16 Time Flow

With the acquisition of their new house, the Bastian family finally settled into a semblance of normalcy. Their days were often filled with tasks that ranged from hunting down dangerous beasts lurking near the village to standing guard at the border between the Imperial Empire and the North Empire. Surprisingly, they hadn't encountered any assassins sent by the Imperial Empire, which granted Leona and Bastian a sense of security, allowing them to leave their children, Desmond and Alice, at home without constant worry.

In that very same year, Grandmaster Weston, after a long and illustrious career, decided it was time to retire. The news of his departure created a stir, igniting heated debates and conflicts within the ranks. Some close associates of Grandmaster Weston advocated for Noel, recognizing his exceptional skills and dedication, while others believed Leona, a recent addition to the military, would be the ideal successor.

Word of these rumors reached Leona's ears, prompting her to swiftly announce her support for Noel as the next Grandmaster. This proclamation immediately divided the army faction into two distinct parties. The first group rallied behind Noel, acknowledging his prowess and unwavering loyalty, while the second faction aligned themselves with a new enigmatic figure called Grimm, who held the title of New Master Wizard.

Grimm had earned the personal appointment of King Edward himself and shared a deep friendship with him. He had played an instrumental role in aiding Edward's ascension to the throne, disappearing thereafter into the depths of the treacherous beast territory. For years, Grimm had fought a relentless battle, trapped within the heart of enemy territory. Each kill he made attracted more beasts, forcing him to adopt guerilla tactics. After each skirmish, he would vanish into the shadows, seeking refuge until he was prepared to engage in combat once more.

After an arduous five years, Grimm suddenly reappeared before King Edward, accompanied by his pregnant wife. He recounted his grueling ordeal, describing how he had fought his way out of the treacherous beast territory, battling unimaginable odds. The journey had been fraught with peril, as even a single kill would draw more of the deadly creatures to his location. Yet, with tenacity and cunning, Grimm prevailed, employing hit-and-run tactics to survive.

Faced with the dilemma of choosing between his long-time acquaintance, Grimm, and the rightful disciple of Grandmaster Weston, Noel, King Edward found himself in a quandary. Both candidates possessed undeniable merits and strong support, leaving him grappling with the weighty decision of determining the next Grandmaster.

Following Edward's announcement, it was revealed that a battle would take place between Grimm's camp and Noel's camp in the coming five years. The confrontation was set to be a fierce clash of ten skilled individuals, with each side comprising five combatants. The victor would claim the coveted title of Grandmaster of the North Empire.

With this declaration, many skeptics speculated that Noel would have the upper hand in the battle due to the presence of two Master Wizards and a formidable dual-class warrior on her side. The odds seemed to favor her, instilling a sense of confidence among her supporters.

Grimm, once renowned for his wisdom, initially contemplated relinquishing his claim to the Grandmaster position upon hearing the news. However, King Edward, recognizing the value of his participation, urged him to take part. By joining the fray, Grimm would strengthen the fighting force and invigorate the kingdom, infusing it with a palpable sense of vitality.

During Edward's reign, fears of another war still lingered among the populace, causing doubt to fester regarding their commitment to the North Empire. The Tournament of Storms, as the competition came to be known, was seen as a much-needed catalyst to boost morale, enhance the troops' combat experience, and instill a renewed sense of hope within the kingdom.

Simultaneously, Grimm and his wife celebrated the blessing of a child, who happened to be the same age as Desmond, Leona and Bastian's son. Speculation arose that this young one may one day become a formidable rival to Desmond, adding an intriguing layer of anticipation to their intertwined destinies.

In other news, the construction of the Northern Academic School had reached completion, signaling its readiness to accept students. The prospect of this prestigious institution stirred great excitement among the populace, prompting many to swiftly enroll their children. However, the academy's location posed a slight challenge, as it lay a considerable distance away from the capital city. Those aspiring to join the academy were required to bear the cost of a wagon and hire mercenaries to safeguard their journey from the perils of the wild beasts.

Motivated by the desire for a brighter future for their children, people redoubled their efforts to amass greater wealth. They yearned for their offspring to have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of becoming wizards—a path rarely accessible to ordinary individuals. In the past, this lack of accessibility had often forced people to abandon their aspirations and opt for the life of a swordsman. The establishment of the Northern Academy provided a newfound avenue for those seeking to unlock their magical potential. With these developments, the North Empire embarked upon a period of remarkable growth and transformation, promising a brighter future for its inhabitants.

Three years had slipped away, marked by the passage of time and the relentless pursuit of growth. In the morning, as the sun bathed the vast meadow in its gentle rays, a courtyard adjacent to the castle came alive. The air brimmed with freshness, infused with the sweet melodies of chirping birds, painting a picturesque scene reminiscent of a serene garden. The avian choir, their melodic symphony, reverberated through the air as they gracefully took flight, crossing paths with a young boy.

This boy, standing at a height of 110 centimeters, possessed a mop of blackish-brown hair that framed his face. His eyes shimmered in a captivating magenta hue. Firmly clutching a wooden sword with both hands, his youthful forehead glistened with beads of sweat, which cascaded down his body, evidence of his arduous training. His countenance radiated solemn determination.

Observing his physique, one could discern that the boy had dedicated countless hours over the past few years, honing his muscles through relentless training. With a repetitive motion, he swung his sword, up and down, tirelessly. After several hours of unyielding practice, exhaustion finally seized his body, causing him to collapse onto the ground. His face turned skyward, exposed to the expanse of the clear blue heavens, while his labored breaths filled the tranquil atmosphere. Gradually, he closed his eyes, surrendering himself to rest.

A tranquil silence settled, only disrupted by the gentle rustle of the breeze that caressed the surroundings. Suddenly, the boy's eyes snapped open, revealing a fleeting reddish glow that lasted a few minutes before fading back to their usual brilliance.

Lying on the ground, Desmond caught a distant voice calling out to him, "Excuse me, young master, your meal is ready."

The words reverberated in his ears, prompting him to rise from his prone position. With purposeful strides, he approached the servant and spoke, his voice filled with gratitude, "Thank you. Please place it over there."

Initially puzzled by the young master's intense training regimen, the servant couldn't fathom the reason behind his relentless pursuit. Why did the young master push himself so tirelessly? And why did he choose to partake of his meal on the ground rather than at the dining table? However, after years of witnessing his young master's unyielding determination, the servant had grown accustomed to his peculiarities. It was not their place to question his decisions. With a nod, the servant complied, placing the meal where instructed, silently acknowledging the remarkable transformation that had taken hold of the young master over the years.

"Yes, young master," replied the servant respectfully, bowing slightly before placing the meal on the ground and discreetly departing.

Desmond cast his gaze upon the arrangement of food before him, noting an abundance of vegetables with only a modest portion of meat. He had deliberately adjusted his diet, ensuring that he consumed only what was necessary to sustain his body without excess calories. Having witnessed many individuals neglecting the importance of a balanced diet, he recognized the advantages of incorporating ample vegetables into his meals. The inclusion of these nutrient-rich greens not only promoted his overall health but also improved his memory and endurance, rendering his body both robust and resilient.

Seated comfortably on the ground, Desmond assumed a cross-legged position, commencing his meal. In between bites, he took a moment to assess his current status, a routine he had developed over the years.

As he delved into introspection, the scanning process commenced within his consciousness, examining the intricacies of his being and providing a comprehensive analysis of his attributes.

[Scanning Host Body…]

[Scan Complete!]

[-Status-

Name: Desmond

Gender: Male

Age: 3 years

Race: Human

Class: Swordsman

Occupation: None

Unique Energy: 5.05

Strength: 6.56

Agility: 0.36

Stamina: 1.63

Trait Effect:

Selfishness (Unique) (Self-Growth)

- Increase Strength, Agility, and Stamina by +20%

- Increase Amount of Unique Energy Gathering by +0.003

- Decrease the effect of shared anything by -10%

Conclusion: Due to consistent swordsmanship practice, significant improvements have been observed in strength, while agility shows no significant growth. Stamina has been enhanced as a result of the unique energy reaching 5.00.]

"Hmm," Desmond mused, his brow furrowing with a hint of concern. "After three years of dedicated effort, progress has been modest at best. At this rate, I fear I may not be able to adequately protect myself, let alone safeguard my family should assassins strike once more."

Directing his thoughts to the system that aided him on his journey, he inquired about the progress of creating a new spell.

[Creating a Task...

Used 1 Slot

Status: Working 0%]

[Estimated time: 7 years]

[Unused Slot 1]

"Still seven years until completion," he muttered to himself, a tinge of impatience creeping into his voice. "Seems like now would be an opportune moment to investigate any anomalies within our household."