In the end, when dinner time arrived, Lenore told the others that Raiden had reached the adept level... it seemed a bit too soon since most kids stayed there for one year and a half, and not considering the time of the war, Raiden only stayed there for three months.

"I spent a year there. How did you pull it off?" Iri asked. "I had to duel with a bunch of people to show my skills."

"Don’t know. I just mastered the agility and perception techniques, and that did the trick by showing them in combat," Raiden shrugged.

"Well, I guess healing is a bit different since it can’t be used to win duels," Iri added. "Putting that aside, I am happy that I won’t have to deal with my food, but I feel a bit offended since it looks like you don’t have any faith in me."

"I decided that you might need some backup, and I also want to expand my horizons a bit," Raiden shrugged.

"I already gave Iri an explanation of what she needs to be wary of, but telling you will be a good reminder to her as well," Lenore said in a serious tone. You will be free to do whatever you want there, but you will need to work with them in the mornings. Still, don’t cause trouble or do anything stupid."

In the society of elves and dwarves, social structure is influenced by one’s connection to the council. Although there are no peculiar customs or traditions unique to these groups, the hierarchy was clearly marked by respect and influence to them. Those who are directly associated with the council, whether through political positions, influential roles, or familial connections, receive a higher degree of respect and are afforded certain privileges not extended to the general populace.

This preferential treatment can manifest in various ways, from the way they are addressed and regarded in public to the special accommodations they might receive in different settings.

The children of these influential families, in particular, may exhibit a certain level of arrogance or entitlement. Their elevated social standing can lead them to act with a sense of superiority, which might be off-putting or challenging to handle. Despite their behavior, it’s important to maintain composure and not let such attitudes provoke a reaction.

In practical terms, this means being extra cautious around these individuals and their families. When interacting with them, acknowledging their status while keeping a professional demeanor can help maintain positive relationships and avoid unnecessary conflict. Or so Lenore told them.

"They sure are stiff and mind the smallest stuff," Iri said.

"More than one hundred of us are going there, right?" Raiden asked. "What are we getting in exchange?"

"A lot of stuff like medicinal herbs, ores, and some money, too," Harth said while showing a wry smile. "They will also pay each one of you. Thanks to that, you will have to follow their instructions, even if it doesn’t make you think that their methods will show much result."

Raiden nodded... that was a bit annoying, but it was fine. He was planning to make some money by buying bows and reselling them after improving them with his power, so he wasn’t that worried about money. Still, he began to wonder recently what he should learn next... or if he should buy a long-range weapon and improve it.

Raiden’s consideration of whether to learn something new or invest in a long-ranged weapon and enhance touched on a crucial point about his growth and effectiveness. Opting to expand his skills and knowledge would be the better choice for several reasons.

First, learning new skills or techniques aligns with long-term growth and versatility. Developing a broader range of abilities not only makes Raiden more adaptable in various situations but also strengthens his overall combat and strategic capabilities. It allows him to tackle challenges from different angles and become a more well-rounded fighter.

On the other hand, focusing on acquiring and improving a long-ranged weapon might seem like a shortcut to immediate effectiveness. While enhancing a weapon with his power could yield significant short-term gains, it risks creating a dependency on that specific tool. This approach might reduce Raiden’s incentive to develop his skills further, potentially leading to stagnation or a decline in his growth.

In essence, prioritizing skill development over equipment enhancement would be more beneficial in the long run. It would ensure that Raiden continues to grow and adapt, maximizing his potential and effectiveness across various situations rather than relying on a single, enhanced tool that might limit his overall potential.

After dinner, Raiden began to pack his things since he didn’t have time that week. Iri helped him since she was in a good mood. Now that Raiden thought about it, he never saw her talking with that many people. Being the daughter of the head of the village put her in a difficult place to make friends, it seemed.

"We are leaving first thing in the morning with everyone," Iri declared. "We won’t be using the vehicle, so prepare yourself for a trip of ten days."

Iri was truly looking forward to that, and at first, Raiden was a bit excited as well since he had achieved his goal. His next step was to decide which path he should choose to take next... Still, those thoughts vanished when he realized that his father and mother would have a lot of time for themselves while they were away. That was a good thing for them, but Raiden felt a bit odd since they would have even more chances to mess around... so perhaps when they returned, they might be informed that a little sibling would be on the way.

"Crap... I really had to think about that, huh?" Raiden thought and then sighed.

Raiden had managed to avoid dwelling on his concerns about family dynamics and personal status, but now that he had let his guard down, these thoughts emerged with full force. The idea of Harth and Lenore potentially having a younger sibling for him had surfaced, and it stirred up some deep-seated worries.

Raiden was confident that Harth and Lenore, who had shown him nothing but care and fairness, would not treat him any differently, even if a new child came into the family. Being adopted did not change his place in their eyes, he believed. Nevertheless, a lingering anxiety persisted. The prospect of a new sibling, particularly if that sibling were a boy, triggered a sense of insecurity about his own position within the family.

Deep down, Raiden harbored fears of losing his place. The introduction of a new child could shift family dynamics and potentially alter how he was perceived. Even though he logically understood that Harth and Lenore’s love and respect for him wouldn’t diminish, the emotional response of feeling displaced or less valued was hard to shake off. This internal conflict revealed a vulnerability in Raiden, highlighting his fears of losing his cherished position and identity within the family if a new sibling arrived.

"Ugh, I hate this kind of thinking..." Raiden thought while massaging his eyebrows. "Better get to sleep and focus my mind on something else for as long as possible during the mission. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

When morning came, the family had an early breakfast since they wanted to be together when they all departed for the mission. Iri rolled her eyes when she heard that, but she didn’t say anything else. At the same time, Raiden still felt a bit bothered since those thoughts came now and then to his mind, and he couldn’t help but sigh in exasperation. At least the others didn’t realize that.

When the group went to the gate of the village, pretty much all of the students were already there and ready to depart. Although their ages were between thirteen and eighteen, they still looked like a rather impressive group since they had some combat experience and they had confidence in their skills as well.

In the end, Lenore gave them a bit of a prep talk, but not too much, in order not to make them get overly worried or tense, and she kept a relaxing mood that helped them as well.

"All right, do your best out there and return with some good experiences," Lenore said.

Everyone nodded and slightly bowed after hearing those words. As the group set out on their journey, Raiden noticed an intriguing dynamic. While the members of the group stayed close to each other and engaged in conversations, it quickly became apparent that they were all familiar with one another. Raiden, however, stood out as the only person who seemed to be an outsider; he only knew his sister, Iri.

Despite the close-knit nature of the group, no one seemed particularly interested in getting to know Raiden or making him feel more included. Conversations flowed effortlessly among the others, but Raiden was largely left to the periphery. It was clear that he was an exception in this social web—everyone else had established connections and relationships, while he was an unknown quantity.