcs, seeing a human rushing them, stopped in confusion. They wanted to laugh seeing the lone human rushing them, yet they did not. Feeling that something was wrong when someone could charge them without fear. They stopped, even before their charge had started.

nEldrian did not rush into the group, having already achieved his aim. He had hoped him charging would cause them to act more defensive and give the others more time to react. His gamble had paid off.

n11 orcs, five Tier 3's, four Tier 2 and two Tier1. Eldrian mumbled as he felt the fight should not be too hard. Indeed it was not, as at that time Terlas had already taken aim and let loose an arrow. Claiming the life of one of the Tier 3 orcs.

nFurious the others charged at Eldrian, who simply ran back to the formation where Sabrea and Vivian were waiting at the forefront.

nIn their charge, the orcs lost three more to Terlas. Soon after their clash the others all also died, Vivian having claimed five even before Eldrian could turn around and react.

nWhat the hell? She wasn't that strong in the caves. Eldrian thought as he looked at the burnt corpses of the orcs. From one attack, Vivian had claimed three of their lives. Cutting them all in half and burning more than half of their flesh.

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"Well, I guess there is a reason you are the leader,

" Terlas said as he swallowed with fear. He had often been checking Vivian out, she certainly was very pretty. Yet at this moment Terlas realized that she was far stronger than him, even though they were the same Tier.

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"What was that attack?

" Margit asked as she stepped out from the volunteer women. She had still been preparing her first spell when everything already ended.

nVivian turned around and looked at everyone.

"Let's get moving. They are likely a scouting party of some warband.

"

nHearing this everyone forgot about asking questions and immediately set off again. Naturally, they took the weapons of the orcs first. Many women were still unarmed, and while they would not be able to do much. It was better to give them some means of self-defense should something bad happen.

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