Virion Eralith

Name: Zefrow

Level: 10

Class: None

Title: Gravedigger

HP: 1045

MP: 118

Fatigue: 0

[Stat]

Strength: 36

Stamina: 35

Agility: 35

Intelligence: 35

Perception: 36

(Available points to distribute: 0)

[Skills]

Passive skills:

- Tenacity Lv. 1

Active skills:

- Dash Lv. 1

- Intimidation Lv. 1

'Just what am I supposed to do?' I constantly asked myself.

After confirming my theory of not leveling up, I had used kamui to teleport back into the room I was staying in. I took a much needed shower which helped to calm my nerves and clear my mind. I was now dressed in a silk-like robe, laying down on the bed I was given, trying to think of an answer to the question that was eating away at me.

I then took a look at my inventory in hope of finding an answer. And when I looked, I found myself drawn to an item. 'I forgot I got this. I think I got this from the daily quest reward, a little before going to Sylvia's cave.

[Item: Dungeon Key Yin]

Rarity: S

Type: Key

A key that transfers you to an instant dungeon. Can be used at The Porch of Darkness.

'Could this be the reason I'm not leveling up? But that wouldn't make sense. But I've found nothing else that could possibly connect to me not leveling.' My gears were turning in my head, but answers weren't coming out.

After thinking more into the topic, I came to four conclusions on the reasons for my leveling cap.

One: The leveling cap had to do with my age. Perhaps I had to turn five-years-old to level up more, but I found this unlikely.

Two: Maybe my stats had to reach a certain number for me to level up once again.

Three: The 'Dungeon Key Yin' and The Porch of Darkness needed to be perhaps cleared or entered for me to level up.

Four: I had simply reached the cap set for my leveling. But I found this also very, very unlikely.

After reviewing the possible reasons, reason Three seemed to be the likeliest because of me having current possession of the key. One and Two weren't out of the picture either, but I hoped they weren't the reason as that would mean it would take time, possibly a long time, before I could finally level up again.

I brought my attention back to the 'Dungeon Key Yin,' holding it in my hand.

"Just what is the Porch of Darkness," I mumbled to myself.

As soon as I had mumbled, I felt a very faint presence nearby. I returned the key to my inventory and slowly got myself off the bed, being as quiet as possible. Slowly heading for the door that led out of the room. Once my hand was on the doorknob I quickly opened the door, it opened inwards, only to find a elderly man with pointy ears, his body practically falling towards the moving door. He caught himself before falling, a bit of embarrassment showing off his face.

"Ah ha...ha, you see...I was passing by and...I couldn't help but overhear you talk about 'The Porch of Darkness,'" Virion claimed, showing a weak smile.

""Overhear" my ass. I was practically whispering to myself. I don't see how you could have overheard me if you were simply walking by. Unless you were eavesdropping," my eyebrow raised.

"Nonsense, nonsense, child. I would never," Virion puffed his chest out. "But I couldn't help but notice that you were not with Tessia and that boy Arthur when they went out looking around."

"Why, is there a problem with that?" I asked.

"No, no. But enough about that. I obviously know that you are a mage, but what could you possibly want with the Porch of Darkness?"

"So it's a real place?" I asked, intrigued in where this conversation was going.

"Of course it's a real place, and not one for children at that. But what possible interest could you have with the Porch of Darkness?" Viron asked.

"Nothing, I simply heard rumors and tales about it," I lied. "And I wanted to learn more about it."

Virion had a smile tugging away on his lips. "Learn about the Porch of Darkness huh? Alright kid, hear me out. I'll tell you everything I know about the Porch of Darkness...if you have a spar with me-"

"No."

"Oh come on brat."

"I'm not that desperate, I can just learn more about it by asking other people. No need for me to get beat up by an old man." A vein was practically about to burst out of Virion's forehead.

Virion caressed his beard. "Perhaps you're right, brat. But how often do you get to spar against a past King? And as a bonus, get told a tale? That sounds like a win-win to me."

"Nah, I'm ok."

"Look brat, by the mana that is leaking out of you, I can tell that you're pretty strong for your age. And if I'm correct, you're planning to go into the Porch of Darkness, even though you are nowhere near strong enough," Virion got more serious, his playful attitude was nowhere to be found.

"Look, Elder Virion. I may be a four-year-old, but I'm not an idiot. I don't plan on going to that place just to lose my life, I was just wondering about it, that's all," I lied.

'So he can sense the mana leaking out. I don't know how to hide and conceal my mana, the system was doing most of that work for me, but it seems that is not enough anymore. Doing the spar with Virion and only getting out information in return isn't really worth it. But if I could get more out of the spar, then I might just consider it.' I quickly thought of things that I needed.

"Alright brat I understand, I'll be going now," said Virion as he headed for the door.

"Alright, alright, I'll accept your spar, but on a couple of my conditions," Virion's eyebrows raised. "And what would those conditions be?"

"First of all, you have to teach me how to stop my mana from leaking out, and how to better hide my signature. Second, no one else other than the two of us can be there at the spar. Third, you still have to tell me about the Porch of Darkness. And lastly, you take me shopping, and of course pay for what I get."

"..."

"Ah ha ha! Who are you, Tessia?" Asked Virion in a sarcastic tone.

"What?"

"I can understand your first three requests, but...shopping?"

"..."

"I'm a four-year-old child with no money, food or supplies to my name, and I'm about to leave here soon. I need supplies. While you, you're a former King, I'm sure you can spare me a couple coins, your majesty," I explained, a smirk blasted all over my face.

Virion took a couple seconds to think it over before he stuck out his arm. "We have ourselves a deal, Zefrow. But we have to do this tomorrow, I'm rather slumped with work tonight. I'll just come get you in the morning."

"That's alright with me."

"Alright then, I'll be taking my leave," said Virion with a satisfied look on his face.

"Oh, before you go,"

"What is it?"

"Do you happen to know where the Voland family is staying?"

***

"You know elder Virion, you didn't have to come with me," I said, the old man standing next to me as we stood in front of a door.

"Yes I'm aware, but you are a human in the Kingdom of Elenoir, leaving you alone outside could make the other residents uncomfortable," Virion responded.

"I understand. So, this is where the Volands live?"

"Yes, but you didn't answer me when I asked earlier, why are we here?" Asked Virion.

"I believe I encountered their children, so I wanted to tell them what I could." Virion's eyes widened. "Encountered their children huh? Well this should be an interesting talk."

"No, I'm speaking to them alone. With all due respect, I believe only me and the Voland family should be present when I talk about these matters, it is over their children after all, I'm sure you can understand where I'm coming from mister Virion.

"If you say so, brat. But I'll be waiting here. So go on," responded Virion.

"Ok."

*"KNOCK KNOCK"*

I gently knocked on the front door of the Voland home. My body was tensing up, thinking of what to say was raising my nervousness more and more. I took deep breaths in and out, but my efforts to calm down seemed to repeatedly fail.

There was no answer, but sounds of a person walking closer opposed my initial thought of the couple not being home. The door creaked, a familiar figure showed themselves behind the door.

"Hello, how may I help-OH good afternoon Elder Virion! My apologies for the rude welcome!" the man quickly bowed, shocked by the sudden presence of the past King. The man didn't seem to have noticed me even though I was the one who actually knocked.

***

After I introduced myself to the man and informed him on what I wanted to discuss, light seemed to almost be restored in his eyes. He soon after brought me over to an open room with a couch and a chair placed across said couch. A table was between the couch and chair. His wife seated on the couch, her head rested within her hands.

"Honey, honey, this boy, Zefrow, says he encountered the kids and he wants to talk to us about them." Missus Voland's head sprung up from her hands when she heard the words from mister Voland.

"WHAT?! You knew our babies?! Ezra and Evelyn, you knew them?! She immediately grabbed my hands and shouted questions at me.

"Missus Voland, please calm down."

"Honey, calm down, let the boy speak what is on his mind," Mister Voland and I both encouraged his wife to calm down.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, your words just caught me by surprise," she said.

"It's alright, I understand. So...about Ezra and Evelyn."

***

"What do you mean "They passed away."" The Voland's were in disbelief. Their eyes so widened their eyeballs could almost fall out.

I had told them what I could about how we met, and what we went through. But I had to keep some parts out, such as me being a mage.

"They were killed by the slave traders. I was the only one lucky enough to escape…"

"...I am truly sorry, if there was anything I could've done I would have done it," there was mostly truth in my reply, but hits of lies also lingered in. My guilt rises by every word.

"Then how did you manage to escape?" Asked the husband.

"I just happened to get lucky."

"Lucky?! Lucky!" The wife started nervously laughing, her tears amplifying.

"Please leave," added the wife. The husband wrapped his hands around her, trying his best to comfort her.

"I know this wasn't the closure you were hoping for. Once again...I am truly sorry," I bowed, keeping my head down as I made my way to the door.

***

After the heavy talk with the Volands, Virion and I returned to the castle, I then immediately went to sleep, as it was much needed.

When I woke up I immediately kamui'd into the dimension and back out to the Elshire Forest. I then quickly did my daily quest and returned back to the room I was staying in. I had distributed my three points into Stamina, Agility, and Intelligence. I then patiently waited for Virion to come and get me.

When he did, he took me out to what looked like a practice arena. Wide and spacious, perfect for one versus one combat. Bleachers and a viewing area was also within the arena, but since there were no spectators, they were also empty.There were guards around us but Virion excused them, keeping the terms of our agreement.

Virion and I descended down to the fighting grounds.

'I'll just spar without using the sharingan and kamui. I guess this is a good way of testing myself.'

"Hey old man, do you have any daggers made of wood or something, I don't want to hurt you!"

"You fight with daggers huh? Lemme see what I can scourge up," Virion shot back before heading out of the area.

I waited a couple of minutes until he came back, two wooden daggers in his hands and a smirk on his face. 'Nice.' Virion handed me the daggers and backed up a couple meters. "Will those do?"

"Yeah, they'll do just fine," I responded.

"I'll just use my hands," he said.

"Ok. Oh, and hey old man, don't send any killing intent my way, I'm very...sensitive to that stuff," I warned Virion.

"If you say so brat."

Virion slowly raised his fists into a fighting stance.

"Ready when you ar-" I said, but Virion had already immediately made his first move, speeding towards me.

'Fast.' My thoughts focused on his speed. Even though I knew he was nowhere near going all out, this was already a huge step above what I had previously fought up until now.

I reacted by weaving and dodging right. Virion chose to not pursue me and simply stopped in his tracks, his back facing me.

'Dash.' I said in my head.

Virion turned around. "Pretty good reaction ti-WOAH!" Unaware of my push towards him he complimented my reaction speed, until he was met with my dash in which he closely dodged right.

"That was close! What are you trying to take my head off?! HAHA!" A wide smile showed on the old man's wrinkled face. He seemed full of life. 'He sure is enjoying this.'

We continuously exchanged blows, both of us swiftly dodging each other's attacks...until I got a cut in, his face now had a slight line of red leaking. Virion reacted by kicking me back. "You cut me, wow! Impressive!" He shouted, speeding back at me immediately.

'Right. Left. Right. Right. Down.' I constantly dogged his swift but strong jabs coming at me at astounding speeds, ducking down, dodging his most recent jab. Swinging my sword at his legs, getting another cut in, but Virion didn't react. 'He's getting faster.'

After another minute of trading blows, dodging and running, with the vocational commentary from Virion, I was getting overwhelmed.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Arthur and Tessia coming around the corner of the doorway of the arena. 'Shit.' I instantly used all my speed to dash away from Virion and put both my hands in the air. "I give up, let's end it here," I shouted to Virion as I looked back at Arthur and Tessia, Virion seemed to have caught on.

"Grandpa, Zefrow!" Tessia shouted our way.

"Sorry brat I didn't think they would be coming in here. But good fight, you and that Arthur brat sure do pack a punch, that's for sure." Virion patted me on the back, taking the two wooden daggers out of my hands as he headed towards Arthur and Tessia.

"Yeah, good spar I guess."

***

(A/N: I didn't do that well with describing the spar and the scene between Zefrow and the Volands, sorry about that. But yeah…

Till next time.)