Waking up, he took his unchanging routine where he eats his usual meal, small talk with his mother, grabs his trusty lamp, and unhurriedly climbs down to leave the house.

Arriving at the plain-looking door, he pried it open, hit the ceiling light with his mana from the tip of his index finger, it scares away the dark to prove hospitality to his "guest", within the wide four-walled room, the woman was still on her deep slumber, bringing his feet forward, he peered at her. He could tell that her sickly skin color is gradually returning to health.

As he observes, he noticed a large golden mirror pendant at her neck, then he turns his head at the sword laid by her side, then the destroyed armor at the corner. Huh? Why are they all sun designs? Do they praise the sun? he mused.

Shooking his head, he erased his care for their aesthetic choice. Grabbing the sword from her side, he proceeds to drag it by the hilt as he went outside, it being as tall as he makes a comical view.

---

knock knock

"Come in," a loud scream of an adult man reverted.

Drawing his feet inside, a faint warmth enveloped his skin, a metallic smell assaulted his nose while the hitting of metals together intensified.

clank clank clank

With the typical lighting in Verlassene, it lit the area for his eyes to see, turning his head around, his left has different iron weapons on racks, on his right, a long table filled with handbells similarly design to Asteri's and his. Head straight, a wooden counter with a huge logo of a long beak bird skull stabbed by a dagger, further into his view, the back of it was a slim but muscular man on an anvil.

Dropping his blacksmith hammer aside, the man took off his work gloves, passing the counter, he reached Aldeice. "Oho, adventurous little Enni, what brings you here?" he asked in good spirits.

Laying his sight on the sword towed by the little boy, his eyes widen, "Switching to heavy-sword now, lad?" he teased.

Excepting his Forsadon features, he wore sweaty thin clothes under a leather apron, messy hair hitting his neck, and a friendly middle-aged man next door aura, Aldeice judged. His name is Fendarr, but he preferred to be called Granpa Crow.

"Greetings Granpa Crow, please do help me examine this beauty," pulling the sword towards his front, he gently put it down.

Squatting down, Granpa Crow casually grabs it from the floor, then he began his scrutinizing. It's a double edge long sword in an elegant golden hilt resembling a sun. "A fine sword," he commented in fascination, then he gave Aldeice an intense gaze on his face.

"From a nonforsadon," Aldeice nonchalantly said after reading his thought.

He contemplates that with his shed just at the edge of Verlassene, keeping her a secret is impossible. If she's unwelcomed, she will be disposed of, then her corpse for experiments shall be his compensation. He also has two reasons for going here, first is to ascertain she's from the surface, second, to fetch an item to determine any irregular status on her.

Even after saying this, contrary to his expectation, Granpa Crow has unchanged expression, "Aside from us, none would go here without a compelling reason, our desolate homeland was undeserving of their exploration, but—" he paused, a straight face fixed on Aldeice, "—if ever they do, never allow their sight laid upon you," he ends his statement with a strong emphasis on the last line.

Being the only blacksmith of Verlassene and one of the elders, he can tell that the sword was not produced from their region and instead created by surface dwellers, thus making Aldeice's words true. Noticing that Aldeice nods at him in understanding, he tussled the former's hair with a smile.

"But Gramps, she's all alone in severe condition. Looking pitiful, I lend my help, she even passed out after I brought her over," he said innocently.

"W-what?" he responded in a volumed voice.

Straightening his spine with a grave air, a forgotten sword in hand, Granpa Crow walks back and front. Stopping at a table, he snatched a bell and focus back at him.

"Let's take a look at her shall we?" he asked.

After he agrees with a bob of his head, Granpa Crow readied himself, fastened a lamp on his side waist, they headed to his shed.

Inside, Granpa Crow was keenly looking at the woman settled in fur, he bends down to drop the sword, pulls the woman's torn armor to get them together, then shakes his bell. Out of thin air, a rainbow glowing sand sprinkles the woman and the items from above, disappearing, he sighs in relief.

These silver handheld bells have clappers from compressed monster cores, one of the inventions of prince Cyne Luminen. By channeling the user's mana, the bell's shape guides it towards the clapper, with a shake to ring the bell, an ability similar to the core's original possessor will be released. If the creature can spit fire, the caster can invoke Fire Spray.

It's an alternative way for enabling a non-elemental combatant to cast elemental abilities. Sadly, it has many drawbacks, compressed core can only store a single power, has five seconds cast time, and larger mana cost. Unneeded by geniuses, and since Azure Elves are naturally blessed with water and ice, hence, prince Cyne Luminen was still unable to obtain recognition for this work.

What Granpa Crow used now was a bell of Determinate Answer, it is utilized to detect any irregularities on the target, an ability by a certain monster to identify if the prey is unsafe to eat.

Knowing there's none to worry about. Granpa Crow stands up to face him, inserting the bell in his apron pocket, he then rains him down with inquiries such as, where was the human is seen, how many, and what should be done. It gives off a picture of an amiable grandfather testing his grandson's rational thinking, receiving Aldeice satisfying answers, Granpa Crow praised him in buoyant.

"Thenaros fictionalize your unique immobilizing ability, would you allow me to assess it lad?" with a faint smile, he shifted the topic.

Since his Gift can only disrupt the soul and Granpa Crow was immensely stronger than him, he bobbed his head in agreement. Due to his height, he tapped Granpa Crow's leg.

STUN

Feeling his skin crawls, Granpa Crow enters in a state of daze. Seconds later, he comes back to his senses. With a stiff face, hand on his chin, he turns to Aldeice as if looking at a product of a miracle.

"Definitely not an illusory spell, it feels like my soul has abruptly left. No-no-no has been disturbed," finishing his amazement, his chest then shook up and down with a roaring laugh.

HA-HA-HA-HA

"What a good seedling," ending his merry laugh, he uttered and gave the boy a pat on the shoulder with a big hand.

Subsequently, after experiencing his mind-boggling ability. Aldeice was invited by Granpa Crow to his expedition, the latter elaborated it with how they've been trimming down the population of Ceruleanator at the dead swamp for weeks, to prepare in facing their parent, their extermination group called it the Mother Queen Ceruleanator for its size.

"Lad, your ability will be an exemplary aid, although, you could decline if the little one's heart were unable to bear such slight fright," giving him a teasing remark with an irritable smirk, his story closed.

With a simple nod of response, Aldeice agreed to join the hunt, not due to his taunt, but because of the opportunity to increase his collections of specimens. Rare fungi or flesh, whatever it is, it would be claimed.

Battling at an early age is normal on Verlassene, and with Aldeice mature conduct, Granpa Crow was confident that their little warrior was scrupulous enough for the mission.

"Good good, that's the spirit, your safety is assured, not to mentioned with your father's attendance," he asserted.

"But please let me take a pick in one of your wares gramps" he negotiates.

"You cheeky brat, of course of course," he assured with a chuckle.

Further, into the conversation, he was given the approval to keep the woman for now, but the final decision will still be discussed by the elders. With his final nod of his head signifying appreciation, the talk concludes.

Finishing his outside activity, he follows Granpa Crow back to his residence. There, he acquired a short sword slightly longer than half his height, fastening its scabbard at his back, he courteously gave his farewell to Granpa Crow. Afterward, he made a quick trip to his shed to equip, a cloak to fight the cold, and a sack pouch to store the loots, then he departs.

As he strides towards his next destination, to ease the dullness, he happily chats with Blache about how these Forsadi were in contrast to their environment, they permeate warmth and brightness.

"Except Asteri, maybe," he jokingly added.

Firmly united and cares deeply for their kind. Grampa Crow's abode can't be called a shop for it does not charge, Aldeice asking for something is just part of etiquette. Naturally, Granpa Crow appreciates material contributions, monster cores for instance. It must be because of the dark history that makes their indestructible strong ties.

'You mean WE, you and I are part of them now' she butt in with a jovial tone, correcting his mindset.

He agreed, but he did not nod anymore, feeling his neck gone stiff to all the nodding he has done today. He may not good at expressing, yet Aldeice admits that these lovely Forsadi, sometimes make his heart bounce from their heartfelt bonds. Skipping through the silent ground, he heads to the north of Verlassene.

---

Kraaaaaaaa!

A wail of agony erupts, an insectoid creature stabbed with a sword on its frontal head weakly falls to the ground, pulling out the sword, a thick grass green blood oozed from its gaping hole. Taking a look at the lifeless body, the monster was akin to a spider with its abdomen replaced by a centipede.

These hairy monsters were Nekrilias, they live near the mine cave, which is the main source of ores for equipment and accessories of Verlassene, travelling requires just a few treading. Slashing its abdomen in half, Aldeice garners its lime green core with his fingers.

'Nice baby' a sudden cheering voice astounded his mind.

Hearing Blanche, he snickers in amusement. Was it that fun to tease him every now and then, she must be drowned in boredom, he thought. Not that he finds it annoying, for she knows when to time her antics, if it's a serious case her attitude shifts to adapt, if it's fun time then it's a fun time.

Placing the core to his sack pouch, he rids away his dampen ash grey short hair that slightly blocks his view. Elegantly standing straight, his head rolls to find the next prey. With the lit of his lamp, his vision was filled with mushrooms resembling cloud white umbrellas, dirty white sandy underground soil, scattered dusty rocks varying in sizes. Facing straight, there was a huge mouth of a cave, its inside was blackened by darkness. Space there was limited, I would be easily cornered, better hunt outside, he thought.

Hiss!

A hideous Nekrilia crawls into light, front legs raised, bared four sharp fangs, it was stalking him. It was the second Nekrilia, but being alone, his heart shook a bit from its sudden entrance. It can scare to death a normal human from Earth, but in this unforgiving world, a moment of hesitation could cause his life.

Solidifying not only his sword skills but also his emotions. He must battle till his eyes not bat and his heart turned cold from all the blood of his blade.

Tightening his grip, he courageously engages in the fight. Jumping forward, he swiftly swung his sword horizontally to meet its fangs, not stopping, he followed by a flurry of sword flicks and high-speed stabs, exploiting his better attack range, some of his assaults left its head and abdomen with slices.

Although his strikes were sloppy and unprofessional, his overwhelming tempo of rapid strikes resulted in the pitiful Nekrilia becoming battered in wounds.

Getting weary from Aldeice's incessant thrashing, it was forced into desperation. Gathering all its remaining anger and energy, it lunges at him, leaving the ground, speedily aiming for a quick kill by crunching his neck. Without delay, Aldeice countered with Spectral Flash to teleport at its rear, lifting his sword up, a ruthless overhead slash connect to its limbs.

SPURT

Jerking front from the impact, Its front legs were dismembered, the slice reached half of its back abdomen grievously wounding the Nekrilia, rotating to face him, its body was twitching. Feeling the looming death, it slowly walks backward then turned away to instinctively flee to save its pathetic life. Unaware of his soul mark, Aldeice reactivated his Spectral Flash to appear at its fore, catching it off guard, he swipes his sword sideways for the final blow.

SWISH

Its head flew, green blood crazily squirts, and the decapitated body of Nekrilia lifelessly tumbles. Not bothering to loot, he calmly strolled towards a nearby rock for a rest, after thrusting his sword to the sand, he brushed off the dust on the rock then sat, with his quivering fingertips, he massaged his aching wrist.

'Please know your limits,' a concerned tone eased his pains.

'If only the bell of Regenerative can cure fatigue,' he complained.

'How childish, things were not easy as before,' she reminded him.

'Indeed. Well, regarding the blade, I'm quite satisfied, for it has larger destructive power and longer reach at the cost of weight of course,' changing the topic, he analytically said.

Attracted by it, he reached out to caress its silvery hilt, its slick narrow steel was shining from the illumination of his waist lamp, the sight creates a dazzling display, "a graceful thin sword," he mumbled.

He was deliberately trying out various weapons for suitability. Being not a battle junkie nor a professional fighter, it was all cool and exciting using dagger till his foe has an expeditious reaction speed, with his distance when attacking almost similar to a punch, he has a smaller time frame to evade after the opposition's correct prediction.

He was pleased by the sword's performance, albeit with his upsetting Force resulting in less damage, it was compensated with high attack speed. Diverting an angle of strike with a parry was also plausible, but not direct blocking for it could break his arm or sword if the enemy's strength is vastly superior.

For his grip strength, timing, and distance control, these squishy Nekrilias make them a perfect punching bag for basic training, looking all scary crawlers but with their toddler sizes, soft membranes, and no special ability, they are small fries for Aldeice.

After recuperating his energy, he stands up then sucks a lungful of air, a grin forms on his childish face as he stretches his arms. Pulling his sword, he searched for his following target.

Didn't know fighting was fun.