Dungeon Preparation

Before going to bed, Fels asked what weapon Cirrus would like to use, and like any child, he picked a sword, Fels obliged and left. The entire night Cirrus couldn't help but have the biggest smile on his face as he kicked the bed in his excitement.

The next day came, and Fels brought him a short sword along with some small leather armor used for Pallums.

"Does it fit well?" Fels asked in the backyard of Lenoa's shop.

"It fits rather well, so am I going to start to learn about the monsters of the dungeon?" Cirrus said, swinging around his sword to get a feel for it. "I already read up on it and even the dungeon's first and second-floor layout."

"Then would you like to go into the dungeon now if you have already learned it?"

"No...I wish to learn how to swing my weapon and get used to moving in armor. "

"I see…then tomorrow I will bring books on swordsmanship and more on monsters."

"Thank you, Fels."

Fels left the backyard, and Cirrus continued to swing his sword.

Swish!

Swish!

Swish!

Cirrus didn't stop swinging and moving. He tried many different types of movements and techniques he read about and saw in anime and manga, but all failed miserably. He was littered with dirt and cuts from falling, so he stuck to simple movements such as a simple downward and horizontal slash with minimal footwork.

When night had come, Lenoa called him in to eat but found him on the ground passed out. She got a failed potion and threw it on him. The smell was so rancid that he thought Lenoa had made smelling salts as he quickly got up and rubbed his nose.

He took a quick shower and ate whatever Lenoa made, which always looked worse than it tasted.

The next day, Fels brought him books on swordsmanship and monsters. He resumed what he did the last day and practiced his swordsmanship in the afternoon until he passed out, and when he woke up, he would eat while reading and then go to sleep.

For an entire 2 weeks, this was his routine. He refused to use any healing magic or potions, bearing through the pain until his next update before going into the dungeon.

Cirrus Zephyr

Lv. 1

Strength: I0--> 34 Endurance: I0--> 51

Dexterity: I0--> 22 Agility: I0--> 11

Magic: I0

"You certainly improved, 118 points in total," Ouranos said. "I'm sure with this rate you will grow quickly."

"Mmmm…."

"Are you not happy about this development?" Ouranos asked, looking at Cirrus's worried expression.

"I am…but seeing this, I need to be careful; I may get stronger fast, but my battle experience won't catch up. "

"Then will you hold off on leveling until you build enough experience then?"

"I will. On that I will go down to the dungeon tomorrow."

"Very well, do be careful, the volatility of the city has been growing."

"I have heard, the power struggle has already begun. Crimes have also started to pick up, and even more, the route me and Fels use is littered with shady people."

Cirrus takes his leave, keeping Ouranos's word.

Walking through the city, Cirrus could feel the times changing. Just a year ago he could walk down the street without much worry, but now he has to keep an eye out for anyone.

"Stop!! Thief!!!!!"

"Shut up old man!!!"

'Geezus the crime really had gone up.'

"Grrr!!! Get out of here, filthy street rats!"

"Hahaha!! What you gonna do about it old man!!!"

'Even the children are getting in on it.'

Cirrus quickly went home and made sure he wasn't followed. When he did get back home, he was met with an unexpected customer.

"Aunty Len I'm back!" he said as he entered the shop.

He sees a tall, beautiful elf with jade hair and eyes.

"Aunt? I didn't know you had a sister Lenoa?" She said, looking at Cirrus.

"Kihihi, I don't." I'm letting him stay here with a colleague of mine. "

"I see." She walks over to Cirrus and kneels. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Riveria Ljos Alf. Can I ask what your name is?" She said this with a motherly tone of voice and a smile.

Taken aback by her words, Cirrus took a while to respond.

"M-my name is Cirrus!" he shouted with a slight blush.

"Fufu, you have a cute kid, Lenoa." She said, patting his head.

"I know, here." She hands Riveria a silver staff. "You know the price."

"Hm, I know." She turns to get the staff. "It was nice to meet you, Cirrus." She patted him once more before leaving.

Watching her leave, it was easy for Lenoa to tell Cirrus was taken aback by the High-Elf.

"Pretty, isn't she?" Lenoa said.

"Y-yea…she has a beauty that can rival a goddess. "

"Well, she is Elven Royalty or... well, now, the former."

"S-she is!"

"Yes, see her jade hair? That's the sign of her being a High-Elf. "

"Is there a difference between High-Elfs and normal elves?" Cirrus said, pulling up a chair and helping stir Lenoa's cauldron.

"Not that much. Aside from the hair color and a higher form of education, they're not that different from normal elves."

"Oh…I see."

"Did her beauty enamor you..." Lenoa began to grin. "Cirrus?"

"Who wouldn't!"