Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

A few hours later, almost the entire village gathered at the village gate to send off Alaric, Rewin, and Dudu.

Seeing his friends and neighbors gathering like this, Rewin felt sentimental.

He bid everyone farewell and exchanged words with them for the last time.

“I am ready, Your Highness. I’m sorry for making you wait.” Rewin bowed his head apologetically.

Alaric shook his head. “It’s alright.”

He then turned his head to Dudu and smiled at her. “Dudu, are you ready to leave?”

Unlike her Grandpa Rewin, who had lived in the village for decades, Dudu didn’t share the same sentimental feelings. She had always stayed in the underground chamber and rarely went out, so she wasn’t particularly close to anyone.

With a nod of her head, she replied. “I am ready, Uncle.”

Alaric no longer bothered to correct her. She would eventually learn how to speak properly once she received an education.

“Good.” Alaric patted her head. He lifted his head and brought his fingers to his mouth to produce a bird-like cry.

Soon after he issued this unusual call, a deafening roar reverberated above the sky, scaring the villagers.

In the next moment, a huge beast revealed itself behind the clouds, flapping its feathered wings while looking down at them with its beastly eyes.

The villagers were terrified when they saw the massive creature. Most of them couldn’t handle the pressure it released, forcing them to kneel in submission. A few who had stronger willpower managed to remain standing, their legs trembling, and their eyes shaking with terror.

Rewin was similarly scared, but looking at Alaric’s calm demeanor, he seemed to have realized something.

“Your Highness, is that beast your…” His voice trailed off since the massive beast suddenly swooped down.

Whoosh!

Alaric shielded the villagers with his mana to prevent them from being injured by the stray debris brought by the wind caused by Zephyr’s descent.

“Woah!” Dudu didn’t show any fear when she saw Zephyr. Instead, she felt excited, her eyes showing how delighted she was.

Upon landing, Zephyr tilted its head and looked at the little girl in confusion. It could feel a strong resonance from her as if they shared a common bond.

Similarly, Dudu could feel this connection, but she was too young to understand these things. In her innocent mind, she just felt that the creature wouldn’t harm her.

“Let’s go.” Alaric carried Dudu before jumping on Zephyr’s back.

Seeing this, Rewin hesitated, but he quickly followed after seeing Alaric’s encouraging smile.

“Goodbye, everyone. If fate permits, we might see each other again.” This was Alaric’s last message to the villagers before he commanded Zephyr to fly.

Whoosh!

A child’s joyous laughter soon echoed on the horizon.

“They left. I wonder if we can see them again.”

“We live in two separate worlds. The chances of that happening are close to impossible.”

“At least we can brag that we once spoke with His Highness.”

The villagers felt emotional as they watched the giant beast fly beyond the sky.

It was only when they could no longer see the beast’s figure did the villagers returned to their homes.

***

“Be careful, Dudu. Make sure that you hold on to His Highness.” Rewin reminded Dudu when he saw her fearlessly standing, imitating Alaric’s posture.

Alaric chuckled at the little girl’s antics. Both she and Rewin were protected by his mana so the fierce winds didn’t affect them.

At this moment, the system which had been silent for a while finally sent him a series of notifications.

___

Mission Complete!

Rewards: 1000 Battle Points, 50 EXP, 50 Stat Points, Random Trait Upgrade Card x1

___

Alaric smiled faintly upon seeing this.

Galanar and the others must have completed the task.

Now that the mission has been completed, Alaric commanded Zephyr to head back to Berming Island.

Rewin noticed the change in their path, but he didn’t ask him anything.

Alaric was secretly pleased with his tactfulness.

While holding Dudu’s hand, he used the Random Trait Upgrade Card.

[Congratulations! Your trait Hunting (D) has been promoted to Hunting (C)!]

Alaric Silversword [Transcendent Knight] EXP: 0 —> 50/5000

Potential: S

Traits: Horseback Riding (B), Swordsmanship (SSS), Close Combat (B), Archery (D), Hunting (C), Tracking (C), Sixth Sense (C), Monster Affinity (C), Mana Gathering (C), Appraisal (B)

Strength: 300

Stamina: 300

Agility: 300

Vitality: 300

Endurance: 300

Mana: 300

Battle Points: 0 —> 1000

Stat Points: 50

(Requirements for the next advancement: 5000 EXP, 500 in all attributes, and 25000 Battle Points)

It seems like fulfilling all the requirements will take me a long time.

Alaric smiled bitterly when he saw the small increase in his progress. He closed the screen and conversed with Dudu to pass the time.

“Dudu, have you been to a lake before?”

“Uh, what’s a lake, Uncle? Can that be eaten?” Dudu responded with a line of drool at the corner of her lips.

Alaric chuckled at her words.

“A lake is a vast body of water that contains many aquatic creatures…” He tried to explain to her, but the little girl only revealed a look of utter confusion.

“Your Highness, please be patient with Dudu. She only turned three this year.” Rewin reminded him with a wry smile.

With two people accompanying him on the flight, Alaric was no longer bored.

Three days later, a beautiful island surrounded by a vast lake entered their view.

“So beautiful…” Dudu was amazed by the beautiful scenery. She had never ventured far from the village before so everything was new to her. In the past three days, they have been to a few nice places, but this island’s beauty filled her with boundless excitement.

“So this is what Berming Island looks like from above. It truly is a wonderful place.” Rewin sighed in awe.

He had been to this island town before, but he had never seen it from above.

“Hold tight. We are descending to the island.” Alaric’s voice drifted into their ears.

Hearing this, Dudu quickly held onto Alaric’s leg, clinging tightly like a koala. On the other hand, Rewin grabbed firmly on Zephyr’s feathers, afraid that he might fall.

Whoosh!