Preparations

Two days had passed since George received his instructions to head to the capital city as well as obtained his Status plate. These previous two days had been filled with the usual morning training routine he had been following every day for months. But in addition to the usual workout and lending a hand to the various farms scattered around the area, George had been buying supplies for the trip. So far he had spent the majority of his saving on a set of leather armor with small metal studs formed into little orbs at the ends. This was an idea that the towns blacksmith and decided to create after seeing Georges lightning powers in the duel.

The small stubs of metal could act as lightning rods, arcing electricity between them. With that George would have an additional defense against metal weapons, allowing him to shock anyone that dares try and hit him in melee range. In addition to the leather armor, George also bought a simple shortsword and a few daggers.

Besides the equipment meant for battle, George also bought other sundry items he might find a use for on the road such as a cast iron pot and a sturdy backpack. The various villagers also pitched in to help him. Showering him with many foodstuffs and advice that they learned during their own pilgrimages. Speaking of advice as George was exiting the home of an elderly woman who opened her dinner table to him for the night and graced his ears with hours of elderly wisdom, he ran into Valerie as he was about to head home.

"Hello, George" Valerie spoke up in her rough sultry voice with a smile on her face. Her short brown hair lining the edges of her tanned face as she approached George. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Hello Valerie, I am about to head home," George replied with a nod of acknowledgment.

"Well, I was looking for you all day!" she spoke as she walked up to George and placed a hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes. "We need to talk." Her tone turned from carefree to serious quickly as the smile left her face.

"What is there to talk about?" He replied as curiosity built up within him.

"Come with me" She replied as they began to walk toward her home. Her hand never leaving his shoulder, applying a small pressure. They reached her home after a few minutes of walking and quickly entered. With the door closed, she silently locked the door before snapping her fingers and walls of solid black earth erupted from the ground forming another set of walls, locking the two of them in the house.

"What is this about Valerie," George replied with a squint in his eyes and an edge to his voice.

"George" She replied as she faced away from him. Lifting her head and looking at the ceiling she sighed. "I saw you practicing George."

"What do you mean Valorie? We both know I workout all the time." George replied as a hint of confusion flitted in his eyes.

Slowly turning Valerie turned and looked into George's eyes. "You know what I mean George. I also found the remains of the animals you practiced on."

As his eyes went wide he replied with a suction of breath and took a step backward. "How, I made sure to go to an area no one goes to."

With another snap of her fingers, the ground beneath George pulled him forward close to her. Placing her hand once again on his shoulder she stared into his eyes. "Listen, George, Everyone has their own system and with it different uses and powers. But just because your system's powers may be on one end of the spectrum or the other. That does not mean that you have to go down that path."

George swatted at her hand knocking it away. "I need strength and I will do what I have to do to gain it. Besides they were only animals, It is not like I was practicing on humans."

"GEORGE!" Valerie yelled at him swatting away her hand. "Sure, Now it is just animals. But those animals were alive while crushed them, I looked at the bodies, George. You had crushed every bone and organ in their bodies. They were basically sacks of meat in a skin when you were done."

"Whatever, I will do what I need to do to gain strength." George calmly replied as he began to walk past her, his fists clenched. "I won't allow myself to be weak and helpless."

"Stop! We are not done talking." Valorie said as she went to snap her fingers once again. But she suddenly was unable to move, her entire body held still. Unable to breathe or even blink.

"I think we are indeed done talking. Thank you for your advice Valerie and wanting to look out for me. But I know what I am doing." Turning to face the woman that was frozen in place. Valorie saw George's eyes and her own widened. They had changed, now containing small streaks of orange-yellow color that glowed a sickly glow.

*2 DSP gained. Keep up the good work.*

"Now I bid you adieu" George stated as he turned away and approached the black earth wall that blocked the door. 'Shatter point' That strange color that was not a color he had become so used to appeared all around him once more, The very air itself containing streams of it. Quickly stroking the lines on the wall as he would a loved one the wall quickly crumbled. With a gentle smile, he walked out the door disappearing into the distance.

Valerie dropped to the floor panting finally released from the grip that help her in place. 'Why is he so strong so quickly... I hope he knows what he is doing and does not make a mistake.'