Reo leaned back against goods, allowing the rhythmic thud of the carriage wheels to soothe him into a moment of unusual peace.
Beside him, Liana sat quietly, her hands clutching her bag. Her face was pale, exhaustion clear from their two-day trek through the forest, but she held herself.
They were on the way to the Academy which is located in Avermoor town. So they have to reach ironholt town first.
The middle-aged driver sitting at the front of the carriage glanced back at them. "Lucky I found you two out there. The forest's no place to be wandering on foot."
Reo tilted his head, his crimson eyes steady. "We were attacked by bandits and escaped luckily. Walking felt like the only option, but… thanks for stopping."
The man gave a small nod, urging his horse forward. "Not a problem. You both looked like you needed a break."
Liana, sitting stiffly next to Reo, opened her mouth as if to protest. "Young Master Leo doesn't need—"
Reo cut her off with a light tap on her arm, silencing her. He gave the driver a small smile. "She means we appreciate the ride. It's been a long trip."
The man chuckled, his eyes fixed on the road. "No trouble at all. Just sit tight. Won't be too long now."
After some time, Reo noticed that Liana had drifted off to sleep, despite the constant jostling of the carriage over the uneven path. Her head leaned against the wooden side, her breathing steady but shallow.
The exhaustion on her face was evident—she had pushed herself to the brink over the past week, and the two days of relentless walking through the dense forest had only added to her fatigue. Yet, she hadn't voiced a single complaint.
Careful not to wake her, Reo shifted his focus and called out in his mind.
Elynn, open my stats.
[Displaying Stats…]
[- STRENGTH: 29
- ENDURANCE: 24
- DEFENSE: 24
- SPEED: 33
- STAMINA: 25
- MANA CAPACITY: 12
- INTELLIGENCE: 70
- BATTLE INTELLIGENCE: 83
- SOUL RESONANCE WEAPON: None]
Reo's lips quirked into a faint smirk as he scanned the display. After his victory over the Razorclaw Bear yesterday, he hunts smaller monsters, the results were finally showing. His strength, speed, and mana capacity had all received a significant boost.
While he wasn't anywhere near invincible, the progress was undeniable. And for now, progress was all he needed.
Satisfied, he shifted his thoughts. Elynn, show me the rewards section.
The stats screen dissolved, replaced by a new glowing list:
[Rewards Available:
1.Bear Defense (x2): A protective shield capable of blocking any attack, no matter how
powerful, for one minute.]
Reo's crimson eyes narrowed as he studied the options. It's valuable tool, but it's one-time use made it luxury.
"Useful," he murmured to himself, his voice low to avoid disturbing Liana. "But I'll keep these in reserve. No point wasting them unless it's absolutely necessary."
With a subtle flick of his thoughts, Reo dismissed the screen, leaning back against the wall of the carriage. He let his gaze wander out to the forest beyond, the rhythmic creaking of the wheels and the steady sound of the horse's hooves providing a rare lull in the chaos of recent days.
—
The carriage rattled into Ironholt Town as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the streets in hues of gold and amber. The warm glow reflected off the cobblestone streets, casting long shadows from bustling shops and homes.
Reo hopped off the carriage, stretching slightly before turning back to help Liana down. She accepted his hand hesitantly, her tired expression softening as her feet touched the ground.
"Thanks for the ride," Reo said, his tone sincere as he addressed the middle-aged driver.
The man tipped his wide-brimmed hat, his weathered face creasing into a faint smile. "No trouble at all. Where are you headed next?"
Reo glanced at Liana before replying, "We need to get to Avermoor Town by tomorrow."
The driver nodded thoughtfully, stroking his chin. "Well, there's a communal carriage leaving later tonight. It's quicker and safer than making the trip on foot. Might be worth checking out."
Reo gave a small nod, his crimson eyes steady. "Thanks for the tip. We'll look into it."
With that, the man clicked his tongue to the horse, and the carriage creaked as it rolled away down the cobbled street. Reo watched it disappear into the distance before turning his attention to the lively square ahead.
A short while later, Liana returned, her expression as composed as ever despite the weariness in her eyes. "The communal carriage leaves in three hours," she informed him.
"We have some time to spare."
Reo's gaze shifted across the bustling square. People moved between market stalls, their chatter blending into the sounds of merchants hawking their wares.
His attention lingered on a nearby shop window, its display of elegant garments catching his eye. A small smirk tugged at his lips. "Let's get some new clothes."
Liana blinked in surprise, taking a step back. "Young Master Leo, we don't have time for—"
"Look at us," Reo interrupted, gesturing to their worn, dirt-streaked outfits. "We've been wandering around like vagrants. Do you really want to show up at the academy looking like we got dragged out of a ditch? We'll have time."
Before she could protest further, Reo was already walking toward the shop. Reluctantly, she followed, muttering under her breath about his priorities.
The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man with a sharp eye, looked up as they entered. His gaze swept over their disheveled appearance, his lips pressing into a thin line.
"Not sure you'll find what you're looking for here," he said, his tone cool, almost dismissive.
Reo met the man's gaze evenly, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he reached into his pouch, pulling out the coins, two gold crowns. He tossed them onto the counter, the sharp clink of gold breaking the tension.
"Show her your best dresses," he said, jerking his chin toward Liana. "And something for me too."
The shopkeeper's demeanor shifted instantly, a welcoming smile spreading across his face. "Of course, sir! Please, have a look around. I'll bring out our finest selections."
Liana looked uncomfortable, her hands gripping her tattered skirt. "Young Master Leo, this really isn't necessary. I'm just a maid. I don't need—"
Reo raised a hand to cut her off, his voice calm but firm. "You've been wearing that for days. I can't have my companion walking around like she just survived a battle. It's non-negotiable. Now go pick something that fits."
Her cheeks flushed faintly, and though she opened her mouth to argue, the quiet authority in his tone left no room for debate.
With a small nod, she followed the shopkeeper to the rack of dresses, glancing at the fabrics with a mix of reluctance and curiosity.
Meanwhile, Reo selected a clean, practical outfit for himself—a crisp white shirt, tailored trousers, and a pair of sturdy boots.
Once they were both changed, Liana stepped out of the dressing room, hesitating by the door.
The simple yet elegant dress she wore was worlds apart from her dirt-streaked rags. The light fabric suited her, clean and well-fitted, emphasizing her graceful frame. For the first time in days, she looked like the dignified woman she was.
Reo, now dressed in fresh clothes himself, looked her over and gave a small nod of approval. "Much better. You actually look better now."
Liana flushed at the comment, fidgeting with the hem of her dress. "Thank you, Young Master Leo. But this is too much…"
Reo shrugged, his tone casual. "Call it a reward. You've been putting up with me. Now, let's get something to eat before the carriage leaves. I'm starving."
As they left the shop and stepped back into the square, the sky shifting to twilight, Liana glanced at Reo.
There was something different about him—his confidence, his consideration for others.
He was nothing like the arrogant young master she remembered. Though she didn't fully understand this change, one thing was clear. She felt safer by his side.
—
Meanwhile at The tavern in Ironholt was far from quiet. The noise didn't come from a big crowd but from a group of rough-looking adventurers who had taken over several tables in the middle of the room.
They spoke loudly, bragging tnier crude jokes and loud laughter made some of the other customers glance at them with irritation.
One of the adventurers, a large man with a thick beard, reached out and grabbed the arm of a young waitress as she walked by. She gasped, almost dropping the tray of drinks in her hands.
"Hey, sweetheart," he said, his voice fake and sweet. "Why don't you forget about work and have a drink with us?"
The girl quickly pulled her arm free, her face red with anger and embarrassment. Without saying a word, she rushed back to the counter, where the tavern owner, an elderly woman with tired eyes, stood watching.
"They're doing it again," the girl muttered, her voice shaking.
"I can't keep dealing with this."
The old woman sighed, her face filled with worry. "I know, dear. But what can we do? They're adventurers—big names in town. If we make them angry, they'll cause trouble."
The girl clenched her fists, frustration clear on her face, but she didn't argue. Instead, she focused on cleaning the counter, trying to block out the adventurers' loud voices and crude jokes.
At one of the tables, a thin man with a sly grin leaned back in his chair, his boots resting on the edge of the table.
He looked around the room lazily, his eyes half-closed with boredom. "This place is so dull," he complained loudly. "Same people, same drinks. Nothing interesting ever happens here."
As if on cue, the tavern door creaked open, and everyone turned to look. Reo stepped inside calmly and behind him, Liana followed, her dress catching the dim light of the tavern.
Her beauty immediately drew attention, and the adventurers' eyes stayed on her as she walked to the table Reo had chosen.
The noise in the room softened slightly, curiosity replacing the adventurers' earlier rowdiness. Reo calmly pulling out a chair for Liana before taking his own seat.
"Well, well," a scarred man at the adventurers' table said, his voice cutting through the quiet. He leaned forward, a grin spreading across his face. "Looks like the night just got a lot more interesting."