The Weight of Preparation

I talked like I was ready to head straight to Libertas, but the actual departure took far longer than expected. We had to craft armor for Adela and Neon using the Gourmet Deer materials, write up a proper report on the newly discovered ruins, and I needed time to train and grow accustomed to my newly gained power. On top of that, the annual academic festival hosted by the scholarly society was approaching, so the scholars of Edenberg needed time to prepare as well. In the end, we decided to take a full week to get ready before setting out.

Obviously, I had no intention of just sitting around doing nothing during that time. So I sparred with Grid, the training instructor at the Edenberg adventurer branch.

In the center of the training ground, my dark sword-spear collided with Grid's massive battle axe. The recoil sent me staggering backward. I exhaled deeply, steadying my breathing. In contrast, Grid hadn't taken a single step back. He lowered his weapon after checking my condition.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"That's enough for today's spar."

"Thank you for the guidance."

"Guidance? This is literally my job."

Grid's hearty laugh rang out, and the adventurers who had been quietly watching from the edges finally let out the breaths they'd been holding. The Iron and Bronze-rank adventurers couldn't hide their admiration. A few even looked on with clear envy. Watching strong fighters clash was always beneficial. The adventurers who had observed the relentless exchange began reviewing their own shortcomings and resumed training with renewed focus.

Grid watched them with a satisfied expression before clapping me on the shoulder.

"At this level, you'd have no problem being called Silver-rank."

"Hoo... I'm still lacking."

"Lacking? If you can last thirty minutes against me, that's more than enough to qualify as Silver."

He wasn't wrong. Grid was a veteran even among Silver-rank adventurers. Being able to put up a fierce fight against him was more than enough to earn that title. Still, the fact that I couldn't seize the upper hand despite everything left me slightly shocked.

The scattered ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠remains of Ikelos and the Rune Golem, along with Umbra sprawled out like a puddle, were proof of that. Honestly, I'd thought I could at least gain the advantage.

When I made a gloomy face, Grid gave me a look that said I was still a hundred years too early.

"So? Have you gotten a feel for the power you're handling?"

"Roughly, yes."

It was true that extraordinary beings like my Unique Dimension and the Water Realm had taken an interest in me, but that interest didn't directly translate into power I could use. I needed an objective grasp of where I stood. Thanks to Grid's help, I'd managed to organize the chaotic thoughts in my head and map out a direction for growth.

"I think the growth path using my Mystery should focus primarily on Tamer and Summoner skills."

"That thing... experience or whatever you called it? You said you can learn all sorts of techniques with it, right? Can't you just use that to learn swordsmanship and magic?"

"I'll pick them up on the side, but making them my main focus feels too vague. It's not like I can grind experience like some kind of farming game."

Above all, my talent and chosen profession leaned in that direction. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Raising other classes would be inefficient. If monsters revived infinitely like in a game, maybe it would be different, but in reality, unlocking skills that way usually required insane grinding. Maybe in ten years I'd have the luxury to branch out, but right now, the correct choice was to focus on my main fields and develop them.

"I'm planning to use the Water Realm as storage for tamed monsters. I already have an inventory for items, and each summon has its own space anyway."

"If that's what you decided, then it's probably the right answer."

Grid shrugged at my words. My growth method was so unique that there wasn't much he could advise on, and he'd read the confidence in my eyes. Anyway, after frantically sparring and organizing my thoughts, the results looked like this:

In that state, any leftover experience could be given to the sapling in the Water Realm to expand the space, which would in turn let me utilize more of its power. Just like how I'd contracted various summons through the Unique Dimension and strengthened them. Right now it only served as monster storage, but as it grew, surely new helpful functions would appear.

While I was thinking that over, Grid glanced toward the window that connected to the outside. Through it, various birds, deer, squirrels, and other animals could be seen.

"Lately I've been seeing a lot more animals around."

"Ah. That must be because of my talent."

"Your talent... you mean Druid?"

Grid nodded in understanding at my words. It was true that ever since I'd gotten stronger, all sorts of animals had started flocking to the city. Besides, he already knew some of the secrets behind my talent.

"After opening the Water Realm, my affinity has increased quite a bit."

"You mean that space where the Irregular Laserdon lives?"

"Yes. I think it's related to my talent."

At this rate, I wondered if even monsters would start showing me affection. When I lightly waved my hand, the animals retreated. Grid scratched his head as he watched.

"I don't know what kind of secret is hidden in your bloodline, but be careful. Powers like that usually drag you into huge currents."

"Don't worry. I have no intention of getting swept up in them."

I answered his gruff but genuinely concerned words with a confident smile. In a world where myths and mysteries breathed and lived, Grid's worry was perfectly reasonable. Perhaps, just as he said, there was some special secret regarding my bloodline and a massive current (fate) lurking behind it. Even so, I had no grand goal of defying the flow or anything like that.

But if a great current was flowing around me...

At the very least, I should avoid getting swept away and seize what I want, right?

Grid let out a small chuckle when he saw my attitude.

"Yeah, you're not a kid anymore. The time for adults to worry about you has passed. I trust you'll handle it well."

"Whatever stands in my way, I'll sweep it all aside and return."

Grid smiled in satisfaction at my answer. After parting with him, I checked the time. The hands of the exquisitely crafted southern-made clock, powered by mana stones, pointed exactly at eleven.

"It's about time to head out."

Although I'd been fully immersed in training, I hadn't lost my sense of time. A week passed by in the blink of an eye, and on the day of departure, I headed to the plaza we'd agreed to meet at. My companions had gone to the artisans' street to pick up their completed equipment. The pieces were supposed to take only a few days, but since it had been a while since they'd worked with such precious materials, Elin, Charlotte, and Barok had gone completely overboard.

Silver-rank materials weren't exactly rare, but Gourmet Deer hide was extremely scarce, so I'd heard multiple artisans had joined forces to work on it. I'd also provided additional materials from my own armor—the Elride water droplets and Crystal Spider crystal fragments—so the results should be excellent.

With that thought in mind, I arrived at the plaza and spotted my companions already waiting there.

"Whoa. Looks like the artisans really went all out, huh?"

"Hehehehe. With this, I'm officially an honored Northerner! No Central mage can stop me now!"

Seeing Neon laugh in that sinister way, he seemed extremely satisfied. And he had every right to be. The silver leather, meticulously processed stitch by stitch, had been turned into a uniform. At a glance, it was clearly designed for excellent mobility. The materials I'd provided were added as decorative accents here and there, enhancing its beauty. It was almost too beautiful to wear, but once he put it on, it looked even better.

Adela, standing proudly before me with her hands on her hips and chin raised, was practically puffing out steam from her nose. She seemed quite pleased with it.

"Argo. What do you think?"

"It suits you perfectly. Doesn't look like it'll hinder you in battle either."

"Right? With this armor, I can move even more aggressively when fighting."

She waved her white-gloved hands around before hopping up and down, showing it off. At first glance, the armor resembled the kind of expedition gear worn in cold regions. Even though this was the North, the continent itself was in the southern hemisphere, so it wasn't something you'd wear outside of winter. Thanks to the Elride water droplets, however, it automatically regulated temperature, making it perfect for all four seasons. It had also been designed to match the greaves we'd obtained from the ruins.

"The craftsmanship and materials really are top-notch."

Satisfied, I looked over the armor worn by Adela and Neon before turning my gaze to Ar standing beside them. We hadn't had enough material to make him armor, but we'd crafted a scabbard using a Gourmet Deer horn instead. He was grinning ear to ear while wearing the ivory-colored sheath on his back. It seemed he was quite fond of it.

"Everyone ready?"

"Of course."

"The scholars should be ready too."

With that, all preparations were complete. Since we were supposed to meet at noon, we headed to the guild at a leisurely pace.

In front of the guild, numerous wagons and a large crowd had gathered. Seeing guild staff and scholars busily carrying boxes full of documents, it looked like they'd prepared extensively for this academic festival.

"Thirty minutes until departure!"

"Be careful not to let the materials spill!"

"I'm really looking forward to the academic festival."

"It's been a while since I've been to Libertas. I should visit some relatives while I'm there."

Among the crowd were many ordinary citizens who weren't guild members. Since the academic festival where scholars shared knowledge also served as a festival, quite a few people were going just to watch. Additionally, because travel between cities wasn't easy, some were using this opportunity to handle business in Libertas.

When I arrived, I approached ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Delian, the scholar in charge of this expedition.

"Grandpa, we're here."

"Oho! Argo, you've come!"

With his striking white hair and white beard, he was a veteran scholar of the Edenberg adventurer branch. His vast knowledge and experience made him the de facto leader among the scholars, despite being on equal footing with them. He had a good personality and was well-respected, but once he latched onto something, his tendency to charge ahead without regard for consequences made him slightly overwhelming.

Thanks to the connection we'd built while I was still a guild employee, Delian smiled warmly the moment he saw me and grabbed my shoulder.

"Argo."

"Yes?"

"Don't worry. This old man will definitely uncover clues about the memories of the past you saw."

"I'm curious, but you really don't have to go that far..."

"What are you saying! The knowledge you discovered is worth its weight in gold. Even if I have to gather every scholar attending the academic festival, I will find it for you!"

The way he was talking made it sound like he was promising to find a long-lost family member. I could only respond to the highly motivated Delian with an awkward smile.

"Oh dear, it's time! Let's depart at once! Our destination is Libertas, the heart of the North!"

After burning with enthusiasm for quite a while, Delian took his place at the front of the procession as the departure time approached and began to move.