ALL NOVEL Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Strange Quest
The sun had started to deep, casting long shadows across the ground, and moonlight had begun to peek.
The ground bore the marks of their fierce exchanges—scattered leaves, displaced soil, and the occasional broken branch.
"We should call it a day, we have achieved far more than I expected today. I didn't think you would be able to master two out of the ten moves and even go as far as learning over fifty percent of the third move too!
If I had known you had such aptitude for sword mastery, I would have taught you earlier. It's a shame we only have this short amount of time." Godfrey remarked, judging by the excitement in his voice, you could tell he was impressed.
He was covered in a light sheen of sweat, his breathing heavy but steady.
The clearing was littered with signs of their exertions: impressions in the earth where feet had pivoted and lunged, and a few drops of blood where blades had nicked flesh.
Elias was sprawled out on the bare floor, his clothes torn, tattered and covered in soil and dust. He was covered in small cuts and bruises, if it wasn't for the loud and greedy breaths of air he was taking, one would assume he was dead with the way he lay still.
"I still…couldn't learn… the third move," he said between each breath
"Nonsense, you did more than expected, it takes even the most talented swordsmen at least a year to learn even the first step.
My initial plan was to show the steps to you, and give you notes to practice on whence you get to Eldoria."
"Is that so…"
"Now let's get going before your mother and sister start getting worried," Godfrey said, as he sheathed his sword
"I think it is a little too late for that, haha" Elias chuckled lightly, "You're so going to get the scolding of your life when we get back"
Godfrey shuddered at the thought of being scolded by Eleanor, if there was one thing he tried his best to avoid, it was Eleanor's anger.
"Get up quick. Let's not waste any more time here"
Elias chuckled nervously, "There's a slight problem…"
Godfrey raised an eyebrow "And that is?" he asked
"I can't move my arms and legs," he grunted as he tried to stand up
Godfrey sighed, "I knew it couldn't be that easy, we overdid it. Putting that much strain on your body over and over again would have effects.
Lucky for us it is temporary, by the morning you should be good as new" he said as he inspected Elias' body.
He picked up Elias' sword, sheathed it, and put it in his holster. He bent over and carried Elias on his back.
Taken aback by this sudden action, Elias asked, "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like? I'm carrying you home we can't keep your mother waiting, we have to get home before nightfall else we will encounter some wild beasts"
"O-Okay" Elias stammered,
'This is embarrassing, a thirty-year-old plus man being carried like a child, kill me, please.
No! I am no longer Raphael, Raphael is dead. I am now Elias Ashdown, a Seventeen-year-old boy who just happened to have no choice but to be carried by his father due to fatigue.
Yes, that sounds more normal, does it?' Elias battled internally
'Ahh, it's not like I can do anything about it, why am I stressing? Besides, it feels kind of nice…when last was I this close to Dad' A wistful expression appeared on his face as he thought
"Why are you suddenly so silent?" Godfrey asked
His voice was almost as low as a whisper, Elias replied, "Nothing… Father"
"I see. Aren't you curious?" Godfrey asked
Puzzled by Godfrey's sudden question, Elias asked "Curious about what?
"About how your old man who is nothing but a farmer suddenly teaches you sword skills that most swordsmen could only dream of learning"
"Oh that, I figured if I was meant to know, you would have told me by now. Also, I knew you weren't just a farmer the day you gave me a wooden sword for my tenth birthday and started training me in the way of the sword" Elias answered, but in truth, the reason he didn't question Godfrey's true identity was because he had played Arcane Days.
It was like watching a movie for the second time, or in this case, the thousandth time.
"I see, you trust your old man that much, that's good to know.
As you said, when the time comes, everything will reveal itself to you my boy."
"Okay Father"
"One more thing, never trust anyone completely or if possible at all…including me your own father," Godfrey instructed, Elias remained silent and simply nodded his head.
After that, their journey home became a silent journey, with only the sound of crickets and distant growls of wild beasts permeating the air.
After a while, the Ashdown's little farmhouse popped into view. As they approached the house, they could see Eleanor and Nina seated outside waiting for their return.
Neither Eleanor nor Nina had a welcoming expression, Elias could hear Godfrey gulp loudly.
But as they got within range, Eleanor didn't scold Godfrey or anything of the sort, instead, she was more concerned as to why Elias was being carried.
Elias dropped down from his father's back and explained to his mother that Godfrey simply lost a bet, that nothing was wrong with him. He did so while trying his best to hide his cuts and bruises, he was doing a terrible job.
Eleanor eyed Godfrey then Elias, her eyes traced down to the swords resting on Godfrey's waist. She connected the dots immediately, and turned around, "Dinner is waiting for you," she said as she walked inside the house, Nina followed closely behind.
Godfrey and Elias exchanged glances, before cautiously stepping inside the house.
"Make sure you wash up first" Eleanor instructed
"Yes ma'am!" they replied in unison
***********
After finishing his dinner, Elias left the house with the excuse that he wanted to make sure the cows had enough water to drink.
Elias made his way to the barnyard, "[Stats Menu]", he commanded after confirming he was alone. Although no one but him could see the status menu, it would be awkward for him to just be staring at nothing in the midst of others.
[ FWP: 150/10,000,000,000
Name: Elias Ashdown
Class: Swordsman, Farmer
Title: Farmer, One blessed by Fate, swordsman, Child of light, Child of Destiny, Loved by mana.
————————–————————–
Health: 1730/2000
Mana: 400,000/400,000
————————–————————–
Strength: 24
Agility: 20
Speed: 22
Stamina: 78
Intelligence: 43
————————–————————–
(Skills)
–Passive Skills: Blessing of the Goddess of Light, Advanced Farming arts, Mana regeneration(Basic), Elemental Affinity(Basic).
–Active Skills: Sword dance(Basic), Flash Strike(Basic), Chamber of fire and Ice(Incomplete), Stab(Basic), Slash(Basic), Irrigation(Intermediate) + 4 others]
"My stats have increased, and the skills I just learnt are all here too, even though they are very nice skills, I still need to get stronger.
Eldoria isn't a nice place for weak people, especially that place…"
[ One time offer! A choice has been presented to you:
A secret task has appeared!
Reward: 1,000,000 fwp
Failure:???
The details of the task would only be revealed to you, if and only if you agree to take on the quest.
Take on the quest?
〔Yes〕or 〔No〕
]
"Huh?"