Kain still stared at Lazu with an expression of disbelief.
"You rejected the academy's offer… and you say you have a better plan?"
Lazu, as usual, just yawned as he stretched his body. "That's right."
Kain frowned. "But the academy can make me stronger! They have teachers, resources, and high-level magic! If I study there, I can…"
Lazu looked at him casually. "Can what? Become strong like everyone else? Follow the path they have determined?"
Kain fell silent.
Lazu grinned. "That's the standard path. If you want to be an ordinary fighter like hundreds of other students, go ahead. But if you want to be someone no one can match, you have to choose a different path."
Kain swallowed. "Then… what's your plan?"
Lazu smiled and snapped her fingers. An illusory map appeared in the air.
The map showed the mortal world, with various kingdoms, wild lands, and—most interestingly—an ancient ruin in the middle of a dark forest.
Lazu pointed at the ruin.
"We're going this way."
Kain narrowed his eyes. "What is this?"
"The Ruins of the Demon King's Tomb."
Kain's eyes widened. "D-Demon King?! Isn't that a dangerous place?! Why are we going there?!"
Lazu smiled casually. "Because it holds something more valuable than all the training at the magic academy."
Kain bit his lip. "But it's an abandoned place! No one knows if there's still something there!"
"Right." Lazu nodded. "But that's where our advantage lies."
He pointed at the map again.
"The gods and their disciples are busy playing by the rules of this game. They recruit talented students, building their strength gradually, following a predetermined path."
Lazu grinned.
"But me? I have no interest in following the usual path."
He looked at Kain with conviction.
"If you want to become stronger, we can't just follow the flow. We have to find loopholes in the system."
Kain swallowed. Now he understood.
Lazu didn't want to train him like a regular disciple. He wanted to take a shortcut.
"So… in those ruins… there's something that can make me stronger?" Kain asked.
Lazu grinned. "Maybe. Or maybe not. But one thing's for sure…"
He stood up and stretched his body.
"… This adventure will be more interesting than sitting in the academy and studying from textbooks."
Kain looked at him, then clenched his fists.
Maybe this wasn't the way other people usually did it.
But one thing he knew, Lazu was no ordinary god.
"… Alright. I'll come."
Lazu smiled in satisfaction.
"Good. Now, let's go before someone tries to stop us."
However, before they could leave the village…
"Stop right there."
A deep voice echoed through the streets.
In front of them stood Gregor, the village guard captain, with his full complement of troops.
Gregor's eyes stared at them sharply. "I don't know who you guys are. But I don't like people who are too resourceful in my village."
He drew his sword.
"So before you cause any more trouble, I'll make sure you can't leave here."
Kain stiffened. They were trapped.
Beside him, however, Lazu simply smiled casually.
"Hmm… So you want to stop us?"
Lazu shrugged.
"Alright."
He glanced at Kain.
"…Think of this as your first test."
Kain's eyes widened. "What?"
Lazu smirked.
"If you can't get through this, you're not worthy of my plan."
Kain stiffened when he saw Gregor and the village guard blocking their way. The man's eyes were sharp, full of wariness.
"I don't know who you are," Gregor said in a deep voice. "But I don't like outsiders causing trouble in my village."
Behind him, fifteen armed soldiers stood at attention. They might not be the kingdom's elite, but they were enough to capture two strangers.
Kain swallowed.
How were they going to get out of here?!
He turned to Lazu, hoping the god would do something. But, as usual, Lazu remained relaxed.
In fact, he smiled.
"This is your first test, Kain," he said lightly. "You can get out of this… without fighting."
Kain's eyes widened.
Without fighting?
Gregor drew his sword. "You're not going to give up?"
Kain clenched his fists. If this was really a test, he had to find a way to win without using force.
He thought quickly. What had he learned from Lazu so far?
1. Use information as a weapon.
2. Find loopholes in the rules.
3. Take advantage of other people's desires.
Kain's eyes darted around, then he took a deep breath.
"Gregor, you are the village guard, aren't you?" he said suddenly.
Gregor narrowed his eyes. "So?"
Kain looked at him confidently. "That means your main duty is to keep the peace of this village."
Gregor frowned. "That's obvious."
Kain continued, "But what if you arrest the wrong person?"
Gregor stiffened. "What do you mean?"
Kain smiled thinly. "Who do you think I am? I'm just an ordinary kid. While he…" He pointed at Lazu. "…He's just a lazy guy who likes to sleep."
Lazu raised his hand. "That's right."
Kain stared at Gregor sharply. "But if you arrest us without any clear evidence, what if people start to question your fairness? What if word spreads to other villages that Gregor the Guard Captain arrests innocent people just because he doesn't like them?"
Several of Gregor's soldiers exchanged glances. They didn't want their reputations to be ruined by a hasty decision.
Gregor fell silent, but Kain could see the doubt creeping up on his face.
However, Kain wasn't done yet.
He had to make sure Gregor didn't have a reason to arrest them anyway.
Kain continued, "And you know what's worse? The tavern owner… he owes me."
Gregor frowned. "What do you mean?"
Kain grinned. "I gave him valuable information about a secret recipe that could boost his business. Do you really want to arrest someone who is helping the village's economy?"
Now Gregor was really doubtful. If the tavern owner really did benefit from Kain's information, then arresting him could anger the villagers.
Gregor narrowed his eyes. "…I still don't believe you."
Kain smiled wider. He had anticipated this.
He turned to one of the soldiers behind Gregor.
"You," he said. "What's your name?"
The soldier was taken aback. "M-Me? My name is Rolen."
Kain smiled. "Rolen, are you married?"
The soldier frowned. "Not yet…"
Kain nodded. "How about I tell you how to win the heart of the girl you like without any effort?"
Rolen was stunned. "Huh?"
Kain chuckled. "I have information that could help you. But if Gregor catches me now, unfortunately, you will never know the secret."
The soldier stiffened. He seemed hesitant.
Gregor realized that the morale of his troops was starting to waver. If he went ahead and caught Kain, he could lose their support.
Finally, he took a deep breath.
"…Alright."
He put his sword back in its sheath. "I have no proof that you have any evil intentions. So I will let you go."
Kain smiled in satisfaction.
Lazu clapped her hands together. "Good, good. The first test is over."
Gregor gave them a sharp look. "But remember, I will be watching you."
Lazu shrugged. "Go ahead."
After Gregor and his men left, Kain let out a long sigh.
"Gods… I succeeded?"
Lazu grinned. "Of course. You used information, social pressure, and chance to turn the tables."
He patted Kain on the shoulder. "You're starting to understand how I play."
Kain smiled slightly. For the first time, he felt like he was truly improving.
But before they could bask in their victory for long…
DING!
[New Quest Available!]
Suddenly, a transparent window appeared before them.
Lazu stared at it with an interested expression.
[Quest: Explore the Ruins of the Demon King's Tomb]
[Description: A hidden power awaits within. Find it before anyone else does.]
[Reward: ???]
Lazu grinned. "It seems we've been waiting for you."
Kain stared at the window with sparkling eyes.
The real adventure had just begun.