Readying for a Journey

It was a small ceremony, but despite it being more personal for the trio, it also served to act as a reminder for everyone in the village, one that said: they no longer had to live in fear of the Apotheosis of Lineage.

While they couldn't go back to how it was before or bring back those that they lost, they could now live on without the pestering worries as their hunters embarked on an expedition or their children went out to play.

And while they experienced much sorrow from the tragedies, there was also some good to come of it. Through the tough times, they banded together and everyone felt even closer.

The younger generations also found a much needed push, urging them to become stronger in order to protect their loved ones.

Celebrating those that died, while looking towards their futures. Rentaro felt a little more enlightened.

The celebration lasted the entire day, only ending as the moon rose, night set into motion.

Not much happened during the day, except for a sudden system noise.

[Ding!]

[Mission Completed!]

'Eh?' Rentaro turned his head in wonder, willing the system missions open.

***

[Sworn Brotherhood Oath] [Rare] — [Complete]

Experience a Sworn Brotherhood Oath, a concept similar to Soul Contracts.

[Reward] [8 Credits]

***

'Collect reward, allocate credits towards Spatial Credits.'

[Ding!]

[Reward Collected!]

[Credit Balance] — [Syndicate Credits: 14, Spatial Credits: 23]

Happy to receive such a windfall, Rentaro couldn't help but question the sudden appearance of this reward.

Why did a mission related to an Oath appear?

Is it that doing something unique would for sure trigger a mission?

At the same time, there had to be more to "contracts" than just making contracts with summons and different beings, right?

There were all sorts of magics and abilities, he could think up quite a few ways in which he could utilize the practice of contracts, but actually following through was another story.

In the future, he would be sure to delve into the topic more thoroughly when the concept of the soul wasn't so far out of his reach.

***

The following day, Rentaro returned to the armory alongside Astrona, Nero, and Patriarch Quint.

Under their guidance, he picked out a set of twelve needles which satisfied his interest the most.

Quick and concise, needles were a highly prominent weapon belonging to the hidden weapons category.

And this set of needles were forged from a unique ore, known as the Circadian Ore.

Circadian Ore possessed a very special attribute, taking on a near colorless silvery white color during the day hours, while becoming pitch black during the night hours.

Pairing such attributes with a hidden weapon was especially frightening. Colorless under light and blended with the shroud of night, it was a perfect match for the small needles.

Not including the "Sacrificial Knife," this was the first weapon Rentaro had received.

Alongside this weapon, he received a small set of reinforced armor, made from the leathers and hides of monstrous beasts. It was both light and durable, fit for Rentaro's current physical level.

Rentaro gave his thanks, the trio quickly prompting him not to worry.

"Rentaro, you're Icrin's sworn brother, so you can always consider us as your family as well!" Astrona intervened warmly.

"If you have any other needs, be sure to let us know. We may not have much, but we also won't hold anything back either!" Patriarch Nero said confidently, Quint encouraging as well.

Giving his thanks, Rentaro didn't request for anything else, except for his initial interest in their guidance on training him.

***

In what felt like the blink of an eye, three months passed by.

During this time, Rentaro didn't complete any other system missions, increase his cultivation, nor did he summon or contract any other creatures. He just trained under Astrona, Quint, and Nero, the guidance of three experts elevating his strength to higher levels.

By now, he had grown accustomed to only having his right arm. Thankfully, his right arm was his dominant arm, otherwise it may have taken longer.

Not to mention, his cultivation and strengthened soul increased his proficiency in terms of comprehension.

Rentaro's accuracy with the needles was pinpoint, and his energy control had grown much more stable. Of course, he still had much to learn.

His main focus was to practice the basics, strengthen his body further, learn how to fight with the hidden needles, and prepare himself for his next journey!

On the training field, Rentaro was holding a needle in his hand, lunging forward at Elder Astrona.

Astrona tossed two daggers, to which Rentaro spun the needle in his hand, deflecting them with apt precision.

He continued forward while Astrona swung his axe towards him. His fingers widened along the needle, the center clashing with the axe.

Clank!

The axe rebounded, yet the needle continued forward, only to be stopped as a bird of lightning flew from Astrona's chest, shielding against the arrow.

He breathed deeply with sweat on his brows, while Astrona remarked, "Your comprehension abilities are great, you've learned quite a bit over a mere three months."

Quint followed, "Adjusting to one arm, learning how to properly control a weapon, your talent isn't bad at all!"

Continuing the rain of applause, Patriarch Nero clapped, "Your combat could still use some work, but your reflexes are great. I'm afraid we can't teach you anymore, otherwise you'll risk missing the chances to be enrolled in one of the country's magical academies."

During these past three months, Rentaro learned more to guide himself on his next journey.

One small matter was Elder Quint's origins. His full name was Quint Chean, belonging to the Chean family line. And the Chean family line were good friends with Nento Krose, leaving one of their sons to act as a "Guardian" of Krose Village.

Since the establishment, the Chean family line continued on, though Quint was the only one of his lineage there at present.

On to more important matters, Rentaro learned about the Argent Plateau, where he lived right now. As he learned a while back, the Argent Plateau is part of the Argent Kingdom, which is a small kingdom under the Silver Moon Empire.

Patriarch Nero asked, "Rentaro, you're still interested in the Silver Moon Academy, aren't you? It's a Royal Academy. Of course, those with enough talent are permitted entry regardless of their status. Of course, there are Sects as well if you're not interested in academies."

"Huh? What are 'sects?'" Rentaro asked.

"Well, Sects are like academies, but much more systematic and traditional. Personally speaking, I'd recommend you attend an academy. Your secrets and talents will be much safer and more appreciated there, while sects with prying eyes might have bad thoughts on you. The higher-ups might even try to extract your secrets for themselves."

Rentaro glanced at Astrona and Quint, both nodding in agreement.

He shook his head, feeling like there wasn't much of a choice.

"I guess the academy is my best bet, how far is it though?"

Cough, Cough.

The three felt embarrassed, scratching their heads.

"It's uh... rather far away. You are three months away from turning nineteen, right?"

"Yeah—Is that too late to attend?"

"No—No! It's perfect, you have until twenty to attend!" Nero sighed in relief.

Rentaro: ...

"Ai, Just tell me, how far is it?"

The three awkwardly exchanged glances before Astrona voiced, "We are pretty far away, depending on what opportunities and transport methods you take... A year's worth?"

Rentaro's pupils contracted, while the others laughed gauchely.

Rentaro sighed again, "Well, that's fine I guess. It will be a lively trip, and I'll learn a lot more as I travel around."

"Yes-Yes-Yes! Of course you will!"

Suddenly, Astrona spoke with a much more solemn tone.

"Rentaro, could I entrust you with taking Icrin along?"

The sudden formal tone left Rentaro baffled, but he could see much more than formality in Astrona's eyes. There was also a trace of reluctance in his doting eyes.

Rentaro spoke seriously, "The two of us are sworn brothers, and the more the merrier for a journey."

Even though he already expected that outcome, Astrona felt assured, "Thank you, Rentaro. You should take the next few days to prepare."