"Those damn potholes," cursed Bao. "Every time we ride into one, all the wounds from yesterday's fight start throbbing again, ugh."

"Don't blame others for your own recklessness," scolded Elincia.

"Even though you did indeed act rashly, I and the other guards are still in debt to you for saving us from an ambush." Morell who sat on the opposite side of him yawned out loud.

The carriage, in which they travelled, was the exact same that brought him into the city for the first time. Seven of the best soldiers from Elincia's personal guards were chosen to accompany them on their journey. Six surrounded the carriage on horses, protecting it from possible ambushes while the last one served as coachman.

"You seem worried about something Morell, what are you two looking at?", asked Bao, who laid across the whole bench on the opposite side of the carriage. Elincia had forced him to do so, with the argumentation that he would be back on his feet much quicker.

On the other side, the elf and the adventurer were looking through a stack of old brown papers.

"The supplies we packed before our departure are running low, we even already ran out of alcohol and fruits. We planned to stack up our food in a village we should reach throughout the day but the weather worries me." Bao looked out of the small window, inserted into the door of the carriage. Thick, dark clouds had begun to cluster the clear blue sky turning it into a black sea instead of a blue one. "If it starts raining before we reach it, we'll have to ration our remaining provisions," continued Morell.

"Why is that?"

"Because the horses and the carriage carrying all the equipment will get stuck in the muddy street, causing a delay in our plans for a minimum of two more days," answered Elincia without looking up from the papers. "Anyway, I'm pretty sure we will reach the village at the end of the day before it even starts to rain."

Morell wrinkled his forehead in doubt, making his face look like that of an old man.

"It's not like we can change the weather or the road anyway, so we might as well enjoy our ride as much as possible," agreed Bao in order to alleviate Morell's doubts.

"Said the one who bitches around since he woke up," said Morell just to break out in laughter soon after.

Bao simply shrugged it off and since he had nothing else to do in his state of misery and pain, he checked his current stats.

David Level 11 HP 56/70 MP 0/0 Strength 14 Perception 2 Endurance 2 Charisma 6 Intelligence 3 Agility 2 Luck 2 Skills World Traveller Level 1 Scuffle Level 3 -> 5 Backstab Level 2 -> 3 Gathering Level 1 -> 2 Sneaking Level 1 -> 3 Swordsmanship Level 1 -> 6 Berserker Level 1 Titles Acquaintance Of The Holy Maiden Soulwalker Farmers Saviour Stampede Survivor Adventurers pupil

Most of his skills had increased, just like the last time he checked, but even with the most recent deadly fight against the Orks, his level didn't seem to have gone up yet. There must have been something he was overlooking, a reason for him not level up, despite all the harsh training sessions and battles he went through in the past days.

"Say Morell, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, my worthless pupil." His teacher looked up from the papers and smirked. "What do you need."

"I feel like... hmm... my fighting skills and experiences are kinda... let's say stagnant lately."

"You mean you feel like you have reached a bottleneck?"

Bao nodded.

"Hmm." Morell ran his fingers through the thick brown beard. "Let me ask you this, do you think that the fight yesterday had to end with you being heavily injured like this? Or could you have done it better? With fewer wounds and less blood."

"They had the upper hand, it was to against one. Two Orks to be specific, how could I have possibly..."

"Then let me rephrase the question, do you think I could've killed them without getting injured?" Interrupted Morell.

"Yes..., yes of course you would be able to."

"Then it's not because you were outnumbered that you got reduced to minced meat but rather something else."

Bao turned around on the uncomfortable wooden bench, he no longer felt the stinging pain throughout his body, not that it subsided, he simply didn't feel it anymore.

"I have no idea... is it because I was careless?"

Morell shook his head.

"Reckless, like Elincia always says?"

"Hey leave me out of the game here."

Morell shook his head.

"I really have no clue, maybe because I'm inexperienced?"

"That's right, you collected a bit of experience against some lowly goblins and slimes but those were trivial fights, good for a first experience at best." The adventurer shrugged his shoulders. "Your approach to the fight was wrong, to begin with, and you still haven't developed a decent intuition for what to do and how to move during a battle."

"Experience huh... I don't think that's a coincidence," murmured Bao. "Anyway. Thank you, Morell, I think I found the answer I was looking for."

"Always glad to help."

"Have you ever thought of becoming a teacher or a guild master?", asked Elincia using the short silence. "I think you would do a great job at it, and it seems to me that you also have your fun with it."

"Naa, I don't think so. My world is out here fighting monsters and travelling through all parts of this world."

Just as Elincia wanted to respond, the faint sound of raindrops falling onto the roof of the carriage could be heard.

"Dammit, I knew we wouldn't make it in time," hissed Morell.

"Well, it's not like the street is going to turn into mud instantly." As Elincia spoke the last word, one of the guards knocked on the door of the carriage. She opened a crack.

"Good news Miss, the village is visible at the end of the road."