A modest home

"Who am I?" The question hit Jack with the force of a slap. 'This is the guy who's supposed to protect me in a pinch… and he doesn't even know who I am?'

Jack's expression went blank as he processed Alogra's words.

"You just messed up my beautiful shrubs! Do you have any idea how rare those things are? Not to mention how hard they are to cultivate," Alogra snapped, clearly upset. Jack could see the pain in his eyes as he looked at the crushed plants scattered on the ground.

"Huh?" Jack's puzzled gaze followed Alogra's, only now noticing the ring of trampled, oddly-shaped plants that surrounded him. He took in the scene with a sigh, pulling himself to his feet. Mud coated him from head to toe, staining his clothes and smeared across his face, making him feel like a complete mess.

Alogra watched him with a calm, assessing gaze, like he was cataloging every little detail of Jack's response. He waited in silence, seemingly expecting an introduction.

"I'm Asriel Digmun," Jack replied coolly, even as he cursed under his breath. 'From my father, to the driver, to Alogra himself—they all gave me a false sense of safety.' The thought made his jaw clench, though he forced himself to smile.

'If I didn't have a few spells up my sleeve, that overgrown squirrel would've made a meal out of me,' he thought bitterly.

"Ah… now I remember. From Kingdom Ciriaus, right?" Alogra said, scratching his head as though he was still piecing together a puzzle.

"Yes, it's an honor to meet you, Lord Alogra," Jack replied with a stiff bow. 'Honor, my foot. I'd slap you right now if I thought I could get away with it.'

"Good, good," Alogra said, nodding. "Looks like you had a little trouble on the way here?"

"Trouble is putting it lightly," Jack muttered.

"Ah, well, good thing you didn't get killed, or I wouldn't know what to tell Aldermond…" Alogra trailed off, scratching his scruffy beard.

Jack struggled to keep his face neutral as frustration bubbled up. 'Good thing I didn't get killed? I felt a giant tongue practically taste my head! If I hadn't been quick enough, I'd be that beast's breakfast by now!'

He could barely hold back a snort as Alogra rambled on, his fake smile faltering.

But something in him ticked. 'This guy should be powerful, right?' Jack decided to put his skills to use, mentally activating his system.

[Appraisal skill activated!]

[Name: Alogra Velianor]

[Level: ???]

'That's it?' Jack's brows knit together in disappointment. 'So there are people out there that even this skill can't read? Or maybe something's blocking it. Just how strong is Alogra?'

Alogra continued talking, oblivious to Jack's growing frustration. "You were lucky, then. If you hadn't reached here, you'd have ended up as a raw snack. Trion hasn't eaten in days, and we've been combing the forest for decent meat."

Alogra's eyes wandered over to the path Trion had disappeared down, a slight smirk touching his lips. 'Just live a little longer, beast. I'll come for you once you've fattened up,' Alogra thought with satisfaction.

Jack narrowed his eyes, catching a glimpse of the older man's hidden bloodthirstiness. It felt unsettling to realize how many creatures Alogra must have hunted down for sport. 'Is that what he does? Slaughters everything around him until there's nothing left?' Jack wondered, his patience thinning.

Alogra's murmuring thoughts took a turn, and he seemed to get lost in his own memories. "When I first came to this forest, it was crawling with beasts—dangerous creatures, nothing like the ones near Hughiner Kingdom but strong in their own right. Now, though, it's a barren hunting ground." He gave a disappointed sigh. "Might have to head somewhere else soon."

Jack stifled the urge to roll his eyes. 'Focus already, old man. I didn't come here to watch you daydream. Just teach me the sword so I can get out of here.'

His mind raced, calculating the time he had left. Hubris was approaching fast, and he couldn't afford to waste time. 'I'll spend three years with this man, just enough to learn what I need. Then, I'll finish my training in the academy.' He silently rehearsed his plan.

"Come on," Alogra finally said, breaking free from his thoughts. "I'll show you to your room."

He turned and strode toward the small hut in the clearing. Jack followed, grateful to finally have a task that didn't involve standing in the mud.

The interior of the hut surprised him. It was larger than he'd expected, simply but comfortably furnished. A red carpet with intricate black designs stretched across the floor, covering nearly every inch of the room. Paintings of ferocious creatures and battle scenes lined the walls, each one a testament to Alogra's past victories.

'Only five rooms in total,' Jack noted as they moved through the short corridor. One was a parlor, another a kitchen, with a dining area attached, and two bedrooms tucked at the end.

"This is where you'll be staying," Alogra said, crossing an arm over Jack's shoulders as they stopped at a doorway. "It's humble, but you'll get used to it."

Jack tensed at the touch and subtly shrugged Alogra's arm away. "Thank you," he replied, forcing himself to remain polite.

Alogra paused, watching him with a faintly raised eyebrow, but said nothing. "Your things have already been brought in by Aldermond. Everything you need should be in there," he added with a nod toward the room.

Finally alone, Jack let out a sigh of relief as Alogra retreated to the sitting room, leaving him some breathing space. Taking a deep breath, Jack stepped into his new quarters. The room was modest but well-maintained. A stone wall formed the backdrop for a narrow bed, beside which a pile of luggage sat waiting. A small door led to a private bathroom.

'Not exactly the castle,' he thought, 'but it'll have to do.'

Jack's attention quickly shifted to his bags. He rifled through them like a man on a mission, pulling out clothes and tossing them aside as he searched. His eyes scanned each item, anticipation buzzing in his veins. 'Urek has to have packed it in here. He's the only one I trust.'

After several minutes of sifting through belts, cloaks, and assorted gear, Jack's fingers finally closed around something solid and familiar. A thrill ran through him as he pulled the object free from his belongings, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

'Yes! It's here.'