29 Rewards for the Struggles.

While I was knocked out I could see my core, and watched it in real time strip away the solid silver and take on its new shining bright Silver color. The man from the sword appeared again and congratulated me on a hard fought win over the Wyvern. He seemed especially happy at the killing of the Drake and the Wyvern compared to the rest of those beasts.

We sat together in silence meditating, focusing on the sword and I could motes of energy flow from the man and into me where it then traveled to the sword. More understanding of the sword entered my mind and I saw flashes of battles with the red haired man and other individuals. Sometimes even groups of people, wielding only a sword while they used different forms of magic alongside it. I felt inherent sword fighting experience pass through me as if I had been there myself.

The man's slashes became mine, and I could sharpness of his swings. While I needed wind mana or vibration to cut through materials, he was cutting through even stronger metals with just the sword. The only mana being sent to his body to reinforce it, and the sword left to be swung by his, now my hands. Right when I was about to kill the final enemy, I heard a cry from behind. As I turned I was stabbed by my opponent through the chest.

My eyes landed on a woman with deep black hair and bright blue eyes, I could feel tears stinging my eyes but I couldn't tell if it was mine or the man's body.

"Xaxses!! (zacksis)" came the strangled cry of the woman on the ground holding a baby in her arms. A heavy kick met my chest and sent me flying off the sword in my chest, hitting the ground i rolled with my sword in hand prepared to keep fighting. However everything went black and I was brought to where I was sitting with the man.

"That's enough for now." He said as he stood and started to fade back into particles floating towards the sword.

"Wait! Was that my mother? Are you my father? And your name is Xaxses?! I have too many questions!" The man didn't respond as he floated into the sword.

"All will be revealed when you are ready." Was the only response I got as I was brought out of my unconsciousness. Opening my eyes to see the domed. stalactite filled roof of the cavern. Tears of frustration flowed out of my eyes, as I replayed the images over and over. The questions that I asked the man, or rather Xaxses, continued to roll in my head. But the main think was the image of my mother, or I could only assume it was my mother.

She had the same bright blue eyes, and sleek black hair. Her face was just a more mature and feminine version of my own. A strange feeling welled in my chest and I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or yell. I hadn't realized it but at some point someone had lifted me into a sitting position and was hugging me with great force. They were rubbing my back soothingly, and were whispering into my ear over and over.

"It's okay, you're safe now." It was a soft voice that I only could recognize to be Jasmine's. Of all people I was being comforted by Jasmine right now. Then I noticed my hair flowing down my back and not tied up inside the hood of my cloak. I immediately pulled away and brought my hands to my face ignoring the shock of Jasmine from my sudden movement. A huge sigh of relief came from me when I could feel the smooth texture of the mask beneath my fingers.

A hand landed on my shoulder and I met Jasmine's eyes.

"Thank you." Was all she said, but the emotion behind the words were more than I had ever seen her express. I gave a nod and began inspecting my body, seeing my bare arms and legs with bandages around them. Just to the side I could see my bloodied outfit with cuts along the pants, torso and arms. I hadn't realized I had sustained those wounds during the fight. Footsteps approach and it was Clara along with Krenshaw.

"Clara here removed your outer cloak to bandage your wounds since she didn't have enough mana to heal you. She couldn't remove your mask, but based off your reaction I think you're glad about that." Krenshaw was the one to speak while he had Clara firmly tucked into his shoulder, she meanwhile had a fierce blush as one hand rested on Krenshaw's chest and the other around his back.

"Thank you Clara. You saved a lot of lives today with your healing." I gave an appreciative nod, and I could a small smile form on her lips and an even bigger smile on Krenshaw's as if I praised him. He squeezed Clara's shoulder tightly before gently rubbing it as he looked down at her. He seems to truly love her, I'm glad that neither of them were killed in this fight.

"How is everyone else?" I look back towards Krenshaw and Jasmine. They both give smiles to it and look in the direction of the group harvesting materials from the monsters and stacking them in piles. I pull out another dimension ring from inside mine and toss it to Krenshaw.

"Tell them they can use that to store everything. If it's not big enough I have another." He gave a nod and he and Clara walked back to where everyone was. Looking to Jasmine I notice she's still sitting here beside me.

"Are you injured still?" She just shook her head.

"Not that i minded waking up in the arms of a pretty girl, but why?" She blushed slightly before turning away.

"Y-ou were talking in your sleep, without your voice changer." Realization dawned on me, and I knew at least she heard my still child like voice and maybe the others did too.

"Don't worry. No one else heard. It sounded like you were having a very bad dream, and your voice reminded me of someone I couldn't save a while back. It was as much for me as for you so don't feel embarrassed." I was stunned momentarily from Jasmine's rapid fire speech. It felt like the most I had ever heard her talk even after the nearly 6 month journey from Etistin to Xyrus. However I eventually nodded while looking at the ground.

"Thanks. Jasmine." She looked back and I engulfed her in a hug in return for trying to comfort me. She froze at first before relaxing her arms around my back and giving a gentle hug. Moments later I released and stood up albeit a bit wobbly. She stood as well and steadied me, when she did I willed out another outfit from my ring and began dressing. I also torched my outfit that was on the ground as it was blood soaked and torn.

"You have nice hair." Came Jasmine's soft voice.

"Which is exactly why I hide it, it's much to easy to grab. However my mother and sister would kill me if I cut it." She just smiled softly at that. I began walking off to the side of the room where the Wyvern had busted out from. I also generated another bright blue flame to act as a light for the cavern.

""Thanks Rez!"" Came the calls of the people harvesting materials, and I just gave a wave over my shoulder and continued walking. Jasmine right beside me, curious as to where I was going. When we made it to the spot where the wall in the cavern covered a hole slightly I made another light as it was dark inside this space still. What I saw mesmerized me.

A literal mountain of gold and various gems were piled up inside the room. Even if only a cousin the Wyvern showed its dragon heritage with this mountain of gold. As sharp gasp came from Jasmine as she took in the treasure trove as well. I dashed back out the room to the open area.

"Guys! You gotta come look at this!" I yelled across the expanse, they all looked at me before walking over. Most of them were still sore from the fight so even jogging was out of the question.

"What is it Rez?" Came the voice of Mikail.

"Just look and see." I said pointing at the hidden alcove they hadn't seen since they were knocked out when the Wyvern bust out.

"That's where the Wyvern came from!" Clara said in surprise and I gave a nod to her before walking back in. Gasps come from everyone as they take in the room full of treasure.

"Holy shit." Breathes out Adam and several people unconsciously nod to what he said. Mikail was the first to break out of the stupor.

"Alright standard procedure, since Rez defeated the boss he gets first pick of the spoils. As for the defeated enemies Rez gets the fires of the ones he defeated as he did it alone. The rest will be sold and split between us unless someone wants a mana core for their personal use then they have to give up and equal share of their treasure." He says and everyone nods in agreement.

"Hold on. You guys can have the cores of 2 of the Nagas, and 1 of each of the Fire and Thunder Salamanders that I defeated. I just definitely want 2 of each of the Salamander cores, 1 Naga core and the Wyvern core. If you keep them then no need to pay me back, but if you sell them I would like at least a little bit from the sale." Everyone stated at me like I was crazy for giving up such powerful beast cores, but I had what I wanted.

A Freezing Fang Naga core would be a perfect gift for Kathyln once she forms her core. One of the Fire and Thunder Salamander cores would go to me while I give the other to Reynolds. Maybe it would help him progress his core even faster and maybe even develop a lightning deviant. Honestly I don't think any of these cores are going to help me break though to white, but with their innate control over their mana maybe some insight can be gained.

As for the Wyvern it is an S class mana beast surely I'll be able to learn something from it.

"Very well Rez. Then you can get an increased share of the treasure for this." He and the rest nodded, and I could only accept. So I began wading through the pile of treasure.

I found dimension rings that always come in handy, obviously I couldn't just open them up, so just stashed them away for later. I grabbed a few necklaces for Tabitha and Lilia, as well as some cool medallions for Vincent. I was able to find some new gauntlets for Reynolds and they even give a boost to Fire mana which is perfect for him.

(AN slight side note when I was reading the story again I found out that it's actually more common for augmenters to not have an element. While Reynolds used fire attribute mana it didn't form on his fist until after he broke through to orange which is why Arthur was surprised)

Then we just divvied up the gold with me getting the largest portion, followed by Krenshaw, and then Mikail followed by the rest. With the gold tucked away into our bags or dimension rings along with the raw materials of the beasts. I won't like I roasted the flesh off the Wyvern and stuck the skull into my ring. Can you blame? I killed a freaking dragon! Well a cousin of the dragon, but I'll take it.

Walking outside and being embraced by the bright shining… moon… I was hoping for the sun I won't lie, but we take what we can get. Everyone was still tired so we set up camp for the night, and headed back to Xyrus at the rising of the sun. Everyone was in high spirits from the money made as well as surviving the dangerous dungeon.

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Author's Note

Bit of a short chapter today, especially compared to the previous chapter. Just a quick bridge to the next chapter and the ending of the Beast Glades adventure arc. Maybe 2-3 more chapter before the arrival of Arthur in Xyrus.

Also that memory from Xaxses was randomly thought up on the fly. I hadn't planned on showing anymore of him until later. Sorry for the mysteries lol.

Expect at least one more chapter today, hopefully more.

Thanks for reading.

-SocioPhobia