n

n

nEldrian didn't spend much time IRL, using that time only to eat and try to clear his mind. As soon as he felt ready to start training again, he dived back into the game. Yet as soon as he woke in the game he stopped and paused. Wondering if he shouldn't rush out and find Vivian first.

nNo, give it some time. I don't know what to say in any case. Eldrian shook his head and focused, quickly getting back onto learning Magic Inspection. He was curious what mana looked like through the spell, though he found using it quite difficult.

nIt took him a few hours to figure out the trick, that it was extremely similar to Observe. The mana it used needed to be neutral, yet it needed to flow in a very specific way. Unlike other spells, it did not have a word of power. This made it even harder to learn, normally people wouldn't learn it until they felt ready for Tier 3.

nIt is strange, and its spell module is most certainly by far the most complex of all the Tier 2 spells I know. Eldrian thought as he used the spell again. On using it he could feel his mana rushing to his eyes, allowing him to look at himself and see the flow he would normally just feel. It looked like a mist was flowing through him.

nIt was very similar to what he saw in his soul-state, only he could do this with ease and there was thus no need to risk entering that weird place. Looking at his own limbs and body Eldrian found that the pathways weren't solid. Some of the mist would drift away from the flow, some of which returned and others left his body.

nHe felt it likely meant he could still cultivate and improve the circulation of mana in himself. But he didn't want to focus on that for now. He also found it weird that he didn't see any mana outside of himself, but he felt this was a limitation on the spell itself.

nInstead of trying to cultivate, he started learning the next spell he had already memorized. This one being a fireball, a spell with around a meter area of effect. From the description, it was clear that the major damage was focused on the fire itself, and not the explosion. This was in fact the case with most AOE spells Eldrian had access to, up to Tier 4.

nSo Eldrian continued to practice through the night. When the sun rose, so did he. Not because he was done, in fact he had yet to master Volida, the fireball spell. He stopped because he didn't want to neglect his physical training. Going outside to a nearby open piece of grass Eldrian took out his spear and started training.

nHalfway through he was interrupted by Vivian.

n

"Hi...

" Eldrian said weakly, not sure what was going to happen. He stopped his routine and simply waited for her to speak.

n

"Can we ignore what happened yesterday?

" Vivian asked, to which Eldrian wanted to say yes.

nBut instead, he shook his head no.

"I told you it was going to make things awkward...

"

n

"It was already awkward! Why can't...

" Vivian stopped herself as she didn't really want Eldrian to see her as something so strange. A part of her was glad that he came out and told her he realized she was a girl, even though it had hurt hearing that he once thought of her as some strange nongender soldier.

n

"I'm sorry. We can try to push it back, and focus on our training.

" Eldrian said after a few seconds, Vivian nodding as that was what she wanted.

n

"Alright, then let's spar.

"

nWith that things returned a bit more normal, while Eldrian kept being reminded of her femininity and beauty, the spar kept his mind in order. Whenever it would drift off to something else, he would receive a painful attack reminding him of the place and time.

nLying on the ground next to each other both laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. Eldrian managing to treat her much better after an hour of getting his ass handed to him.

n

"Don't you have work today?

" He asked after their laughter quieted down.

n

"It's not important. By the way, I heard that Pelaros is going to go out himself.

" Vivian said, turning over to her side to get a better look at Eldrian.

"Are you going with him?

"

nHearing her tone Eldrian wanted to deny it, instead, he sighed.

"Yeah, my job stays the same.

"

n

"What!? But why?

"

n

"I'm not too sure. But it is something I must see-through.

" Eldrian explained, he knew he was the only one here who could do this job for them. The other players were far off at the other side of Taurus.

"But, the good thing is I am quite sure I won't be in much danger.

"

n

"Oh, how so.

"

nInstead of answering Eldrian just smiled,

"Certainly Pelaros doesn't want to die, right.

" This statement Vivian couldn't refute, though she knew that wanting and actually being capable were different.

nEldrian didn't quite want to talk about why he was so certain, but there was a reason why he had gone through the system's data collection. Not only was it so he could use the chair, but it also ensured that no matter what, he would be able to resurrect.

nThough some cases might cause it to take longer than normal, he would not lose his avatar. This was the true reason why he had finally agreed to go through it all.

n

"Right... Ready for another round?

" Vivian asked, hoping to hit something to let out her frustrations.

n

"Not quite yet, give me another minute.

"

n

"Nope, you need you push yourself if you want to catch up to me.

" Vivian shook her head cutely as she said it, Eldrian finding himself unable to say no after seeing that.

nSo he stood up to get another beating. While the pain wasn't all that nice, it did allow him to improve much better than when he was alone. He also quite enjoyed these sessions, though not because he was being beaten, and not just because he was improving either.

nAfter another round, Eldrian used his spear as a crutch as he tried to catch his breath. Looking up he could see Vivian trying to hide it, but she was breathing deeply too. This brought a smile to him, as normally she wouldn't struggle at all.

nJust as they were about to go at it again, a commotion caught their ears. Turning to look at what was going on Eldrian was left thunderstruck as he saw Evale casually moving towards the keep. As if nothing had happened, yet her clothes were in tatters and only barely kept her decent.

n

"Do you know her?

" Vivian asked, having moved closer during Eldrian's daze.

n

"Yeah, she was the original party leader. We split up, and haven't heard from her since.

" Eldrian replied, storing his sparring spear and turning to Vivian,

"Sorry, but I have to go hear what happened.

"

nVivian nodded, understanding how he felt.

"Alright, I am going to go back to duty. See you tonight,

" Vivian made sure to strain the last part, to indicate that they still needed to talk.

nNodding Eldrian helplessly looked at her leave, his eyes taking it all in as a smile formed on his face. Clear your head, let's go hear what the hell happened. Slapping his face Eldrian rushed to the keep, where the guard surprisingly allowed him in without much fuss.

nInside he found Evules giving Evale a massive hug, tears of relief streaming down his face. Pelaros was in his human form, waiting for the siblings to finish.

n

"I assumed you'd come, so I let the guards know,

" Pelaros said as soon as Eldrian stepped closer.

n

"Has she told anyone what happened?

" Eldrian asked after thanking him, curious why she hadn't at least changed her clothes before coming here. He knew she had a dimensional storage, so it shouldn't be that hard for her.

n

"No, though she had heard about Evules's injury it seemed. She came here out of worry.

" Pelaros replied,

"Were my books of any help?

"

n

"Ah, yes. Greatly.

" Eldrian replied, and as Pelaros turned to look at the twins again Eldrian felt it was a good a time as any,

"Pelaros... I have a favor to ask.

"

n

"Oh?

" Pelaros turned to Eldrian in curiosity, this little elf seemed to ask for many things. Though he didn't mind it much so far, as him becoming stronger would help everyone.

n

"I have a friend in another kingdom...

"

n

"A Chosen?

"

n

"Yes.

" Eldrian quickly admitted,

"He wishes to get out of the kingdom, as they are busy losing the war.

"

n

"And he didn't go with the empire's recruiters? How strange.

"

n

"He didn't for the same reason he can't stay. He isn't alone.

"

n

"Oh, and who is he with?

" Pelaros asked, ready to deny the request if it was something like a girlfriend or something.

n

"A little girl, 7 or 8 years old. She is an orphan.

" This completely threw Pelaros, he had certainly expected it to be a more selfish request, a little girl. That was something he was more open to helping.

n

"My friend took her with him when he fled from the border city.

" Hearing this Pelaros was even more surprised, firstly by being able to flee and secondly actually fleeing. It wasn't the best quality, but if necessary he understood why.

n

"So then what do you want from me?

" Pelaros asked, wishing to gauge how much Eldrian hoped to gain from him.

n