Spar Before It All Begins

Without any other plans, Rentaro continued to train for the day.

As he repeatedly sent energy through the Grimoire of Twilight and cast the same set of skills, the time it took to gather energy diminished. Each ability was also strengthened!

For instance, the previous shield of light was thin like a cicada's wing and its strength was just enough to last for a second. But now the shield was as thick as a finger, and paired with its holy aura, the shield was certain to fend off more than a couple attacks.

Rentaro nodded, pleased with improvement.

Thinking for a moment, Rentaro decided to try utilizing wind energy next.

As his senses spread out, a breezy draft stormed around him while various cyan orbs of wind energy made their appearances known.

As Rentaro utilized the energy, he softly exclaimed, "Wind Blade!"

A small blade of wind, a transparent cyan in color, took form in front of him.

Looking towards a nearby tree branch, Rentaro willed the blade to shoot forward.

Thunk!

The blade of wind penetrated deeply into the tree, missing the branch.

Rentaro shook his head in regret, 'The power behind it seems pretty good, as well as the speed... The accuracy is a bit undesirable though.'

"Bahaha! You still need this elder to show you the works!"

Kyon laughed out vehemently, several wind blades forming in an instant.

The several blades shot forth, cleanly cutting the branches from the tree.

"Bwahahaha! Roy, get over here! I need you to start a fire, I'll fan the flames with my wind!"

Rentaro shook his head, though he couldn't help but glance in awe. Kyon's mastery of control was much stronger than his own. That was to be expected though.

Roy rushed over jocularly, "Where's the wood?"

Kyon pointed his pudgy fingers, as Roy cheered, "Burn! Burn!"

'Maybe this wasn't a good idea.' Kyon worried as Roy combusted into flames.

Instantly, the wood disintegrated into ash.

Roy immediately extinguished his flames, while Kyon shook his head in regret, "A small flame is good enough, you know? You only need a spark to start a fire, otherwise the wood will run out quickly—or immediately in disintegration in your case."

Roy nodded nervously, "Ahaha... My flames are even stronger than before... I didn't think they'd be that strong."

Wilhelm quietly exclaimed in their minds, [Not bad. You've earned quite a bit from Kyon's showing of his foundation. While it may be hard for me to train inside the system, I might be able to make it work. I can't be slacking off while the three of you are working hard, now can I?]

Tess continued her silence, as well as the spirits in the Grimoire of Twilight.

When Rentaro was about to continue training happily, Icrin suddenly ran forth howling a battle cry.

As Icrin shot his fist towards Rentaro, Kyon shot a gust of wind to throw Icrin away.

"Ahh!" Icrin yelled as he tumbled onto the ground, "No fair! I'm only at the peak of stage 3, while you're in stage 5!"

While Icrin considered his words to be justified, Kyon felt his anger burst!

"Stage 5? I should be far beyond that if not for that stupid seal! And now even a little brat dares to tease me?" Kyon rabidly growled.

"I-I just want a fair fight! With Rentaro and Roy, not you! Old man! Pyuh!" Icrin stuck his tongue out as he raced away from the rabid squirrel.

[As a member of the Ratatoskr clan, couldn't you have the slightest bit of dignity? Then again, I guess your clan has always been known for its shamelessness, huh?] Tess sighed in disappointment, stirring his wrath.

"You—"

"Kyon, let's calm down for a bit. Roy and I would like to spar with Icrin actually."

Rentaro mediated before Kyon would actually snap, while Roy cried pitifully.

"Speak for yourself! Unless it's in a battle of eating, I have no interest in sparring with Icrin! I don't want to be a punching bag!"

Wilhelm listened aghast, thinking, 'Tess is a troublemaker, Kyon is a crazed old man, Roy is like a little kid—wait, he is actually a baby, isn't he? And Rentaro is in over his head if he thinks he can mediate with everyone.'

He spoke, [Roy, let's play a little game. Would you rather fight Kyon or Icrin?]

Roy quickly scoured his thoughts, 'A crazy old squirrel, or a battle maniac of a child.'

Eventually, he declared, "I'd rather fight Icrin!"

Behind him, a child's face glowed in excitement, "I'm glad to hear that!"

Icrin shot forth in excitement, his fist sending Roy skidding across the ground.

Icrin's body quickly separated into three figures, each one charging forward like lightning bolts.

In contrast, Roy's body turned a crimson red, purely taking on the fire element.

The heat was so strong that even the clones found themselves falling apart as they approached.

But that wasn't all Roy had up his sleeve! Protruding from his spine, the spikes along his back shot out from his body as Roy used his Skeletal Control skill.

The spikes immediately penetrated the three clones, dispersing what remained of them.

Icrin roared in anger, "Why is your fire so strong?!"

Kyon exploded in laughter, "It's not that his fire is strong, it'[s that your clones are too weak! Ahahaha! His fire can't even be compared to my wind! You've lucked out by not having to face me!"

Icrin sulked, quietly ranking Kyon above Haz in terms of annoyingness on a list in his head.

He declared, "Stormcaller, Stage 1—Serpent of Lightning, Manifest."

Within his hands formed a bo staff of lightning, the serpent coiled around it.

His eyes flashed briefly, "You give off a much stronger aura than before. I can feel it, the strength behind your flame is much stronger. Rentaro, you better join in too! I expect the same from you!"

Rentaro nodded, approaching from the distance as he stressed heavily, "Roy, make sure you tone your fire down. This is just a spar! Remember! This-is-just-a-spar!"

Icrin nodded in agreement and abruptly started running, swinging the bo staff towards Rentaro.

Rentaro quickly raised his hand, the shield of light instantly forming and taking the force of the impact.

Boom!

Cracks spread out across the shield, but it still held on.

Icrin swung again, the cracks rapidly spreading across as it was ready to break!

Rentaro wasn't the only opponent however, and Roy's spikes targeted Icrin from behind. As they pierced towards his back, Icrin rolled to the side, narrowly dodging.

Before he could think any further, the spikes continued their pursuit and a sudden arrow of darkness shot out.

Icrin found his vision darkening, a blanket of the night obscuring the surrounding light, and even his senses were cut off. Even without his senses, he still had his sharpened instinct which surprised even himself.

Icrin jumped towards the right, narrowly dodging the arrow.

Rentaro then fired several bolts of fire in quick succession, keeping him on his toes as he had to consider the combined attacks of Rentaro and Roy.

The duo continued back-and-forth, their attacks lighting up the field for all to see. Whether it was the flashy lightning or the intense heat, it drew many gazes.

While Icrin became more familiar with the two's attacks, he expected that he'd be able to dodge their attacks with ease. But likewise, Rentaro and Roy found their own proficiency increase, and moved together in a much more harmonious synergy.

As night fell, the trio returned to Icrin's house. This time however, Kyon continued to stay out.

Roy chanted happily, singing about how he'd fight Icrin in a battle of who could eat more. Kyon continued to instigate the young boy, shamelessly harboring his thoughts of how he'd teach Icrin a lesson.

Rentaro smiled, 'No matter what ends up happening, as long as I can enjoy these moments in life, I'll be happy."

Sat at the table, they all ate happily as they complimented Elder Astrona's cooking as per usual. Kyon stood out the most, crying out that they should feed him, their elder, first.

First bewildered by Kyon's appearance, Elder Astrona found himself entranced as he listened to Kyon speak of his past.

Astrona noted even the most minute of details down, asking for Kyon's permission to tell Patriarch Nero and Elder Quint about his connection with their village's founder, Nento Krose.

Being of an older generation, the two downed some alcohol as they rambled on about their youthful days and experiences.

With the closing of night, and the dawn of the morning, it finally happened.

There was news of movement in the forest, movement from that cult, the Apotheosis of Lineage, and their "Corpse Soldiers".

Despite the nervous feeling welling up within, Rentaro decided he'd stick around. Together with Roy, Kyon, Icrin, all of the others he had met.... Rentaro felt sure they'd all make it through.

From the system, Wilhelm inaudibly sighed, 'Stay safe, all of you.'