Star Light Mountains

"Remember, when we get there I will show you the true way to get stronger using my technique! You have been training like a normal human, when you should have been training like a beast!"

"What do you mean little gold?"

"What I'm try- wait what the hell! Why are you still calling me little gold!"

"What else would I call you? You haven't told me your name!"

"Oh yeah… it has been a long time since anyone has last called my name… I guess I forgot to give it out since I'm not used to it, my name is Canis Major. Just call me Cain in the future though, anyways as I was trying to say!

The reason I was able to steal your soul force is because you didn't directly consume it. Instead you breathed it in or gathered it like a human would. If you had eaten the soul force by gathering it up bit by bit before eating it whole I wouldn't have gotten any of the soul force.

It was the same with the pill you ate last night, I didn't get any of its energy. However now you are going to be fighting demon beasts! Which means you can eat their souls! That is one of the best sources of energy for someone who practices my technique!"

Ryder went quiet for a second, he didn't even think that he could eat a soul but now Cain is telling him that it's 100% possible.

'I wonder what they taste like… is that weird?'

It took them a little more then half of the day to finally reach the outskirts of the mountains. Though it wasn't too far away from the capital it was filled with many different beasts that are used to train the citizens in Thousand Star City!

Upon reaching their designated resting place Caleb pulled out a large disk out of thin air before sending his mental power through it as it hovers in the air above the group surrounding them in a protective barrier.

"Everyone be calm, I just activated the [Safe Zone] runic plate. Now no beasts below gold rank can get inside. The beasts around here go from bronze to silver rank, but that's only on the outskirts of the mountains! If you are not confident about your strength to fight a gold rank beast then stick to the outskirts.

Me and a few other helpers will be following a couple groups examining how well your team does against the beasts. We will be watching but that doesn't mean we will immediately help you out in times of trouble.

You are here to experience what it's like to be out in the wilds where beasts could be hiding around any corner! Be on guard, if the teachers have to rescue you 3 times then you will have to leave my class for another mental preparation class"

After his little speech he placed a rolled up piece of paper in his mouth before lighting it with a simple rune he made at the same time before taking a puff off of it breathing out smoke.

"What are you kids waiting for? The more beasts you hunt the more points you get, the maximum amount of points is 100. Bronze gives 1 point for each star, while silver gives 5, but gold gives 10"

As he stops talking a couple people started to get into groups. While others began to leave the safe zone Ryder examined the other 3 individuals he didn't recognize. He didn't understand why but 2 of the people there gave him a bad feeling.

"All of the people who have been hired as "helpers" as the other girl said… they are all peak gold rank martial artists… there is even a black gold expert nearby. Be careful boy, try not to anger them"

He nodded as he went to Kaylee's side, he slowly looked around examining the crowd as he looks for potential enemies aiming for Kaylee.

Kaylee on the other hand immediately grabbed Ryder's hand as she began to run towards the mountains with Jacob and Daki following from behind.

The young boy had been dragged along by Jacob as all four of them enter the mountains however 2 people had gone missing from the group of helpers.

The mountains could go from small mounds to massive ice peaks covered in snow! There was even small forests darted throughout the mountains. On the outskirts the trees looked like normal oak upon going further into the mountains the trees changed slowly from oak to spruce!

Due to the large amount of students both from Rune creation and some of the other mental preparation or warrior training classes there was no beasts in sight! It took moments for the classes to dive into the mountains looking for beasts to hunt.

The early ones had surrounded what looked like a goat covered in black fur. It had fire coming out of its horns and hooves as it maneuvered around the group trying to escape the encirclement.

"Princess I think we sh-"

"Kaylee. I told you many times before! Just call me Kaylee! Just like how my big brother told you to just call him Evan! Just do it already!"

She was getting annoyed the more Ryder refused to call her just by her name. She completely disregarded her status and the people around them. She didn't care what others thought, which is why she kept pushing for him to call her by her name.

"K-Kaylee… I think we should head further in to a section with more beasts and less students…"

James bit his tongue trying not to comment on this moment even though he knows it's wrong for someone to casually call out a royal's name even if they are close.

'…Why does she act like this? She must know that the more she spends her time goofing off and not taking these things seriously the nobles of our dynasty and other kingdoms will begin to spread rumors about her… or not even trust her to take up the role of a Queen if the situation calls for it…'

He could only sigh as Daki looked surprised and amazed at Ryder who was a commoner just like him.

'If I become strong just like Ryder will I be able to talk to nobles and royals as if they where normal people too?'

Daki was fidgeting, he was a little nervous now as he tries to figure out a way to approach Ryder. He didn't have many friends to begin with, especially after he was made into an errand boy by Jacob.

These actions didn't get past Jacob however when he traced Daki's gaze he noticed he kept looking at Ryder and let it go.

'That reminds me… I never introduced Daki to them did I?'

"Daki come here"

"Yes sir!"

"Ryder, Princess… this is Daki Greyhound. He is a commoner under my employment, he has been put through training in my family so he should be strong enough to fight the beasts here at least"

"I-it's nice to meet you!"

Daki bowed to the princess and Ryder since both of them were standing side by side.

"Wow, it took you 2 weeks to introduce me to him huh? You must have a lot of things on your mind huh Jacob?"

Ryder replied as Kaylee came forward extending a hand.

"It's nice to meet you Daki! I hope we get along in the future!"

Her smile was bright, Daki stood there stunned at the sight of the beautiful princess wanting to shake his hand in front of him.

'H-huh… what do I do!? Should I shake her hand? Would it be rude if I didn't? Am I even allowed to shake her hand…?'

"Princess! You know this isn't the right way you should be expressing yourself! I'm sorry but the more you act like this the more the nobles of the kingdoms would look down on you…"

"And? So what if they look down on me! If I am strong then they will have to acknowledge me! I hate how my life is supposed to be dictated by everyone but me! I hate it, so I will act how I like!"

A martial artist in hiding nearby giggled a little at her words. The girl had purple hair with a galaxy pattern going through it. However instead of a black dress like Kaylee this women was wearing a black crop top and black pants. She had a very athletic body with abs that had been sculpted from many years of training.

She had a battle axe on her back and a smile on her face as she sits back floating through the air on a purple lotus flower hidden by the clouds.

'You never change do you Kaylee? The same old tomboy princess as always huh? Now then let your big sister see what kind of man you have chosen as your partner~'

She giggled a little again as she focused on Ryder. Her eyes began to glow with purple light like flames pouring out. Soon she began to examine every detail of the boy, she even looked through his skin just to get a good look at his muscles and foundation!

'Not bad… he is a very hard worker, even I didn't have the strength of a 3 star silver rank at his age. Oh well, let them have their fun. I just hope those little rats actually try something~'

Her expression was now filled with killing intent as she brushes her hand against the handle of her battle axe.

"Shhhh~ I know you are excited, just wait for now. We will get to have as much fun as we want soon enough!"