26 - Time Skip!

Time Skip!

The sun over Riverwood seemed the same, yet the shadows it cast were different. Six years had elapsed since Gwen left for the Imperial Academy, and Jon had changed. Not just physically, but his outlook on life in Aeloria had shifted—it was no longer a game, but a life to be lived.

### Jon

He was no longer the hesitant youth who avoided the goblin dungeon. He had a new philosophy: refinement over accumulation. Instead of slaughtering hordes of goblins to gain experience while risking his life, he picked his battles carefully. One goblin at a time, five a day. He couldn't sell their corpses, but that was beside the point. What mattered was the quality of the training, the honing of his skills.

'It's a practice, not a race,' he thought, as he cleaned his sword after another day in the dungeon, leaving the goblin corpses behind.

### Gwen

The girl, in turn, was not just a diligent student at the Imperial Academy but an exchange student. She returned to Riverwood every three months, during the practical exam periods she didn't have to take. Her visits were like balms to Jon, moments when they could share their experiences and growth.

However, life had dealt a devastating blow. Aela, Gwen's mother, fell seriously ill. The entire Riverwood community rallied to help her, but her condition didn't improve even after months and seemed beyond remedy. That's when Seraphine entered the scene, a blue-haired elf healer with intensely piercing eyes. With almost magical abilities, she managed to restore Aela's health. And just as mysteriously as she had arrived, Seraphine vanished.

After this event, Gwen and her family followed Seraphine to Valdoria. Before leaving, Gwen asked Jon to accompany her to the woods. There, they enjoyed a few hours of peaceful conversation and happy moments, as if in their own world. Gwen revealed to Jon that she had a Rank S Affinity with the Fire Element. She spoke with playful arrogance, and Jon, smiling, realized how much he missed these moments with her.

As the sun began to set, Gwen bid Jon farewell as if it were one of their usual goodbyes. However, Jon felt that something was different. Before walking away, Gwen hugged and kissed him one more time. The kiss was slow, laden with deep emotions and feelings. After that day, Jon felt genuinely happy, aware that his relationship with Gwen had transcended mere friendship, even though he was usually slow to pick up on such emotional nuances. However, Gwen never returned to Riverwood...

Jon couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss. Perhaps it was Gwen's prolonged absence, or maybe it was something deeper. Determined to clear his doubts, he sought out Eric, his father and a longtime friend of Tristan, Gwen's father.

When asked about the well-being of Gwen's family, Eric shared that they were doing better than ever. Tristan had landed a job in the security detail for Duke Edric's family, and their lives had taken a turn for the better. However, something in his father's expression made Jon suspect there was more to the story.

When Jon suggested that perhaps they should pay a visit to Gwen's family, Eric averted his gaze and mentioned being too swamped with work to consider such a visit. Jon sensed something was truly amiss the third time his father declined the request to visit Gwen's family and decided to table the matter for later.

As if it were a ritual he had maintained since arriving in this world, Jon lay on his bed. His body now showcased well-defined muscles, a testament to the effort and dedication he had invested over the past six years. The face of an innocent boy had been replaced by piercing green eyes. His light blue hair, now shorter, seemed to radiate a light of its own. Floating before him was a holographic menu.

**[MENU]**

---

**Name:** Jon Woodmoon

**Age:** 15

**Level:** 25

**EXP:** 236/50,000

**Tils:** 53,152

---

**[STATS]**

- **HP (Health Points):** 550

- **MP (Mana Points):** 750

- **Strength:** 45+35

- **Agility:** 50+35

- **Constitution:** 40+35

- **Intelligence:** 35+7

- **Luck:** 20+35

- **Points:** 65

**[EQUIPMENT]**

**[Luminar, the Sword of Serenity: RANK SS]**

**EXP:** 3,135/5,000

**Level:** 7

**[STATS]**

- **Strength:** +35

- **Agility:** +35

- **Constitution:** +35

- **Intelligence:** +7

- **Luck:** +35

**Description:** At first glance, Luminar appears modest, with a straight and simple blade adorned with silver runes along its length. Its hilt is wrapped in weathered brown leather, and the crescent-shaped guard emits a subtle golden glow.

**History:** Luminar, the Sword of Serenity, once belonged to a chosen one who brought peace to Aeloria, a land of strife. Wielded by a desperate hero, it united nations in lasting peace.

**[ABILITIES]**

- **Active:** None

**[ENCHANTMENTS]**

**1.** Owner's Fit: The sword adjusts perfectly to the user.

**2.** Energy Absorption: Absorbs energy from victims to increase bonus attributes indefinitely.

**[ABILITIES]**

- **Active:** None

- **Passive:**

- **Elven Race:** Amplifies mana manipulation ability.

- **Human Race:** 50% increase in EXP gain due to inherent adaptability.

- **Riverwood Moonstone:** 50% increase in EXP and skills for hunter classes.

- **Intermediate Archer:** Level 7

- **Intermediate Warrior:** Level 5

- **Intermediate Swordsman:** Level 3

**[MISSIONS]**

- **None**

'In terms of level, I should be on par with the young nobles from wealthy families. But with my sword, I'm leagues ahead,' Jon contemplated how to conduct himself at the Imperial Academy. One reason he didn't indiscriminately accumulate EXP was to avoid raising suspicions upon his arrival at the academy. He had discovered during the festival six years ago that artifacts couldn't detect the extra attributes provided by his sword.

Interrupting his thoughts, his mother's voice echoed through the room. "Jon, turn off the light and go to sleep. Tomorrow is an important day!" Heeding his mother's words, Jon settled down to sleep. The next day, he would set off for the Imperial Academy...