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(A/N: Is that a Power Stone I'm sensing? You should leave it here for safekeeping. Don't worry, I'll take good care of it.)

Word Count: 2642

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Time flowed swiftly, like a river.

Another week had passed in the blink of an eye, bringing them to the eve of their expedition into the Labyrinth. Reiji's stats had shown moderate improvement, largely due to his unwavering focus on enhancing his mana control.

This relentless pursuit had paid off, as he had now reached a new level of proficiency, able to cast spells with a single-word incantation and utilize his image composition skill to amplify his magic prowess.

Throughout the training sessions with Hajime, Reiji had only ventured into the forest sporadically, reserving those moments when Hajime was not under his guidance.

During these encounters, he had encountered a fair number of monsters. However, they posed little threat to Reiji, as they lacked a mana source to draw strength from, rendering them weaker when faced above ground.

With the spear he had acquired from Captain Meld, Reiji found his tasks becoming considerably easier. Despite his initial request for a custom type of spear, the one he received turned out to be an upgrade that possessed the ideal qualities for his needs. It was none other than one of the Kingdom's revered artifacts.

Known as the Divine Spear Longinus, it belonged to the exclusive league of the seven holy artifacts. Its true nature and abilities remained shrouded in mystery, with little information available to Reiji when he inquired about its capabilities.

The only confirmed aspects were its remarkable durability, a smooth mana conduit and sharpness. The spear's enigmatic aura intrigued Reiji, leaving him eager to uncover its hidden secrets.

Moreover, his exploration of the element of Darkness unveiled its profound qualities that surpassed conventional understanding. Curses, illusions, and all things associated with taboo or dark magic were intricately intertwined with this enigmatic element.

Reiji couldn't help but wonder how this newfound ability might eventually impact his personality. Would its manifestation become apparent in due time, as Rob had mentioned? So far, Reiji hadn't noticed any discernible changes from his past life, but the potential remained tantalizing.

If the Divine Spear Longinus possessed the ability to manipulate its size and shape, much like Sun Wukong's staff, Ruyi Jingu Bang, it would undoubtedly enhance Reiji's strength and versatility. Surprisingly, it was Hajime who had sparked this speculation, even though Reiji was his mentor.

Just like Reiji, Hajime had undergone a remarkable transformation, surpassing his original portrayal and experiencing significant growth in strength. This improvement was attributed to Reiji's eccentric and imaginative mindset, which had been influenced by the anime he had watched in his previous life.

Reiji's unconventional approach had played a pivotal role in elevating Hajime's stats and abilities from their initial mediocre state to a level of considerable prowess.

Although he still remained relatively weak compared to others. Nevertheless, the progress he had made was what truly mattered, didn't it? Reiji had taken it upon himself to train Hajime in his physical abilities as well, similar to how Sebas had trained him. However, the experience proved to be nothing short of torture for Hajime, pushing him to his limits.

Reiji's training regimen encompassed a wide range of activities, seamlessly flowing from one to another. He dedicated himself to practicing mana consumption and replenishment, perfecting his image composition skills, sharpening his quick thinking abilities, delving into the intricacies of structural analysis, and engaging in rigorous physical training, including sparring sessions utilizing his own handcrafted weapons.

Additionally, he eagerly participated in hunting games that mirrored the playful pursuit of a cat chasing a mouse. As for Hajime, the visible signs of exhaustion and the bruises he had obtained from the training sessions prompted Kaori to take on the role of his caretaker. It became evident that Kaori's actions were not merely driven by a sense of duty but also by her desire to forge a closer bond with Hajime.

However, her concern for him remained unwavering, permeating every moment they spent together. This interplay of emotions unveiled a valuable insight for Reiji, adding another layer to his understanding of the dynamics within their group.

Ishtar had initiated his move, manipulating the entire class into aspiring to become heroes. Reiji had caught onto this scheme during the Status Inspection. He had never expected his shield to remain intact forever, but it was now too late for Ishtar to gain control over him.

Tomorrow, Reiji and the rest of the group would venture into the Labyrinth, where they would undergo intensive training away from the castle. By the time they returned, Reiji would have become even stronger.

At this point, there were only a few classmates who could truly rival him, as his focus had been more on immersing himself in the world of magic rather than simply leveling up his stats.

The intricacy of magic intrigued Reiji and prompted him to ponder its limits. Could elements be combined? Could multiple spells be used simultaneously? Were there any other unique elements similar to his darkness element? These questions drove him to venture into the library to delve deeper into the realms of mana and magic.

Furthermore, Reiji had made use of the affinity papers distributed by Lisa. These papers revealed that he possessed additional elements, namely thunder, ice and fire.

Meanwhile, Tatsuya had returned to the castle, assigned a mission or adventure quest by the guild or king. The details eluded Reiji, and honestly, he didn't care. However, enduring Tatsuya's constant taunting and desire for a rematch had become increasingly bothersome. Such as this very moment.

"Come on, Reiji, don't run from this. Let's have a rematch," Tatsuya taunted, his voice filled with provocation, as he pursued Reiji who continued to walk ahead.

Without turning around, Reiji calmly retorted, "Firstly, I'm not running away from you; I'm simply walking. Secondly, why should I waste my time on you? I choose my battles wisely, and engaging in a meaningless confrontation with someone like you is not a priority for me."

A sly smile formed on Reiji's lips as he continued, "However, I do appreciate the favors you've done for me. Oh, and that reminds me, I still have one left. What should I use it for?" His words carried a subtle jab, aimed at unsettling Tatsuya's psyche.

Tatsuya's frustration was palpable as he clenched his hands, his pride stung by Reiji's words. "Seems like winning that match has made you arrogant, huh? I'll give you one more chance, Reiji. Let's have a rematch, and I'll show you why I'm superior to you. I'll knock you down a peg."

Reiji calmly chuckled, dismissing Tatsuya's provocation. "Arrogant, you say? I wouldn't label it as arrogance, but rather confidence, at least in your books. Remember our last match? Exactly. Besides, I have tasks to attend to today, and unfortunately for you, they don't involve entertaining the likes of you, Tatsuya."

Reiji continued his stride, unaffected by Tatsuya's dark expression and tightly clenched fists. Despite feeling the burning intensity of Tatsuya's glare on his back, he remained composed. The air grew heavy with unspoken tension, reflecting the simmering anger of Tatsuya.

Breaking the silence, Tatsuya's voice carried a low growl, laced with frustration. "Don't think this is the end, Reiji. I will find a way to prove my superiority over you. You won't be able to escape it."

Maintaining silence, Reiji pressed forward towards his designated area, undeterred by the lingering tension and the dark expression hovering over Tatsuya's face.

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It was nighttime, and Reiji walked through the hallways of the castle, carrying a tray of food. Before their venture into the Labyrinth, he wanted an update on Hajime's stats and progress. And for those curious about Reiji's own stats, here they are:

╔.★..═════════════════╗

Recent Status

Name; Reiji Sukehiro — Age: 17 — Male — Level: 5

Job: Dark Lord

Strength: 230

Vitality: 190

Defense: 180

Agility: 200

Magic: 310

Magic Defense: 170

Skills: Language Comprehension, Physical Resistance, Dark Magic Efficiency, Spear Proficiency, Darkness Affinity, Darkness Manipulation, Increased Mana Recovery, Stealth, Image Composition, Necromancy, Shadow Manipulation, Detect Presence, Detect Magic, Dark Lords Haki, Mana Manipulation, ???.

Magic: Body Augmentation, Shadowed Resonance, ???, ???, ???.

╚═════════════════. .★.╝

As mentioned previously, Reiji didn't prioritize leveling up and increasing his stats. Instead, he focused on enhancing his mastery over the multitude of skills he possessed, aiming to reach a level of familiarity and instinctive usage.

However, he understood that this wouldn't happen quickly. To Reiji, stats and levels were merely superficial indicators. While they held significance as a measure of power in this world, he firmly believed that three factors would always surpass raw power: mastery, control, and experience.

Imagine a scenario where a five-year-old child, who is inexperienced and wields a sword, possesses greater physical strength and stats than an elderly man who boasts extensive experience and mastery of martial arts. It becomes evident that the outcome of their encounter is quite clear, isn't it?

Approaching Hajime's door, Reiji kicked it open with ease, still holding a tray in his hands. He walked into the room, causing Hajime to be taken aback. "Why did you kick open the door?" Hajime asked, a mixture of shock and confusion evident in his voice.

"It was in the way," Reiji simply replied, nonchalantly placing his tray of food on a nearby table stool before taking a seat. As he began to eat, he observed Hajime and asked, "How are you feeling about tomorrow?"

Sitting on his bed, Hajime interlocked his hands and lowered his head, his nervousness palpable. "To be honest, I'm scared. Thanks to you, I've become stronger than ever before, and I appreciate that. However, the prospect of fighting..." He let out a sigh, lifting his gaze to meet Reiji's eyes as he continued.

"You're probably aware of this already, but I've been a victim of bullying for most of my high school years," Hajime confided, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "I haven't had many friends, and those I did manage to make eventually distanced themselves from me out of fear of becoming targets too."

"I've always been an outcast. You, Reiji, were probably the first person in a long time who genuinely helped me improve myself. I've started gaining some confidence, and the weight of my biggest insecurity since coming here has been gradually lifting off my shoulders."

Hajime's voice trembled with uncertainty as he asked the question that weighed heavily on his mind, "I have just one goal: to return home. But, do you think I'll ever be able to achieve that?"

After savoring the last sip of his drink, Reiji gently placed the glass on the tabletop and released a contented sigh. He shifted his gaze towards Hajime, his expression calm and thoughtful. "To answer your question, no. No, I don't believe you will be able to achieve that as you are now."

Feeling a pang of disappointment at Reiji's words, Hajime found himself lost in his own thoughts. "As I am right now?" he mumbled quietly to himself, contemplating the implications.

Nodding, Reiji continued, "I'm going to be brutally honest with you." Hajime acknowledged his words with a nod, signaling for him to proceed. "You are currently lacking in strength. In fact, you are so weak that even someone like Kaori, who avoids violence, could defeat you in a fight."

"Despite your improving stats and skill mastery, you still have a lot to learn. Your ultimate goal is a long-term aspiration that could take years to achieve. Instead of solely focusing on that, consider what you can do in the present and near future to increase your strength and knowledge."

"Embrace the opportunities available to you now. As for feeling afraid of what tomorrow holds, it's natural, but dwelling in fear won't lead you anywhere. Yes, fear is useful. It's designed to protect us from harm and ensure our survival from dangerous situations. However, it is crucial to recognize that fear should not dictate or control our lives."

"And the only way for you to truly overcome your fear is by confronting it head on."

As Reiji's words sank in, Hajime found himself lost in thought until a sudden knock on the door interrupted his musings. Confused, Reiji turned to Hajime and asked, "Were you expecting someone?"

Shaking his head, Hajime denied any knowledge of expecting anyone else to visit. Rising from his bed, he made his way to the door and opened it, revealing the unexpected visitor.

"Huh?" Hajime muttered in disbelief as he momentarily stiffened upon seeing Kaori standing on the other side. She was wearing nothing but a cardigan over her pure white negligee. "What in tarnation?"

Startled by his reaction, Hajime unintentionally slipped into an odd accent for a brief moment. Kaori looked at him with a blank expression, indicating that she hadn't quite caught what he said.

Collecting himself as best he could, Hajime composed his voice and asked Kaori what she wanted, all the while attempting to avert his gaze and minimize any lingering stares. Despite his advocacy for 2D characters, Hajime was still a teenage boy, and Kaori's appearance proved to be a bit too stimulating for him.

Perplexed by Hajime's hesitation, Reiji rose from his seat and made his way to the entrance hall. "Are you just going to stand there, or will you let her in, Hajime?" he inquired, urging him to take action.

Snapping out of his momentary daze, Hajime opened the door and welcomed Kaori inside, while Reiji returned to his seat. Reiji couldn't help but speculate about the reason for Kaori's unexpected visit, although his thoughts were mere conjectures at this point.

As they entered the room, he heard the door click shut, signifying that Hajime had closed it behind them. Happily walking to the table near the window, Kaori sat down as Hajime brewed some tea. Finishing the tea, he served it to both Kaori and Reiji before sitting in front of her as he quickly began talking.

"So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about? The dungeon trip tomorrow?" Kaori nodded in affirmation, and her smile was replaced by an unbelievably grave expression.

"It's actually a miracle that Reiji was already with you, Nagumo-kun." Raising an eyebrow at that, Reiji turned towards them and examined her body language. She seemed nervous, confused, and above all else, scared. It confused Reiji, and he was curious about what she needed to talk about.

Continuing, she took a deep breath as she faced the two of them. "I want you... both of you to stay here when we go to the labyrinth tomorrow. I'll convince the instructors and the rest of our classmates, so please, don't go!" Kaori grew more and more heated as she spoke, and by the end, she was leaning forward into Hajime, pleading with him.

Standing from his seat, Reiji walked over to where Kaori and Hajime were sitting. He looked at Kaori with a curious expression and asked, "What do you mean by that? And why do you want us to refrain from going to the Labyrinth tomorrow?"

He wanted to understand the reasons behind Kaori's request and the urgency in her voice. Reiji had a feeling that there was more to the situation than met the eye, and he couldn't ignore the sense of concern emanating from Kaori.

Nodding in response to his question she answered:

"I had a premonition…"

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Author Words:

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