AN: So umm... Despite being in my test week, I started a new series. It won't be uploaded until I'm sure I can continue it but yea... Well, Hope you enjoy this chapter~ XD
It has been a day since Crimson Lightning left Lingenia and were on their way towards the royal capital of Arcland, Arcadia.
On the first night, Leon and the others were discussing about the sleeping arrangements. Normally, they would sleep on the carriage or set up tents on the ground. However, although the carriage lent to them could fit eight people, it didn't allow all eight to lay down and sleep comfortably. They could sleep while sitting down but since it was incredibly uncomfortable and left it as a last resort.
Because that was the norm and they've never knew someone who has <<Inventory>>, most of them didn't realise until Leon suggest that they could just set up a camp on the ground near the woods.
Leon had bought several tents since he expected to travel long distance. Since his player assistants will also join him, he had to buy more than one tent since one of them could only fit two or three people at most. In addition, there was a need to separate the tents by gender, though that point was debated at length by Freya last night. In the end, since there were four tents, it was decided that Lily would sleep with Mia, Rafael with Alex, Freya with Vyra and Leon with Charlotte.
Freya had complained since she wanted to sleep with Leon but since he considers Charlotte his sister, it would be better than sleeping together with Freya. Charlotte was happily clinging on to Leon knowing that they would sleep together while Freya, Vyra and Lily stared at her with envy.
Leon woke up and found Charlotte hugging his arm as she slept. He moved slowly as to not wake her up, free his arm, and went outside the tent.
It was incredibly quiet and he could feel the cold refreshing breeze on his face. Leon took out a bucket and filled it with water using magic to wash his face. As he did so, he sensed magic power in a distance.
Leon activated his stealth skill and walked slowly towards it. As he enter the woods, he became certain that there was magic power in the distance.
As Leon closes in to the source of the magic power, he saw the figure of a woman he knew training with magic.
Since creating magic arrows require great amount of control over magic power, Lily was training her magic power control by sustaining several water balls at once for a period of time.
Leon didn't want to disturb her concentration and decided to leave her be. However as he was about to leave, Lily collapsed as if her strings have been cut.
He ran towards Lily and caught her before she fell to the ground. Although his physical abilities were high, it was thanks to the bonus movement speed given by <<Skill: Stealth>> that he was able to catch her.
The skill was canceled right after he touched Lily, causing his presence to suddenly appear out of nowhere and surprised Lily.
"E-Eh?! Leon?! Wh-Where did you come from?"
"I'm sorry if I startled you."
"I-It is fine..."
Lily blushed as she was in Leon's arm. She was incredibly embarrassed but since she has no energy to get up, she stayed still. It's definitely not because Lily just wanted to stay in his arm because she loves it. Definitely not...
Noticing Lily's flushed face, Leon misunderstood and thought that her condition worsen.
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Name: Lily Verandi
Age: 18
Job: Adventurer
Level: 27
Title: -
HP: 9825 / 9825
MP: 505 / 8562
PHY ATK: 7697
PHY DEF: 5240 (+300)
MGC ATK: 6425
MGC DEF: 4350
Equipment:
Light Leather Armor (+300 PHY DEF, +2 AGI, +3 DEX, +2 VIT)
Strength: 11
Agility: 20 (+2)
Dexterity: 16 (+3)
Intelligence: 18
Vitality: 10 (+2)
Status: None
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With his <<Examine>> skill, Leon found out that her mana was incredibly low and gave her a mid tier mana potion which restored 5000 mana points. One mid tier mana potion costs 5 silver which could rent a room in an inn complete with food for a few days. Mana potions were valuable as they are really important for mages and their ingredients, mainly the Introsia plant, are hard to find. It wasn't because they were rare, but because Introsia's appearance were similar to common weed which cause adventurers to pick mostly weed rather than Introsia while gathering.
Lily didn't know what she was given to drink by Leon. But since it was Leon, she knew that he won't give her anything that would harm her. As she drank it, she felt energy flowing into her.
It was then that she realised what it was and immediately stood up in a panic.
"Le-Leon! Was that a mana potion?"
"Hm? Yes, I gave you a mana potion."
"W-Why is it more effective than usual?"
"It was a mid tier mana potion so it should recover more mana."
"Eh?! Mid tier?! You shouldn't waste it! It's expensive right?"
"I have bought quite a few so you shouldn't mind it. Also, giving it to you is not a waste."
"Eh?! B-But..."
"It is fine, Lily."
"Le-Leon... Thank you very much."
"You are very welcome."
Lily was incredibly grateful and happy that Leon would give her something as expensive as a mana potion. Although she got quite a hefty sum of money from selling the behemoth, Lily had lived in a village her whole life. She wasn't used to being able to buy expensive things and have lived conservatively. In fact, the ornamental hair clip that caught her attention was the first time she got interested in accessory. It wasn't because she loved luxury, but rather the fact that the gem reminded her of Leon's crimson eyes.
She remembered her date with Leon as she stared feverishly at Leon. He showed a confused expression which snapped her out of her delusion. She was incredibly embarrassed because Leon noticed that she was staring at him and covered her flushed face with her hands. She didn't want him to think that she's a scatter brain or a creepy woman who stared at him for no reason. In fact, Leon might hate being stared at by women since it happened almost all the time.
Seeing Lily acting like this, Leon recalled the time she was surrounded by thugs in Lingenia. She was incredibly scared that time and was unable to defend herself. Although Leon managed to get there in time, he was worried that she might end up in a similar situation.
Lily is an incredibly lovely girl and in addition to her timid personality, men would desperately court her and even turned towards violence. As Leon thought that, he felt a prick in his heart. It was anger which came from the mere thought of Lily being taken forcefully by other men. Fortunately, he managed to hold his anger back and began thinking logically for a solution which he found shortly.
"Lily, how about we train your stamina?"
"Stamina?"
"Yes. You would require a certain amount of stamina in order to concentrate on magic and aiming your bow right? That is why I think it would improve your magic and archery at the same time."
"I see! But what kind of training do I have to do?"
"I'll teach you a martial art form which could improve your concentration and self defense, and do various endurance training for stamina every morning. Is that okay with you?"
"Yes!"