Protection

***

"It was tiring."

My body fell limply to the ground. I closed my eyes while enjoying every breath to relieve the fatigue in my body. However, it's better than the previous exercise. I was starting to feel a few parts of my muscles starting to form, especially in the arms and legs, which were the main focus of Eve's training.

PING!

A slight sound like a notification sounded made me have to open both eyes. Something that surprised me appeared, blue text that was transparent, like status information floated before my eyes. I'm sure I'm not snapping my fingers at all.

[EXP+10]

"I get points?" I asked, surprised.

Eve immediately walked away, leaving the spear she was using to practice on her own. Her eyes looked at the letters and numbers in front of me as if we were eyeing each other. Finally, the woman said yes, explaining why I could gain experience, even though I was only training and not killing any monsters.

"It rarely happens. It's the accumulated experience you gain from today's and yesterday's training," Eve said, reaching out to help me up.

"Accumulation? That means my first practice, I already got it?" I asked.

"Exactly. It's just that the system will display the accumulated experience of more than 10," replied Eve.

She started snapping her fingers on her right hand; Eve's status information appeared in front of her face. I just discovered that her real name is Eva Johnson, Adventurer class, and she looks pretty high level, 57.

Some things I don't understand are clearly visible in the status information, such as the explored map and experting class. All I could read was the number of Health Points with a maximum of 56,000 points.

"Do you see the two circles in this level section?" Eve pointed, her index finger showing two circles of different colors and sizes.

"Yeah, I saw it."

However, the circles that Eve meant intersect; in other words, they didn't form perfect circles. At first, I thought the two circles were just ornaments like loading certain sites in my world.

"This small circle is your daily exp. It was intentionally cut off because the exp I gained had not reached ten; if it was, the ends of this circle would merge and bring up a pop-up like before."

"Then it's reset back to the way it was. So it is the same as the big circle on this one. It's a total Exp," Eve explained. I could understand what she was explaining because my eyes directly looked at the woman's display.

"What is the maximum level of a citizen like you?" I asked, curious.

"Up to 100. Once you reach that level, then you can't level up anymore. However, you can still do the guild's work to make money," Eve replied.

She immediately snapped her fingers, and suddenly the status information she had quickly disappeared. I don't know what level limit I have yet, but I'm sure it's different from the system of ordinary citizens like Eve.

After seeing Eve's status information, I became curious about mine. So I immediately called him with the snap of my fingers. Clearly, a blue light appears and displays my status.

My level hasn't moved from level one, which is natural. However, to advance to level two, I had to accumulate exp beyond 100. Just today, I just earned 10 exp from the past two days.

Eve nodded several times. He said it was in line with what I did.

"It's worth it because all you're doing is practicing," Eve explained.

"Do people do this kind of practice at the beginning?" I asked, curious.

Eve shook her head slowly, a small smile clearly visible on her face when I looked into her eyes.

"So am I going to be left behind with them?" I asked, anxious.

"Left behind in terms of levels? Of course. However, they will be far behind you regarding body strength and class specialization."

"Class specialization? What is it?" I asked.

Eve told me to click on my class section, Paladin. So I did what she ordered. The status screen quickly changes like a web menu into a specific menu that displays the character's status.

I'm pleased. If I may be arrogant, I'm the best at adjusting my character and status. Also, the name is not unfamiliar to me.

"Nothing has changed significantly other than your endurance," Eve explained; perhaps a five-point increase would be significant to her.

"I feel it. My body feels lighter than before," I answered.

"Over time, this section will be filled in automatically," Eve said. I was surprised to hear that.

"I can't set it up?"

"Of course not. The status will increase according to your activities, "Eve replied.

She gave an example. If I went hunting in the forest and killed a few monsters, I would only get a stat increase in strength, agility, endurance, and proficiency. But, on the other hand, if I read many books and trade, my intelligence and luck status will increase. The woman explained it so fluently that my doubts were quickly cleared.

I nod. There is no other way to increase the character's stats other than doing things like that. When I was about to close it, I saw a menu with skills written on it.

But the menu is still locked; there's no level limit. I'm also confused as to why it's still locked even though new players should have been blessed with the first skill as far as I know.

I turned the status information off and started packing to leave. Eve said today's practice was enough and would continue as usual, the day after tomorrow.

"Why is my skill still locked?" I asked, confused.

"I don't know. I've never seen Adamas' skill stats before," Eve replied.

We immediately left the green field by circling a high cliff to arrive at Eve's wooden house. The sky above me turned orange, the depths of the forest began to darken, and the sound of insects began to be heard, welcoming the night. Even though it's been three days, I can remember the training path up to Eve's wooden house for some reason.

"Nice to see you again, Arthur."

These footsteps stopped when I heard a man greeting me from the right side. I immediately turned my head and saw Galahad was back with his adventurer group.

"Galahad? What are you doing here?" I asked, worried.

"I was just continuing the mission from the Guild that was previously pending," the man replied.

I'm prepared. After all, he's one of the members of the Three Knights Alliance. The organization I had to avoid, that's what those closest to me said. He wore white armor that suited him perfectly.

"Hmm, I see. Then goodbye," I said shortly.

I tried to keep my distance from the man to ensure my safety. Eve walked to my right, preventing in the worst-case Galahad from attacking me brutally.

"Don't tell me you're a Paladin?" asked Galahad, surprising me.

"Haha, didn't I tell you I'm a Templar?" I asked, stopping as I turned my body to look Galahad directly.

"If you are indeed a Templar, then prove it to me by holding the spear held by that woman," Galahad demanded, sounding forced.

I laughed loudly at Galahad's request. There is not a single reason for me to obey what he wants. Eve was seen gripping my hand tightly; I started to turn my head to look at the woman.

"Don't do what he says," Eve whispered, and I knew what I was thinking.

"If you don't do it, then I won't hesitate to hurt you!" moaned Galahad, pulling out his sword while pointing it at me.

Eve immediately took a ready stance, the tension created only by Galahad's selfish curiosity about my identity. I saw that not only Galahad but his adventurer members also took up weapons without knowing the point of the problem.

Just as we were arguing, an arrow shot out from my left. Everyone in the place immediately turned around and saw a man standing on a small hill. Below the man, seven people held different weapons, from swords and axes to bows and arrows.

I couldn't believe what I saw. All of them were Adamas, of course with different classes and abilities. I saw the face of the man standing on a small hill; it was none other than Nicholas.

"If you want to attack him, then we won't mind attacking you first!" Nicholas threatened.

I don't know why, but Galahad looks awkward to see them all coming. He sheathed his sword again and left with an angry expression still evident on his face.

The man left with his group of adventurers. Now, it was only me and Eva and the eight Adamas who had saved us. They started lowering their guns and walking toward me.

"Are you okay?" Nicholas asked.

"I'm fine. Thanks for helping me," I replied kindly.

Eve whispered softly to me, asking who the man standing in front of me was right now. I can't tell her his name, considering he doesn't know that I know his name yet.

"I'm sorry. I haven't introduced myself to you guys yet."

Nicholas immediately reached out to me and shook hands, as did Eve.

"You guys can call me Nick. We are the group of Adamas who didn't join the Three Knights Alliance," Nicholas replied, smiling.

"Not joined? Why?" Eve asked, curious.

"Because the alliance is totally unfair."