Chapter 13

- So, you say you have excellent regeneration? The thoughtful look of the old man made me wary.

"..Um, well, I wouldn't say great…" I slowly began to back away.

- Where did you go, my dear student?

I froze when a hand fell on my shoulder, looking back, and seeing the teacher's sadistic smile, I swallowed loudly...

***

Harold's training was difficult, very, very difficult. As soon as the old man found out about my perception, he began to suddenly attack me at any time of the day or night, and our sparring began. In response, I also once decided to attack him in a dream, but my fist was caught and I was quickly pinned down. So now, in addition to perception, I soon got the skill of hiding, which I began to try to pump.

But it was only flowers...

Realizing that I have increased regeneration, this monster began to break my bones after each sparring!

- To make them stronger. - the teacher repeated to me when I tried to relieve the pain with tears in my eyes. If I had not heard something like that in a past life, I would have fled a long time ago.

In the morning we started sparring, after breaking one or more bones, I practiced magic, again and again bringing myself to exhaustion. Unfortunately for me, the next day the broken bones were repaired enough to allow me to fight again.

After a month of such training, I met my sworn enemy, and if it were not for the old man forcing me to train, I would have been defeated by laziness. Speaking of a teacher, he was rather strange, he lived as a hermit, but he always had money. And there is nothing to say about his strength, because from my observations, I could tell that he is also strong as an AA-class adventurer. But the fact that I did not feel mana from him during our sparring sessions did not give me peace of mind.

Also, the teacher was quite noble and kind, even sheltered me at his place so that I would not pay for teleportation. While studying with Harold, I realized a terrible thing for myself - I had nothing to do in my free time ... There were no smartphones, computers or other equipment in this world, so I quickly got bored. The only outlet was adventure books, and conversations with Henry, who gave me a special artifact in the form of a mirror for communication. Such conversations were for me like an oasis in the middle of the African desert. I could talk to Henry about how "cruel" the teacher was, and I was also interested in hearing what was happening in his life, and in Xyrus.

And so three months passed.

***

- Get ready, we are going on a mission - the teacher surprised me after our sparring.

I quickly jumped up to catch up with the old man, who was heading into the house.

What is the mission of a teacher?

- All then, just get ready for battle.

- Clear - "Actually, nothing is clear, but I'm all for it. It will not hurt me to try my new possibilities"

Trembling from the unknown ahead, I quickly put on my new leather armor, consisting of a breastplate and shoulder pads, and hung a dagger on my belt.

"It's a pity the scars haven't healed yet… I'll have to continue wearing the mask."

Going out into the yard, I exchanged glances with the teacher, who gave a short nod, gesturing to follow him. Having reached the teleportation gates, we passed through them, finding ourselves in a small village.

- Send Aaron, we're here.

Hiding in an alleyway, we put on cloaks, hiding our faces with hoods, and continued on our way.

Finally, reaching a wooden pub, on the outskirts of the city, the teacher stopped, hiding in the gateway. As I followed him, I saw him go into the woods, and I followed him. As soon as we were in a fairly well hidden area with a good view of the pub, the teacher began to speak.

- I took you on this mission to test your combat capabilities, - he began to explain in a whisper - But not everything is so simple. This pub is actually a front, underneath there are large rooms where slaves are kept.

My eyes widened at his words.

"Slaves? It's over… first of all, it's the Middle Ages, even if magical, nothing in the world changes…"

- So, slavery is allowed?

- No, it was canceled, - the teacher said gloomily - But demand generates supply, and the most cunning merchants were able to adapt to the new law, and continue their business further.

- I hope we are here to free them? I asked with a note of hope in my voice.

My conscience would not allow me to just throw people into this account.

- Yes, just be careful, don't underestimate the enemy - the teacher piercingly looked at me, to which I nodded.

After explaining to me the plan of action, which was to simply enter and neutralize the slave traders, as well as listing the "safety recommendations", we secretly made our way inside, through the back door.

My heart was pounding from the tension I felt as we made our way through the corridor, but having a teacher nearby was reassuring. After a few minutes of walking, we went down the stairs, the smell of rot and other not-too-pleasant substances immediately burst into our noses. The old man gestured with his hand to lean against the wall, which I did, continuing to slowly move on to see several large cages in which I could see people and .. elves? Yes, it was them. Their appearance would be painful, and in the eyes there was only despair, also in the corners of the cages I could see dead bodies, from which there was a bad smell.

I nearly vomited at such a sight, but I held on, waiting for the teacher's command.

"Follow me." He moved forward, attracting the attention of several pairs of eyes that cringed in fear, probably mistaking my master for a slave trader.

We stood in the center so that everyone could see us, and the teacher took the floor:

- We came to help you, - he raised his finger to his lips, breaking off the rumble that had begun, - I ask you to sit quietly, as soon as we eliminate the guards, we will immediately return to you to pull you out.

Passing further, I saw hope, disbelief and fear in the eyes of the prisoners. I felt sorry for them and sincerely wanted to help them, so I followed the teacher with determination in my eyes.

- Faster Orvard, we need to finally tidy up the cages! - looking inside the room through the open door, I saw three men of unpleasant appearance.

"Typical bandits" - I thought.

- I leave them to you.

I looked around and nodded to the old man, peering inside the room to see if there was anything else.

"I don't sense strong mana from them, so maybe they aren't too strong."

With a short sigh, I burst inside, lunging at the nearest enemy. My appearance was unexpected, so that the man I rushed at was unable to do anything when his solar plexus was hit with a stone-covered hand. The man doubled over, falling to the ground with a crash.

In my peripheral vision, I saw the tall blond man abruptly rise from his chair, reaching for his sword. Pointing my finger at his leg, I fired an earth bullet from him, piercing his knee.

The one who remained looked at me in horror, trying to escape, but quickly got a mana-enhanced leg in the jaw, losing consciousness.

Looking around tensely, I did not see anything suspicious, so I exhaled, realizing that all this time, fighting was holding my breath.

Suddenly feeling movement to my left, I tried to look around, but pain shot through my side, as if I had been rammed with a hammer, and I flew off into the wall.

Grabbing my side, and abruptly jumping up, I stared at a large man with a shaved head.

- Oh, you little brat, - he growled menacingly, - I'll show you why you can't attack big uncles!