Mature Content Warning: None

Author's Notes: This chapter is very short, but it gets the job done.

Chapter 43: Those Peaceful Days ...

The forest glade was filled with the sights and smells of nature. Wildflowers permeated the air with their perfume. Small birds and the occasional drone of a bee gaze rise to a natural music that competed with the airy sound of the background music.

Scott finished his cast of the blue water fang so that Sharde could see what his primordial magic did. He had chosen to speak with her regarding his magic before he spoke with Rhea about that minor little thing she had opted not to tell him about in detail.

After the water works died down the ninja girl nodded. “Not bad. Things will get better when you truly master it.”

“They will? How so?”

“Well, I’ll let you find that out on your own. You’ll like it, though.” said Sharde. She winked at him when he seemed like he was going to complain.

Scott frowned. What sort of help was this? “Seriously...?”

“Yes, primordial magic usage will make you one of the stronger sorcerers on the continent. You just have to figure out the finer details.” said Sharde.

“That’s one of the reasons that I came to see you...”griped Scott.

“I know. I know.” said Sharde. She smiled at him in a pleasant way then gestured toward a nearby stump.

Scott turned to look at the stump and Sharde grinned. He waited for her to do something, but she never did. So, he asked her, “Why did you want me to look at that stump?”

Sharde snorted. “That’s my point exactly.”

Scott stared at her. She had a point?

The ninja master rolled her eyes. “I pointed at a stump. You looked at it then asked me why I pointed at a stump.”

“Thank you for captioning my life...” remarked Scott. He had begun to feel a little annoyed at this conversation.

Sharde laughed loudly then shook her head. “You still don’t get it? Fine, shall I tell you?”

“Yes, yes you shall.” said Scott with a hopeful expression.

“Alright, listen to big sister Sharde and do exactly what she says....” said Sharde.

Scott nodded and she grinned in response. The underdressed ninja master pointed at the stump once more.

Sharde said, “If I tell you exactly how primordial magic works it will be no different than pointing at that stump while expecting you to understand a great truth.”

Scott looked at her curiously but said nothing. She was trying to make a point, he hoped.

The ninja girl winked at Scott. “It’s the same thing. Get it?”

“I’m not that bright.” said Scott. What was she on about, anyway?

Sharde sighed loudly. “Of course... I’ll be blunt. Is that what you want?”

“Yes, I would prefer that.” said Scott with a smile.

The ninja snorted at him once, loudly. “Fine... If I tell you everything that you need to know about primordial magic, you won’t learn it properly. I might as well point at a random stump and expect you to know the fundamental secrets of the universe.”

Scott frowned at her for a moment then sighed. “I see. Can you at least tell me a good training path for it?”

“It? Oh, you mean that bullshit spell you learned?” asked Sharde with a smile.

“Uh, yes...” said Scott. Bullshit spell? Was it really bullshit?

Sharde laughed loudly. “Don’t waste your time with that crappy spell, Scott. Just master it and move on. It’s just something basic that you learn in order to gain the real power of primordial magic.”

“Which is...?” asked Scott.

Sharde started to say something then caught herself. “Stop being clever... I’ll ruin your future.”

Scott blinked when she suddenly jumped at landed in front of him. The girl had become a little too close for comfort, far too quickly. Not that he would have minded normally, but he was no longer a single man and she was the sister of someone he cared a great deal about. Even if that relationship was incredibly new and still a bit raw, he did not want to hurt Rhea.

“I’ll tell you two things, but answer no questions, alright?” said Sharde. She leaned in closer, far too close.

“Sure....” said Scott. He leaned back a little but it did no good. She closed the distance once more.

“First, primordial magic is the most ancient and powerful form of magic. It is the power the gods use to make this world. It is a free form creative power.”

“What do you mean free form creative power?” asked Scott.

Sharde leaned further against him and he was forced back against a tree to avoid her attempt to invade his personal space. “I’ll answer no questions....”

Scott pressed himself against the tree and she leaned into him. His eyes widened when she kissed him firmly on the lips. He hesitated for a brief moment then started to push her away. However, it was unnecessary.

Sharde pulled back then said, “Second... You blew it pal. I’m a taken woman now.”

Scott blinked at her and she smiled at him. “Taken?”

Her eyes flared wide then she leapt back and away from him with impossible grace. She performed an immaculate mid-air backflip that showed him far more than he should have seen. After landing she opened her fan then fanned it casually before she said, “I’ll answer no questions...”

Scott stared at the odd girl for a moment then she threw back her head and laughed, “Oh ho ho ho ho.”

***

Ero fluttered about the small lake near the mountain cabin. She loved the scenery of the area and could not help but enjoy the feeling of being nearly fresh water. The sea was nice, but nothing beat a nice lake or spring. She flew about while she merrily hummed a happy little tune.

Nearby, Rhea sifted through her inventory in an attempt to determine what to change. Her current equipment was good, and the agility penalties were practically non-existent. However, she knew that playtime was over. Gambol had spilled the beans to Scott, so now she would need to stop wearing her standard outfit and focus on using better equipment.

She glanced at her inventory then tilted her head to the left. The problem was that she was still quite low in level. She had not planned to upgrade to her next equipment set until she had reached level twenty-five. However, there was no reason to hold back now. If Scott knew some of the truth, and wanted to know more, then she would upgrade to better equipment as soon as she could use it without penalty.

“I’ll just equip a new sword for now, maybe a ring or other accessory as well.” said Rhea.

She felt like it was overkill but she pulled out her best sword, or rather, the best sword that she carried in her inventory.

She refused to keep her decent equipment with her. She had that stored away for when she was beyond level one hundred.

Rhea looked at her blade and smiled. If she used this then gaining levels quickly would be no problem at all. It was too bad, though. She had enjoyed allowing Scott to feel superior. He had needed the confidence boost. Though, she had to admit to herself that his new armor set was nice for low-end gear. He had a good eye for such things.

The high elf sighed wistfully. If only he had chosen a swordsmanship profession. She would have gladly given him this sword. She did not keep any unarmed combat gear around. It was probably for the best, however. He needed to learn the way the world works and struggle to gain his levels. Otherwise, he would not be ready for what was to come. Level was not everything, after all.

She eyed her blade once more then inspected the stats to make certain she was using the right one. It would be embarrassing to use the wrong weapon.

<<< Item >>>

Blade of the Starlight Dancer

A weapon forged by a grandmaster swordsmith. The Blade of the Starlight Dancer has an edge so keen that it is said to be capable of cutting through anything.

Attack: + 697

Durability: 670/670

Value: 36,234,679

Special

Atomic Edge: Attack damage ignores physical defense.

Dynamic Vacuum Arc-Slash: Generates a vacuum effect that allows the attack range of the weapon to increase to three times the length of the blade.

Heroic Strength: Strength +400

Dancer’s Grace: Agility +250

Nocturnal Embrace: Regenerates Health at a rate 5% of the damage dealt to opponents.

Soul Devouring: Drains Mana from opponents at a rate of 5% of the damage dealt.

Grandmaster’s Secret

Starlight Flash: A special technique that allows the wielder of the blade to move with incredible speed in singular directions.

>>

Rhea sighed at the blade. “Way too much for my level, but oh well. Might as well cut down our leveling time.”

She unequipped a set of bracelets that she wore then felt her power increase by a profound degree. Just to be sure, she decided to check her status. She had told Scott that her stats were lower than his, but to be honest that was not the case. She had reincarnated a few times and as such even at level ten she was a little more advanced than he was.

Only her equipment choices had limited what she could do since her attack and defense bonuses were not as high as a sorcerer’s. However, in order to better match with Scott she had used suppression bracelets to lower her stats. They were a common tool of law enforcement in the world, though the ones that guards used tended to look plain. Her set was made of mithril and looked like lovely jewelry to prevent people from realizing what they were.

<<< Status >>>

Name: Rhea Ardente | Class: Arcane Blade | Race: High-Elf

Title: Divine Harbinger

Age: 201 | Level: 10

EXP: 112600

Next Level: 98600

Ability Points: 27869

Health: 590[590] | Mana: 667[667]

Attack: 468[3097] | Defense: 394[2628]

Strength: 530[930] | Agility: 597[847] | Accuracy: 482[482]

Intellect: 563[563] | Luck: 312[312]

>>

Her normal stats were quite a bit higher than someone who had never reincarnated would be able to acquire. She had not even bothered to use her ability points to increase her stats during this incarnation, yet. They had been carried over and she had built them up throughout their adventure.

“What accessories to choose...?” She had not bothered to wear anything useful because of her suppression bracelets. After looking through her items, she sighed then shook her head. There was no need to use them yet.

She looked over and saw Ero shaking hands with a butterfly. The innocent image made her smile. Her smile faded a little as thoughts of what was to come invaded her mind. “How many more of these peaceful days will we have?”