Day One.

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***

Needless to say, we didn't make it halfway to the nearest settlement before we stopped for a rest stop. To be honest, I was glad, for Aqui looked exhausted-all the way she walked on her own perseverance, pale and tired, and sweat was dripping down her back. But she continued to follow me with a stubbornness and discomfort, and never once asked me to stop for a rest.

Such willpower fascinated me. Aqui definitely had a lot of persistence and zeal! She definitely didn't want to show her bad side and tried to keep up with me in every way possible, ignoring her fatigue.

I was odd, too, for we were walking through the forest without a torch to frighten away the wild beasts. But she ignored it, following me.

In fact, I understood why Aqui was so tired so quickly and looked like a panting man who had never left his house. Before her rescue, she had been in a sack the whole time! How she was still walking after that, I couldn't understand. And after the bandit leader with his perverted torture, and apparently starvation, the the girl hadn't even been fed in all that time, otherwise why was she clutching at jerky and stale bread like it was the only food in the world? The happy look on her face when I handed her the food spoke volumes.

Now Aqui was lying peacefully close to the fire (as it turned out, there was a firebrand in the bag too!) and dozing quietly, covered with a tattered 'plaid'.

And, looking at her sniffing face, I was more and more convinced of my right decision - to save her from the clutches of 'bad uncles'. A stubborn, strong-willed and strong elf; and I'll have to bring her up, so to speak, in my own light of vision! I suppose.

Actually, the first step has been made, and the rest - a matter of time, the main thing - not to fail and not to be insolent, and not to go from a saviour to another man who is courting her. She's attracted to me, but Aqui definitely didn't fall in love with me at first sight, and she feels different emotions. I don't know what elven customs are, so I need to thoughtfully show her that I'm the only ray of light in her life.

And first, we're gonna save her a couple of times. I don't know why, because it's too expensive to deal with the local beasts. But I wouldn't mind putting on a show on the same bandits. Especially when I have a two-handed sword, and even a skill skill to it!

Speaking of skills, it's time to look at them and practice my mana control. With the skill 'devourer of souls' found out the following: the skill works once every 24 hours, that is, I can not devour all the souls that I see. Now, after the leader of bandits, I got such skills as 'wielding a two-handed sword-1' and 'blacksmith-1'. Two skills, and even the first level, it's a pity, of course, that not the fifth, as the former owner, but even this is enough for my eyes.

And yes, after absorbing the soul of the bandit leader, I felt satiation, not to stop eating, but hunger was definitely dulled and did not torment me all the way, however, I still wanted to eat, but not so much.

With the skill 'wielding a two-handed sword-1' it turned out the following: thanks to it in my head appeared knowledge of attacking and defensive stances, as well as several types of blows and tricks. The information was quite scarce, but now I know how to fight against a swordsman or a large bear, in theory, of course, but I have a whole night to practice!

The blacksmith-1 skill on the other hand wasn't all that great. In the head just appeared a few terms, yes the method of melting iron and further method of making stuff, the same spoons or knives. No knowledge of making uber swords appeared in my head. Even that knife was a kitchen knife! This is such a skill, no pluses, no minuses, although now I know how to take care of my sword so that it does not get dull or worn out.

Well, I raised the level after all the kills of bandits, getting free points to strength, endurance, agility and spirit for two points. And if the physical characteristics were very clear, the spirit was a mystery. I had long ago realised that spirit was raised by a strong will and quick, cold-blooded decisions. But something I didn't recall such actions in saving Aquina.....

I just killed, so to speak, mobs, and those bandits for people did not even count! Just grind and forced action....

- Umnya-ya... Arien... myself...' Aquina interrupted my train of thought, catching my eye. The girl rolled over onto her other side and sucked her thumb while grinning stupidly.

- Thick...hmmm...yum....

'I better not dwell on it, I still have all night ahead of me,' I got up from the ground with those thoughts and looked at Aquinas who was peaceful and sucking her thumb, then I pulled out my sword and clutched it with both hands, imagining an imaginary opponent while strengthening my arms and shoulder joints as well as my legs.

The night promises to be long and tiring. During this period of time, I need to raise my sword skills as soon as possible!

***

The sun was slowly rising from the horizon against a clear, blue sky. The forest was slowly coming to life, and birds and insects could be heard singing here and there. The campfire had died out in the middle of the night.

The night itself was surprisingly quiet, and no animals disturbed us, though I saw occasional shadows creeping along the trees. My night vision was failing, they were too far away, and my eyesight was not elven. Thankfully, at least I could see in the dark as if it were daytime, albeit in grey tones.

During this night I quietly raised the skill of two-handed sword to the second level, which added me new knowledge in swordsmanship. Slightly increased mana control by three points, and body enhancement by one. I also realised that control increases the duration of the reinforcement, just a little bit, but it's progress! The point of reinforcement is this: more level - more time of action, as well as given body reinforcement!

I slightly increased my stamina and agility by one point. The progress was small in appearance, but tangible and easy: I just swung my sword and fought with an invisible opponent. And now I can safely call myself a warrior, a miserable one, but a warrior that will not be killed by the sword of the enemy during the battle. And there I can crush anyone with my strength or wear them down with my stamina! Especially with reinforcements, yes!

Also, without haste and fear, I was finally able to think over further actions - not only my own, but also on Aquina's part. Yes, I had a lot of time during this night, and I even had time to philosophise about my life. But it didn't raise my intelligence as I'd hoped, and that was a pity. But I made plans, as much as I could with a shovel. But they were all the same, and some of them were even reckless.

For example, to find out if goblins have females. Isn't that an idiotic idea? I don't need to know if goblins have females. We don't look very good on our own, and I don't even know what I look like. And why do I need goblin girls when I've got such a cute one sleeping next to me?

Oh, and she finally woke up and stretched her whole body, revealing a view of a very pretty picture. Aquina had started rubbing her eyes with her fist in her sleep and was jutting out her breasts while yawning sweetly. Her clothes were, in truth, very revealing and open. Yesterday I hadn't bothered to look much at what she was wearing, but now I had an enviable picture of half-naked breasts! I even question the practicality of her clothes and whether they can even be called such.

Is this even armour... clothing? How can something so revealing even protect? The 'half cuirass' with the open top gave a view of her cleavage! And the cuirass looked like a top with strings attached, giving a view of her flat, slightly muscular tummy! And what's that collar around her neck? And the rags on her arms... and legs... are those pantyhose? Well, at least her groin is covered by a skirt... though I didn't see if she was wearing knickers... and are there any knickers in this world? I, for one, didn't find any, and if I did, I wouldn't be wearing any.

- Ummm... good morning, Arien-sama...' she yawned sleepily, getting up and stretching her arms and legs. Apparently sleeping on the ground was new to her.

- Good... Aquinas,' I replied sluggishly, wondering how she hadn't been kidnapped by the local goblins yet! This armour certainly can't protect you from a dagger in the ass, or even in the pussy! She's got more open spots than me! Stab her in the stomach and she'll be dead! No, this has got to change. At least put a chain mail and a leather waistcoat on her and cover her exposed areas! Otherwise, I reckon she won't live like this for long.

While I stood there stunned, the girl had time to roll up the blanket and hide it in a bag, and then looked at me in embarrassment.

- Arien-sama, I know it's too much to ask, but could you... escort me to the creek...' she said quieter and quieter, blushing, and I heard the last words only thanks to my good hearing.

I could understand her, and I wouldn't mind looking at her while she washed off yesterday's sweat and dirt!

- Hmm, you do realise I'll have to keep my eyes open, especially watching you. We're in a wild forest, and at any time a dangerous predator could come out to the creek. - I said calmly, hoisting the bag of supplies onto my shoulder, and looked at Aqui.

The girl was a little embarrassed, but she was staring firmly into my eyes, at least trying to find my eyes under the hood.

- Sure!!! I don't mind... as long as it's you! - she said embarrassed and turned away. Her phrase sounded very ambiguous, and her flushed ears spoke volumes.

- Good!

Hmm, she looks cute when she's happy! Let's see how this goes.

I grinned with the corner of my lips and followed Aquinas around the fire, covering it with earth for the last time. Only one thought kept me on my way, 'I wish I could get naughty...', especially with such a tempting ass in sight....