Nineteen days later.
Sai had learned the difference between a Novice and Proficient ranks.
A Novice has the technique, skill and knows how to fight.
A Proficient is a whole other beast. They polished their fighting style to be more efficient, deadly and more powerful. It wasn’t about learning advanced technique, but a deeper understanding of their craft.
A Novice Sprinter would know the proper form to run and keep pace.
A Proficient Sprinter would have knowledge of proper breathing, optimal stamina utilization, and effective muscle coordination to harness their speed to its maximum potential.
Sai reached the Proficient rank in Hactor Martial Arts
The defeated Living Armor were all around him as Sai stood in the center of the clearing.
Rowana had a joyous smile and said, “He’s ready.”
----
"I'm not sure if I should be feeling excited or nervous," Sai muttered, clad in his knight's armor with a helmet concealing his face, fully prepared to depart.
"We'll be back by tomorrow," Rowana reassured him calmly. "Frostwood Forest isn't that far."
Sai was all set to leave the fairy community on his quest to locate the Red Mana Crystal.
"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Clarissa's voice echoed as she hurried to catch up with Sai and Rowana. She carried an oversized backpack.
"No, you're not," Rowana declared firmly. "This is a valuable opportunity for my child to grow in various ways. Your presence would only hinder his progress."
Rowana's stern expression and imposing aura left both Clarissa and Sai hesitant to argue.
"Well... at least accept my potions," Clarissa implored, placing her backpack on the ground and producing potions from within.
"We already ha-"
"I'd be grateful for the potions," Sai interjected, cutting off what Rowana was about to say. "Could you lend me a pouch to carry them? I don't have a backpack to store them."
Clarissa eagerly nodded, retrieving an extra pouch from her bag and placing four potions inside it.
"Take care, promise me you'll return," Clarissa urged as she handed the pouch to Sai.
"I promise," Sai assured her.
"I'll craft more Sourness Begone Potions for you!"
"I'm looking forward to it.”
"You'd better," Clarissa pouted. "I've put a lot of effort into it. I found the recipe in a really old book and had to seek the Fairy Queen's help to acquire the ingredients."
"Don't overexert yourself on my account."
"Oh, I almost forgot," Clarissa clapped her hands together. "I've made winter clothes for you. Dozens of shirts, pants, undergarments, and socks. Come to my spot, and I'll give them to you."
"How do you even know my measurements?"
"Rosa and Valentina warned me not to tell you," Clarissa replied innocently.
"Please, just-."
"We need to get going, child. Time is running out," Rowana chimed in with a sly grin, interrupting Sai mid-sentence. "You can catch up with your girlfriend when we return."
Sai opened his mouth to respond but wisely decided against it. He nodded dejectedly and said, "Fine."
Rowana began to fly out of the Fairy Community's barrier and into the outside world.
Sai followed suit, stealing one last glance at Clarissa and offering a wave before leaving the Fairy Community's barrier behind.
----
As Rowana guided Sai through the Ironthorn Forest in the chilly weather, they unexpectedly encountered a Land Dragon.
"Hello Tree Sapper!" Sai said happily, recognizing the creature.
Tree Sapper was very affectionate after Sai helped the Land Dragon previously. Sometimes Sai would feed the Land Dragon meat.
The Land Dragon would share his kills with Sai. Like a housecat bringing his kills to its owner.
Compared to Sai's previous encounter, the Land Dragon appeared much bigger and healthier.
Tree Sapper moved slowly to Sai and started to nuzzle his head.on his pat leg.
Sai patted the Land Dragon with enthusiasm. The big lizard was growing on him. “Rowana, can you spare some meat to feed Tree Sapper,” Sai asked in a hopeful tone.
"Why would you want to? Never mind, you're too young to understand. Fine, the lizard can have some meat," Rowana agreed, as she approached the creature and retrieved four fresh Horned Dog carcasses from her Kibisis.
The Land Dragon made its way to the fresh dog meat and began to consume it.
Rowana nodded and turned to Sai, saying, "Come on, let's continue our journey."
Sai smiled and bid farewell to the Land Dragon. "See you later, Tree Sapper."
Together, Rowana and Sai left the Land Dragon to enjoy its meal.
----
Outside the Ironthorn Forest, Sai joyfully encountered a familiar duo of friends.
"Bart! Lisa! It's been such a long time since I last saw you!" Sai greeted the pair with excitement.
Their horses and carriage awaited them nearby.
Near the horses and carriage was a large man wearing a priestly robe.
Sai produced two carrots and fed them to the horses while affectionately patting their heads.
Rowana greeted the priest, “Thankyou for delivering the horses and carriage.”
“It was worth the trip,” The priest said, staring at Sai intently as if he was studying a new animal. A glow was shining from his eyes. “He’s the runaway Hero from the Sapphire Principality. Sai Giri. The summoned hero that is gifted with Sour Apples.”
“Even without Ancient Magic, you already knew who was coming,” Rowana observed. "May I inquire about your identity?"
"I am Ruben, the Archbishop of the Fairy Religion. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Rowana, Master of Poison Magic Arts, and Hero Sai," the priest bowed.
“It is good to meet you, thankyou for delivering my beloved horses,” Sai said, patting the horse's head affectionately.
“Yes. Nice to meet you Ruben,” Rowana added before swiftly taking her place on the carriage seat and assuming control of the reins. "We'll be in Frostwood Forest in no time. Hop on child."
Sai boarded the carriage and settled beside Rowana. She used the reins to set the horses in motion. Archbishop Ruben remained behind, watching as Rowana and Sai departed.
Once they had distanced themselves from Archbishop Ruben, Sai whispered softly, "That Archbishop seems highly suspicious."
"I concur. I can't help but wonder what he might be plotting," Rowana responded.
Sai asked another question that was on his mind, "Where did Bart and Lisa stay during my time in the Fairy Community?"
"The priests from Lavendersprings looked after the horses and carriage."
"I didn't realize the Fairy Community had ties with anyone. I had the impression the fairies are very isolated," remarked Sai.
"In the Fairy Religion we have connections with important leaders in that regard.”
"Hmm, that makes sense," Sai mused. "Does the name Lavendersprings imply there are actual springs in the city? Are there hot springs for bathing?"
"Absolutely! They're lovely. We should visit them when we return," Rowana replied enthusiastically.
"We certainly will," Sai agreed, eagerly anticipating a relaxing soak in a hot spring.
Rise12 Hello dear readers! It has been a while since you last heard from me. Anyway I hope you enjoyed the story so far. Now lets begin a journey once again. Hope you feed me with likes reviews and comment I live off of feedback. ^ __ ^
Nineteen days later.
Sai had learned the difference between a Novice and Proficient ranks.
A Novice has the technique, skill and knows how to fight.
A Proficient is a whole other beast. They polished their fighting style to be more efficient, deadly and more powerful. It wasn’t about learning advanced technique, but a deeper understanding of their craft.
A Novice Sprinter would know the proper form to run and keep pace.
A Proficient Sprinter would have knowledge of proper breathing, optimal stamina utilization, and effective muscle coordination to harness their speed to its maximum potential.
Sai reached the Proficient rank in Hactor Martial Arts
The defeated Living Armor were all around him as Sai stood in the center of the clearing.
Rowana had a joyous smile and said, “He’s ready.”
----
"I'm not sure if I should be feeling excited or nervous," Sai muttered, clad in his knight's armor with a helmet concealing his face, fully prepared to depart.
"We'll be back by tomorrow," Rowana reassured him calmly. "Frostwood Forest isn't that far."
Sai was all set to leave the fairy community on his quest to locate the Red Mana Crystal.
"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Clarissa's voice echoed as she hurried to catch up with Sai and Rowana. She carried an oversized backpack.
"No, you're not," Rowana declared firmly. "This is a valuable opportunity for my child to grow in various ways. Your presence would only hinder his progress."
Rowana's stern expression and imposing aura left both Clarissa and Sai hesitant to argue.
"Well... at least accept my potions," Clarissa implored, placing her backpack on the ground and producing potions from within.
"We already ha-"
"I'd be grateful for the potions," Sai interjected, cutting off what Rowana was about to say. "Could you lend me a pouch to carry them? I don't have a backpack to store them."
Clarissa eagerly nodded, retrieving an extra pouch from her bag and placing four potions inside it.
"Take care, promise me you'll return," Clarissa urged as she handed the pouch to Sai.
"I promise," Sai assured her.
"I'll craft more Sourness Begone Potions for you!"
"I'm looking forward to it.”
"You'd better," Clarissa pouted. "I've put a lot of effort into it. I found the recipe in a really old book and had to seek the Fairy Queen's help to acquire the ingredients."
"Don't overexert yourself on my account."
"Oh, I almost forgot," Clarissa clapped her hands together. "I've made winter clothes for you. Dozens of shirts, pants, undergarments, and socks. Come to my spot, and I'll give them to you."
"How do you even know my measurements?"
"Rosa and Valentina warned me not to tell you," Clarissa replied innocently.
"Please, just-."
"We need to get going, child. Time is running out," Rowana chimed in with a sly grin, interrupting Sai mid-sentence. "You can catch up with your girlfriend when we return."
Sai opened his mouth to respond but wisely decided against it. He nodded dejectedly and said, "Fine."
Rowana began to fly out of the Fairy Community's barrier and into the outside world.
Sai followed suit, stealing one last glance at Clarissa and offering a wave before leaving the Fairy Community's barrier behind.
----
As Rowana guided Sai through the Ironthorn Forest in the chilly weather, they unexpectedly encountered a Land Dragon.
"Hello Tree Sapper!" Sai said happily, recognizing the creature.
Tree Sapper was very affectionate after Sai helped the Land Dragon previously. Sometimes Sai would feed the Land Dragon meat.
The Land Dragon would share his kills with Sai. Like a housecat bringing his kills to its owner.
Compared to Sai's previous encounter, the Land Dragon appeared much bigger and healthier.
Tree Sapper moved slowly to Sai and started to nuzzle his head.on his pat leg.
Sai patted the Land Dragon with enthusiasm. The big lizard was growing on him. “Rowana, can you spare some meat to feed Tree Sapper,” Sai asked in a hopeful tone.
"Why would you want to? Never mind, you're too young to understand. Fine, the lizard can have some meat," Rowana agreed, as she approached the creature and retrieved four fresh Horned Dog carcasses from her Kibisis.
The Land Dragon made its way to the fresh dog meat and began to consume it.
Rowana nodded and turned to Sai, saying, "Come on, let's continue our journey."
Sai smiled and bid farewell to the Land Dragon. "See you later, Tree Sapper."
Together, Rowana and Sai left the Land Dragon to enjoy its meal.
----
Outside the Ironthorn Forest, Sai joyfully encountered a familiar duo of friends.
"Bart! Lisa! It's been such a long time since I last saw you!" Sai greeted the pair with excitement.
Their horses and carriage awaited them nearby.
Near the horses and carriage was a large man wearing a priestly robe.
Sai produced two carrots and fed them to the horses while affectionately patting their heads.
Rowana greeted the priest, “Thankyou for delivering the horses and carriage.”
“It was worth the trip,” The priest said, staring at Sai intently as if he was studying a new animal. A glow was shining from his eyes. “He’s the runaway Hero from the Sapphire Principality. Sai Giri. The summoned hero that is gifted with Sour Apples.”
“Even without Ancient Magic, you already knew who was coming,” Rowana observed. "May I inquire about your identity?"
"I am Ruben, the Archbishop of the Fairy Religion. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Rowana, Master of Poison Magic Arts, and Hero Sai," the priest bowed.
“It is good to meet you, thankyou for delivering my beloved horses,” Sai said, patting the horse's head affectionately.
“Yes. Nice to meet you Ruben,” Rowana added before swiftly taking her place on the carriage seat and assuming control of the reins. "We'll be in Frostwood Forest in no time. Hop on child."
Sai boarded the carriage and settled beside Rowana. She used the reins to set the horses in motion. Archbishop Ruben remained behind, watching as Rowana and Sai departed.
Once they had distanced themselves from Archbishop Ruben, Sai whispered softly, "That Archbishop seems highly suspicious."
"I concur. I can't help but wonder what he might be plotting," Rowana responded.
Sai asked another question that was on his mind, "Where did Bart and Lisa stay during my time in the Fairy Community?"
"The priests from Lavendersprings looked after the horses and carriage."
"I didn't realize the Fairy Community had ties with anyone. I had the impression the fairies are very isolated," remarked Sai.
"In the Fairy Religion we have connections with important leaders in that regard.”
"Hmm, that makes sense," Sai mused. "Does the name Lavendersprings imply there are actual springs in the city? Are there hot springs for bathing?"
"Absolutely! They're lovely. We should visit them when we return," Rowana replied enthusiastically.
"We certainly will," Sai agreed, eagerly anticipating a relaxing soak in a hot spring.
Rise12 Hello dear readers! It has been a while since you last heard from me. Anyway I hope you enjoyed the story so far. Now lets begin a journey once again. Hope you feed me with likes reviews and comment I live off of feedback. ^ __ ^
