Iron Ring - Lv 01

Magic: + 01

Durability: 02/02

Free Points: 05

Iron Amulet - Lv 01

Spirit: + 01

Durability: 02/02

Free Points: 05

Iron Bracelet - Lv 01

Bonus Damage: 15

Damage Nullification: 03

Durability: 05/05

Free Points: 05

The experiments worked... some items actually had that kind of effect. They had gems on them that seemed cheap, but while their use was mainly aesthetic, they still had such bonus effects, even though they were almost nonexistent.

"I guess I need more valuable items," Raiden thought.

The next day, Raiden went to resell those items to some specialized shops once he used the free points. Those guys could feel that the items had some effects. When they equipped them, they also felt the difference. The shopkeepers studied Raiden to see how much they could profit from that, but soon, they gave up after seeing him in the eye. He wasn’t a naive kid looking for quick money.

As it turned out, Raiden gained around five times more than he had invested... perhaps working as a merchant was actually more profitable, but he wasn’t willing to change professions now. He could tell that herbology and alchemy had a lot more potential.

When it comes to buying and selling things, timing and luck were too much influential and Raiden didn’t want to rely on luck. Relying on talent and skill was much better.

"In the end, I will have to check the shops in the village regularly for new things that may have interesting effects," Raiden thought.

A week passed, and Raiden and his friends finally began to notice some progress in their training. The days of meditation, exercises, and persistent attempts to control Aura Force were starting to show some tangible results. The changes were subtle, but they were there, signs that their efforts were not in vain.

Raiden, in particular, felt a shift within himself. Although he hadn’t managed to skip steps in his training as he had initially planned, he could sense his Aura Force slowly evolving. The energy within him responded more readily to his commands, aligning more closely with his intentions. It was a gradual process, but each small victory brought him closer to mastering the path of agility he had chosen.

The group’s progress was a collective achievement, with each member contributing to the supportive atmosphere that fueled their advancement. Javier’s determination, Ruth’s thoughtful approach, and Ruth’s insistence all played vital roles in their shared journey. They celebrated their improvements together, finding motivation in each other’s successes. Although she hesitated, Ruth was the one who apparently made the most progress... everyone could see her doing handstands with a lot more ease now, thanks to her Aura Force concentrated on her arms.

"This is kind of annoying, don’t you think?" Javier asked while they watched Ruth training. "Why someone so indecisive would have so much more talent?"

"Maybe that is the cause of it," Raiden said. "Anyway, saying that kind of thing is kind of pathetic."

"Ugh... I guess you have a point," Javier said after he showed a troubled expression. "Anyway, it doesn’t look like we will pass through this floor in the blink of an eye. I guess it is normal."

"You guys can try that. I will still focus on graduating as fast as possible," Raiden said and then got up from his meditation and then began to swing his spear.

Raiden’s swings got faster and sharper, and he also could see the difference while looking at his parameters. Before, the bonuses when Aura Force was active were pretty even; now, he had less on them for the magical attributes and more on the physical attributes.

Raiden - Lv 09 (0/900)

HP: 150/150

MP: 130/150

STA: 150/150

Strength: 75

Vitality: 60

Endurance: 55

Magic: 43

Spirit: 48

Wisdom: 48

Dexterity: 56

Quickness: 56

Perception: 42

Fortune: 98.200

Skills: Money is Power (MAX)

Magic:

Passive: Pickpocketing Lv 01, Sword Mastery Lv 01, Spear Mastery Lv 08, Alchemy Lv 07, Martial Arts Lv 01, Aura Force Lv 24

Raiden also realized that his skills improved faster when he used Aura Force. Actually, they only gained experience without using his power when they were used alongside Aura Force . That was probably the same with everyone. Regardless, Raiden was starting to get the hang of the technique, so he assumed that he would pull it off on his arms in another week.

Thanks to that, he was in a good mood, but when he reunited with his family to have dinner, he noticed that his Father and Mother looked more quiet than usual. They weren’t showing in their expressions that they were troubled, but it was clear that something was in their heads.

"What is wrong?" Raiden asked and then he thought of telling a joke telling that perhaps they were in a marriage crisis, but he didn’t want to risk stepping on any landmines.

"Don’t worry about it. It must be adult’s stuff," Iri said. "There are too many bothersome things in an adult’s life."

"Aren’t you an adult too, big sis?" Raiden asked. "I mean technically."

"Oh, yeah, that is true," Iri said. "Well, I still want to avoid the troublesome things of life."

Raiden forced a smile, his thoughts briefly wandering as he observed Iri. She was sometimes an airhead, her carefree demeanor contrasting sharply with the other family members. He couldn’t help but wonder whom she had inherited that trait from. After all, their mother, Lenore, was a relentless hard worker, always striving to ensure the village’s well-being. Their father, Harth, was the linchpin of their village’s operations, coordinating efforts and maintaining order with dedication.

Despite Iri’s occasional absent-mindedness, Raiden knew that she possessed a unique strength and capability. Her healing abilities and natural talent were clear testaments to that. Yet, he often found himself puzzled by her ability to remain so relaxed and detached in situations where focus and intensity were required.

As Raiden reflected on their family dynamic, he couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. Perhaps Iri’s light-hearted nature was a much-needed balance to the determined and sometimes stern approach of their parents. It reminded him that every member of their family brought something valuable to the table, even if it wasn’t always immediately apparent.

"Well, sooner or later, you will hear about it, so there is no point in hiding it," Lenore said. "The whole village received a convocation from our neighbor to help them in a war."

"Well... that was quite straightforward," Raiden raised his eyebrows.

Raiden realized that he knew very little about the outside world. In their secluded village, information about the broader world was scarce and tightly controlled. Even the traveling merchants who occasionally passed through avoided about sharing details of their journeys and the lands beyond. Raiden suspected this was due to an unspoken order from Lenore.

Lenore’s intention was likely to maintain the village’s focus on their own affairs and avoid unnecessary distractions. By limiting exposure to external matters, she ensured that the villagers remained dedicated to their training, duties, and the well-being of their community. Raiden understood the logic behind this approach, but he couldn’t help but feel a bit of curiosity about what was beyond the village’s borders.

The lack of information created a sense of mystery and intrigue about the outside world. Raiden often wondered what other villages, towns, and cities were like, what kinds of people lived there, and what challenges and adventures awaited beyond the familiar confines of his home.

Still, it made sense since the people of the village had the custom of freeing slaves from wars and conflicts. They had made a lot of enemies over the years, and exposing themselves like that outside would put them in danger.

"That is something that kids usually learn when they reach the scholar level on the tower of mastery, but thanks to the circumstances, I can’t hide that kind of information from you," Lenore said. "The world outside is pretty much always in conflict, and we receive a lot of offers to work for them, but we only select work from some places that we consider allies. The king of Lunaria is one of them; we trade a lot of stuff with them, and we occasionally move to help them defend their borders."

The village had a few thousand very useful warriors, so most countries and kingdoms would try to get on their good side, so it was natural that Lenore would be cautious even from their neighbors that acted like good allies... it could be just an act, after all.

"Naturally, they are intending to pay us accordingly," Lenore said. "However, this level of conflict is larger than usual. A lot of us will probably die, and that will weaken the village. Even if we leave half of the forces here, the village still will be more prone to attacks."

"That being said, not helping them and letting them fall will make us the next target, right?" Raiden asked.

"It is as you say," Lenore said.