The Beginning of Tragedy! (Final)

Tristan and Sheyla arrive outside the cave.

"Alright, we're here. Wait here a moment, I'm going to take out the monsters below," Tristan said.

"What? Take out all those monsters? I know you're strong, but don't overestimate yourself," Sheyla replied, her voice laced with concern.

"Relax. You can go if you don't want to wait," Tristan responded coldly. Sheyla fell silent, her worry evident but unspoken.

Tristan headed back into the cave and paused right at the staircase leading down. "How should I handle all those monsters? I was thinking of flooding them, but with how big this cave is, that would take too long..." Tristan pondered, considering a new strategy. "I remember a saying from some comics, 'Art is an explosion.' Haha, can't believe I'd ever say that. Alright, let's blow up those monsters."

Descending the stairs, Tristan formed a barrier at the cave entrance. "Alright, I'll make a barrier to block the monsters from escaping, but I'll be able to safely launch my spells from behind it. I'll create a one-way barrier, allowing only me to enter."

Concentrating his mana, Tristan extended it over the entrance, visualizing it blocking any creatures other than himself from passing through. "Done. Now to test if it actually works, I'll lure one of the nearby monsters."

Noticing a goblin wandering in his direction, Tristan threw a clump of dirt to draw its attention. The goblin looked around, trying to find the source, and made its way toward the exit. As it reached the barrier, it stumbled as if hitting an invisible wall. In an instant, "Kieek!" The goblin fell dead, pierced by Tristan's blade.

"Alright, the barrier's working. Now, time to set off some fireworks."

Tristan began forming a large mana sphere at the ceiling of the cave, shaping it into a massive fireball, like a meteor. With a decisive gesture, he hurled it downward. The monsters below stared up in bewilderment at the bright object descending toward them, and then—

"Boom!"

The entire cave trembled, the explosion carving out a crater in the ground, its intense heat radiating all the way to the entrance. Watching the scene unfold with a satisfied grin, Tristan was suddenly interrupted.

"I can't believe what I'm seeing," Sheyla murmured, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "How could you create such a massive explosion without it affecting you?"

"I set up a barrier here," Tristan said, pointing to the entrance.

"What? There's nothing here," Sheyla replied, confused.

"Try touching it," he instructed.

Sheyla cautiously extended her hand and felt it stop against an invisible wall. "What… how did you make this?" she asked, astonished.

"I created it based on the barrier outside the cave," he replied simply.

"What? How—"

Tristan cut her off, "Well, anyway, I've taken care of the monsters. Let's head back up—I'm starving." He started climbing the stairs.

"What is wrong with this kid?" Sheyla thought, trailing behind him. "I knew he was strong enough to defeat demons, but I never imagined he'd be able to wipe out all these monsters. There were so many of them, enough to destroy a small town like Wyrmford if they attacked. Just how old is he?'

Still glancing back in disbelief at the scene, Sheyla followed Tristan out of the cave.

They reached the mouth of the cave, where dusk had already begun to settle. "Wow, it's almost evening. I'll camp here for the night," Tristan said. "How about you, Sheyla?"

"I'll stay here with you," she replied. "I wouldn't last long alone in a forest full of monsters."

"Alright, I'll prepare dinner then," Tristan said, pulling out cooking equipment from his storage space.

"You know spatial magic too?" Sheyla exclaimed in surprise.

"No, this is an artifact from my parents," Tristan replied.

"Oh, right, of course. No way you'd be able to use all types of magic, right?" Sheyla laughed.

"If I wanted to, I could," Tristan answered, focusing on his cooking.

"Yeah I know you... What? You could?!" Sheyla stammered, stunned.

"Why are you always so surprised? You' are strange" he said with a slight smile.

"Am I that wierd if I can use a lot of magic?" Tristan thought to himself.

"Am I the strange one? You are a kid that powerful as a royal knight commander, and I'm the weird one? Sheyla said annoyed.

"Well, I don't know... I've lived in this forest for as long as I can remember." Tristan replied.

"What, is that true?" she asked, taken aback.

"Yeah," Tristan replied curtly. "Well, basically that's true, when I woke up, I already in this forest." Said Tristan in his thought.

"What about your parents? How old are you?" Sheyla asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"They passed away. And I'm eight."

Sheyla's eyes softened. "You've been through a lot, haven't you? I'm fourteen, by the way, so you should address me respectfully."

"Certainly, madam," Tristan replied, clearly teasing.

"You're so annoy..." she started to snap, but Tristan toss her dinner plate.

"Here's your meal, madam. Hope it meets your standards," he said, grinning.

"You… hmph!" Sheyla huffed, but as she took a bite, her annoyance melted away. "This is delicious!" she said, savoring each bite. "This kid can do everything, can't he?" she thought, amazed.

Suddenly, she choked on her food, coughing a bit.

"Easy there, madam. There's plenty more, and nobody's going to steal it from you," Tristan teased.

"Stop calling me 'madam!'" She protested.

"Well, you did ask to be addressed respectfully."

"Listen, I'm only fourteen, call me big sister."

"Alright, if that's what you want."

"Ugh, you really are a piece of work."

Tristan and Sheyla finished their meal.

"Alright, let's get some rest. Tomorrow morning, after breakfast, I'll take you to Allrose Village, and from there, you can head back home," Tristan said.

"You don't want to escort me all the way back?" Sheyla replied, a hint of pride in her voice. "I'll pay you well, I am a renowned noble, you know!"

"Oh really? And where exactly is your home?" Tristan asked.

"I live in Redwatch, the estate of Marquess Roussanne," Sheyla answered proudly.

"I'll think about it when we reach Allrose Village," Tristan replied nonchalantly.

Tristan stood up and walked toward the barrier. "Where are you going?" Sheyla asked.

"I'm going to reinforce the barrier and set an alarm in case anyone tries to break in," he replied.

"Alright," Sheyla said with a nod.

Tristan touched the barrier, strengthening it and placing a magical alarm on it. Afterward, he returned to the cave, taking something from his storage space and handing it to Sheyla.

"Here, this is your bedroll. I hope it's comfortable enough for you," he said.

"Thank you," Sheyla replied gratefully.

They set up their sleeping arrangements, preparing for the night ahead.

"Goodnight, Tristan," Sheyla said softly.

"Yeah, goodnight," Tristan replied.

Soon, they both drifted off to sleep.

*Level up* *Level up* *Level up* *Level up* *Level up* *Level up* *Level up* *Level up*

*Tristan Ciyane-Level 53*

*Skill Level Up* *Skill Level Up* *Skill Level Up* *Skill Level Up* *Skill Level Up*

*Skill: All-knowing Sight-Level 10*

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*Skill: Mana Control-Level 25*

*Skill Level Up* *Skill Level Up* *Skill Level Up* *Skill Level Up* *Skill Level Up*

*Skill: Spell Creation-Level 10*

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*Skill: Cold Blooded-Level 13*