A few knocks echoed on the door. After a few more unanswered knocks, Leon took hold of the doorknob and, to his surprise, found it was not locked. He walked towards the bed and sat down. Gently, he pushed her shoulder, trying to wake her, but to no avail. But the sight of her nubile body under her thin white sleepwear dress compelled him to y his hands on her breast and slowly csp them around it.

  Leon tried again to wake her, pushing her shoulder. “Hey, wake up. Wake up,” he called, but once again, he failed. Erica groaned, and his attention turned back to her bosom, visible through the thin fabric of her sleepwear. His heart raced as he gently pinched her nipples and pyed with them, which unconsciously tickled her.

  “Wake up! It’s almost time!” Leon called out.

  Erica jolted awake, sitting up quickly. “What time is it?” she asked nervously.

  “Time for our training,” he replied.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. I overslept,” she said, a slight blush rising on her cheeks. I was having the most wonderful dream… with someone I care about deeply. We were having such a good time, and then I woke up, she thought, a hint of disappointment lingering.

  “Dream time’s over,” Leon said. “Get up.”

  “Did you… hear my thoughts?” Erica asked, surprised.

  “No,” he said. “I heard you groan.”

  “Oh,” she said, her blush deepening.

  Leon paused at the door. “I’ll wait outside,” he said, gncing back at her.

  “Right, just give me a minute,” Erica replied quickly, already heading towards the bathing area.

  “The maid said breakfast is ready,” Leon added.

  “Got it,” she said, hurrying to prepare for the day.

  After breakfast, Leon and Erica went to the garden. She handed him a book titled Pangaea Ultima: System Basics. Leon studied the cover intently.

  “Have you read it before?” Erica asked.

  “No,” he replied.

  “This book expins how the System works.”

  “What system?”

  “I’ll teach you everything. Come here.”

  Leon followed Erica to a small, round cottage in the center of the garden.

  “First, rex,” she instructed, pcing a hand on his back. “Inhale deeply, and exhale. Now, I’m going to channel my mana into you. Don’t resist. Just let it flow.”

  “Ugh! My head…it’s throbbing,” Leon excimed.

  “It’s temporary,” Erica reassured him. “Just rex and let the mana flow.”

  After a moment, Erica’s mana awakened Leon’s own.

  “How do you feel?” she asked.

  “I saw a giant orb…and I feel lighter. I can see more clearly,” Leon replied.

  “Good. That’s the source of your mana. Now, close your eyes, focus your mind and body, and say ‘System.’”

  “System,” Leon repeated. A screen materialized before him, startling him.

  “What is this?” he asked.

  Name: Leon Ryler

  Race: Human

  Age: 6

  Rank: Not yet acquired

  Attributes: Light, Dark, Fire

  Inherent Skills: Natural Curious, Attributes Manipution, Mana Manipution.

  “That’s your status dispy. And by the way,” Erica continued, “forming a team requires at least five members. A banced team typically includes a tank—someone to draw enemy aggression and take damage; a damage dealer, like a warrior or assassin; mages, who provide elemental damage and support; an archer, a long-range damage dealer; and, crucially, a healer, who not only heals but also buffs the team and counters curses.”

  “So, what are your attributes?” Erica asked.

  “It says light, dark, and fire. Didn’t you see it?”

  “I could have, but I prefer not to intrude unless you give me permission.”

  “Okay, I understand. What about you? What are your attributes?”

  “I have light, dark, and lightning. That makes me a good match for you as a teacher.”

  “I also have inherent skills. What do you think about those?”

  “Inherent skills are invaluable. They’re gifts from your parents, but you’re under no obligation to reveal them to anyone, not even your parents. Of course, you can tell me if you’d like.”

  “I’ll show you,” Leon said.

  Name: Leon Ryler

  Race: Human

  Age: 6

  Rank: Not yet acquired

  Attributes: Light, Dark, Fire

  Inherent Skills: Natural Curious, Attributes Manipution, Mana Manipution.

  “This is…impossible,” Erica breathed, her eyes wide. “I’ve never seen anyone with three inherent skills. People usually inherit only one.”

  “These skills…they come from our parents?” Leon asked.

  “Yes, ultimately from our ancestors,” Erica confirmed. “There are ancient stories that the gods bestowed them upon us.”

  “The gods?” Leon mused, a thoughtful expression on his face.

  “Well, that’s just an old legend. No one knows for sure. But the point is, typically only one skill is passed down—from your parents, grandparents, or someone else in your lineage. Inheriting three…it’s unheard of. I strongly advise you not to reveal this to anyone. Skills are considered sacred. Tradition dictates that they shouldn’t be shared, even with family, unless the individual chooses to disclose them.”

  “So, this is something I should keep secret,” Leon thought. “But what if I did tell everyone?” he asked aloud.

  “With skills like these, the entire supercontinent would take notice. The King of the Human Kingdom might even summon you to work under the Kingdom. You’d lose your freedom,” Erica expined.

  “Absolutely not,” Leon decred. “My parents were adventurers. I want to be a powerful adventurer like them.”

  “Which is exactly why I recommend discretion.”

  “By the way,” Leon continued, “Alice mentioned you’re from the Elven Kingdom. What brings you here?”

  “I travel because I crave freedom,” Erica replied proudly. “I’m an adventurer myself.”

  “Is that…connected to your pointed ears?” Leon asked.

  “Haha, you’re teasing me,” Erica chuckled. “Well, do you like them?”

  “No,” Leon said.

  “Huh?” Erica touched her ears self-consciously.

  “I mean…not just your ears. Everything about you is…perfect.”

  Erica’s cheeks flushed crimson. “You’re quite the charmer,” she said, flustered.

  “You’re not a girl,” Leon continued. “You’re a dy.”

  “Hehe. Enough,” Erica said, trying to regain her composure.

  “Can I…touch your ear?” Leon asked.

  “Eh? Sure, why not?” Erica replied, a hint of amusement in her voice.

  Erica sat down beside Leon. He extended his arm toward her ear, but his hand inadvertently fell on her voluptuous chest.

  Taken aback, Erica scolded Leon. “Hey, not cool. It’s inappropriate to touch a maiden’s private parts.”

  It was the first time Leon had ever been scolded—just for touching someone inappropriately. He didn’t know how to react or how he felt; it was a strange sensation inside him. But he knew he needed to say something.

  “I’m so sorry. My hand just moved on its own.”

  Seeing how remorseful Leon was, Erica felt a pang of pity for him.

  “It’s okay. I forgive you. But don’t ever do that again, okay?”

  Leon remained silent.

  “Hey,” Erica said gently, “talk to me. We’re okay now.”

  “I’m sorry,” Leon mumbled. “It’s just…I’ve never been told off like that before. I didn’t know what to say.”

  “I understand,” Erica said. “But you said your hand moved on its own? Is this…a habit?”

  Leon hesitated before answering. “Yes.”

  “How long have you been doing this?”

  “Since I was little.”

  “I see. So, do you do this to everyone?”

  “No. Only to Mother…and my favorite maid.”

  “Do your parents know you do this to others?”

  “I…I don’t know. I’ve never told them.”

  “Hmm. Would you like me to talk to them about it?”

  “No, please. Keep it a secret,” Leon pleaded.

  Erica thought for a moment. “Okay,” she said finally. “I won’t tell your parents. But you have to promise me…you won’t do it again. Ever.”

  Leon remained silent, his expression unreadable. Erica looked at Leon, whose mouth shut, unable to give her the promise she sought.

  “Let me tell you a story,” she began. “I was at the Adventurers’ Guild, having breakfast, when a huge, burly man—probably a tank—came in. He scanned the room, ordered a beer, and then approached a table occupied by a hooded figure. ‘May I join you?’ he asked. She didn’t respond. I tried to see her face, but the deep shadows of her hood obscured it. Only her silver eyes, glowing faintly within the darkness, and a few strands of silver hair escaping the hood, were visible. The man, presuming her silence was consent, said, ‘I’ll take that as a yes,’ and then called out to a waitress. He continued to stare at the hooded figure, who remained engrossed in her own activities. Finally, growing impatient, he pced a hand on each of her shoulders. That’s when she spoke. ‘You’ve touched me twice without my permission,’ she said, her voice firm and cold. ‘Touch me again, and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.’ Drunk on arrogance, the man removed his hands from her shoulders…and then touched her breast. In an instant, she vanished. The man, momentarily bewildered, suddenly cried out in agony. Blood sprayed from his now-amputated arms. We searched, but no one could find the hooded figure, nor the severed limbs.”

  “Weren’t there guards?” Leon asked, a hint of shock in his voice.

  “Guards only respond when summoned,” Erica replied. “Besides, no one cared. He brought it on himself.”

  Leon was silent, deep in thought.

  “Don’t dwell on it,” Erica said. “It’s a common occurrence. These things happen.”

  “Really?” Leon asked, surprised.

  “Absolutely. In my hundred years, I’ve seen far worse. So, I advise you: control yourself if you value your life.”

  “Let’s take a break,” Erica suggested, changing the subject. “I’ll tell you about guilds, adventurer ranks, and dungeons.”

  CONTINUATION………………………..

  A few hours ter, Leon was in the vast library with Alice, his favorite maid. They searched for books on guilds, adventurer ranks, and, most importantly, dungeons. Since the library had no librarian, they were left to their own devices, like searching for a needle in a haystack. After a few hours, they finally found what they were looking for: Introduction to Becoming an Adventurer: The Basics; Guilds: What Are They? Learning the Types of Guilds; and Masters and Dungeons: Hunting for Wealth.

  Alice settled into their usual spot, occasionally gncing at Leon. He, however, was completely absorbed in the dungeon book, his curiosity so piqued that he seemed to have forgotten about the other books—and, more significantly, about Alice. He wasn’t even sitting beside her, but across the sit. She wondered why he was behaving so differently. A strange mix of longing and regret stirred within her, feelings she couldn’t quite understand.

  “Alice,” Leon called out.

  “Yes, Master?” she replied.

  “Please read the other two books. I’d like you to summarize them for me ter.”

  “As you command, Master.”

  Alice was reading the Introduction to Becoming Adventurer: The Basics.

  “The System guides the adventurers of old. One of them is the founder of the Adventurers Guild. According to him, in order to prevent loss of life while hunting monsters, adventurers must be ranked based on their power and capabilities. Here is the adventurer ranking of the founder, a Grand Master himself:

  Novice Ranks.

  E Rank: Beginner Adventurer - New recruits with minimal experience

  D Rank: Apprentice Adventurer - Adventurers with some experience and know-how on inherent skill.

  C Rank: Journeyman Adventurer- Experienced adventurers capable of handling most common quests.

  Intermediate Ranks.

  B Rank: Expert adventurers - Highly skilled adventurers who can tackle challenging quests.

  A Rank: Elite Adventurer - Powerful adventurers capable of handling complex and dangerous missions.

  Master Ranks.

  S Rank: Master Adventurer - Legendary adventurers with exceptional strength and inherent skill.

  SS Rank: Grandmaster Adventurer - Extremely rare, incredibly powerful individuals who are often considered heroes.

  Godhood Ranks.

  This rank was not an official ranking but was ter added due to the persistent rumors that godly beings walk among us.”

  While reading, she couldn’t help gncing at her master. She had so many questions in her mind that craved answers. But how could a mere maid ask such daring questions of her master? So, with a heavy heart, she shook it off.