Right now two individuals namely a mage and a blacksmith are currently walking in a road inside the forest. Though not as grand as those asphalt roads in cities, towns, and capital, the road is better enough for carriages to travel with.

The occasional tranquil sound of trees trifling their leaves and the sun rays shining in between them provided a relaxing journey. Though it can only be said for one of them. If Yuuto is enjoying this walk, Alice on the other hand is not. She cannot still believe that this person is not taking a carriage to the next town, mind you they actually have a bag of money and that is not counting her own money. That is not the only thing that keeps annoying her, she can still fathom the fact that Yuuto's teacher gives his student a seemingly impossible task and with just one day of preparation.

Many questions are hanging around in her mind that it keeps eating her own patience. Not able to endure it anymore, she breaks the silence.

“Why are you not taking a carriage? I already told you that we can spend less time travelling when we take a vehicle,” she said.

“Well… Teacher said that we need to take a walk first to the next town as she wants me to deliver something there.” he said, a slight sweat coming out his forehead due to Alice stare.

She glared at him “I already heard you explain that to me before but why are so firm at following your teacher's instructions”

“because he is my teacher” he quickly replied “Don't worry that is all he just instructed me to do, after that I'm free to do anything” he assured her.

She takes a hard sigh, yes he answered her question but it was really an answer that she can't take. ‘Because he is my teacher’ that answer won't satisfy her.

“Scratched what I said. You never tell me what you need to deliver.”

He pulled out a simple-looking envelope with a seal “I need to deliver this letter to the blacksmith next town, though teacher recommended that I not learn his smithing techniques as it was similar to the common ways.”

Her eyes open wide upon seeing the seal on the envelope. Though it was common to still send letters despite the messenger birds to what they said ‘preserve privacy’. The fact that the letter he is holding has a seal means it comes from a high-rate person, but as far she knows Yuuto is a simple commoner and a blacksmith and his teacher, so why is he holding that?

“Te-tell me Yuuto why that letter has a seal on it,” she asked, slightly feeling nervous.

“Oh, this,” he said, as if he found something so obvious. “Sometimes teachers use letters with this seal, saying it was for business. As far as I know only small-time adventurers come to our store. I never saw other merchants and blacksmith come in to personally come there.” he explained.

‘Oh my goddess, your teacher is very suspicious!’ she screamed in her mind.

“what? you never ask your teacher about it” she asked in shock.

“Well, it never got to my mind as teacher only send them rarely and I never had chance I’m always preoccupied in my training”

‘No, no, no, Alice, don't think about it. Don’t think about the shady dealings that your friend’s teacher is involved in, both of you are just going to deliver in the next town blacksmith’ she thought in her mind.

“I- I see… ” she sweatdropped.

Apart from worrying about the wellbeing of Yuuto as he is technically just thrown out of his town to have a ’mission’ to create masterpiece weapons. Alice now needs to be wary of his teacher, as from what she heard from Yuuto his teacher occasionally sends this letter with seals. She just hopes that the person her friend respects the most is not part of something of criminal organization. she could just sigh in exasperation on what she entered.

“By the way how did you become an adv-” before he finishes his sentence he stops walking and looks at the distance squinting his eyes.

“How did I become what?” she asked.

“Did you hear that?” he asked, still looking at the distance.

“Did what? if you keep changing your question i won't able to answer you know”

She looks at Yuuto confused on what the goddess is doing. Alice did a double take, she could see how serious he was looking. This just gives her more confusion as Alice can’t see anything remotely dangerous around them.

Trying to hear the sound that passes through his ears. Suddenly something rings inside his head ‘XXXXXX’ transforming into ache more than anything he experienced before. Yuuto chose to ignore it as he heard the passing sound again. This time it was not static but far more audible though still so low. Without staying idle for more than a second he dask forward. Leaving Alice behind still confused at his behaviour, seeing his partner going out on his way she swiftly followed.

‘This is the reason that I am worried about him being reckless. Just running without noticing what he is doing?’

As he was running as fast as he could, Yuuto suddenly felt some resistance. His skin felt like it passed through a smile-like barrier. He stopped in his tracks just a few centimetres from the point he felt. Just as he tried to walk back and investigate it, he heard a loud scream. He didn't bother to investigate more as swiftly ran again.

He arrived not too late to witness the scene and why he heard the scream. five goblins surround a person, probably a merchant from his clothing and the obviously large carriage on his side. Before he could run and attack, a fireball passed through his side.

“Do you know how hard it is for me to follow you? I even needed to use a spell just to increase my speed, '' she said, trying to catch his breath.

Yuuto looked at his back, there she was, Alice huffing. Her head is full of sweat, face looking tired and her hair, Yuuto doesn't want to talk about it as Alice would probably be angry at him. Though he kinda regretted leaving her, he was thankful that he has back up now.

“Alice, take the person I will fight the goblins”

“What are you saying? You leave me then you are going to fight the goblins" before she can complain more, Yuuto unsheathe his sword, took his battle stance and rushed forward where the goblins are.

‘I don't get enough recognition here’ she said under her breath.

Due to the fireball hitting one one of the goblins, they take several meters aways from the person. Although they step back the goblins are still praying for the merchant. Luckily, by taking a distance it gives Yuuto time to break them down and for Alice to approach the merchant.

His eyes darted on every part of the goblin that could give him information. In a glance his eyes seem to be dancing around his sclera.

‘Type of enemy: goblins; two legged’

‘Danger source: clubs and dagger’

‘Probably agile due to its size, can be hard to fight if directly confronted. I will take their back then’ he muttered

Upon breaking down his enemy,he accelerated. He brandished his sword upfront. The goblin screeched at him putting their weapons upfront, instead though he ran straight at their side. His move left the enemies dumbfounded, without any wasting opportunities. Yuuto slashed the goblin holding a rusted dagger, hearing their comrade screeching, the remaining goblins turned their head around but it was already late. He kicked another goblin in the side, it can only groan in pain as it receives his attack. The third goblin behind the one he kicked raised its arms in rage for attacking them, in swift fluid motion Yuuto lowered his stance. Holding his shortsword in two hands he stabbed the neck of the goblin.

In retaliation the last goblin made a desperate move, swinging its club on his side. without having a time to pull out his sword, he let go of it and prioritized dodging. Though it didn't stop Yuuto from counter attacking the goblin.

‘Danger source: club, probably good weapon for subduing foes but its weight slowed its attack movements‘

Before it could lift the club, Yuuto jumped, turned his body around and gave a strong kick to his head. It was even thrown out several centimeters, leaving its weapon in the ground.

Alice is surprised at what Yuuto did. The goblins are lying on the ground and several patches of crimson blood littered the road. Never did she expect this person who said he is only a blacksmith will be able to do this. Yes, In this world where monsters are rampant one must always be prepared and able to fight but Yuuto did not show a fight made by an amateur but someone who is trained in some ways. She is questioning if he is really a blacksmith, she had the feeling that she had already asked this before but she can't still put his tongue on it.

The merchant they saved though can only look at Alice in exasperation as she already forgot that they still need to look at him if he doesn't have any injuries.