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Chapter 9: Popping the Question

Another two years had passed and I had gotten proficient at using both Water and Rock Style with both hands. It had taken longer because of having to learn both styles with both arms. My father had suggested that I make sure I was able to use both styles well so that I would have a better chance of winning the tournament in Paolona. I thought that better adaptivity would mean a better chance of winning the tournament. Being able to use both hands I felt would be a great way to get an edge. Especially as I had made sure to learn to use both two handed and one handed sword. And now I felt ready so I asked my dad’s permission to enter the tournament this time and he agreed.

Emi had also grown a bit as a swordsman, she was a far better Water Style sword fighter than I was as she seemed to be able to react better and counter than me but she had also been started a year ago learning Rock Style from my father which meant I had the edge in Rock Style. Because of this we had some well fought battles. We were fairly evenly matched and even Lisa Rassi congratulated me on my progress saying, “I never believed that you would match my sister.”

Although Emi had grown and hit her growth spurt earlier, I had just started my puberty so I was now taller than Emi. She now seemed to wear her blonde hair longer than before and it shined golden in the sun. We had become very close through our hard practices taught by her sister and shared everything with each other.

After one such practice it popped into my mind to ask the question, “Hey Emi I’ve really enjoyed these practices together. I have a question to ask you.” I had never really asked someone for a favor so I was fairly nervous

“Oh what’s the question?” She blushed as if she was preparing herself.

I steeled myself for a no as had been the case many times in my previous life, “Do…you…want…to…go…together…to…the……”

“To the what? Clover where do you want to go?” She smiled I took that as a sign that she was encouraging me to finish so with a smile reinforcing my hopes I popped the question, “Do you want to go together to the Sword Fighting tournament in Paolona and compete?

“Oh…uhhhh…yeah.” She seemed rather taken aback but still smiled as she responded. Perhaps she was expecting another question?

I still wondered about why she was taken aback but had neither the experience nor the desire to pursue what she was expecting me to ask; regardless I reasoned I had gotten the answer I wanted more than I had hoped for in my previous life. So I went to bed a happy man that night.

Where am I?

A darkness surrounds me, yet there’s nothing. Perhaps the absence of everything?

This feels familiar for some reason*. As I started to get more of a picture I noticed the surroundings around me had become slowly more vibrant. The blues that I’d felt before and the eclectic colors seemed comforting against the previously dark background.

“Welcome back Clover.” The psychedelic colored galaxy-like being greeted.

“Errr glad to be back?”

“So how are you enjoying your current life?”

“All I can say is that it’s been very different from my past life.”

“How did asking Emi to accompany you to the tournament go?”

“Pretty good she seemed pretty excit-WAIT! Don’t suddenly lull me into a false sense of security. Why am I here?”

“I needed to tell you a few things, most importantly you must win the Paolona Sword Fighting Tournament.”

“Why? Why is it so important?”

“I can’t explain it right now but I will reveal it after you have won the tournament. The only I hint I can give you to winning is to not impose restrictions on yourself just because people claim they are there.”

“O-Okay…”

“Do you still have your Red Status Tag that you got from the lady in the adventure guild?”

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“I’ve made a few modifications to you particular Status Tag that should help you out in the future. The first of which is an upgrade to show your level of mastery in different skills. You can check it now if you want,” Suddenly the Red Status Tag appeared in front of me, “Turn it round to see your progress in mastery.”

Skill MasteryReadingAdvanced Lv.7CookingBeginner Lv.6Rock Style Sword FightingIntermediate Lv.8Water Style Sword FightingIntermediate Lv.5SwimmingBeginner Lv.10

“Oh wow! That’s going to be fairly useful in the future.”

“That should help you evaluate yourself and your progress. There are many more features on the status tag but for now you are not ready to use those.”

“So what’s your reason for giving me all this help?”

“I’m curious.”

“Not a very good answer for an omnipotent being is it?” Suddenly there was a loud rumble akin to thunder, “What was that?”

“I apologize that was a laugh from me. I’m not omnipotent that’s merely a tag people place on me.”

“Can I ask a question?”

“What?”

“Why were stats created in this world?”

“I was curious.”

“Wait so you created a whole world just because you were curious?”

“Yes, there are many worlds out there perhaps an incalculable amount out there and I use them to craft and test many new ideas.”

“So why was I put on this particular one?”

“I was interested in how you would react to a world similar but far different and removed from your own.”

“Do you do most things because you were curious?”

“Perhaps.”

“Anyway going back the my main point, what are the point of stats?”

“They are just a way to measure someone’s aptitude.”

“Not really answering the question are you? Then how about Luck? I seem to have this insane amount of the Luck stat and have no idea how to use it.”

“That’s for you to find out.”

“You really are enjoying my life, aren’t you?”

“Gods can’t enjoy, they have no conceivable emotions unlike you sentient beings.”

“You like being pedantic don’t you?

“Perhaps.”

“Do you need anything more from me?”

“Nope.”

“Then I best be gone then,” As I tried to walk away to leave I was unable to, “Wait how do I actually leave?”

“Just think the thought to leave and you will.”

“Pretty simple huh? Think the thought to leave… Leave, leave, leave.”

I kept repeating leave in my head and I noticed the world around me dimming and then fading to dark.

I opened my eyes once more and I was once again in my bed sprawled out bathed in the dim rays of peeping sunrise.

I lay there disoriented and slightly confused at the whole proceeding. Wondering what that was about and why that had occurred.

Was there a meaning to anything in the world? Did we just exist for the sole purpose to please a “God’s” curiosity? Was there a purpose or is this all coincidence?

I pondered many questions as I lay in bed and as the sun began to rise I too rose from bed and began my day.

NameClover AuroraRaceHumanGenderMaleAge11Level12Health2660Strength210Endurance230Dexterity175Agility194Charisma120Leadership30Intellect781Luck600Special TalentLucky Clover:

This will add 50 times your level to your luck

*See Chapter 2 if confused.

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