Chapter 16
Chapter 16
The result of gritting my teeth through the 14 days of hellish training was incredibly sweet.
“Status window.”
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[Arlen]
[Strength: D-] [Agility: D-] [Endurance: D-]
[Stamina: D-] [Mana: EX] [Luck: E+]
[Owned Traits] (collapse)
Chaos Eye
Dragon’s Roar Heart
Weak Authority
One Language
Shoddy Concealment
Strong Body – Draconian
Purple Lightning
Super Rookie
Evelyn-style Explosive Swordsmanship
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After the swordsmanship lessons, I spent days attacking and dodging relentlessly, being hit and flying across the training grounds over and over.
Matching levels with Evelyn, I sparred, dodged, countered, and charged at her repeatedly.
As a result, my Agility and Endurance rose by an additional grade—a real breakthrough.
On the last day of training, when I mentioned my stats had increased, Evelyn’s expression was one of disbelief that I had grown so quickly.
She said D-rank stats don’t rise easily.
…Even the ones I increased were done while vomiting blood.
The day after finishing training, I heard from aide Kane that Evelyn wanted to see me, so I went to her office.
When I knocked and entered, she was selecting something from her desk.
“Master? I heard you called me.”
Looking up from what she was examining carefully, she said:
“Yes. Perfect timing. Now, let’s cut to the chase—you should go to the Adventurer’s Guild.”
Of course, it made sense to register at the guild, learn some basics, and explore dungeons after training… but so soon?
“You mean I should leave immediately?”
She nodded firmly.
“If you’re going, it’s better to start now. Training’s over, so no reason to dawdle.”
Then, with a playful grin, she asked:
“Or do you want to train a bit more with the knights at the public training grounds? If you want, adding one more participant is no trouble for me.”
What the hell?
“I’ll go pack my things immediately, then.”
“Pfft! Just kidding, just kidding. Wait a moment. Before you leave, I have something for you.”
She decisively picked one item from the desk and tossed it to me.
“Check the info right away.”
Following her words, I looked at the object in my hand.
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[Hiynax’s Earrings] (A)
A pair of earrings made from the body of the Frost Lord Hiynax for his companion, the Flame Witch Helena.
Each must be worn by one male and one female.
─If the wearer is male, strong fire resistance is applied.
─If the wearer is female, strong ice resistance is applied.
─They enable telepathic communication between the two.
However, if too far apart, the effect does not work.
────
“Uh… am I really allowed to receive something like this?”
Evelyn nodded.
“It’s the reward for completing training well. Besides, since I had no one to share it with, it was just clutter for me, so take it. …Wait, what are you thinking? If it’s about Kane, you’re dead.”
How did she know?
“Wearing this, I’d have to always stay close, like a companion, even in a party. And I only go with someone who’s strong enough, like me.”
She frowned.
“And more importantly, I don’t want to share such an item with a man weaker than me.”
I calmed her down and thanked her, promising to use it well.
“Oh, and before registering and learning at the guild, drop by the cathedral to meet Yeriel.”
Cathedral?
“She’s been staying with the priests of the Light Order recently. Even sleeping there.”
Right, during the two weeks of intense training, I hadn’t seen Yeriel even once.
“Why is Yeriel living at the cathedral? I thought she had a separate house near the knight order with you.”
I vaguely remembered her mentioning the house was close to the order when bringing Hans over last time.
Because Evelyn, a deep adventurer and knight commander, often went into dungeons or spent long times at the order, Yeriel was frequently left alone at the house.
Evelyn explained cheerfully:
“She grew up quickly… she said she couldn’t stay still if she kept being in the same party with you, so she went to train at the order.”
I had never gone into a dungeon with another priest, but Yeriel was impressive for a first-timer: heal, buff, shields, quick judgment.
‘I’m a little impressed.’
[Chaos says she’s the type of person you should recruit as a companion.]
“Maybe she thought you’d be extraordinary and leave quickly. Honestly, she’s still just a slightly above-average lower-floor priest.”
Evelyn raised her fist at me:
“You! I’m saying this as her older sister—never make Yeriel cry, no matter what.”
Then she curved her index finger while keeping her fist raised:
“Unless it’s a skill issue and she can’t keep up, don’t hurt her for any other reason. Understand?”
No need to be told—I’d never do that.
“I won’t. I already owe her, and why would I make someone as kind and cute as Yeriel cry? Don’t worry.”
Satisfied, she smiled.
“Good. Huh, I acted like I was seeing someone off on a long journey. Your room will be ready, so come back anytime. Have a good trip.”
True to Evelyn’s words, the atmosphere was too serious.
I returned to my quarters, packed, and headed out the main gate of the knight order.
“Then I’ll really be going! Don’t be too sad I’m gone!”
Smiling at Evelyn and leaving the knight order behind, I walked toward the cathedral.
I arrived at the cathedral after a steady walk.
Even in the morning, it was fairly crowded. Visitors were expected for trait verification, removals, and other order business.
I approached a relatively unoccupied female priest.
“Excuse me, may I ask you something?”
“Can’t you see I’m working…!? Oh my, what’s your question?”
Wow. Her expressions change like a flip of a mask.
I asked if she knew where Yeriel, who had been staying at the order, was currently located.
“Oh! You’re the Arlen Yeriel always talks about, right? If you wait at the cathedral entrance, I’ll call her for you. Just a moment.”
“Thank you, that’s really kind of you.”
The priest ran off with raised spirits, glancing back at passersby.
‘Wow. Beastmen, dwarves, elves… always amazing.’
Soon, I heard the voice I hadn’t heard in two weeks, running from behind.
“Is it really Arlen? Arlen! Long time no see!”
Oh, it’s Yeriel’s voice.
“I wanted to meet you, but my sister stopped me… I kept waiting to see you!”
She spoke clearly, with no stutter, and her voice was strong.
When I turned, I was momentarily stunned.
Not just the voice—her posture was straight, shoulders wide.
Her plain blue robe replaced with a high-quality black-and-white outfit.
Looking at her, I questioned if it was really a priest’s robe—it revealed a lot of her figure.
‘Yeriel has grown into an adult…’
When she used to wear a loose robe, she looked delicate. Now… difficult to ignore.
I had to acknowledge the changes without showing it, so I opened with a compliment:
“Yeriel, you’ve changed a lot since I last saw you. I mean, in all good ways.”
Yeriel smiled brightly at the praise.
“Yeah! While you were training with my sister, I worked hard too! Learned new spells, got new gear!”
She fiddled with her hands awkwardly.
“Of course, the gear was from my sister. After hearing about my struggles, she insisted I take it.”
Even I would have done the same if I were Evelyn.
“I tried to do everything myself, but ended up taking both gear and money. Would that look bad to you, Arlen?”
I didn’t think so—it was enviable.
“Yeriel, you’re already doing great. Asking a little help from family is fine—it’s part of your ability.”
I patted her shoulder.
“Don’t blame yourself or downplay your abilities. Your master would want to see you smiling, using what she gave you to grow. You understand?”
She nodded firmly.
“Yes! I’ll do my best! I want to grow so much that I surprise my sister. Arlen, will you help me?”
“Of course. Lean on me when things get tough. And I can already see you’ve grown more confident in just two weeks.”
I said with a smile, and Yeriel hid her flushed cheeks.
“The sisters at the order encouraged me a lot. But the biggest help was you, Arlen, letting me open up my heart last time.”
Yeriel smiled brightly, so cute.
“Oh, here—want to try wearing this earring? It’s a high-grade accessory from the master. You and I each wear one.”
She accepted one and whispered:
“Can I… really share an earring with Arlen? What if people think we’re a couple?”
“Eh, just say no if they ask. And it only works if we wear them together, so don’t worry.”
Yeriel got flustered:
“Geez, Arlen, you dummy! I wasn’t saying that out of worry!”
She put it on and walked into the cathedral.
‘So… it’s okay if people think we’re a couple?’
We’d only known each other a month, and half of that time we hadn’t even seen each other. Not exactly a couple’s relationship.
[Chaos says: Such a mischievous girl, tsk tsk.]
Anyway, that’s not important. I need to grab Yeriel and head to the guild.
“Wait, Yeriel!”
…
…
Thus, we met safely at the cathedral and headed together to the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Arlen, whatever it is, hold on! At least for my sake… okay?”
After everything since being transported to this world, I thought I’d forgotten.
But I hadn’t.
─“Ugh, sorry! This game… I wasn’t looking while running. Are you okay?”
─“Hahaha, Isekai transfer, let’s go! Beautiful girl—”
Right. I got transported here, so naturally that bastard was in the city too.
I clenched my fists, thinking:
How do I deal with this guy?