23 Chapter 23: Leaving for a Dungeon

A whole month passed, and I made quick progress with my magic learning around 15 different types of magic and even more spells in those specific categories of Elemental Magic.

But there is something I want to do today. When I returned from my travels around the continent, I recalled all my shadows leaving only one to use as fast travel.

That left me with only the daily quest to get stronger, but upgrading my stats isn't the same as leveling up, if I would describe it simply. Then the level feels like a percentage boost to my stats.

For example, as of right now, I'm level 13, so I would say that my stats have a 13% boost to them. But it could also just be my imagination, but I doubt it.

I always love using this "Shadow Exchange." I said, and my shadow shot up, engulfing me, and in an instant, instead of being in my room, I was in the forest.

"Let's think about it," I muttered, thinking which shadows I should leave her to farm my exp.

"Hmmm..." It's hard to decide. While I could send many shadows to kill as many monsters as possible, leveling up the weaker ones would be better.

Ultimately, I decided to send ten human shadows and one black spider shadow.

Maybe I should leave some of my shadows in the Barren Lands. It is a great expanse of inhospitable sandy desert contaminated with magicules radiations, so many monsters should spawn there.

But hey, if I'm already here, I should stretch my muscles a bit. I haven't fought anything for a while now.

I spent two hours running around the forest, killing different monsters and turning them into my shadows before deciding to return to my room with a simple shadow exchange.

---

Two more years passed as I was studying in the Holy Empire.

My shadows were getting stronger and giving me EXP, but I also had them travel the world searching for slave traders, and I would personally take them out.

For some reason, I have a slight grudge against slave traders, so I would take them on myself instead of letting my shadows do it.

But just last week, one of my shadows stumbled on what looked like a dungeon, and I got interested in it, so I'll be heading there.

I don't know what to expect there, but I have been stuck in the library for so long now that I want to go out and do something fun.

I chuckled slightly at the thought that entering a possibly dangerous place was considered fun. But I think I'm strong enough to deal with anything that could show up there.

_____

Name: Cale Valentine

Titles: Adopted Prince

Level: 15 (516,500/819,200 EXP)

Magicules: 939,525

[Stats]

Strength: 661

Vitality: 656

Agility: 661

Intelligence: 661

Perception: 658

Remaining Points: 69

_____

I sighed. Even if I grew stronger over the two years, without using my shadows or magic, my overall strength was slightly above Roy's.

I haven't stopped training with him, and I showed improvement and could fight him to a draw, but I have yet to win a single time.

But now it wasn't due to a strength difference but to lack of experience. It could also change if it were a battle to the death where we used all we had. Having an army in my shadow and the hundreds of spells I have stored in my mind could make a big difference.

I also don't know his full abilities.

But enough of that, I should go to the dungeon now. I should tell everyone I would be gone for a few days.

Swiftly moving through the corridors of the large church, I made my way toward Mai and Aiden's rooms and heard Mai's voice as I got closer.

"Aiden, wake up, or you will be late again." Came a muffled voice from inside.

"Just five more minutes..." Came the sleepy voice of Aiden.

I chuckled before knocking on the door, "It's me, Cale."

It didn't take long for the door to open, and I saw Mai looking at me with eyes that asked for help.

I sighed, "On it..." I responded and quickly made my way toward the sleeping Aiden.

"Aiden, I heard someone will ask Megan out..." I said in a bored voice, but it worked, and he woke up instantly, "Huh... It still works even after twenty times..."

"..." He stared at me, annoyed, and I could hear Mai giggle.

"What?" I smirked, "If you don't want anyone asking her out, do it yourself. It's obvious she likes you."

His eyes widened slightly in surprise, "Really, she does?" He asked.

I shook my head, "Sometimes you can be so dense..." I told him, giving him a pat on the shoulders.

"You shouldn't be talking about being dense..." He said with a deadpan look.

"Hm?" Of course, I knew Mai had a crush on me, but she was like a sister to me, "I will be out of the city for a few days, so I came here to tell you guys about it."

"Huh? Where are you going?" Mai asked.

"Just more training..." I said, trying to sound bored.

"At least you will be training outside the city..." They both grumbled, wanting to explore the world.

"Well, I should be going, or we both will be late." I quickly changed the topic and bid them goodbye before talking with Mom.

---

"So you want to take a break for a few days?" She asked, tilting her head.

I nodded, "Yes."

She looked at me with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "And you don't plan to do something stupid or dangerous?" She asked.

"No... I don't think it is going to be stupid or dangerous." I answered, wondering if it was stupid.

She sighed after a while, "Fine, you can go but don't do anything stupid." She said, and I smiled.

"When have I done something stupid," I said with a smile.

Her eyes started twitching, "When have you done something stupid?" She said, and I could see the slipper in her hand, "Let me tell you..."

I started sweating, "Sorry, I need to go. Love you, Mom," I said quickly before standing up and exchanging with my shadow, "Shadow Exchange!"

My surrounding changed, and now I stood before what looked like an entrance to a cave.

---

Author's Note:

Thank you for reading this chapter.

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