Settling In

As Jason looked up into the sky the moon shone back down at him, but that was the only light in the sky. The rest of the sky was just a long stretch of darkness. It was the same every day, yet it still felt abnormal. He felt somehow that there should be other lights in the night sky. Even though he was settled into this new world after nine years Jason still had moments like these.

He had come to understand that the feeling came from the difference between this world and his last. Even after this much time, Jason didn't have a better grip on his memories, they still remained out of reach. It didn't bother him as he loved his new life. This was mostly thanks to his parents they were amazing and made each day special. Despite this, the days were hard work, even at a young age he had started having to do plenty of work around the house.

His father, Garion, was technically the lord of this whole land, however, in reality, it meant he only led the small village where Jason had been born. The village was not wealthy and few came to visit the isolated village at the southernmost edge of the Libran continent. Only the occasional merchant would visit as well as representatives of the King who collected taxes once a year.

It was a beautiful village perched on a hill. Its elevation meant that it had brilliant views across the surrounding lands, which were composed of plains to the north and a vast forest to the south. In the forest stood a single mountain, which was sparsely covered in green, making it appear out of place and lonely. He had been warned by both his parents not to enter the forest, however, they had also told him that when the time was right he would need to set out to that mountain.

Sitting on the grass not far from home, Jason decided to check his status which he had grown accustomed to over the years. With just a thought the large screen visible only to him appeared before him.

[Name: Jason Cross]

Race: Human

Age 9

Status: Champion- Kiara (Unknown)

Level: 18

Titles: The Last Champion (N/A)

Blessings: True God's blessing (N/A), Follower's Blessing (N/A) Champion's Blessing: Charity (+25% growth to the holder and other followers)

HP: 2700

Mana: 5400

Strength: 105

Agility: 105

Dexterity 105

Intelligence 105

Vitality 105

Guile 61

Skills: Identify (Divine) Lv. Max, Understanding (Divine) Lv. Max.

Companions: Ava (Guardian)

Stat points: 136

Skill points: 34

After begging his father and mother for a while a few weeks after his 9th birthday they had allowed him to join his father and some of the others from the village when they went out hunting. Despite all the training his father had given him on using a sword, It had still been incredibly difficult at first. He had struggled to fight against even the smallest of animals. However, as time had gone on he had improved faster than anyone expected. In particular, the other experienced hunters had been left confused at how a 9-year-old child was so strong.

His father had just laughed and boasted loudly "As expected of my son!"

This had quickly drawn the sighs of the other hunters and thankfully it also prevented the questioning from going any further. Though Garion was the lord of the villagers, they didn't treat him or Jason as though they were any different from anyone else. Garion had been sure to insist it was like that. The only people who called him Lord Cross were those from outside the village.

Nonetheless, they all respected him greatly, as he was the strongest in the village, which was no surprise given he was tasked by the Kingdom to watch the lands bordering the Southern Forest. As soon as Jason had learned of his [identify] skill he had tested it out. It would only tell the level, age, race and name of people. He had been shocked to see just how much stronger his father was.

[Garion Cross]

Age: 34

Race: Human

Lv. 300

The other villagers didn't have levels anywhere near his, in fact, only a couple had passed 100, one of which was his mother. The rest of the strongest people in the village were all at level 100. He had discovered that to break through level 100 one had to go and take some sort of test in specific locations. Sadly most in the village had neither the time nor money to do so.

Whenever a monster drifted too close to the village it was his father's role to lead a select group of villagers out to face it. The villagers had noticed that the number of monsters that did so had decreased in the last 9 years which had coincided with Jason's birth. For that reason, many viewed him as the village's lucky charm.

As he had levelled up Jason had gained skill points and stat points. He had asked his father what he should do with them but his father had only shaken his head. Garion told him that he didn't have the system so he knew just as much as Jason did about what he should do with them. His recommendation had been to save them for the time being as he was already too strong for his age and it was hard enough to hide that fact already. Jason wanted to wait till he found someone who could explain the system to him properly before he used them anyway so he was happy to listen to his father's advice. He didn't know how many he would get and didn't want to waste them. Thanks to his Champion's blessing he was growing fast enough already.

Much of his status was filled with "N/A" and "unknown" but he knew this would also change as he grew and at the moment he wasn't worried. While he didn't remember the Goddess Kiara he knew from his faint memories that it was someone he had met and had liked. Ava he did remember from their meeting the day he was born. Though he had not seen her since. He had been curious about her and asked his parents but they knew little more than him. They had told him that she was watching over him but he wouldn't meet her until he was older.

As Jason was mulling over all the mysteries of this world he was interrupted by a voice that never failed to bring up his spirits.

"Jason I think it's time you headed to bed."

His mother was by far the most beautiful woman in the village. She had sparkling eyes. Her dark hair flowed in soft waves, framing the soft features of her face. Her figure was curvy and feminine, but clearly, she was not someone who hadn't seen hard work. She had slightly tanned skin from working out in the sun, as she loved to look after the garden outside their house. She exuded confidence and grace, and her laughter was contagious. Most importantly she was kind and was well-liked by all those in the village. Jason himself found it very difficult to do anything that might let her down.

He still remembered vividly when he had been caught coming back from exploring the fields just outside the forest, his mother had been furious. He had never seen her so angry. She wasn't easy to anger generally but on certain topics, she would get angry in a heartbeat. However, after berating him for being foolish she had quickly broken down in tears and hugged him. In the end, all she said was: "I'm just so happy that you are safe." At that moment he had vowed to never make her cry again. A promise he would struggle to keep.

"Okay, mum."

He quickly got up from the grass and headed home, passing through his mum's well-kept garden as he did. At home he found his father sitting at the table, which he had made himself. His father was tall, with broad shoulders and a chiselled physique. His hair was short and dark, and his piercing eyes were the colour of steel. He had a strong jawline and his presence was commanding. Somehow he came across as rugged, yet refined. Exuding confidence and strength, he always managed to carry himself with the air of a seasoned warrior. He did occasionally have a mischievous side, but this was often held back by Jason's mother. 

Both his parents weren't originally from the village and had met in the capital of the kingdom. He had wondered about their pasts, so he had asked what they had done before and how they had met. While his father had shared that he was once a guard in the capital he hadn't wished to share much more. His mother had told him even less, just saying that she had two lives a sad one before she had met Garion and a wonderful one with both him and Jason after.

Saying goodnight to his parents he quickly hurried off to bed.

"I worry he's going to outgrow the two of us and we won't be able to stand with him as he gets older," Amelina said with a worried face.

"Hahhahah I don't think he would want his parents to stand with him. Every child has to venture out on their own Jason is no different. We are just here for whenever he wants a home to come back to."

"I know but I just want him to be safe and happy."

"He's our son I'm sure he will be fine even without us."

"I truly hope so."