End of Chaos

Ryan's body was aching in pain, and he had already exhausted his mana. With every movement, his muscles protested, screaming in protest at the exertion they had endured. His mana reserves, lay depleted, leaving him vulnerable and exposed.

There were still bandits lingering on the other side of the village, but Ryan was too exhausted to take action at the moment.

He knew that pushing himself any further would only invite more damage, perhaps even irreversible consequences. As he surveyed the aftermath of the chaotic confrontation, he couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction mingled with the throbbing ache in his limbs.

The dark silhouette that had accompanied him throughout the battle now faded into obscurity as the village settled into an eerie silence, broken only by the soft rustle of the wind.

Finding a secluded spot away from the battlefield, Ryan collapsed onto the ground, his chest heaving with exertion.

Despite the pain and exhaustion, a tired but satisfied smile danced on his lips.

"It went better than I thought," he mused, his voice barely above a whisper.

The power he had demonstrated during the battle surpassed even his own expectations. Despite the formidable numbers of the bandits, he had emerged victorious.

As he gazed at the rising sun, its warm rays casting a golden glow over the village, Ryan found himself lost in thought. In his previous life, regrets had weighed heavily on him, haunting his every step and clouding his judgment.

It was not that his life was truly hell or something; he had seen worse lives lived by people in his previous world. But still, the feeling of inequality and the lack of opportunity had always irritated him.

Being an orphan without anyone to support him and bullied since he was just a kid, in simple words, his life was not a good one on Earth. He lacked power, the power to protect himself, and that ultimately led to his death.

But in this new life, he vowed not to let regrets define his path. He had been given a second chance, an opportunity to rewrite his destiny and carve out a future of his own making.

Suddenly, a familiar voice shattered the tranquility of his reverie.

"Ryan!"

Turning towards the sound, Ryan's eyes widened in surprise as he spotted old man Harvey hurrying towards him, his wrinkled face etched with concern.

Without a word, the old man began inspecting Ryan for injuries, his hands gentle yet firm as they probed for any signs of harm.

"Are you okay? Where have you been? I've been looking for you for hours!" Old man Harvey's voice was tinged with worry, his eyes scanning Ryan's form for any telltale signs of distress.

Ryan managed a weary smile, his breath still coming in ragged gasps.

"I'm okay, old man. Just got a little lost, that's all," he replied, his tone casual despite the lingering fatigue.

The old man's brow furrowed in concern, but he seemed to accept Ryan's explanation without further inquiry.

"Well, you had me worried there for a moment. You should've stayed with me," he chided gently, his voice tinged with relief.

Ryan chuckled softly, the sound hollow against the backdrop of the village's eerie silence.

"Yeah, sorry about that.," he admitted, his gaze drifting towards the remnants of the battlefield.

Old man Harvey persisted with questions about the battle scene, his curiosity piqued by the chaos that had unfolded.

However, Ryan deftly deflected the inquiries, choosing not to trouble the old man any further.

As they conversed, figures began to materialize in the air above the village, their silhouettes illuminated by the soft light of dawn.

A voice echoed through the air, sending a ripple of excitement through the villagers.

"The Magic Knights are here!"

Ryan's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected arrival of reinforcements, his gaze fixed on the approaching figures with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

The Magic Knights, members of the Green Mantis Order, hovered above the village, their presence commanding respect and admiration.

With practiced precision, the Magic Knights swiftly neutralized any remaining threats, their movements fluid and efficient. The emblem of the Green Mantis Order, emblazoned on their attire, served as a beacon of hope amidst the chaos, instilling a sense of reassurance in the villagers.

Ryan watched in awe as the Magic Knights methodically subdued the remaining bandits, their skill and expertise evident in every movement.

"They are strong," he murmured to himself. Two years ago, when he had first attempted to join the Magic Knights, he had possessed less than one-third of the power of a single Magic Knight.

Now, as he watched them in action, he comprehended the vast improvement he had undergone since then.

"But I am stronger now," he reminded himself, a fierce determination burning in his eyes.

The sight of the Magic Knights only fueled his resolve to push himself even further, to reach heights of power and skill that he had never before imagined possible.

The Anti-Magic bird came flying and perched on Ryan's shoulder. Ryan glanced at it briefly before returning his focus to the Magic Knights.

After what seemed like an eternity, the Magic Knights had subdued all remaining threats, restoring order to the once-chaotic village.

They also collected the defeated bandits that Ryan had subdued.

Initially confused, they had no way of knowing who had defeated them. However, the knights ignored this ambiguity, as the bandits were already considered criminals.

Ryan was not concerned about the Magic Knights discovering him, as he had already planned to join their ranks. He knew that once he became a member, his strength would naturally be recognized.

And he hadn't done anything wrong to attract negative attention in the first place.

"Okay, we're taking them to the capital. There, they'll face trial and receive proper judgment," assured a senior Magic Knight, his authoritative voice resonating with confidence. His reassurance prompted a wave of gratitude from the villagers.

"Thank you, thank you so much, sir!" exclaimed the villagers in unison, their voices brimming with relief and appreciation.

They cast admiring gazes toward the Magic Knights, recognizing them as protectors and defenders of justice.

"Long live the Wizard King!" echoed a voice from the crowd, its fervor igniting a chorus of cheers and applause.

With a nod of satisfaction, the senior Magic Knight gestured for the group to return to the capital.

As the Magic Knights soared away on their broomsticks, leaving behind a trail of dust and debris, Ryan observed everything from beside old man Harvey.

He noticed the girl he had saved from the group of bandits earlier. She seemed to want to say something, but Ryan put a finger to his lips and gestured for her not to speak.

Understanding his silent message, the girl simply bowed gently.

He didn't want to be seen as a hero; he just wanted to be a good, normal, and strongest person on this whole damn planet!

"Sigh, finally, it's over," breathed old man Harvey, his voice tinged with relief as he watched the Magic Knights disappear into the distance.

"Yeah," agreed Ryan, his gaze following the departure of the Magic Knights. "Finally."

...

After their discussion and bidding farewell to the shop owner, Ryan and old man Harvey prepared to leave the village. Having successfully sold all their products, they were ready to return to Relmaur.

They made their way back to the carriage, traversing the familiar bumpy road they had arrived on.

As the scenic landscape passed by, Ryan couldn't help but smile. The trip to the village provided a unique opportunity for him to gauge his current abilities.

Though not an exhaustive assessment, he believed that he now stood at a level of power comparable, if not exceeding, that of a Magic Knight.

And it's just the beginning!