When Neon woke up two days after the incident, he still felt exhausted.
He hadn’t realized that, after all those clashes, he had pushed his body and magic beyond their limits.
The fatigue had gradually built up, and when he opened his eyes, he saw one of the women from the village wiping his forehead.
When she noticed that he was awake, she panicked slightly and called the others.
He lifted his head, still a little dazed.
They gathered around him.
One of them brought him some food, while another brought him the map of the region, just as he had asked two days earlier.
— Oh, thank you!
I’m starving!
he said cheerfully.
They all watched him eat as if they were looking at some strange creature.
— What?
Aren’t you eating?
They all shook their heads.
One of them then timidly explained that they had already eaten.
He shrugged as if to say okay.
He finished eating, then picked up the map and unfolded it.
Fortunately, after spending so much time around the chief, he had a general idea of where they were.
He spotted the name of the city Lucius had told him about.
It was about five days away on foot from their village.
— You… where are you taking us?
one of them asked.
— We’re going to the city of Lynien.
It’s about five days away from here.
Do you think you’ll be able to make the whole journey?
They nodded.
Then they began to rejoice.
— We’re finally leaving this hell!
one of them said, tears welling up in her eyes.
They all hugged each other.
I understand them, poor things.
Some of them have been here for more than ten years.
Living through ten years of suffering and abuse would be enough to drive anyone mad.
Even I ended up snapping.
It feels good to see them this happy.
It must be the first time in a long while that they’ve had this much freedom.
He watched them with a smile.
One of the children approached him and timidly thanked him.
He smiled back reassuringly.
He stood up and went outside.
While he had been sleeping, they had moved all the bodies and buried them.
He was stunned by their kindness.
If he had been in their place, he would have left the bodies where they were.
He began making preparations and counted how many women and children there were.
He had to stay organized because the road was dangerous.
As the only one among them who knew anything about the outside world, he was responsible for all their lives.
— All right, everyone, gather around.
They all gathered in the center of the village.
He sorted them according to their injuries: those who still had broken bones, those who only had bruises, and the children suffering from similar injuries.
They had found two carts that had been taken during two robberies of merchants.
Those who couldn’t move very well, along with the youngest children, would ride in one cart, while the other would be used to carry the food.
The rest, including Neon, would have to walk.
In total, there were nineteen women and seven children between the ages of three and eight.
They prepared enough supplies for the five-day journey, and even a little extra just in case.
They loaded everything into the carts, along with blankets and medical supplies for the injured, then left the village without a second thought.
They all left with lighter hearts, placing all their hopes in Neon.
Maria and Lucius had resumed training, but this time, it was serious.
What Lucius made Maria do was difficult.
She had to keep up with him as they ran in every direction for two hours to warm up.
Then they trained hand-to-hand, but Lucius never struck back for fear of hurting her.
She couldn’t touch him either, but as time went by, her reflexes became sharper.
Then, using Emilya’s dagger, she had to perform two hundred strikes following a predetermined pattern, then repeat them until exhaustion.
After that, she did strength exercises such as push-ups, knee raises, and other exercises.
She wasn’t allowed to get into the cart until she had completed the entire program.
When she finished, she looked like a zombie.
She was completely exhausted, but refused to give up.
After a while, she finally complained to Emilya, who was holding her in her arms, that Lucius was being too hard on her.
— I understand.
Lucius, don’t you think what you’re making her do is a little excessive?
Emilya asked.
— With an attitude like that, she’ll last three months at the academy at most, I’m telling you, Lucius replied.
At first, he said she wouldn’t even last a week.
That means she’s making progress, Emilya thought.
— I started training her the way they do at the academy, and I’ve even made it easier.
The real training is even harder, Lucius said calmly.
They all stared at him in astonishment.
— When they enroll, everyone is motivated, but within the first few weeks, more than half of them quit for various reasons.
After three months, only a handful remain.
And those who graduate after three years can be counted on one hand.
— And I thought becoming a warrior was easy… Listening to you, it sounds like a distant dream, Maria said, tears in her eyes as she watched her dream begin to slip away.
— Don’t get discouraged.
Becoming a mage is difficult too.
Normally, it takes five years to complete the training and become a level 4 mage, Lana said.
— What?
Why not level 5?
Maria asked.
— To reach the fifth level, you need to gain experience and understand how to use your magic effectively in dangerous or hostile environments.
So depending on where you go or who you fight, the level scale can be different.
That’s why everyone who finishes the academy after five years is only level 4, and why level 5 mages are so rare.
It’s the hardest threshold to cross, Emilya replied.
Lucius and Maria looked at her in confusion.
— If you fight a goblin in a cave, you’ll gain experience, but not enough to reach level 5.
You need something like a breakthrough.
— Is that how it happened for you?
Maria asked.
— Yes.
— In six years, I’ve only managed to reach level 3, Lana lamented.
— Don’t worry.
Some people reach level 4 after six years, so you’re barely behind.
For a self-taught mage, I think you’re actually doing very well.
The consistency of your mana proves that you’ve trained hard and that your ability matches your level, unlike a certain someone, Emilya said, teasing Neon.
— Now that I think about it… How long did it take you to cross all the thresholds?
Lucius asked curiously.
— Me?
Two years, Emilya replied calmly.
— Two years?!
Maria, Lucius, and Lana exclaimed.
I knew she was particularly gifted with magic, but I didn’t think she was that talented, Lucius thought in amazement.
She’s incredible.
I knew she was strong and intelligent, but reaching that level in only two years… That’s an achievement, Lana thought.
She’s amazing.
Not only is she strong, intelligent, and beautiful, but she also has a natural talent for something she loves doing.
She’s truly someone to look up to, Maria thought.
Lana turned toward Emilya, her eyes shining, and asked if she really couldn’t take her on as her disciple.
If Emilya had been reluctant at first, this time she said she would think about it.
Since she had taken care of Melvis when she had been injured by the bandit, Emilya wondered if she had judged Lana too quickly because of her illness.
She was therefore seriously considering how she could help her.
They continued quietly toward the capital, while Neon slowly made his way toward Lynien.
What a nightmare this journey is!
Am I cursed or something?
We keep running into monsters more dangerous than the last.
I nearly lost some of the girls along the way.
He complained inwardly.
Fortunately, we made it safely to the place we were told about, he thought with relief.
He passed through the city gates.
There was a somewhat gloomy atmosphere in the city, but since he was used to seeing expressions like these, he didn’t think much of it.
He approached a passerby and asked whether he knew Count Damien and, if so, where he could find him.
The passerby ignored his question and walked away.
He found it a little strange, but didn’t think much of it.
He asked another person, but they all ignored him as if he were crazy.
Suddenly, an old man dressed as a priest called out to him and motioned for him to follow.
— You’re new here, aren’t you?
the old man asked.
— Yes.
Excuse me, why does everyone look so gloomy?
Neon asked innocently.
— Please excuse their behavior.
A short while ago, we received some news that has shaken us all.
— Oh, I see.
I won’t take up much of your time.
I’m looking for a certain Count Damien.
Is he here?
I was told I could find him here.
— Tell me, young man, who gave you that information?
— A man named Lucius.
Do you know him?
The old priest sighed.
— So the news hasn’t reached you yet?
— What?
What are you talking about?
Neon asked worriedly.
— Count Damien passed away recently.