Past and Present

Cedric was not reckless enough to enter the valley—or the trial—without growing stronger. To survive the unknown, he needed to make use of their journey toward the valley. Elaris differed from typical fantasy worlds in one crucial aspect: levels. 

These numbers determined everything for the residents of this world. The moment someone reached level ten, they obtained a class. After that, their class would become more specialized as they rose in levels. Levels, skills, stats, affinities, and even physiques were considered blessings from Aegis, the God of Protection. Consequently, the Church of Aegis was a world-class powerhouse that could rival the six kingdoms combined.

The Church of Aegis had the ability to grant blessings and reveal levels and skills for people, making them beloved by the world. Not even the kingdoms, aware of the church's military power, could do anything to halt their growth. 

Cedric remembered the priest who had given him a fake name. He also belonged to the Church of Aegis, which enforced the belief that summoning was forbidden and summoners were devils. This belief arose after their victory in the war against the Undead Summoner. It wouldn't be a surprise if he appeared again.

"You want to hunt monsters as we travel?" Aria repeated what Cedric had told her, an obvious judgmental gaze on her face. "Do I look that free to you?"

"At the moment, it's the second trimester at Arcane Academy," Cedric muttered while thinking. "If I remember correctly, you teach the theory classes of illusion magic. In the second trimester, most students have practical classes with guilds. You don't only look free, you are free!"

"I have other things to attend to, shoo," said Aria, waving her hand dismissively. "You should stop thinking you're so smart. Smartass people are the first to die."

"How does that affect their fighting?" inquired Ember.

"Their party members shove them down a cliff or something." Aria laughed as Cedric and Ember exchanged glances. "In either case, I have no time to waste on measly monsters."

"Don't be like that, Professor," said Cedric with a grin. "I want to be strong enough to attend the academy as your student. At that time, we will work together to lift the divine curse."

"Divine curse?" muttered Ember with confusion. "Are you ill, Professor?"

"Don't go around spewing my secrets," growled Aria as her draconic marks covered her face. Ember was surprised and even grabbed her hilt. "But you're right. If I have you as a student, you won't be able to escape my sight. Let's get you some monsters to fight."

Aria used her draconic marks, not to smack him, but to find suitable monsters to fight. Then, she began leading the way down a different path from the main one. The forests of Ironheart were filled with monsters. 

After reaching a certain point, Aria suppressed her aura and magic. If she kept releasing them, no monsters would dare approach. Cedric was excited as he took out the sword Ember had given him but was confused when she did the same.

"You're not going to fight with me," said Cedric, perplexed. "If we fight the same monster, our levels will rise slower. You should know that."

"But we always hunted like that," Ember replied, confused. "We hunted together because you had yet to find a beast you could tame. The ones you found always ended up losing control before running away."

Cedric guessed that was the story he had sold—or his mother, at least. His memories were disorganized, but he understood that she always looked after him and was the only person to know his real class.

"You can wait here with Aria while I explore the forest and raise my level," said Cedric with a sigh. "Don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing."

Ember wanted to object, but she had already chosen to believe in him rather than just protect him. In the end, the two of them waited for him in a spot as Cedric entered the forest. Once he was out of sight, he let out a sigh of relief.

This would be the first time he was alone without the threat of death looming over him. Everything had been resolved, and he had survived every fight, so he had a chance to sort out his thoughts as he searched for monsters using his Observe Skill.

Cedric remembered what had happened before his death in his past life. His family had invited him to dinner with his younger brother to celebrate his graduation from a famous college. Cedric attended because he didn't wish to ruin his relationship with his brother as he had with his father.

His family owned a company with over ten thousand employees. It was one of the biggest in the world, and also the richest. Cedric was considered an oddball for turning down such a position, but he was always more influenced by his grandfather's stories.

Cedric excelled in high school, even scoring first in the national exam. Although he hated studying and preferred writing or reading, his father promised he could choose any college if he ranked first.

In the end, his father went back on his promise once Cedric actually achieved such a feat. Unless Cedric attended a prestigious business school that would give him connections in the world, his father refused to pay for his tuition.

The broken promises drove Cedric to leave home. His score would have allowed him to obtain countless scholarships, but his father used his wealth and connections to ensure he got none. Cedric had to work part-time jobs to live in a shabby apartment while submitting unfinished manuscripts to agencies.

After the celebration, which Cedric attended to support his brother, his father once again asked him to take over the company. He even stated that Cedric was the rightful heir to their business and that this would always be the case. Cedric once again refused and left.

As he was walking to the train station to go home, Cedric heard his brother call from behind him. He had left the dinner to walk Cedric to his station. Cedric felt warmth in his heart, until his brother pushed him into an oncoming car.

The rest was history.

Cedric stood inside the fantasy forest, basking in the sunlight. He remembered the cold feeling of death and his heart failing. The pain was unlike anything he had experienced before, and it left him a little shaken even now.

[Reader Mindset has activated.]

A notification popped in front of him, and Cedric calmed down again. He smiled as his hands stopped shaking. His brother must have been frustrated because their father disregarded his existence and had done the unthinkable.

"That home was no home at all," said Cedric while tightening his grip on the sword. "I have no reason to return to that world. This world of Elaris, the one my grandfather spoke about day and night, is all I need."

At that moment, Cedric felt something enter his ten-meter radius, prompting him to turn. As he looked at the tree the creature was coiled around, he found it to be quite ordinary. His Observe Skill showed him the monster before him.

A Vine Serpent.

Although it had the ability to camouflage itself into its surroundings, this ability was useless against Cedric. The serpent was slender and elongated, with scales that resembled twisted vines and thorns.

"I've dealt with snakes my entire life," Cedric muttered with a grin. "It feels appropriate that I would be attacked by one as I think about the ones from my past. By defeating you here, I will forever seal those memories in the back of my mind. Because from now on… my name is Cedric Everhart."